Magnetic resonance imaging of pyomyositis

Pyomyositis is a relatively rare entity in temperate climates. Because of its rarity and its nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings, pyomyositis may be misdiagnosed and may cause severe morbidity and mortality. We present magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of pyomyositis. Magnetic resonance imaging was helpful in differentiating other pathological processes from pyomyositis, outlining the extent of involvement, and localizing the fluid collection.     

Infantile fibrosarcoma: Magnetic resonance imaging findings in six cases

Purpose

To retrospectively review magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features in a series of six infantile fibrosarcomas to find out if MR can suggest this unusual diagnosis and to highlight the value of MR during and following treatment.

Materials and methods

The records of six cases of histologically proven infantile fibrosarcoma were retrieved from the files of our cancer center. All imaging data available were consensually reviewed by two radiologists.

Results

There were five females and one male (age range at diagnosis, 0-12 months; mean, 6 months). The most common finding was a well-circumscribed single mass in five patients (83%). All tumors had arisen on limbs; at their proximal or distal extremity or at the root of the limb. The masses were 9 cm large in mean diameter. The initial tumor signal was isointense to muscle on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences. All masses were well circumscribed and half of them contained internal fibrous septa. The internal signal was homogeneous in three patients and heterogeneous in the three others. An intense enhancement was seen in all three contrast-enhanced exams available; heterogeneous in two cases and homogeneous in one. Osseous erosion was observed in only one patient who was the only one with distant metastasis. After treatment (chemotherapy and very limited surgery), tumors had totally disappeared, leaving muscle fat infiltration in two patients and subcutaneous fat hypertrophy in one patient.

Conclusion

Although imaging findings are not specific of infantile fibrosarcoma, this diagnosis could be suggested when MR imaging depicts a large well-circumscribed mass arising in a limb at birth or during the neonatal period. This mass is sometimes heterogeneous and septate and exhibits an isointense T1- and hyperintense T2-weighted signals and strong enhancement. MR is also the technique of choice for follow-up during treatment which consists nowadays almost exclusively in chemotherapy.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: results in 32 cases

A prospective clinical study was performed in 32 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to evaluate the sensitivity of lesion detection and accuracy of lesion localization by neurologic examination, delayed enhanced computed tomography (CT) with a double dose of contrast material, and proton magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. After neurologic examination patients were classified by probability of MS (possible, four patients; probable, three patients; and definite, 25 patients) and by disease activity (acute, chronic with acute exacerbation, or chronic progressive). Subsequently they underwent delayed enhanced CT scanning and MR imaging with more than one spin-echo technique. In five of seven patients with possible or probable MS, both MR imaging and delayed enhanced CT were negative. In 25 cases of definite MS, MR imaging detected pathology in 19 (76%) cases, while CT detected lesions in 15 (60%) of 25 cases. In acute lesions (acute or chronic with acute exacerbation), the two techniques were of similar sensitivity (delayed CT was positive in 65% and MR imaging in 60%), while in chronic progressive MS, MR imaging was superior in lesion detection (MR imaging positive in 75%; delayed CT in 25%). While most lesions (55%) were seen in corresponding locations in both studies, neither MR nor delayed CT correlated well with lesion localization by neurologic examination because a large number of asymptomatic lesions were imaged and many symptomatic lesions were undetected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Magnetic resonance imaging in pregnancy

We describe the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to differentiate intra-uterine pregnancy with a uterine fibroid from extra-uterine pregnancy.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in cerebral malaria: a report of four cases

Objectives

This is a retrospective institutional review of clinical data and radiological findings of cerebral malaria patients presenting to a tertiary centre in India, which is an known to be endemic for malarial disease.

Methods

The present series describes MRI in four cases all of which revealed bithalamic infarctions with or without haemorrhages in patients with cerebral malaria, and this review examines a subset of patients with this condition. In addition, acute haemorrhagic infarctions were also seen the in brain stem, cerebellum, cerebral white matter and insular cortex in two of the four patients.

Results

In this series, the patient with cerebellum and brain stem involvement died. The remaining three survived with antimalarial and supportive treatment. No neurological symptoms were noted on clinical follow-up. MRI follow-up was obtained in only one of the three patients (3 months post-treatment) and showed resolution of thalamic infarctions.

Conclusion

These imaging features may help in the early diagnosis of cerebral malaria so that early treatment can begin and improve the clinical outcome.Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication seen in 2% of malaria cases, particularly in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection. There is an estimated mortality rate of between 15% and 25% even with appropriate treatment and intensive care. However, patients who survive often recover fully with no long-term consquences. Early diagnosis and treatment is therefore crucial to obtain the best outcome [1-4]. With the availability of MR scanners in developing countries, where malaria is still an endemic health issue, a few case reports and series have already been published on the role of MR imaging in cerebral malaria. There have been occasional reports on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and gradient-echo imaging (GRE) with variable results.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of myositis ossificans: analysis of seven cases

Myositis ossificans typically presents as soft tissue swelling with progressive ossification on radiographs. Since magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to evaluate soft tissue masses, we analyzed eight MR examinations in seven patients with myositis ossificans to determine if typical patterns were present. One acute lesion had homogeneous intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Two subacute lesions had low signal intensity margins with slightly increased signal intensity centers on T1-weighted images and very high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Five chronic lesions had two different patterns. All five were well-defined with low signal intensity borders. Three had signal intensity patterns characteristic of fat on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. The other two lesions had intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and slightly increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images.We conclude that typical MR appearances of myositis ossificans do exist. A low signal intensity rim is a common finding. However, these patterns are not unique to myositis ossificans and resemble those that have been reported in other lesions. It is important to be aware of the spectrum of MR findings of myositis ossificans when considering the differential diagnosis of a soft tissue mass.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone infarction. Apropos of 2 cases

