Metastases and Primary Brain Tumors Affecting the Fornix of the Brain.

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological findings of metastatic tumors and primary brain tumors affecting the fornix. Methods  Between January 2015 and March 2023, we retrospectively evaluated 1087 patients of both sexes who underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a preliminary diagnosis of intracranial malignancy in the radiology department of our hospital. Two radiologists with six and 10 years of experience in MRI examination assessed the relationship between primary and metastatic tumors and the fornix. Results  Involvement of the fornix was diagnosed in 29 of the 1087 patients (2.66%), of which fornix was affected by metastatic lesions in 14 patients (48.2%) and primary tumors in 15 patients (51.7%). The majority of metastatic lesions were from lung and breast cancers, with other tumor types including osteosarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pleomorphic sarcoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Among all primary tumors, glioblastoma was the most common primary brain tumor invading the fornix, with other diagnoses including diffuse astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, and anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Metastatic and primary brain tumors affecting the fornix were detected over a broad timeline, from the time of diagnosis up to 120 months after diagnosis. A retrospective evaluation of medical records revealed memory deficits in four patients. Conclusion The fornix can be affected by both metastatic and primary brain tumors. It is crucial to understand the relevant neuroanatomical relationships when evaluating lesions that affect the fornix.

Computerized Tomography Texture Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis of Intracranial Epidermoid and Arachnoid Cysts.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the differences between arachnoid and epidermoid cysts in computerized tomography (CT) texture analysis (TA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 12 patients with intracranial epidermoid cysts and 26 patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts who were diagnosed with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and who had undergone an unenhanced CT examination before treatment. The LIFEx application software was used to obtain texture features. Eighty-two texture features from 38 lesions were automatically calculated for each lesion. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test the normality of the scores, and the Mann-Whitney U Test was used to test the difference between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate logistic regression modeling examined the parameters' diagnostic performances. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 53 years (range: 19-88 years). Eighty-two texture parameters were evaluated in the first order: gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), neighbor gray-tone difference matrix (NGTDM), and gray-level size zone matrix (GLSZM) groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the arachnoid cyst and the epidermoid cyst in the variables of compacity, compactness 1, compactness 2, sphericity, asphericity, sum average, coarseness, and low gray-level zone (p<0.05). According to the multiple logistic regression model, it was determined that the sum average in the GLCM group (B=-0.11; p=0.015), coarseness (B= 869.5; p=0.044) in the NGTDM group, and morphological sphericity (B=24.18; p=0.047) were the radiomics variables that increased the probability of epidermoid diagnosis. According to the classification table of the model, the sensitivity rate was found to be 83%, and the specificity rate was found to be 96%. Therefore, the probability of accurate model classification was 92%. CONCLUSION: CT TA is a method that can be applied with high diagnostic accuracy in the differential diagnosis of intracranial epidermoid and arachnoid cysts, especially in patients who cannot undergo an MRI examination.

Differences in apparent diffusion coefficient histogram analysis according to EGFR mutation status in brain metastasis due to lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The etiology, clinicopathological features, and prognosis of cancer in cases with EGFR mutations are different from those without mutations.OBJECTIVE:This study aims to evaluate the differences in ADC histogram analysis in brain metastases with EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma cases and the relationship between ADC histogram analysis differences and overall survival. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 30 patients (8 EGFR+/22 EGFR-) and 51 brain metastases (15 EGFR+/36 EGFR-) were included. ROI markings are first performed from each section, including metastasis in ADC mapping using FIREVOXEL software. Next, ADC histogram parameters are calculated. Overall survival analysis after brain metastasis (OSBM) is defined as the time from initial brain metastasis diagnosis to the time of death or last follow-up. Patient-based (by evaluating the largest lesion) and lesion-based (by evaluating all measurable lesions) statistical analyses are then performed. RESULTS: In the lesion-based analysis, skewness values are lower in EGFR+ patients, which is statistically significant (p = 0.012). The two groups have no significant difference regarding other ADC histogram analysis parameters, mortality, and overall survival (p > 0.05). In the ROC analysis, the most appropriate skewness cut-off value is determined as 0.321 to distinguish the EGFR mutation difference, and this value is statistically significant (sensitivity: 66.7%, specificity: 80.6%, AUC: 0.730) (p = 0.006).CONCLUSION:The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the differences in ADC histogram analysis according to EGFR mutation status in brain metastases due to lung adenocarcinoma. The identified parameters, especially skewness, are potentially non-invasive biomarkers for predicting mutation status. Incorporating these biomarkers into routine clinical practice may aid treatment decision-making and prognostic assessment for patients. Further validation studies and prospective investigations are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of these findings and establish their potential for personalized therapeutic strategies and patient outcomes.

The relationship of T2 hypointensity and diffusion restriction of brain metastases with the presence and amount of vasogenic edema in MRI.

