Dural arteriovenous fistulas: evaluation with MR imaging

The preangiographic diagnosis of cerebral dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) can be difficult. The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 12 patients with angiographically proved DAVF were evaluated to characterize the appearance of these lesions and to identify those patients at increased risk for complications. Patients with DAVF demonstrating venous occlusive disease are at higher risk for complications from the arterialized collateral venous system. This venous occlusive disease is demonstrated best at arteriography. The MR imaging appearance of dilated cortical veins without a parenchymal nidus is suggestive of a DAVF with veno-occlusive disease. Eight of the 12 patients in our series demonstrated this finding at angiography. Complications, including infarction and hemorrhage, were identified at MR imaging in eight patients with MR imaging evidence of veno-occlusive disease. At angiography 42% of these complications were not apparent. In one patient with a DAVF draining into an unobstructed right sigmoid sinus, results of MR study were normal. Although patients with DAVF without veno-occlusive disease may have normal findings at MR imaging, DAVF associated with veno-occlusive disease and dilated pial venous drainage can be documented on MR images. This subset of DAVF patients, many of whom were identified only at MR imaging, is at higher risk for complications due to veno-occlusive disease. These patients are believed to require more urgent therapy. MR imaging is useful in the pretherapeutic planning for patients with DAVF.     

Dural sinus occlusion: evaluation with phase-sensitive gradient-echo MR imaging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of limited-flip-angle, phase-sensitive velocity imaging with gradient-recalled-echo (VIGRE) MR when combined with spin-echo MR in the diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis. The VIGRE sequence consists of a rapid single-slice acquisition, 50/15/2 (TR/TE/excitations), and 30 degrees flip angle. At each slice position, a total of four images were reconstructed; these consisted of one magnitude image and three images sensitive to proton motion in each orthogonal direction. The flow direction and flow velocity (cm/sec) were obtained from each of the phase images, and results were correlated with data obtained from a phantom experiment. In normal controls, dural sinus velocities ranged from a mean of 9.9 to 14.4 cm/sec for the transverse and superior sagittal sinuses, respectively. Three patients with proved dural sinus occlusion were studied with spin-echo images at 1.5 T. Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography was also performed in one patient. The presence of dural sinus occlusion was determined by the lack of flow void on the spin-echo images, the absence of phase shift on the VIGRE study, and the presence of retrograde flow on the phase image in the sinus proximal to the occluded segment. Time-of-flight angiography overestimated the extent of the thrombosis caused by spin saturation. Follow-up VIGRE studies detected the formation of collateral flow in one patient and recanalization with the establishment of normal antegrade sinus flow in the other. We conclude that phase-sensitive MR imaging is helpful in establishing the diagnosis and extent of dural sinus occlusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dural invasion of meningiomas adjacent to the tumor margin on Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR images: histopathologic correlation

In intracranial meningiomas a flat, contrast-enhancing, dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced MR images. We wished to evaluate whether there is a correlation between MR images and meningeal invasion of intracranial meningiomas. The study included 54 patients with intracranial meningioma and the meningeal sign. MR studies included T2-weighted and gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted images in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Histopathologic examinations were done on the meningiomas adjacent to the dura mater. The meningeal sign on MRI was observed from 2 up to 35 mm from the main tumor mass in 31 (57 %) of the 54 patients. In 20 of these 31 the histopathologic examination showed tumor invasion, while 11 patients had no tumor invasion but tissue proliferation, hypervascularity, and vascular dilatation. Seven of the 23 meningiomas without the meningeal sign had histologically proven infiltration of the adjacent dura. MR imaging is not able to determine definitive whether or not there is dural infiltration of the meningiomas. In conclusion, resection of the tumor with a wide margin is necessary to achieve complete excision of meningioma and to avoid recurrence. Received 23 July 1997; Revision received 10 October 1997; Accepted 17 October 1997     

Urinary bladder neoplasms: evaluation with contrast-enhanced MR imaging

Forty-eight patients with urinary bladder neoplasms were examined with magnetic resonance imaging before and after intravenous administration of gadolinium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Spin-echo sequences with short repetition and echo times were used in all patients; in 20 a gradient-echo technique was used to perform sequential imaging. In 31 patients ratios of tumor signal intensity to that of fat, muscle, and bone marrow were calculated before and after Gd-DTPA enhancement on T1-weighted spin-echo images. Increases in tumor signal intensity on T1-weighted spin-echo images were statistically significant after contrast enhancement (alpha = 1%, P less than .0001). The average rise in relative signal intensity after contrast enhancement was 120% for the tumor-fat ratio (tumor-marrow ratio, 105%; tumor-muscle ratio, 85%). Tumor signal intensity peaked within 120 seconds and remained on a plateau for up to 45 minutes. Necrotic tissue within the tumor, seen in three cases, was detectable only on contrast-enhanced images.     

