Imaging Studies in Otosclerosis: An Up-to-date Comprehensive Review

Abstract Introduction Otosclerosis is a primary osteodystrophy of the otic capsule, frequently responsible for acquired hearing loss in adults. Although the diagnostic value of imaging investigations in otosclerosis is debatable, they might still be employed with different goals within the context of the disease. Objectives The present paper aims to review the most recent literature on the use of imaging studies in otosclerosis for the most varied purposes, from routine application and differential diagnosis to prognostic prediction and investigation of surgical failure. Data Synthesis The diagnosis of otosclerosis is usually clinical, but computed tomography (CT) is paramount in particular cases for the differential diagnosis. The routine use, however, is not supported by strong evidence. Even so, there is growing evidence of the role of this method in surgical planning and prediction of postoperative prognosis. In specific scenarios, for example when superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome is suspected or in surgical failure, CT is crucial indeed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, has limited - although important - indications in the management of individuals with otosclerosis, especially in the evaluation of postoperative complications and in the follow-up of medical treatment in active ostosclerosis. Conclusion Imaging studies have a broad range of well-established indications in otosclerosis. Besides, although the routine use of CT remains controversial, the most recent papers have shed light into new potential benefits of imaging prior to surgery.

Anatomical Variations in Patients with Ménière Disease: A Tomography Study

Abstract Introduction The etiology of Ménière disease (MD), a difficult-to-treat condition with great morbidity, remains controversial in the literature. The possible clinical and diagnostic impact of anatomical variations of the temporal bone among patients with MD has been recently studied. Objective To identify anatomical variations of the temporal bone associated with the diagnosis of MD. Methods Thirty-seven patients were included, although each ear was considered separately (n = 74). A case group (nA = 33) was composed of the affected ears of patients with definiteMDand a control group (nB = 41) was used consisting of the ears of individuals who did not meet the criteria for MD and of the contralateral ears from patients with unilateral disease. Tomographic images from the individuals included in the study were submitted to a blinded and systematic evaluation regarding a broad variety of anatomical variations of the temporal bone. Obtained data were compared statistically between the groups and after stratifying the study sample. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results Among the affected ears, it was observed an increased number of tomographic scans in which the vestibular aqueduct could not be identified (p = 0.01, Fisher exact test). No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the affected and contralateral ears frompatients with unilateral MD, between affected ears from patients with unilateral and bilateral disease or between contralateral ears of patients with unilateral affection and patients without the disease. Conclusion Some anatomical variations might be more frequent in the affected ears of patients with MD, such as the lower rates of individualization of the vestibular aqueduct.

Adrenoleucodistrofia ligada ao X: correlação entre o escore de Loes e parâmetros do tensor de difusão / X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: correlation between Loes score and diffusion tensor imaging parameters

Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação dos parâmetros do tensor de difusão com o escore de Loes e se os parâmetros do tensor de difusão poderiam indicar alterações estruturais precoces. Materiais e Métodos: As medidas do tensor de difusão foram obtidas em 30 exames de 14 pacientes com adrenoleucodistrofia ligada ao X e foram correlacionadas com o escore de Loes. Um grupo controle de 28 pacientes masculinos foi avaliado para estabelecer medidas do tensor de difusão pareadas por idade. Análises estatísticas intra e interobservador foram feitas. Resultados: As medidas do tensor de difusão apresentam forte correlação com o escore de Loes segundo o coeficiente de Pearson (r), com valores de –0,86, 0,89, 0,89 e 0,84 para a fração de anisotropia e difusibilidades média, radial e axial (p < 0,01). A análise da mudança nas medidas do tensor de difusão no estágio inicial da doença indica que os valores de difusibilidades média e radial podem ajudar a predizer a progressão da doença. Conclusão: As medidas de parâmetros do tensor de difusão poderiam ser usadas como um adjunto ao escore de Loes, auxiliando no monitoramento da doença e alertando uma possível progressão do escore de Loes na faixa de interesse para decisões terapêuticas. .

