Acute symptomatic seizures and hippocampus damage: DWI and MRS findings.

The authors describe diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) changes in the hippocampus within 48 hours of acute symptomatic seizures or status epilepticus in 12 patients. DWI showed increased signal and a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in all patients, with corresponding lactate detected on MRS in six patients and EEG seizure activity in nine patients. On follow-up, the atrophic hippocampus had an increased ADC in six patients.

Early experiences with diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance tractography in stroke patients.

Introduction: Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging technique enable evaluation of the anisotropy of white matter tracts in-vivo, as well as the integrity of fibre tracts and their orientation. We describe our initial experiences with diffusion tensor imaging and MR tractography techniques to evaluate the structural degeneration of white matter tracts following stroke.

Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired in 11 cases with stroke on a 3T MR imaging scanner, with three-dimensional diffusion tensor imaging-based colour maps and MR tractography performed offline.

Contrast-enhanced flair imaging in the evaluation of infectious leptomeningeal diseases.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images with contrast-enhanced T1 weighted images for infectious leptomeningitis.

Materials And Methods: We studied twenty-four patients with a clinical suspicion of infectious meningitis with unenhanced FLAIR, contrast-enhanced T1 weighted and contrast-enhanced FLAIR MR sequences. Twelve patients had cytologic and biochemical diagnosis of meningitis on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination obtained 48 h before or after the MR study.

Imaging findings in primary intracranial atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors.

Background: Intracranial atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are rare and extremely aggressive neoplasms seen primarily in childhood. Imaging features are often considered non-specific. However, correct diagnosis of AT/RT is important because these tumors have a markedly different clinical prognosis and require more aggressive therapy.

Petrified ears in a patient with Keutel syndrome: temporal bone CT findings.

We present unusual imaging findings of petrified ears in a 9-year-old girl with Keutel syndrome. The patient presented for a temporal bone study for hearing loss. CT scan showed middle and inner ear abnormalities along with extensive and unsuspected calcification of the external ears and ossicular ligaments.

Identification of an epithelial-specific enhancer regulating ESX expression.

The Ets transcription factor, ESX, exhibits a unique pattern of epithelial-restricted expression and transactivates genes involved in epithelial differentiation and cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the underlying genetic basis for epithelial-specific expression of ESX. We have identified a 30bp ESX enhancer sequence (EES) approximately 3 kb upstream of the proximal promoter.

Multi-voxel MR spectroscopic imaging of the brain: utility in clinical setting-initial results.

Background And Purpose: Compared to single voxel methods, MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the brain provides metabolic information with improved anatomical coverage and spectral resolution, but may be difficult to perform in the clinical setting. We evaluate the factors influencing spectral quality in MRSI using a semi-automated method, focussing on lipid contamination, and phase correction errors related to magnetic field inhomogeneity.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed MRSI studies planned by radiologists and radiographers.

Hyperplasia, reduced E-cadherin expression, and developmental arrest in mammary glands oxidatively stressed by loss of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase.

To investigate the dysregulating effect of excess oxidative stress on mammary gland development, mammary anlage from newborn female mice with normal (+/+) or absent (null, -/-) manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) were excised and implanted under the renal capsule of normal host female nude mice with/without concurrent estrogen supplementation. After 30 days the transplanted glands were excised for wholemount, microscopic and immunohistochemical evaluation. In contrast to the normal growth and maturation of transplanted SOD2+/+ glands, SOD2-/- glands showed arrested development, reduced ductal outgrowth and branching, and absent lumen.

Normal variants of the intracranial circulation demonstrated by MR angiography at 3T.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3T offers increased signal to noise ratio with better background suppression, leading to exquisite depiction of the intracranial circulation. We present a pictorial review of the normal variations and anomalies of the intracranial circulation detected on MRA performed on a high field 3T clinical scanner using parallel imaging techniques. The salient imaging features of these anomalies and normal variations are discussed with relevance to clinical practice.

The role of the IPSS (International Prostate Symptoms Score) in predicting acute retention of urine in patients undergoing major joint arthroplasty.

Background: Acute urinary retention following major joint arthroplasty is common. It does necessitate instrumentation, puts patients at risk of complications, and causes discomfort and embarrassment. The aim of the study was to find a test to help the surgeon to predict the possibility of acute retention of urine.

