Intracranial osteosarcomas: Report of four cases and review of the literature

Four cases of intracranial osteosarcoma are reported. In three cases the tumors were primary neoplasms arising from the sellar region, base of the occiput and the parieto-occipital area. One case represented osteosarcoma metastatic to the cerebellum, a site not previously described, from a primary tumor at the femur. In addition, the current literature on intracranial osteosarcoma is reviewed.     

Meningeal melanocytoma: clinical features and review of the literature

A case of meningeal melanocytoma in the posterior fossa of a 16-year-old male is reported. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging features are presented. Pathological investigation including light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining are discussed. Current literature is reviewed and differentiating criteria from meningioma and other pigmented tumours of the nervous system are discussed.     

Cardiac cine MRI: Quantification of the relationship between fast gradient echo and steady-state free precession for determination of myocardial mass and volumes

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation function between the steady-state free precession (SSFP) and fast gradient echo (FGRE) cine MRI pulse sequences for measuring the myocardial mass and volumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac cine MRI examinations were acquired in 50 individuals (female: 35, male: 15, mean age 64.1 +/- 9.1 years, range 48-83) using SSFP and FGRE cardiac pulse sequences. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) left ventricular end diastolic volume measured by SSFP was significantly larger (4.5%) than by FGRE (P < 0.001); this was also the case for end systolic volume (15.0%, P < 0.001). The relationship between SSFP and FGRE measures were linear and highly correlated (P < 0.001) for both left ventricular end diastolic and end systolic volumes (r(2) = 0.90 vs. 0.91, respectively). We determined linear regression models to estimate the SSFP values based on the FGRE measures. Slope (intercept) for ejection fraction, stroke volume, and cardiac output were 0.99 (-2.79), 0.77 (17.5), and 0.76 (1.29), respectively. CONCLUSION: Linear relationships exist for key LV function parameters when comparing SSFP and FGRE cine MRI. These results indicate that existing databases and normal values for FGRE LV function may be converted to corresponding LV function values for SSFP MRI.