Correlation of hyperintensity T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and prognosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 天津医药

Intramedullary signal intensity (ISI) changes in morphology and extent of T2-weighted (T2W) in preopera?tive cervical magnetic resonance (MR) images was thought to be indicative to the prognosis of cervical spondylotic myelopa?thy (CSM) in recent years. However, the significance of ISI changes in predicting CSM prognosis remains controversial. Lack of satisfied evaluating approch of ISI on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the main drawback. Identification of the type of T2WI ISI on preoperative MR imaging could give important information in predicting surgical outcome of patients with CSM. Currently, consensus is reached that preoperative multi-segmental T2WI ISI or sharp T2WI ISI indicate a worse prognosis for patients with CSM compared with regression of T2WI ISI. The literatures that link magnetic resonance imaging signal changes with prognosis of surgery to correct cervical spondylotic myelopathy are reviewed. The correlation of pathological changes and radiological performance of intramedullary signal intensity with prognosis of CSM are summarized to understand the significance of T2WI ISI on prognosis of surgical outcome.

Should We Recommend Ultrasonography for an Incidental Thyroid Nodule on Additional Cervicothoracic Sagittal T2-Weighted Image of Lumbar Spine MRI?

PURPOSE: To determine whether we should recommend ultrasonography (US) for an incidental thyroid nodule identified by additional cervicothoracic sagittal T2-weighted image (C-T sag T2WI) of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 61 patients who underwent both lumbar spine MRI and thyroid US between December 2011 and April 2015 was conducted. For all US-found thyroid nodules > 1 cm, investigators evaluated whether there was any correlation between thyroid nodule detectability by C-T sag T2WI and US features such as echogenicity, composition, or suspicion of malignancy. RESULTS: Solid hypoechoic (2/4; 50%) or mixed echoic nodules (4/8; 50%) appeared to be found relatively more easily by C-T sag T2WI than more benign-looking solid isoechoic (1/4; 25%) or spongiform nodules (0/6; 0%). Among six nodules with ultrasonographic suspicion for malignancy, only one nodule was detected by C-T sag T2WI. CONCLUSION: If an incidental thyroid nodule is seen by C-T sag T2WI, it would be better to recommend thyroid US for identifying malignancy.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Showed Only on T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We present the case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage who was initially unable to undergo a CT scan and exhibited interestingly high signal intensities only on T2-weighted MRI without any signal change on fluid attenuated inversion recovery and gradient-echo imaging. These findings could be explained by a combination of factors that increase the signal intensity with elevations in the concentrations of protein and oxyhemoglobin due to massive bleeding and with the decreased fluid void signal inferred by the presence of hydrocephalus.

The Usefulness of T2* Weighted Magnetic Resonance Image in the Diagnosis of Minute Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: This study is performed in order to compare T2* weighted magnetic resonance(T2*W MR) image to computerized tomography(CT) and conventional magnetic resonance(MR) image for the detection of minute traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: A series of 40 patients with head trauma underwent CT and MR image including T2*W MR sequnence. The authors compared T2*W MR image to CT and conventional MR image in the diagnosis of traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Thirty five of 40 patients(88%) were revealed the hemorrhagic foci in the T2*W MR image, whereas 30 patients(75%) were revealed in the conventional MR image, 18 patients(45%) in the CT. Therefore it is concluded that T2*W MR image is more sensitive than CT or conventional MR image in the diagnosis of minute traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with head trauma. CONCLUSION: If headache is persisted in the head trauma patients with negative CT and MR image finding, We recommend T2*W MR image.