CTA in patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. A comparative study with selective, digital angiography and blinded, independent review.

PURPOSE: Minimal- or non-invasive methods replacing intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) would be of great importance in patients suffering from acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The aims of this study were to compare CTA with IA-DSA in patients with acute SAH, to compare CTA interpretations with those of blinded, independent reviewers and to evaluate improvement in CTA diagnostics after 1 year of experience with CTA. MATERIAL AND METHOD: During 2 years 162 patients with SAH underwent CTA as well as IA-DSA. Independent blinded review of 77 patients was performed for 1 year. RESULTS: Totally 144 aneurysms were demonstrated in 119 patients at IA-DSA, while 43 patients had normal intracranial arteries. Initially 131 aneurysms were detected at CTA while 2 normal, tortuous arteries were misinterpreted as aneurysms, giving a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 95%. At independent blinded review the observer agreement was 87% and the kappa value 0.68. CONCLUSION: CTA in SAH is of great value in demonstrating vascular anatomy and the exact size of an aneurysm. However, IA-DSA is still needed for diagnostic evaluation in aneurysms smaller than 5 mm in diameter, especially in those located near bony structures.

Myelography with a dimeric (iodixanol) and a monomeric (iohexol) contrast medium: a clinical multicentre comparative study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the radiographic efficacy and safety of iodixanol (Visipaque; 270 and 320 mg I/ml) and iohexol (Omnipaque; 300 mg I/ml) in myelography. The study was randomized, double-blind and comparative including 398 patients from five European university clinics. The radiographic visualisation was evaluated as poor, good or excellent. Adverse events were recorded by interviewing the patients after the myelography, and each patient was given a questionnaire to be returned after 1 week. In cervical myelography with cervical puncture more films with excellent quality was obtained after iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.009). Also in lumbar myelography iodixanol 320 mgI/ml compared favourably with iohexol 300 mgI/ml (p = 0.006). The most frequent adverse event was headache, which occurred in 5-35 % of patients during the first 24 h and in 19-61 % within the first 7 days, depending on the centre. There was no difference in frequency and severity of the adverse effects between the contrast media.

Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media in the subarachnoid space. A comparison between gadodiamide injection and gadopentetate dimeglumine in an experimental study in pigs.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors studied the neural tolerance and contrast enhancement of a nonionic, gadodiamide injection (gadolinium [Gd]-DTPA-BMA), and an ionic, gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA), contrast medium in the subarachnoid space of the pig. METHODS: Sixteen experiments were performed in eight pigs. Lumbar and lateral C1-C2 punctures were performed. Ten milliliters of Gd-DTPA-BMA or Gd-DTPA with Gd concentrations varying from of 500 mmol/L to 0.625 mmol/L were injected, in four experiments via the lumbar route and in 12 experiments via the C1-C2 puncture. RESULTS: Four pigs injected via the C1-C2 puncture with a Gd concentration of 500 mmol/L had signs of somatomotor irritation and all were paretic after 24 hours. No somatomotor effects were observed in the other experiments, where lower concentrations of Gd were used. Marked enhancement of the cerebrospinal fluid with no visible signal differences was obtained with concentrations from 10 to 0.625 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Both Gd-DTPA-BMA and Gd-DTPA are remarkably well tolerated in the subarachnoid space. In doses relevant for imaging purposes no adverse effects were seen.

Animal experimental myelography in the pig. A comparison between iohexol and iotrolan.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors compared the effects of a nonionic monomeric, iohexol (Omnipaque, 300 mg I/ml), and a nonionic dimeric, iotrolan (Isovist, 300 mg I/ml), contrast medium in the spinal subarachnoid space of the pig. METHODS: Lumbar and lateral C1-C2 punctures were performed in 10 pigs. Ten milliliters iohexol or iotrolan were injected via the lumbar needle. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram, intravesical pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure were recorded during the injections and at intervals for 4 to 5 hours after the injections. Blood samples were taken at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 minutes after the injections and analyzed for iodine concentration. RESULTS: No changes were seen during the injections, and there were no differences in the blood pressure, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, electrocardiographic recordings, or in the plasma iodine concentrations during the first 4 to 5 hours after the injections. Short-lasting, rhythmic bladder contractions were seen during some injections with both iohexol and iotrolan. CONCLUSION: Both iohexol and iotrolan were well tolerated, and there was no significant difference between them. and there was no significant difference between them.

