A case of hemichorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycaemia: A new magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) finding and possible future implications.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Striatopathy (DS) is a rare complication of a poor-controlled Diabetes Mellitus consisting of sudden onset of movement disorders. To date, there is still poor knowledge about the pathogenesis. CASE: We describe a 79 year old men affected by sudden onset hemichoreic movements whose cause was a non-ketotic hyperglycaemia diagnosed despite the normal blood glucose levels thanks to brain CT and magnetic resonance imaging. Then, we introduce a new magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) finding never described until today which allowed us to produce a new pathogenetic theory of a phenomenon still without definitive explanations. LITERATURE REVIEW: We performed a review of DS cases using the Medline database and we extracted main data regarding imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to our MRS we show new imaging findings never described until today, with a new pathogenetic explanation, since all the causative hypotheses produced during the past years have never found evidence.

Negative Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prostate Cancer: What's Next?

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate has excellent sensitivity in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Nevertheless, the clinical utility of negative mpMRI (nMRI) is less clear. OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes of men with nMRI and clinical follow-up after 7 yr of activity at a reference center. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: All mpMRI performed from January 2010 to May 2015 were reviewed. We selected all patients with nMRI and divided them in group A (naïve patients) and group B (previous negative biopsy). All patients without a diagnosis of PCa had a minimum follow-up of 2 yr and at least two consecutive nMRI. Patients with positive mpMRI were also identified to assess their biopsy outcomes. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess both any-grade PCa and csPCa diagnosis-free survival probabilities. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to identify predictors of csPCa diagnosis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: We identified 1545 men with nMRI, and 1255 of them satisfied the inclusion criteria; 659 belonged to group A and 596 to group B. Any-grade PCa and csPCa diagnosis-free survival probabilities after 2 yr of follow-up were 94% and 95%, respectively, in group A; in group B, they were 96%. After 48 mo of follow-up, any-grade PCa diagnosis-free survival probability was 84% in group A and 96% in group B (log rank p<0.001). Diagnosis-free survival probability for csPCa was unchanged after 48 mo of follow-up. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, increasing age (p=0.005) was an independent predictor of lower csPCa diagnosis probability, while increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density (<0.001) independently predicted higher csPCa diagnosis probability. The prevalence of and positive predictive value for csPCa were 31.6% and 45.5%, respectively. Limitations include limited follow-up and the inability to calculate true csPCa prevalence in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: mpMRI is highly reliable to exclude csPCa. Nevertheless, systematic biopsy should be recommended even after nMRI, especially in younger patients with high or raising PSA levels. PATIENT SUMMARY: It is a matter of debate whether patients with negative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate could obviate the need to perform a systematic biopsy. In this report, we looked at the outcomes of patients with negative mpMRI and midterm clinical follow-up at a reference center. We found mpMRI to be highly reliable to exclude significant prostate cancer; nonetheless, systematic biopsy must still be recommended after negative mpMRI in patients with high clinical suspicion of prostate cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging for localization of prostate cancer in the setting of biochemical recurrence.

The clinical suspicion of local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical treatment is based on the onset of biochemical failure. The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prostate cancer has increased over recent years, mainly for detection, staging, and active surveillance. However, suspicion of recurrence in the set of biochemical failure is becoming a significant reason for clinicians to request multiparametric MRI. Radiologists should be able to recognize the normal posttreatment MRI findings. Fibrosis and atrophic remnant seminal vesicles (SV) after radical prostatectomy are often found and must be differentiated from local relapse. Moreover, brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy, and focal therapies tend to diffusely decrease the signal intensity of the peripheral zone on T2-weighted images due to the loss of water content, consequently mimicking tumor and hemorrhage. The combination of T2-weighted images and functional studies like diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging improves the identification of local relapse. Tumor recurrence tends to restrict on diffusion images and avidly enhances after contrast administration. The authors provide a review of the normal findings and the signs of local tumor relapse after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy and focal therapies.

