Expert consensus on the clinical practice of neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging / 中国当代儿科杂志

In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used in evaluating neonatal brain development, diagnosing neonatal brain injury, and predicting neurodevelopmental prognosis. Based on current research evidence and clinical experience in China and overseas, the Neonatologist Society of Chinese Medical Doctor Association has developed a consensus on the indications and standardized clinical process of neonatal brain MRI. The consensus has the following main points. (1) Brain MRI should be performed for neonates suspected of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intracranial infection, stroke and unexplained convulsions; brain MRI is not considered a routine in the management of preterm infants, but it should be performed for further evaluation when cranial ultrasound finds evidence of brain injury; as for extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight infants without abnormal ultrasound findings, it is recommended that they should undergo MRI examination at term equivalent age once. (2) Neonates should undergo MRI examination in a non-sedated state if possible. (3) During MRI examination, vital signs should be closely monitored to ensure safety; the necessity of MRI examination should be strictly evaluated for critically ill neonates, and magnetic resonance compatible incubator and ventilator can be used. (4) At present, 1.5 T or 3.0 T equipment can be used for neonatal brain MRI examination, and the special coil for the neonatal head should be used to improve signal-to-noise ratio; routine neonatal brain MRI sequences should at least include axial T1 weighted image (T1WI), axial T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging, and sagittal T1WI or T2WI. (5) It is recommended to use a structured and graded reporting system, and reports by at least two reviewers and multi-center collaboration are recommended to increase the reliability of the report.

Clinical value and research progress on prophylactic cranial irradiation in small cell lung cancer under advanced diagnosis and treatment technology / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly malignant, aggressive and prone to brain metastasis. Several guidelines recommend prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) as the standard treatment for SCLC patients who have achieved complete remission after initial systemic treatment. However, in the modern era, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been commonly applied in the diagnosis of brain metastasis, while radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy are widely adopted in the treatment of lung cancer. The value of PCI in SCLC has been questioned and challenged. In addition, the application of hippocampal avoidance and drugs to reduce the damage of neurocognitive function after PCI has also become a research hotspot. In this article, the research progress on PCI was reviewed with the latest literature, aiming to provide reference for selecting the most suitable individualized treatment for patients receiving PCI.

Cerebral structural abnormalities and cognitive function in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the patterns of cerebral structural abnormalities and cognitive function alterations in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, and the underlying correlative factors. Methods: Thirty-seven ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis without prior stroke in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were selected. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessment of cognitive function by using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Patients were divided into lacunar infarction group (n=33) and non-lacunar infarction group (n=4), or white matter hyperintensities (WMH) group (n=14) and non-WMH group (n=23). The difference of demographic characteristics, past history, blood parameter and dialysis adequacy between patients and their controls were analyzed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test and Fisher exact test. Spearman correlation analysis were performed to explore the relationship between clinical features, cerebral structural abnormalities and cognitive function. Results: Nineteen male and eighteen female patients participated in the study. The mean age was (59.4±12.3) years. The incidences of lacunar infarction and WMH were 89.2% and 37.8%, respectively. 24.3% of the participants were diagnosed as cognitive impairment. Patients with lacunar infarction were elder, who had lower level of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin and serum total protein, while parathyroid hormone (PTH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were elevated. Patients with WMH were also significantly elder, lower in transferrin saturation and higher in PTH. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed MMSE score had a negative correlation with age (r=-0.471, P=0.003) and had positive correlations with education status (r=0.355, P=0.031) and hypertension (r=0.358, P=0.030). The study did not find the relationship among lacunar infarction, WMH and MMSE score; however, recall function was found negatively correlated with lacunar infarction (r=-0.357, P=0.030). Conclusion: ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis have a high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Older age, anemia, inflammation status, chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder may be the influencing factors of the cerebral structural abnormalities and cognition decline.

