Hirayama disease is a cervical flexion myelopathy that typically causes upper extremity weakness in young male patients. We present two male patients (age 15 and 29) with MRI findings of thoracic ligamentous laxity similar in appearance to Hirayama disease. However, patients presented with atypical symptoms, specifically back pain and paresthesia of the upper and/or lower extremities, likely correlating to the abnormal thoracic spinal levels involved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Reduced gray-white matter contrast along the central sulcus has been described on T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to assess the gray-white matter contrast of the motor cortex on double inversion recovery (DIR), a sequence with superior gray-white matter differentiation.
Methods: The gray-white matter signal on DIR was retrospectively compared to T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (T1-MPRAGE) using normal (n = 25) and abnormal (n = 25) functional MRI (fMRI) exams.
Hemorrhage volume is an important variable in emergently assessing traumatic brain injury (TBI). The most widely used method for rapid volume estimation is ABC/2, a simple algorithm that approximates lesion geometry as perfectly ellipsoid. The relative prognostic value of volume measurement based on more precise hematoma topology remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present the appearance of brain capillary telangiectasia on 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion. A 42-year-old female presented with intermittent left arm weakness and paresthesia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Probl Diagn Radiol
October 2021
Background And Purpose: Multiple radiographic terms can be used to describe enlarged ventricles on noncontrast head computed tomography (CTs); however, precise terminology is important to determine etiology and clinical management. The purpose of this study was to characterize how ventricular size was described in radiology reports, especially in the setting of hydrocephalus.
Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of adult patients with at least 2 consecutive noncontrast head CTs from 2010 to 2016 was performed.
The rise of the #MeToo movement has sparked renewed conversations about sexual harassment in the workplace. All medical fields, including radiology, can benefit from reflecting on workplace culture, reviewing policies, and committing to change. This review provides an overview of the #MeToo movement, describes the prevalence of sexual harassment in medicine and radiology, summarizes barriers to reporting incidents of sexual harassment, evaluates the backlash to the #MeToo movement, and discusses policies and procedures to aid in preventing sexual harassment in the #MeToo era.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Interview selection of candidates for academic radiology faculty positions is variable and subject to unconscious biases. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively apply a quantitative curriculum vitae (CV) rubric as a screening tool to identify qualified candidates for further consideration in the hiring process.
Materials And Methods: Archived CVs submitted by applicants between 2012 and 2017 for neuroradiology faculty positions at our institution were anonymized.
Fogging is a deceptive phenomenon that can partially or completely obscure a subacute infarct on noncontrast head CT. We present the appearance of infarct fogging on CT perfusion through 3 cases. At time of fogging, the subacute infarctions demonstrated variable mean transit time with increased cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow on CT perfusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith continued technologic advances, it is not surprising that gaming techniques are increasingly being used in radiology residency programs. This comprehensive review on gaming in radiology education offers insight into the importance of gaming, types of games and principles utilized in gaming, as well as applications that are inherent in artificial intelligence and continued medical education. The advantages and disadvantages of gaming will be considered, as well as barriers to successful adoption of gaming.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFForensic radiology is a relatively unknown subspecialty which is becoming increasingly more important. The field incorporates antemortem and postmortem imaging for the detection and documentation of various pathologies for medicolegal purposes. Postmortem imaging is increasingly used in conjunction with the traditional autopsy in a process called a "virtual" autopsy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale And Objectives: Interpreting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be an overwhelming and challenging task for trainees, particularly when post processing, synthesizing and interpreting data from multiple language paradigms. Currently, there is no established best method for teaching fMRI interpretation to new trainees. The purpose of our study is to compare the use of combined task activation display (CTAD) and conventional display of fMRI language paradigms as an effective method to teach fMRI to the introductory learner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Contrast-enhanced (CE) Constructive Interference in Steady State (CISS) and Volumetric Interpolated Breath-hold Examination (VIBE) are MRI sequences used to improve the detection of pituitary adenomas and adjacent cranial nerves. The purpose of this study was to assess image quality and identify imaging predictors of postoperative hormonal remission of functioning pituitary adenomas using CE-T1 weighted image (WI), T2WI, CE-CISS, and CE-VIBE MRI sequences.
Materials And Methods: Patients with pre-operative CE-T1WI, T2WI, CE-CISS, and CE-VIBE pituitary MRI sequences were included in this institutional retrospective review.
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a genetic disorder that is caused by mutations in the x-linked gene coding for methyl-CpG-biding-protein 2 (MECP2) and that mainly affects females. Male and female transgenic mouse models of RTT have been studied extensively, and we have learned a great deal regarding RTT neuropathology and how MeCP2 deficiency may be influencing brain function and maturation. In this manuscript we review what is known concerning structural and coinciding functional and behavioral deficits in RTT and in mouse models of MeCP2 deficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Posterior fossa arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are associated with increased risk of rupture and severe consequences from such rupture. The hemorrhagic risk of prenidal aneurysms (anr) on the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) may exceed that of the AVM in posterior fossa AVMs fed by PICA (PICA-AVM).
Objective: To characterize the relative risks of aneurysm and AVM hemorrhage in patients with posterior fossa AVMs.
Background: Embolization has been discussed as a feasible single modality treatment for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Objective: To compare hemorrhagic risk between embolization and conservative management in a multivariate survival analysis.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with intracranial AVMs evaluated at our institution from 1990 to 2013.
Background: Seizure risk has not been fully characterized in pediatric patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Objective: To describe the progression and risk factors of post-treatment seizure in children with AVMs.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients diagnosed with intracranial AVMs at our institution between 1990 and 2013.
Background: The Spetzler-Martin grading system for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is based on size (S), eloquence (E), and deep venous drainage (V). However, variation exists due to subgroup heterogeneity. While previous studies have demonstrated variations in outcomes within grade III AVMs, no studies have focused on grade II AVM subtypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma (PISCL) is a rare diagnosis with poorly understood disease progression. Clarification of the factors associated with survival in PISCL patients is warranted.
Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study utilizing prospectively collected data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.
Background: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) diffuseness has been shown to be prognostic of treatment outcomes. We assessed interobserver agreement of AVM diffuseness among physicians of different specialty and training backgrounds using digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
Methods: All research protocols were approved by the institutional review board for this retrospective chart review.
Treatment selection for patients 60years of age and older with intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), requires careful consideration of the natural history and post-treatment hemorrhagic risk. We aimed to directly compare the natural history of AVMs with post-treatment hemorrhagic risk in this population. We retrospectively reviewed our AVM database of 683 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Management decisions for brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complicated by balancing the risks of treatment and natural progression to hemorrhage. The present study seeks to compare radiosurgery and conservative management outcomes in brainstem AVMs.
Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with brainstem AVM seen at our institution from 1990 to 2013.
Objective: The safety of carotid revascularization in patients with concomitant extracranial carotid stenosis and cerebral aneurysm is rarely reported. We examine the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm growth, ipsilateral transient ischemic attack, or stroke after revascularization in patients with both carotid stenosis and cerebral aneurysms.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with concomitant diagnosis of aneurysm and carotid stenosis evaluated in the neurosurgical department at our institution from 1990 to 2013 was carried out.
Objective: The risk of delayed hemorrhage occurring greater than 2 years after treatment in brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) rarely is reported. In this study, we compare the risk of delayed hemorrhage across different treatment modalities.
Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of treated patients with a single intracranial AVM seen at our institution from 1990 to 2013.
Background: Giant intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare cerebrovascular lesions that pose management challenges.
Objective: To further clarify outcomes in patients with giant cerebral AVMs managed with conservative or interventional therapies.
Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with AVMs evaluated at our institution from 1990 to 2013.