Complications in Paget disease at MR imaging

PURPOSE: To determine the MR imaging findings in patients with complications of Paget disease of bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 45 patients with Paget disease who underwent MR imaging, 33 (26 men, seven women; age range, 64-91 years) with known complications of the disease were examined. Imaging in this subgroup included radiography (n = 26), computed tomography (n = 12), bone scintigraphy (n = 15), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (n = 33). Patients were examined specifically for musculoskeletal and neurologic complications of Paget disease, including fracture, basilar impression, spinal stenosis, bone tumor, and osteoarthrosis. RESULTS: The 56 complications documented in the 33 patients were fracture (n = 17), neurologic entrapment (n = 19), neoplasm (n = 9), and arthropathy (n = 11). MR imaging was beneficial in the diagnostic evaluation of basilar impression (n = 7), spinal stenosis (n = 12), and the tumor stage (n = 9). It also helped to successfully evaluate pagetic bone narrowing of the coracoacromial arch, which was associated with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff rupture (n = 2). The signal intensities in pagetic bone were most commonly similar to those in fat; this finding had a 100% negative predictive value in excluding neoplasm. CONCLUSION: Although Paget disease is diagnosed economically with conventional radiography, MR imaging is well suited for demonstrating the presence and extent of several characteristic disease complications, including basilar impression, spinal stenosis, and secondary neoplasm.     

MR imaging findings after transplant surgery for Parkinson disease

There is a strong correlation between gingival inflammation and clinical and sub-clinical ascorbic acid deficiency. This has created a demand for a handy diagnostic test to detect the ascorbic acid deficiency. The aim of this work was to find out the efficacy of one such test, i.e. the modified Lingual Ascorbic Acid Test (LAAT). To find out the significance of ths LAAT, it was compared with plasma ascorbic acid levels and then confirmed statistically. Our findings suggest that with this simple, reliable and inexpensive method, the dental practitioners can conveniently assess the ascorbic acid status of their patients.     

Aggressive angiomyxoma: findings on CT and MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a benign tumor affecting the pelvis and perineum, predominantly in women. Because of its variable presentation as a soft mass in the vulva, perianal region, buttock, or pelvis, the tumor is often clinically misdiagnosed and initial surgery is usually unsuccessful in extirpating it. This study describes the imaging features of these tumors. CONCLUSION: Aggressive angiomyxomas display unusual growth patterns of translevator extension with growth around perineal structures. Both CT and MR imaging show the transdiaphragmatic extent of these tumors. High signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images may reflect the myxomatous stroma of these tumors.     

Kikuchi disease: CT and MR findings

Two cases of Kikuchi disease showed variable nodal enhancing features, including homogeneous enhancement and focal or extensive nodal necrosis on contrast-enhanced CT scans. At MR imaging, the area of central necrosis was isointense or hypointense on T1-weighted images and had a lower signal than nonnecrotic areas on T2-weighted images. The CT appearance of Kikuchi disease can be variable and can mimic not only lymphoma but various nodal diseases with nodal necrosis, including metastasis and tuberculosis.     

Hallervorden-Spatz disease: MR and pathologic findings

PURPOSE: To compare the MR findings of eight cases with clinical diagnosis of Hallervorden-Spatz disease (HSD) with the pathologic findings of two other cases of HSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The eight imaged cases were studied with 0.5-T (seven cases) and/or 1.5-T (five cases) units. Six patients also had CT scans. The two other cases with proven HSD had detailed histologic evaluation. RESULTS: The 1.5-T findings showed abnormalities confined to the pallidum, which presented a diffuse low signal intensity in T2-weighted images, and an anteromedial area of high signal intensity (eye-of-the-tiger sign). In 0.5-T studies, low signal intensity was less evident and poorly detectable in spin echo, but gradient-echo images could enhance its demonstration; the area of high signal intensity was always well demonstrated. In three cases (three with 1.5 T, one with 0.5 T) a central spot of low signal intensity was seen in this area. The pathologic cases, in addition to neuroaxonal swellings and iron deposits, exhibited areas of "loose" tissue with vacuolization and lesser amounts of iron in the anteromedial part of the pallidum, in a location corresponding to the area of high signal intensity of the imaged cases. CONCLUSION: Comparison of MR findings with the pathologic studies demonstrates that the low signal intensity in T2-weighted images at 1.5 T corresponds to iron deposits in a dense tissue, and that the high signal intensity of the eye-of-the-tiger sign corresponds to an area of loose tissue with vacuolization. No correlation was found in the two pathologic cases for the central spot of low signal intensity.     

