Review of the structural and functional brain changes associated with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to profound metabolic and hemodynamic changes, which damage other organs, such as heart and brain. The brain abnormalities and cognitive deficit progress with the severity of the CKD and are mostly expressed among hemodialysis patients. They have great socio-economic impact. In this review, we present the current knowledge of involved mechanisms.

[Whole-Body CT Scan and Other Imaging Techniques in Examining Polytrauma Patients - Outcomes of a Questionnaire Survey of Trauma Centres in the Czech Republic]. / Celotelové CT a dalsí zobrazovací metody pri vysetrení pacienta s polytraumatem ­ výsledky dotazníkové studie mezi traumacentry v Ceské republice.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The study aimed to map the use of imaging techniques and results reporting in polytrauma patients by the trauma centres in the Czech Republic. MATERIAL AND METHODS The representatives of radiology departments and units of all 12 trauma centres in the Czech Republic completed a questionnaire regarding the imaging in polytrauma patients. RESULTS The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) as an initial imaging is used by all the centres, the WholeBody CT scan (WBCT) is the dominant imaging technique everywhere and all the centres have standards in place for its performance. The WBCT examination protocol varies across the centres, just like the evaluation procedures of the CT scan and reporting of the results over to the indicating physicians. In majority of centres, there is a high percentage of WBCT with normal findings. One of the centres which uses also X-rays as a part of imaging algorithm, reports a notably higher percentage of WBCT positive findings. DISCUSSION When considering the radiation dose, data and time necessary for WBCT, work required to assess the WBCT and a large number of negative findings, it is disputable whether in a number of cases the WBCT is a suitable method for polytrauma patient examination. Similar conclusions have been drawn also by other authors who recommend that the WBCT is always used for unconscious polytrauma patients, in whom a clinical examination is virtually impossible. In the other cases, based on the clinical parameters the other imaging techniques and the focused CT (and in the indicated cases also the wholebody CT) can be safely used. CONCLUSIONS he diagnostic procedure in a polytrauma patient is not uniform in trauma centres and even the procedure for urgent reporting of crucial WBCT findings to clinical physicians has not been standardised. In a number of cases the indication for WBCT seems to be unnecessary. A more careful consideration of indications for imaging examinations based on the clinical finding may reduce the radiation exposure of patients while maintaining the diagnostic accuracy. A structured report on WBCT in polytrauma is not used even though it is recommended by the European Society of Radiology. Key words:polytrauma, diagnostic imaging, Whole-Body Computed Tomography, structured report.

Can morphological MRI differentiate between primary central nervous system lymphoma and glioblastoma?

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare, aggressive brain neoplasm that accounts for roughly 2-6% of primary brain tumors. In contrast, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and severe glioma subtype, accounting for approximately 50% of diffuse gliomas. The aim of the present study was to evaluate morphological MRI characteristics in histologically-proven PCNSL and GBM at the time of their initial presentation. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated standard diagnostic MRI examinations in 54 immunocompetent patients (26 female, 28 male; age 62.6 ± 11.5 years) with histologically-proven PCNSL and 54 GBM subjects (21 female, 33 male; age 59 ± 14 years). RESULTS: Several significant differences between both infiltrative brain tumors were found. PCNSL lesions enhanced homogenously in 64.8% of cases, while nonhomogeneous enhancement was observed in 98.1% of GBM cases. Necrosis was present in 88.9% of GBM lesions and only 5.6% of PCNSL lesions. PCNSL presented as multiple lesions in 51.9% cases and in 35.2% of GBM cases; however, diffuse infiltrative type of brain involvement was observed only in PCNSL (24.1%). Optic pathways were infiltrated more commonly in PCNSL than in GBM (42.6% vs. 5.6%, respectively, p <0.001). Other cranial nerves were affected in 5.6% of PCNSL, and in none of GBM. Signs of bleeding were rare in PCNSL (5.6%) and common in GBM (44.4%); p < 0.001. Both supratentorial and infratentorial localization was present only in PCNSL (27.7%). Involvement of the basal ganglia was more common in PCNSL (55.6%) than in GBM (18.5%); (p < 0.001). Cerebral cortex was affected significantly more often in GBM (83.3%) than in PCNSL (51.9%); mostly by both enhancing and non-enhancing infiltration. CONCLUSION: Routine morphological MRI is capable of differentiating between GBM and PCNSL lesions in many cases at time of initial presentation. A solitary infiltrative supratentorial lesion with nonhomogeneous enhancement and necrosis was typical for GBM. PCNSL presented with multiple lesions that enhanced homogenously or as diffuse infiltrative type of brain involvement, often with basal ganglia and optic pathways affection.

