Comparison of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and 3D constructive interference in steady state images for predicting outcome after hearing-preservation surgery for vestibular schwannoma.

We compared contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and 3D constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequences for demonstrating possible prognostic factors in hearing-preservation surgery for vestibular schwannoma. We studied 22 patients with vestibular schwannomas having hearing-preservation surgery. Postoperatively six (27%) had a facial palsy and eight (36%) had hearing loss. There was a significant correlation between the size of the tumour and facial palsy (r=-0.72). Both techniques adequately demonstrated all tumours. Involvement of the fundus of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and a small distance between the lateral border of the tumour and the fundus were correlated significantly with hearing loss (r=-0.81 and -0.75, respectively). The 3D-CISS sequence, by virtue of its high contrast resolution was superior to T1-weighted images ( P<0.05) for detection of the fundal involvement. The direction of displacement of the facial nerve did not correlate with facial palsy or hearing loss. We think that 3D-CISS images better show the features influencing surgical outcome, but that contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images are required for diagnosis.

The value of ultrasonography in interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuation.

The cardiosplenic syndromes represent a complex set of abnormalities of the thorax and viscera resulting from abnormal folding of the embryo during early development. Anomalies of venous development include interruption of inferior vena cava (IVC), and in combination with situs inversus referred to as the polysplenia syndrome. We present a 23-year-old male previously diagnosed as having a persistent left IVC on venography whereas ultrasonographic examination clearly demonstrated interrupted IVC with azygos continuation along with situs inversus.

Utility of ventilation and perfusion scan in the diagnosis of young military recruits with an incidental finding of hyperlucent lung.

Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome (SJMS) is considered to be a relatively uncommon disease presenting with unilateral hyperlucent lung due to hypoplasia of a pulmonary artery and bronchiectasis of the affected lung. In this report, we describe the ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan findings of nine male recruits (aged 20-29 years, mean 24.4+/-2.96 years) with SJMS in whom the diagnosis was first established in adulthood. V/Q scan findings of all patients were compared with those on planar radiographs, pulmonary function studies, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The ventilation (133Xe) and perfusion (99Tcm-macro-aggregated albumin) scans showed the characteristic pattern of a matched V/Q defect and marked air trapping on the washout phase on 133Xe scintigraphy. HRCT displayed hypodense lung with integrity of main airways, and markedly diminished vasculature on the affected side in all patients. A smaller pulmonary artery on the affected side with poor peripheral vasculature was observed with DSA in all patients. All patients had features of obstructive airway disease in varying degrees on pulmonary function studies. In contrast to other imaging methods, bronchiectasis as an etiological factor was displayed on HRCT. Some pulmonary areas, which were normal on HRCT and planar radiographs, showed air trapping on V/Q scan. Although a V/Q scan was more helpful in determining the extent of the disease and correlates well with conventional imaging methods, HRCT was the most valuable imaging method for the evaluation of aetiology in unilateral hyperlucent lung.

Fascioperiosteal flap and neo-osteogenesis in radical mastoidectomy: long-term results.

We performed an analysis of long-term outcomes data on 60 patients with chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma who had undergone a surgical procedure based on an improved radical mastoidectomy and an inferiorly based fascioperiosteal flap. We found that at the 2-, 7-, 10-, and 13-year postoperative followup visits, all mastoid cavities were healthy and reduced in volume. At the final examination, the mean cavity volume was found to be decreased by 39% of the mean volume measured 1 month postoperatively. This reduction in volume is attributable to the neo-osteogenic activity of the flap, which was confirmed by histopathologic and radiologic findings. No recurrences took place.

Measurement of orbital volume by a 3-dimensional software program: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: This study reports a simple method with high accuracy for determining orbital volume from computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The volume of 20 orbits was evaluated in 20 dry skulls by use of a 3-dimensional software program in General Electric High-Speed Advantage CT/I (Milwaukee, WI), and compared with the volume obtained by direct measurement using the water displacement method. Accuracy of volume measurement by this software program was assessed statistically by paired samples t-test. RESULTS: The mean volume was found to be 28.37 mL +/- 2.15 by direct impression and 28.41 mL +/- 2.09 by the software program. Volume difference between the 2 methods averaged 0.93 +/- 1.08 mL for each orbit (P < .01). The correlation between the techniques was found to be high (r = 0.887, P < .01). There was no significant volume discrepancy between the 2 methods. CONCLUSION: Measurement by the technique described is an easy and accurate method of assessing the volume of the orbit.

Radiology of an atypical fibro-osseous lesion confined to the nasal cavity.

