RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of fused three-dimensional T2 sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions (3D-SPACE) and three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) sequences for detecting neurovascular compression (NVC) in patients presenting with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). METHODS: A prospective study was carried in 33 consecutive patients (m/f: 17/16; mean age, 56.3 ± 10.4 years) with unilateral TN confirmed NVC and consensus by two experienced radiologists on fused 3D-SPACE and 3D-TOF-MRA sequences of 3-tesla (3-T) MRI. All patients underwent microvascular decompression (MVD), using photos and video in surgery as documents compared with MRI. Both the MRI and MVD were reported for three grades (contact, compression, distortion), vessel types (artery or vein), identification of offending vessel, site (juxtapontine, cisternal, and juxtapetrous), and location (cranial, caudal, medial, lateral). Agreement between preoperative MRI visualization and surgical findings was assessed using the kappa (K) statistic. RESULTS: The k-values for the agreement were excellent for the grade of NVC (k=0.82), vessel types (k=0.78), and location of conflict (k=0.74), and good for identification of the offending vessel (0.65) and the site-affected vessel (k=0.69). CONCLUSION: The fused D3-SPACE and 3D-TOF-MRA images are highly effective tools for the evaluation and treatment planning of NVC in TN patients.
RESUMEN
Isolated gallbladder injuries are very uncommon in blunt abdominal trauma due to its small size. Further, they are well protected by the surrounding liver, omentum, and the rib cage. A case of traumatic gallbladder injury in a 47-year-old man with progressive right hypochondrial pain is presented. The gallbladder injury was caused due to a blunt abdominal trauma after a motor vehicle accident. The patient had a history of chronic alcoholism and narcotics abuse. The patient was also human immunodeficiency virus-positive and was on stable treatment for tuberculosis. A diagnosis of gallbladder contusion with intramural dissection was made after an ultrasound and computed tomography scan. However, the patient refused surgery and thus, an ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the gallbladder was performed as a temporary treatment. Subsequently, a successful cholecystectomy was performed. Isolated traumatic gallbladder injury has been reviewed due to the rarity of this condition and the diagnostic challenges it poses.