Transfusional Iron Overload and Choroid Plexus Hemosiderosis in a Pediatric Patient: Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Hemosiderosis is characterized by the deposition of excess iron in body tissues. The choroid plexus is an important part of the central nervous system that can be the primary site of iron overload. T2*-weighted gradient echo (GRE) sequence provides high sensitivity for demonstrating cerebral microhemorrhagic foci and iron deposition. In the present study, we describe the case of a 15-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in whom repeated transfusion led to iron accumulation in the brain. GRE sequence effectively demonstrated hemosiderin deposition in the choroid plexus.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging in exploring the central neurophysiological mechanisms of penile erection: Progress in studies / 中华男科学杂志

Previous studies have found that penile erection is not only dependent on the peripheral nervous and vascular systems, but also controlled by the central nervous system. Some brain regions are responsible for promoting and suppressing penile erection, respectively. Studies on the brain functions showed both activation and inactivation of the brain regions when receiving sexual stimulation, and those on the brain structure of ED patients revealed atrophy of the gray matter structure and abnormal connection of the white matter fibers. In addition, abnormal connections within emotional, cognitive and default and salience networks were found in patients with psychogenic ED. This article reviews the brain MRI-based studies on the central neurophysiological mechanisms of penile erection, aiming to gain a deeper insight into human neurophysiological mechanisms of the neural circuits controlling erectile function.

The Effect of Leukoaraiosis on the Severity and Course of Delirium / 정신신체의학

OBJECTIVES: The significance of leukoaraiosis on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is uncertain, but it is often seen with vascular risk factors or in the context of cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate the effect of leukoaraiosis on the severity and course of delirium. METHODS: Periventricular hyperintensity and deep white matter hyperintensity on brain MRI were rated in 42 patients with delirium by semiquantative visual rating scale. Correlations between their grades and the scores of Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-R-98) were analyzed, and the interaction effects between the groups according to the levels of leukoaraiosis and two evaluation points were also analyzed. RESULTS: The grade of deep white matter hyperintensity in the occipital lobe was positively correlated with the scores on the total, severity items, cognitive items, and non-cognitive items of K-DRS-R-98. The cognitive items scores of K-DRS-R-98 in the low grade group of periventricular hyperintensity showed significantly steeper decrease than the high grade group. CONCLUSIONS: A difference in severity or recovery speed of delirium according to the level of leukoaraiosis may result from disruption in brain functional connectivity. Our results have a clinical implication in that the severity and course of delirium can be possibly predicted using the level of leukoaraiosis.

