MRI imaging in cortical laminar necrosis

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to follow over time the MR imaging features of cortical laminar necrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients with cortical laminar necrosis were included. There were two women and four men aged 54-84 years, with a mean age of 68 years. In four patients, cortical laminar necrosis was caused by ischemic stroke, one case occurred after a cardiac arrest and the last patient had a meningoencephalitis. The time delay from insult to the first MR study varied between one week and 3 months. RESULTS: The MRI showed hyperintense lesions in the cerebral cortex on T1W and T2W images. The high intensity signal was still observed a few months after the insult. Cortical laminar necrosis lesions did not demonstrate hemorrhage on CT and MRI studies. CONCLUSION: MRI allowed detection of cortical laminar necrosis and could differentiate it from hemorrhage.     

Renal cortical lesions in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis: a clue to differentiation from pancreatic malignancy

AIM: To describe the occurrence of renal cortical lesions (RCLs) in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by our research ethics board; informed consent was waived. Systematic search of CT scan reports in 5-year interval yielded 17 patients with AIP (male:female; 11:6, age 18-80 years). A consecutive group of 22 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was used as control (male:female; 10:12, age 42-76 years). The CT scans of the two groups were mixed and randomized. Two blinded radiologists independently reviewed the kidneys for the presence of wedge-shaped RCLs. Fisher's exact test was used to determine statistical significance. Consensus review of all imaging of positive patients with AIP and RCLs and three additional patients identified anecdotally was performed. RESULTS: Both readers independently identified the same 6/17 (35%) patients in the study group and 0/22 in the control group with two or more RCLs. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of RCLs in the differentiation of AIP from pancreatic adenocarcinoma were 35%, 100%, 100%, and 67%, respectively. To the six AIP patients with RCLs, we added three more identified anecdotally. In 7/9, >5 RCLs were seen which were wedge-shaped and cortical-based, ranging from <1 to 4cm. Typical pancreatic findings of AIP were noted in all, with the gland affected focally in 5/9 patients. CONCLUSION: We have shown the presence of multiple renal cortical lesions which occur in approximately 35% of our AIP patient population.     

Brain MRI findings in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis types I and II and mild clinical presentation

Our objective was to determine the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in a selected group of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) types I and II who had only mild clinical manifestations. We retrospectively assessed MRI brain studies in 18 patients with MPS (type I: 6 and type II: 12). We evaluated abnormal signal intensity in the white matter, widening of the cortical sulci, size of the supratentorial ventricles, dilatation of the perivascular spaces (PVS) and enlargement of the subarachnoid spaces. We observed a broad spectrum of findings, and despite severely abnormal MRI studies, no patients had mental retardation. We also observed that dilated PVS, previously believed to be caused by macroscopic deposition of the mucopolysaccharides, had an appearance similar to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in all MRI sequences performed, even in FLAIR and trace diffusion weighted images. Based on our results, we believe that with the exception of white matter abnormalities and brain atrophy, all other findings may be related to abnormal resorption of CSF, and there is no relationship between the imaging and clinical manifestations of the disease.     

Cortical tubers without other stigmata of tuberous sclerosis: imaging and pathological findings

There is immense variability in the clinical presentation of tuberous sclerosis and many incomplete forms (formes frustes) exist. To investigate the imaging characteristics of cortical tubers seen in tuberous sclerosis unaccompanied by other stigmata, we reviewed MRI and CT of six patients who met the criteria for a definitive diagnosis of TS, established solely by the presence of a histologically confirmed cortical tuber. Five of the patients had a solitary cortical tuber and the last had three lesions, one of which was resected and confirmed histologically. The other two lesions were included in our study. CT showed five tubers as low density, but three were not identified. No calcified or dense lesions were observed. MRI revealed peripheral components and inner cores of seven cortical tubers in five patients, with differing signal characteristics. The subcortical cores, with T1 and T2 prolongation, were separated from the overlying cortex. Abnormal inhomogeneous high signal was observed in both the cortex and subcortical white matter on proton-density weighted or FLAIR images. A radially orientated white-matter band was observed in one patient, and central depression of the expanded gyri in another. In one patient, a cortical tuber was atypical, with a thick cortex on T1-weighted images and a blurred grey/white matter junction with diffusely increased signal on T2-weighted images. Cortical tubers without other stigmata of tuberous sclerosis are shown to be distinct from focal cortical dysplasia. Received: 18 September 1998 Accepted: 27 November 1998     

