ABSTRACT
Evidence suggests that olfactory bulb (OB), a key structure in odor processing, may also be involved in mechanisms of traumatic stress. In animals, chronic stress reduces OB plasticity, and olfactory bulbectomy results in stress-enhanced startle reflex and autonomic dysregulation. However, OB morphometry has not been adequately studied in the development of stress disorders following childhood trauma in humans. The researchers conducted a pilot study evaluating the relationships between OB volume, childhood trauma, and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 16 HIV-positive individuals, 13 of whom were exposed to childhood trauma of 9 developed PTSD. Participants were recruited from a larger cohort of inner city-dwelling HIV-positive populations in Washington, DC. Mean OB volumes were significantly reduced when PTSD and non-PTSD groups were compared, p = .019, as well as when trauma-exposed PTSD-positive and trauma-exposed PTSD-negative groups were compared, p = .008. No significant difference was observed when trauma-exposed and nonexposed participants were compared. The association between PTSD and right OB volume remained strong p = 0.002 after adjusting for group differences in sex, age, depression, hippocampal volume, and total intracranial volume. Because this study is limited by small sample size, further elucidation of relationships between OB, trauma, and PTSD should be investigated in larger cross-sectional and prospective studies and in diverse cohorts.
Subject(s)
Olfactory Bulb/pathology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/pathology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , HIV Infections/complications , Hippocampus/diagnostic imaging , Hippocampus/pathology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Olfactory Bulb/diagnostic imaging , Pilot Projects , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Spinal pathology resulting in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and intracranial hypotension is an infrequently reported and a potentially severe cause of headaches. We present a case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak caused by a thoracic disk herniation successfully treated with two targeted epidural blood patches. Although patients typically present with orthostatic headaches, the imaging findings of intracranial hypotension should prompt investigation of the spine for site and cause of the CSF leakage. Treatment includes autologous blood patch and surgery in refractory cases.
Subject(s)
Blood Patch, Epidural , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/therapy , Intracranial Hypotension/diagnostic imaging , Intracranial Hypotension/therapy , Thoracic Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/complications , Intracranial Hypotension/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Imaging appearance and classification systems of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging will be reviewed. Computed tomography evaluation most accurately demonstrates OPLL length and thickness, whereas magnetic resonance imaging has the advantage of demonstrating abnormal signal in the cord. Neurologic symptoms are most common in the cervical spine and are related to the degree of spinal stenosis and presence of cord edema. Surgical treatment usually involves cases of cervical OPLL and includes anterior or posterior decompression.
Subject(s)
Longitudinal Ligaments/diagnostic imaging , Longitudinal Ligaments/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/diagnostic imaging , Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , HumansABSTRACT
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS, Gorlin syndrome) is an autosomal dominant condition with a wide range of manifestations, including multiple basal cell carcinomas, medulloblastoma, odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and skeletal abnormalities. Children with NBCCS also have a predisposition for secondary cancers after exposure to ionising radiation. In children undergoing imaging for posterior fossa mass and/or maxillofacial cysts, certain additional findings can raise the possibility of NBCCS. Making the diagnosis can significantly impact patient management, especially for children with medulloblastoma.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome/diagnosis , Decision Support Systems, Clinical , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Neuroimaging/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Specific CT angiography (CTA) signs of vascular injury can be readily detected, and additional information regarding osseous and soft-tissue injuries can also be routinely obtained. In this article, we illustrate the important CTA signs of lower extremity vascular injury. CONCLUSION: CTA is efficient and accurate in the evaluation of clinically significant lower extremity arterial injuries after trauma.
Subject(s)
Angiography/methods , Arteries/injuries , Leg Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Lower Extremity/injuries , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Lower Extremity/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Heterotopic pancreas is an uncommon but important entity in the differential diagnosis of a gastric mass, as it has management and prognostic implications distinct from other gastric tumors. We present a case of heterotopic pancreas in the stomach, which was initially endoscopically occult but developed superimposed pancreatitis leading to its clinical presentation and detection as an apparently new gastric neoplasm.
