Diffusion- and T2-Weighted MR Imaging of Lipiodol Induced Cerebral Infarcts in Cat: Early Findings in the Findings in the First 3 Hours

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate early parenchymal changes of acute cerebral ischemia / infarct by using T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The brain MR images were successfully obtained 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after intraarterial administration of Lipiodol (0.4 - 0.6 ml) into the common carotid artery in 10 of 11 cats (91%). T2-and diffusion-weighted images and ADC were analyzed and compared with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: High signal intensity on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images was found in one cerebral hemisphere 30 minutes after Lipiodol injection, which tended to increase with time until 3 hours. Subcortical white matter showed higher signal intensity than cortical gray matter since 30 minutes after embolization. ADC images showed decreased signal intensity in the embolized hemisphere, which tended to decrease until 3 hours. Microscopic findings of the area corresponding to the abnormal signal intensity on MR images revealed varying degrees of edema in the gray and white matters involved. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that Lipiodol can be used as a good embolic agent causing early ischemic changes in experimental models. In addition to T2-weighted images, diffusion-weighted and ADC images can provide the further informations in the evaluation of the early parenchymal changes of cerebral infarct.

Extensive colonic stricture due to pelvic actinomycosis

A 36-year-old woman presented with a palpable tender mass at the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. She had suffered from constipation for five years and had a previous history of intrauterine device-use for one year. Preoperative barium enema and abdominopelvic CT showed a compatible finding of rectosigmoid colon cancer or left ovary cancer. She underwent segmental resection of the sigmoid colon along with the removal of left distal ureter, left ovary and salpinx. Pathologic examination revealed actinomycotic abscesses containing sulfur granules. Thereafter, she took parenteral ampicillin (50mg/kg/day) for one month and oral amoxicillin (250mg, tid) for 2 months consecutively. The patient has no specific problems for 6 months after surgical resection and long-term antibiotic therapy. This report may be the first of intrauterine device-associated pelvic actinomycosis involving both sigmoid colon and rectum extensively.

Experimental Embolization Using Histoacryl Blue (N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate) in Pig Rete Mirabile

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate any difference in the penetration of the acrylic glue into the pig rete mirabile according to the difference of the concentration of the glue mixture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three domestic pigs (12-15kg) were used. After obtaining a normal angiography, two different concentrations of 1:1 and 0.5:1 of Histoacryl Blue mixture with Lipiodol were administrated into pig rete mirabile and then anglographic and pathologic findings were analyzed after taking a postembolization angiography. RESULTS: The degree of the penetration of the glue mixture into the pig rete was different in the anglographic and pathologic findings according to the glue mixture ratio. In case of using 0.5:1 mixture of glue and Lipiodol, glue penetrated into the smaller vessels with size of about 80 micro rn than in case of using 1:1 mixture of glue and Lipiodol. CONCLUSION: Because the polymerization time of glue mixture will be different according to the concentration of glue mixture, a mixture with thin glue concentration seemed to penetrate deeply into the pig rete.