脊柱结核的MRI评价

目的：分析脊柱结核的ＭＲＩ特征。材料和方法：总共１８例证实为脊柱结核的患者行ＭＲＩ检查（男１２例，女６例，年龄１９－７６岁）。结果：ＭＲＩ所见：（１）相邻椎体受累１６例（８８．９％）。（２）韧带下及椎旁脓肿１２例（６６．７％）。（３）椎管内侵犯５例（２７．８％）。（４）１８例共４４个椎体受累，在Ｔ１加权上呈低信号（３４／４４），Ｔ２加权上呈高信号（３２／４４）。（５）１８例中有１６例见椎间盘异常（形态或信号），受累椎间盘在Ｔ２加权上信号多变。结论：脊柱结核的ＭＲＩ征象对诊断极有帮助并能为外科手术提供详细的解剖资料。     

脊柱结核的CT诊断

目的探讨脊柱结核的CT表现及脊柱结核CT检查的重要意义。方法对30例临床和病理确诊的脊柱结核病例的CT表现进行回顾性分析。结果脊柱结核的CT表现包括:(1)椎体及附件不规则虫蚀样和囊状骨质破坏。(2)沙砾样和斑片样死骨形成。(3)椎间盘坏死及椎间隙狭窄、消失。(4)椎旁脓肿、纵隔脓肿、腰大肌脓肿。(5)椎体后部的骨质破坏产生的碎骨片和坏死物质可进入椎管压迫硬膜囊和神经根。(6)椎体塌陷呈楔形。结论CT对脊柱结核的诊断和鉴别诊断有重要价值,尤其脊柱结核对椎体附件和椎管的累及范围、程度可清楚地显示,对指导手术治疗和判断预后有重要意义。     

Spinal cord sarcoidosis

We present a case of spinal cord sarcoidosis which resembled a disseminated intramedullary tumour. The case is unusual because the spinal cord is only rarely affected by sarcoidosis and the patient developed a neurological deficit as the first manifestation of the disease. This condition thus has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary intramedullary tumours, or metastatic disease with involvement of the spinal cord.     

A better understanding of urogenital tuberculosis pathophysiology based on radiological findings

Purpose

To assess the radiological findings of urogenital tuberculosis (UGT) in patients at different disease stages, for a better understanding of its pathophysiology.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the radiological exams of 20 men (median age 41 years; range: 28-65) with urogenital tuberculosis diagnosis. The patients were classified in the following groups: (1) bilateral renal tuberculosis with predominantly parenchymatous involvement; (2) unilateral renal tuberculosis; (3) unilateral renal tuberculosis with bladder tuberculosis and (4) bilateral renal tuberculosis with bladder tuberculosis.

Results

One AIDS patient had multiple bilateral renal tuberculosis abscesses (group 1). Six patients had unilateral renal tuberculosis with hydronephrosis due to stenosis and thickening of the collecting system, without involvement of the bladder or contralateral kidney (group 2). Six patients had bladder tuberculosis with diffuse thickening of the bladder wall, with one very low or no function kidney while the other kidney was normal (group 3). Seven patients had bladder tuberculosis associated to a very low or no function kidney with the other kidney with high-grade vesicoureteral reflux-associated ureterohydronephrosis (group 4). In two patients, sequential exams showed evolution of tuberculosis from a unilateral renal and ureteral lesion to contracted bladder and dilatation of the contralateral kidney secondary to high-grade reflux.

Conclusions

UGT may have variable radiological presentations. However, in two of our cases we have seen that tuberculosis involvement of the urinary tract may be sequential. Further evidences are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in diffuse lymphangiomatosis: neuroradiological manifestations

We report magnetic resonance (MR) findings in a patient with histologically proven lymphangiomatosis with a history of chylothorax, diffuse lung infiltrates, spinal involvement, cystic lesions of the mediastinum, and mesentery thickening. The patient also had diffuse infiltration of the right brachial plexus, with similar imaging findings as the spinal lesions. Although osseous and extraosseous involvement may be seen frequently with lymphangiomatosis, involvement of the brachial plexus has not been previously reported.     

Osteo-articular tuberculosis

Various authors have reported differences in the radiological features of skeletal tuberculosis in the coloured patient. We studied retrospectively the radiographs of 71 patients with proven skeletal tuberculosis seen in our hospital, over a 6 year period. Sclerotic bone reactions and periosteal new bone formations were unusual findings but multiple bone involvement occurred about 15% of our patients. There was also a high in incidence of tuberculosis of the ankle and foot compared to that reported in white Caucasian patients.     

