Immediate and long-term effects of a sophomore radiology elective.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sophomore electives in radiology on medical students' career choices and later clinical practice as physicians and to assess the need for change in the curriculum.

Materials And Methods: A survey questionnaire created by the Department of Radiology was sent to graduates of the Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Ill, who had been offered a series of three sophomore electives in radiology between academic years 1978 and 1998. The survey included five questions concerning the utility of the electives.

Periventricular white matter changes and dementia. Clinical, neuropsychological, radiological, and pathological correlation.

Forty-three patients with computed tomographic scan findings of decreased attenuation in the periventricular white matter (PVWM) region were studied. Clinical evaluation revealed presence of hypertension in 36 patients (84%) and cerebrovascular risk factors in 41 patients (95%). Unilateral or bilateral neurological deficits were present in 40 patients (93%).

Magnetic resonance imaging of periventricular hyperintensity in a Veterans Administration hospital population.

Using a beta-permanent magnet (Fonar 3000), we evaluated magnetic resonance imaging of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) patterns in 60 patients (59 white, 58 men) from the Veterans Administration Hospital, North Chicago, Ill. Eighty percent of the patients had evidence of PVH, which increased significantly in patients older than age 50 years. In addition to age, history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and extracranial malignancy showed a significant association with PVH.

Early diagnosis of spinal-epidural metastasis by magnetic resonance imaging.

Sixteen patients with various types of cancer who developed pain along the axial spine were prospectively studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The studies were performed with a Fonar Beta-3000 (Fonar Co., Melville, NY) permanent magnet operating at 0.

Magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system defects in Usher's syndrome.

With the use of magnetic resonance imaging, seven patients with type II Usher's syndrome were evaluated for CNS defects. The goals of this study were to confirm the presence of CNS defects previously detected by computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with Usher's syndrome while seeking additional anatomic defects in the posterior fossa employing a potentially more sensitive procedure using magnetic resonance imaging. Findings of CNS lesions in both the midbrain (high-signal-intensity lesions) and the cerebellum (vermian atrophy) necessitate further characterization of these defects in terms of their progressive nature and clinical significance for patients with Usher's syndrome.

Recognition of lumbar disc disease with magnetic resonance imaging.

Ten normal adult volunteers, 75 patients with low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy, 16 patients following chymopapain treatment, 14 patients with recurrent symptoms following disc surgery, and two patients with distal cord compression were scanned on Fonar 3000 permanent magnet scanner. Of all the patients 98 had additional computed tomography scans (CT) of the lumbar spine and 82 had myelography. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans were both diagnostic in cases of herniated and extruded discs.

Skull x-ray in the evaluation of endocrine diseases.

The skull x-ray remains invaluable as a first step in the diagnosis of many endocrine disorders. Pituitary tumors commonly cause enlargement or distortion of the sella turcica, which can be seen on skull x-ray. Pinealomas and craniopharyngiomas may also be detected.