PSEN1/SLC20A2 double mutation causes early-onset Alzheimer's disease and primary familial brain calcification co-morbidity.

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC; formerly Fahr's disease) and early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) may share partially overlapping pathogenic principles. Although the heterozygous loss-of-function mutation c.1523 + 1G > T in the PFBC-linked gene SLC20A2 was detected in a patient with asymmetric tremor, early-onset dementia, and brain calcifications, CSF ß-amyloid parameters and FBB-PET suggested cortical ß-amyloid pathology. Genetic re-analysis of exome sequences revealed the probably pathogenic missense mutation c.235G > A/p.A79T in PSEN1. The SLC20A2 mutation segregated with mild calcifications in two children younger than 30 years. We thus describe the stochastically extremely unlikely co-morbidity of genetic PFBC and genetic EOAD. The clinical syndromes pointed to additive rather than synergistic effects of the two mutations. MRI data revealed the formation of PFBC calcifications decades before the probable onset of the disease. Our report furthermore exemplifies the value of neuropsychology and amyloid PET for differential diagnosis.

Incidentally exploring natural course of a rare entity: representative case for rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors.

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (RGNT) are extremely rare mostly benign tumors of the central nervous system, which are often studied for its histological aspects despite relatively small numbers of clinical especially radiological knowledge.Despite the increasing number of publications on different localizations and treatment protocols, the morphologic and temporal development process of this rare tumor entity is not clear. We were able to coincidentally observe the entire course of the tumor growth of a RGNT on subsequent MRI examinations in a typical case with mild clinical symptoms and no other neurological illnesses, thus possible clinical complications were prevented.

Gadolinium Leakage in Ocular Structures Is Common in Lacunar Infarction.

Background and Purpose- We investigated the frequency and pattern of blood-brain barrier, as well as blood-retina barrier, impairment in acute lacunar infarction as demonstrated by hyperintense acute reperfusion marker and gadolinium leakage in ocular structures (GLOS), respectively, on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Methods- Acute lacunar infarction patients who underwent repeated magnetic resonance imaging after intravenous contrast agent administration were identified and the presence of GLOS in the anterior chamber and vitreous body and hyperintense acute reperfusion marker noted on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. Results- Overall, 24 acute lacunar infarction patients (median age 64.5 years; interquartile range, 54-78 years) were included. On contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, GLOS was observed in 11 (45.8%) patients: in 4 (16.7%) in the anterior chamber only and in 7 (29.2%) in the anterior chamber and vitreous body. In all patients, GLOS was bilateral and symmetrical. In patients with GLOS in the anterior chamber only, the time between initial and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was significantly shorter (7.5 [interquartile range, 4.25-11.5] hours) compared with patients with GLOS in the anterior chamber and vitreous body (28 [interquartile range, 10-43] hours; P=0.047). Hyperintense acute reperfusion marker could not be demonstrated in any of the patients. Conclusions- In acute lacunar infarction patients, unlike hyperintense acute reperfusion marker, GLOS is a frequent finding and shows a similar temporal evolution like in larger ischemic stroke.

Contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed FLAIR for the characterization of leptomeningeal inflammation in optic neuritis.

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal contrast enhancement on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images has been reported in patients with multiple sclerosis and interpreted as a biomarker of inflammation. In this study, we sought to evaluate this phenomenon in patients with optic neuritis (ON). METHODS: A total of 42 patients with suspected ON were included in this prospective study and underwent a dedicated study magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol including native and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed thin-section axial and coronal FLAIR images on an 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) system. RESULTS: After diagnostic workup, 34 patients with final diagnosis of ON were analyzed in detail. On contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed FLAIR images, 25 (73.5%) patients with ON demonstrated perioptic leptomeningeal enhancement, and in 3 (8.8%) patients, this was even the only pathological MRI finding. In comparison, patients with perioptic leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed FLAIR images had a higher prevalence of additional hyperintense brain lesions ( p = 0.022) as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-specific oligoclonal bands ( p = 0.013) than patients without. CONCLUSION: Perioptic leptomeningeal contrast enhancement on fat-suppressed FLAIR images is a novel marker in ON and possibly reflects a leptomeningeal inflammatory process preceding or accompanying ON. Thin-section contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed FLAIR images might be a useful addition in MRI protocols for patients with suspected ON.

