ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The imaging of carotid plaques has undergone a paradigm shift increasing importance being given to plaque characterization. Patients with "vulnerable" plaques are more prone to develop future neurovascular events. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of multimodality imaging techniques in the assessment of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients underwent multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography, ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the carotid arteries with special emphasis on the carotid bifurcation. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 65.41 years. Twenty-one were males. Plaque neovascularization was seen in 10 of the 18 plaques studied (55.56%). Based on the predominant components of the plaque, plaques were characterized as lipid (3), lipid with recent hemorrhage (1), fibrous (7), fibrofatty (4), fibrofatty with some hemorrhagic components (3), and recent hemorrhage (2). CONCLUSIONS: Together, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, CT, and MRI provide complete information about the plaque characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Neuroenteric cysts are developmental cysts that should be differentiated from other, more common non-neoplastic cysts as well as cystic neoplasms. While these lesions may have varied imaging findings, T1 hyperintense prepontine lesion due to mucinous/proteinaceous content is characteristic. Location and imaging characteristics aid in formulating the correct diagnosis of neuroepithelial/neuroenteric cysts. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has the specific finding of N-Acetyl Aspartate (NAA)-like peak at 2.02 ppm which is not seen in other cystic lesions. In this study, we aim to discuss the imaging findings of these lesions on conventional and advanced MRI findings and provide radiologic-pathologic correlation. We also briefly describe the pathogenesis, embryology and radiological differential diagnoses of these cysts.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in the occurrence of the various "traditional" imaging signs of intracranial hypertension (IIH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with idiopathic (IIH) and secondary intracranial hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, the MRI findings of 21 patients with IIH and 60 patients with secondary intracranial hypertension (41 with tumors; 19 with intracranial venous hypertension) were evaluated for the presence or absence of various "traditional" imaging signs of IIH (perioptic nerve sheath distention, vertical buckling of optic nerve, globe flattening, optic nerve head protrusion and empty sella) using the Fisher's exact test. Odds ratios were also calculated. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. Subgroup analysis of the IIH versus tumors and IIH versus venous hypertension were performed. RESULTS: Optic nerve head protrusion and globe flattening were significantly associated with IIH. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of rest of the findings. On subgroup analysis, globe flattening and optic nerve head protrusion occurred significantly more often in IIH than in tumors. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of any of these findings in patients with IIH and venous hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: IIH is a diagnosis of exclusion. While secondary causes of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) have obvious clinical findings on MRI, some conditions like cerebral venous thrombosis may have subtle signs and differentiating between primary and secondary causes may be difficult. In the absence of any evident cause of raised ICP, presence of optic nerve head protrusion or globe flattening can suggest the diagnosis of IIH.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Colloid cysts are typically located in the region of the anterior third ventricle in the proximity of foramen of Monro. Although 'endodermal cyst' has been identified in several regions of the brain, location of characteristic colloid cyst entirely within the confines of velum interpositum and outside the ventricles has not been reported earlier. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a unique case of colloid cyst located in the region of velum interpositum in a 33-year-old patient with headache and seizures. Such a location of the colloid cyst has not been identified earlier in the literature. The literature on pathogenesis of colloid cysts in general is briefly reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Colloid cyst located in the velum interpositum is reported. Such a location gives additional information on the pathogenesis of these lesions.
