Supratentorial intraventricular rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors - Case report and review of treatment paradigms.

BACKGROUND: Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors (RGNT) are slow-growing WHO Grade I tumors that are characterized by mixed histology and rosette formation. Although typically located in the posterior fossa, these tumors can rarely originate elsewhere. Here, we describe the fourth case in literature where an RGNT was localized to the lateral ventricles and detail the treatment approach. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 41-year-old male presented with a 10 day history of gradually worsening headaches and mild gait difficulty. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a heterogeneously enhancing 6.0 cm left lateral ventricular cystic mass with hydrocephalus. An interhemispheric transcallosal approach was performed for tumor debulking. The mass was emanating from the roof of the left lateral ventricle. Sub-total resection (STR) was achieved. Pathology showed a glioneuronal neoplasm with vague neurocytic rosettes and loose perivascular pseudorosettes. Tumor vessels were thickly hyalinized and contained eosinophilic granular bodies and Rosenthal fibers. Tumor stained positive for GFAP, S-100, OLIG2, and SOX10, and patchy positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), D2-40, CD99, and p16. Neurocytic rosettes and perivascular structures stained positive for synaptophysin. The patient was discharged home uneventfully and remained intact at his 6-month follow-up visit. Long-term care included MRI surveillance with repeat surgery being considered in case of progression. CONCLUSION: In this report, we describe the fourth case of an RGNT being isolated to the lateral ventricles and the first where it stained positive for EMA and D2-40. Our patient's uneventful recovery after STR indicates that surgery alone continues to be a viable initial treatment option.

Improved Radiologists' Efficiency and Accuracy with the Application of Scripting Software for the Automated Reporting of Comparison Studies.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The American College of Radiology reporting guidelines state that "comparison with relevant examinations and reports should be part of the radiologic consultation and report when appropriate and available." MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the use of open-source Windows scripting software for the automated retrieval of the date and time of prior studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The date and time of the comparative study are transferred automatically to the present report in a structured voice recognition dictation system with a "regular expression substitution pattern" construct.

Imaging spectrum of CNS coccidioidomycosis: prevalence and significance of concurrent brain and spinal disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and significance of concurrent coccidioidal brain and intraspinal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective imaging review of 23 patients with proven coccidioidal CNS meningitis. RESULTS: All patients had intracranial abnormalities, and 86% (19/22) who underwent spinal imaging had signs of intraspinal disease, including leptomeningeal enhancement (84%), arachnoiditis (63%), and cord signal abnormalities (37%); seven of 15 patients (47%) who underwent myelography had complete spinal blocks. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of concurrent brain and intraspinal coccidioidomycosis supports a low threshold for spinal imaging.

Informatics in radiology: use of a macro scripting editor to facilitate transfer of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry reports into an existing departmental voice recognition dictation system.

The process of verbally reporting or manually retyping numeric data generated at dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) involves numerous pitfalls. With use of a macro scripting editor, a customized macro was created to automate the transfer of data generated by a DXA scanner into a structured voice recognition dictation system without requiring radiologists to type in a medical record number or accession number to identify the study. A preliminary report is generated with use of software for a DXA unit and a customized template that includes numeric and qualitative assessments of osteoporosis as well as data from prior studies if available. A customized macro is then invoked by the macro scripting editor, which selectively transfers the report from the draft document into the voice recognition dictation system, thereby producing a final structured diagnostic report. All of the radiologists surveyed to evaluate this automated method reported ease of software use and greater efficiency in report production. In addition, a random audit of the 800 DXA scans that have been reported with this technique demonstrated no reports generated under an incorrect accession number and no incorrect transfer of data. Automated DXA reporting is now the preferred method of dictation at the authors' institution and represents an inexpensive, accurate, and customizable means of DXA reporting.

Intracranial hypotension and recurrent pleural effusion after snow-boarding injury: a manifestation of cerebrospinal fluid-pleural fistula.

BACKGROUND DATA: Intracranial hypotension causing postural headaches has been described after occult and postsurgical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and rarely isolated lumbar punctures. The occurrence of a CSF-pleural communication is much rarer, and a high level of suspicion aids in prompt recognition. PURPOSE: Early detection and anatomic delineation of the site of CSF-pleural fistula allows prompt intervention, results in resolution of symptoms and prevents the complication of meningitis. STUDY DESIGN: A case of intracranial hypotension with postural headaches is described after spinal surgery, with demonstration on computed tomography (CT) myelography of a rare CSF-pleural fistula. METHODS: The clinical presentation, postoperative intervention and imaging as well as laboratory data are presented. RESULTS: Chest X-ray showed recurrent pleural effusion after placement of chest tube, and serial head CT studies revealed decreasing ventricular size with development of severe headaches. Myelogram and CT postmyelogram demonstrate the CSF-pleural communication, allowing appropriate surgical repair. CONCLUSION: Severe headaches with a recurrent pleural effusion after thoracic spinal surgery may indicate presence of a CSF-pleural fistula, an unusual complication of thoracic spinal surgery.