自身免疫性胰腺炎的MRI诊断

目的:探讨自身免疫性胰腺炎(AIP)的MRI诊断价值。方法:搜集12例临床证实的AIP患者资料,12例均行MRI平扫、增强扫描及磁共振胰胆管水成像(MRCP),分析总结AIP的MRI表现特点。结果:12例AIP中7例表现为弥漫性胰腺体积增大,1例表现为胰腺体尾部肿大,MRI平扫胰腺信号欠均匀,T1WI呈高低混杂信号,T2WI信号普遍增高,另4例以胰头肿大为主,MRI示胰头区类似软组织信号肿块影,与周围胰腺组织信号一致;病灶增强扫描动脉期强化不明显,门脉期逐渐强化;MRCP示胆总管胰腺段变细,伴肝内外胆管不同程度扩张,胰腺管弥漫性狭窄。结论:AIP的MRI表现具有一定特异性,对AIP的临床诊断及治疗有一定指导意义。     

MRI findings of pancreatic lymphoma and autoimmune pancreatitis: A comparative study

Purpose

To clarify whether there are differences in MRI findings between pancreatic lymphomas and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

Materials and methods

MRI of 8 patients with pancreatic lymphomas and 21 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. For multifocal pancreatic lymphomas (n = 2) and AIP (n = 4), the largest 2 lesions were evaluated. Ten pancreatic lymphomas and 25 AIP were compared on three bases: the signal intensity on T2-weighted images, internal homogeneity, and presence or absence of capsule-like rim. In 8 lymphomas and 19 AIP, the enhancement pattern on dynamic MRI was compared, as well.

Results

On T2-weighted images, pancreatic lymphomas comprised 5, 5 and 4 lesions with low (iso), slightly high, and moderately high intensity, respectively, while the numbers for AIP were 14, 10, and 1 (P < 0.01). Nine of 10 (90%) lymphomas appeared homogenous, and 11 of 25 (44%) AIP were homogenous (P < 0.05). A capsule-like rim was present in 9 of 25 (36%) AIP, but was not seen in lymphomas (P < 0.05). On dynamic MRI, 18 of 19 (94.7%) AIP showed persistent (n = 5) or delayed enhancement (n = 13), and 6 of 8 (75%) lymphomas showed low intensity without delayed enhancement (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

MRI findings for pancreatic lymphomas and AIP were significantly different, which may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of these two diseases.     

Early MRI findings of central pontine myelinolysis following ’rapid’correction of hyponatremia during diabetic ketoacidosis: report of a case (2003:12b)

We describe a diabetic patient with hyponatraemia and ketoacidosis who developed central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) after a very rapid correction of serum sodium. In diabetic ketoacidosis, the marked shifts in osmolarity make these patients more susceptible to the development of CPM. The dramatic early MRI findings (after three weeks) should raise awareness of the risk of permanent damage to the brain associated with hydration therapy in this susceptible group. Magnetic resonance imaging might be a useful investigation at presentation and follow-up of diabetic patients with extreme metabolic derangements.     

无认知功能障碍帕金森病患者脑皮层体积变化与运动功能的相关性

目的:探讨帕金森病(PD)患者大脑皮层体积与健康对照之间的差异,结合帕金森运动评分探讨存在体积差异的皮质信号与临床症状的相关性.方法:32例无认知功能障碍的PD患者(PD-wCI)及31例健康志愿者(对照组),首先采用统一帕金森病评定量表(UPDRS-Ⅲ)对每例被试者的运动功能进行评分,采用Siemens Skyra ...     

Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by scleroderma-induced aneurysm: a case report

We introduce a 58-year-old woman who suffered from progressive systemic scleroderma (PSS) associated with trigeminal sensory neuropathy for approximately 10 years. She then had a stroke from spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSAH). Spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed two aneurysms and smaller dilations of the afferent vessel that could also be seen by MRI. Three asymptomatic brain infarctions in different vascular regions could be revealed by CCT. The SSAH, ischemic lesions and aneurysms were probably caused by vasculitic affections induced by PSS. Correspondence to: J. Müller     

Renal involvement in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis: CT and MR imaging findings

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging renal findings at clinical presentation, during treatment, and at follow-up in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This HIPAA-compliant study received institutional review board approval. All patients included had previously consented to the use of their medical records for the purpose of research. Forty-five patients (38 male and seven female patients; mean age, 64 years) with diagnosis of AIP were included. Forty patients underwent CT or MR imaging at clinical presentation; 33 patients (including five without imaging at presentation) underwent follow-up. CT and MR images were reviewed in consensus by two radiologists for the presence of renal involvement. Various features were evaluated. Clinical characteristics at presentation were compared between patients with and patients without renal involvement. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients who underwent imaging at presentation, 14 (35%) had renal involvement (12 with parenchymal involvement and five with extraparenchymal involvement). Renal parenchymal lesions showed decreased enhancement and appeared as small peripheral cortical nodules, round or wedge-shaped lesions, or diffuse patchy involvement. Thirteen patients with renal involvement at presentation underwent a follow-up study. Renal lesions in 10 patients regressed (in nine, after steroid treatment) but progressed in three patients without steroid treatment. Renal lesions were found in two other patients during follow-up. No significant difference in the clinical characteristics was found between patients with and patients without renal involvement. CONCLUSION: Renal involvement in patients with AIP is relatively common and predominantly involves the cortex of the kidney. The lesions improve after steroid treatment but can progress without steroid treatment.     