Objective: The present study was aimed at evaluating the correlation between diffusion tensor imaging parameters and Loes score as well as whether those parameters could indicate early structural alterations. Materials and Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging measurements were obtained in 30 studies of 14 patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and were correlated with Loes scores. A control group including 28 male patients was created to establish agematched diffusion tensor imaging measurements. Inter- and intraobserver statistical analyses were undertaken. Results: Diffusion tensor imaging measurements presented strong Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of –0.86, 0.89, 0.89 and 0.84 for fractional anisotropy and mean, radial and axial diffusivities (p < 0.01). Analysis of changes in diffusion tensor measurements at early stage of the disease indicates that mean and radial diffusivities might be useful to predict the disease progression. Conclusion: Measurements of diffusion tensor parameters can be used as an adjunct to the Loes score, aiding in the monitoring of the disease and alerting for possible Loes score progression in the range of interest for therapeutic decisions. .

Persistence of a hypoglossal artery: case report / Persistência da artéria hipoglossa: relato de caso

The authors present a case of persistent hypoglossal artery. Persistent hypoglossal artery is the second most common carotid-basilar anastomosis with a frequency of 0.02% to 0.09% and it can be associated with cerebrovascular disease. Diagnosis is by imaging methods and angiotomography is the method most often employed...

Os autores apresentam o caso de persistência da artéria hipoglossa. A artéria hipoglossa é a segunda anastomose carótida-basilar mais comum, com frequência de 0,02% a 0,09%, podendo estar associada a doenças vasculares cerebrais. Seu diagnóstico se faz através de métodos de imagem, sendo a angiotomografia o método mais utilizado...

Evaluation with Doppler vascular ultrasound in postoperative endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm: a prospective comparative study with angiotomography / Ecocardiografia vascular com Doppler na avaliação pós-operatória do tratamento endovascular de aneurisma da aorta adominal: estudo propspectivo comparativo com a angiotomografia

BACKGROUND:Diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is usually incidental, and surgical treatment, when indicated, may be open or endovascular. The drawbacks of computed angiotomography (CTA) and the advantages of Doppler ultrasonography have led to the development of alternative follow-up protocols, comparing the two methods. OBJECTIVE: To determine validity indices for Doppler ultrasonography and to correlate them with CTA results in a group of patients who had undergone elective endovascular treatment of AAAs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients were selected. The following three items were evaluated: 1) presence or absence of endoleak; 2) presence of blood flow in the aortoiliac segment; and 3) maximum AAA diameter. RESULTS: For the detection of endoleak, Doppler ultrasonography showed a sensitivity of 54.5%, a specificity of 92.8%, a positive predictive value of 85.7%, a negative predictive value of 92.8%, and an overall accuracy of 76%. For the evaluation of blood flow in the aortoiliac segment, values were 100, 97.8, 80, 97.8, and 98%, respectively. Maximum AAA diameter was similarly measured by both methods, with statistically significant differences (mean difference: 1.98 mm). Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.97, showing that Doppler ultrasonography and CTA yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Doppler ultrasonography showed good validity indices and a moderate correlation with CTA in the postoperative evaluation of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of AAAs. .

Bacterial pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation: HRCT findings / Achados de TCAR nas pneumonias bacterianas após transplante de medula óssea

