Diagnostic Validity of an Automated Probabilistic Tractography in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVE: Although several prior works showed the white matter (WM) integrity changes in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease, it is still unclear the diagnostic accuracy of the WM integrity measurements using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in discriminating aMCI from normal controls. The aim of this study is to explore diagnostic validity of whole brain automated probabilistic tractography in discriminating aMCI from normal controls. METHODS: One hundred-two subjects (50 aMCI and 52 normal controls) were included and underwent DTI scans. Whole brain WM tracts were reconstructed with automated probabilistic tractography. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the memory related WM tracts were measured and compared between the aMCI and the normal control groups. In addition, the diagnostic validities of these WM tracts were evaluated. RESULTS: Decreased FA and increased MD values of memory related WM tracts were observed in the aMCI group compared with the control group. Among FA and MD value of each tract, the FA value of left cingulum angular bundle showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 with a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 76.9% in differentiating MCI patients from control subjects. Furthermore, the combination FA values of WM integrity measures of memory related WM tracts showed AUC value of 0.98, a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 94.2%. CONCLUSION: Our results with good diagnostic validity of WM integrity measurements suggest DTI might be promising neuroimaging tool for early detection of aMCI and AD patients.

A Case Report of a 37-Year-Old Alzheimer's Disease Patient with Prominent Striatum Amyloid Retention

With recent advancement in amyloid imaging, diagnostic application of this new modality has become a great interest among researchers. New ligands, such as 18F- florbetaben, florbetapir and flutemetamol, have been discovered to overcome limitations of preexisting ligand Pittsburgh compound B. We report here a case of a 37-year-old male patient whose initial complaints comprised of gradual cognitive decline, apraxia, disorientation and sleep disturbances. 18F-Florbetaben amyloid imaging of the patient showed diffuse amyloid retention with prominent striatal uptake. This finding supports the clinical utility of amyloid imaging in diagnostic process of early-onset AD. Moreover, striatal dominant uptake pattern demonstrated in this patient include some meaningful clinical implications that warrant special attention among clinicians.

Whole Brain Voxel-Wise Analysis of Cerebral Retention of Beta-Amyloid in Cognitively Normal Older Adults Using ¹⁸F-Florbetaben

OBJECTIVE: Recently developed 18F-labelled amyloid beta (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have demonstrated potentials to enable more prevalent application of amyloid imaging in the clinical setting. The aim of this study is to demonstrate cerebral retention of Aβ in cognitively normal older adults, by implementing voxel-based analysis on images acquired from 18F-Florbetaben amyloid PET. METHODS: Fifty cognitive normal elderly subjects were recruited and included in the study. Demographic data and cognitive measurements were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ¹⁸F-Florbetaben PET data were obtained followed by whole brain voxel-based analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the florbetaben (FBB) (−) counterpart, FBB (+) showed significantly higher Aβ deposition in the brain regions comprising anterior cingulate, middle cingulate, posterior cingulate and precuneus (family wise error corrected p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between amyloid retention and cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Our results confirms previous results regarding Aβ deposition by using ¹⁸F-Florbetaben, demonstrating potentials in application of 18F-Florbetaben PET imaging in clinical settings.

Visual Hallucinations and Amyloid Deposition in Parkinson's Disease Dementia: A Case Report

Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is notorious for its debilitating clinical course and high mortality rates. Consequently, various attempts to investigate predictors of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been made. Here we report a case of a 75-year-old female patient with PD who visited the clinic with complaints of recurrent visual hallucinations and cognitive decline, whose symptoms were ameliorated by the titration of rivastigmine. Imaging results showed pronounced diffuse cortical amyloid deposition evidenced by 18F-florbetaben amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This observation suggests that pronounced amyloid deposition and visual hallucinations in PD patients could be clinically significant predictors of cognitive decline in PD patients. Future research should concentrate on accumulating more evidence for possible predictors of cognitive decline and their association with PD pathology that can enable an early intervention and standardized treatment in PDD patients.

A Hypervascular Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in the Mediastinum Resected Completely Following Embolization of the Feeding Vessels / 임상소아혈액종양

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare tumors of intermediate malignant potential that can occur anywhere in the body. We describe an interesting case of a hypervascular IMT in the mediastinum that could be resected completely following embolization of the feeding vessels. A 17-month-old girl with complaints of cough and fever for 3 months was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the right hemithorax that shifted the mediastinum to the left. Primary excision was considered but not performed because there was very active capsule wall bleeding due to the hypervascular tumor. After embolization of the feeding vessels, successful complete resection was carried out. Approximately 6 weeks after the operation, follow-up CT scan showed no evidence of recurrent disease. Preoperative embolization is a good option for performing complete resection of hypervascular IMTs that could reduce the recurrence rate.