Craniopharyngioma identification by CT and MR imaging at 1.5 T.

To compare the detectability of craniopharyngiomas by CT and MR imaging, preoperative CT and MR studies obtained within 16 days of each other were evaluated retrospectively in 9 patients. MR imaging demonstrated cystic and solid tumor components in all 9 tumors, and enhancement in the 7 tumors that were studied after contrast medium injection. MR imaging demonstrated a signal void consistent with calcification in 4 patients. Combining unenhanced and contrast medium-enhanced studies, CT also identified all the tumors. CT demonstrated cysts in 7 lesions, calcification in 7 and enhancement in 6 of the 7 lesions that received i.v. contrast medium. Calcification was better seen by CT than MR imaging, while MR imaging identified cystic tumor components not seen on CT. The contrast medium enhancement pattern was the same with the 2 modalities. MR imaging of the sellar region, including at least one contrast medium-enhanced sequence, should be sufficient in most instances to establish a preoperative diagnosis of craniopharyngioma.

MR imaging of pituitary region lesions with gadodiamide injection.

Twelve patients with known or suspected pituitary lesions underwent MR imaging with gadodiamide injection at a dose of 0.1 (n = 5) or 0.3 (n = 7) mM/kg. Six of the patients were also studied with 0.1 mM/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine. Consistent with previous reports gadodiamide injection was found to be a safe and effective contrast medium for MR imaging of the pituitary region. No additional diagnostic information was obtained using 0.3 mM/kg gadodiamide injection compared to 0.1 mM/kg gadopentate dimeglumine in the same patients. The high dose (0.3 mM/kg) gadodiamide injection in 7 patients did not shorten the T2 value sufficiently to overwhelm the T1 shortening and leave pathologic lesions hypointense compared to precontrast studies. With the comparable relaxivities of gadodiamide injection and gadopentetate dimeglumine, similarities in results have to be expected when using these media for MR image enhancement.

MR imaging of pituitary macroadenomas before and after transsphenoidal surgery.

MR findings before and after transsphenoidal surgery were evaluated in 6 cases. T1-weighted (TR/TE 600/20) sagittal and coronal images with 2 or 4 acquisitions were obtained, using 3-mm slice thickness and 0.3-mm interslice gaps. Of 18 MR examinations, 13 included coronal i.v. contrast medium enhanced images. Image quality, sinus cavernosus invasion, identification of normal pituitary tissue and tumor size were examined. All MR studies clearly demonstrated the macroadenomas whether 2 or 4 acquisitions were used, and whether i.v. contrast medium was administered or not. Surgically confirmed sinus cavernosus infiltration was seen in 4 patients. The pituitary stalk was identified separate from the tumor in 2 patients, and the gland in one. There was reduction in tumor size over time, indicating that final radiologic assessment after transphenoidal surgery is best performed 4 to 6 months postoperatively. It should not be necessary to routinely include i.v. contrast medium injection in the postoperative evaluation of macroadenomas.

[Magnetic tomography and backache]. / Magnettomografi og rygglidelser.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well documented method for diagnosis of spinal disease. We discuss the changes in the number of myelographies and spinal CT examinations carried out at our department after having had our own MRI unit for two years.

Iopentol compared with iohexol in carotid angiography. A double blind crossover test of a new non-ionic contrast medium.

A randomized double blind crossover test with iohexol and the new non-ionic contrast medium iopentol in 12 patients undergoing carotid angiography showed no difference in tolerability, EEG, ECG, neurologic status or image quality. Iopentol seems to be well suited for cerebral angiography.

Magnetic resonance imaging of an epidural spinal arachnoid cyst.

The myelography, CT and MR imaging findings in a patient with an epidural spinal arachnoid cyst are discussed. MR imaging excellently demonstrated cyst size, cyst location and cord compression, and should be the method of choice in these cases.

