Pilocytic astrocytoma mimicking cavernous angioma: Imaging features and histological characteristics.

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) commonly occurs during the first two decades of life. Typical locations include cerebellum, optic nerve, optic chiasm/hypothalamus and brainstem. PA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with brain tumors manifesting with hemorrhagic onset. We report a case of a hemorrhagic onset of cerebellar PA in a young adult with imaging findings mimicking cavernous angioma. We also discuss imaging features and histological characteristics with a focus on the etiology of the hemorrhagic onset.

Inter- and intraobserver agreement in scoring angiographic results of intra-arterial stroke therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Angiographic results are commonly used as surrogate markers of the success of intra-arterial therapies for acute stroke. Inter- and intraobserver agreement in judging angiographic results remain poorly characterized. Our goal was to assess 2 commonly used revascularization scales. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A portfolio of 148 pre- and post treatment images of 37 cases of proximal anterior circulation occlusions was electronically sent to 12 expert observers who were asked to grade treatment outcomes according to recanalization (of arterial occlusive lesion) or reperfusion (TICI) scales. Three expert observers had to score treatment outcomes by using a similar portfolio of 32 patients or when they had full access to all angiographic data, twice for each method 3-12 months apart. Results were analyzed by using κ statistics. RESULTS: Agreement among 9 responding observers was moderate for both the TICI (κ = 0.45 ± 0.01) and arterial occlusive lesion (κ = 0.39 ± 0.16) scales. Agreement was similar (moderate) when 3 observers had access to a portfolio (κ = 0.59 ± 0.06 and 0.49 ± 0.07, respectively) or to the full angiographic data (κ = 0.54 ± 0.06 and 0.59 ± 0.07, respectively). Intraobserver agreement was "fair to moderate" for both methods. Interobserver agreement became "substantial" (>0.6) when outcomes were dichotomized into "success" (TICI 2b, 3; arterial occlusive lesion II, III or "failure"; the results were judged more favorably when the arterial occlusive lesion rather than the TICI scale was used. CONCLUSIONS: There is an important variability in the assessment of angiographic outcomes of endovascular treatments, invalidating comparisons among publications. A simple dichotomous judgment can be used as a surrogate outcome when treatments are assessed by the same observers in randomized trials.

[Intraorbital dermoid cyst. Case report and review of the literature]. / Kyste dermoïde intraorbitaire. À propos d'une observation et revue de la littérature.

Periorbital dermoid cysts are benign tumors most often seen in young children. Intraorbital location, though rare, should not be overlooked. Good quality imaging plays a major role in the etiological diagnosis, providing a precise analysis of the location of the lesion, its components, and its effects on adjacent and nearby structures, as well as in planning the surgical approach. The authors report a case of a 46-year-old male with an intraorbital dermoid cyst presenting with progressive left proptosis. Appearance on imaging (CT and MRI) was consistent with intraorbital dermoid cyst. The tumor was extirpated. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermoid cyst. We also present a review of the literature.

Sternocleidomastoid pseudotumor of infancy: a report of thirteen cases.

UNLABELLED: Stemocleidomastoid tumor of infancy (SCMTI) is a rare cause of benign neck masses in neonates and infants. It has to be differentiated from other congenital space-occupying lesions in the cervical region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 13 infants with a mean age of 6 weeks, presenting with a lateral neck mass at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) between 2007 and 2009 were retrospectively studied. All of them underwent physical and ultrasonographic examination. MRI was performed in only one case. RESULTS: Ultrasonography (US) showed a soft tissue mass of sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCMM), or a homogenously enlarged muscle without any focal mass. MRI revealed a fusiform enlarged muscle. Diagnosis of SCMTI was established in all cases. Conservative treatment was recommended in all cases with physiotherapy in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: US is the best imaging modality for the diagnosis of SCMTI and the first one to be performed. Additional diagnostic imaging modalities are unnecessary in most of the cases.

[Intervention on smoking in adolescents in Sousse, Tunisia]. / Etude d'intervention sur le tabagisme chez les adolescents dans la région de Sousse, Tunisie.

PURPOSE: To increase knowledge about smoking via a school prevention programme. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study included two groups: a control and an intervention group with a pre- and a post-evaluation of knowledge about smoking in each group. The target population consisted of students of 12 to 16 years old in Sousse, Tunisia. To evaluate the intervention, stratified and proportional sampling was used to include 2100 students in the questionnaire. All the students in the intervention group received a standardized program of information about smoking. A pre-tested and self-managed questionnaire in Arabic was used to assess knowledge about smoking, attitudes and behavioural intent before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention group's post-test knowledge and behavioural intent were significantly higher than that of the control group's. No significant differences were found in post-test attitudes between the control and the intervention groups. CONCLUSION: The authors carried out this survey to evaluate the difficulties and resources in order to institute a more complete and durable program.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following herpes simplex encephalitis.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an acute immunomediated demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, usually encountered in children or adolescents and characterized by multifocal neurologic deficits of rapid onset. It is often preceded by various infectious diseases or vaccination, but acute disseminated encephalomyelitis developing after herpes simplex encephalitis is rare. We report such a case in a 2-year-old girl which illustrates the importance of MRI features to consider acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in a patient who develops neurologic signs after the onset of HVS encephalitis.