Non-herpetic acute limbic encephalitis: cerebrospinal fluid cytokines and magnetic resonance imaging findings

OBJECTIVE: Non-herpetic acute limbic encephalitis (non-herpetic ALE) is regarded as a new subgroup of limbic encephalitis. In the present study, clinical findings and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines in patients with non-herpetic ALE were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For adult inpatients in our hospital and related hospitals from 1996 to 2001, non-herpetic ALE was examined according to the criteria described in this study. Six patients were diagnosed as having non-herpetic ALE, and their clinical data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed. In the CSF samples of the 6 patients with non-herpetic ALE and 6 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-gamma were determined using sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: The six patients with non-herpetic ALE showed all the acute encephalitis features, such as fever, altered consciousness, seizures, memory impairment, and mild CSF pleocytosis. MRI demonstrated selective abnormal signals in the limbic system, including the bilateral hippocampi and amygdalae. The levels of CSF IL-6 and IFN-gamma in patients with non-herpetic ALE were significantly lower than those in patients with HSE (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were below the detection limits in both groups. CONCLUSION: Six patients were newly diagnosed as having non-herpetic ALE in this study. These patients revealed both acute limbic encephalitis and MRI abnormalities in the bilateral hippocampi and amygdalae. The levels of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in the CSF of patients with non-herpetic ALE were significantly lower than those of patients with HSE, possibly reflecting an immunological process in this type of ALE rather than direct viral infection.     

Spontaneous fecal contamination of cerebrospinal fluid: An unusual complication of lymphogranuloma venereum

Summary A case of a spontaneously occurring rectal-subarachnoid fistula with gross fecal contamination of the spinal fluid is reported.Pathologic examination suggested that lymphogranuloma venereum was the underlying disease responsible for this bizarre occurrence.     

Double-outlet right ventricle: morphologic demonstration using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Sixteen patients with double-outlet right ventricle, aged 1 week to 29 years (median 5 months), were studied with a 1.5 tesla nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging scanner. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in all patients. Thirteen patients underwent angiography, including nine who underwent subsequent surgical correction. Three patients underwent postmortem examination. Small children and infants were scanned inside a 32 cm diameter proton head coil. Multiple 5 mm thick sections separated by 0.5 mm and gated to the patient's electrocardiogram were acquired with a spin-echo sequence and an echo time of 30 ms. A combination of standard and oblique imaging planes was used. Imaging times were less than 90 min. The NMR images were technically unsuitable in one patient because of excessive motion artifact. In the remaining patients, the diagnosis of double outlet right ventricle was confirmed and correlated with surgical and postmortem findings. The NMR images were particularly valuable in demonstrating the interrelations between the great arteries and the anatomy of the outlet septum and the spatial relations between the ventricular septal defect and the great arteries. Although the atrioventricular (AV) valves were not consistently demonstrated, NMR imaging in two patients identified abnormalities of the mitral valve that were not seen with two-dimensional echocardiography. In one patient who had a superoinferior arrangement of the ventricles, NMR imaging was the most useful imaging technique for demonstrating the anatomy. In patients with double-outlet right ventricle, NMR imaging can provide clinically relevant and accurate morphologic information that may contribute to future improvement in patient management.     

Brain magnetic resonance imaging,cerebrospinal fluid,and autoantibody profile in 118 patients with neuropsychiatric lupus

Clinical Rheumatology - The objective of this study is to analyze clinical manifestations, features of imaging, and laboratory assessment of patients with neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) for better...     

重度颅内动脉狭窄活体高分辨磁共振成像初探

目的 观察症状性重度颅内动脉狭窄(SSIS)活体高分辨磁共振成像(HRMRI)的初探结果.方法 用3.0T MR扫描仪对5例SSIS患者进行HRMRI检查,盲法分析影像资料.结果 3例管壁呈典型的粥样硬化改变,呈偏心性增厚、大的脂质坏死核心、纤维帽破裂、不均匀强化.2例管壁为非粥样硬化可能性大,1例管腔内可见斜形隔膜与轻度增厚的管壁相连,增强后呈均匀强化;另1例管壁向心性明显增厚,增强后无强化.结论 SSIS的活体HRMRI成像是可行的,能够提供狭窄处的管壁信息,但仍需进一步研究其应用价值.     