Littoral cell angioma of the spleen: US and MR imaging findings

In this article, we describe the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a littoral cell angioma of the spleen. This benign vascular neoplasm of the spleen has been described, but to our knowledge there has been no case published in the literature that describes its imaging features.     

Breast disease: dynamic spiral MR imaging

The cochleo- and tonotopic organization of the second auditory area (AII) was investigated in cats anaesthetized with pentobarbital using a combination of macro- and microelectrode recording technique. The results obtained following electrical stimulation of the neural fibres innervating different regions of the organ of Corti indicate the existence of two complete representations of the cochlea in area AII: one in the dorsocaudal portion, the other in its ventrorostral portion. These two cortical representations of the cochlea differ in size and spatial orientation. The dorsocaudal projection area extends over a distance of 2.6-3.2 mm from the basal to the apical focus and is arc-shaped. The spatial orientation of cochlea representation within the dorsocaudal region of AII is similar to that described in AI, in that stimulation of the cochlea base results in maximal responses in the more rostral portion of AII and stimulation of the apex evokes cortical responses more caudally. The ventrorostral region within AII is smaller (1.4-2.5 mm length), and has the opposite cochleotopic orientation (base and apex stimulation represented caudally and rostrally, respectively). In both AII zones, there was a proportionally greater cortical representation of basilar membrane than of middle and apical portions. Although two distinct zones with the overall cochleotopic pattern described above were noted in all cats, their precise size and location considerably varied in different animals. Using microelectrode recordings, a cortical tonotopic organization can be observed that was consistent with and expanded on the earlier cochleotopic data. Within the dorsocaudal region of AII, neurons with higher best frequency responses were located in more rostral regions, while those with lower best frequencies were located caudally. An orderly progression of best frequency responses was noted as serial recordings carried out along the full extent of the representation. Neurons within the ventrorostral region of AII also displayed an orderly progression of best frequencies, but in the opposite direction, with higher best frequencies noted more caudally and lower best frequencies more rostrally.     

MR imaging of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

cDNAs for three isotypes of inhibitor-2(I-2), I-2 alpha 1, I-2 alpha 2 and I-2 beta were isolated from a rat testis library. I-2 alpha 2 and I-2 beta are new forms. The former is an alternatively spliced form of I-2 alpha 1, encoding a protein with substitution of three amino acids for 14 amino acids of the I-2 alpha 1 protein at the C-terminus. The latter is derived from a different gene and encodes a 126-amino-acid protein having highly conserved regions with the I-2 alpha 1 protein from amino acid positions 22-47 and 111-126. I-2 alpha 2 and I-2 beta are expressed exclusively in the testis, and the expressions of all three forms of I-2 coincide with sperm cell maturation. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of the GST-I-2 alpha 2 fusion protein on the PP1 gamma 2 catalytic subunit is the same as that of GST-I-2 alpha 1, being 10 nM. However, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of GST-1-2 beta is 100-fold higher, being 1 microM. GST-I-2 beta showed no competition with GST-I-2 alpha 1. and its biological significance is unknown.     

