Parathyroid 4D CT and Scintigraphy: What Factors Contribute to Missed Parathyroid Lesions?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of missed lesions for parathyroid 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) and scintigraphy and to describe the factors leading to missed lesions for both modalities. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Single center, hospital based. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients undergoing 4D CT and scintigraphy before parathyroidectomy between July 2009 and October 2013 were included. Radiology reports and imaging were reviewed and correlated with operative notes to identify cases with missed lesions and the reasons for those misses. All lesions were then classified according to the following factors: multigland disease, lesion size, patient body weight, and multinodular goiter. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 6 had multigland disease, resulting in 51 lesions; 12 and 29 lesions were missed on 4D CT and scintigraphy, respectively. The sensitivity for detection of all lesions was 76% for 4D CT and 43% for scintigraphy. Sensitivities for single-gland disease were 88% for 4D CT and 50% for scintigraphy. Sensitivities for multigland disease were 53% for 4D CT and 24% for scintigraphy. Rates of multigland disease in patients with missed lesions were 75% on 4D CT and 48% on scintigraphy, as compared with patients with detected lesions, 23% and 18%, respectively (P ≤ .04). Mean weight of lesions missed on 4D CT was 0.3 and 0.6 g in detected lesions (P = .15). Mean weight of lesions missed on scintigraphy was 0.4 and 0.8 g in detected lesions (P = .03). CONCLUSION: 4D CT has higher sensitivity than scintigraphy. Missed lesions are more likely to occur with multigland disease for both modalities and in smaller lesions for scintigraphy.

Superficial temporal artery: the "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as it courses over the zygomatic arch.

PURPOSE: To describe the course and configuration of the superficial temporal artery (STA) around the zygomatic arch. METHODS: Volume rendered 3D reconstructions of computed tomography angiography of 25 healthy patients were performed and analyzed at Duke University Hospitals. RESULTS: The STA coursed over the zygomatic arch or over the condylar process of the mandible in all cases (25/25 pts, 100 %). The STA courses over the posterior zygomatic arch in 23/25 pts (92 %), creating a characteristic "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as it embraces the arch. When the STA travels posterior to the zygomatic arch, there is no C shape configuration (2/25 pts, 8 %). The STA bifurcates distal to the zygomatic arch in 24/25 pts (96 %). CONCLUSIONS: The "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration is a useful identifying characteristic of the most common course of the STA-over the posterior zygomatic arch before it bifurcates.

Umbilical cord blood transplantation to treat Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease in 2 young boys.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked recessive leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the proteolipid protein 1 gene on the Xq22 chromosome. PMD is a dysmyelinating disorder characterized by variable clinical presentation and course. Symptoms range from mild motor deficits to progressive spasticity and neurologic decline resulting in death at an early age. There is no definitive curative treatment. This report presents the clinical course of 2 young boys with PMD who are the first known patients to receive umbilical cord blood transplantation as a therapeutic intervention to stabilize disease progression. Pretransplantation evaluation revealed that both patients had significant motor deficits as well as delayed cognitive function as compared with age-matched peers. Brain imaging revealed varying degrees of hypomyelination. Both patients received myeloablative chemotherapy followed by an unrelated donor umbilical cord blood infusion, which they tolerated well with no major transplantation-related complications. At 7-years and 1-year posttransplantation, respectively, both boys are making slow neurocognitive improvements and show no evidence of functional decline. Imaging results show stable or improving myelination. Although the results of unrelated donor umbilical cord blood transplantation in these 2 boys with PMD are encouraging, longer-term follow-up will be necessary to assess the effect of this treatment on the variable natural disease course.

High incidence of osteoporosis and fractures in an aging post-polio population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Since the polio epidemic in Ireland in the 1950s, most polio survivors are approaching into the 6th and 7th decade of their lives. There is little data about bone density and risk of fractures in these patients. In 2006, we undertook an audit of post-polio patients attending rheumatology and neurology outpatient clinics in a university teaching hospital. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP), falls and fractures and to evaluate the association of bone density with other potential contributing factors to OP. METHODS: Over a 6-month period, 50 post-polio patients attending outpatient clinics completed a questionnaire, and subsequently their medical records were reviewed. Demographic data and details of treatment were extracted. The patients underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning to quantify bone mineral density. RESULTS: Thirty subjects (60%) were females (26 were postmenopausal). The average age of females was 60 +/- 13.4 years and of men 59 +/- 16.8 years. Overall, 41 (82%) of the patients had experienced falls in the last 5 years and 32 (64%) in the last 6 months. Nineteen (38%) of the patients had experienced a bone fracture in the last 5 years. Based on the bone mineral density data, 28 (56%) of the patients were diagnosed with OP and 20 (40%) had osteopenia, but only 8 (16%) received anti-resorptive therapy. Of the 19 patients who had a fracture, 14 (74%) had OP and 5 (26%) had osteopenia, of whom only 6 (32%) received anti-resorptive therapy. Eight out of 9 fractures of the neck of femur occurred in the weaker leg. CONCLUSIONS: Post-polio patients are a high-risk group for fracture, and thus bone density assessment, review of falls risk and therapeutic intervention should be considered for all patients. Both osteopenia and OP are associated with increased fracture risk.