MR imaging anatomy of the optic pathways.

Imaging in neuro-ophthalmology is a major, developing field. Visual and motor ocular symptoms and signs are of diagnostic and localizing significance, and occur frequently in patients with brain space-occupying lesions. Knowledge of the anatomy of the optic pathways extending from the retina to the calcarine fissure throughout the brain is crucial. Multiplanar high resolution MR imaging permits the physician to depict the visual path with exquisite detail. This article provides a correlative regional anatomic and imaging atlas of the brain following the optic pathways, with reference to the most accurate technical imaging procedures.

Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to the knowledge of CNS malformations related to chromosomal aberrations.

Twelve patients presenting with various clinico-pathological syndromes related to chromosomal diseases have been evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. They include patients with trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, 4p-syndrome, 5p-syndrome, and 7p-syndrome. In all these patients karyotype studies were performed demonstrating the chromosomal aberrations. All patients were examined using magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the head and neck malformations which may be specifically associated with their chromosomal anomaly. We were particularly interested in brain abnormalities and the morphological findings correlated with some pathologic anatomical findings. A review of the literature on neuropathological data is reported and compared with the in vivo anatomical results obtained using this highly anatomical non-ionising and non-invasive investigative procedure. Particular interest is paid to trisomy 21 in which all recognizable stereotyped morphological skull and brain malformations are depicted with magnetic resonance and some other malformations demonstrated such as the excessive forward bending and ascension of the brainstem which correlated well with a simian cephalic organization.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the opto-chiasmatic region. Report on 276 cases.

A total of 276 lesions in the sellar and parasellar region were studied with magnetic resonance imaging using two different magnets of 0.15 and 0.5 T, respectively. Examination in the sagittal plane is recommended. T1 weighted images will give anatomic details, T2 weighted images the tissue characteristics. No marked differences with regard to diagnostic results were noted with the two different magnets, although the signals appeared to be more intense when using a 0.5 T magnet.

Cephalic magnetic resonance imaging of boxers. Preliminary results.

A prospective study of 52 boxers, 20-60 years, 13 of them amateurs and 39 professionals, has been made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 0.15 T. Twelve of the boxers were still active, while the other 40 had retired after about 10 years of boxing. Multi-slices in two planes without gap were performed using T1 and T2 weighted sequences. The findings were correlated to the number of matches, the number of knock outs, the severity of head trauma, the style of the boxer, and to the clinical findings and the findings at EEG. There was a good correspondence between the presence of lesions and the style of the boxer. The changes noted--mainly atrophic--occurred among those with capacity to 'stand punishment'. MRI offers an opportunity to evaluate the effect of trauma and the information obtained may be used to prevent disabilities among boxers.