Cerebral sparganosis: CT characteristics

Cerebral sparganosis is an extremely rare parasitic zoonosis caused by a migrating plerocercoid tapeworm larva, genus Spirometra. Nineteen computed tomography (CT) scans of 12 patients with cerebral sparganosis were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with clinical and pathologic data. On CT scans, the following characteristics were noted: (a) unilateral involvement; (b) extensive or multifocal areas of low density along white matter bundles, with ipsilateral ventricular dilatation and localized cortical atrophy; (c) nodular or irregular enhancement with spotty calcification; and (d) change in location of enhancing nodules on sequential scans. These pathognomonic features reflect a chronic inflammatory process with both active granulomatous lesions and widespread degeneration of brain tissue, especially in the white matter. Degeneration is probably caused by migration of the long-surviving larva along the fiber tracts of white matter.     

MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion character of cerebral sparganosis: a case report

The authors report the case of a 46-year-old woman with cerebral sparganosis resulting from infection with a larva of Spirometra. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion with prominent perifocal oedema in the left parietal lobe. Advanced imaging pulse sequences, including MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion, were performed. During surgery for the removal of a granuloma, the parasite was discovered and excised. Following treatment, the patient''s neurological deficits markedly improved.Sparganosis is a rare incidental parasite infection in humans caused by infestation of a plerocercoid of the genus Spirometra. Cases of sparganosis infection in humans have been reported worldwide, although most cases occur in Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Korea, and less commonly in the United States and Europe [1]. We describe a case of cerebral sparganosis in a 46-year-old woman and discuss the characteristic findings of computed tomography (CT), classical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion imaging.     

脑裂头蚴病的MRI诊断

目的分析、探讨脑裂头蚴病的脑部MRI征象。方法搜集经临床确诊的脑裂头蚴病15例，回顾性分析其脑部的MRI征象。结果15例脑裂头蚴病患者脑内单发或多发不对称病灶共21个，顶叶8个，额叶6个，颞叶2个，枕叶2个，基底节、小脑半球及桥脑各1个。病灶MRI表现为T1WI呈稍低信号，T2WI呈较高信号，病灶周围脑实质可见大片状水肿。增强扫描10例，病灶均显示强化，大部分呈环形、串珠状或匐行管状强化。6例MRI复查发现2例病灶强化的位置及形态有改变。结论脑裂头蚴病的脑部MRI表现具有一定的特征性，增强扫描及追踪复查至关重要。     

脑脂肪栓塞的MRI及CT诊断

目的 总结脑脂肪栓塞(CFE)的临床及MRI及CT的影像特点。方法 分析3例急性CFE的临床表现、影像特点。结果 (1)3例均为长骨骨折，在外伤后或骨折固定、复位数小时后突发精神状态改变。(2)醒状昏迷是主要临床表现。(3)3例患者MRI能明确显示病灶，1例CT显示了病灶。(4)MRI、CT显示脑内病灶均呈基本对称性分布，为边缘模糊的点、片状长T1、长T2信号，CT呈低密度。病灶均累及脑干、分水岭区脑白质、基底节区、胼胝体压部。2例病灶累及小脑。(5)1例患者发病康复治疗3个月后MRI复查示脑内病灶完全消失。结论 急性脑脂肪栓塞的临床及MRI、CT影像改变具有特征性，MRI在病灶显示上优于CT。     

CT and MR imaging characteristics of intravestibular lipoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial lipomas are uncommon congenital malformations that most often are asymptomatic. A rare subset of intracranial lipomas arises within the vestibule of the inner ear, which can cause sensorineural hearing loss. We present the CT and MR imaging characteristics of lipomas within the vestibule of the inner ear and propose a pathogenetic mechanism for this malformation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed five cases of vestibular lipoma. T1-weighted axial conventional spin-echo and T2-weighted axial fast spin-echo sequences were performed in all five cases. Four patients underwent T1-weighted fat-saturated imaging, and one underwent CT scanning with Hounsfield units measured. RESULTS: Four female patients ranging in age from 10 to 40 years and one 26-year-old male patient had sensorineural hearing loss. Two patients had progressive high-frequency loss; one, sudden-onset high-frequency loss; and two, congenital high-frequency loss. All had lesions within the vestibule that displayed hyperintensity on T1-weighted images, isointensity to slight hypointensity on T2-weighted fast spin-echo images, hypointensity with fat saturation, and fat attenuation on CT scans. Three of the cases were associated with lipoma of the cerebellopontine angle. In none of these cases were the cerebellopontine angle and labyrinthine lipomas contiguous. CONCLUSION: Intravestibular lipoma is considered when a focal hyperintense lesion is identified within the vestibule of the inner ear on T1-weighted MR images. Lesion hypointensity on fat-saturated T1-weighted MR images verifies its lipomatous nature and separates it from intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or highly proteinaceous fluid.     