[Abdominal tuberculosis in CT imaging]. / Abdominální tuberkulóza v CT obrazu.

According to WHO declaration, tuberculosis is considered the world health danger. Almost 1% of world population is infected by tuberculosis every year and up to 3 millions of new cases are registered in the south-east Asia only. Prevalence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is rising, which is probably caused by the rising prevalence of AIDS. Fifty eight years old man, the immigrant from south-east Asia was accepted in a subileous state at the department of Internal medicine. He had suffered for longer period from the torpidness, tabescence and other non-specific symptoms. Among results of laboratory tests, the higher erythrocyte sedimentation and elevation of liver tests were conspicuous. After the colonoscopy, suspicion on the Crohn's disease was expressed. CT examination revealed several segments of the infected intestine. Both the small and large intestine were affected with skip-lesions; short afflicted segments had not the passage impaired with no ring-like dilatations. Mesenterial, periportal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes were enlarged. In the small pelvis, between the intestine and at the dorsal margin of the liver, some free fluid was visible. Abdominal parenchymatose organs had no obvious focal afflictions. In the differential diagnose, the Crohn's disease and the malignant lymphoma were considered. The probatory laparoscopy gave the correct diagnosis of the abdominal tuberculosis. Prevalence of tuberculosis is rising in the whole world, and in western countries rare cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can be found. A higher attention is necessary in cases of immuno-suppressed patients, who earlier lived in countries with endemic tuberculosis, or in cases of patients originating in those countries.

[Our first experience with CT enteroclysis]. / Nase první zkusenosti s CT enteroklyzou.

BACKGROUND: Small intestine belongs to abdominal organs which are difficult to imagine. Methods of examination have therefore continuously improved in order to get better picture of the intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: CT enteroclysis represents a modern method of the small intestine imagining which combines classical enteroclysis with spiral abdominal CT. Small intestine is filled with negative contrast material applied by an enteric tube. The negative contrast material optimises visualisation of the intestinal wall, namely after the enhancement using iodine intravenous contrast. Within 23 months we examined 33 patients with gastroenterological indication using CT enteroclysis. In 31 cases results were technically satisfactory, small intestine was well filled by the negative contrast material and sufficiently distended. According to clinical indications patients were classified into four groups. Group A: 10 patients with problematic indications. No pathological changes were found in this group. Group B: 8 patients suspected of Crohn's disease. Only two cases were negative in this group. In 6 cases signs of inflammation in the small or large intestine were found. Group C: 6 patients after the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease, suspected of the recurrence. All patients had signs of the recurrence. Group D: 7 patients with various clinical diagnoses. Examination was in 2 cases negative, in other 5 cases some pathological changes of the intestine were found: Icase of malabsorption, 3 cases of adhesion and hernia, 1 case of intestinal inflammation with covered perforation and inter-intestinal abscess. CONCLUSIONS: CT enteroclysis was confirmed to be effective method for high quality imaging of the small intestine with associated tissues and the whole abdominal cavity. However, it is a method with represent irradiation, stress of intravenous administration of the contrast material and the discomfort related to enteric tube. Examination should not be indicated in cases of the problematic diagnosis only. However, in cases of correct indication signs of pathology were frequently confirmed.

[Initial experience with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography]. / Nase první zkusenosti s magneticko-rezonancní cholangiopankreatikografií.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) is based on heavily weighted T2 sequences (ETSE--echo-train spin echo) with suppression of fat, giving visualisation of slowly flowing or stagnating fluid. MRCP are short sequences in coronary plane with thickness of 8 cm or 4 mm. Retrospective analysis of all MRCP examinations performed during last 12 months is presented. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-eight examinations were done, of which 67 ones with both adequate technical quality and clinical indication were included into the study (20 males aged 25-83 years, 47 women aged 19-82 years). Patients were divided into 4 groups regarding to the indications (group I.--temporary cholestasis, normal abdominal ultrasound, II.--definite cholestasis, III.--pathologic findings on pancreas, IV.--other). Vast majority of patients were included into group I (35 subjects). In 7 (20%) of them choledocholithiasis and/or stenoses (including multiple stenoses in primary sclerotizing cholangoitis) were found. MRCP brought diagnostic information in subjects with cholestasis (group II.) and answered questions given by clinicians. However, in 1 of 4 subjects with primary sclerotizing cholangoitis, MRCP did not reveal intra-hepatic stenoses, which were later visualised by classical ERCP. Only the extrahepatic stenoses were diagnosed by MRCP in the latter subject. CONCLUSIONS: MRCP should become a standard examination in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with cholangiopathies. MRCP has its value not only in subjects with unsuccessful or contraindicated ERCP, but also in subjects with temporary cholestasis with negative ultrasound finding.