Using CT to localize side and level of vocal cord paralysis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the relative accuracy of imaging findings related to peripheral recurrent nerve paralysis on axial CT studies of the neck. Also assessed were imaging findings of a central vagal neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 40 patients who had clinically diagnosed vocal cord paralysis and had undergone CT. Eight imaging signs of vocal cord paralysis were assessed, and an imaging distinction between a central or peripheral vagal neuropathy was made by evaluating asymmetric dilatation of the oropharynx with thinning of the constrictor muscles. In two patients, we studied the use of reformatted coronal images from a multidetector CT scanner. RESULTS: For unilateral vocal cord paralysis, the most sensitive imaging findings were ipsilateral pyriform sinus dilatation, medial positioning and thickening of the ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral laryngeal ventricle dilatation. In two patients, coronal reformatted images aided the diagnosis by better showing flattening of the subglottic arch. Imaging findings allowed localization of a central vagal neuropathy in four patients. CONCLUSION: Three reliable imaging findings associated with vocal cord paralysis were identified on routine axial CT studies: ipsilateral pyriform sinus dilatation, medial positioning and thickening of the ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral laryngeal ventricle dilatation. Coronal reformatted images of the larynx may be helpful, but they are not necessary in 95% of patients. Ipsilateral pharyngeal constrictor muscle atrophy is a helpful imaging finding to localize a more central vagal neuropathy. Our findings can aid radiologists in identifying peripheral and central vagal neuropathy in patients who present for CT of the neck who have a normal voice and are without a history suggestive of a vagal problem.     

自身免疫性胰腺炎的MRI表现及临床分析

目的探讨自身免疫性胰腺炎（AIP）的MRI表现及临床特点。资料与方法搜集3例AIP患者的MRI资料,3例均行MRI平扫、增强扫描及磁共振胰胆管水成像（MRCP）。结果3例AIPMRI平扫均表现胰腺体积弥漫性增大,信号不均匀,胰周少量积液。增强扫描呈延迟强化。MRCP示胆总管胰腺段狭窄及其以上胆管扩张,胰管不规则狭窄。3例经激素治疗有效。结论MRI在AIP的诊断中作用显著,对临床诊断及治疗有重要指导意义。     

癫痫的影像学研究进展

神经影像学技术对于癫痫病的诊断和治疗有着重要意义，其中CT在临床诊断中的作用逐渐减小，MRI是目前应用最为广泛且对于海马硬化、肿瘤以及皮质发育异常具有很高的敏感性。PET、SPECT、MRS、MEG等也成为对癫痫诊断的重要工具。本文就近20年出现的影像学技术对癫痫的临床研究进展做一综述。     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging characteristics in case of TOR1AIP1 muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the torsinA-interacting protein 1 (TOR1AIP1) gene result in a severe muscular dystrophy with minimal literature in the pediatric population. We review a case of TOR1AIP1 gene mutation in a 16-year-old Caucasian female with a long history of muscle weakness. Extensive clinical workup was performed and MRI at time of initial presentation demonstrated no significant muscular atrophy with heterogenous STIR hyperintensity of the lower extremity muscles. MRI findings seven years later included extensive atrophy of the lower extremities, with severe progression, including the gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and obturator internus. There was also significant atrophy of the rectus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, and iliacus muscles. The MRI findings showed more proximal involvement of lower extremities and no atrophy of the tibialis anterior, making TOR1AIP1 the more likely genetic cause. Muscle biopsy findings supported TOR1AIP1 limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Though rare, TOR1AIP1 gene mutation occurs in pediatric patients and MRI can aid in diagnosis and help differentiate from other types of muscular dystrophy. Genetic and pathology workup is also crucial to accurate diagnosis and possible treatment of these patients.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging characteristics in case of TOR1AIP1 muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the torsinA-interacting protein 1 (TOR1AIP1) gene result in a severe muscular dystrophy with minimal literature in the pediatric population. We review a case of TOR1AIP1 gene mutation in a 16-year-old Caucasian female with a long history of muscle weakness. Extensive clinical workup was performed and MRI at time of initial presentation demonstrated no significant muscular atrophy with heterogenous STIR hyperintensity of the lower extremity muscles. MRI findings seven years later included extensive atrophy of the lower extremities, with severe progression, including the gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and obturator internus. There was also significant atrophy of the rectus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, and iliacus muscles. The MRI findings showed more proximal involvement of lower extremities and no atrophy of the tibialis anterior, making TOR1AIP1 the more likely genetic cause. Muscle biopsy findings supported TOR1AIP1 limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Though rare, TOR1AIP1 gene mutation occurs in pediatric patients and MRI can aid in diagnosis and help differentiate from other types of muscular dystrophy. Genetic and pathology workup is also crucial to accurate diagnosis and possible treatment of these patients.     

