Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for aggressive vertebral haemangioma and useful follow-up imaging modality: case report and review of the literature.

We report the use of an advanced magnetic resonance image (MRI) sequence to detect the treatment response after SRS for aggressive vertebral haemangioma (VH). A 63-year-old female patient presented with back pain, bilateral lower extremity weakness (grade IV), and sensory change in the saddle area. MRI revealed a vertebral body mass compressing the spinal cord at T10, which had high T2 and low T1 signal intensity. Three-dimensional volumetric sagittal time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS) abdominal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed it to be hypervascular. SRS with the Novalis beam shaping system (BrainLAB; Heimstetten®, Germany) was performed on the gross tumor volume of 14.954 mL. 30 Gy was given to the 90% isodose line in 5 fractions. Seven days later, the patient underwent decompressive laminectomy for weakness. Seven months later, the patient's motor weakness was improved to allow for unassisted gait, and back pain and sensory changes resolved. Follow-up MRI revealed no significant change on T1 and T2 signal intensity images. However, TRICKS abdominal MRA demonstrated disapprearance of the hypervascularity. Seven years after SRS, the same signal intensity images showed shrinkage of the mass and resolution of compression of the spinal cord, and the signal intensity of the T1 image was changed to iso- and high signal intensity.

A case report of sporadic hemiplegic migraine associated cerebral hypoperfusion: comparison of arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging.

The pathogenesis of sporadic hemiplegic migraine remains unclear, and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) has been used for characterization of hemodynamic changes in migraine aura. We report a case of sporadic hemiplegic migraine in which magnetic resonance perfusion imaging showed left cerebral hypoperfusion. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion maps showed hypoperfusion with posterior predominance in the left cerebral hemisphere. Findings with arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion correlated well with DSC perfusion findings. CONCLUSION: With unique advantages compared with DSC PWI, ASL has significant potential in the evaluation of the patients with sporadic hemiplegic migraine. WHAT IS KNOWN: Sporadic hemiplegic migraine is a rare variety of migraine defined by migraine attacks, which include the presence of motor weakness/hemiparesis during the aura phase and where no first- or second-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) has identical attacks. WHAT IS NEW: Reports on imaging abnormalities described in sporadic hemiplegic migraine are sparse. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion abnormalities in patients with sporadic hemiplegic migraine, as compared with dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI).

Diffusion tensor imaging and T2 mapping in early denervated skeletal muscle in rats.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the temporal changes of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices, T2 values, and visual signal intensity on various fat suppression techniques in the early state of denervated skeletal muscle in a rat model. METHODS: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval was obtained. Sciatic nerves of eight rats were transected for irreversible neurotmesis model. We examined normal lower leg and denervated muscles at 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks on a 3 Tesla MR. fractional anisotropy (FA), mean apparent diffusion coefficient (mADC), and T2 values were measured by using DTI and T2 mapping scan. We subjectively classified the signal intensity change on various fat suppression images into the following three grades: negative, suspicious, and definite change. Wilcoxon-sign rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for the comparison of FA, mADC, T2 values. McNemar's test was used for comparing signal intensity change among fat suppression techniques. RESULTS: FA values of denervated muscles at 3 days (0.35 ± 0.06), 1 week (0.29 ± 0.04), and 2 weeks (0.34 ± 0.05) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in the control group (0.54 ± 0.17). mADC of denervated muscles decreased without statistically significant (P > 0.05) change. T2 values were significantly increased at 1 week (38.11 ± 6.42 ms, P = 0.017) and markedly increased at 2 weeks (46.53 ± 5.17 ms, P = 0.012). The grade of visual signal intensity change on chemical shift selective fat saturation, STIR and IDEAL images were identical in all cases (P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: FA and T2 values can demonstrate the early temporal changes in denervated rat skeletal muscle.

