DTI-MRI biomarkers in the search for normal pressure hydrocephalus aetiology: a review.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by gait disturbances, urinary incontinence and dementia. Clinical presentation overlaps with Alzheimer disease (AD). Early recognition thus early intervention (shunting) is important for successful treatment, but lack of a diagnostic test with sufficient sensitivity and specificity complicates the diagnosis. We performed literature search and composed a structured review of imaging biomarkers of NPH. Morphometric studies are not sufficient to diagnose NPH. Hydrocephalus is a common finding in elderly people due to the symmetric brain atrophy and is even more pronounced in patients with AD. The key MRI biomarker seems to be diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). According to recent studies, the DTI analysis of the splenium corporis callosi, posterior limb of internal capsule, hippocampus and fornix combined with measurement of Evans index is a promising MRI biomarker of NPH and could be used for NPH diagnostics and in the differential diagnosis from AD and other dementias.

Bobble-head doll syndrome: therapeutic outcome and long-term follow-up in four children.

Bobble-head doll syndrome (BHDS) is a complex syndrome with the dominant symptom of repetitive anteroposterior head movement. Only 57 patients are quoted in the literature. The etiology of this syndrome remains unknown and no standard treatment has yet been established. We hereby report four cases treated at our department. All the patients presented a psychomotor retardation due to an obstructive hydrocephalus. All the patients were treated using neuroendoscopic techniques: two with ventriculocystostomy, and two with ventriculocystocisternostomy. Cyst decompression was achieved in all four cases and clinical recovery was evident in three of the four patients observed. After surgery, BHDS persisted longer the more the subsequent treatment was delayed. In this article, we provide a concise overview of the theories of pathogenesis, presentation, and management of this syndrome. Based on our own experience, we state that the method of choice should be the neuroendoscopy and this must be performed promptly after diagnosis is made.

Prenatal diagnosis of occipital dermal sinus associated with hemangioma using ultrasound and MRI. Case report.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of prenatal diagnosis and postpartum management of a subcutaneous tumor without intracranial communication. METHODS: An occipital tumor without intracranial communication was found on ultrasound scan in the 21st week of pregnancy. Using MRI, the diagnosis was confirmed. Subcutaneous localization of the tumor was verified and communication with intracranial space excluded. RESULTS: The newborn was delivered spontaneously at term and underwent a successful surgical procedure 5 months postpartum. CONCLUSION: The prenatal diagnosis allowed differentiation between a communicating neural tube defect with poor prognosis, and a manageable extracranial subcutaneous tumor. The precise diagnosis of uncomplicated dermal sinus was possible only after the histological evaluation of the tumor confirmed occipital dermal sinus associated with hemangioma.