Heterogeneity of glioblastoma with gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern on diffusion and perfusion MRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a rare growth pattern of glioblastoma whose diffuse nature is reflected by unspecific, relatively uniform findings on conventional MRI. In the present study we sought to evaluate the additional value of diffusion (DWI) and perfusion weighted (PWI) MRI for a more detailed characterization. METHODS: We analyzed the MRI findings in patients with histologically proven glioblastoma with GC growth pattern with a specific emphasis on T2 lesion pattern, volume, relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rACD), and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and compared these to age-/gender-matched patients with localized glioblastoma. RESULTS: Overall, 16 patients (median age 59.5 years, 4 male) were included in the study. Of these, 8 patients had a glioblastoma with GC growth pattern, and 8 a classical localized growth pattern. While the median rADC (1.27 [IQR 1.12-1.41]) within the T2 lesion was significant lower in glioblastoma with GC growth pattern compared to localized glioblastoma (1.74 [IQR 1.45-1.96]; p = 0.003), the median T2 lesion volume and rCBV within the T2 lesion did not differ significantly. Furthermore, six patients with glioblastoma with GC growth pattern showed focal areas with significantly reduced rADC (p = 0.043), and/or increased rCBV (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Lower rADC in glioblastoma with GC growth pattern might reflect the diffuse tumor cell infiltration whereas focal areas with decreased rADC and/or increased rCBV probably indicate high tumor cell density and/or abnormal tumor vessels which may be useful for biopsy guidance.

Assessment of collateral blood flow in patients with distal branch occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to evaluate the collateral blood flow between more distal branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in the case of peripheral MCA branch occlusion on dynamic 4D angiograms. We sought to individually predict the finally resulting infarction volume with regard to the extent of collateral blood flow. METHODS: Overall, 35 acute ischemic stroke patients with peripheral MCA branch occlusion were included. Volumes of the ischemic infarctions and perfusion deficits were measured on diffusion-weighted images DWI and time-to-peak TTP (> 4 s). Collateral flow on 4D MR angiograms were classified as previously specified. RESULTS: On DWI, the ischemic lesions had a mean volume of 3.4 ± 15.1 mL while the mean volume on TTP (> 4 s) was significantly larger 22.0 ± 18.1 mL (P < 0.001). On dynamic 4D angiograms we observed grade 1 in 8 (22.9%), grade 2 in 4 (11.4%), grade 3 in 10 (28.6%), and grade 4 in 13 (37.1%) patients. In comparison to patients with better collateralization (grade 3-4) patients with less sufficient collateralization (grade 0-2) demonstrated larger infarction volumes on initial (11.1 mL (IQR 2.9-35.5) vs. 2.1 mL (IQR 0.5-4.5), P = 0.03) and follow-up DWI (15.5 mL (IQR 12.6-23.3) vs. 1.9 mL (IQR 0.5-4.5), P = 0.03) with prominent infarction growth (7.4 mL (IQR 2.6-10.1) vs. 0.9 mL (IQR 0.2-2.6), P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of cases with distal MCA branch occlusion a good collateral blood flow has been observed. Nevertheless, in approximately one quarter of patients an insufficient collateral blood flow has been detected that was associated with substantial infarction growth.

Incidence, Locations, and Longitudinal Course of Cerebral Microbleeds in European Moyamoya.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral microbleeds (cMBs) have previously been linked with especially high incidence in Asian patients with moyamoya together with high tendency to bleed. This, presumably, is characteristic of patients with moyamoya. Herein, we, therefore, investigate retrospectively the frequency, location, and longitudinal course of cMBs in a large German cohort. METHODS: We included all patients with moyamoya who underwent standard magnetic resonance imaging, including T2*-weighted images, in our department between 1998 and 2015. Two independent readers evaluated magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine the occurrence of cMBs according to the Brain Observer Microbleed Scale. Demographics, initial symptoms leading to hospitalization, and associated diseases were obtained by chart review. RESULTS: Overall, there was a total of 242 T2* studies of 101 included moyamoya patients available with a strong female predominance (69.3%). Eight patients (7.9%) were ≤18 years of age. We detected 25 cMBs within 13 patients (12.9%). One patient <18 of age was presented with a cMB; 2 of 3 patients with an intracranial hemorrhage as initial event demonstrated cMB(s). In 72 of 101 cases, there were 1719 person months of follow-up, with 3 adult patients showing 3 de novo cMBs in the course. The majority of cMBs (64.0%) were located at the cortex/gray-white junction. CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of cMBs herein is much higher than the expected age-specific incidence, it is still much lower compared with previous reports on cMBs in moyamoya patients of Asian descent. These results might reflect another ethnic-specific difference in patients diagnosed with moyamoya.