Objective: To describe HRCT findings in patients with bacterial pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation(BMT). Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 30 patients diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia in whom HRCT of the chest was performed within 24 h after the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis was confirmed, based on a positive culture of sputum or bronchial aspirate, together with a positive pleural fluid or blood culture, within one week after symptom onset. There were 20 male patients and 10 female patients. The median age was 21 years (range, 1-41 years). The BMT had been performed for the treatment of the following: chronic myeloid leukemia, in 14 cases; severe aplastic anemia, in 6; acute myeloid leukemia, in 4; Fanconi’s anemia, in 3; and acute lymphocytic leukemia, in 3. Two radiologists analyzed the HRCT scans and reached their final decisions by consensus. Results: The most common HRCT findings were air-space consolidation (in 60%), small centrilobular nodules (in 50%), ground-glass opacities (in 40%), bronchial wall thickening (in 20%), large nodules (in 20%), pleural lesions (in 16.7%) and tree-in-bud opacities (in 10%). The pulmonary lesions were distributed in the central and peripheral areas in 15 patients, whereas they were exclusively peripheral in 11. Lesions were locatedin the lower and middle lobes of the lung in 22 and 20 patients, respectively. Conclusions: The most common HRCT findings in our patient sample were air-space consolidation, small centrilobular nodules and ground-glass opacities, most often in the central and peripheral regions of the middle and lower lung zones.

Objetivo: Descrever os achados de TCAR em pacientes com pneumonia bacteriana após transplante de medulaóssea (TMO). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com 30 pacientes diagnosticados com pneumonia bacteriana, documentada com TCAR do tórax realizada em até 24 h do início dos sintomas, e com diagnóstico comprovado com base em cultura positiva de escarro ou de aspirado brônquico associada à cultura positiva de líquido pleural ou de sangue dentro de uma semana após o início dos sintomas. Foram avaliados 20 pacientes masculinos e 10 femininos, com mediana de idade de 21 anos (variação, 1-41 anos). O TMO foi realizado para o tratamento de leucemia mieloide crônica (n = 14), anemia aplástica severa (n = 6), leucemia mieloide aguda (n = 4), anemia de Fanconi (n = 3) e leucemia linfoide aguda (n = 3). Dois radiologistas analisaram os exames de TCAR, chegando a decisões finais por consenso. Resultados: Os achados de TCAR mais frequentes foram consolidação do espaço aéreo (60%),pequenos nódulos centrolobulares (50%), opacidade em vidro fosco (40%), espessamento de parede brônquica (20%), nódulos grandes (20%), lesões pleurais (16,7%) e opacidades em padrão de árvore em brotamento (10%). As alterações pulmonares estavam distribuídas nas regiões centrais e periféricas dos pulmões em 15 pacientes e somente na periferia em 11 pacientes. As lesões estavam localizadas no terço inferior e no terço médio dos pulmões em 22 e 20 pacientes, respectivamente. Conclusões: Os achados de TCAR mais comuns na nossa amostra foram consolidações do espaço aéreo, pequenos nódulos centrolobulares e opacidades em vidro-fosco, distribuídos nas regiões centrais e periféricas dos terços médio e inferior dos pulmões.

Aneurisma de artéria cerebral em criança com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida: relato de caso / Cerebral arterial aneurysm in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: case report

A dilataçäo aneurismática dos vasos do polígono de Willis é manifestaçäo incomum da infecçäo pelo vírus da imunodeficiência adquirida (HIV), tendo sido relatados, até o momento, 15 casos na literatura. O presente estudo tem por objetivo relatar um novo caso dessa apresentaçäo rara, além de revisar aspectos importantes relacionados à mesma. Um paciente, do sexo masculino, 6 anos de idade, com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) de transmissäo perinatal e tetraparesia, desenvolveu sintomas caracterizados por episódios de crises distônicas. A tomografia computadorizada de crânio, que inicialmente era normal, mostrou dilataçäo aneurismática dos vasos do polígono de Willis. A revisäo de literatura demonstra que os principais achados patológicos em casos similares, säo, principalmente, fibrose de camada média com destruiçäo da lâmina interna e hiperplasia da íntima. A etiologia da vasculite näo é conhecida, acreditando-se que o vírus da varicela-zoster e o próprio HIV possam estar relacionados à mesma. Conclui-se que, apesar de incomum, tal complicaçäo apresenta grande importância pelo fato dos aneurismas colocarem esses pacientes em grupo de alto risco para acidentes vasculares. A sobrevida relatada na literatura é de menos de 6 meses após o diagnóstico da arteriopatia aneurismática cerebral