Fibro-osseous lesions of the sinonasal region are relatively frequent, but those strictly confined to the nasal cavity are rare. We report an atypical fibro-osseous lesion in the nasal cavity and describe its radiological features. The differential diagnosis is discussed.

Discordance of sialography and scintigraphy in unilateral chronic sialadenitis.

A Tc-99m pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy, digital subtraction sialography (DSS) and cytological findings of a 48-year-old female who received I-131 therapy for the treatment of follicular carcinoma of thyroid are presented. Post radioiodine therapy sialoscintigraphy showed increased blood flow and uptake with decreased secretion in the left parotid gland suggesting acute inflammation. In contrast, DSS and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) findings were consistent with chronic sialoadenitis. Follow-up scintigraphy one month later showed normal blood flow and decreased uptake and confirmed the diagnosis of chronic sialoadenitis. In right of this case, we conclude that since management of sialoadenitis depends on the stage of inflammation scintigraphic findings should be interpreted together with radiology and FNAB findings if necessary. When chronic sialoadenitis is followed by acute exacerbations, diagnosis based exclusively on sialoscintigraphic findings may result in inadequate patient management.

The value of MRI in a case of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome.

We report a case of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) in which the lesion has been demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and angiography. A healthy 23-year-old man developed an acute painful ophthalmoplegia on the right side. CT and MRI scans revealed asymmetric enlargement of the right cavernous sinus with contrast enhancement extending down to the region of trigeminal ganglion. MRI further delineated the detailed anatomical structures of the region and excluded any infiltration of the surrounding tissues by a mass lesion. Cerebral angiography showed a significant decrease in the calibration of petrous segment and a mild decrease in the calibration of cavernous segment of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. The patient was treated with oral prednisone, 100 mg daily. Neurological findings totally subsided after 2 weeks on corticosteroid and MRI showed resolution of the lesion in the cavernous sinus. The patient was symptom-free for 6 months after discharge. Our findings have suggested that MRI is the most valuable imaging technique for demonstration and follow-up of lesions in the cavernous sinus that are directly responsible for the symptoms of THS and the lesions can be more extensive than was currently believed.

Unusual miliary tuberculosis presenting with generalized lymphadenopathy and abdominal involvement.

Although tuberculosis is common and well recognised in many countries, unusual presentations of the disease sometimes raise difficulties in differential diagnosis. We report a young patient who presented with weight loss, shortness of breath and easy fatiguability. Extensive lymphadenopathy involving the cervical, axillary and inguinal regions were found on physical examination. Chest X-ray and computed tomography revealed generalized lymphadenopathy of cervical, mediastinal and para-aortic chains, bilateral pulmonary miliary reticulonodular infiltrates, pleural effusion, hepatomegaly with low density, macronodular hypodense areas in spleen, ascites, peritoneal irregularity and thickening of bowel walls. Mantoux test was negative. Peritoneal fluid was exudative, but pleural fluid was transudative, probably due to mediastinal lymphatic obstruction. The initial clinical diagnosis was malignant lymphoma; however, positive sputum smears for mycobacteria and excisional cervical lymph node biopsy revealing caseating granulomatous lymphadenitis were consistent with tuberculosis. The patient responded well to appropriate therapy with regression of radiological abnormalities.

Comparison of preoperative computed tomographic findings with postoperative histopathological findings in laryngeal cancers.

In this study of 22 patients with laryngeal cancer, computed tomographic (CT) scans in the axial plane were compared with histopathological sections prepared in the same plane. The value of the preoperative CT for evaluating tumor invasion, location and size was then investigated. Findings demonstrated that CT was most sensitive in determining tumor invasion to the paralaryngeal and preepiglottic spaces, anterior and posterior commissures and subglottis. In contrast, CT was less sensitive in determining actual tumor invasion to the laryngeal cartilages, extralaryngeal tissues and metastases to cervical lymph nodes.

A pseudotumour of the bladder. Case report.

A case of pseudotumour involving the bladder is presented. The differential diagnostic importance of the lesion is stressed.

Fine needle aspiration cytologic findings in a benign lymphoepithelial lesion with microcalcifications. A case report.

Aspiration cytologic findings in a case of benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLL) of the parotid gland are presented. The aspirate contained a polymorphous lymphoid population, histiocytes, myoepithelial and ductal epithelial cells and numerous bluish, calcified bodies. A cytologic diagnosis of benign nonneoplastic lesion, consistent with chronic sialadenitis and microlithiasis, was made. The clinical impression of neoplasia was inconsistent with the cytologic findings. Subsequent histologic examination showed classic BLL with microcalcifications as an unexpected feature. The value and limitations of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of nonneoplastic salivary gland lesions and the differential diagnosis of BLL are discussed.