A Case Report of a 37-Year-Old Alzheimer's Disease Patient with Prominent Striatum Amyloid Retention

With recent advancement in amyloid imaging, diagnostic application of this new modality has become a great interest among researchers. New ligands, such as 18F- florbetaben, florbetapir and flutemetamol, have been discovered to overcome limitations of preexisting ligand Pittsburgh compound B. We report here a case of a 37-year-old male patient whose initial complaints comprised of gradual cognitive decline, apraxia, disorientation and sleep disturbances. 18F-Florbetaben amyloid imaging of the patient showed diffuse amyloid retention with prominent striatal uptake. This finding supports the clinical utility of amyloid imaging in diagnostic process of early-onset AD. Moreover, striatal dominant uptake pattern demonstrated in this patient include some meaningful clinical implications that warrant special attention among clinicians.

Whole Brain Voxel-Wise Analysis of Cerebral Retention of Beta-Amyloid in Cognitively Normal Older Adults Using ¹⁸F-Florbetaben

OBJECTIVE: Recently developed 18F-labelled amyloid beta (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have demonstrated potentials to enable more prevalent application of amyloid imaging in the clinical setting. The aim of this study is to demonstrate cerebral retention of Aβ in cognitively normal older adults, by implementing voxel-based analysis on images acquired from 18F-Florbetaben amyloid PET. METHODS: Fifty cognitive normal elderly subjects were recruited and included in the study. Demographic data and cognitive measurements were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ¹⁸F-Florbetaben PET data were obtained followed by whole brain voxel-based analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the florbetaben (FBB) (−) counterpart, FBB (+) showed significantly higher Aβ deposition in the brain regions comprising anterior cingulate, middle cingulate, posterior cingulate and precuneus (family wise error corrected p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between amyloid retention and cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Our results confirms previous results regarding Aβ deposition by using ¹⁸F-Florbetaben, demonstrating potentials in application of 18F-Florbetaben PET imaging in clinical settings.

High-Resolution CT Findings of Re-Expansion Pulmonary Edema

OBJECTIVE: To describe the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of re-expansion pulmonary edema (REPE) following a thoracentesis for a spontaneous pneumothorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRCT scans from 43 patients who developed REPE immediately after a thoracentesis for treatment of pneumothorax were retrospectively analyzed. The study group consisted of 41 men and two women with a mean age of 34 years. The average time interval between insertion of the drainage tube and HRCT was 8.5 hours (range, 1-24 hours). The patterns and distribution of the lung lesions were analyzed and were assigned one of the following classifications: consolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), intralobular interstitial thickening, interlobular septal thickening, thickening of bronchovascular bundles, and nodules. The presence of pleural effusion and contralateral lung involvement was also assessed. RESULTS: Patchy areas of GGO were observed in all 43 patients examined. Consolidation was noted in 22 patients (51%). The geographic distribution of GGO and consolidation was noted in 25 patients (58%). Interlobular septal thickening and intralobular interstitial thickening was noted in 28 patients (65%), respectively. Bronchovascular bundle thickening was seen in 13 patients (30%), whereas ill-defined centrilobular GGO nodules were observed in five patients (12%). The lesions were predominantly peripheral in 38 patients (88%). Of these lesions, gravity-dependent distribution was noted in 23 cases (53%). Bilateral lung involvement was noted in four patients (9%), and a small amount of pleural effusion was seen in seven patients (16%). CONCLUSION: The HRCT findings of REPE were peripheral patchy areas of GGO that were frequently combined with consolidation as well as interlobular septal and intralobular interstitial thickening.

Sonographic Findings of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Associated Nodular Lesions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and associated nodular lesions. MATERIALS and METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the sonographic findings of twenty patients who had surgically confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis between 1 March 2005, and 26 November 2005. In these patients, we reviewed the sonographic findings of the associated focal nodular lesion. Assessed were size, homogeneity, and echogenicity of the diseased thyroid gland and shape, echogenicity, margin, rim, microcal cification of the associated nodules. Without knowledge of the pathological diagnosis of the nodular lesions, based on the sonographic criteria, the nodules were classified as either malignant or benign. RESULTS: Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrates a variety of sonographic findings for size, homogeneity, and echogenicity. Among the nineteen nodules that were sonographically diagnosed and pathologically confirmed, nine papillary cancers, seven nodular hyperplasias, two Huthle cell adenomas, and one focal hyalinized fibrosing nodule were included. All of the nine papillary cancers showed more than one malignant finding such as marked hypoechogenicity, an irregular shape, a taller than wide shape, a spiculated margin, or microcalcifications that were classified as malignant nodulea, and all of the ten benign nodules showed no malignant findings. Circumscribed isoechoic, hyperechoic, or hypoechoic nodules without calcification were classified as bending nodules. CONCLUSION: Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrates various findings on a sonographic examination,and associated various benign and malignant lesions. Moreover, a sonographic examination is helpful to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions in Hashimoto's thyroiditis as in the normal thyroid.