Improving Staging in Bladder Cancer: The Increasing Role of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

CONTEXT: In bladder cancer (BCa) patients, accurate local and regional tumor staging is required when planning treatment. Clinical understaging frequently occurs and leads to undertreatment of the disease, with a negative impact on survival. An improvement in staging accuracy could be attained by advances in imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the best imaging technique for locoregional staging for several malignancies because of its superior soft tissue contrast resolution with the advantage of avoiding exposure to ionizing radiation. Important improvements in MRI technology have led to the introduction of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), which combines anatomic and functional evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To review the fundamentals of mpMRI in BCa and to provide a contemporary overview of the available data on the role of this emerging imaging technology. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A nonsystematic literature search using the Medline and Cochrane Library databases was performed up to March 2016. Additional articles were retrieved by cross-matching references of selected articles. Only articles reporting complete data with regard to image acquisition protocols, locoregional staging, monitoring response to therapy, and detection of locoregional recurrence after primary treatment in BCa patients were selected. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Standardization of acquisition and reporting protocols for bladder mpMRI is paramount. Combining anatomic and functional sequences improves the accuracy of local tumor staging compared with conventional imaging alone. Diffusion-weighted imaging may distinguish BCa type and grade. Functional sequences are capable of monitoring response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Diffusion-weighted imaging enhanced by lymphotropic nanoparticles showed high accuracy in pelvic lymph node staging compared with conventional cross-sectional imaging. CONCLUSIONS: In BCa patients, mpMRI appears a promising tool for accurate locoregional staging, predicting tumor aggressiveness and monitoring response to therapy. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings. PATIENT SUMMARY: Better imaging through improved technology will improve outcomes in bladder cancer patients. We reviewed the emerging use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for staging and monitoring bladder cancer. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging appears more accurate than current methods for local and nodal staging and monitoring tumor response to treatment, but requires further investigation.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy.

AIMS: To evaluate the utility of a multiparametric 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study using diffusion-weighted images (DWI) for the assessment of prostate cancer before and after radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: A total of 34 patients, who received a histologic diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma, underwent MRI examination before and after local RT for the assessment of response to treatment. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Before RT, DWI shows pathologic restriction of signal, while after RT pathologic restriction of signal was reduced or disappeared. The ADC values were significantly increased after therapy (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of DWI with ADC measurements may be an imaging biomarker in the assessment of prostate cancer.

MR imaging-guided prostate biopsy: technical features and preliminary results.

PURPOSE: Repeatedly negative prostate biopsies in individuals with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can be frustrating for both the patient and the urologist. This study was performed to investigate if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided transrectal biopsy (MRGB) increases diagnostic performance in individuals with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive men with a total PSA >4 ng/mL, PSA density >0.15, PSA velocity >0.75 ng/mL/year and suspicious MRI findings were included (average age 64 years; age range 53-75 years; total PSA levels ranging from 4.7 to 54 ng/mL; median 9 ng/mL). MRGB was performed with a closed unit at 1.5 Tesla, an MRI compatible biopsy device, a needle guide, and a titanium double-shoot biopsy gun. RESULT: At prebiopsy MRI, in the 23 patients, a total of 26 suspicious areas to which the MRGB should be directed were found, 23 of them in the peripheral zone and three in the transitional zone. The needle guide was depicted and could be positioned with MRI guidance in all 23 patients. The duration of the procedure ranged from 35 to 55 min (mean 40 min). MRGB was well tolerated by all patients, and no major complications were observed. The detection rate for the diagnosis of PCa was 80, and 90 % of detected PCa were of intermediate aggressiveness. CONCLUSION: MRGB has the potential to improve cancer detection rates in men with suspected PCa to deliver the relevant treatment as soon as possible.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging vs. standard care in men being evaluated for prostate cancer: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the proportion of men with clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) is higher among men randomized to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI)/biopsy vs. those randomized to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy. METHODS: In total, 1,140 patients with symptoms highly suggestive of PCa were enrolled and divided in 2 groups of 570 patients to follow 2 different diagnostic algorithms. Group A underwent a TRUS-guided random biopsy. Group B underwent an mp-MRI and a TRUS-guided targeted+random biopsy. The accuracy of mp-MRI in the diagnosis of PCa was calculated using prostatectomy as the standard of reference. RESULTS: In group A, PCa was detected in 215 patients. The remaining 355 patients underwent an mp-MRI: the findings were positive in 208 and unremarkable in 147 patients. After the second random+targeted biopsy, PCa was detected in 186 of the 208 patients. In group B, 440 patients had positive findings on mp-MRI, and PCa was detected in 417 at first biopsy; 130 group B patients had unremarkable findings on both mp-MRI and biopsy. In the 130 group B patients with unremarkable findings on mp-MRI and biopsy, a PCa Gleason score of 6 or precancerous lesions were detected after saturation biopsy. mp-MRI showed an accuracy of 97% for the diagnosis of PCa. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of men with clinically significant PCa is higher among those randomized to mp-MRI/biopsy vs. those randomized to TRUS-guided biopsy; moreover, mp-MRI is a very reliable tool to identify patients to schedule in active surveillance.

