Gliomas of the optic nerve: histological, immunohistochemical (MIB-1 and p53), and MRI analysis.

Gliomas of the optic nerve, although typically of pilocytic (WHO grade I) histology, can present within the spectrum of astrocytic neoplasia including glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). In certain cases, histologic features alone make the distinction between pilocytic and diffuse astrocytomas difficult. We reviewed 22 cases of optic nerve gliomas, 19 of which were pilocytic astrocytomas (PA), and 3 of which were diffuse, non-pilocytic astrocytomas.

Brain morphological changes and early marijuana use: a magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography study.

Background: The focus of this report is on the possible role that the age of first use of marijuana may play on brain morphology and function.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) were utilized to study 57 subjects. Brain volume measures (whole brain, gray matter, white matter and lateral ventricle volumes), global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and body size were evaluated.

Dosimetry and dose-response relationships in newly diagnosed patients with malignant gliomas treated with iodine-131-labeled anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 therapy.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to perform the dosimetry and evaluate the dose-response relationships in newly diagnosed patients with malignant brain tumors treated by direct injections of (131)I-labeled 81C6 monoclonal antibody (MAb) into surgically created resection cavities (SCRCs).

Methods And Materials: Absorbed doses to the 2-cm-thick shell as measured from the margins of the resection cavity interface were estimated for 42 patients with primary brain tumors. MR images were used to assess the enhanced-rim volume as a function of time after radiolabeled MAb therapy.

Comparison of patient age with MR imaging features of gangliogliomas.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare MR imaging features of gangliogliomas in children less than 10 years old with those seen in patients at least 10 years old.

Materials And Methods: Our study population consisted of 15 female patients and 10 male patients with a mean age of 20 years. The early childhood group was composed of six children with a mean age of 5.

Centennial dissertation. Honoring Arthur W. Goodspeed, MD and James B. Bullitt, MD. CT and MR imaging and nontraumatic neurologic emergencies.

This review has highlighted some of the disease processes that produce diagnostic difficulty in the emergency neuroradiology setting. Because radiologists are often the first individuals to consider these entities, they must be familiar with the clinical features that suggest the diagnosis. Furthermore, acquaintance with the various imaging findings of these diseases will allow early diagnosis and will help limit the severe complications that follow these neurologic emergency conditions if left untreated.

Gangliogliomas: characterization by registered positron emission tomography-MR images.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) and MR imaging features of cerebral gangliogliomas before and after PET-MR image registration.

Conclusion: After registration of PET and MR images, all six gangliogliomas in our series were shown to have heterogeneous metabolic activity. Areas of hypermetabolic activity were seen in all lesions.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute stroke: theoretic considerations and clinical applications.

The major clinical use of diffusion-weighted imaging to date has been in evaluation of cerebral infarction, at which it excels. However, diffusion-weighted imaging has also shown promise for other applications, ranging from quantitative analysis of biologic changes that are not apparent from simple visual inspection of images (but are detectable after using regions of interest on apparent diffusion coefficient maps) to better characterization of other intracranial abnormalities (e.g.

Aging and recognition memory: changes in regional cerebral blood flow associated with components of reaction time distributions.

We used H(2)15O positron emission tomography (PET) to measure age-related changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a verbal recognition memory task. Twelve young adults (20 to 29 years) and 12 older adults (62 to 79 years) participated. Separate PET scans were conducted during Encoding, Baseline, and Retrieval conditions.

White matter lesion contrast in fast spin-echo fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging: effect of varying effective echo time and echo train length.

Objective: Our aim was to determine whether the contrast between white matter lesions and normal-appearing white matter in fast spin-echo fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images can be improved by lengthening the effective TE and the echo train length.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty patients with various white matter lesions were imaged using fast spin-echo FLAIR sequences (TR = 10,002 msec; inversion time = 2200) on a 1.5-T MR imaging system.

Recent advances in imaging of cerebrovascular disease.

The recent advances made in CT and MR imaging have led to increased accuracy in making a number of diagnoses in the emergency room setting. Increasingly, radiologists are asked to perform these studies and accurately interpret the findings, which often have a dramatic impact on triaging and treatment of the patient. Future trials need to address further the relative merits of each of the techniques outlined previously in specific settings.

Irinotecan therapy in adults with recurrent or progressive malignant glioma.

Purpose: To determine the activity, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar; Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) in the treatment of adults with progressive, persistent, or recurrent malignant glioma.

Patients And Methods: Patients with progressive or recurrent malignant gliomas were enrolled onto this study between October 1996 and August 1997. CPT-11 was given as a 90-minute intravenous (i.

Malignant supratentorial ganglioglioma (ganglion cell-giant cell glioblastoma): a case report and review of the literature.

Background: From both epidemiologic and pathologic viewpoints, gangliogliomas exhibiting components of giant cell glioblastomas are extraordinary neoplasms. We report herein the case of a 6-year-old girl who presented initially with a World Health Organization grade IV anaplastic ganglioglioma (a mixed ganglion cell tumor-giant cell glioblastoma). Despite aggressive management, the patient died of disease in a relatively short period.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis and MS-like illnesses: MS or APS?

Objective: To describe the frequency, clinical, and laboratory features of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) or MS-like illnesses (MSL) among a large, prospectively followed cohort of anti-phospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive patients.

Methods: Between 1990 and 1995 patients referred to a university-affiliated rheumatology clinic were prospectively evaluated for aPL based on questionnaires designed to detect aPL-related symptoms and/or a family history of aPL-related illnesses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed when significant neurological features were present.

Adult age differences in the functional neuroanatomy of verbal recognition memory.

Adult age differences are frequently observed in the performance of memory tasks, but the changes in neural function mediating these differences are largely unknown. We used (H2)15O positron emission tomography (PET) to measure changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during Encoding, Baseline, and Retrieval conditions of a recognition memory task. Twelve young adults (20-29 years) and 12 older adults (62-79 years) participated.

DNA mismatch repair and O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase analysis and response to Temodal in newly diagnosed malignant glioma.

Purpose: We evaluated the response to Temodal (Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ) of patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma, as well as the predictive value of quantifying tumor DNA mismatch repair activity and O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and five patients with newly diagnosed anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) were treated with Temodal at a starting dose of 200 mg/m2 daily for 5 consecutive days with repeat dosing every 28 days after the first daily dose. Immunochemistry for the detection of the human DNA mismatch repair proteins MSH2 and MLH1 and the DNA repair protein AGT was performed with monoclonal antibodies and characterized with respect to percent positive staining.

Familial leukoencephalopathy in bipolar disorder.

Objective: Imaging studies of patients with bipolar disorder demonstrate changes in deep white matter and subcortical gray nuclei that are seen as focal hyperintensities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this study was to examine MRIs in a family with a strong history of bipolar disorder to look for possible MRI abnormalities in members with and without affective illness.

Method: The authors obtained MRIs of 21 members of a family with a strong history of bipolar disorder.

Schistosomal myelitis: findings at MR imaging.

Schistosomal spinal cord involvement is a rare complication of infection by Schistosoma mansoni. This work reports the MR imaging findings in a patient with schistosomal myelitis involving the lower spinal cord and conus medullaris. MR imaging showed a focal mass with a slightly nodular surface and which had peripheral enhancement after contrast administration.

Recurrent thrombosis of the superior vena cava associated with activated protein C resistance: imaging findings.

The purpose of this report is to describe imaging findings in activated protein C resistance, a hereditary cause of recurrent thrombosis. The case described was unusual in that a neonate was affected, whereas the vast majority of cases occur in adulthood. This entity is important to diagnose because of the recurrent nature of thromboses and the fact that relatives are often affected.