Uterine neoplasms: MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) studies were performed on 20 healthy volunteers and 41 patients with proved cervical and uterine neoplasms. MR imaging demonstrated normal uterine landmarks in all patients. On T2-weighted images, the normal uterine wall could be differentiated into three distinct layers: a central high-intensity zone, a junctional low-intensity band, and a peripheral medium-intensity area. While most of the normal cervices had only two distinct zones (central high-intensity zone and peripheral low-intensity zone), a small percentage had three layers of signal intensity, similar to the uterine body. Primary cervical and uterine neoplasms could be identified on MR images. In 18 of 22 patients with proved carcinoma, a mass with a signal intensity higher than that of normal cervical lips was seen on T2-weighted images. Endometrial carcinoma was most often identified as expansion of the central high-intensity area; discrete tumor nodules were visible in nine of 15 patients. Mixed müllerian sarcoma appeared as a large pelvic mass with complete obliteration of normal uterine landmarks. MR imaging delineates primary cervical and endometrial carcinoma better than computed tomography does.     

Neck neoplasms: MR imaging. Part I. Initial evaluation

Untreated neoplasms of the neck (tumors of the oropharynx, supraglottic area, carotid body, and thyroid, in addition to malignant lymphadenopathy) were evaluated in 23 patients with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The results were compared with computed tomographic (CT) scans in 20 patients. Contrast between tumor and fat was best on relatively T1-weighted images (500/30-35 [TR msec/TE msec]), whereas separation of tumor and muscle was best with relatively T2-weighted pulse sequences (1,500/90). Balanced images (1,500/30-35) provided best overall image quality and best demonstrated vascular anatomy. MR imaging was usually superior to CT in showing the relationship of tumor mass to muscle. MR imaging and contrast material-enhanced CT were equivalent in most patients in defining vascular anatomy, but MR imaging was superior when intravenous contrast material was not administered. However, CT was more helpful in showing bone and cartilage anatomy, and in some patients CT also was better in showing airway abnormalities. Despite these limitations, MR imaging is a promising imaging technique for studying neoplasms of the neck.     

Neck neoplasms: MR imaging. Part II. Posttreatment evaluation

Thirty-three patients who had undergone prior surgery and/or radiation therapy for malignant neoplasms of the neck were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Twenty-seven of these patients were also evaluated with computed tomography (CT). Ten patients were healthy posttreatment volunteers, and 23 had documented tumor recurrence. MR images better demonstrated normal muscular landmarks, especially in patients with obliterated fat planes. Areas of posttreatment fibrosis or scarring were low in signal intensity with all MR pulse sequences. However, in three patients, high signal intensity from postradiation edema of the supraglottic area mimicked neoplasm. In patients with recurrent tumor, MR imaging was superior to CT in defining the relationship of tumor and muscle and in demonstrating vascular anatomy when no intravenous contrast material was given during the CT examination. In two patients tumor and fibrosis were separated on MR images because of signal intensity differences. CT scans, however, showed adjacent bone and cartilage anatomy better. Our data indicate that an MR examination may be helpful in patients in whom CT is indeterminate either because of anatomical distortion or suboptimal demonstration of vascular anatomy.     

Cerebral aspergillosis: MR imaging and histopathologic correlation.

The authors report a case of intracranial aspergillosis secondary to immunosuppression. Signal intensity changes in the lesion on brain MR are compared with gross and histopathologic findings at autopsy. A peripheral ring of low signal intensity relates to a dense population of Aspergillus hyphal elements and small areas of hemorrhage. CT findings are included for comparison.     

Cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenoma: MR imaging

PURPOSE: To define magnetic resonance (MR) imaging criteria for the diagnosis of cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR images obtained in 106 patients (86 female, 20 male; age range, 16-71 years) were reviewed retrospectively by two physicians. The standard-of-reference criteria for invasion were the surgical findings. A chi(2) analysis was performed, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for nine groups of MR imaging signs were computed. RESULTS: Invasion of the cavernous sinus was certain (PPV, 100%) if the percentage of encasement of the internal carotid artery (ICA) by tumor was 67% or greater. It was highly probable if the carotid sulcus venous compartment was not depicted (PPV, 95%) or the line joining the lateral wall of the intracavernous and supracavernous ICAs was passed by the tumor (PPV, 85%). It was definitely not invaded (NPV, 100%) if the percentage of encasement of the intracavernous ICA was lower than 25% or the line joining the medial wall of the intracavernous and supracavernous ICAs was not passed by the tumor. CONCLUSION: The radiologic diagnosis of cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenoma remains difficult, but the above-mentioned criteria may be of assistance.     

Renal allografts: evaluation by MR imaging

The value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in assessing renal transplants was prospectively studied in 45 patients with 46 allografts. Four allografts were imaged at two different times, and separate diagnoses were given for both examinations. Therefore, this study was based on 50 proved diagnoses: nine normally functioning allografts, four allografts with acute tubular necrosis (ATN), 29 with acute rejection, one with chronic rejection, five with cyclosporin nephrotoxicity, and two with local inflammation secondary to adjacent abscess. Twenty-seven of the allografts had concomitant fluid collections. Normal renal structures with preservation of corticomedullary contrast (CMC) on T1-weighted images were demonstrated in all the normally functioning allografts. Decreased or absent CMC on T1-weighted images, reflecting a long T1 relaxation time for cortex, was found to be the most consistent sign of acute renal allograft rejection (27/29). No abnormalities on on MR images were observed in allografts compromised by cyclosporin nephrotoxicity. Hydronephrosis of the renal allograft was easily diagnosed with MR. Perirenal abscess (three cases) and perirenal hematomas (five cases), because of their higher MR signal intensity on T1-weighted images (TR = 0.5 sec, TE = 28 msec), could be differentiated from clinically insignificant postoperative fluid seromas (seven cases), lymphoceles (11 cases), and urinoma (one case).     

Rectal carcinoma treated by preoperative irradiation: MR imaging and histopathologic correlation.

We evaluated the role of MR imaging in assessing the effect of preoperative irradiation in 11 patients with primary rectal carcinoma. Findings on MR images obtained before radiotherapy and 5-6 weeks afterward were analyzed and correlated with the histopathological findings (nine patients) or the findings at laparotomy (two patients). Before irradiation, the tumor volumes on MR images were between 3.3 and 51.7 cm3 (mean 19.7 cm3). After irradiation, the volumes were from 0.8 to 33.2 cm3 (mean, 10.4 cm3), representing a decrease in volume of 11% to 88% (mean, 55%). On the MR images obtained before irradiation, the tumors were confined to the bowel wall in four cases (stage A-B1), penetrated the perirectal fat in six cases (stage B2), and involved an adjacent organ in one case (stage B3). After irradiation, no apparent changes were seen in the MR appearance of the local tumor stage in nine of the 11 patients. In one patient, progression of stage was suspected on the postirradiation MR images, but this was not confirmed at histologic examination. In one patient, possible downstaging occurred after irradiation, although this could not be proved. Our findings suggest that MR imaging may be useful for determining the effect of preoperative radiotherapy on rectal carcinomas.     

Myometrial invasion by endometrial carcinoma: assessment by MR imaging.

In patients with early-stage endometrial cancer, preoperative knowledge of myometrial tumor extension has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for assessing the depth of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer that clinically was thought to be confined to the uterine corpus. Sixty-five consecutive patients were included in the study. All patients had MR imaging before radical surgery. MR imaging findings were compared with microscopic pathologic findings in all cases. On MR images and at histologic analysis, myometrial invasion was classified as absent (tumor confined to the endometrium), superficial (less than 50% of myometrial thickness), or deep (50% or more of myometrial thickness). At histologic examination, tumor limited to the endometrium was proved in 14 cases, superficial myometrial invasion by tumor was present in 34 cases, and deep tumor invasion was demonstrated in 17 cases. In determining the presence of tumor confined to the endometrium, MR imaging had a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 96%. In the assessment of tumor with superficial myometrial invasion, MR imaging had a sensitivity and a specificity of 74%, whereas in assessing deep myometrial penetration, the sensitivity and specificity of MR were 88% and 85%, respectively. Errors in MR interpretation when determining myometrial tumor spread were more frequently overestimations rather than underestimations. Our results indicate that MR imaging is useful for the preoperative assessment of myometrial invasion in patients with proved endometrial cancer.