The presence of large focal lesions is a strong independent prognostic factor in multiple myeloma.

Spatial intratumor heterogeneity is frequently seen in multiple myeloma (MM) and poses a significant challenge for risk classifiers, which rely on tumor samples from the iliac crest. Because biopsy-based assessment of multiple skeletal sites is difficult, alternative strategies for risk stratification are required. Recently, the size of focal lesions (FLs) was shown to be a surrogate marker for spatial heterogeneity, suggesting that data from medical imaging could be used to improve risk stratification approaches.

PRES and Epilepsy: A Potential Long-Term Consequence of a "Reversible" Syndrome.

Epilepsy is very rarely attributed to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). We report the case of a previously healthy 21-year-old who developed epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis following an episode of PRES related to a complicated Cesarean delivery. Neuroimaging at the time of PRES and 3 months after revealed the development of unilateral hippocampal volume loss following resolution of acute PRES-related brain edema.

Characterization of Thyroid Nodules by 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography: Initial Experience.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the use of 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) for characterization of thyroid nodules.

Methods: Our study drew from 100 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent 4D parathyroid CT imaging for adenoma localization. Included subjects had tissue sampling of a thyroid nodule within 3 months of 4DCT.

Features of infratentorial-predominant posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurotoxic process that typically occurs in the setting of immune dysregulation. In contrast to the characteristic pattern involving parieto-occipital and posterior frontal regions, predominant involvement of the infratentorial brain occurs in a minority of PRES patients. We examined six patients with infratentorial predominant posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (IPPRES) relative to those with typical PRES in terms of clinical factors of toxicity and outcomes.

Elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase at posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome onset in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients.

The pathophysiology of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is incompletely understood; however, an underlying state of immune dysregulation and endothelial dysfunction has been proposed. We examined alterations of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a marker of endothelial dysfunction, relative to the development of PRES in patients receiving chemotherapy. A retrospective Institutional Review Board approved database of 88 PRES patients was examined.

Lithium toxicity and PRES: a novel association.

We report two cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) occurring in association with supra-therapeutic serum lithium levels. Although the neurologic manifestations of lithium toxicity are well known, this is, to our knowledge, the first report describing a link between lithium toxicity and PRES. We discuss the current understanding of the pathogenesis of PRES and suggest mechanisms by which lithium may play a role in its development.

ACR appropriateness criteria sinonasal disease.

Sinonasal imaging is performed in 2 major clinical scenarios: inflammatory rhinosinusitis or suspected mass lesion. Rhinosinusitis affects more than 16% of the US population annually. It poses an immense economic burden, accounting for more than 26 million outpatient visits annually and costing more than $4.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria(®) myelopathy.

Myelopathy is a problem that requires imaging to distinguish among numerous specifically treatable causes. The first priority is to determine mechanical stability after trauma. Next, it is crucial to distinguish intrinsic disease from extrinsic compression-for example, by epidural abscess.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® on cerebrovascular disease.

Stroke is the sudden onset of focal neurologic symptoms due to ischemia or hemorrhage in the brain. Current FDA-approved clinical treatment of acute ischemic stroke involves the use of the intravenous thrombolytic agent recombinant tissue plasminogen activator given <3 hours after symptom onset, following the exclusion of intracerebral hemorrhage by a noncontrast CT scan. Advanced MRI, CT, and other techniques may confirm the stroke diagnosis and subtype, demonstrate lesion location, identify vascular occlusion, and guide other management decisions but, within the first 3 hours after ictus, should not delay or be used to withhold recombinant tissue plasminogen activator therapy after the exclusion of acute hemorrhage on noncontrast CT scans.

Ectopic pituitary adenoma in persistent craniopharyngeal canal: case report and literature review.

An ectopic location of pituitary adenoma is rare. Nasopharyngeal location of ectopic pituitary adenoma has been attributed to remnants of the Rathke pouch. We describe an interesting case of ectopic pituitary adenoma in the setting of partially persistent craniopharyngeal canal.

Spontaneous postpartum resolution of vision loss caused by a progesterone receptor-positive tuberculum sellae meningioma.

A 27-year-old pregnant woman reported progressive loss of vision. Brain MRI disclosed an intracranial mass compressing the optic nerves and chiasm with imaging features suggestive of meningioma. Because delivery was imminent, surgical removal was deferred.

Congruence of BOLD response across intertemporal choice conditions: fictive and real money gains and losses.

Intertemporal choice is predicated on the valuation of commodities with respect to delay until their receipt. Subjective value of a future outcome decreases, or is discounted, as a function of that delay (Bickel and Johnson, 2003). Although behavioral studies suggest no difference between the devaluation of real and fictive outcomes, no neuroimaging studies have investigated potential differences in the underlying deliberative process.

Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple myeloma: diagnostic and clinical implications.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) permits the detection of diffuse and focal bone marrow infiltration in the absence of osteopenia or focal osteolysis on standard metastatic bone surveys (MBSs).

Patients And Methods: Both baseline MBS and MRI were available in 611 of 668 myeloma patients who were treated uniformly with a tandem autologous transplantation-based protocol and were evaluated to determine their respective merits for disease staging, response assessment, and outcome prediction.

Results: MRI detected focal lesions (FLs) in 74% and MBS in 56% of imaged anatomic sites; 52% of 267 patients with normal MBS results and 20% of 160 with normal MRI results had FL on MRI and MBS, respectively.

Multiple myeloma: clinical review and diagnostic imaging.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant clonal neoplasm of plasma cells of B-lymphocyte origin that commonly results in overproduction of large amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Important advances in the therapeutic management of this disease in the past decade have resulted in higher rates of durable complete remission, prolonged event-free survival, and improved overall survival. Clearer understanding of the effects of abnormal plasma cells on bone has led to therapeutic approaches that help prevent vertebral body fractures.