MRI in cervical disk herniation.

Eleven operated herniated disks in 10 patients were evaluated preoperatively with plain films, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging. Plain X-ray was a valuable supplement to MRI for studying the bony changes. Myelography showed 7 of 11 herniated disks while MRI gave correct diagnosis in all. It is concluded that MRI can replace myelography and computerized tomography in the preoperative evaluation of cervical herniated disk. The other examinations may be supplementary in some cases.

Complications in cerebral angiography with iohexol (Omnipaque) and meglumine metrizoate (Isopaque cerebral).

The complications of cerebral angiography have been recorded in 1509 examinations with metrizoate (Isopaque Cerebral) and in 1000 examinations with iohexol (Omnipaque). The frequency of complications was 2.0 percent for metrizoate and 1.3 percent for iohexol. Permanent sequelae were seen in 4 patients, 3 in the metrizoate and one in the iohexol group. One of these patients died, probably from thromboembolism. Blood coagulation parameters were studied during the angiography in 22 patients and only minor, probably clinically insignificant changes were found, with no difference between the two contrast media.

Myelography with iohexol (Omnipaque); a clinical report with special reference to the adverse effects.

One thousand myelographies (370 cervical, 77 thoracic and 553 lumbar examinations) with iohexol (Omnipaque) were performed in 922 patients. No convulsions were seen. Transient hallucinations were reported in one patient. Headache occurred in 38%. The highest frequency of headache (52%) was reported following cervical myelography with lumbar puncture technique, placing the patient horizontally after the examination. The lowest frequency (20%) occurred following cervical myelography with the C1-C2 puncture technique, placing the patient in bed with the head end elevated 20 degrees. Lumbar myelography was performed on an out-patient basis in 243 patients. The frequency of headache was slightly higher (49%) in this group than in the other lumbar myelography patients (34-44%), but no serious complications were seen.

N-acetylaspartic aciduria in a child with a progressive cerebral atrophy.

Excessive excretion of N-acetylaspartic acid in urine is reported in a 6-yr-old child with extensive and progressive cerebral atrophy. The concentration in urine was 947-1,433 mumol/mmol creatinine (controls, n = 10, 5-21 mumol/mmol creatinine) and the daily excretion approximately 3-4 mmol. In cerebrospinal fluid from the patient the concentration was 611 mumol/l (controls, n = 10, not detectable, detection limit 2.3 mumol/l). The concentration of N-acetylaspartic acid in serum was 7 mumol/l. The low level in serum compared to the high urinary excretion of NAA suggests the possibility that NAA is synthesized in the kidneys in addition to the brain. This patient may cast new light on the functional role of N-acetylaspartic acid in humans.

Effect of various contrast media on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet function. An in vitro and in vivo study.

An in vitro and in vivo study of the effect of ionic and nonionic contrast media (CM) on coagulation and platelet function is reported. The methods employed were tests for extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation together with a fibrinolytic parameter and aggregation using ADP and collagen as inducers. The in vivo study utilized patients undergoing routine cerebral angiography. The in vitro results showed a modest influence of the nonionic CM in contrast to the ionic. The marked inhibitory effect of the latter was mainly caused by inherent toxicity, osmolality/ionic strength being of minor importance. The in vivo results showed a negligible influence of CM on systemic hemostatic parameters, but catheter-derived samples indicated desirability of premedication with ASA or heparin. The nonionic CM caused less discomfort than the ionic CM.

The toxicity of non-ionic water-soluble contrast media in selective vertebral angiography. An experimental study in rabbits with special reference to the difference between monomeric and dimeric compounds.

Selective vertebral angiography was performed in 28 rabbits in order to compare the adverse effects of two monomeric (metrizamide, iohexol) and two dimeric (iodecol, 2-5410-3) non-ionic water-soluble contrast media. The dose was 2,5 ml and the iodine concentrations 300 mg per ml. Marked, but transitory changes were seen in the electrocardiographic and blood pressure recordings with all the contrast media and with no difference between them in this respect. The two monomers had a higher tendency than the dimers to cause spasm in the intracranial arteries. No serious complications were seen in the series.