Lhermitte-Duclos disease (dysplastic gangliocytoma of the cerebellum)

Summary The authors report the third published case of a Lhermitte-Duclos disease diagnosed preoperatively with the help of MRI, stressing its possible extension beyond the limits of the posterior fossa. The pertinent literature is reviewed concerning the clinical and radiological picture of this disease, as well as the different pathogenic hypothesis.     

System for prostate brachytherapy and biopsy in a standard 1.5 T MRI scanner.

A technique for transperineal high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy and needle biopsy in a standard 1.5 T MRI scanner is demonstrated. In each of eight procedures (in four patients with intermediate to high risk localized prostate cancer), four MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsies were obtained followed by placement of 14-15 hollow transperineal catheters for HDR brachytherapy. Mean needle-placement accuracy was 2.1 mm, 95% of needle-placement errors were less than 4.0 mm, and the maximum needle-placement error was 4.4 mm. In addition to guiding the placement of biopsy needles and brachytherapy catheters, MR images were also used for brachytherapy treatment planning and optimization. Because 1.5 T MR images are directly acquired during the interventional procedure, dependence on deformable registration is reduced and online image quality is maximized.     

动态增强MR灌注成像在脑胶质瘤诊断中的价值

目的　探讨动态增强T2 WMR灌注成像在脑胶质瘤术前分级预测及鉴别诊断中的价值。资料与方法　有病理或追踪结果的 4 8例脑病变患者 ,其中胶质瘤 2 5例 (高、低级别胶质瘤分别为 16例和 9例 ) ,非胶质瘤病变 2 3例。全部病例均行常规T1WI、T2 WI和EPI SE序列动态增强MR灌注成像。计算每个病灶的最大相对脑血容量 (rCBV)比值 (病灶最大rCBV/对侧正常脑白质rCBV)。分析胶质瘤的最大rCBV比值与其组织学级别的关系 ,并比较胶质瘤与非胶质瘤的灌注异常及常规MRI强化表现。结果　高级别胶质瘤 ( 16例 )的最大rCBV比值为4 .6 0± 1.98( 2 .5 5～ 9.2 2 ) ,低级别胶质瘤 ( 9例 )的最大rCBV比值为 1.86± 1.5 2 ( 0 .85～ 5 .72 ) ,经t检验 ,两组之间有显著统计学差异 (P <0 .0 1)。脑膜瘤、转移瘤、血管母细胞瘤、淋巴瘤均显示有局部高灌注 ,最大rCBV比值为5 .35± 2 .39( 3.15～ 12 .39) ,而有强化表现的脑梗死、脑炎性灶及放射性脑损伤表现为低、等灌注 ,最大rCBV比值为1.2 7± 0 .36 ( 0 .85～ 1.72 )。结论　MR灌注成像在胶质瘤的术前影像学分级预测上有重要价值 ,在脑胶质瘤的某些鉴别诊断上亦具有一定的参考价值     

Structural white matter abnormalities in patients with idiopathic dystonia

We investigated whether structural white matter abnormalities, in the form of disruption of axonal coherence and integrity as measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), constitute an underlying pathological mechanism of idiopathic dystonia (ID), independent of genotype status. We studied seven subjects with ID: all had cervical dystonia as their main symptom (one patient also had spasmodic dysphonia and two patients had concurrent generalized dystonia, both DYT1‐negative). We compared DTI MR images of patients with 10 controls, evaluating differences in mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA). ID was associated with increased FA values in the thalamus and adjacent white matter, and in the white matter underlying the middle frontal gyrus. ID was also associated with increase in MD in adjacent white matter to the pallidum and putamen bilaterally, left caudate, and in subcortical hemispheric regions, including the postcentral gyrus. Abnormal FA and MD in patients with ID indicate that abnormal axonal coherence and integrity contribute to the pathophysiology of dystonia. These findings suggest that ID is not only a functional disorder, but also associated with structural brain changes. Impaired connectivity and disrupted flow of information may contribute to the impairment of motor planning and regulation in dystonia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society     

椎动脉狭窄76例TCD频谱分析

经颅多谱勒超声诊断仪 (TCD)是一种较为普及的脑血流检测仪 ,具有灵敏度高 ,穿透力强 ,不受声束方向限制的检测工具。为了明确它对椎动脉狭窄诊断的特殊价值 ,我们对核磁共振 (MRI)提示的 76例 (96支 )椎动脉不同程度狭窄的病例 ,又经 TCD检测 ,并对其频谱形态、血流参数进行分析比较 ,现报告如下。1　临床资料1.1　一般资料 :通过 MRI提示椎动脉狭窄血管 76例(96支 )。其中 ,男 4 8例 ,女 2 8例。年龄 <4 0岁 16例 ,4 0～ 5 0岁 2 5例 ,5 0岁 35例。将 MRI所测血管内径分成 3组 ,内径 <4 .0 mm为轻度狭窄 ,内径在 3.0～ 3.5 mm为中度…     

