Do interictal microembolic signals play a role in higher cortical dysfunction during migraine aura?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical impact of interictal microembolic signals (MES) in patients suffering from migraine with higher cortical dysfunction (HCD), such as language and memory impairment, during an aura. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 34 migraineurs with language and memory impairment during aura (HCD group), 31 migraineurs with only visual or visual and somatosensory symptoms during aura (Control group I), and 34 healthy controls (Control group II). We used a Doppler instrument to detect microemboli. Demographic data, disease features and the detection of MES between these groups, as well as the predictors of HCD during the aura, were analyzed. RESULTS: The duration of aura was longer and the frequency of aura was higher among patients with language and memory impairment during aura compared to Control group I. MES was detected in 29.4% patients from the HCD group, which was significantly higher compared to 3.2% in Control group I and 5.9% in Control group II. Regarding the absence or presence of MES, demographic and aura features were not different in the HCD subgroups. A longer duration of aura, the presence of somatosensory symptoms during the aura and the presence of interictal MES were independent predictors of HCD during the aura. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that HCD and MES are related in patients with migraine with aura. Further research is needed to better understand the exact pathophysiological mechanism.

Comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT and MDCT for staging/restaging of non-small cell lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is most commonly used for staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In recent years, 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has also been used for the same purpose. Since studies comparing these two methods are scarce, our aim was to determine how the TNM classification and thereby staging of NSCLC compare between 18F-FDG PET/CT and MDCT. 18F-FDG PET/CT and MDCT were collected in 83 patients with NSCLC 3 to 30 days apart (median 17 days). The investigators interpreting 18F-FDG PET/CT were unaware of MDCT results. The Cohen's kappa (κ) was calculated to determine the rate of agreement. The hypothesis was that the strength of agreement between the two methods will be at least moderate (κ>0.40) based on the adopted criteria (κ<0.20 poor; 0.21-0.40 fair; 0.41-0.60 moderate; 0.61-0.80 good; 0.81-1.00 very good agreement). The agreement was moderate for determining the T class (κ=0.45, overall agreement 58%), poor for the N class (κ=0.13, 42%) and fair for the M class (κ=0.22, 58%). The agreement for overall staging of NSCLC was poor (κ=0.20, 45%). The major source of disagreement was that metastases were present more frequently and/or in larger number on 18F-FDG PET/CT than MDCT in the contralateral mediastinal, supraclavicular, and distant lymph nodes, as well as in the bones and suprarenal glands. Since 18F-FDG PET/CT detected more regional and distant metastases than MDCT, we conclude that FDG PET/CT is useful for staging/restaging and planning treatment of patients with NSCLC. KEYWORDS: Non-small cell lung cancer, positron emission tomography, multidetector computed tomography, metastases detection.

Correlative pathology of subdural hematoma with computerized tomography.

Subdural hematoma (SDH) develops as a result of bleeding in the subdural space. According to nowadays accepted division, three groups of subdural hematomas can be differentiated: acute, subacute and chronic. The time elapsed from the moment of the occurrence of the hematoma to the moment when it was diagnosed is the main factor for determining the stage of SDH. However, for the above-mentioned types of SDH, this time differs depending on the author reporting it. Subdural hematoma is most often diagnosed by means of computerized tomography (CT). This method is safe and reliable, giving the exact diagnosis in more than 90% of cases. According to the basic principle of the concept of "living pathology", the knowledge of histological appearance of an investigated lesion is essential for the diagnostic interpretation of this lesion in neuroimaging methods. Very few authors studied the histological picture of subdural hematoma. The only structure which was histologically examined in details was the subdural neomembrane. Studies correlating histological picture of SDH and its appearance on CT scans have not been carried out until now. In this work such a correlation was made, and some regularities connecting these two methods were pointed out. Hyperdense picture of SDH on CT scans represents a hematoma containing almost only erythrocytes and erythrocyte-fibrin component being formed. Hypodense picture of SDH on CT scans represents a hematoma containing fibrin and inflammatory cells. Hematomas of mixed density on CT scan in all cases contained a neomembrane. Obvious histological differences between the mentioned types of subdural hematoma have led to the conclusion that chronic subdural hematoma is not the last stage of an "old" acute SDH. Chronic and acute subdural hematomas are different entities, considering their etiopathogenetic and clinical picture, and especially their CT and histopathological appearances.

Possibilities and limits of computed tomography and angiography in diagnosis of cerebral vascular malformations.

CT findings in 18 patients with cerebral vascular malformations are presented. The following findings were established: 9 angiomas, 4 spontaneous intracerebral haematomas after angioma rupture, 3 aneurysms, 1 aneurysm of vena magna Galeni and 1 megasinus. Contrast medium was administered during every CT screening. All the CT results were controlled by angiography and 10 patients were surgically treated. The authors point out the limits in possibilities of CT to diagnose cerebral vascular malformations. They also discuss the possible errors during CT procedure and deal with the problems of diagnostic differentiation of results. Discussing some cases of cerebral vascular malformations, the authors are trying to evaluate the reliability of the CT diagnostic method had compare it with angiography.

[Current diagnosis and treatment of intracerebral abscess]. / Suvremena dijagnostika i lijecenje intracerebralnog apscesa.

Experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of an intracerebral abscess with the aid of computed tomography of the brain (superior to all past diagnostic procedures) have been presented; 28 patients were elaborated and some of them more extensively described, especially those of particular interest due to the abscess' localization and its differential diagnosis.