Destructive changes of the spine in magnetic resonance imaging

Summary Twenty-nine patients were examined by magnetic resonance imaging for various lesions of the spine. The results of these scans were compared with those of plain radiographs, computertomographs, and radionuclide bone scans. The findings were substantiated by intraoperative or histological findings in 18 cases. The MRI scans proved to be very sensitive in the detection of a wide spectrum of morphological changes of the bone marrow of vertebral bodies. Characteristic changes of the signal patterns for inflammatory and tumorous lesions were not observed. The differentiation of these lesions will presently continue to have to be based on morphological criteria.No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this study. No funds were received in support of this study     

Genetic instability in human chromosome region 3p12-p21 in renal cell carcinoma and lung cancer

contributed equally to this work     

Vertically fused tracheal cartilage. An underrecognized anomaly.

Anterior vertical fusion of the tracheal cartilages with normal pars membranacea is a rarely described tracheal anomaly. We report four cases of this anomaly, three associated with craniosynostosis syndromes and one with Goldenhar's syndrome. The anomaly was documented at postmortem examination in one case, both endoscopically and at tracheotomy in two cases, and endoscopically in one case. Documentation from gross postmortem photographs, photomicrographs, and intraoperative endoscopic photographs is presented so that the anatomical aspects of this anomaly can be thoroughly understood and recognized. All four newborn patients developed recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, reactive airway disease, and chronically retained secretions attributable to this anomaly. Neither tracheal stenosis nor stridor was encountered. In the three surviving patients, the infections grew less frequent and less severe in later childhood. These observations suggest that this tracheobronchial anomaly may be associated with a variety of craniofacial syndromes and may alter airflow dynamics in a way that predisposes to retained secretions and chronic pulmonary disease.     

Optic papilla parameters in healthy subjects--quantified with the optic nerve head analyzer

The cup-disk ratio (CDR), the size of the neuroretinal rim area as well as the other disk parameters investigated with the Optic Nerve Head Analyzer (ONHA) were measured in double examinations of 32 healthy eyes in 32 patients. Thus, "normal" values were determined for the various disk parameters. A new method is presented for calculating one average pallor value for the disk. The mean value for disk pallor in healthy eyes is determined. Examination of the CDR in the quadrants of the disk reveals significant differences. According to the results of a multi-regressional analysis of the various disk parameters, the size of the neuroretinal rim area in healthy eyes is influenced by the size of the disk, the disk volume and the elevation volume. The correlation between the size of the neuroretinal rim area and the size of the disk reveals a significant interdependence: a larger disk also has a greater neuroretinal rim area as compared to a smaller disk. This means that sizes of neuroretinal rim areas of different disk should only be compared when the disks are the same size. Relative values, such as the CDR or the ratio between the size of the neuroretinal rim area and disk size (rim area/disk area), are therefore better suited for comparison.