CT-based assessment of renal function impairment in patients with acute unilateral ureteral obstruction by urinary stones.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate computed tomography (CT) imaging factors related to renal function impairment in patients with acute unilateral ureteral obstruction by urinary stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 94 patients who had acute unilateral ureteral obstruction due to a urinary stone and a normal contralateral kidney. We retrospectively investigated the serum creatinine (SCr) levels immediately prior to CT examination and at least 1 week after treatment. CT examinations were performed using a CT urography protocol, including pre- and post-contrast images. The 67 patients with a SCr change of less than 0.3 mg/dL constituted group A. The other 27 patients with a SCr decrease of more than 0.3 mg/dL constituted group B. To evaluate factors related to renal function impairment, differences in CT imaging factors between the two groups, including the cortical and medullary density, renal and pelvic anteroposterior diameter, and perinephric fluid, were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The SCr immediately prior to CT examination significantly differed between the two groups. The follow-up SCr after resolution did not significantly differ between the two groups. The difference in the mean cortical and medullary HU on the nephrographic phase between the obstructed kidney and normal kidney was higher in group B than in group A (27.1 ± 23.1 and 69.4 ± 59.1 vs. 5.7 ± 8.8 and 31.8 ± 34.8; p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). The cut-off point for the difference in the mean cortical HU on the nephrographic phase between the obstructed kidney and normal kidney for renal function impairment was 15 HU, as determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with significantly impaired renal function due to an acute unilateral ureteral obstruction may show a decreased nephrogram of the affected kidney and a significant difference in the HU on the nephrographic phase between the obstructed and normal kidney.

Treatment pulse application for magnetic stimulation.

Treatment and diagnosis can be made in difficult areas simply by changing the output pulse form of the magnetic stimulation device. However, there is a limitation in the range of treatments and diagnoses of a conventional sinusoidal stimulation treatment pulse because the intensity, width, and form of the pulse must be changed according to the lesion type. This paper reports a multidischarge method, where the stimulation coils were driven in sequence via multiple switching control. The limitation of the existing simple sinusoidal pulse form could be overcome by changing the intensity, width, and form of the pulse. In this study, a new sequential discharge method was proposed to freely alter the pulse width. The output characteristics of the stimulation treatment pulse were examined according to the trigger signal delay applied to the switch at each stage by applying a range of superposition pulses to the magnetic simulation device, which is widely used in industry and medicine.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation: a case report.

We present a case of a 77-year-old female who had a metaplastic breast carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation. Her mammogram showed a largely calcified mass, but the pathology revealed that the calcification was ossification. The radiologic differentiation between an osteoid matrix and a dense calcification is discussed. Radiologic and pathologic correlation is also provided.

Radiofrequency ablation treatment for renal cell carcinoma: early clinical experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early clinical experience associated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RF ablation treatment was performed on 17 tumors from 16 patients (mean age, 60.5 years; range, 43-73 years) with RCC. The treatment indications were localized, solid renal mass, comorbidities, high operation risk, and refusal to perform surgery. All tumors were treated by a percutaneous CT (n = 10), followed by an US-guided (n = 2), laparoscopy-assisted US (n = 2), and an open (n = 2) RF ablation. Furthermore, patients underwent a follow-up CT at one day, one week, one month, three and six months, and then every six months from the onset of treatment. We evaluated the technical success, technical effectiveness, ablation zone, benign periablation enhancement, irregular peripheral enhancement, and complications. RESULTS: All 17 exophytic tumors (mean size, 2.2 cm; range, 1.1-5.0 cm) were completely ablated. Technical success and effectiveness was achieved in all cases and the mean follow-up period was 23.8 months (range, 17-33 months). A local recurrence was not detected in any of the cases; however, five patients developed complications as a result of treatment, including hematuria (n = 2), mild thermal injury of the psoas muscle (n = 1), mild hydronephrosis (n = 1), and fistula formation (n = 1). CONCLUSION: The RF ablation is an alternative treatment for exophytic RCCs and represents a promising treatment for some patients with small RCCs.

Mismatch of delayed perfusion volume between TTP and Tmax map of perfusion MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To look for another set of parameters to predict the change in infarct size in acute stroke patients with a perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 54 patients who had PWI-DWI mismatch and vascular occlusion on initial MRI and no recanalization of occluded vessel. RESULTS: Time-to-peak and time-to-max (TTP-Tmax) perfusion mismatch volume was independently significant as a correlate of infarct volume change (P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a large TTP-Tmax perfusion delay mismatch volume in patients with acute stroke who have a PWI-DWI mismatch on an initial MRI may predict that the infarct volume will not increase despite persistent vascular occlusion.

Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase activation enhance apoptosis in irradiated K562 cells treated with herbimycin A.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that herbimycin A (HMA) alters the mode of cell death of K562 cells induced by radiation and enhanced their radiosensitivity. In the present study, we explored the apoptosis-inducing activity of HMA and the fundamental mechanism via which it regulates radiation-induced cell death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell line K562 was used. For X-irradiation and drug treatment, cells were plated at approximately 2x10(5) cells/ml. Exponentially growing cells were treated with 10 Gy of X-ray using a 6-MeV X-ray machine at a dose rate of 200-300 cGy/min. The cells were treated with 0.25 microM HMA immediately after irradiation and HMA remained for the entire culture period. The modes of cell death were discriminated by morphological changes, analysis of cell cycle, analysis of the mitochondrial events, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: Our data demonstrates that radiation induced a significant time-dependent increase of cell death and failed to sustain a prolonged G2 arrest in K562 cells. Radiation-induced cell death caused the accumulation of cyclinB1 and weak nuclear fragmentation, suggesting a mitotic catastrophe. This mitotic catastrophe was dependent upon the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) opening and was independent of caspase-3. In contrast, K562 cells treated with radiation and HMA had an accelerated cell death and induced a p53-independent apoptosis. This apoptotic pathway was dependent upon an initial hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane, following the release of cytochrome c and subsequent caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: Two mechanisms of radiation-induced cell death in K562 cells, mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis, are regulated through distinct pathways, mitochondria and caspase-independent and -dependent, respectively. The findings of this study may provide new insights into improving the efficiency of radiotherapy in CML patients.

Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma Occurring in the Third Ventricle.

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a rare central nervous system tumor that has been included in the 2007 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. Due to its more aggressive behavior, PMA is classified as Grade II neoplasm by the World Health Organization. PMA predominantly affects the hypothalamic/chiasmatic region and occurs in children (mean age of occurrence = 10 months). We report a case of a 24-year-old man who presented with headache, nausea, and vomiting. Brain CT and MRI revealed a mass occupying only the third ventricle. We performed partial resection. Histological findings, including monophasic growth with a myxoid background, and absence of Rosenthal fibers or eosinophilic granular bodies, as well as the strong positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein were consistent with PMA.

Intra-articular fibroma of tendon sheath in a knee joint associated with iliotibial band friction syndrome.

Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome is a common overuse injury typically seen in the active athlete population. A nodular lesion on the inner side of the ITB as an etiology or an accompanying lesion from friction syndrome has been rarely reported. A 45-year-old male presented with recurrent pain and a movable nodule at the lateral joint area, diagnosed as ITB friction syndrome. The nodule was confirmed as a rare intra-articular fibroma of the tendon sheath (FTS) on the basis of histopathologic findings. We describe the MRI findings, arthroscopic and pathologic features, in this case of intra-articular FTS presenting with ITB friction syndrome.

Primary breast leiomyosarcoma located in the premammary zone: a case report.

We present the case of 51-year-old woman with a primary breast leiomyosarcoma. On the postoperative screening after breast cancer surgery, a 4-mm-sized mass assessed as BI-RADS category 3 was detected on her contralateral breast. We recommended follow-up and observation. However, the lesion increased in size and became palpable. It was excised and diagnosed as primary leiomyosarcoma. We review the literature on imaging findings and management of breast leiomyosarcoma, and discuss the differential diagnoses in breast imaging.

Perfusion imaging of the brain using Z-score and dynamic images obtained by subtracting images from before and after contrast injection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of perfusion imaging of the brain using the Z-score and subtraction dynamic images obtained from susceptibility contrast MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients, each with a normal MRI, Moya-moya, a middle cerebral artery occlusion, post-trauma syndrome, and a metastatic brain tumor, were selected for a presentation. A susceptibility-contrast echo-planar image after a routine MRI was taken as the source image with a rapid manual injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA. The inflow and washout patterns were observed from the time-signal intensity curve of the serial scans using the standard program of an MRI machine. The repeated Z-score images of the peak and late phases were made using the threshold Z-score values between 1.4 and 2.0 in four to five studies of the pre-contrast, peak, and late phases. Dynamic subtraction images were produced by subtracting sequential post-contrast images from a pre-contrast image and coloring these images using a pseudocolor mapping method. RESULTS: In the diseases with perfusion abnormalities, the Z-score images revealed information about the degree of perfusion during the peak and late phases. However, the quality varied with the Z-score threshold and the studies selected in a group. The dynamic subtraction images were of sufficient quality with no background noise and more clearly illustrated the temporal changes in perfusion and delayed perfusion. CONCLUSION: The Z-scores and dynamic subtraction images illustrated the degree of perfusion and sequential changes in the pattern of perfusion, respectively. These images can be used as a new complimentary method for observing the perfusion patterns in brain diseases.