Imaging of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of childhood first presenting with isolated primary spinal involvement

OBJECTIVE: Initial presentation with primary spinal involvement in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of childhood (CRMO) is rare. Our objective was to review the imaging appearances of three patients who had CRMO who initially presented with isolated primary spinal involvement. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The imaging, clinical, laboratory and histology findings of the three patients were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging included seven spinal MR imaging scans, one computed tomography scan, nine bone scans, two tomograms and 16 radiographs. These were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists and a consensus view is reported. All three patients presented with atraumatic spinal pain and had extensive bone spinal pathology. The patients were aged 11, 13 and 12 years. There were two females and one male. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The initial patient had thoracic T6 and T8 vertebra plana. Bone scan showed additional vertebral body involvement. Follow-up was available over a 3 year period. The second patient had partial collapse of T9 and, 2 years later, of C6. Subsequently extensive multifocal disease ensued and follow-up was available over 8 years. The third patient initially had L3 inferior partial collapse and 1 year later T8 involvement with multifocal disease. Follow-up was available over 3 years. The imaging findings of the three patients include partial and complete vertebra plana with a subchondral line adjacent to endplates associated with bone marrow MR signal alterations. Awareness of the imaging appearances may help the radiologist to include this entity in the differential diagnosis in children who present with spinal pathology and no history of trauma. Histopathological examination excludes tumor and infection but with typical imaging findings may not always be necessary.     

Transverse myelitis in a 26-year-old male with tuberculosis

Acute transverse myelitis is an inflammatory condition covering the entire cross section of the spinal cord, spreading on two or more vertebral segments, without evidence of a compressive lesion. This shows clinically as an acute or subacute onset of paraparesis, lower limb paresthesia, sensory deficits, and impaired sphincter function. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is exceedingly rare cause of this inflammation, with a mechanism still not fully understood. The main etiologies are thought to be an abnormal activation of the immune system against the neuronal cells of the medulla, direct inoculation of the bacillus, and the toxic effect of the antitubercular medications on the spinal cord.We present the case of a 26-year-old male patient with acute symptoms of transverse myelitis and presence of miliary tuberculosis of the lungs. The purpose of this case report is to put the emphasis on the importance of distinguishing the characteristics of tubercular lesions on imaging modalities, especially on magnetic resonance imaging, in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis as a rare but profoundly serious cause of acute transverse myelitis.     

Brucellar spondylodiscitis: noncontiguous multifocal involvement of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine

Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution presenting with a wide clinical spectrum. Brucellosis can involve any organ or system. The axial skeleton is the most common site of involvement with a frequency ranging from 2% to 53%. Multiple-level spinal involvements are rare. This report describes the first case of noncontiguous synchronous multifocal involvement of all cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions in a patient with brucellar spondylodiscitis.     

Evaluation of Pott's disease with computed tomography

Summary The CT appearance of eight cases of culture-positive spinal tuberculosis is reviewed. Three patients had single level vertebral involvement, while five others showed multilevel involvement. In seven of eight cases, paraspinal soft tissue involvement was seen. In two, the process caused neurologic symptoms by extending into the epidural space. In three patients the paraspinal extension was not only local, but spread along multiple levels. The CT appearance can be highly suggestive of TB in cases where the diagnosis has not been suspected. In cases where the diagnosis is suspected by plain films, CT can display unsuspected extension of the disease and be helpful in needle localization for aspiration.     

Imaging findings in spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patient with hemophilia A: an unusual cause for back pain

Back pain and presentation with spinal canal hemorrhage in hemophilia is not common; however, these are significant clinical issues and may lead to significant neurological issues and morbidity. We present an interesting case of severe back pain in a young patient with moderate hemophilia A. Imaging confirmed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the spinal canal without intracranial hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge this is the first described case report of subarachnoid hemorrhage in hemophilia A in the English literature. We also describe the anatomy and imaging features of hemorrhage in the different spinal canal compartments, including the subarachnoid space. Spinal canal hemorrhage in hemophilia is an emergency and serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated promptly. It is important to be aware of the diagnostic features of the spinal canal hemorrhage and carefully assess the spinal canal in hemophiliacs on cross-sectional studies.     

A rare cause of spinal cord compression: imaging appearances of gout of the cervical spine

Gout is a metabolic disorder typically affecting the peripheral joints, more commonly in males. Spinal involvement is uncommon and is usually associated with hyperuricemia. We present the imaging findings of a case of spinal gout in a female patient with no previous history of hyperuricaemia, involving multiple spinal segments.     