Contribution of magnetic resonance spectrometry to the diagnosis of intracranial tumors

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a method enabling the analysis of the tissue metabolic content. It may offer a more accurate diagnosis of the intracranial tumors than conventional MRI sequences. MRS of normal brain parenchyma displays 4 main metabolites: N-acetyl aspartate (neuronal marker), creatine (cellular density marker), choline (membrane activity marker) and myoinositol (glial marker); pathological processes lead to variations of the level of these metabolites and/or the appearance of abnormal metabolites (lactate), following different patterns according to pathological process involved: glioma, meningioma, metastasis, bacterial or toxoplasmic abscess, radionecrosis. The potential clinical use of this method includes positive, differential and etiological diagnosis of tumors, determination of the level of malignancy of gliomas, screening for tumor recurrence following treatment. Our laboratory has been performing MR spectroscopic explorations of brain tumors for many years. Based on this experience, we show how MRS can be routinely performed in the clinical setting, what are its limitations and potential, and what kind of information can be supplied to the clinician.     

Properties of the lymphatic cerebrospinal fluid transport system in the rat: impact of elevated intracranial pressure

Previous studies suggested that a major portion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is absorbed by extracranial lymphatics located in the olfactory turbinates. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) on downstream cervical lymphatic pressures in the rat. Pressures were measured in the deep cervical lymph nodes using a servo-null micropressure system. A catheter was placed in a lateral ventricle and fluid was infused from a reservoir at defined ICPs. When Ringer's solution was infused, elevations of ICP from 10 to 50 cm H2O resulted on average in a reduction of diastolic cervical node pressures. In contrast, when a diluted plasma solution (80% plasma in Ringer's) was infused, downstream diastolic lymphatic pressures increased as ICP was elevated to 50 cm H2O. These data are consistent with the view that much of the CSF-derived water that convects into the lymphatics is absorbed into the ethmoidal or nodal blood vessels. This study supports the concept of fluid continuity between the subarachnoid space and extracranial lymphatics and suggests that this loss of CSF-derived water may act as a safety mechanism to reduce the volume load to the downstream lymphatic vessels.     

颅内静脉窦血栓形成的临床和磁共振血管成像

目的　探讨颅内静脉窦血栓形成 (IVST)的临床表现和MRA诊断价值。方法　回顾性分析 8例经MRA证实的IVST的临床表现、病因、预后及MRA特点。结果　 8例患者中 ,7例有明确的病因 ,表现以高颅内压症状为主 ,可伴意识障碍、抽搐、偏瘫。MRA示 7例患者为多静脉窦、1例为单静脉窦血栓形成 ,经保守治疗 ,7例治愈 ,1例死亡。结论　IVST少见 ,常累及多静脉窦 ,临床表现虽复杂 ,但以高颅内压症状为主 ,MRA有助于确诊 ,早期治疗可改善预后。     

Hyperglycemia,duration of diabetes,and intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis by magnetic resonance angiography: The ARIC-NCS study

AimsThe association of hyperglycemia and duration of diabetes with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in the general population is not well documented. We examined whether elevated glucose and longer diabetes duration is independently associated with ICAS in a community-based sample.MethodsWe cross-sectionally analyzed 1644 participants (age 67–90 years) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who underwent cerebrovascular magnetic resonance angiography in 2011–13. We applied multivariable ordinal logistic regression to evaluate the association of ICAS category (“no stenosis”, “stenosis <50%”, or “stenosis ≥50%”) with glucose or diabetes duration (<10, 10 to 20, and ≥20 years). We also obtained the corresponding odds ratios applying inverse-probability weighting to account for potential selection bias due to attrition.ResultsCompared to non-diabetic participants in the lowest glucose quartile, the weighted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of higher ICAS category were 1.88 (1.18, 3.00) and 2.01 (1.08, 3.72) for non-diabetic and diabetic participants in the corresponding highest glucose quartile, respectively. We observed significant positive trends of ICAS across diabetes duration categories in unweighted, but not in weighted, analyses.ConclusionsHyperglycemia and longer duration of diabetes were independently associated with ICAS, suggesting the importance of maintaining glycemic control to prevent stroke.     

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: an unrecognized diagnosis

We report an observation of spontaneous intracranial hypotension occurring in a 32-year-old man. The diagnosis of intracranial hypotension is easy in a suggestive context: after a lumbar puncture or a diversion of CSF. Clinical and CSF cytological features can mimic chronic meningitis leading to false diagnosis and erroneous therapeutic. Magnetic resonance imaging allows diagnosis. This uncommon and benign pathology must be better known.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance evaluation of synovial fluid and articular tissues

In vitro studies were performed on joint tissues and fluid to evaluate the potential for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the study of joint disease. Values for spin lattice relaxation times, spin-spin relaxation times and mobile proton content were obtained on 51 consecutive whole synovial fluids (SF). Correlations were sought between NMR values and white blood counts, protein content, calcium, phosphorus, and diagnosis. Only a very weak correlation (0.444) was noted with total SF protein. Albumin added in vitro did produce good correlation (0.975). NMR values were not altered by the addition of monosodium urate, of calcium pyrophosphate, or hydroxyapatite crystals. In vitro measurements of dissected canine articular tissue showed differences in NMR between the different joint components and between inflamed and noninflamed tissues. Our findings suggest that estimation of the amount of inflammation by NMR values is not possible at this time, but with refinements of techniques, magnetic resonance imaging may provide superb images of articular soft tissue structures.     

