MR imaging of spinal cord hemangioblastoma associated with syringomyelia

A case of isolated spinal cord hemangioblastoma with associated extensive syringohydromyelia, which was evaluated by myelography, postmyelographic CT, magnetic resonance (MR), and angiography is presented. The specific preoperative and postoperative advantages of MR are given as well as a brief review of the literature.     

Measurement of the normal optic chiasm on coronal MR images.

PURPOSETo develop an objective method for measuring the optic chiasm and to document its normal range in size.METHODSMeasurements of the height and area of the optic chiasm, made on coronal T1-weighted MR images with the use of commercially available region-of-interest software, were obtained in 114 healthy subjects who had a total of 123 MR studies. A normal range and standard deviation were calculated, and the information was broken down by age and sex.RESULTSThe mean area of the optic chiasm was 43.7 mm2, with a standard deviation of 5.21. The mean width was 14.0 mm, with a standard deviation of 1.68.CONCLUSIONThe area and width of the optic chiasm can be measured with the use of commercially available software, which allows an objective estimate of the chiasm''s size. Knowledge of the normal size range of the optic chiasm can be helpful in the early detection of some disorders.     

Everyday memory following traumatic brain injury

Residual memory deficits may represent a problem to the everyday functioning of a large number of people, including those who have sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present exploratory study sought to investigate the interrelationships between subjective memory reports, performance on traditional memory tests, and performance on tests of prospective memory. These interrelationships were contrasted between a group of 24 adults who had sustained TBI and a group of 24 matched control subjects. Prospective memory was hypothesized to be indicative of everyday memory functioning. The results provided preliminary evidence that prospective memory tests are sensitive to TBIrelated neurological impairment and, in comparison to traditional tests, may be better indicators of functional memory capacity. This pattern was particularly true for control subjects, possibly because TBI subjects had difficulties in evaluating their memory functioning.     

Neuropsychological Deficit and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Evaluated the utility of neuropsychological testing in predictingacademic outcome in children 1 year following traumatic braininjury (TBI). Fifty-one schoolage children who were admittedto hospital after TBI were assessed with a battery of neuropsychologicalmeasures at 3 months postinjury. Academic achievement was assessedat 3 and 12 months postinjury. The neuropsychological batteryincluded intelligence testing and measures of memory, learning,and speed of information processing. Academic outcome was assessedin terms of post-TBI changes in reading, spelling, and arithmetic;changes in teacher ratings of school performance; and changein school placement. According to logistic regression analysis,change in placement from regular to special education at 1-yearpost-TBI was predicted by injury severity and by neuropsychologicalperformance at 3 months post-TBI. Findings suggest that neuropsychologicaltesting is useful in identifying children with special educationalneeds subsequent to TBI.     

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt function and hydrocephalus in the pediatric age group: a radiographic/clinical correlation.

Eighty-four pediatric patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically on 112 separate admissions for suspected increased intracranial pressure and possible shunt malfunction. The shunt system was tested clinically in each patient and correlated with the ventricular size as determined by CT. Of the patients with enlarged ventricles, 87% had an improperly functioning shunt and 13% had a normally functioning shunt. Of the patients with normal or small ventricles, 93% had a normally functioning shunt. Thus the "false negative" rate was 4% (small ventricles with a nonfunctioning shunt) and the "false positive" rate was 13% (large ventricles with a functioning shunt).     

澳大利亚John Murtagh全科病案研究(三十三)——一例老年男性患者的急性尿潴留

John Murtagh,澳大利亚Monash大学全科医学系兼职教授和Melbourne大学的全科医学专家。1966年毕业于Monash大学,1986年担任《Australian Family Physician》杂志主编,1988年获得医学博士学位,1993年被Monash大学聘为教授。1995年,鉴于他在医学教育、研究和著作方面的卓越贡献,被授予澳大利亚勋章,他的著作《Murtagh's General Practice》被奉为澳大利亚全科医生的圣经。其著作在中国也产生了巨大的影响。《Murtagh's General Practice》中译本已在2010年岁末出版发行。澳大利亚John Murtagh全科病案研究自2008年开始在《中国全科医学》杂志连续刊登以来,受到了广大中国全科医生的关注和好评。Murtagh教授每一个娓娓道来的病案都是他毕生宝贵工作经验的精华,是为《中国全科医学》杂志专门撰写,是中国的全科医生前进的导航和指引。衷心感谢Murtagh教授和担任本栏目翻译点评工作的杨辉教授对中国全科医学发展给予的大力支持和帮助!