Tuberculous arthritis of the appendicular skeleton: MR imaging appearances.

Tuberculosis [TB] of the appendicular skeleton is an uncommon infection caused by the tuberculous bacilli and constitutes only 1-3% of all tuberculosis infections. MR imaging features of tuberculous arthritis include bone marrow oedema, cortical erosions, synovitis, joint effusion, tenosynovitis, soft tissue collections, and myositis. These imaging features are at times non-specific, but in the correct clinical context help in diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Epithelial-stromal interactions in the mouse and human mammary gland in vivo.

This review deals with the development and hormonal responses of mouse and human mammary glands. A major focus of the review is the role of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in embryonic mammary development and the role of stromal-epithelial interactions in mammary gland biology. Finally, we present a new model for studying growth, differentiation and hormonal response in human breast epithelium grown in vivo in nude mouse hosts.

Combined magnetic resonance tractography and functional magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of brain tumors involving the motor system.

The goal of neuro-oncologic surgery is to maximize tumor resection while preserving vital brain functions. Identification of the relation between the tumor and adjacent functional cortical areas as well as efferent subcortical white matter tracts is important for preservation of function. Combined diffusion tensor imaging with magnetic resonance (MR) tractography and functional blood oxygen level-dependent MR imaging were applied successfully for preoperative planning and guidance in 2 patients with tumors near the motor cortex.

Spinal schwannoma with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage: a diagnostic challenge.

We report a case of spinal intradural schwannoma presenting with intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography studies were negative, but MR imaging of the spine revealed a large hemorrhagic tumor in the thoraco-lumbar junction. The tumor was misdiagnosed as ependymoma of the conus medullaris.

The role of sequestering agents in the formation and structure of germanium anion cluster polymers.

Large blue-green, transparent crystalline needles of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]KGe(9).3en are prepared, in high yield, from the reaction of (2,2)diaza[18]-crown-6 in toluene with a solution of "KGe(4)" in ethylenediamine (en). The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (a = 10.

Female genital tuberculosis: hysterosalpingographic appearances.

Genital tuberculosis is an important cause of infertility in developing countries and hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the initial procedure performed for the evaluation. Reviewing 37 cases of female genital tuberculosis, we encountered various appearances on HSG. Of 579 HSGs performed over a period of 4 years, 492 (85%) were performed as part of infertility work up.

Estrogen receptor beta inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation by causing a G2 cell cycle arrest.

Studies indicate that estrogen receptor (ER) alpha mediates breast cancer-promoting effects of estrogens. The role of ERbeta in breast cancer is unknown. Elucidating the role of ERbeta in the pathogenesis of breast cancer is important because many human breast tumors express both ERalpha and ERbeta.

MR imaging features of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the cervical spine.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign proliferative disorder primarily occurring in the large joints of the appendicular skeleton such as the knee and hip joints. We present an unusual case of PVNS involving the cervical spine in an adult. MR imaging showed an enhancing mass lesion arising from the posterior elements of the cervical spine and hyperintensity on the T2-weighted images, without evidence of T2 susceptibility effects.

Maple syrup urine disease: diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging findings.

We present conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging findings in a 10-day-old neonate with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). On conventional MR imaging, signal abnormalities were noted in the affected white matter of cerebellum, dorsal brainstem, thalami, posterior limbs of internal capsules, and the corona radiata. These regions showed marked hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted images with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient values (average 68% reduction).

Providing optimal radiology service in the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak: use of mobile CT.

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious atypical pneumonia caused by a novel pathogen. We describe our experience using a mobile CT scanner in an improvised isolation ward with life-support systems, portable lead shielding, and strict barrier nursing. This scanner was used exclusively for patients with SARS and patients with other illnesses who were also thought to have SARS.

Hemimegalencephaly with tuberous sclerosis: a longitudinal imaging study.

Hemimegalencephaly is a rare cerebral malformation characterized by asymmetry of the hemispheres and cortical dysplasias. We report clinical and imaging findings in a child with hemimegalencephaly involving the right cerebral hemisphere with associated manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex. Gross abnormal myelination pattern and gyral abnormalities were seen in the enlarged hemisphere.