Investigation of Whole Spine MRI in the Emergency Department at Two Large Tertiary Care Academic Medical Centers in the United States.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The impact of emergent whole spine magnetic resonance imaging (WS-MRI) on patient management has not been extensively studied to date. Here, we explore indications, results, and outcomes associated with WS-MRI performed through the emergency departments (EDs) of 2 large tertiary care, academic medical centers in the Northeastern United States. We hypothesize that given a relatively low barrier to entry, coupled with lack of appropriateness guidelines, a sizeable proportion of WS-MRI studies performed emergently do not result in spine findings necessitating inpatient admission for immediate treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 335 adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent WS-MRI through the ED between 2016 and 2019. The demographic data collected included, age, sex, chief complaint, history of spine disease, and date and type of last spine imaging prior to ED presentation. Data compiled from the time of ED visit included WS-MRI result and patient disposition, including reason for hospital admission, by which patients were categorized into groups to allow for ease of comparisons. Hypergeometric tests were used to determine statistically significant associations between random discrete variables. RESULTS: Trauma was the most frequent chief complaint, comprising 35% (n = 117) of all presentations, followed by pain (25%, n = 84), motor deficit (16%, n = 55), sensory disturbance (12%, n = 41), bowel, and/or bladder dysfunction (9%, n = 30), and subjective or objective fevers with suspicion for spine infection (2%, n = 8). The largest proportion of WS-MRI studies revealed degenerative disc disease (DDD) as the principal result (41%, n = 139). 52% of all patients were either discharged directly from the ED (41%) or admitted for a non-spine issue after WS-MRI (11%); of these numbers, 61% underwent WS-MRI and no other imaging study in the ED. In patients who presented with a chief complaint of pain, DDD was often the principal WS-MRI finding (54%), albeit this association was not statistically significant. DDD, nonetheless, was positively associated with a discharge from the ED (P <0.001). Trauma was positively associated with fracture or ligamentous/soft tissue injury (P <0.001) on WS-MRI and hospital admission for a spine issue (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: That just under half of patients in our study were admitted for spine-related pathology suggests that WS-MRI is valuable in the emergent setting. At the same time, however, that over half of patients were not subsequently admitted for a spine-related issue points to the possibility of further refining which patients would benefit most from WS-MRI. WS-MRI may be less helpful in patients presenting with pain, though may be higher-yield in those with trauma, motor deficits, and bowel/bladder complaints. Although MRI is highly sensitive in ruling out emergent central nervous system pathology, given the resource-intensive nature of the test, it is prudent to carefully select which patients should undergo emergent WS-MRI, especially in instances when more cost-effective, alternative diagnostic approaches, including detailed neurological exam, computed tomography, or localized/targeted MRI, are possible.

Head and Brain Postmortem Computed Tomography-Autopsy Correlation in Hospital Deaths.

The use of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to support autopsy pathology has increased in recent decades. To some extent, PMCT has also been contemplated as a potential alternative to conventional postmortem examination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of PMCT to detect specific pathologic findings in the head and brain in natural hospital deaths.We examined postmortem CT images and autopsy data from 31 subjects who died at SUNY (State University of New York) Upstate University Hospital between 2013 and 2018. Each subject underwent a noncontrast PMCT and a traditional autopsy. A neuroradiologist analyzed PMCT images for head and brain abnormalities. The autopsies were performed by pathologists who were aware of the radiology results.In our series, PMCT was able to detect the majority of the significant space-occupying lesions, although it was not always reliable in ascertaining their nature. Postmortem computed tomography revealed findings usually challenging to detect at autopsy. Unfortunately, there were also situations in which PMCT was misleading, showing changes that were difficult to interpret, or that could be related to postmortem events. Therefore, we conclude PMCT should be used as an adjunct rather than a substitute to autopsy.

Imaging manifestations of malignant neoplasia mimicking pyogenic osteodiscitis.

Malignant neoplasia involving contiguous vertebrae and the corresponding intervertebral discs is a rare occurrence that has similar imaging manifestations as pyogenic osteodiscitis. The authors describe the imaging manifestations of two cases of malignant neoplasia mimicking pyogenic osteodiscitis. We present a case of an 83-year-old male with metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma and an 82-year-old female with a plasmacytoma, both within the thoracic spine. These cases illustrate how the imaging features of pyogenic osteodiscitis may parallel those of malignant neoplasia.

Intracranial multifocal dural involvement in multiple myeloma: case report and review of the literature.

Multiple myeloma is an incurable clonal B-cell malignancy with terminally differentiated plasma cells that accounts for 1% of all malignancies in the United States. It may present with tumors consisting of discrete masses of neoplastic monoclonal plasma cells in either bone or soft tissues. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement of myeloma is uncommon and is observed in approximately 1% of cases. It may manifest as dural myeloma or intraparenchymal infiltration, or with diffuse leptomeningeal involvement. Dural involvement of myeloma without parenchymal or leptomeningeal disease is an even rarer occurrence, with only 5 cases reported in the medical literature. There are no established treatment guidelines for CNS myelomatosis; prognosis and literature on the use of treatment modalities for this complication is reviewed herein.

