Intramedullary angioma with bilateral arm hypothermia.

Spinal cavernous malformations are collections of abnormal blood vessels in the spinal cord. They are rare and frequently accompany cranial cavernous angiomas. They exhibit clinical features representing the region of the spine affected by the cavernous malformation. We present a 12-year-old boy with bilateral hypothermia predominantly in the left arm and motor weakness of the upper extremities, and lesser involvement of the lower extremities The case had normal cranial magnetic resonance imaging, but MRI of cervical region revealed an intramedullary cavernous haemangioma confirmed with histopathological examination. The lesion was totally excised and hypothermia completely improved within 2 weeks after operation. We suggested that hypothermia in the extremities may be added as a rare finding to the list of the clinical features in cervical myelopathy.

Unbiased estimation of tumor regression rates during chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma using CT and stereology.

SUMMARY. The purpose of the present study is to estimate tumor volumes of 10 patients with esophageal carcinoma on serial CT images that are obtained before and after chemoradiotherapy using a stereological method. In this study, tumor volume was measured using the Cavalieri method of modern design stereology with a combination of three separate stages. Firstly, detailed systematic series of axial CT images of 1-cm thickness were obtained throughout the whole tumor area of each subject and to magnify them all CT images were projected on a screen by overhead projector and then were marked by manually tracing the outline of areas with tumor on serial CT images that are projected onto the screen. Secondly these images were drawn on paper. Finally the images on paper were evaluated with a point-counting method. It was shown in a pilot study analyzed that 100 test points counted on about 6--8 serial slices through for esophagus wall, lumen and wall + lumen are sufficient to secure coefficient of error (CE) on the estimates of volumes as in this study. It was found that tumor volumes before and after radiotherapy for esophagus wall, lumen and wall + lumen was 10.34 cm(3), 1.15 cm(3) and 11.75 cm(3) before and 5.93 cm(3), 1.43 cm(3) and 7.65 cm(3) after radiotherapy, respectively. When only esophagus wall and lumen volumes or wall + lumen volumes before and after radiotherapy were statistically compared, the difference between either esophagus wall (P<0.01) and lumen (P<0.01) volumes or total volumes (P<.1) were significant. It is concluded that CT estimated tumor volumes may be helpful in both evaluating the clinical situation of patients and providing a simple index to assess the efficiency of therapy, prediction of tumor regression rate and minimizing the risk of chemoradiotherapy damage.

Carotid intima-media thickness: is it correlated with stroke side?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) and the infarct side. METHOD: The CCA IMTs in patients with atherosclerotic non-lacunar stroke were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64.3 +/- 10.7 years (range 40-83 years) and 42 of 100 patients were male. The infarcts were at the left side in 53 patients and at the right side in 47 patients. The mean CCA IMT was 1.02 +/- 0.18 mm at the infarct side and 0.87 +/- 0.17 mm at the contralateral side. The difference between them was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although the mean age of the patients with a left-sided infarct was greater than that of the patients with a right-sided infarct, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CCA IMT may be used in prediction of possible infarct side, and in the prediction of potential risk of stroke by evaluating the IMT of both CCAs separately.

Trichoptysis caused by intrapulmonary teratoma: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

We describe a 9-year-old child with a history of trichoptysis caused by intrapulmonary teratoma and we present the CT and MRI findings of the teratoma. A heterogeneous mass containing cystic and solid elements was detected on both CT and MRI scans. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of teratoma. Teratomas arising from lung parenchyma, as in this case, are extremely rare in childhood. In the thoracic region, the most common localization of teratomas is the anterior mediastinal compartment. We also discuss the CT and MRI findings and the differential diagnosis of teratomas.