Sonographic findings of rotator cuff tears: correlation with MR imaging

Sonography was performed in 41 patients with symptoms referable to the rotator cuff. Sonography was performed immediately after MR imaging, so that the information obtained by MR imaging could be applied to sonographic diagnosis. Twenty patients were diagnosed from T2-weighted images as having complete tears of the rotator cuff. Sonography showed full-thickness anechoic areas in 12 of the 20 patients, heterogeneous hyperechoic areas in seven, and no abnormal findings in the other one. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as having incomplete tears with MR imaging. Sonography showed heterogeneous hyperechoic areas in 12, but no abnormal findings in one of the 13. Hyperechoic areas in the rotator cuff were shown in four of eight patients who had been diagnosed from T2-weighted images as not having tears. We consider full-thickness anechoic areas to be specific findings of complete tears, although some patients with rotator cuff tears did not show this finding.     

MR imaging of the uterus: findings from high-resolution multisection dynamic imaging with a surface coil

MR imaging of the female pelvis with a local coil (multiple phased array coils) has been reported. With this method, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is improved so that high-resolution images can be obtained. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging has been reported to be useful in diagnosing uterine neoplasms. However, dynamic MR imaging is done in only limited imaging planes. When multisection dynamic MR imaging with fast gradient-echo sequences is combined with the use of a local coil, high-resolution images can be obtained throughout the entire uterus during a single breath-hold. This pictorial essay illustrates the appearance of the normal uterus and malignant uterine neoplasms on high-resolution multisection dynamic MR images obtained with a Helmholtz-type surface coil.     

MR imaging findings of the femoral marrow in myelodysplastic syndrome

MR imaging of the femoral marrow was performed in 30 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 11 cases of which evolved to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The MRI appearance was classified into five patterns: 1) fatty marrow; 2) faint signal; 3) nodular pattern; 4) heterogeneous infiltration; and 5) diffuse infiltration. For each type of MDS, MRI patterns of the femoral marrow were evaluated and compared with those in normal subjects as well as in patients with aplastic anemia. Signal intensity alteration, a low signal on T1-weighted SE image and a high signal on STIR image, began in the proximal femoral marrow almost symmetrically in patients with MDS. The area of abnormal signal intensity tended to gradually extend towards the distal portion of the femur as the disease progressed. MRI patterns of the femoral marrow correlated with marrow cellularity, and diffuse marrow infiltration was noted in patients with a more advanced type of MDS or with severe anemia. There were limitations to making an accurate diagnosis of the MDS type on the basis of the MRI pattern. Progression of the MRI appearance in the course of MDS was thought to be a sign suggesting evolution to AML. It was difficult to differentiate hypoplastic MDS from aplastic anemia, although the nodular pattern was commonly seen in the latter disease.     

Diagnosis of intraductal spread of breast cancer by high-resolution MR imaging: correlation between MR imaging and pathohistological findings

The main purpose of this study was to investigate pathohistological factors that affect the MR findings of intraductal spread (IDS) of breast cancer. The subjects of the present study were 42 breast cancer patients who were examined by MR imaging. Fat-suppressed high-resolution T1-weighted spin-echo images [350/13/1 (TR/TE/excitations), 16-cm FOV, 5-mm section thickness, and 512 x 256 matrix] were obtained one minute after the intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA. In this protocol, contrast determination time was 1 min 48 sec. Of the 42 cases, IDS was found to be located more than 1 cm from the primary focus in 22 cases (52%). Rates of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MR imaging for the detection of IDS were 82%, 80%, and 81%, respectively. The probable cause of misdiagnosis was parenchymal enhancement due to severe fibrocystic disease and normal menstrual cycle. In 21 of 42 cases, the MR findings were precisely correlated with the pathohistologic findings of almost the same cross-section. The MR findings of IDS varied greatly with observation of linear, band-like, branch-like, plate-like and minute ring enhancements. These findings closely reflected the size, aggregation pattern, and distribution of intraductal lesions. In particular, minute ring enhancement was only observed in 4 comedo-type lesions. This pattern of enhancement is considered to reflect elevated intraductal cellular density with necrosis in the central region.     