Acute Marchiafava-Bignami Disease: Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Cortical and Callosal Involvement

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a fatal disorder characterized by demyelination of the corpus callosum. MRI, suggestive of corpus callosum demyelination with associated white matter involvement in both cerebral hemispheres, indicates a diagnosis of MBD. In this case, MR diffusion-weighted findings taken at an acute stage of MBD revealed lesions not only in the corpus callosum but also in the cerebral cortex. Lower apparent diffusion coefficient values of the corpus callosum and cortical lesions were associated with poor clinical outcome.

Pseudocyst in Omentum caused by Abdominal Tuberculosis: Case Report

A 25-year-old woman presented with abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Sonography demonstrated a well-defined, anechoic, cystic mass with posterior acoustic enhancement, internal thin septations, and a peripheral hypoechoic solid portion that had no increased blood flow on Doppler ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a cystic omental mass with internal thin septations and an enhancing solid portion which appeared as the hypoechoic solid portion on ultrasonography. A pathologic specimen demonstrated a pseudocyst containing serous fluid with gelatinous material. The solid component at the peripheral portion of the pseudocyst indicated caseous necrosis with multinucleated giant cells. This histologic finding was consistent with tuberculosis and supported the final diagnosis of omental pseudocyst caused by tuberculous peritonitis. Therefore, intraperitoneal pseudocyst with tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intraperitoneal cystic mass in a young adult.

Transient Diffuse Hepatic Uptake of 99mTc-MDP after Hepatitis B Vaccination / 핵의학분자영상

A 38-year-old female with arthralgia in right elbow joint for 6 months was referred for a bone scan which showed diffuse uptakes of 99mTc-MDP in the liver and spleen without hepatosplenomegaly. She had a history of hepatitis B vaccination 3 days ago. These uptakes were disappeared on the follow-up bone scan after 4 months. We suggest this transient diffuse hepatic uptake after vaccination of hepatitis B might be due to aluminum component within the hepatitis B vaccine as adjuvant.

Usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Diagnosis of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases of Head and Neck Cancer / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting cervical lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups, 46 patients underwent PET/CT scan for initial staging before surgery, and 20 patients for restaging of recurrence after primary treatment. Increased FDG uptakes in cervical lymph nodes were evaluated retrospectively and correlated with the histopathologic results. RESULTS: In the initial staging group, 21 lymph nodes were detected by PET/CT in 15 patients. 20 lymph nodes were confirmed as metastases with a mean peak SUV of 5.84, and the remaining one lymph node was an inflammatory lesion, with a peak SUV of 2.75. Seven metastatic lymph nodes were reported only by histopathology. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 74.0%, 99.6%, 95.2% and 97.3%, respectively. In the recurrence group, 11 lymph nodes were detected in 9 patients, and 8 nodes were true positive, with a mean peak SUV of 5.65. The other three were inflammatous lymph nodes, and the peak SUVs were 2.16, 2.94 and 3.53. One false negative lymph node was reported. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 88.8%, 97.7%, 72.7% and 92.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT shows higher positive predictive value in the initial staging group, and better sensitivity in the recurrence group. Therefore PET/CT could be useful for both initial staging and restaging of recurrent cervical lymph node metastases.

The Usefulness of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of Various Intracranial Cystic Lesions