原发性眼眶静脉曲张的CT和MRI表现

目的探讨原发性眼眶静脉曲张(POV)的CT及MRI表现。方法临床诊断的30例原发性眼眶静脉曲张患者,9例行CT横断位和冠状位扫描,21例行MR扫描,4例行CT和MR检查。结果30例中30只患眼,左眼18例,右眼12例,均为单侧发病。病变部位眼睑3例,眼眶前部1例,眼眶后部(球后)17例,眼睑和眼眶前部5例,眼睑、眼眶前部和眼眶后部2例,眼眶前部和眼眶后部2例。形态17例为不规则块状,4例为卵圆形,9例为不规则条状。CT冠状位,病变均显示为软组织密度,有明显强化;静脉石2例;眶骨受压变薄、眶腔扩大3例。MR扫描,颈部加压后25例均显示病变,11例呈等T1长T2信号,7例呈长T1长T2信号,1例呈等T1等T2信号,6例呈长T1长T2为主的混杂信号,增强的22例中,14例呈明显均匀强化,8例呈不均匀强化。结论CT横断位和冠状位及颈部加压或俯卧位MRI在原发性眼眶静脉曲张的诊断和鉴别诊断方面有重要价值。     

Identifying the affected hemisphere by 1H-MR spectroscopy in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and no pathological findings in high resolution MRI

Up to 30% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) remain without remarkable changes in MRI. In this study we investigated the role of (1)H-MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in lateralizing the affected hemisphere in the mentioned patient group. Twenty-two consecutive patients diagnosed with TLE were investigated by high resolution MRI and (1)H-MRS. We examined the incidence and diagnostic accuracy of temporal metabolite alterations determined by Linear Combination of Model Spectra (L C Model) via water reference. Metabolite values of each hemisphere of TLE patients were compared with healthy controls. Results of metabolite alterations were related to intensive video EEG focus localization. Reduction of N-acetylaspartate + N-acetylaspartyl-glutamate (tNAA) in the affected hemisphere revealed identification in six of nine patients (66%) with unilateral TLE. Group comparison revealed a significant reduction of tNAA (6.1+/-0.8*) in the involved temporal lobe compared with controls (6.67+/-0.4*, P=0.026). Choline levels were significantly increased in the affected hemisphere (1.42+/-0.17*) compared with healthy controls (1.22+/-0.17*, P=0.035). The results of our study show that (1)H-MRS is able to identify the affected hemisphere of MRI negative TLE patients and can be used as an additive tool in multimodal focus localization.     

Bacteroides fragilis Pyomyositis in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma

Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection with abscess formation affecting large skeletal muscles. It is predominantly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The disease is common in tropical areas, but rare in temperate climates. We report a patient with multiple myeloma who developed a giant elastic tumor on the right thigh and a hen egg-sized tumor on the right upper arm. MR imaging revealed cystic spaces in the femoral quadriceps and brachial biceps muscles. A large amount of pus with foul smell was removed by incision, drainage and aspiration of the two tumors. The lesions were successfully treated with intravenous administration of antibiotics. Repeated bacterial cultures yielded only Bacteroids fragilis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pyomyositis due to Bacteroides fragilis.     

The anterior choroidal artery syndrome

We reviewed 12 cases of infarcts in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) on CT and/or MRI. In each case vascular occlusion in the region was verified angiographically. Although the extent of the lesion on CT/MR images was variable, all were located on the axial images within an arcuate zone between the striatium anterolaterally and the thalamus posteromedially. The distribution of the lesions on mutiplanar MRI conformed well to the territory of the AChA demonstrated microangiographically. The variability of the extent of the infarcts may be explained by variations in the degree of occlusive changes in the AChA or the development of collateral circulation through anastomoses between the AChA and the posterior communicating and posterior cerebral arteries. The extent of the lesion appeared to be closely related to the degree of neurological deficit.     

Mycotic aneurysm of the aorta: MRI and MRA features

Mycotic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta are potentially fatal but uncommon. We report the MRI and MRA features of an abdominal aortic mycotic aneurysm in a patient who presented with nonspecific low back pain. By delineating the saccular nature of the aneurysm and identifying the coexistence of vertebral enhancement, MRI was crucial for the final diagnosis. A potential pitfall of contrast-enhanced MRA is also demonstrated.