Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the temporal bone.

This paper summarizes the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of temporal bone pathology. It highlights the use of different types of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the different types of cholesteatoma, prior to first stage surgery and prior to second look surgery. The value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pathology of the apex of the petrous bone and the cerebellopontine angle is also discussed.

Cervical ectopic thymus presenting as a painless neck mass in a child.

Ectopic cervical thymus is an uncommon entity to be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck masses in infants and children. The sonographic appearance of a hyporeflective mass with characteristic internal linear hyperreflections situated along the path of the thymopharyngeal duct should suggest diagnosis. On MRI, signal intensities differ significantly from other more common neck mass lesions in children such as a branchiogenic cyst, hemangioma and lymphangioma. Diagnosis can be confirmed by performing a sonographically guided thru-cut biopsy.

Clip migration after vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy: a pitfall in preoperative wire localization.

Vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy has become an irreplaceable instrument in the management of suspicious mammographic lesions. If the initial mammographic lesion becomes obscured or absent following the biopsy, a clip is commonly placed by interventional breast radiologists at the biopsy site. This enables future wire localization if atypical or malignant histology warrants excision. Currently, clip malposition or migration has become increasingly recognized in the literature as a possible complication of stereotactic breast biopsy. As in this case, recognition of migration of the clip was crucial in the planning of the patient's subsequent wire localization procedure. This article aims to increase the awareness of radiologists and surgeons of this potential pitfall to prevent false-negative biopsies and minimize positive surgical margins after wire-guided breast conservation surgery. Routine evaluation of pre- and postbiopsy mammograms and prospective identification of inaccurate clip placement before stereotactic wire localization and excision should be performed.

Single-shot, turbo spin-echo, diffusion-weighted imaging versus spin-echo-planar, diffusion-weighted imaging in the detection of acquired middle ear cholesteatoma.

Diagnosis of acquired middle ear cholesteatoma on MR imaging is mostly done on late postgadolinium T1-weighted MR images and/or echo-planar (EPI) diffusion-weighted (DWI) MR images. We describe the appearance of a case of a complicated attical middle ear cholesteatoma on single-shot (SS) turbo spin-echo (TSE) DWI compared with EPI-DWI. This case suggests a higher reliability of SS TSE-DWI in the diagnosis of acquired middle ear cholesteatoma.

Value of magnetic resonance imaging in early assessment of proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD).

Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) is a developmental defect of the proximal femur and acetabulum. PFFD includes a spectrum of findings ranging from mild femoral shortening with varus deformity to complete absence of both the acetabulum and the proximal femur. Most attempts to classify the severity of the abnormality are based on the radiographic findings. The most commonly used system is that of Aitken. This classification scheme is based upon the presence and location of the femoral head and neck on conventional radiography and provides an assessment of future limb function and plan treatment. Since this scheme however relies on conventional radiography for classification, it is difficult to classify a child until skeletal maturity which is often delayed in children with PFFD. Nevertheless, the earlier patients can be treated, the earlier normal growth can start. This case report illustrates the value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in addition to the standard radiographs, for early and more accurate assessment of the articular cartilaginous anatomy and soft tissue prior to ossification of the femoral capital epiphysis. As a consequence, the patient could be treated earlier to benefit treatment outcome.

Ectopic pregnancy within a rudimentary horn in a case of unicornuate uterus.

We report the MRI features of two cases of unicornuate uterus and occluded rudimentary horn. In one patient pregnancy had occurred in the occluded horn, prompting to urgent resection. The second patient illustrates more conventional findings in occluded rudimentary horn. In both cases MRI was able to correctly characterise the nature of the developmental anomaly. Furthermore, on the basis of signal intensities, differentiation between distended lumen due to blood accumulation and amniotic sac in the case of pregnancy could be made. Because of its high accuracy in determining the type of anomaly present, the lack of ionizing radiation, and the ability to evaluate, with the exception of the fallopian tubes, the entire genitourinary tract, MR imaging is essential and plays a key role in the evaluation of women who are consulting for infertility.

Prevalence of binge eating disorder in different populations of French women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) in nonpatient women in the community and in weight control groups in France and to compare the characteristics of weight history of subjects with and without BED. METHODS: Eating patterns over the past six months were studied by questionnaires in self-report format. The prevalence of binge eating, BED, and bulimia was studied in 447 nonpatient women and in subjects seeking help for weight control either in private practice (PP, n = 292) or in a hospital department of nutrition (H, n = 85). RESULTS: BED was common (PP = 9%; H = 15%) among patients attending weight control clinics but very rare in the community (0.7%). The disorder was associated with a history of weight fluctuations. Many subjects with BED referred to regular use of diet pills (29%) or vomiting (39%) but the prevalence of these strategies of weight control fell short for the requirement for the diagnosis of bulimia. DISCUSSION: BED was common in subjects seeking help for weight control and extremely rare in the community nonpatients.

Transection of the pancreas demonstrated by ultrasound and computed tomography.

The early occurrence of peritoneal signs and hyperamylasemia in a 14-year-old boy, who had fallen off his horse, urged us to perform a sonographic and computed tomographic study of the upper abdomen. Both examinations showed a complete pancreatic rupture. Distal pancreatectomy led to a rapid and uneventful recovery.

Local thrombolysis in femoropopliteal occlusion: early and late results.

The early and late results of local thrombolysis with low-dose streptokinase followed by balloon dilatation in 64 patients with an occluded femoropopliteal artery are reviewed. The primary success rate was 77% for the native arteries; it was higher (80%) for short (less than 10 cm) as compared with long occlusion (40%) and for patients with claudication as compared with those with advanced ischemia (89% versus 48%). Eleven complications were observed in 10 patients, most frequently a local hematoma at the puncture site. Ascending thrombosis and absence of lysis or incomplete lysis were the main reasons for failure. The cumulative patency rate after 1 and 2 years follow-up was 87% and 82%, respectively.