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the differential diagnosis of various intracranial cystic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 19 patients (13 males, 6 females) with a mean age of 42.5 years. The final histopathological diagnoses for 14 patients were pyogenic brain abscess (n=3), glioblastoma (n=3), ependymoma (n=1), anaplastic astrocytoma (n=1), pilocytic astrocytoma (n=1), hemangioblastoma (n=2), arachnoid cyst (n=1), epidermoid (n=1) and schwannoma (n=1). The other cases of metastasis (n=4) and arachnoid cyst (n=2) were diagnosed on the basis of clinical, laboratory and imaging data. DWI imaging studies were performed with a 1.5 T MR system. A single shot spin echo EPI pulse sequence was applied. B values were set at 0 and 1000 sec/mm2. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated from the ADC map of 10 different cystic brain lesions. Conventional MR imaging included T2WI, T1WI, FLAIR and contrast enhanced T1WI. We analyzed the location, nature, signal intensity on DWI, and the enhancement pattern of the lesions. RESULTS: All of the 3 cases of brain abscess, 1 of 4 cases of metastasis and 1 case of epidermoid showed hyperintensity on DWI. The mean ADC value of brain abscess (2 cases) was less than 1.15 (0.13x10-3 mm2/s). The mean ADC values of the other cystic lesions (8 cases) were variable, ranging from 2.840.66 to 3.100.16 (10-3 mm2/sec). CONCLUSION: DWI and ADC values were useful in the differential diagnosis of various intracranial cystic lesions, but some metastatic tumors may mimic a brain abscess on DWI. Therefore, a clinical correlation is mandatory.

Expanding Hematoma of the Abdominal Wall Caused by Spontaneous Rupture of a Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery:Report of A Case Treated by Coil Embolization

Abdominal wall hematoma is a rare but well-known disease, usually caused by trauma or, on rare occasions, occurring spontaneously. Hematomas of the rectus sheath and the anterolateral abdominal wall are commonly associated with injury to the inferior epigastric artery and the deep circumflex iliac artery, respectively. The diagnosis of spontaneously developed abdominal wall hematoma is sometimes delayed, due its clinical manifestations being similar to those of other causes of the acute abdomen. CT and angiography can be helpful in the diagnosis of the hematoma and the injured vessel. Herein, we report on a rare case of a spontaneously developed anterolateral abdominal wall hematoma treated with microcoil embolization of the left deep circumflex iliac artery.

Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: SPECT findings / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of bone using Tc-99m MDP in the diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture were included in this study (mean age: 67 +/- 8, male: 5, female: 27). Seventy nine vertebral fractures were detected (38 thoracic/thoracolumbar lesions and 41 lumbar lesions), which were classified by type of deformity (wedge, biconcave or compression). The patterns and locations of increased uptakes were examined and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty seven wedge fractures, 20 biconcave fractures and 12 compression fractures were found. Diffuse and asymmetric uptakes were common in fractured bodies. More than one uptake were examined in 69 posterior elements of fractured vertebrae (87.3%) including 40 of 47 wedge fractures (85.1%), 17 of 20 biconcave fractures (85.0%) and 12 of 12 compression fractures (100%). Wedge fractures were predominant fracture in thoracic/thoracolumbar spine whereas incidence of biconcave or compression type was similar to that of wedge fracture in lumbar spine (p=0.04). Spinous process uptake was more frequently seen in lumbar lesions than thoracic/thoracolumbar lesions (p=0.009). Facet joint uptake in biconcave fracture was more common in lumbar spine (92.3%) than thoracic/thoracolumbar spine (57.1%). Spinous process uptake in biconcave fracture was also more frequently detected in lumbar spine (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Bone SPECT was useful in the evaluation of osteoporotic vertebral fracture, especially posterior elements of vertebrae.

Simultaneous Anterior and Posterior Bilateral Traumatic Dislocation with Bilateral Femoral Head Fracture: A Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Hip dislocation represents 2 to 5% of all joint dislocation whereas bilateral hip dislocation occurring as a result of trauma is rarely reported, accounting for 0.025 to 0.050% of hip dislocation cases. It is known that the simultaneous occurrence of traumatic dislocation with one anterior and the other posterior is even rarer. The case described showed a bilateral hip dislocation which occurred anteriorly at the right hip and posteriorly at the left with both femoral heads fractured as a result of a traffic accident. The right hip of the patient was dislocated in the anteroinferior direction of the right acetabulum, and the left hip in the posterosuperior direction of the left acetabulum. Both hip fractures were accompanied by fragments above the fovea centralis. The patient was treated by immediate reduction followed by skin traction. Partial weight bearing was performed after 6 weeks of bed rest and full weight bearing began on the 10th week. No complications such as avascular femoral head necrosis or traumatic arthritis occured.

