Correlation between MRI findings and long-term outcome in patients with severe brain trauma.

Our aim was to relate MRI findings in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to clinical severity and long-term outcome. We studied 37 patients with severe TBI, who were submitted to clinical assessment for disability and cognition and to MRI 60-90 days after trauma. Clinical assessment was also performed 3, 6 and 12 months later. The number and volume of lesions in various cerebral structures were calculated semiautomatically from FLAIR and fast field-echo images. Possible correlations between total and regional lesion volume and clinical deficits were then investigated. The frontal and temporal lobes were most frequently involved. Total lesion volume on FLAIR images correlated significantly with clinical outcome, whereas that on FFE images did not. Regional analysis showed that FLAIR lesion volume in the corpus callosum correlated significantly with scores on disability and cognition scales at the first clinical assessment. FLAIR lesion volume in the frontal lobes correlated significantly with clinical scores 1 year later.

Chorioretinitis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

A case of tuberculous uveitis that presented 34 years after a primary articular focus is evaluated. The pathogenesis of the infection and the role of the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis are discussed. Isoniazid was used with good therapeutic results. Fluorescein angiography was found to be essential in the follow-up of the choroidal lesions. Subretinal neovascularization was managed with argon laser photocoagulation.

Marfanoid hypermobility syndrome associated with Duane's retraction syndrome.

Marfanoid hypermobility syndrome together with Duane's retraction syndrome in two sisters is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a combination. A possible mode of inheritance is suggested.