[RMI of dysfunctional temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Value of gradient-echo T1 sequences in the evaluation of bony structures]. / IRM de l'articulation temporo-mandibulaire (ATM) dysfonctionnelle. Intérêt des séquences en écho de gradient pondéré T1 pour l'analyse des structures osseuses.

PURPOSE: To identify and classify the different types of bony changes of the condyles in patients with disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1993, we have imaged over 600 patients with 0.5T MR unit by using gradient-echo T1-weighted sequences in the sagittal and coronal planes. RESULTS: We will first describe the appearance of the normal TMJ. Then, we will introduce the concept of "Condylo-diskal disunion" using a three grade classification system. We will then describe three patterns of condylar changes: adaptive remodeling, either anterior or more frequently posterior, degenerative lesions with subchondral sclerosis, erosive lesions due to synovial hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Using a 0.5T MR unit, a GRE T1 sequence is useful to identify lesions of the disk and detect bony changes. In addition, the tissues posterior to the disk can also be assessed on postcontrast images.

Brain involvement in scleroderma: two autopsy cases.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathological data are very scarce in systemic sclerosis and fail to demonstrate primary changes in the brains of such patients. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: A 41-year-old woman with CREST syndrome developed signs of dementia after an episode of severe dehydration and died two months later of septic shock. A 63-year-old woman with CREST syndrome and a history of two unexplained transient ischemic attacks had had balance disorders since age 62. She died of severe pulmonary hypertension. In both cases, the autopsy showed extensive wall calcification of small arteries and arterioles in the brain, primarily in the basal ganglia, and also in the frontal lobes and the cerebellar area in the second case. No known cause of cerebrovascular calcification was found in either patient. CONCLUSION: The neuropathological findings in these two patients suggest that systemic sclerosis may induce primary vascular changes in the brain, of which calcification may be a marker.

Morphologic assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by spiral computed tomographic scanning.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to seek a relationship between the morphologic features of abdominal aortic aneurysms and the feasibility of endoaortic grafting. METHODS: Between June 1995 and January 1996, 86 patients were prospectively studied with contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic scans, which provided 35 parameters concerning the aorta and iliac arteries. Four groups were established according to the diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms: group A, 40 to 49 mm, 36 patients; group B, 50 to 59 mm, 26 patients; group C, 60 to 69 mm, 10 patients; and group D, greater than 70 mm, 14 patients. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the diameter and length of the aneurysm (p < 0.0001) and between aneurysm diameter and length of the proximal neck (p < 0.001). Presence of a proximal neck or a distal neck was more frequent in groups A and B than in groups C and D (p < 0.01). The feasibility of endovascular grafting was estimated at between 50% and 61.6% and was higher in groups A and B than in groups C and D (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown an inverse relationship between the diameter of the aneurysm and the length of the aortic neck (correlation coefficient, -0.3640, p < 0.001). The diameter of an aneurysm was the most useful of the 31 parameters measured in predicting the feasibility of endoaortic grafting, estimated at 71% for aneurysms less than 60 mm in diameter and 37.5% for aneurysms greater than 60 mm in diameter (p < 0.01).

[Coraco-trochineal conflict or anteromedial conflict of the shoulder. Contribution of arthroscanners]. / Le conflit coraco-trochinien ou conflit antéro-interne de l'épaule. Apport de l'arthroscanner.

Like the anterosuperior subracromial conflict, the coracotrochineal or anteromedial conflict of the shoulder is a groove pathology. In a series of 340 patients who had an arthroscan of the shoulder, including 245 with a conflict syndrome (70%), we observed an anteromedial conflict in 12 cases (8.5%) of the 140 patients with an intact cuff and 52 cases (50%) in 102 patients with an injured cuff. The frequency of the anteromedial conflict appears to be proportional to the degree of cuff injury. We described the signs of the trochin suggesting the anterior musculotendinous structures (subscapsular tendon and/or long biceps tendon) are involved and conclude that the anteromedial conflict is often misdiagnosed. It would appear to be a frequent complication of cuff injury (mechanical theory) which the surgeon should take into consideration when repairing cuff injury.

[Aspects and role of spinal MRI in the assessment of solitary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma. Apropos of 11 cases]. / Aspects et rôle de l'irm du rachis au cours de l'exploration du plasmocytome solitaire et du myélome multiple. A propos de 11 observations.