Bone infarcts, generally clinically latent, are only identified late in there course on x-rays, which reveal dense, irregular shadows resembling puffs of smoke situated in the metaphyso-diaphyseal regions of the long bones. Occasionally, they may be responsible for pain and are suggestive of neoplastic degeneration. MRI examination is valuable in these cases. Like necrosis of the femoral head, bone infarcts are demonstrated early in their course by MRI, which reveals zones of reduced signal with irregular margins with scattered areas of increased signal of fat intensity.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial epidermoids: report of two cases

Intracranial epidermoids are uncommon benign tumors in the subarachnoid spaces. We have studied two patients with these tumors originating in the basal cisterns using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and cerebral angiography. Both CT and MR showed the extraaxial position of these tumors and their extension into the posterior fossa well. Angiography did not show any abnormal vasculature but displacement of vessels by the tumor mass was well demonstrated. MR was found to be relatively specific in characterizing these tumors.     

Magnetic resonance imaging methodology

Introduction  

Magnetic resonance (MR) methods are non-invasive techniques to provide detailed, multi-parametric information on human anatomy, function and metabolism. Sensitivity, specificity, spatial and temporal resolution may, however, vary depending on hardware (e.g., field strength, gradient strength and speed) and software (optimised measurement protocols and parameters for the various techniques). Furthermore, multi-modality imaging may enhance specificity to better characterise complex disease patterns.     

磁共振pH成像的研究

1概述 磁共振成像（MRI）技术的重要优势在于其无放射损伤及组织结构的高分辨力,可无创实时地检测组织结构及代谢物。众所周知,人体正常机能活动有赖于正常的细胞内外环境,     

磁共振pH成像的研究

<正>1概述磁共振成像(MRI)技术的重要优势在于其无放射损伤及组织结构的高分辨力,可无创实时地检测组织结构及代谢物。众所周知,人体正常机能活动有赖于正常的细胞内外环境,包括正常的酸碱度     

Magnetic resonance imaging of mesenrhombencephalitis

Mesenrhombencephalitis is a rare inflammatory process involving the midbrain, pons, and medulla. The diagnosis is difficult as clinical and laboratory findings may be nonspecific. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrates abnormal T2 signal in the brainstem, which can suggest the diagnosis. The clinical, laboratory and MR imaging findings are described in five patients with this serious, life-threatening disease. MR imaging can be of value in the early diagnosis of this rare disorder.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerosis

Abundant data now link composition of the vascular wall, rather than the degree of luminal narrowing, with the risk for acute ischemic syndromes in the coronary, central nervous system, and peripheral arterial beds. Over the past few years, magnetic resonance angiography has evolved as a well-established method to determine the location and severity of advanced, lumen-encroaching atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, more recent studies have shown that high spatial resolution, multisequence MRI is also a promising tool for noninvasive, serial imaging of the aortic and carotid vessel wall, which potentially can be applied in the clinical setting. Because of the limited spatial resolution of current MRI techniques, characterization of coronary vessel wall atherosclerosis, however, is not yet possible and remains the holy grail of plaque imaging. Recent technical developments in MRI technology such as dedicated surface coils, the introduction of 3.0-T high-field systems and parallel imaging, as well as developments in the field of molecular imaging such as contrast agents targeted to specific plaque constituents, are likely to lead to the necessary improvements in signal to noise ratio, imaging speed, and specificity. These improvements will ultimately lead to more widespread application of this technology in clinical practice. In the present review, the current status and future role of MRI for plaque detection and characterization are summarized.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of pilomatricoma

Two patients (a 16-month-old boy and a 53-year-old man) were referred for MR imaging of a small, subcutaneous nodule at the forearm. Plain films were available in one patient and showed a non-specific well-circumscribed lesion. Upon ultrasonography (1 patient), a nodular, well-circumscribed, hyperechoic lesion was seen. In both cases spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted images (T1W1) showed homogeneous, intermediate signal intensity (SI). On gadolinium-enhanced T1W1 (1 patient), no enhancement was observed. Both lesions showed predominant low-to-intermediate SI on T2WI. At histological examination characteristic findings of pilomatricoma were observed.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of osteonecrosis

Because the available preliminary data strongly indicate that MRI is accurate in diagnosing osteonecrosis, MRI of the hips is recommended in patients suspected of having osteonecrosis, especially if other diagnostic studies are equivocal. MRI also may be useful in following patients who have strong risk factors for osteonecrosis, such as corticosteroid therapy, femoral neck fracture, traumatic femoral head dislocation (Fig. 13), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (Fig. 14), and congenital hip dislocation. In diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, both hips eventually may become involved in 50 to 80 per cent of cases. Therefore, the unaffected hip of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and unilateral nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the hip should be monitored regularly with MRI. The hope is that early diagnosis and treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis will prevent the relentless progression to subchondral collapse and disabling arthropathy. MRI also may be useful in staging patients known to have osteonecrosis. The ability of MRI to image directly in multiple planes facilitates the determination of the volume and location of infarcted segments of bone. This information is important in planning any of the surgical procedures used relatively early in the disease, such as core decompression, rotational osteotomy, or bone graft. Moreover, MRI may prove helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of any therapeutic intervention.