Multiple metastases of soft tissue visualized by technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate scintigraphy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lungs and liver are the most common sites of colorectal cancer metastases after regional lymph nodes, but metastases to unusual sites are reported. Heterotopic bone formation in soft tissues from colorectal cancer is a rare metastatic occurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 29-year-old Caucasian man affected by colon adenocarcinoma with multiple soft tissue metastases visualized by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan and scintigraphic bone scan. We suppose that these findings can be due to the fact that the tracer is concentrated in the ossification nidus of soft metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that, in the presence of colon adenocarcinoma, a bone scan could be a sensible tool to highlight bone lesions or heterotopic bone nidus in soft tissues and that any subcutaneous lesion should be resected to avoid underestimating a potential malignancy.

The role of 3 Tesla diffusion-weighted imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign versus malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3 Tesla in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant laterocervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before undergoing surgery, 80 patients, with biopsy proven HNSCC, underwent a magnetic resonance exam. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Spe) of conventional criteria and DWI in detecting laterocervical lymph node metastases were calculated. Histological results from neck dissection were used as standard of reference. RESULTS: In the 239 histologically proven metastatic lymphadenopathies, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was 0.903 × 10(-3) mm(2)/sec. In the 412 pathologically confirmed benign lymph nodes, an average ADC value of 1.650 × 10(-3) mm(2)/sec was found. For differentiating between benign versus metastatic lymph nodes, DWI showed Se of 97% and Spe of 93%, whereas morphological criteria displayed Se of 61% and Spe of 98%. DWI showed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.964, while morphological criteria displayed an AUC of 0.715. CONCLUSIONS: In a DWI negative neck for malignant lymph nodes, the planned dissection could be converted to a wait-and-scan policy, whereas DWI positive neck would support the decision to perform a neck dissection.

Multiparametric MRI for recurrent prostate cancer post radical prostatectomy and postradiation therapy.

The clinical suspicion of local recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and after radiation therapy (RT) is based on the onset of biochemical failure. The aim of this paper was to review the current role of multiparametric-MRI (mp-MRI) in the detection of locoregional recurrence. A systematic literature search using the Medline and Cochrane Library databases was performed from January 1995 up to November 2013. Bibliographies of retrieved and review articles were also examined. Only those articles reporting complete data with clinical relevance for the present review were selected. This review article is divided into two major parts: the first one considers the role of mp-MRI in the detection of PCa local recurrence after RP; the second part provides an insight about the impact of mp-MRI in the depiction of locoregional recurrence after RT (interstitial or external beam). Published data indicate an emerging role for mp-MRI in the detection and localization of locally recurrent PCa both after RP and RT which represents an information of paramount importance to perform focal salvage treatments.

Primary colonic lymphoma: An incidental finding in a patient with a gallstone attack.

We report a case of primary colonic lymphoma incidentally diagnosed in a patient presenting a gallbladder attack making particular attention on the diagnostic findings at ultrasound (US) and total body computed tomography (CT) exams that allowed us to make the correct final diagnosis. A 85-year-old Caucasian male patient was referred to our department due to acute pain at the upper right quadrant, spreaded to the right shoulder blade. Patient had nausea and mild fever and Murphy's maneuver was positive. At physical examination a large bulky mass was found in the right flank. Patient underwent to US exam that detected a big stone in the lumen of the gallbladder and in correspondence of the palpable mass, an extended concentric thickening of the colic wall. CT scan was performed and confirmed a widespread and concentric thickening of the wall of the ascending colon and cecum. In addition, revealed signs of microperforation of the colic wall. Numerous large lymphadenopathies were found in the abdominal, pelvic and thoracic cavity and there was a condition of splenomegaly, with some ischemic outcomes in the context of the spleen. No metastasis in the parenchimatous organs were found. These imaging findings suggest us the diagnosis of lymphoma. Patient underwent to surgery, and right hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy was performed. Histological examination confirmed our diagnosis, revealing a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient underwent to Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin, Prednisone chemotherapy showing only a partial regression of the lymphadenopathies, being in advanced stage at the time of diagnosis.