Etiological trends in male central precocious puberty

PURPOSE: In the present study, the etiological trends in male central precocious puberty (CPP) were examined, and annual distribution was evaluated. METHODS: Seventy-one male CPP subjects who started puberty before 9 years of age were included in this study. All individuals were diagnosed as having CPP at Samsung Medical Center between 2001 and 2016. Chronological age at puberty onset, diagnosis of CPP, bone age, weight (kg), height (cm), puberty stage, brain magnetic resonance imaging findings, testosterone level, basal gonadotropin level, and gonadotropin level after gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulation were analyzed. RESULTS: The 71 patients were divided into 2 groups: idiopathic (group I) and organic (group II) when the lesion was identified as associated with the central nervous system (CNS) or when the patient received chemotherapy for non-CNS tumors before CPP diagnosis, respectively. Forty-four cases (62%) were idiopathic, and 27 (38%) were organic. The proportion of idiopathic CPP was higher than that of organic CPP during the study period. In 51.9% of organic cases, puberty started before 8 years of age, whereas it started after that age in 93.2% of the idiopathic cases. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, among all male CPP cases, 62% were idiopathic. The probability of idiopathic CPP prevalence was higher in males when the puberty onset was after 8 years of age with no history of cranial radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Normal Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging and Atypical Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is classically characterized by symmetric vasogenic edema in the parietooccipital areas, but may occur at other sites with varying imaging appearances. CASE REPORT: A 55-year old female with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was admitted to the emergency room, presenting with nausea, vomiting and seizure. The initial blood pressure was 145/90 mmHg. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery demonstrated diffuse vasogenic edema in the bilateral cortical and subcortical white matters involving the frontal lobes. Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRP) showed no hyper- or hypoperfusion at blood pressure levels of 140/50 mmHg. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 3 weeks later demonstrated complete resolution of previous lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier reports have demonstrated that PRES can occur in cases of atypical distributions, and features of imaging findings and normotensive settings. It is important to note that PRES is a dynamic process. As a result, we suggest that MRP must be considered in the appropriate temporal framework, to avoid misinterpretation of the other diseases, especially in CKD patients.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes According to Brain Injury Patterns in Neonates with Postasphyxial Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between brain injury patterns on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with postasphyxial hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). METHODS: Clinical characteristics and brain MRI findings of 49 term neonates with postasphyxial HIE were retrospectively reviewed. Brain injury patterns in MRI were classified into five categories, along with evaluation of the posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed by neurological examination combined with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II between 1 and 2 years of age. RESULTS: Twenty-three neonates (46.9%) showed abnormal brain MRI finding associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes (odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4, 67.4, P=0.022). The following injury patterns were seen in MRI: abnormality in the basal ganglia-thalamus (BGT) in 4 neonates (17.4%), watershed predominant (WP) pattern in 5 (21.7%), extensive global injury (EGI) in 3 (13.0%), lesions restricted to periventricular white matter (LPWM) in 4 (17.4%), and perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) in 2 (8.7%). Additionally, 6 neonate (26.1%) showed lesion in the PLIC. Neonate with BGT and EGI injury patterns showed worse neurodevelopmental outcomes than those with WP and LPWM patterns (P<0.05). Neonate with PLIC lesion also showed poor outcomes (100%). CONCLUSION: Abnormal brain MRI findings in neonates with postasphyxial HIE were associated with the poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. BGT, EGI and PLIC patterns of injury are expected to have worse outcomes than white matter predominant injury patterns such as those in the WP and LPWM.

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Presented with Nonspecific Vasogenic Edema in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by a nonspecific encephalopathy with high titers of serum anti-thyroid antibody in the absence of other defined causes. A 54-year-old woman was admitted due to recurrent seizures and confusion. Her serum anti-thyroid antibody level was elevated, and brain MRI showed multiple instances of vasogenic edema. Her symptoms disappeared after treatment with high-dose steroids and antiepileptic drugs. We propose that HE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple vasogenic edema on brain imaging.

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Presented with Nonspecific Vasogenic Edema in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by a nonspecific encephalopathy with high titers of serum anti-thyroid antibody in the absence of other defined causes. A 54-year-old woman was admitted due to recurrent seizures and confusion. Her serum anti-thyroid antibody level was elevated, and brain MRI showed multiple instances of vasogenic edema. Her symptoms disappeared after treatment with high-dose steroids and antiepileptic drugs. We propose that HE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple vasogenic edema on brain imaging.

Spontaneous Low Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Headache Initially Misdiagnosed as a Tension-type Headache / General Medicine

We report the case of a 34-year-old man who was initially diagnosed with a tension-type headache after complaining of a headache and nausea. His headache worsened in severity and it was exacerbated on standing in the upright position. The patient was admitted to the hospital on suspicion of spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure headache. Gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement, brain sagging, cerebellar tonsillar herniation, brainstem descent and a subdural hematoma. Successful emergency surgery was undertaken.<br>Spontaneous low CSF pressure headache syndrome is characterized by orthostatic headache, and if such a headache worsens, clinicians should consider a subdural hematoma, a life-threatening complication of this unusual disorder.

A Review of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates of Successful Cognitive Aging

Normal aging causes changes in the brain volume, connection, function and cognition. The brain changes with increases in age and difference of gender varies at all levels. Studies about normal brain aging using various brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables such as gray and white matter structural imaging, proton spectroscopy, apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI are reviewed. Total volume of brain increases after birth but decreases after 9 years old. During adulthood, total volume of brain is relatively stable. After 35 years old, brain shrinks gradually. The changes of gray and white matters by aging show different features. N-acetylaspartate decreases or remains unchanged but choline, creatine and myo-inositol increase with aging. Apparent diffusion coefficient decreases till 20 years old and then becomes stable during adulthood and increase after 60 years old. Diffusion tensor properties in white matter tissue are variable during aging. Resting-state functional connectivity decreases after middle age. Structural and functional brain changes with normal aging are important for studying various psychiatric diseases such as dementia, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our review may be helpful for studying longitudinal changes of these diseases and successful aging.