Spinal MRI was performed in 9 multiple myeloma and 2 solitary plasmacytoma, using sagittal, T 1-weighted (TR: 350-550 ms/TE: 15-26 ms) and T 2-weighted (TR: 2,000-2,500 ms/TE: 60-120 ms) sequences, with additional gadolinium injection in 3 cases. MRI features were the following: 1) round, patchy lesions with low T 1 signal highlighted by gadolinium and bright T 2 signal were present in 10 of the 11 patients: all osteolytic lesions seen on plain X-rays corresponded to such lesions and biopsy performed in 4 cases showed massive marrow replacement by plasma cells. 2) overall marrow signal was dramatically decreased in 3 patients (2 of whom had a high tumoral mass). 3) extra-dural compression was present in 4 cases. 4) 25 vertebral compression fractures (10 of whom with a "benign" appearance) and focal fat deposition were seen. 5) postradiation treatment examination seemed predictive of the outcome in the 2 solitary plasmacytomas. MRI proved to be more sensitive than plain X-rays or bone scintigraphy. Number and size of focal tumor-like lesions did not correlate with the low marrow signal appearance. Both correlated poorly with overall tumoral mass but diffuse abnormalities were associated with rapidly fatal outcome in three cases. These features might reflect qualitative rather than quantitative patterns of the disease (nodular or diffuse macroscopic marrow replacement). These findings are in agreement with those of the few previous studies. MRI is valuable for spinal cord damage assessment. It appears less accurate in benign versus malignant vertebral compression fracture determination than it does in bone metastasis. Its prognostic value is still questionable.

[MRI in osteoporotic and metastatic vertebral compressions: apropos of 60 cases]. / L'IRM au cours des tassements vertébraux ostéoporotiques et métastatiques: a propos de soixante cas.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 60 patients with vertebral compression fractures caused by either bone metastasis (BM) or osteoporosis (OP). In the BM group (20 patients, 62 BM with 22 compression fractures), the signal was decreased on T1-weighted images in all cases and was usually increased on T2 sequences, in the whole vertebral body or in patchy areas. The vertebral body showed a diffuse posterior bulging in 85% of patients; malignant infiltration often involved pedicles, posterior arch or soft tissues. In the OP group (40 patients, 160 vertebral fractures): a significant recession of one of the corners of the vertebral body, different from metastatic bulging, was observed in 37% of patients; the spinal cord signal depended on the stage: during the first 4 months, the signal was low on T1 and high on T2 sequences, with a characteristic band disposition, which may involve most of the vertebral body even in mild fractures; the modifications extended to the pedicles in 5 cases; after 6 months, the signal was normal. MRI specificity was 92% between malignant versus benign compression fractures. MRI had a better sensitivity than bone scan for depicting vertebral BM. In OP, MRI signal modifications disappeared several months before increased uptake of technetium. This study emphasizes the value of MRI for the diagnosis of osteoporotic versus metastatic vertebral compression fractures when morphological and chronological parameters are added to the signal intensity analysis.

[Idiopathic and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. A comparative psychosomatic approach]. / Phénomène de raynaud idiopathique et secondaire. Approche psychosomatique comparative.

Thirty subjects with Raynaud's phenomenon admitted for determination of its cause underwent psychological examination. Raynaud's phenomenon was regarded as primary in 14 cases, secondary (usually to scleroderma) in 13 cases and eluding classification in 3 cases. The mean age of patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon was higher than in the other groups. Interviews and psychological tests were carried out with all but 2 patients and all investigators being totally unaware of the aetiological category. Patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon significantly differed from those with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in their personality patterns, attitudes towards interlocutors and way of coping with conflicts. Patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon were characterized by a relatively frequent hysterical personality and by their dodging behaviour when faced with their own aggressiveness. Patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon were found to be more distant, more conformist, more able to control their emotions and seemed to be less inclined to seek help when in trouble. Such findings suggest that Raynaud's phenomenon has a "psychosomatic" component: a psychic vulnerability which might contribute to the progress of the disease, and more clearly so in patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon than in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon, as confirmed by the so-called psychic fragility" score used to quantify the efficiency of mental functioning. These psychological features were unrelated to age. The profile of patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is close to pattern C described as possibly having a prognostic value in proliferative or autoimmune diseases.