[Morphometric parameters of the neurodegenerative process in Parkinson's disease and chronic cerebral ischemia].

Authors have compared the results of MRI volumetric morphometry of brain hemispheres, substantia nigra and red nucleus in patients with different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), patients with early and developed stages of cerebrovascular disease and healthy people. Already in the early stage of disease, the degree of cerebral hemisphere atrophy was more pronounced in patients with cerebrovascular disease compared to PD patients. At the same time, multidirectional changes in the size of the substantia nigra were noted. This finding may be relevant for the diagnosis of PD in the early stages.

[Characteristics of ischemic stroke in patients with congenital anomalies of the circle of Willis].

The study included 76 patients with ischemic stroke in the carotid system (56 patients) and in the vertebrobasilar system (20 patients). The magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed congenital anomalies of Willis circle in 31 patients. These anomalies were stratified as follows: back trifurcation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) (19 patients), anterior trifurcation of the ICA (4 patients), the combination of anterior trifurcation of the one of ICA and posterior trifurcation of the other ICA (4 patients), double back trifurcation of ICA (2 patients), the normal structure of the circle of Willis (45 patients). Patients with anomalies of the circle of Willis scored significantly higher on the Neurological deficit scale NIH-NINDS. Despite the lack of significant differences in the size of lesions in 2 groups, the foci in patients with the abnormalities of the circle of Willis were frequently localized in adjacent blood supply zones. The signs of vascular encephalopathy were seen as well. The data obtained suggest that the presence of anomalies in the circle of Willis is a risk factor, together with in the additional adversities, including iatrogenic factor, for the development of hemodynamic ischemic stroke.

[Contrast myelography in the diagnosis of posterior intervertebral disk displacements of lumbar vertebrae]. / Kontrastnaia mielografiia v diagnostike zadnikh gryzh poiasnichnykh mezhpozvonkovykh diskov.

Based on the analysis of the results of 297 contrast myelographies (MG) by means of water soluble agents made in patients with posterior hernias of lumbar intervertebral disks (PHLID), the authors define the potentialities of this technique in the diagnosis of PHLID. Additionally, two oblique X-ray films have been included into the exciting filming routine, which may detect all specific features of intervertebral disk damage at MG. The authors make additions into the well-known myelographic symptomatology of PHLID, by outlining the abnormal anterior configuration of a contrast column at the level of a diseased disk in PHLID at the foraminal site. The findings suggest that contrast MG with nonionic water-soluble agents is a rather effective technique in the diagnosis of PHLID.