脊柱手术术中脑脊液漏不同处理方法的疗效比较

目的探讨在脊柱手术术中出现脑脊液漏的处理措施并观察其疗效。方法选2008-01～2012．12在该科脊柱手术术中出现脑脊液漏的30例患者,随机分成EC耳脑胶结合阔筋膜术中封堵组（A组）和直接丝线缝合、明胶海绵、筋膜术中封堵组（B组）,每组15例。选用同期脊柱手术术中无硬脊膜损伤、脑脊液漏15例患者作为对照组。比较各组术后并发症发生情况和引流量、引流时间。结果A组术后并发症和平均引流量、引流时间均明显低（少）于B组（P〈0．05）。结论EC耳脑胶结合阔筋膜术中封堵破口疗效优良,是预防脊柱手术术后脑脊液漏的有效措施。     

Incidence and risk factors of subdural hematoma after intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage during the transsphenoidal approach

Purpose

The transsphenoidal approach (TSA) is regarded as the first line of treatment for sellar and suprasellar lesions. There are only few case reports of postoperative subdural hematoma after TSA and extended transsphenoidal approach (eTSA), and the detailed incidence and risk factors for this complication are still unknown. We reviewed the incidence and risk factors for subdural hematoma after TSA and eTSA.

Methods

Between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014, 165 consecutive patients underwent TSA or eTSA at Nagoya University Hospital and Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital. Fifty-one patients experienced intraoperative CSF leakage. Postoperative subdural hematoma was observed in 10 patients, all of whom experienced intraoperative CSF leakage. We reviewed clinical data including CT and MR images and examined factors related to subdural hematoma among patients with intraoperative CSF leakage.

Results

In univariate statistical analyses, risk factors for postoperative subdural hematoma were advanced age, high Evans’ index, and preoperative hypopituitarism. These factors were also significant in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. There were no statistical differences in sex, tumor size, approach methods, preoperative diabetes insipidus, or degree of intraoperative CSF leakage.

Conclusions

The incidence of postoperative subdural hematoma after intraoperative CSF leakage during TSA and eTSA was higher than the incidence reported in patients after craniotomy. Intraoperative CSF leakage should be avoided as much as possible, especially in patients with brain atrophy and/or enlargement of the ventricular system, even if the intent of the reconstruction technique is authenticity. In addition, patients with hypopituitarism should be carefully followed up after surgery.

     

Integrating the roles of extracranial lymphatics and intracranial veins in cerebrospinal fluid absorption in sheep

At relatively low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures, the majority of CSF drainage in 6- to 8-month-old sheep occurs through the cribriform plate into lymphatic vessels in the nasal submucosa. As CSF pressures are elevated, other absorption sites are recruited and these may include transport through arachnoid projections. To test for the transport of CSF directly into the venous sinus, the concentration of a tracer (131I-human serum albumin [HSA]) administered into the CSF compartment was measured in the confluence of the intracranial venous sinuses (torcular) and in the peripheral blood (inferior vena cava). CSF pressures were adjusted to favor absorption. Enrichment of the CSF tracer in the cranial venous system was most evident when the CSF-venous sinus pressure gradients were high. Peak concentration differences occurred 90 s after the CSF pressures were elevated. When pressure gradients approached 30 cm H(2)O, tracer concentrations in the torcular were approximately twofold higher than those observed in peripheral blood. The greatest concentration differences favoring the torcular were obtained when the CSF-venous sinus pressure gradients were elevated to high levels (20- to 40 cm H(2)O) and when CSF access to the paranasal lymphatics and CSF transport into the spinal subarachnoid compartment were prevented. In conjunction with previous studies, these results are compatible with the view that CSF absorption in the adult animal can occur directly into the cranial venous system. However, contrary to the established view, this pathway may represent a secondary system that is recruited to compliment lymphatic transport when global absorption capacity is stressed or compromised.     

Spontaneous mucocele of the upper esophagus: Radiologic demonstration

We present a patient with dysphagia resulting from a pedunculated, spontaneous mucocele of the upper esophagus. We briefly discuss the radiologic, endoscopic and pathologic findings of this unusual lesion.