Oculomotor nerve schwannoma: a case report.

Schwannomas account for about 8% of intracranial tumors and 90% are vestibular schwannomas. Oculomotor schwannoma without neurofibromatosis is extremely rare. A 41-year-old female presented with complaints of blurred vision, and the neurologic examination revealed afferent pupillary defect and decreased visual acuity of the left side. Brain magnetic resonance image showed an extra axial mass in the left superior orbital fissure. The patient underwent major surgery via the fronto-temporal approach. The tumor originated from the oculomotor nerve and was subtotally removed under microscopic surgery. The pathological findings confirmed the tumor as a schwannoma. After surgery, ptosis and medial gaze limitation of the left eye was detected, but the symptoms improved gradually.

Application of 31P MR spectroscopy to the brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and obtain useful parameters of (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) study for making the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with brain tumorous lesions (22 cases of brain tumor and 6 cases of abscess) and 11 normal volunteers were included. The patients were classified into the astrocytoma group, lymphoma group, metastasis group and the abscess group. We obtained the intracellular pH and the metabolite ratios of phosphomonoesters/phosophodiesters (PME/PDE), PME/inorganic phosphate (Pi), PDE/Pi, PME/adenosine triphosphate (ATP), PDE/ATP, PME/phosphocreatine (PCr), PDE/PCr, PCr/ATP, PCr/Pi, and ATP/Pi, and evaluated the statistical significances. RESULTS: The brain tumors had a tendency of alkalization (pH = 7.28 ± 0.27, p = 0.090), especially the pH of the lymphoma was significantly increased (pH = 7.45 ± 0.32, p = 0.013). The brain tumor group showed increased PME/PDE ratio compared with that in the normal control group (p = 0.012). The ratios of PME/PDE, PDE/Pi, PME/PCr and PDE/PCr showed statistically significant differences between each brain lesion groups (p < 0.05). The astrocytoma showed an increased PME/PDE and PME/PCr ratio. The ratios of PDE/Pi, PME/PCr, and PDE/PCr in lymphoma group were lower than those in the control group and astrocytoma group. The metastasis group showed an increased PME/PDE ratio, compared with that in the normal control group. CONCLUSION: We have obtained the clinically applicable (31)P MRS, and the pH, PME/PDE, PDE/Pi, PME/PCr, and PDE/PCr ratios are helpful for differentiating among the different types of brain tumors.

Epidermal growth factor receptor is related to poor survival in glioblastomas: single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: There are conflicting results surrounding the prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Accordingly, we attempted to assess the influence of EGFR expression on the survival of GBM patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty three GBM patients who had received surgery and postoperative radiotherapy at our institute, between March 1997 and February 2006, were included. The evaluation of EGFR expression with immunohistochemistry was available for 30 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: EGFR was expressed in 23 patients (76.7%), and not expressed in seven (23.3%). Survival in EGFR expressing GBM patients was significantly less than that in non-expressing patients (median survival: 12.5 versus 17.5 months, p=0.013). Patients who received more than 60 Gy showed improved survival over those who received up to 60 Gy (median survival: 17.0 versus 9.0 months, p=0.000). Negative EGFR expression and a higher radiation dose were significantly correlated with improved survival on multivariate analysis. Survival rates showed no differences according to age, sex, and surgical extent. CONCLUSION: The expression of EGFR demonstrated a significantly deleterious effect on the survival of GBM patients. Therefore, approaches targeting EGFR should be considered in potential treatment methods for GBM patients, in addition to current management strategies.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the orbit : a case report with literature review.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is benign vascular lesion destructing the cortical bone by the expansion of the vascular channel in the diploic space that usually involve long bone and spine. Orbital ABC is rare and the clinical symptoms deteriorate rapidly after initial slow-progression period for a few months. A 12-year-old female patient visited ophthalmologist due to proptosis and upward gaze limitation of the right eye, and orbital mass was noted in the upper part of right eye on orbital MRI. Five months later, exophthalmos was worsened rapidly with other features of ophthalmoplegia. Orbital mass was enlarged on MRI with intracranial extension. Surgery was done through frontal craniotomy and intracranial portion of the tumor was removed. Destructed orbital roof and mass in the orbit was also removed, and surrounding bone which was suspected to have lesion was resected as much as possible. Histopathological diagnosis was aneurysmal bone cyst. Postoperative course was satisfactory and the patient's eye symptoms improved. Authors report a rare case of orbital ABC with review of the literature. Exact diagnosis by imaging studies is important and it is recommended to perform surgical resection before rapid-progressing period and to resect the mass completely to prevent recurrence.

