ABSTRACT
Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR images of experimental bacterial meningitis were obtained after Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated directly into the cisterna magna of four dogs. Each animal was studied with both unenhanced and enhanced MR and CT with Gd-DTPA and meglumine iothalamate, respectively. The enhancement patterns resulting from these techniques were compared and images were correlated with histopathology. All animals demonstrated abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement on MR with Gd-DTPA, but only one of four dogs exhibited abnormal contrast enhancement on CT. In these animals Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR also identified complications of meningitis, such as ventriculitis and cerebritis, more effectively than CT did. Unenhanced MR was not helpful in identifying meningitis. Histologic evaluation demonstrated that the abnormal areas of contrast enhancement on MR and CT correlated with inflammatory cell infiltration. However, some regions of mild leptomeningitis, ependymitis, and cerebritis identified histologically did not demonstrate abnormal enhancement. Since the animal model used was clinically and pathologically similar to human meningitis, we propose that Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR will subsequently be found more effective than unenhanced MR and IV contrast-enhanced CT for demonstrating meningitis and its complications in humans.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Meningitis/diagnosis , Organometallic Compounds , Pentetic Acid , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Animals , Dogs , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Gadolinium DTPA , Meningitis/diagnostic imaging , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Tiazofurin is an experimental chemotherapeutic agent currently undergoing clinical evaluation. We report our results with magnetic resonance (MR) in demonstrating reversible cerebral abnormalities concurrent with the use of this drug. The abnormalities on MR were correlated with findings on CT as well as with cerebral angiography. The utility of MR in the evaluation of patients receiving this new agent is illustrated.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Brain Diseases/chemically induced , Brain Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ribavirin/adverse effects , Ribonucleosides/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Ribavirin/analogs & derivativesSubject(s)
Astrocytoma/pathology , Cerebral Aqueduct/pathology , Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/pathology , Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Tuberous Sclerosis/pathology , Adult , Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Hydrocephalus/pathology , Male , Postoperative Complications/pathologyABSTRACT
Central pontine myelinolysis is a demyelinating disorder with characteristic magnetic resonance features. Findings on T1-weighted scans include a symmetric region of low signal involving the basilar pons with sparing of the descending corticospinal tracts as well as the peripheral pontine tissues. The T2-weighted images show an area of high signal corresponding to the abnormal region identified on T1-weighted scans. Associated extrapontine demyelinating lesions are also demonstrated.