Predictive Factors of Renal Scarring in Children with Acute Urinary Tract Infection / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc DMSA scintigraphy on the dignosis of a renal scar in children with urinary tract infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty three patients were included in this study, who were diagnosed as the urinary tract infection on the basis of symptom, urinalysis and urine culture. 99mTc DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystoureterography were performed within 7days before the treatment in all patients. We classified the scintigraphic findings as follows: 1; a large hypoactive upper or lower pole. 2; a small hypoactive area. 3; single defect resulting in localized deformity of the outlines. 4; deformed outlines in a small or normal sized kidney. 5; multiple defects. 6; diffuse hypoactive kidney without regional impairment. Follow-up scintigraphy was done at least 6 months after the initial study. When the abnormality on the initial scintigraphy was not completely resolved on the follow-up scan, the lesion was defined as containing a scar. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen renal units of 166 units (69.3%) showed abnormal findings on the DMSA scintigraphy. 65 units (56.5%) was diagnosed as containing renal scars on follow-up scintigraphies. Incidences of renal scar among renal units showing pattern 3, 4 and 5 on the initial scan was 75%, 78% and 78%, respectively. Whereas many of renal units showing 1, 2 and 6 pattern were recovered (65%, 76%, 50%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pattern-based DMSA scintigraphic findings on the diagnosis of renal scar was 76.9%, 85.1% and 81.9%, respectively. VUR was significantly associated with the renal scar when the initial DMSA shows unrecoverable findings (pattern 3, 4, 5). Odds ratio of the renal scar in a kidney showing unrecoverable initial scintigraphic findings was 19.1. Odds ratio in a kidney with mild or moderate-to-severe VUR was 3.5 and 14.4 respectively. CONCLUSION: In the urinary tract infection, renal scar was significantly developed in a kidney showing unrecoverable findings on the initial DMSA scan and VUR on voiding cystoureterography.

Cementless Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty with Subtrochanteric Shortening Osteotomy in Crowe IV Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to introduce a surgical technique of total hip arthroplasty, by which a postsurgical neurologic deficit can be prevented and excellent clinical and radiological outcome can be obtained in patients with Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve hip joints underwent hip joint arthroplasty at our hospital between October 1995 and November 1997 due to hip joint arthritis secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip. Among them six hip joints of five patients which belonged to the Crowe Classification IV were operated using cementless total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy. The medical records and radiographs of these five patients were reviewed. The average follow up period was 61.2 months (range of 40 to 77 months). Preoperative Harris hip score ranged from 61 to 71 (average, 66.2) points. Leg length discrepancy ranged from 2.0 to 5.5 (average, 4.1) cm. RESULTS: Harris Hip Score was improved to 95.3 (87 to 100) points at the last follow-up examination. The postoperative leg length was same bilaterally in five cases except for one case. Bone union in the osteotomy site was obtained three months after surgery. The radiolucent area and findings of movement of the acetabular cup were not observed. Subcidence of the femoral stem or pedestal formation was not observed in five cases. In one case, revision was done for the subcidence of 5 mm or more with radiolucent line around the entire stem and pedestal formation at 48 months postoperatively. One case showed femoral nerve paralysis immediately after the surgery, which recovered completely in six months after the surgery. CONCLUSION: This surgical technique is a useful method in total hip arthroplasty for the Crowe IV developmental dysplasia of the hip without permanent neurologic deficit.

Prognostic Factors Related to Meniscal Healing in Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the significant prognostic factors in terms of age, rupture side (lateral or medial), existence of associated lesion, length and zone-that affect clinical healing after meniscal repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from 55 patients who had been observed at least for 18 months after meniscal repair. Healing was decided based on the patients'clinical symptoms, and analyses were made according to clinical data. RESULTS: The clinical healing rate of meniscal repairs was found to be 82% (45 patients), and was higher in ruptures accompanied by anterior cruciate ligament injury than meniscus rupture alone, when the length of the meniscal rupture was less than 2 cm. Age and rupture side (lateral or medial, peripheral or central) had no significant effect upon clinical healing. CONCLUSION: The length of meniscal rupture and meniscal rupture associated with ACL were found to be infinately correlated with good prognosis, but age, site, and zone of meniscal rupture probably do not affect prognosis.

Lymphoepithelial Cyst of the Pancreas: A Case Report

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas is a very rare lesion of unknown etiology. It is difficult, on the basis of radiologic images, to differentiate between lymphoepithelial cyst and pancreatic pseudocyst or other cystic neoplasms, particularly if these are mucinous. We describe the sonographic and CT findings in a case of surgically proven lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas.