False-normal bone imaging in spinal tuberculosis

Tc-99m MDP bone imaging in spinal tuberculosis usually shows increased radioactivity at the sites of involvement. Uncommonly, the bone scan can be normal if the infection is low grade, indolent, or severely destructive. Two cases of spinal tuberculosis with normal bone imaging are reported. A normal bone image does not exclude tuberculous spondylitis. If there is clinical suspicion of this disease, further investigations, including tissue specimens, should be obtained.     

脊柱单椎体结核与单椎体转移瘤的 CT表现差异探讨

目的 探讨单椎体结核与单椎体转移瘤的CT表现差异.方法 回顾性分析和比较经临床或病理证实的16例单椎体结核与17例单椎体转移瘤的CT表现,拟订出进行鉴别诊断的CT表现差异指标.结果 单椎体结核多发生于椎体的前中部,病灶边缘可见硬化缘,其内可见死骨,椎旁肿块多为脓肿,其内常有钙化,多呈周边强化,累及范围广;单椎体转移瘤多发生于椎体中后部及附件骨,少有死骨及边缘硬化,椎旁肿块内少有钙化,强化明显;单椎体结核与转移瘤都罕有累及椎间盘.结论 根据上述CT表现差异,可较明确地做出二者的鉴别诊断;椎间盘破坏与否不能作为二者的鉴别点.     

Imaging of abdominal tuberculosis

The concept of "abdominal tuberculosis" in this review refers to peritoneum and its reflections, gastrointestinal tract, abdominal lymphatic system, and solid visceral organs, as they are subject to varying degrees of involvement alone or in combination. Some features, including free or loculated ascites with thin-mobile septa, smooth peritoneal thickening and enhancement, misty mesentery with large lymph nodes, smudged omental involvement, and advanced ileocecal changes demonstrated by US, CT, or gastrointestinal series are deemed suggestive radiological findings. The diagnosis still requires a high index of suspicion, once the suggestive features have been demonstrated by imaging modalities.     

Aortic pathology revealed by MRI in patients with clinical suspicion of spinal disease

In five patients with clinical suspicion of spinal disease, MRI of the spine revealed unexpected aortic pathology explaining the symptoms. No significant intraspinal pathology was found on MRI. However, in one patient with clinical suspicion of spinal stenosis, an aortic occlusion was detected on MR images of the spine. The lower extremity ischaemia, caused by the occlusion, was responsible for the symptoms. In another patient a paravertebral haematoma from a ruptured aortic aneurysm resulted in spinal nerve compression, thought before MRI to be caused by a spinal tumour. In three patients aortic aneurysm or dissection resulted in spinal cord ischaemia with symptoms mimicking those of compressive spinal disease. Thus, if MRI of the spine does not provide an explanation for the patient's symptoms, examination of the aorta is recommended.     

Hand, wrist, and elbow arthropathy in syringomyelia

We present a patient with syringomyelia and neuropathic osteoarthropathy involving the elbow, wrist, and hand unilaterally and discuss the differential diagnosis of the radiographic features. The unique pattern of joint involvement in this patient may be explained by selective involvement of specific anatomic sites within the spinal cord.     

MR imaging of subclinical cerebral decompression sickness. A case report

Diving accidents related to barotrauma constitute a unique subset of ischemic insults to the central nervous system. Victims may demonstrate components of arterial gas embolism, which has a propensity for cerebral involvement, and/or decompression sickness, with primarily spinal cord involvement. Decompression sickness-related radiology literature is very limited. We present our MR findings including FLAIR images in a decompression sickness patient with atypical presentation and review the related literature. We believe MR can be useful in follow-up studies and in early diagnosis of decompression sickness when symptoms do not fit the classic picture or loss of consciousness in surfacing.     

Gastrointestinal disorders in elderly patients

Gastrointestinal disorders are common in elderly patients, and the clinical presentation, complications, and management may differ from those in younger patient. Most impairment occurs in the proximal and distal tract of the gastrointestinal system. Swallowing abnormalities with a wide span of symptoms and pelvic floor pathologies involving all the pelvic compartments are common. Acute abdomen, often from small bowel obstruction or mesenteric ischemia, can pose a diagnostic challenge, because a mild clinical presentation may hide serious visceral involvement. In this setting, the radiologist often is asked to suggest the appropriate management options and to guide the management.     

Neurosarcoidosis: evaluation using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Two patients with unusual central nervous system sarcoid were investigated using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as other x-ray studies. A patient with intramedullary involvement of the spinal cord as well as nerve root involvement was examined. Follow-up examination after treatment with steroids showed a return to normal. The second patient had optic nerve involvement as well as two intracranial parenchymal lesions and granulomatous arachnoiditis. In this patient magnetic resonance imaging offered no advantages over computed tomography in the orbit but was significantly more accurate intracranially.