A Hypervascular Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in the Mediastinum Resected Completely Following Embolization of the Feeding Vessels / 임상소아혈액종양

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare tumors of intermediate malignant potential that can occur anywhere in the body. We describe an interesting case of a hypervascular IMT in the mediastinum that could be resected completely following embolization of the feeding vessels. A 17-month-old girl with complaints of cough and fever for 3 months was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the right hemithorax that shifted the mediastinum to the left. Primary excision was considered but not performed because there was very active capsule wall bleeding due to the hypervascular tumor. After embolization of the feeding vessels, successful complete resection was carried out. Approximately 6 weeks after the operation, follow-up CT scan showed no evidence of recurrent disease. Preoperative embolization is a good option for performing complete resection of hypervascular IMTs that could reduce the recurrence rate.

Ectopic Thyroid Nodule in Thyroglossal Duct

No abstract available.

Endovascular Treatment for Spontaneous Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report / 신경중재치료의학

We report the case of a 42- year-old woman with spontaneous, right vertebral arteriovenous fistula associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. The patient presented with neck pain, retroauricular bruit, quadriparesis, and cervical spinal cord compression caused by an enlarged epidural vein. Endovascular treatment using coils and a balloon resulted in successful occlusion of the fistula. At six months post-embolization, the patient had improved significantly and was ambulant with support.

Consolidations in Nodular Bronchiectatic Mycobacterium Avium Complex Lung Disease: Mycobacterium Avium Complex or Other Infection?

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to define the clinical implications of consolidations in nodular bronchiectatic type Mycobacterium avium complex (NB-MAC) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 69 patients (M : F = 17 : 52; mean age, 64 years; age range, 41-85 years) with MAC isolated in the sputum culture and nodular bronchiectasis on the initial and follow-up CT scans were included. We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of consolidation and analyzed its clinical course by using radiographic changes with or without anti-MAC drug therapy. RESULTS: In 44 of the 69 cases (64%), focal consolidations were seen on the initial and follow-up CT images. In 35 of the 44 (80%) cases, consolidations completely regressed, and in 3 cases (7%), consolidations partially regressed within 2 months with only antibiotics. In 2 cases (5%), the consolidations remained stable for over 2 months without anti-MAC drug therapy. Only in 4 cases (9%) did the consolidations improve after anti-MAC drug therapy. In 11 of the 38 cases (29%) with responsiveness to antibiotics, non-mycobacterial micro-organisms were identified in sputum, including pseudomonas, hemophilus, staphylococcus, and others. CONCLUSION: In NB-MAC, consolidations are commonly present on CT. In these conditions, most of consolidations result from pneumonia other than MAC.

A Rare Case of Recurrent Myoid Hamartoma Mimicking Malignancy: Imaging Appearances

Myoid hamartoma is an uncommon type of breast hamartoma and its recurrence is very rare. We report the imaging appearance of an unusual case of recurrent myoid hamartoma of the breast mimicking malignancy in a 43-year-old woman. Although the mammographic and ultrasonographic findings have long been described in the literature, MR finding with a dynamic study has not, to the best of our knowledge, been reported previously.

Painless Posterior Thigh Mass as a Presentation of Metastatic Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

Soft tissue metastasis clinically presenting as either painless subcutaneous or painful intramuscular nodules is extremely rare and may lead to an errant clinical suspicion of sarcoma. In general, most soft tissue metastasis comes from lung carcinoma; however, to date, there have been no reports of a posterior thigh mass just beneath the skin metastasizing from breast cancer. Here, we report a case of distant soft tissue metastasis presenting as a painless solitary left posterior thigh mass measuring 1.5 cm in diameter, which was later shown by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) to have multiple simultaneous mediastinal lymph node metastases. Eleven months ago, the patient had undergone curative breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for cancer of her left breast. At that time, her tumor showed a triple negative phenotype. Initial PET-CT right before the BCS had shown no metastasis. After histological and radiologic evaluation for the metastases, she decided to have systemic chemotherapy.