Late-onset major depression is associated with age-related white matter lesions in the brainstem.

OBJECTIVE: Age-related white matter lesions (ARWMLs) have been identified in various clinical conditions such as reduced gait speed, cognitive impairment, urogenital dysfunction, and mood disturbances. Previous studies indicated an association between ARWML and late-onset major depression. However, most of these focused on the extent of supratentorial ARWML and neglected presence and degree of infratentorial lesions. METHODS: In 45 patients (mean age 73.7 ± 6.3 years, 17 (37.8%) men, 28 (62.2%) women) with late-onset major depression, MRI findings (3.0-T MR system, Magnetom Trio, Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany) were analyzed with emphasis on the extent of supratentorial and infratentorial, as well as brainstem ARWMLs, and compared with control subjects. ARWMLs were determined by semiquantitative rating scales (modified Fazekas rating scale, Scheltens' rating scale), as well as a semiautomatic volumetric assessment, using a specific software (MRIcron). Supratentorial and infratentorial, as well as brainstem ARWMLs, were assessed both on fluid attenuated inversion recovery and T2-weighted images. RESULTS: Patients with late-onset major depression had significantly higher infratentorial ARWML rating scores (5 (5-7) vs 4.5 (3-6), p = 0.003) on T2-weighted images and volumes (1.58 ± 1.35 mL vs 1.05 ± 0.81 mL, p = 0.03) on T2-weighted images, as well as fluid attenuated inversion recovery images (2.07 ± 1.35 mL vs 1.52 ± 1.10 mL, p = 0.04), than normal controls. In more detail, in particular, the pontine ARWML rating subscore was significantly higher in patients with late-onset major depression (1 (1-2) vs 1 (1-1), p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The extent and localization of brainstem ARWML might be of importance for the pathophysiology of late-onset major depression. In particular, this may hold true for pontine ARWML. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Missing relationship of moyamoya and persistent primitive artery in Europeans. Another distinctive feature or artifact?

PURPOSE: Previous studies found higher incidence of persistent primitive arteries in Asian moyamoya (MM) patients than in the general population, which was thought to be a characteristic trait of the MM entity in general. We analyzed incidence of persistent primitive arteries and demographics of patients with European MM treated in one single center. First, we compared our large dataset to existing literature and second, we raised the question whether European MM demonstrates similar high prevalence of persistent primitive arteries as it was previously presented within Asian MM. METHODS: All European MM on whom revascularization surgery was performed from 1999 to 2013 were included. Demographics and associated diseases were obtained by retrospective chart review. Two independent readers evaluated 122 MM angiograms to determine the occurrence of persistent primitive arteries as well as the Suzuki score. RESULTS: We identified 112 cases with MM disease, 10 with MM syndrome. Mean age at time of diagnosis was 38.2 (range 6-64 years); a peak incidence in early childhood was not observed. Ninety (73.8%) were women, associated systemic diseases were found in four patients. Seven cases (5.7%) presented with unilaterally affected vessels. The majority of patients (71; 58.2%) were graded Suzuki Score 3. One 14-year-old boy with moyamoya presented with a primitive trigeminal artery (0.89%). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a bimodal age distribution, but only a second peak during adulthood. Unlike previous studies on Asian moyamoya patients, our collective does not exhibit a higher prevalence of persistent primitive arteries than the normal population.

Perfusion patterns in migraine with aura.

OBJECTIVES: Migraine with aura is a common neurological disorder, and differentiation from transient ischemic attack or stroke based on clinical symptoms may be difficult. METHODS: From an MRI report database we identified 33 patients with migraine with aura and compared these to 33 age-matched ischemic stroke patients regarding perfusion patterns on perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)-derived maps: time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (MTT), and cerebral blood flow and volume (CBF, CBV). RESULTS: In 18/33 (54.5%) patients with migraine with aura, TTP showed areas of hypoperfusion, most of these not limited to the territory of a specific artery but affecting two or more vascular territories. In patients with migraine with aura, TTP (1.09 ± 0.05 vs. 1.47 ± 0.40, p < 0.001) and MTT ratios (1.01 ± 0.10 vs. 1.19 ± 0.21, p = 0.003) were significantly lower compared to patients with ischemic stroke. In contrast to this, CBF and CBV ratios did not differ significantly between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine aura is usually associated with a perfusion deficit not limited to a specific vascular territory, and only a moderate increase of TTP. Thus, hypoperfusion restricted to a single vascular territory in combination with a marked increase of TTP or MTT may be regarded as atypical for migraine aura and suggestive of acute ischemic stroke.