非小脑蚓部髓母细胞瘤的CT和MRI表现

目的：探讨非小脑蚓部髓母细胞瘤的CT和MRI征象,提高对髓母细胞瘤的诊断水平。方法：回顾性分析57例经手术病理证实的非小脑蚓部髓母细胞瘤术前CT及MRI资料。结果：57例髓母细胞瘤中,8例病灶位于桥小脑角区,病灶位于左、右、双侧小脑半球分别为23例、19例、7例。CT平扫肿瘤呈等密度或稍高密度,MRI上肿瘤呈稍长T1稍长T2信号。肿瘤内部囊变坏死者46例,且囊变内壁多较光滑;病灶圆形或椭圆形45例;边界不清、较清、清晰各18例、12例、27例;肿瘤周围有不同程度水肿,发生梗阻性脑积水32例。33例有增强图像,其中9例呈轻度片状强化,18例中度块状、片状强化,6例块状不均匀明显强化。结论：MRI对非小脑蚓部髓母细胞瘤的显像较CT更有优势,其诊断价值较大。     

CT and MR imaging findings in cerebral toxocaral disease

We report serial MR findings in a 54-year-old woman with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis due to Toxocara canis infection, a parasitic disease contracted through exposure with soil contaminated by the eggs of the roundworm. MR imaging revealed several enhancing subcortical and white matter lesions in both lobes. Antihelminthic chemotherapy yielded marked improvement of the neurologic deficits and cerebral lesions. The specific MR findings-low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and contrast enhancement-and the clinical and epidemiologic features of CNS involvement are herein reviewed.     

脑包虫病的CT与MRI诊断

1概述脑包虫病(Cerebralhydatid disease)的发病率较低,约为1%～2%,儿童多见,男性略多于女性,从头颅大小及供血在全身所占的比例来看,儿童相对比成人要大,因此儿童的脑包虫发病率要比成人高数倍。Khald M等报道155例脑包虫,117例为儿童,占76%,平均年龄7岁。藏人和报告脑包虫27例,儿童占80%[1-2]。脑包虫常和肝肺包虫同时发生,也可为原发包虫,脑包虫多为单发,位于幕上、大脑中动脉供血区,累及一个脑叶。亦可多发,分布于两侧。脑包虫还可发生于一些少见部位,如硬膜外、丘脑、脑室内及幕下等[3-4]。脑包虫病分为细粒棘球蚴(echinococcus gran…     

CT and MR imaging characteristics of infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma

Aim

This study aims to analyze computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of infantile hepatic hemangioendotheliomas before and after treatment.

Materials and methods

CT and MR examinations of seven infants with biopsy proven hepatic hemangioendotheliomas were retrospectively analyzed. The distribution, number, size, imaging appearance, enhancement pattern and post-treatment changes of the tumors were evaluated.

Results

A total of 153 hepatic hemangioendotheliomas were detected on CT (111) and MR (42) imaging. In six infants, 109/111 (98.2%) tumors were hypodense and 2/111 (1.8%) lesions contained calcification on unenhanced CT. On MR imaging, all 42 lesions in one infant were heterogeneously T1-hypointense and T2-hyperintense compared to the normal liver parenchyma. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed peripheral rim (51.6%), uniform (48.4%), fibrillary (33.3%), and nodular (28.8%) contrast enhancement in the hepatic arterial phase. Homogeneous (100%), rim (98.2%) and mixed enhancement patterns were noted in tumors <1.0 cm, >2.0 cm and 1.0-2.0 cm in diameter respectively in the hepatic arterial phase. In three patients who underwent steroid therapy, follow-up CT examination demonstrated tumor size reduction and increased intra-tumoral calcification in two patients.

Conclusion

Infantile hepatic hemangioendotheliomas show some typical imaging features and size-dependent pattern of contrast enhancement on CT and MR imaging, which allow accurate imaging diagnosis and post-treatment evaluation.     

CT and MR characteristics of hibernoma: six cases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of hibernoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated imaging findings of CT and MR examinations of six patients (three men and three woman, aged 27-48 years) with histopathological diagnosis of hibernoma. RESULTS: On CT examination, the lesions were slightly hyperdense, and on T1- and T2-weighted MR images, they were isointense or slightly hypointense compared to the subcutaneous fat. All of these lesions showed contrast enhancement and one out of the six lesions had internal linear septations. CONCLUSION: Hibernoma has a wide spectrum of CT and MR imaging findings, which should be considered in differential diagnosis, especially with other lipomatous lesions.     