The Radiological Spectrum of Orbital Pathologies that Involve the Lacrimal Gland and the Lacrimal Fossa

CT and MRI are utilized to differentiate between different types of masses and to determine the extent of lesions involving the lacrimal gland and the fossa. Although many diseases that affect the lacrimal gland and fossa are specifically diagnosed by imaging, it is frequently very difficult to differentiate each specific disease on the basis of image characteristics alone due to intrinsic similarities. In lacrimal gland epithelial tumors, benign pleomorphic adenomas are seen most commonly with a well defined benign appearance, and a malignant adenoid cystic carcinoma is seen with a typical invasive malignant appearance. However, a malignant myoepithelial carcinoma is seen with a benign looking appearance. Lymphomatous lesions of the lacrimal gland include a broad spectrum ranging from reactive hyperplasia to malignant lymphoma. These lesions can be very difficult to differentiate both radiologically and pathologically. Generally, lymphomas tend to occur in older patients. The developmental cystic lesions found in the lacrimal fossa such as dermoid and epidermoid cysts can be diagnosed when the cyst involves the superior temporal quadrant of the orbit and manifests as a non-enhancing cystic mass and, in case of a lipoma, it is diagnosed as a total fatty mass. However, masses of granulocytic sarcoma and xanthogranuloma, as well as vascular masses, such as a hemangiopericytoma, are difficult to diagnose correctly on the basis of preoperative imaging findings alone. A careful clinical evaluation and moreover, a pathologic verification, are needed. In this pictorial review, the various imaging spectrums of pathologic masses involving the lacrimal gland and fossa are presented, along with appropriate anatomy and pathology reviews.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans after Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation: HRCT Findings

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the past three years, 11 patients were diagnosed as having BO after BMT when they developed irreversible air flow obstruction, with an FEV1 value of less than 80% of the baseline value, without any clinical evidence of infection. All 11 patients underwent HRCT, of whom eight also underwent follow-up HRCT. The HRCT images were assessed retrospectively for the presence of decreased lung attenuation, segmental or subsegmental bronchial dilatation, diminution of peripheral vascularity, centrilobular nodules, and branching linear structure on the inspiratory images. The lobar distribution of the decreased lung attenuation and bronchial dilatation was also examined. The presence of air trapping was investigated on the expiratory images. The interval changes of the HRCT findings were evaluated in those patients who had follow-up images. RESULTS: Abnormal HRCT findings were present in all cases; the most common abnormalities were decreased lung attenuation (n=11), subsegmental bronchial dilatation (n=6), diminution of peripheral vascularity (n=6), centrilobular nodules or branching linear structure (n=3), and segmental bronchial dilatation (n=3). Expiratory air trapping was noted in all patients. The decreased lung attenuation and bronchial dilatations were more frequent or extensive in the lower lobes. Interval changes were found in all patients with follow-up HRCT: increased extent of decreased lung attenuation (n=7) ; newly developed or progressed bronchial dilatation (n=4) ; and increased lung volume (n=3). CONCLUSION: HRCT scans are abnormal in patients with BO, with the most commonly observed finding being areas of decreased lung attenuation. While the HRCT findings are not specific, it is believed that their common features can assist in the diagnosis of BO in BMT recipients.

The Effectiveness of Percutaneous Transarterial Embolization for Arteriovenous Malformation

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of percutaneous transarterial embolization for the treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with AVMs located in the kidney, liver, lung, chest wall, uterus and paraspinal region underwent angiography and percutaneous transarterial embolization. The embolic materials used were steel coil, gelfoam, contour emboli, and absolute alcohol; in some cases, more than one of these were employed. The analysed the angiographic findings and clinical status following embolization were assessed and analysed. RESULTS: The AVMs had tortuous, dilated feeding arteries (n=7) and veins with early venous drainage (n=6). In the hepatic AVM, a grape-like dilated vessel arose from the hepatic artery and was connected to the portal vein. In the uterine AVM, numerous dilated feeding arteries formed a honeycomb. In the feeding arteries of the chest wall AVM and in the nidus of the pulmonary AVM, aneurysms were present. In simple AVMs, the patient's symptoms were relieved by first embolization. Complex AVMs, however, required repeated embolizations for symptomatic relief. Although extensive, complex AVMs of the chest wall and uterus recurred after initial embolization, repeated treatment successfully improved the clinical status of such patients. The complications developing after emboliation were fever (n=3) and pain (n=3), but these were relieved by conservative care. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transarterial embolization is a safe and effective therapeutic method for the treatment of AVM. In a case of inoperable complex AVM, repeated embolization is the only method for symptomatic relief and the maintenance of life.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Diaphragmatic Pleura / 대한흉부외과학회지