Triple rule-out acute chest pain evaluation using a 320-row-detector volume CT: a comparison of the wide-volume and helical modes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the image quality and radiation dose of triple rule-out computed tomography (TROCT) using a 320-row-detector volume CT system to compare the wide-volume and helical modes of this CT system. Sixty-four patients with noncritical chest pain were allocated to one of 2 groups according to the type of CT examination mode used. Group 1 patients were examined using the wide-volume (non-spiral) mode and group 2 patients were examined using the 160-detector row helical mode, with the same contrast injection protocol in both methods [biphasic injection protocol; injection rate of 4 ml/s, median volume, 70 ml (range 65-100 ml)]. Attenuations of the pulmonary trunk, ascending aorta, and coronary arteries were measured in Hounsfield units; a subjective overall patient-based image quality score of 1-3 was awarded to each study. Effective doses, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Average effective dose was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 (9.7 ± 5.1 vs. 16 ± 5.9 mSv, P < 0.001). The mean attenuation of the main pulmonary trunk was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (P = 0.04) and mean attenuations in other vessels were not significant different. SNR and CNR were not significantly different between the groups. The proportion of diagnostic image qualities for chest CT angiography (CTA) was similar between the groups (93.5 vs. 93.9 %). In coronary CTA, group 1 showed a higher proportion of diagnostic image qualities than group 2 (100 vs. 87.9 %). The use of wide-volume mode of 320-detector CT reduces the overall effective radiation dose and results in similar attenuation and image quality for TROCT as compared with the helical mode.

Pituitary hemorrhage : classification and related factors.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical features of pituitary hemorrhage vary from asymptomatic to catastrophic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors related to severity of hemorrhage of pituitary adenoma. METHODS: Pituitary hemorrhage was noted in 32 of 88 patients who underwent operations between January 2000 and December 2007. Clinical status was classified into group I (no hemorrhage symptoms), II (mild to moderate symptoms without neurological deficit), and III (with neurological deficit), and was compared to radiological, pathological, and operative findings. All patients were operated by transsphenoidal approach, and hemorrhage-related symptoms were relieved. RESULTS: Groups I, II, and III comprised 15, 10 and 7 patients, respectively. In group I, hemorrhage volume was under 1 mL in 11 (73.3%), but, it was above 1 mL in 7 (70%) of group II and in all cases of group III. Hemorrhage stage based on MRI findings was chronic or subacute in 11 (73.3%) of group I, acute in 6 (60%) of group II, and acute or hyperacute in 6 (85.7%) of group III. Pathological examination revealed chronic-stage hematomas in 5 (50%) group II patients. Functioning adenomas were found in 5 (33.3%) group I patients but none in group II or III patients. Silent adenomas were found in 4 (26.7%), 8 (80%), and 3 (42.9%) in groups I, II, and III, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical features of pituitary hemorrhage may differ with the radiological and immunohistopathlogical findings. Persistent symptoms are related to the chronic stage of hematoma requiring surgery for symptom relief. Neurological deficits are caused by large amount of acute hemorrhage requiring emergency operation. Silent adenoma is related to the severity of pituitary hemorrhage.

Spontaneous intraorbital hemorrhage: a case report.

Intraorbital hemorrhage is a rare clinical condition caused by orbital trauma, surgery around the orbit, intraorbital vascular abnormalities, and neoplasm. It was reported to occur spontaneously without any known causes and in association with orbital pseudotumor in a very few cases. A 59-year-old, female patient admitted with sudden onset of severe exophthalmos and pain on the left eye. Orbital CT and MR imaging suggested hemorrhage in the upper part of retrobulbar area of the left orbit. Cerebral angiography was taken to rule out any possible vascular abnormalities. On the left carotid cerebral angiography, the run-off of the distal ophthalmic artery was not seen and the engorgement of the supraophthalmic artery was noted. Systemic administration of corticosteroid did not improve the clinical status and craniectomy was done and retrobulbar hematoma was removed, and the clinical symptoms and signs were improved. Authors report a case of spontaneous intraorbital hemorrhage with the clinical features similar to those of orbital pseudotumor, requiring surgical decompression.