自身免疫性胰腺炎影像学研究进展

自身免疫性胰腺炎是一种由自身免疫介导的以慢性纤维硬化性改变为主要表现的少见胰腺炎。该病在普通人群中的真实发病率和流行病学特点尚未得到准确统计和进一步认识。自身免疫性胰腺炎的诊断是基于多学科的综合诊断,影像诊断在AIP的综合诊断中不可或缺。就该病的病理生理学、CT和MRI表现,特别是与胰腺癌等的鉴别诊断及当前影像研究进展予以综述。     

Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute interstitial pneumonia: comparison of thin-section CT findings

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to compare the thin-section CT findings of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with those of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). METHOD: The thin-section CT scans from 25 patients with ARDS and 25 with AIP were independently assessed by two observers without knowledge of clinical and pathologic data. The presence, extent, and distribution of various CT findings were independently analyzed. RESULTS: Honeycombing was seen more frequently in lobes of patients with AIP (26%) than in lobes with ARDS (8%) (p < 0.001). Compared with patients with ARDS, a greater number of patients with AIP had a predominantly lower lung zone distribution (p < 0.05) and a symmetric distribution (p < 0.05) of the parenchymal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Patients with AIP have a greater prevalence of honeycombing and are more likely to have a symmetric bilateral distribution and a lower lung zone predominance than patients with ARDS. However, significant overlap exists among the CT findings.     

Desmoplastic fibroma in the thoracic spine: an unusual localization of a rare primary bone tumor

A case of an intraspinal growing desmoplastic fibroma of the thoracic spine (T9–T11) is reported. Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare tumor of connective tissue that shows a locally infiltrative and destructive growth. An affection of the thoracic spine is an extremely rare manifestation. Preoperative CT documents the extent of osseous destruction and tumor associated cortical erosion. In central tumor areas an inhomogeneous, intermediate to low signal is demonstrated by MRI using T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo and turbo-spin-echo sequences. Contrast-enhanced MRI shows marked enhancement in peripheral areas depicting the extraosseous and intramedullary extension. Received: 13 April 2000/Revised: 7 July 2000/Accepted: 10 July 2000     

MR perfusion imaging of the kidney pre- and post-dipyridamole stress

Animal studies have demonstrated that renal MR contrast enhancement depends on the timing of image acquisition. Limited human studies have demonstrated effects of dipyidamole (DP) on total renal perfusion. This study assessed the effect of DP on total and regional renal perfusion using gated perfusion MRI for patients undergoing DP stress. Five subjects with no evidence of renal ischemia were examined at rest and after DP stress. Rest MRI images in the left kidney were acquired using electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated MR: turbo fast low-angle shot (FLASH); echo time (TE) = 12, repetition time (TR) = 6. flip angle = 12, inversion time (TI) = (100) 10 to 45 seconds after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Stress was induced in the MRI scanner (DP, .56 mg/kg over 4 minutes) followed by stress MRI after a second bolus of gadopentetate dimeglumine in the same position and identical time intervals. MR signal in the whole left kidney and renal medulla and cortex pre- and post-DP demonstrated a 70% depression of total renal perfusion with relative preservation of cortical perfusion at the expense of medullary perfusion. Post-DP MR images demonstrated a decrease in cortical perfusion with an additional 29% depression of medullary perfusion (P < .001) with respect to cortical perfusion. Turbo FLASH MRI can provide adequate time and spatial resolution to demonstrate changes in renal perfusion. Depression of renal medullary perfusion after DP appears to be caused by the intrarenal effect of DP and may have clinical impact.     

Minor changes on cranial MRI during treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Cranial MRI was used to study treatment-related changes in children undergoing therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or lymphoma. Nineteen children (18 with ALL, 1 with lymphoma) underwent MRI at the beginning of treatment and at intervals during it, to a total of 105 imaging studies and a minimum of 3 per case. Nine patients had finished all therapy, all received consolidation treatment. No patient had central nervous system (CNS) leukaemia at diagnosis or developed a CNS relapse. Mild treatment-related white matter changes were observed in only 2 patients after consolidation therapy with three 5 g/m² pulses of intravenous methotrexate. Transient enlargement of the ventricles and cortical sulci was observed in 13 patients, always temporally related to steroid treatment. These preliminary data suggest that treatment-related white matter changes are rare and no routine MRI follow-up is needed during treatment in asymptomatic children after a baseline assessment.