FLAIR vascular hyperintensities and dynamic 4D angiograms for the estimation of collateral blood flow in posterior circulation occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this paper are to assess collateral blood flow in posterior circulation occlusion by MRI-based approaches (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensities (FVHs), collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms) and investigate its relation to ischemic lesion size and growth. METHODS: In 28 patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and 10 patients with basilar artery (BA) occlusion, MRI findings were analyzed, with emphasis on distal FVH and collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms. RESULTS: In PCA occlusion, distal FVH was observed in 18/29 (62.1%), in BA occlusion, in 8/10 (80%) cases. Collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms was graded 1 in 8 (27.6%) patients, 2 in 1 (3.4%) patient, 3 in 12 (41.4%) patients, and 4 in 8 (27.6%) patients with PCA occlusion and 0 in 1 (10%) patient, 2 in 3 (30%) patients, 3 in 1 (10%) patient, and 4 in 5 (50%) patients with BA occlusion. FVH grade showed neither correlation with initial or follow-up diffusion-weighted image (DWI) lesion size nor DWI-perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) mismatch ratio. Collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms correlated inversely with initial DWI lesion size and moderately with the DWI-(PWI) mismatch ratio. The combination of distal FVH and collateralization grade on dynamic 4D angiograms correlated inversely with initial as well as follow-up DWI lesion size and highly with the DWI-PWI mismatch ratio. CONCLUSIONS: In posterior circulation occlusion, FVH is a frequent finding, but its prognostic value is limited. Dynamic 4D angiograms are advantageous to examine and graduate collateral blood flow. The combination of both parameters results in an improved characterization of collateral blood flow and might have prognostic relevance.

Severe Burn Injuries - The Day the Sodium Starts Rising.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The current study was designed to evaluate the etiologies of hypernatremic episodes in patients with severe burn injuries in comparison to critically ill non-burn patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective data acquisition was limited to the first 14 days and to patients with at least 20% total body surface area (TBSA) 2nd degree burn injuries or more than 10% TBSA when including areas of 3rd degree burn injuries. The results were compared to the results of a previously published study that analyzed the risk factors for hypernatremia in 390 non-burn intensive care unit patients. RESULTS: In total, 120 patients with a total of 50 hypernatremic episodes were included. Compared to non-burn injury patients, no significant differences were detectable except for a lower rate of hypokalemia and a higher rate of mechanical ventilation. The main trigger for hypernatremic episodes was the loss of free water, while 24% of the hypernatremic episodes seemed to be at least partly triggered by a surplus sodium influx. Patients with hypernatremic episodes had a significantly higher mortality rate. However, in none of the cases was hypernatremia the decisive cause of death. CONCLUSION: Besides the unique phenomenon of high volume internal and external volume shifts, the overall risk factors and etiologies of hypernatremia in patients with severe burn injury do not seem to significantly differ from other ICU patient collectives. Remarkably, a surplus of sodium influx and therefore a modifiable factor besides the specific burn injury volume resuscitation had an impact on the hypernatremic episodes in 24% of cases.

Sepsis and delayed cerebral ischemia are associated and have a cumulative effect on poor functional outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Although sepsis and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) are severe complications in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and share pathophysiological features, their interrelation and additive effect on functional outcome is uncertain. We investigated the association between sepsis and DCI and their cumulative effect on functional outcome in patients with aSAH using current sepsis-3 definition. Methods: Patients admitted to our hospital between 11/2014 and 11/2018 for aSAH were retrospectively analyzed. The main explanatory variable was sepsis, diagnosed using sepsis-3 criteria. Endpoints were DCI and functional outcome at hospital discharge (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-3 vs. 4-6). Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. Results: Of 238 patients with aSAH, 55 (23.1%) developed sepsis and 74 (31.1%) DCI. After PSM, aSAH patients with sepsis displayed significantly worse functional outcome (p < 0.01) and longer ICU stay (p = 0.046). Sepsis was independently associated with DCI (OR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.28-4.72, p < 0.01). However, after exclusion of patients who developed sepsis before (OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 0.78-3.24, p = 0.21) or after DCI (OR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.37-1.95, p = 0.70) this statistical association did not remain. Good functional outcome gradually decreased from 56.3% (76/135) in patients with neither sepsis nor DCI, to 43.8% (21/48) in those with no sepsis but DCI, to 34.5% (10/29) with sepsis but no DCI and to 7.7% (2/26) in patients with both sepsis and DCI. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a strong association between sepsis, DCI and functional outcome in patients with aSAH and suggests a complex interplay resulting in a cumulative effect towards poor functional outcome, which warrants further studies.

