Dural enhancement in pituitary macroadenomas

We describe the normal dural enhancement patterns of the sellar region and determine whether the duramater is affected by pituitary macroadenomas. Dural enhancement appeared to be usually abnormal in 20 patients with pituitary macroadenoma compared with 20 control patients, mainly at the planum sphenoidale and carotid sulcus. However dural changes are subtle and their recognition requires knowledge of the normal enhancement patterns. Dural changes, reported in a variety of inflammatory and infectious dural diseases and after surgery, are not specific and may be also seen in pituitary macroadenomas. Received: 12 December 1998 Accepted: 3 November 1999     

Delayed transient neurologic toxicity due to tacrolimus: CT and MRI

We report a case of transient neurologic toxicity secondary to tacrolimus. The clinical and imaging findings are reported and their subsequent regression after interruption of therapy in the patient following a bone-marrow transplant is also described. The etiology of the neurotoxicity and its analogy with other immunosuppressant agents are discussed. Received: 18 June 1999/Accepted: 14 December 1999     

Brain infarcts due to scorpion stings in children: MRI

We report two children with severe neurological complications after having been stung by a scorpion. Clinical and MRI findings suggested brain infarcts. The lesions seen were in pons in one child and the right hemisphere in the other. The latter also showed possible hyperemia in the infarcted area. No vascular occlusions were observed and we therefore think the brain infarcts were a consequence of the scorpion sting. The cause of the infarct may be hypotension, shock or depressed left ventricular function, all of which are frequent in severe poisoning by scorpion sting. Received: 20 January 1999/Accepted: 13 May 1999     

Diagnosing CADASIL using MRI: evidence from families with known mutations of Notch 3 gene

Clinical data and MRI findings are presented on 18 subjects from two families with neuropathologically confirmed CADASIL. DNA analysis revealed mutations in exon 4 of Notch 3 gene in both families. All family members with mutations in Notch 3 gene had extensive abnormalities on MRI, principally lesions in the white matter of the frontal lobes and in the external capsules. Of several family members in whom a diagnosis of CADASIL was suspected on the basis of minor symptoms, one had MRI changes consistent with CADASIL; none of these cases carried a mutation in the Notch 3 gene. MRI and clinical features that may alert the radiologist to the diagnosis of CADASIL are reviewed. However, a wide differential diagnosis exists for the MRI appearances of CADASIL, including multiple sclerosis and small-vessel disease secondary to hypertension. The definitive diagnosis cannot be made on MRI alone and requires additional evidence, where available, from a positive family history and by screening DNA for mutations of Notch 3 gene. Received: 17 February 1999 Accepted: 23 July 1999     

Cavernous dilatation of mesencephalic Virchow-Robin spaces with obstructive hydrocephalus

We describe two patients with mild ventricular dilatation, shown to have cystic spaces in the midbrain, which we interpreted as greatly enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces. We discuss the pathophysiology and the possible relations to the mild hydrocephalus. Received: 1 September 1999/Accepted: 22 October 1999     

Contrast enhancement of the cerebrospinal fluid on MRI in two cases of spirochaetal meningitis

We report two patients with meningitis due to spirochaetal infection, both of whom showed diffusely enhancing meninges around the brain and spinal cord. In addition, there was enhancement of the cerebrospinal fluid after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA. Received: 1 March 1998/Accepted: 21 August 1999     

MRI of orbital schwannomas

The literature on MRI of orbital schwannomas is limited. The appearances in three patients with an orbital schwannoma were reviewed. A superior orbitotomy through a subfrontal craniotomy revealed a schwannoma in all cases. MRI characteristics of very low signal on T 1-weighted images and homogeneous postcontrast enhancement may be helpful for differentiating schwannomas from other intraconal masses. Received: 21 June 1999/Accepted: 20 September 1999     

磁极化生物平衡离子吸附疗法治疗老年人心脑血管病危险因素的临床研究

目的 探讨磁极化生物平衡离子吸附降脂降粘疗法(也称之为洗血疗法)对老年心脑血管病危险因素的临床疗效。方法 应用磁极化生物平衡离子吸附疗法对22例老年患有心脑血管病危险因素的患者进行治疗,并对临床各项指标进行对照比较。结果 22例患者治疗前后的血流变学指标、血脂等均有明显改善。治疗前患者的TCHO(胆固醇)、TG(甘油三酯)分别为(6.21±1.14)mmol/L和(6.78±5.13)mmol/L;治疗后分别为(4.36±0.99)mmol/L和(2.41±2.10)mmol/L,P<0.05,均显著降低。治疗前患者的HCT(红细胞压积)、PFC(纤维蛋白)、NP(血浆粘度)、NR(全血粘度)、VAI(细胞聚集指数)分别为(0.441±0.042)V、(4.11±1.78)g/L、(3.86±1.98)mpa.s、(5.68±0.79)mpa.s和0.89土0.23;治疗后分别为(0.344±0,061)V、(2.21±1.12)g/L、(1.49±0.40)mpa.s、(3.21±0.56)mpa.s和0.40±0.15,治疗前后对照比较,P<0.02。结论本方法对老年人心脑血管病危险因素的治疗是有效的。     

SPECT脑血流显像在难治性癫癎灶定位诊断中的价值

目的 :探讨单光子发射计算机断层(SPECT)脑血流显像在癫灶定位诊断 ,指导癫外科治疗的价值。方法 :对88例难治性癫患者进行了脑电图(EEG) ,磁共振成像(MRI)和SPECT脑血流显像检查 ,其中42例患者进行了外科(开颅手术或γ刀放射)治疗。结果 :SPECT脑血流显像的阳性率最高 ,为90.9 % ,EEG和MRI的阳性率分别为76.1 %和40.9 %。外科治疗患者SPECT与EEG定位结果的一致及相对一致率为83.3 % ,SPECT与MRI定位结果的一致及相对一致率为81.3 %。3者定位结果的一致及相对一致率为75.0 %。外科治疗的有效率为83.3 %。结论 :SPECT脑血流显像是诊断癫灶灵敏而有效的方法 ,对正确选择癫手术或γ刀治疗方案并取得较好的治疗效果具有重要意义