Bilateral cavitations of ganglionic eminence: a fetal MR imaging sign of halted brain development.

SUMMARY: Ganglionic eminence is the main transitory proliferative structure of the ventral telencephalon in human fetal brain and it contributes for at least 35% to the population of cortical interneurons; however data on the human GE anomalies are scarce. We report 5 fetal MR imaging observations with bilateral symmetric cavitations in their GE regions resembling an inverted open C shape and separating the GE itself form the deeper parenchyma. Imaging, neuropathology, and follow-up features suggested a malformative origin. All cases had in common characteristics of lissencephaly with agenesis or severe hypoplasia of corpus callosum of probable different genetic basis. From our preliminary observation, it seems that GE cavitations are part of conditions which are also accompanied by severe cerebral structure derangement.

Clinical pitfalls related to short and long echo times in cerebral MR spectroscopy.

MR-spectroscopy (MRS) is a multiparameter diagnostic tool and modification of each parameter results in spectrum morphology changes. In particular, changing the echo time (TE) represents a useful tool to highlight different diagnostic elements, but also has significant impact on the spectrum morphology. Diagnostic errors can result if the role of TE is not properly considered. This article reviews the four most common TE-related pitfalls of MRS interpretation. Clinical practical methods to avoid such pitfalls are also suggested.

Thermal contact-sensing electronic thermometer.

The design and evaluation of a neonatal skin surface temperature-monitoring instrument that indicates when the temperature sensor becomes loose is presented. The skin surface temperature is sensed using a standard clinical thermistor probe. Thermal contact with the skin is evaluated every 4.5 min by determining the heat dissipation properties of the probe. A 6.1-mA, 14-s pulse is applied to the thermistor and the rate of temperature rise of the sensor is determined. Differences in this rate were found when the probe was in contact with skin and when it was in air, and an electronic circuit has been designed to recognize this difference. Evaluation on ten infants in incubators demonstrated that the instrument could accurately detect probe separation from the skin in all cases. When the instrument was evaluated on ten infants in bassinets at room temperature and ten adults, alarm conditions were seen in nine of ten cases when one side of the probe was separated from the skin by a 1.0-mm gap.