Neuroimaging in Preterm Infants: Comparison between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have become increasingly popular as a predictive tool for neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants, while serial brain ultrasonograms remain as a standard evaluation modality for neonatal brain. The aim of this study was to determine whether brain MRI taken at term-equivalent age could give us further information over serial brain ultrasonograms taken during admission. METHODS: We analyzed 225 preterm infant (<32 weeks gestational age) who were admitted to NICU at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2006 to June 2011. The 28 infants with chromosomal abnormalities or major congenital anomalies were excluded. We compared abnormal findings between brain MRI scan taken at term-equivalent age and serial brain ultrasonograms taken during admission in 197 preterm infants. RESULTS: The brain MRI scans taken at term-equivalent age showed normal findings in 142 out of 197 (72%) infants and abnormal findings in 55 out of 197 (28%) infants. The brain ultrasonograms during admission revealed 82 intraventricular hemorrhages, 90 periventricular leukomalacias, 7 brain parenchymal lesions, 3 ischemic lesions. Brain MRI scans discovered 30 intraventricular hemorrhages, 10 periventricular leukomalacias, 12 brain parenchymal lesions, 3 ischemic lesions. Ventriculomegaly was discovered only by the brain ultrasonography. Five brain parenchymal lesions and 9 cerebellar lesions were appeared only on the brain MRI scans. Brain MRI scans taken at term-equivalent age detected grade 1 or 2 intraventricular hemorrhages which were not discovered by last brain ultrasonograms. CONCLUSION: In compare to the serial brain ultrasonograms, the brain MRI scan taken at term-equivalent age is advantageous in discovering brain parenchymal lesions and cerebellar lesions and precise grading of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.

White Matter Damage in Neonates in the Course of Viral Illness

Studies of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of neonatal white matter damage are few, and descriptions of this type of brain damage are limited. During the past three years, we have encountered three full-term infants with selective white matter damage over the course of their viral illness. All three neonates presented with seizures a few days after showing symptoms of a viral illness. The results of bacterial cultures of the blood, CSF, and stool were negative. Newborn screening tests for organic aciduria, amino acid metabolism disorders, and fatty acid oxidation defects were also negative. In two infants, an electroencephalogram (EEG) showed slow basic activity, which is a typical finding in patients with encephalitis/encephalopathy. The Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) showed abnormally high signal intensity localized to the white matter of the corpus callosum, thalamus, internal capsule, or hippocampus. The findings of DWI suggested that the neonates' lesions had occurred recently. All patients recovered completely.

Measurements of Brain Stem and Cerebellum on Brain MRI: for the Differential Diagnosis Between Multiple System Atrophy and Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) are two common neurodegenerative disorders presenting with parkinsonism. Since a brain MRI study is an available method for differentiating MSA from IPD, we tried to find further values of brain MRI studies in differentiating MSA from IPD. METHODS: We measured anteroposterior and transverse diameters (AD and TD, respectively) of the brain stem of T2-weighted axial images. We graded the severity of atrophy (grade 0: none; grade 1: mild; grade 2: moderate; and grade 3: severe) of cerebellar vermis and hemispheres on the midsagittal and parasagittal planes. RESULTS: There were 36 patients with probable MSA and 40 patients with IPD. We calculated a parameter multiplying AD of the midbrain by TD of the midbrain. The mean of the AD x TD of the midbrain was 1007.5 +/- 161.8 mm2 in patients with MSA, and it was significantly smaller than that of those with IPD (1113.3 +/- 118.7 mm2). When the cut off value was decided as 1050 mm2, the sensitivity of the parameter for the diagnosis of MSA was 83.3% and specificity was 80%. The frequency of cerebellar atrophy was 72.2% in patients with MSA, and it was significantly higher than that of those with IPD (37.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of the brain stem, particularly the midbrain, and cerebellum areas on brain MRI are helpful methods for the differential diagnosis of patients with MSA from those with IPD.