Angulation, length, and morphology of the styloid process of the temporal bone analyzed by multidetector computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the angulation, length, and structural variations of the styloid process (SP) by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MDCT scans were performed in 283 cases (127 M and 156 F, age range 18-77 years). The length of the SP and its angulation on the transverse and sagittal planes were measured. Structural variations of the SP were observed by means of three-dimensional (3D) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images. RESULTS: The length of the bony SP on both sides varied from 0 to 62 mm (mean 26.8 +/- 10.0 mm). Angulation ranged between 55 degrees and 90.5 degrees (7 2.7 +/- 6.6) in the transversal plane and between 76 degrees and 110 degrees (93.5 +/- 6.9) in the sagittal plane. Morphologically, the SP showed a considerable amount of variation. A solitary SP was present in 168 individuals (59.4%). In 9 individuals (3.1%), the SP was duplicated (4 unilateral and 5 bilateral). Sixty-one persons (21.6%) showed an incomplete ossified SP (42 unilateral and 19 bilateral), whereas in 7 individuals (2.5%) a bony SP was absent entirely (7 unilateral). In 38 individuals (13.4%), the stylohyoid ligament was ossified (16 entirely, 22 partial). In all individuals, 3D and MPR images showed the SP in its entire length. CONCLUSION: MDCT with 3D CT and MPR of SP may show further detailed information related to SP. Not only the length of the SP, but also its 3D orientation, should be in focus in anatomical and clinical studies.

Comparison of CT and MRI for the diagnosis recurrent esophageal carcinoma after operation.

Despite an increase in radical surgery for esophageal carcinoma, many patients continue to develop recurrent disease. Some reports have suggested that recurrent tumors should be treated aggressively with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the comparative utility of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of recurrence after curative resection of cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction. To maximize survival benefit, detection of tumor recurrence as early and accurately as possible is important. Twenty-three patients who developed recurrent tumors after curative transthoracic esophagogastrectomy for esophageal carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. The CT and MRI findings were correlated with pathology or with endoscopic and clinical follow-up. Primary tumor recurrence was detected at the anastomosis side in 19 patients (intraluminal mass in 13 and as diffuse or focal wall thickening in six). Distant recurrence was seen in the liver (n = 5), lung (n = 4), bone (n = 3), abdominal lymph node (n = 4), pleural effusion (n = 2) and pericardial effusion (n = 1). CT and MRI were found equal in showing the intraluminal mass, liver metastasis, pleural and pericardial effusion. Thickening of esophageal wall was demonstrated in nine patients using CT, but only seven of these tumor recurrences were confirmed by MRI, the remaining two were related to secondary fibrosis. Both CT and MRI showed diffuse gastric wall thickening determined as false tumor recurrence due to severe gastritis in one case. There were two (50%) false negatives for lung metastasis in MRI and one bone metastasis (33%) false negative in CT. CT was found superior in the demonstration of lung metastasis and MRI was superior in the evaluation of wall thickening and bone metastasis.

Superior sternal cleft and minor hemangiomas in a newborn.

The association of hemangioma and sternal cleft is rare. It may present as sternal malformation/vascular dysplasia association or PHACES syndrome when associated with other ventral developmental defects. We report on a newborn infant with superior sternal cleft and minor hemangiomas.

Gorlin's syndrome with a thin corpus callosum and a third ventricular cyst.

Gorlin's syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma) is an autosomal dominant tumor-predisposition syndrome, classically consists of multiple basal cell carcinomas of the skin, odontogenic keratocyst of the jaw, various skeletal abnormalities, and lamellar falx calcifications. Many associated lesions have been reported. We report a case of Gorlin's syndrome in a 22-year-old man in whom CT and MR images showed unusual findings of the thin corpus callosum and third ventricular cyst. We present a case of this syndrome with special emphasis on its unusual neuroradiological findings and radiological management.

The spectrum of radiographic findings in primary hyperparathyroidism.

The aim of this study was to assess the spectrum of radiographic findings in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The study group consisted of 16 women and 7 men whose Ca levels were at least two or three times higher than normal. The average age was 55.3 in women and 49.4 in men. We detected carcinoma in 1, hyperplasia in 1, multiple adenomas in 4, single adenoma in 17 patients. The most common finding in the skeletal system was the decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and the complete loss of the lamina durae dentium. BMD was found lower in women than in men. This result attributed the increased number of postmenopausal patients in our study group. The second most common finding in our study group was subperiosteal bone resorption. Brown tumors (BTs) were located at maxilla in one, widespread in one, mandibula in two, long tubular bones in four patients. Renal stone disease was found in five, spastic colon in two, gastric ulcer in one, mitral valve calcification in one patients. We demonstrated no pathologic changes consistent with PHPT in remaining seven patients.