Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging: is it valuable in the detection of brain microstructural changes in patients having migraine without aura?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of brain microstructural changes in patients having migraine without aura. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our prospective study included 33 patients having migraine without aura and 15 volunteers with matched age and sex, who underwent brain MRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of selected grey and white matter regions on both sides were measured and correlated with the neurological clinical examination. RESULTS: Significant differences were detected in MD values in the thalamus, globus pallidus, and hippocampus head on the right side of patients versus controls. Also, significant differences of the FA values were detected in the thalamus, globus pallidus, and hippocampus head on the right side of patients versus controls. Regarding the FA values of the same regions on the left side, a significant difference in the FA value was detected only in the hippocampus head. There was a statistically significant difference in the FA values on both sides of the white matter of the frontal lobes, posterior limbs of the internal capsules, and cerebellar hemispheres in patients compared to controls. There was a statistically significant difference in MD values in the white matter of both frontal lobes, posterior limb of the right internal capsule, and both cerebellar hemispheres in patients compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: DTI can detect microstructural changes of the grey and white matter in patients having migraine without aura that could not be detected by conventional MRI.

Multislice computed tomography evaluation of primary abdominal fat necrosis: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

PURPOSE: Abdominal fat necrosis is a rare cause of abdominal acute pain, classified into primary or secondary according to the cause. Primary fat necrosis includes epiploic appendagitis or idiopathic infarction of the greater omentum. This retrospective study focuses on multislice computed tomography (MSCT) findings and diagnosis of primary abdominal fat necrosis as a cause of acute abdomen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study with 20 patients included, presented to emergency room with acute abdominal pain diagnosed as primary fat necrosis. Retrospective evaluation was made of the patients' clinical data, presentation, CT studies done at the acute stage, and their primary and final diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty patients (eight male and 12 female, mean age 45 years, age range 20-70 years) diagnosed with abdominal fat necrosis (primary omental infarct) on CT imaging between October 2014 and June 2018 were evaluated. Clinically, five patients were suspected to be cholecystitis¸ eight patients as appendicitis, and four patients as diverticulitis. In addition, three patients had renal colic and were suspected to have ureteric stones; they showed suspected areas of abnormal fat density in non-contrast CT of the urinary tract. Idiopathic omental infarctions were detected in 13 patients on CT; all were on the right side. Laparoscopic excision was done for all. The other seven patients had epiploic appendagitis, seen on the left side, treated with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: Primary fat necrosis, although rare, can be presented as acute abdomen. MSCT is the main diagnostic tool for diagnosis of omental infraction and differentiation between other causes of acute abdomen.