MRI and planimetric CT follow-up study of patients with severe tick-borne encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and planimetric computed tomography (CT) of brain lesions in patients with a history of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE); to assess the influence of steroid treatment on the brain and whether lesions were age-dependent. METHODS: A total of 19 patients with abnormal initial imaging in the acute stage of the disease had a follow-up MRI after 1 year; 34 patients hospitalized for TBE encephalitis/encephalomyelitis had planimetric CT after 10 years. RESULTS: On MRI cortico-subcortical atrophy with widening of anterior horns of the lateral ventricles and vascular changes was more marked on follow-up examination. Virchow-Robin spaces dilatation, widening of the lateral ventricles, periventricular lesions, and cortico-subcortical atrophy correlated with age. Results of planimetric CT study showed increased percentage of tracings, widened anterior horns, lateral ventricles, and III ventricle, which suggest new non-age-related atrophic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Radiological lesions in the acute phase of TBE and after recovery are non-specific. Cortico-subcortical atrophy with widening of the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles and vascular changes are most common. Long-term follow-up confirms the formation of new non-age-related cerebral atrophic lesions due to TBE. The logit model may serve as a background for the hypothesis concerning an accelerated local atrophy of the brain tissues in patients with a history of severe TBE.

[Estimation of brain atrophic processes among patients with past history of TBE (with EEG evaluation)]. / Ocena zaników mózgowych u chorych po przebytym kzm w polczeniu z ocena zapisu EEG --doniesienie wstepne.

The aim of the study was estimation of brain atrophic processes among patients with past history long lasting, or encephalitic course (8-10 years after) TBE with using planimetric measurements of CT scans in connection with EEG evaluation. 34 patients were enrolled to the study. First results suggest the presence of sequel past TBE as increased percentage pathology in EEG evaluation as well increasing of anterior horns lateral ventricules, dilatation the III ventricule as a result of fastened brain atrophy in relation to the age of the patients.

[Ultrasonography in diagnosing Lyme arthritis of the knee joints in correlation with anti-CCP antibodies]. / Ocena przydatnosci ultrasonografii w diagnozowaniu zmian w obrebie stawów kolanowych u pacjentów z Lyme arthritis w korelacji z obecnoscia przeciwcial anty CCP w surowicy (badania wstepne).

Lyme disease, a multi-system disorder may be associated with arthritis. Lyme arthritis most commonly affects the knee joints. Ultrasonography can show the inflammation changes of the knee joint and can be a usefull method in diagnosis of Lyme arthritis. The most freguent ultrasonographic finding was knee joint effusion. Because of Lyme arthritis similarities to rheumatoid arthritis, a serologic test antibodies against cyclic cytrulinated peptid (anty CCP) can be helpfull in distinguishing of these two diseases.