A Case of Central Nervous System Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Brain MRI Findings and Clinical Course

A 28-year-old man with Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the gastric wall and hypophysial infundibulum had received local radiation therapy to the infundibulum. Eight months later he presented with left inferior temporal quadrantanopsia of the left eye. Brain MRI revealed multiple nodular enhancing lesions involving brainstem, left external capsule, both temporal lobes, prechiasmatic optic nerves and basal ganglia. After dexamethasone chemotherapy there had been partial remission. During tapering dexamethasone the symptom aggravated and then despite etoposide chemotherapy the size and number of lesions increased.

An Association between Brain MRI and Neurologic Findings in Welders Exposed to Manganese Fume / 대한산업의학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological findings in welders exposed to manganese fume. Thirty five welders from a bus manufacturing factory who were occupationally exposed to low dose manganese fume were examined. We collected the information on the demo graphic factors and welding careers. Laboratory investigations included blood and urine manganese concentration and blood chemistry. Brain MRI was checked, and high signal intensity of the globus pallidus was graded from 0 to 3 compared to the white matter of the frontal lobe. Neurologic examination wart carried out. The results were as follows ; 1. The mean age of workers was 48.3+/-5.7 years, mean duration of welding was 21.4 +/-5.6 Years. 2. On brain MRI, high signal intensity in the globes pallidus was observed in 27 workers (77.1%) Among them, 18 cases (66.7%) showed remarkably high signal intensity (grade 2) Mean concentration of blood manganese was higher in those with high signal intensity and correlated to the grade of high signal intensity (p=0.02) 3. On neurologic examination, no workers showed the finding of typical parkinsonism. But 11 workers (31.4%) showed subtle neurological abnormalities such as gait without associated arm movement, postural instability, intention tremor, and so on. Blood manganese concentration of neurologically abnormal group was 2.4+/-0.7 microgram/dL, which was significantly higher, compared to 1.8+/-0.7 microgram/dL of neurologically normal group (p=0.03). 4. Among 27 workers who showed high signal intensity on brain MRI, 10 workers (37%) were neurologically abnormal. Higher grade of signal intensity on globus pallidus showed higher rate of neurologic abnormality (p<0.05) Especially postural instability and gait without associated arm movement were prominent findings. These bindings suggest that high signal intensity on brain MRI might be associated with a prodromal sign of manganese intoxication. Careful neurologic examination should be tool lowed up on welders showing high signal intensity in the golbus pallidus of brain MRI.

Comparison of the Findings of DDST (II), Brain SPECT and Brain MRI in Cerebral Palsy Children

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical values of the DDST II (Denver Developmental Screening Test, 2nd revision), 99mTc HMPAO brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of cerebral palsy children. METHOD: Twenty-two children with cerebral palsy were investigated. Four profiles of DDST (II) were summated to a monthly age according to each developmental status. 99mTc HMPAO brain SPECT imagings were analyzed for the calculation of the perfusion defect indices. The clinical severities were scored as mild to severe, and were compared to a motor age of Maryland criteria. The presence of abnormal findings of brain MRI was also checked. RESULTS: (1) The gross and fine motor profiles of DDST (II) were significantly different between normal and abnormal findings of the brain SPECT in cerebral palsy children. (2) The region of interests ROIs in brain SPECT correlated with many profiles of DDST (II), 1) prefrontal area of the brain SPECT and language profile of DDST (II), 2) premotor area and gross motor/language profile, 3) thalamic area and social-personal profile, 4) basal ganglia area and gross motor/language proflie. respectively. (3) There was no relationship between each profile of DDST (II) and brain MRI findings. CONCLUSION: The DDST (II) and Brain SPECT seemes to be more useful than the brain MRI for the functional assessment of cerebral palsy children.