We present a case of a 47-year-old woman with benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura originated in the diaphragm which was discovered incidentally on a chest radiograph. Chest radiograph, sonograph, computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance image studies proved a well circumscribed and lobulated fibrous tumor of the pleura. During the subsequent right thoracotomy, the tumor was found to be encapsulated and consisted of firm mass. It was connected to the diaphragm with 5x4 cm area by pedicle. Most of the tumor was free of adhesion. It was excised completely together with attached diaphragm. The tumor measured 23.5x3.5x8.0 cm and the pathologic diagnosis was benign solitary fibrous tumor and the attached diaphragm was free of disease.

Colobronchial Fistula as a Late Complication of Esophagocologastrostomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report a case of colobronchial fistula, which is an extremely rare complication of esophagocologastrostomy. A 53-year-old man developed recurrent respiratory symptoms 30 months after colon interposition for corrosive esophageal and gastric strictures. Chest radiographs and computed tomography showed an aspiration pneumonia and total atelectasis of the left lower lobe(LLL). Esophagoscopy and barium esophagogram revealed fistula between the colon just below the esophagocolostomy and superior segment of the LLL. The colobronchial fistulectomy and left lower lobe lobectomy were performed. This rare complication should be considered in patients who develop recurrent productive cough whenever they drink or eat something after esophagocologastrostomy.

Colobronchial Fistula as a Late Complication of Esophagocologastrostomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report a case of colobronchial fistula, which is an extremely rare complication of esophagocologastrostomy. A 53-year-old man developed recurrent respiratory symptoms 30 months after colon interposition for corrosive esophageal and gastric strictures. Chest radiographs and computed tomography showed an aspiration pneumonia and total atelectasis of the left lower lobe(LLL). Esophagoscopy and barium esophagogram revealed fistula between the colon just below the esophagocolostomy and superior segment of the LLL. The colobronchial fistulectomy and left lower lobe lobectomy were performed. This rare complication should be considered in patients who develop recurrent productive cough whenever they drink or eat something after esophagocologastrostomy.

Paraganglioma Arising from Retroperitoneum, Mediastinum

A paraganglioma that arises from the Retroperitoneum, mediastinum is an extra-adrenal form of pheochromcytoma. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas can occur at any site in the abdomen where chromaffin tissue is located and have been found in the paravertebral ganglia, the organ of Zuckerkandl, and the urinary bladder. An extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas can arise from a collection of para-aortic, paraganglion cells located at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery, This collection of paraganglia was first described in fetuses by Zuckerkandl in 1901 and has subsequently been referred to as the organ of Zuckerkandl. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma generally secrete norepinephrine, not epinephrine, because there is an absence of the enzyme phenyl- ethanolamine-N-methyl transferase. Therefore symptoms are related to the production of norepinephrine. Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas pursue a more aggressive course than their adrenal counterparts. It was found to metastasize in approximately 20% to 40% of cases, compared with only a 2% to 10% rate of metastasis in all adrenal tumors. We report on a three case of paragangliomas that had a functional and non-functional paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl and a case of a non-functional paraganglioma of the posterior mediastinum.

Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma with brain metastasis / 대한흉부외과학회지

Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor originated from the primitive mesencymal cell. It occurs primarily in the extremities, especially in the lower extremities. Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma has been rarely reported in literatures. We experienced a case of intrapulmonary synovial sarcoma with brain metastasis which originated from the lung.

Malignant Fibrous Histocytoma Originating from the Chest Wall / 대한흉부외과학회지

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH) is a deep-seated pleomorphic sarcoma, which occurs principally as a mass of the extremities, abdominal cavity, or retroperitoneum in adults. However, it only rarely occurs in the chest wall. An 85-year-old man had undeergone excision of a small mass on the right posterior chest wall under local anesthesia 14 months age. However, the lesion did not heal and the mass recurred. He was referred to our hospital after the mass had grown to a size of 10.5x8x4cm with a 3x3cm skin defect. Intraoperative frozen biopsy revealed MFH. An en-bloc wide resection and thin-thickness skin graft from his thigh were performed. Although distant metastasis to the lund developed 14 months later and the patient died 2 months later, there was no local recurrence. Thin-thickness skin graft is a simple method for a wide range skin defect, especially in the old age. He recovered in good condition without any physical disabilities.