MR imaging of the anterior cruciate ligament: frequency of discordant findings on sagittal-oblique images and correlation with arthroscopic findings

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency of discordant MR findings of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using sagittal-oblique images and the arthroscopic integrity of the ACL in knees with a discordant MR appearance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The frequency of discordant MR features was determined by independently reviewing the sagittal-oblique images of 53 consecutive patients undergoing subsequent arthroscopic surgery. The first 25 consecutive knees were examined using a conventional, dual-echo, T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequence; the subsequent 28 consecutive knees were examined using both a T1-weighted SE(T1) and a fat-suppressed, fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted sequence. Two examiners who were unaware of patient identification and arthroscopic results evaluated only the sagittal images that included the ACL. Each reviewer graded the ACL as torn or intact. The MR appearance was considered discordant when one MR sequence showed disrupted or poorly seen ACL fibers and the other sequence showed intact ACL fibers. The arthroscopic integrity of the ACL was determined for the 20 knees with a discordant MR appearance. RESULTS: A discordant MR appearance of the ACL was seen in 20 of the 53 knees (38%), including 10 knees evaluated using conventional T2-weighted sequences (40%) and 10 knees using T1/FSE T2 (36%) sequences. Arthroscopic examination of these knees showed intact ACL fibers in all 20 knees; the ACL was normal in 18 knees and a partial tear was questioned in two knees. CONCLUSION: A discordant appearance of the ACL was frequently encountered (38%) using either conventional T2-weighted sequences or T1 and FSE MR sequences in the sagittal-oblique plane. Intact ACL fibers were found during arthroscopy in all 20 knees with a discordant MR appearance.     

Gorham disease: correlation of MR findings with histopathologic changes

Gorham disease is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by bone destruction and abnormal proliferation of thin-walled vascular channels including lymphatic capillaries. Starting monocentrically in a single bone, the angiomatous masses in this disease extend to adjacent bones and soft tissues without respecting articular barriers. Herein we report a case of Gorham disease with its MR and histopathologic appearance.     

Cat scratch disease: magnetic resonance imaging findings

Cat scratch disease is an infectious lymphadenitis frequently occurring in children and adolescents. We present the magnetic resonance imaging findings of two patients with this disease. In both cases, lymphadenopathy was characterized by extensive stranding of the surrounding soft tissues, consistent with the inflammatory nature of this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging can be diagnostic and may obviate the need for invasive means of evaluation in patients suspected of having cat scratch disease.     

Internal derangement of the knee after ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture: MR imaging findings

OBJECTIVE: This study uses magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to delineate the types and frequencies of injuries seen in the knee after ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture. We also compare the results of the orthopedic knee examination with the MR findings. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: MR imaging of the ipsilateral knee was performed on 34 patients with closed femoral shaft fractures. Indications for knee MR imaging included knee pain at the time of fracture, soft tissue swelling or an effusion of the knee, or a positive knee examination under anesthesia. The patients had a mean age of 27 years and all were stabilized with intramedullary nails. Imaging was performed a mean time of 2.5 days after surgery. All patients had knee examinations done under anesthesia, and the MR results were compiled and compared with the clinical examinations. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of patients demonstrated knee effusions. Twenty-seven percent of patients demonstrated meniscal tears, with the posterior horn of the medial meniscus most frequently torn. The medial collateral ligament was the most frequent site of ligamentous injury (38%) followed by the posterior cruciate ligament (21%). Fifty percent of patients had injuries of the extensor mechanism. Bone bruises were noted in 32% of patients. Articular cartilage injuries were confined to the patella in four cases. One occult tibial plateau fracture and one meniscocapsular separation were seen. CONCLUSIONS: There is a common incidence of both ligamentous and meniscal injury to the knee after ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture. MR imaging can be useful in assessing the extent of injury, and may reveal findings unsuspected after clinical examination of the knee.