The effects of mannitol and melatonin on MRI findings in an animal model of traumatic brain edema.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of mannitol and melatonin on brain edema secondary to trauma using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A mild traumatic brain injury with the Feeney method was performed upon twelve New Zealand rabbits. Three hours after the trauma was inflicted, MRI images were obtained, then the subjects were divided into two groups: a mannitol group and a melatonin group. The mannitol group (n = 6) was given 2 gr/kg of 20% mannitol IV over 10 minutes and the melatonin group (n = 6) received 100 mg/kg of melatonin IV over 30 minutes. Thirty-three hours after the first MRI, MRI was repeated. The 3-hour and 36-hour post-trauma MRI images in both groups were scored regarding signs of edema and extent of brain tissue protrusion in a blinded fashion by a staff radiologist. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were made using the Fisher exact test and chi square test. Comparison of brain tissue protrusion measurements was done using the Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS: Signs of raised intraventricular pressure, contusion and parenchymal edema were more prevelant, and parenchymal protrusion was more prominent on the 36-hour MRI in both mannitol and melatonin groups. No significant difference was found between the melatonin and mannitol groups in any parameter in the MRI images performed 3 and 36 hours after the head trauma. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal model, melatonin and mannitol had similar effects on brain edema, as demonstrated on MRI 3 and 36 hours after head trauma.

Secondary breast, pancreatic, and renal involvement with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Imaging findings.

The radiologic features in a patient with breast, pancreatic, and renal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented in this paper. Although diagnosis of lymphoma is based on histologic criteria, radiologic techniques may be helpful in the evaluation and follow-up of masses in patients with lymphoma.

Spontaneous rupture of choledochal cyst presenting in childhood.

Spontaneous rupture of choledochal cysts is one of the rare complications, and can sometimes be the initial manifestation. It should be considered in the presence of bile-like fluid. A 10-year-old girl had acute onset of abdominal pain, vomiting, and elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels. There was no trauma in her history. In ultrasonography and computed tomography, dilated common bile duct, cystic mass of 10 x 6 cm, and free intraperitoneal fluid in abdominal cavity were demonstrated. Radiological methods, especially intraoperative cholangiography, should be performed for evaluation. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the choledochal cyst with clinical and radiological findings.