CT and MR imaging of Susac syndrome in a young male presenting with acute disorientation.

Susac syndrome is a rare neurologic disorder first described by Susac et al. in 1979. Clinically, Susac syndrome consists of a triad including encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and sensorineural hearing loss. Microinfarction is believed to be the basic histologic feature and MR is considered the best imaging modality. This case documents the typical imaging findings of Susac syndrome, as well as the unique MR imaging finding of cranial nerve enhancement.

Variability of gross tumor volume delineation in head-and-neck cancer using PET/CT fusion, Part II: the impact of a contouring protocol.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a gross tumor volume (GTV) contouring protocol on interobserver variability between 4 physicians in positron emission therapy/computed tomography (PET/CT) treatment planning of head-and-neck cancer. A GTV contouring protocol for PET/CT treatment planning was developed utilizing 4 stages: Preliminary contouring on CT alone, determination of appropriate PET windowing, accurate image registration, and modification of CT contouring with correctly formatted PET/CT display and rules for modality disagreement. Two neuroradiologists and 2 radiation oncologists (designated as A, B, C, and D, respectively) were given a tutorial of PET/CT coregistered imaging individualized to their skill level, which included a step-by-step explanation of the protocol with clinical examples. Opportunities for questions and hands-on practice were given. The physicians were asked to re-contour 16 head-and-neck patients from Part I on PET/CT fusion imaging. Differences in volume magnitude were analyzed for statistical significance by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests (alpha<0.05). Volume overlap was analyzed for statistical significance using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (alpha<0.05). Volume overlap increased significantly from Part I to Part II (p<0.05). One previously significant difference between physicians disappeared with the protocol in place. The mean fusion volume of Physician C, however, remained significantly larger than that of Physician D (p<0.01). This result is unchanged from Part I. The multidisciplinary contouring protocol significantly improved the coincidence of GTVs contoured by multiple physicians. The magnitudes of the volumes showed marginal improvement in consistency. Developing an institutional contouring protocol for PET/CT treatment planning is highly recommended to reduce interobserver variability.

Median palatine cyst.

Median palatine cysts are rare, non-odontogenic fissural cysts of the hard palate. These cysts occur in the midline of the hard palate, behind the incisive canal. Only two case reports have documented these cysts on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), neither giving detailed descriptions of the cysts. Knowledge of their existence is important and should not be confused with malignant tumors. We present the first case describing the MDCT characteristics of the median palatine cyst.

Spinal Kaposi sarcoma presenting without cutaneous manifestations. Case report.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is one of the most common tumors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which characteristically presents with cutaneous lesions. The authors report a rare case of spinal KS with no cutaneous manifestation in a 32-year-old man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who presented with abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan revealed incidental lesions in his lumbar spine, and additional imaging studies revealed numerous lesions in the lumbosacral spine and pelvis. An open biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of KS. At the time of presentation, the patient had no skin lesion or any other manifestation indicative of KS. The authors suggest that in HIV-positive patients who present with spinal lesions, KS should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Variability of gross tumor volume delineation in head-and-neck cancer using CT and PET/CT fusion.

PURPOSE: To assess the need for gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation protocols in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) treatment planning by use of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) fusion imaging. Assessment will consist of interobserver and intermodality variation analysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixteen HNC patients were accrued for the study. Four physicians (2 neuroradiologists and 2 radiation oncologists) contoured GTV on 16 patients. Physicians were asked to contour GTV on the basis of the CT alone, and then on PET/CT fusion. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance for interobserver variability and Student's paired sample t test for intermodality and interdisciplinary variability. A Boolean pairwise analysis was included to measure degree of overlap. RESULTS: Near-significant variation occurred across physicians' CT volumes (p = 0.09) and significant variation occurred across physicians' PET/CT volumes (p = 0.0002). The Boolean comparison correlates with statistical findings. One radiation oncologist's PET/CT fusion volumes were significantly larger than his CT volumes (p < 0.01). Conversely, the other radiation oncologist's CT volumes tended to be larger than his fusion volumes (p = 0.06). No significant interdisciplinary variation was seen. Significant disagreement occurred between radiation oncologists. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in GTV delineation were found between multiple observers contouring on PET/CT fusion. The need for delineation protocol has been confirmed.

Imaging of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. CT remains the primary imaging modality for initial evaluation of patients who have sustained head trauma. MR imaging, which has always been important for the evaluation of subacute and chronic head trauma, has been gaining popularity and recognition as an alternative primary imaging modality.