Advanced imaging for the early diagnosis of local recurrence prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

Currently the diagnosis of local recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RT) is based on the onset of biochemical failure which is defined by two consecutive values of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) higher than 0.2 ng/mL. The aim of this paper was to review the current roles of advanced imaging in the detection of locoregional recurrence. A nonsystematic literature search using the Medline and Cochrane Library databases was performed up to November 2013. Bibliographies of retrieved and review articles were also examined. Only those articles reporting complete data with clinical relevance for the present review were selected. This review article is divided into two major parts: the first one considers the role of PET/CT in the restaging of PCa after RP; the second part is intended to provide the impact of multiparametric-MRI (mp-MRI) in the depiction of locoregional recurrence. Published data indicate an emerging role for mp-MRI in the depiction of locoregional recurrence, while the performance of PET/CT still remains unclear. Moreover Mp-MRI, thanks to functional techniques, allows to distinguish between residual glandular healthy tissue, scar/fibrotic tissue, granulation tissue, and tumour recurrence and it may also be able to assess the aggressiveness of nodule recurrence.

Metabolic atrophy and 3-T 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy correlation after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate 3-T magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy to assess the potential advantages of MRSI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients (age range 65-83 years) underwent PSA and MRSI surveillance before and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients examined, 13 patients completely responded to therapy showing metabolic atrophy (MA), defined as a choline-plus-creatine/citrate (CC/C) ratio <0.2, at 3 months; in this group none had biochemical relapse (PSA nadir + 2 ng/mL) by the end of the follow-up. Of the 50 patients, 35 showed a partial response to therapy (CC/C ratio between 0.2 and 0.8) at 3 and 6 months and, of these 35 patients, 30 reached MA at 12 months, while five developed a recurrence (CC/C ratio >0.8). Three of those patients with recurrence had a biochemical relapse at 18 months and the other two at 24 months. Two of the 50 patients did not respond to the treatment, showing persistent disease from the 3rd month (CC/C ratio >0.8); one patient had biochemical relapse at 6 and the other at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: MRSI was shown to have a greater potential than PSA level in monitoring patients after radiotherapy, because it anticipates PSA nadir, and biochemical relapse in particular.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the early evaluation of anti-angiogenic therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MR) in the response to anti-angiogenic-targeted agents in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients with sub-diaphragmatic metastases from mRCC were included in the protocol after signed informed consent. Baseline characteristics were collected and patients were first evaluated with a baseline computed tomography (CT) and DCE-MR, subsequently with a new DCE-MRI after 28 days of therapy and followed-up with CT until progression. Treatments were administered at standard doses. The changes of peak enhancement (ΔPE) and of the sum of longest tumor diameters (ΔLTD) were related to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The median PFS was 11.4 months [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 7.9-14.7 months) and the parametric two-tailed Pearson's test showed a positive correlation between the median ΔPE and the median PFS (rp=0.809; p=0.015); no significant correlation was found between the median ΔLTD and the median PFS (rp=-0.446; p=0.27). The median OS was 23.3 months (95% CI: 13.6-33.0 months) and no significant correlation was found with the median ΔPE (rp=0.218; p=0.60) or with the median ΔLTD (rp=0.012; p=0.98). CONCLUSION: The ΔPE but not the ΔLTD was found to be significantly related to PFS; these preliminary results suggest extending the number of patients and investigating the possible relationship with other tumor characteristics and MRI parameters.

In vivo 3D neuroanatomical evaluation of periprostatic nerve plexus with 3T-MR Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if Diffusion Tensor Imaging technique (DTI) can improve the visualization of periprostatic nerve fibers describing the location and distribution of entire neurovascular plexus around the prostate in patients who are candidates for prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), including a 2D T2-weighted FSE sequence in 3 planes, 3D T2-weighted and DTI using 16 gradient directions and b=0 and 1000, was performed on 36 patients. Three out of 36 patients were excluded from the analysis due to poor image quality (blurring N=2, artifact N=1). The study was approved by local ethics committee and all patients gave an informed consent. Images were evaluated by two radiologists with different experience in MRI. DTI images were analyzed qualitatively using dedicated software. Also 2D and 3D T2 images were independently considered. RESULTS: 3D-DTI allowed description of the entire plexus of the periprostatic nerve fibers in all directions, while 2D and 3D T2 morphological sequences depicted part of the fibers, in a plane by plane analysis of fiber courses. DTI demonstrated in all patients the dispersion of nerve fibers around the prostate on both sides including the significant percentage present in the anterior and anterolateral sectors. CONCLUSIONS: DTI offers optimal representation of the widely distributed periprostatic plexus. If validated, it may help guide nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.

Prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy: the role of 3-T diffusion imaging in multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the role of 3-T diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the detection of local prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: T2-weighted imaging, DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) were performed with a 3-T magnet in 262 patients after RP. Twenty out of 262 patients evaluated were excluded. MRI results were validated by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction after external beam radiotherapy in group A (126 patients, local recurrence size range 4-8 mm) and by transrectal ultrasound biopsy in group B (116 patients, local recurrence size range 9-15 mm). RESULTS: In group A combined T2-weighted and DCE-MRI (T2+DCE) shows 98 % sensitivity, 94 % specificity and 93 % accuracy in identifying local recurrence; combined T2-weighted and DWI with a b value of 3,000 s/mm(2) (T2+DW3) displays 97 % sensitivity, 95 % specificity and 92 % accuracy, while with a b value of 1,000 s/mm(2) (T2+DW1) affords 93 % sensitivity, 89 % specificity and 88 % accuracy. In group B T2+DCE shows 100 % sensitivity, 97 % specificity and 91 % accuracy in detecting local cancer recurrence; T2+DW3 displays 98 % sensitivity, 96 % specificity and 89 % accuracy; T2+DW1 has 94 % sensitivity, 92 % specificity and 86 % accuracy. CONCLUSION: DCE-MRI is the most reliable technique in detecting local prostate cancer recurrence after RP, though DWI can be proposed as a reliable alternative. KEY POINTS: • Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) is being increasingly used in oncology. • PSA analysis does not distinguish prostate cancer recurrence from distant metastasis. • DWI-MR can diagnose local prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. • DWI-MR is almost comparable to DCE-MRI in detecting local recurrence.

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: value of MRI in the differential diagnosis.

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare potentially life-threatening event that occurs either in traumatic or nontraumatic conditions. The diagnosis is often complicated by its nonspecific presentation and its tendency to intervene in stressful critical illnesses. Due to many disorders in platelet function, hemorrhage is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients affected by myeloproliferative diseases. We report here the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a rare case of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, emphasizing the importance of MRI in the differential diagnosis.

Congenital absence of the portal vein in a middle-aged man.

Congenital absence of the portal vein with systemic diversion of mesenteric blood is extremely rare. We report a case of a congenital absence of the portal vein, accidentally discovered in a 59-year-old man, completely asymptomatic and not associated with other malformations or biochemical disorders. Ultrasonography imaging showed the absence of the portal vein and the distal tract of superior mesenteric and splenic veins draining together into a dilated left renal vein. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance confirmed the presence of a congenital portosystemic venous shunt and also revealed two hepatic arteries: one arising from the celiac trunk and the other from the superior mesenteric artery.

Atypical localization and atypical magnetic resonance imaging findings of a paraganglioma at the mouth mucosa.

We present a case of a paraganglioma located at the cheek. The benign nature of the lesion was certainly suggested by the patient's anamnesis, ecotomography, and needle biopsy; nevertheless, before the excision, the surgeon requested magnetic resonance imaging with contrast stain only to better evaluate the relationship between the lesion and the surrounding structures and not to have a precise diagnosis.Under magnetic resonance examination by using T1, T2, and T1 before and after contrast sequences, it showed an aspect different from the conventionally described features for this kind of lesion. After excision, the mass showed a yellowish color and a liquid content. Histologic examination described it as having the features of a glomus tumor.

Anatomic examination of the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle using magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data.

The aim of this work was to ascertain the different kinds of insertion of the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) on the temporomandibular joint and to clarify its physiology to understand its possible role in the dysfunction at the temporomandibular joint. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were used in this work to achieve a direct view of the LPM on a large number of selected patients with dysfunction at the temporomandibular joint.The study population was composed of 92 patients, of whom 74 were women and 18 were men. Their age range was from 19 to 53 years (mean age, 31 years). The images were analyzed using the following parameters: symmetry of morphologic insertions of the upper head of the LPM, types of muscular insertion divided into 3 groups (A, single bundle on the capsule and condyle; B, one bundle on the disk and a second bundle on the condyle; and C, one bundle only on the disk), and relationship between disk position regarding the condyle in patients with disk dislocations with or without reduction and upper head of the LPM. The chi-square test was used to measure the magnitude of the results.It is possible to impute to the C-type insertion morphology a negative prognostic value for a long-term improvement of disk pathology and to consider the possibility that this muscle may contribute to dislocating the disk when its insertion was directed only on the disk itself. When the upper head of the LPM was inserted on the disk, the percentage of disk dislocation without reduction was greater.