Cost-effectiveness analysis of a non-contrast screening MRI protocol for vestibular schwannoma in patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss.

Purpose: We aimed to determine if a non-contrast screening MRI is cost-effective compared to a full MRI protocol with contrast for the evaluation of vestibular schwannomas.

Methods: A decision tree was constructed to evaluate full MRI and screening MRI strategies for patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. If a patient were to have a positive screening MRI, s/he received a full MRI.

Homonymous hemianopia due to Erdheim-Chester disease.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis typically affecting multiple organ systems. We report 2 patients who presented with homonymous hemianopia and were ultimately diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed ECD. We review the spectrum of ECD and its treatment as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical differentiation from other histiocytic disorders.

Optic nerve enhancement in Coats disease with secondary glaucoma.

Differentiating between Coats disease and retinoblastoma can be challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging typically is obtained when retinoblastoma is suspected to evaluate for a mass or optic nerve infiltration, the latter appearing as an enhancing lesion. We report a case of optic nerve enhancement observed in the setting of an acute secondary glaucoma in a patient with unilateral Coats retinopathy.

Imaging findings in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaws.

Purpose: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a well-described clinical condition with consistent radiographic findings. The purpose of this report was to review these findings in an attempt to offer important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information associated with BRONJ.

Materials And Methods: The findings of studies assessing the radiographic landmarks on plain films, intraoral films, orthopantograph, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear bone scans in patients with BRONJ were analyzed.

The radiologic evaluation of tinnitus.

Tinnitus ("ringing in the ears") is a prevalent symptom in the general population, and often brings patients to medical attention. Many causes of tinnitus are evident radiographically. The most frequently-encountered causes of tinnitus are discussed, and imaging recommendations are provided.

Magnetic resonance appearance of the inner ear after hearing-preservation surgery.

Objective: To determine whether the appearance of the inner ear on T2-weighted follow-up magnetic resonance imaging correlates with hearing status after hearing-preservation surgery for vestibular schwannoma.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral medical center.

Role of MR and CT in the paranasal sinuses.

This article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of MR imaging and computed tomography as they relate to sinus disease.

Sagittal and coronal dimensions of the ethmoid roof: a radioanatomic study.

Background: Understanding the anatomy of the ethmoid roof is critical to safe surgical outcomes. Normative data regarding the height and slope of this region have been somewhat limited, derived primarily from cadaveric coronal computed tomography (CT) studies. With triplanar imaging programs, precise multidimensional measurements of the ethmoid roof are now possible.

Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma.

Objectives: Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that arise from nerves. Those originating from the sympathetic cervical chain are rare. We describe our experience with the clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes of patients with this pathology.

Imaging of chemosensory loss.

Clinical assessment of olfactory dysfunction can be challenging. Because olfactory disturbances comprise most chemosensory abnormalities with imaging findings, this article focuses on the imaging of smell disorders. This article reviews the normal imaging appearance of the olfactory apparatus, discusses the respective roles of CT and MRI, provides illustrative imaging of typical pathologic lesions, and discusses a clinically based imaging strategy.

Preoperative appearance of facial muscles on magnetic resonance predicts final facial function after acoustic neuroma surgery.

Objective: Several previous studies have shown that muscle appearance on magnetic resonance is a sensitive indicator of muscle denervation. Previous attempts at determining preoperative indicators of final facial function after acoustic neuroma removal has been mostly unsuccessful. The goal of this study was to determine if the appearance of the facial muscles on preoperative imaging is predictive of final facial function after surgical removal of vestibular schwannomas.

Hypotonus maculopathy: magnetic resonance appearance.

Purpose: To report the magnetic resonance appearance of hypotonus maculopathy.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: A 48-year-old man with a long history of glaucoma and subsequent trabeculectomy in the right eye developed hypotonus maculopathy.

The diagnostic utility of computed tomography for preoperative localization in surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives/hypothesis: Successful unilateral or minimal-access parathyroid exploration and reoperative surgery of the parathyroid glands requires accurate preoperative localization of parathyroid disease. Although ultrasound and nuclear imaging techniques have an established role in this regard, the use of computed tomography (CT) for parathyroid exploration is not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to better define the diagnostic utility of CT in preoperative localization of the abnormal gland in surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Perineural spread of malignant melanoma of the head and neck: clinical and imaging features.

Background And Purpose: Extension of malignant melanoma along cranial nerves is a little-known complication of malignant melanoma of the head and neck. We describe the clinical and MR imaging findings of perineural spread of malignant melanoma to cranial nerves, emphasizing that this entity occurs more commonly with desmoplastic histology and may have a long latent period following primary diagnosis.

Methods: At two institutions, we identified and retrospectively reviewed eight cases of malignant melanoma of the head and neck that had MR imaging evidence of perineural spread of disease.

Infection of the facial area, oral cavity, oropharynx, and retropharynx.

Radiologists play an important role in the evaluation of upper neck infections. Although most oral cavity infections arise from diseased teeth, several other sources of infection need to be considered. The distinction between abscess and phlegmon is of particular importance.

Preoperative facial muscle imaging predicts final facial function after facial nerve grafting.

Background And Purpose: Our goal was to determine whether preoperative MR imaging of facial muscles predicts facial function after facial nerve grafting.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing facial nerve grafting between 1997 and 2001 revealed 26 patients. Twelve of the patients had adequate preoperative MR images available for review and had undergone clinical follow-up for at least 12 months.