出血性脑梗死的CT表现特征及分型

急性脑血管病是临床常见病，脑梗死占50％～80％，而出血性脑梗死(hemorrhagic infarct,HI)临床较为少见。HI亦称梗死后脑出血，是指脑动脉栓塞或血栓形成发生脑梗死后，由于动脉再通血液从病变血管溢入脑组织，现总结我院经验报告如下。     

脑梗死后出血性转变的CT、MRI比较

目的 探讨CT、MRI对脑梗死后出血性转变(HT)的诊断价值,并对其特征性表现进行比较.方法 回顾性分析60例HT患者的CT、MRI表现,依据欧洲急性中风合作研究(ECASS)分型进行CT分型,参照该分型,根据MRI显示的脑梗死病变内出血灶的异常信号范围进行MRI分型,并进行HT的CT、MRI比较.结果 MRI检出HT例数明显多于CT,尤其是对出血性脑梗死(HI)的检出,MRI发现了HI 52例(86.7%)而CT仅7例(11.7%),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.005).对脑实质出血(PH)的显示,二者检出率比较无明显差别.MRI可以检出CT不易发现的微小岀血及亚急性期、慢性期岀血及幕下出血.CT显示的HT的数目、大小、范围较MRI小.同一病例MRI与CT显示的HT形态可能不同.结论 MRI诊断HT较CT更敏感,2种分型方法得出的结论不同.MRI分型对判断出血分期、指导临床治疗和判断预后有重要意义.     

Loculated intracranial leptomeningeal metastases: CT and MR characteristics

Studies of twenty-five patients with loculated leptomeningeal tumor metastases diagnosed by CT and/or MR were analyzed retrospectively. Medulloblastoma was the most frequent primary tumor (8/25, 32%). Four subgroups of loculated patterns were identified. Type A included mass(es) limited to the subarachnoid space without obvious direct parenchymal infiltration; this pattern occurred in 12 patients, of whom five had associated diffuse pattern. Type B was characterized by mass(es) still predominantly in the subarachnoid space but with minor transpinal parenchymal infiltration; this pattern was found in five patients. Type C comprised subarachnoid mass(es) with marked transpinal extension mimicking parenchymal lesion; this pattern was observed in three patients. Type D consisted of subarachnoid mass(es) growing along the perineural CSF space; this pattern was noted in two patients. Additionally, two patients presented with combined A and C patterns, and one patient had a combined B and C pattern. More than half the patients (14/25, 56%) presented with a single lesion. The most frequent locations were the suprasellar cistern, ventricular walls, and lateral recesses of the fourth ventricle, Gd-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted MR images appeared best for demonstrating the site and extent of disease. Recognition of the loculated patterns of leptomeningeal metastases, which are less common than the diffuse pattern, is important to radiologists and clinicians for correct diagnosis and proper management of patients with this disease.     

Giant renal cell carcinoma: CT and MR characteristics

A case of an unusually large cystic renal cell carcinoma demonstrated on plain film, CT, and magnetic resonance (MR) is presented. Though the origin of huge abdominal tumors can be difficult to determine, the CT and MR findings were able to correctly diagnose the mass as a malignant cystic kidney tumor.     

Loculated intracranial leptomeningeal metastases: CT and MR characteristics

Studies of twenty-five patients with loculated leptomeningeal tumor metastases diagnosed by CT and/or MR were analyzed retrospectively. Medulloblastoma was the most frequent primary tumor (8/25, 32%). Four subgroups of loculated patterns were identified. Type A included mass(es) limited to the subarachnoid space without obvious direct parenchymal infiltration; this pattern occurred in 12 patients, of whom five had associated diffuse pattern. Type B was characterized by mass(es) still predominantly in the subarachnoid space but with minor transpinal parenchymal infiltration; this pattern was found in five patients. Type C comprised subarachnoid mass(es) with marked transpinal extension mimicking parenchymal lesion; this pattern was observed in three patients. Type D consisted of subarachnoid mass(es) growing along the perineural CSF space; this pattern was noted in two patients. Additionally, two patients presented with combined A and C patterns, and one patient had a combined B and C pattern. More than half the patients (14/25, 56%) presented with a single lesion. The most frequent locations were the suprasellar cistern, ventricular walls, and lateral recesses of the fourth ventricle, Gd-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted MR images appeared best for demonstrating the site and extent of disease. Recognition of the loculated patterns of leptomeningeal metastases, which are less common than the diffuse pattern, is important to radiologists and clinicians for correct diagnosis and proper management of patients with this disease.