Diffusion Restricted Lesions in the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Various neurological disorders are associated with lesions predominantly or exclusively affecting the splenium of the corpus callosum (CC), such as Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome (MBS), reversible splenium lesion (RSL), and ischemic stroke (IS). The spectrum of symptoms is broad and clinical presentations may be indistinguishable. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the additional value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings of splenial lesions in patients with MBS, RSL, and IS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 23 patients (4 patients with MBS, 10 patients with RSL, and 9 patients with isolated IS in the splenium) were identified from a magnetic resonance imaging report database and analyzed with focus on lesion localization, shape, and size on DWI, as well as relative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). RESULTS: A focal hyperintensity in the splenium was observed on DWI in all patients. In MBS symmetrical boomerang-shaped lesions, in RSL central oval or round lesions, and in IS eccentric irregular lesions in the splenium were found. The median lesion size in MBS [6.25 (IQR=2.04-8.62) ml] was significantly larger than that in RSL [0.38 (IQR=0.09-0.92) ml, p=0.01], and in IS [0.09 (IQR=0.05-0.94) ml; p=0.01]. Regarding relative ADC values, no significant differences between MBS [0.32 (IQR=0.19-0.62)], RSL [0.22 (IQR=0.14-0.30)], and IS [0.27 (IQR=0.20-1.19)] were found. CONCLUSION: Diffusion restricted lesions in the splenium of the CC are best classified by localization, shape, and size, whereas relative ADC values are of limited value for differentiation of different neurological disorders.

Comparative Analyses of the Impact of Different Criteria for Sepsis Diagnosis on Outcome in Patients with Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Data on sepsis in patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are scarce. We assessed the impact of different sepsis criteria on the outcome in an SAH cohort. Adult patients admitted to our ICU with a spontaneous SAH between 11/2014 and 11/2018 were retrospectively included. In patients developing an infection, different criteria for sepsis diagnosis (Sepsis-1, Sepsis-3_original, Sepsis-3_modified accounting for SAH-specific therapy, alternative sepsis criteria compiled of consensus conferences) were applied and their impact on functional outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on hospital discharge and in-hospital mortality was evaluated. Of 270 SAH patients, 129 (48%) developed an infection. Depending on the underlying criteria, the incidence of sepsis and septic shock ranged between 21-46% and 9-39%. In multivariate logistic regression, the Sepsis-1 criteria were not associated with the outcome. The Sepsis-3 criteria were not associated with the functional outcome, but in shock with mortality. Alternative sepsis criteria were associated with mortality for sepsis and in shock with mortality and the functional outcome. While Sepsis-1 criteria were irrelevant for the outcome in SAH patients, septic shock, according to the Sepsis-3 criteria, adversely impacted survival. This impact was higher for the modified Sepsis-3 criteria, accounting for SAH-specific treatment. Modified Sepsis-3 and alternative sepsis criteria diagnosed septic conditions of a higher relevance for outcomes in patients with an SAH.

Case Report: Severe Adolescent Major Depressive Syndrome Turns Out to Be an Unusual Case of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a neuroinflammatory condition mediated by autoantibodies against the GluN1 subunit of the receptor. Clinically, it is characterized by a complex neuropsychiatric presentation with rapidly progressive psychiatric symptoms, cognitive deficits, seizures, and abnormal movements. Isolated psychiatric manifestations of anti-NMDAR encephalitis are rare and usually dominated by psychotic symptoms. We present a case of an 18-year-old female high school student-without a previous history of psychiatric disorders-with a rapid onset severe depressive syndrome. Surprisingly, we found pleocytosis and anti-NMDAR autoantibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), despite an otherwise unremarkable diagnostic workup, including blood test, clinical examination, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After intravenous immunoglobulins treatment, a complete remission of the initial symptoms was observed. In a follow-up 5 years later, the young woman did not experience any relapse or sequelae. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis can present in rare cases as an organic disorder with major depressive symptoms without distinct concomitant psychotic or neurological symptoms. A clinical presentation such as a rapid onset of symptoms, distinct disturbance in the thought process, restlessness, and cognitive deficits should prompt screening for NMDAR- and other neural autoantibodies to rule out this rare but debilitating pathology.

Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Alzheimer's Disease Detected by Arterial Spin-labelling Perfusion MRI.

BACKGROUND: Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is a phenomenon with depressed metabolism and hypoperfusion in the cerebellum. Using arterial spin-labelling perfusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (ASL PWI), we investigated the frequency of CCD in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and differences between patients with and without CCD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In patients with AD who underwent a standardized magnetic resonance imaging including ASL PWI cerebral blood flow was evaluated in the cerebellum, and brain segmentation/volumetry was performed using mdbrain (mediaire GmbH, Berlin, Germany) and FSL FIRST (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain Software Library). RESULTS: In total, 65 patients were included, and 22 (33.8%) patients were assessed as being CCD-positive. Patients with CCD had a significantly smaller whole brain volume (862.8±49.9 vs. 893.7±62.7 ml, p=0.049) as well as white matter volume (352.9±28.0 vs. 374.3±30.7, p=0.008) in comparison to patients without CCD. CONCLUSION: It was possible to detect CCD by ASL PWI in approximately one-third of patients with AD and was associated with smaller whole brain and white matter volume.

FLAIR Vascular Hyperintensities Indicate Slow Poststenotic Blood Flow in ICA Stenosis.

PURPOSE: Occlusion or significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in the cervical segment is commonly associated with a poststenotic decrease in the downstream blood flow and perfusion. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensities (FVH) are a phenomenon that represents slow arterial blood flow. In this study, we investigated the frequency and extent of FVH in the distal ICA in patients with proximal ICA stenosis. METHODS: We analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 51 patients with a total of 60 cervical ICA stenoses with special focus on the frequency and extent of FVH in the area of the petrous segment of the ICA on FLAIR images and correlated these with Doppler/duplex sonography results. RESULTS: In 46 (76.7%) patients with ICA stenosis, FVH could be detected in the petrous segment of the ICA: in 19 (41.3%) patients a thin hyperintense rim near the vessel wall (grade 1), in 24 (52.2%) patients a strong hyperintense rim near the vessel wall (grade 2), and in 3 (6.5%) patients a hyperintense filling of the entire lumen (grade 3) was observed. The extent of FVH in the ICA in the petrous segment showed a high negative correlation with the poststenotic flow velocity (Spearman correlation, R = -0.75, p < 0.001), and moderate correlation with the degree of ICA stenosis (Spearman correlation, R = 0.51, p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: An FVH in the petrous ICA is commonly seen among patients with steno-occlusive disease in proximal ICA and could therefore be useful to recognize a proximal ICA stenosis even on FLAIR images.

Cell Cycle Regulatory Protein Expression in Multinucleated Giant Cells of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: do They Proliferate?

Cells of the monocyte macrophage lineage form multinucleated giant cells (GCs) by fusion, which may express some cell cycle markers. By using a comprehensive marker set, here we looked for potential replication activities in GCs, and investigated whether these have diagnostic or clinical relevance in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB). GC rich regions of 10 primary and 10 first recurrence GCTB cases were tested using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays. The nuclear positivity rate of the general proliferation marker, replication licensing, G1/S-phase, S/G2/M-phase, mitosis promoter, and cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor reactions was analyzed in GCs. Concerning Ki67, moderate SP6 reaction was seen in many GC nuclei, while B56 and Mib1 positivity was rare, but the latter could be linked to more aggressive (p = 0.012) phenotype. Regular MCM6 reaction, as opposed to uncommon MCM2, suggested an initial DNA unwinding. Early replication course in GCs was also supported by widely detecting CDK4 and cyclin E, for the first time, and confirming cyclin D1 upregulation. However, post-G1-phase markers CDK2, cyclin A, geminin, topoisomerase-2a, aurora kinase A, and phospho-histone H3 were rare or missing. These were likely silenced by upregulated CDK inhibitors p15INK4b, p16INK4a, p27KIP1, p53 through its effector p21WAF1 and possibly cyclin G1, consistent with the prevention of DNA replication. In conclusion, the upregulation of known and several novel cell cycle progression markers detected here clearly verify early replication activities in GCs, which are controlled by cell cycle arresting CDK inhibitors at G1 phase, and support the functional maturation of GCs in GCTB.