Development of Formulas for the Estimation of Renal Depth and Application in the Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Koreans / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: There is no established formula for estimating renal depths in Korean. As a result, we undertook this study to develop a new formula, and to apply this formula in the calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the renal depth (RD) on the abdominal CT obtained in 300 adults (M:F=167:133, mean age 50.9 years) without known renal diseases. The RDs measured by CT were compared with the estimated RDs based on the Tonnesen and Taylor equations. New formulas were derived from the measured RDs in 200 out of 300 patients based on several variables such as sex, age, weight, and height by multiple regression analysis. The RDs estimated from the new formulas were compared with the measured RDs in the remaining 100 patients as a control. In 48 patients who underwent Tc-99m DTPA renal scintigraphy, GFR was measured with three equations (new formula, Tonnesen and Taylor equations), respectively, and compared with each other. RESULTS: The mean values of the RDs measured from CT were 6.9 cm for right kidney of the men (MRK), 6.7 cm for left kidney of the men (MLK), 6.7 cm for right kidney of the women (WRK), and 6.6 cm for left kidney of the women (WLK). The RDs estimated from Tonnesen equation were shorter than the ones measured from CT significantly. The newly derived formulas were 12.813 (weight/height)+0.002 (age)+ 2.264 for MRK, 15.344 (weight/height)+0.011 (age)+0.557 for MLK, 12.936 (weight/height)+ 0.014 (age)+1.462 for WRK and 13.488 (weight/height)+0.019 (age)+0.762 for WLK. The correlation coefficients of the RD measured from CT and estimated from the new formula were 0.529 in MRK, 0.729 in MLK, 0.601 in WRK, and 0.724 in WLK, respectively. The GFRs from the new formula were significantly higher than those from the Tonnesen equation significantly, which was the most similar to normal GFR values. CONCLUSION: We generated new formulas for estimating RD in Korean from the data by CT. By adopting these formulas, we expect that GFR can be measured by the Gates method accurately in Korean.

Complications of Nonbiliary Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery: Radiologic Findings and Clinical Courses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological findings and clinical courses of the complications arising after nonbiliary laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery (NLGS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 131 patients who underwent NL-GS (83 cases involving colorectal surgery, 18 splenectomies, 14 appendectomies, ten adrenalectomies, three lumbar sympathectomies, two Duhamel 's operation, and one peptic ulcer perforation repair) over a four-year period. Among these 131 patients, the findings of fifteen in whom postoperative complications were confirmed were analysed. The radiologic examinations these patients underwent included CT (n = 8), barium enema and fistulography (n = 4), ultrasonography (n = 3), ascending venography of the lower legs (n = 2), and penile Doppler sonography (n = 1). We evaluated the radiologic findings and clinical courses of early (within 2 weeks) and late (after 2 weeks) postoperative complications. RESULTS: Sixteen cases of postoperative complications developed in fifteen patients ; in 14 (17%) after colorectal surgery and in one (6%) after splenectomy. Eleven of the sixteen cases (69%) involved early complications, consisting of an abscess in three, ischemic colitis in two, hemoperitoneum in one, perforation of the colon in one, pancreatitis in one, recto-vaginal fistula in one, deep vein thrombosis after colorectal surgery in one, and abscess after splenectomy in one. The remaining five cases (31%) involved late complications which developed after colorectal surgery, comprising anastomosic site stricture in two, abdominal wall (trocar site) metas-tasis in one, colo-cutaneous fistula in one, and impotence in one. Among the 16 cases involving postoperative complications, recto-vaginal fistula, colon perforation, and abdominal wall metastasis were treated by surgery, while the other thirteen cases were treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Various postoperative complications develop after NLGS, with a higher rate of these being noted in cases involving colorectal surgery than in other cases.

CT and MR Findings of Neonatal Dermoid ("Hairy Polyp")Developed at Eustachian Tube: A Case Report

Nasopharyngeal dermoid is a rare disease which in neonates leads to respiratory failure. We report the CT and MR imaging findings of a case of neonatal dermoid which developed in the Eustachian tube. The neonate involved was referred to our hospital because of respiratory difficulties and cyanosis.

Myocardial Uptake of Tc-99m MDP in Chronic Renal Failure With Cardiomyopathy / 대한핵의학회잡지

A uremic patient on hemodialysis, who had concurrent cardiomyopathy showed intense myocardial uptake of (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP). The presumed cause of Uptake in the myocardium is metastatic calcification due to hypercalcemia secondary to the renal failure. However, supplementary mechanism caused by cardiomyopathy should be considered. We describe a case with bone tracer uptake in the myocardium in the absence of infarction in a patient with chronic renal failure,