ABSTRACT
Incidence and radiologic findings of neurocysticercosis were investigated in a series of 23,800 consecutive head examinations using computed tomography (CT). The condition was diagnosed in 168 cases (0.7%). The parenchymatous form was the most common presentation (96.3%), while the meningeal form corresponded to only 11.9 per cent of cases. These two forms coexisted in some cases. These findings reversed the knowledge on the condition based on conventional radiography. The different CT appearances in the brain are described and a new radiologic protocol for the CT evaluation of the condition is advocated, which includes a follow-up after a trial cure with Praziquantel in the presence of cysts not associated with suggestive brain calcifications. CT was more sensitive than conventional radiography in the differentiation between dead and living larvae, thus having an impact on the therapeutic management of the patients.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Cysticercosis/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brain Diseases/drug therapy , Brain Diseases/epidemiology , Child , Cysticercosis/drug therapy , Cysticercosis/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Portugal , Praziquantel/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The authors describe a case of supratentorial haemangioblastoma, presenting with epileptic fits, without association with polycythemia, or Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, which, if present, would have given a clinical clue as to the nature of the lesion.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Hemangiosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Frontal Lobe/diagnostic imaging , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Hemangiosarcoma/pathology , Humans , Middle Aged , Parietal Lobe/diagnostic imaging , Parietal Lobe/pathologySubject(s)
Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/diagnosis , Choroid Plexus , Ependymoma/diagnosis , Ultrasonography , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
The results of real time ultrasound (US) examination of palpable lesions located in the muscle and tendon area of the extremities are reported in a series of 67 patients. The US appearance of various lesions is described. The contribution of real time US (B mode) during muscular contraction to the diagnosis and the results of diagnostic fine needle punctures (FNP) and their value are discussed.
Subject(s)
Extremities/pathology , Muscles/pathology , Muscular Diseases/diagnosis , Tendons/pathology , Ultrasonography , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Child , Female , Foreign Bodies/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscles/injuries , Punctures , Tendon Injuries/pathologyABSTRACT
Visual dysfunction as part of cerebral palsy may be due to lesions of the retrochiasmatic visual pathways. Cranial computed tomography can reveal conspicuous and characteristic abnormalities in most patients presenting with the condition; however, in some patients the abnormalities may appear so subtle on computed tomography that they can be easily overlooked or their true significance questioned. Magnetic resonance imaging has proved to be of great value in demonstrating the neuroanatomic anomalies underlying the visual handicap of this latter group of patients, allowing for early diagnosis and precise management.
Subject(s)
Brain Damage, Chronic/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Occipital Lobe/pathology , Vision Disorders/etiology , Adult , Brain Damage, Chronic/diagnosis , Cerebral Infarction/complications , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Diseases in Twins , Lung/abnormalities , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Homozygote , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Radiography, Thoracic , SyndromeABSTRACT
The familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms and the possible relationship with connective tissue disease are discussed. We studied a large family in which seven members presented with aneurysms. Another family member presented with a subarachnoidal hemorrhage. Two other family members each presented with Marfan's syndrome and an unclassified multiple congenital anomalies syndrome, respectively. The multiplicity of the aneurysms in four members is in excess of that found in sporadic or familial cases with intracranial aneurysms. We suggest a common cause, eg, a connective tissue disorder for both the intracranial aneurysms, the Marfan's syndrome, and the unclassified syndrome.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Intracranial Aneurysm/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/complications , Adolescent , Adult , Cerebral Angiography , Cerebrovascular Disorders/complications , Child , Female , Humans , Intracranial Aneurysm/complications , Intracranial Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging , Male , Marfan Syndrome/complications , Marfan Syndrome/genetics , Pedigree , Rupture, Spontaneous , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/etiologyABSTRACT
Computed tomography is a very sensitive and fairly specific imaging mode for diagnosing herniated disks in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. We describe a new CT sign associated with posterior disk herniation that consists of a bony defect on the lower posterior angle of the proximal vertebral body and endplate shown on CT generated digital radiograms. This finding, by no means constant, is encountered frequently enough to be described as a sign of posterior disk protrusion. It often occurs concomitantly with posterior avulsion of a bone fragment probably related to avascular bone necrosis of the posterior inferior angle of the endplate.
Subject(s)
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Adult , Back Pain/diagnostic imaging , Diagnostic Errors , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Polyneuropathies/diagnostic imagingSubject(s)
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/complications , Lung Neoplasms/complications , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Vena Cava, Superior/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Bronchogenic/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Male , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Syndrome , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Vascular Diseases/etiologyABSTRACT
The authors discuss the value of intravenous contrast enhancement in CT scanning in acute head injury. In a series of seventy consecutive patients they conclude that no incremental information was obtained by performing contrast-enhanced CT scans in the acute phase of the head injury.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Contrast Media , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , HumansABSTRACT
The authors describe a case of panmedullary ependymoma presenting with multiple cysts complicated by fatty deposits in the spinal cord from C6 to D2 as demonstrated by CT-scanning. To the authors' best knowledge the combination of these features have not been described previously. The radiological, operative and histological findings are discussed and compared with those of other panmedullary spinal cord tumours such as astrocytomas.
