[Psychological behavior of patients in MRI: analysis, proposals for improvement and contribution of open magnet equipment]. / Le comportement psychologique des patients en IRM: analyse, propositions d'amélioration et apport de l'appareillage à aimant ouvert.

Many patients report anxiety during MR imaging. Anxiety is due to immobility, coil noise, high temperature, duration of the examination and shape of the system. On basis of a prospective series of 250 patients undergoing MR studies, we have analysed mechanisms and reasons of anxiety. Psychological strategies are useful to reduce anxiety and improve patients' cooperation and relaxation. The easiest and most effective way is to inform the distressed patient. Information about the MRI examination must be clear and simple. Open field magnets improve comfort and global conditions of the examination realisation. Psychological consequences are less important. Open field MR systems reduce claustrophobia induced by MR imaging.

A single base transversion in the flanking region of an equine microsatellite locus affects amplification of one allele.

The equine dinucleotide microsatellite HMS7 is part of a microsatellite panel utilized in a parentage verification programme at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (Davis, California, USA). Apparent non-Mendelian inheritance was noted when a Quarter Horse mare was excluded as the parent of two offspring based on analysis of the HMS7 locus. The mare's DNA type qualified her as a parent of the offspring at an additional 20 microsatellite loci. The three animals appeared homozygous for HMS7 with each possessing an allele different from that of the other two animals. Polymerase chain reaction primers designed to bind outside the published primer-binding sites amplified an additional shared allele in all three horses, which qualified the mare as the dam of the two offspring. Sequencing of this newly detected allele revealed a C to A transversion in one of the published primer-binding regions. Apparent non-Mendelian inheritance at the HMS7 locus has been encountered in an additional 26 Quarter Horse parentage cases. In all instances, the lack of amplification and resultant 'null' allele was shown to be caused by the same transversion.

[Hemangioma of the facial nerve]. / Hémangiomes du nerf facial.

In this retrospective study the respective values of MRI and CT in the location and nature diagnoses of facial nerve haemangiomas were evaluated. The four male patients examined were 31, 44, 56 and 62 years old; they presented with facial nerve pals and/or cochlear-vestibular dysfunction. The haemangiomas were located in the internal auditory canal, the geniculate ganglion, the tympanic segment of the facial nerve and the petrous bone apex. MRI revealed a tumoral process, while CT showed intratumoral calcifications and provided a diagnosis of mass nature in two cases. In the other cases the pre-operative diagnosis was neurinoma of the VIIIth or VIIth cranial nerve. Histology ascertained the diagnosis. MRI is the method of choice in cases of facial paralysis or cochlear-vestibular dysfunction if a tumoral cause is suspected. Haemangioma is an uncommon tumour without specific image, except for calcifications and neighbouring osseous reactions. It must also be considered on the basis of clinical and topographical findings revealed by CT and MRI imaging.

[Structural MRI study of the Achilles tendon. Correlation with microanatomy and histology]. / Etude structurale du tendon d'achille en IRM. Corrélation avec la microanatomie et l'histologie.

On T1 and T2 weighted MR Imaging, normal Achilles tendon is generally described as a homogeneous low signal structure. However, punctuate and/or short linear high signal foci are often seen, especially on the anterior part of axial sections. These images are not artifacts. The aim of this study was to correlate MR images of 20 normal Achilles tendons with micro-anatomic and histologic studies of 2 cadaver tendons. Intratendinous vessels were found in connective tissue septa called mesotenon. Foci of high signals result from this mesotenon. On T1 weighted images, a normal Achilles tendon can present high signal images without any disease process.

Gadolinium-enhanced MRI in cerebral Whipple's disease.

Confusion developed in a 44-year-old man, who had diarrhoea and weight loss for three months. Jejunal biopsy showed infiltration by PAS-positive macrophages, indicating Whipple's disease. Cranial MRI disclosed multiple lesions mainly in the white matter and grey-white matter junction better demonstrated after gadolinium injection.

[MRI of normal spinal epidural fat]. / IRM de la graisse épidurale rachidienne normale.

The authors perform a retrospective study of 65 spines examined with MRI. They specify the distribution of normal posterior epidural fat and establish the relationship between the anteroposterior thickness of epidural fat and the sagittal diameter of the spine on axial sections. On sagittal sections, the fat has a variable appearance, but a constant location along the spinal canal.

[MRI of the spinal epidural fat in pathology]. / IRM de la graisse épidurale rachidienne en pathologie.

The authors report about their experience with the merits of the normal systematization of epidural fat with MRI. On sagittal sections, this fat has a variable appearance, but its location along the spinal canal is constant. On axial sections, its morphology is suggestive of the level of section: cervical, upper or lower thoracic, lumbar. Some changes in this fat are precious data to explain local hypertrophy (scoliosis) or to locate an intra- or extradural process.

[The normal cranial nerves in MRI. Description and visualization frequency]. / Les nerfs crâniens normaux en IRM. Description et fréquence de visualisation.

In order to assess the value of MR in the depiction of intracranial nerves, we retrospectively reviewed 60 patients investigated over a period of 2 years. The aim of this study was: 1) to assess the score of MR in the detection of cranial nerves III to XII; 2) to determine accurate landmarks allowing for easy detection of those cranial nerves. Cranial nerves III, V, VII, VIII are well seen (70 to 100%), very often in both axial, sagittal and coronal sections. Nerves IX to XII are correctly studied only on axial planes [81 and 83%), but it is difficult to distinguish between the vagal nerve and the glossopharyngeal and spinal nerves. Due to their oblique direction and small size, fourth and sixth nerves are rarely visualized. The more important landmarks are the chiasma, the colliculi, the Meckel's cave, the internal auditory canal, the jugular foramen, the hypoglossal canal and the different brainstem structures. We suggest the following scanning protocol: short spin echo sequences (TR = 600 ms, TE = 20 msec), 3 to 5 continuous sections, 16 to 20 cm field of vue with respectively 4 or 2 excitations, 256 x 256 matrix, with at least one acquisition plane (axial), but preferably two or three planes. Thus MR is sensitive exam in the recognition of cranial nerves, and it must be the first step exam in patients presenting with cranial nerve disease.

Visibility of cranial nerves at MRI.

In order to assess the value of MRI in the depiction of intracranial nerves, we retrospectively reviewed 60 patients investigated over a 2-year period. The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine the score of MRI in detecting cranial nerves III to XII, and 2) to establish accurate landmarks for easy detection of these nerves. Cranial nerves III, V, VII and VIII are well seen (70 to 100%), very often on axial, sagittal and coronal sections. Nerves IX to XII are correctly studied only on axial planes (81 and 83%), but it is difficult to distinguish between the vagus nerve and the glossopharyngeal and spinal nerves. Due to their oblique direction and small size, nerves IV and VI are seldom visualized. The most important landmarks are the chiasma, the colliculi, Meckel's cavity, the internal auditory canal, the jugular foramen, the hypoglossal canal and the brainstem structures. We suggest the following scanning technique: short spin-echo sequences (TR 600 ms, TE 20 ms), 3 to 5 mm thick contiguous sections, 16 to 20 cm field of view with 4 or 2 excitations respectively, 256 x 256 matrix, and at least one acquisition plane (axial plane), but preferably two or three planes. MRI is a sensitive examination in the recognition of cranial nerves. It should be the first-step exploratory procedure in patients with cranial nerve pathology.