AIM: Brain metastases are seen in 15-40% of patients diagnosed with cancer. We aimed to search the relationship between the T2 hypointensity, diffusion-weighted imaging characteristics, and the presence and amount of vasogenic edema of brain metastasis in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 292 patients with brain metastasis were included in the study. T2 signals of metastatic lesions, accompanying diffusion restriction and perilesional vasogenic edema findings, were investigated. In metastases accompanied by vasogenic edema, the largest dimension of the vasogenic edema-mass complex on T2-weighted sequences and the largest dimension of the mass in contrast-enhanced T1-weighted series were measured and the edema-mass ratio (EMR) was calculated by comparing these two values. RESULTS: The frequency of vasogenic edema was statistically significantly higher in T2 hypointense metastases (89.1% vs 58.8%, χ2 = 18.949, p = <.001) and metastases accompanied by diffusion restriction(81% vs 61.5%, χ2 = 6.971, p = .008). EMR values were found to be statistically significantly higher in T2 hypointense metastases (EMR→ Z = -4.507, p = <.001) and metastases with diffusion restriction(EMR→ Z = -3.819, p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of vasogenic edema and EMR rates were higher in patients in T2 hypointense metastases and metastases accompanied by diffusion restriction in MRI.

The prevalence of isolated tentorial hypoplasia on magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The tent shape of the tentorium cerebelli helps preserve brain anatomy by providing cerebellum protection against pressure caused by the brain's gravity effect. In the absence of this support structure of the tentorium, herniation occurs in the brain. Isolated tentorial hypoplasia (TH) is extremely rare. In this study, we aimed to calculate the prevalence of this entity, which is reported to be rare in the literature. Material and methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of 5163 patients who applied to the training and research hospital for various reasons between 1 September 2020, and 31 August 2021, who underwent brain MRI, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The prevalence of TH among patients screened during a period of one year was calculated as 2.22%. Of these, 76.59% were female (n = 72) and 23.41% were male (n = 22). The rates of presentation of complaints among TH patients were 60.63% headache, 17.02% vertigo, 4.25% seizures, 3.19% tremor, 3.19% syncope, 7.44% forgetfulness, and 2.12% visual impairment. Five patients (11.76%) were admitted for metastasis investigation due to their primary malignancy; they did not have any complaints. Localization of TH: 18.08% (n = 17) were observed on the right side, 28.72% (n = 27) on the left side, and 53.19% (n = 50) on the bilateral tentorium leaf. Conclusions: Being aware of TH during brain MRI evaluation will help prevent possible misdiagnoses. We hope that this study with a large number of patients will increase awareness about TH, because there are no studies other than cadaver studies and a few case reports.

Vasogenic Edema Pattern in Brain Metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of the presence and amount of vasogenic edema with origin, type, and grade of primary cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Radiology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey, from July 2017 to October 2021. METHODOLOGY: Brain MRI scans of 292 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Age, gender, origin, type, and grade of primary cancer were determined. Metastasis type, and presence of vasogenic edema accompanying metastatic lesion were questioned. In cases of vasogenic edema accompanying metastatic lesions, the largest diameter of the vasogenic edema mass complex was measured in T2 sequences. In the contrast-enhanced series, the largest diameter of the metastatic lesion was measured, and the edema-mass ratio (EMR) was calculated by proportioning the diameter of the edema mass complex to the diameter of the mass. RESULTS: The frequency of vasogenic edema was found higher in patients with lung cancer compared to other primaries. The EMR was found statistically significantly higher in patients with primary lung cancer (p=0.001). This was particularly evident in the adenocarcinoma group. In the patient group with primary breast cancer, EMR was found significantly lower in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma. (IDC→1.95±0.66 vs. Other→2.48±0.52, Z=-2.301, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The amount and presence of vasogenic edema in patients with brain metastases may differ according to the origin and type of primary tumour. KEY WORDS: Brain edema, Metastatic disease, Magnetic resonance imaging.

Situs Inversus Totalis and Schizophrenia Comorbidity.

The comorbidity of structural or genetic diseases with schizophrenia is seen as an opportunity to understand the formation of schizophrenia. This case report presents a patient with comorbidity of schizophrenia, tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and total situs inversus. TOF is a cyanotic heart disease, which can be linked to 22q11 deletion and trisomy 21. Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a congenital condition in which the major visceral organs, including the heart, are positioned in a mirror image from normal conditions. The comorbidity of TOF and SIT is quite rare. In our case report, schizophrenia is added to this rare comorbidity. This case report discussed the comorbidity and probable causal relationships. Furthermore, the research method of how transposition in internal organs is reflected in brain lateralization is also presented.

Unilateral sudden hearing loss: a rare symptom of Moyamoya disease.

A 38-year-old female patient experienced a sudden onset of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to Moyamoya disease. A detailed summary of audiological and neurological findings indicated that the sudden hearing loss might be due to Moyamoya disease resulting in occlusion of posterior and middle cerebral arteries. Intravenous prednisolone and trimetazidine dihydrochloride may improve hearing thresholds and speech understanding. To our knowledge, this is the first article in the literature reporting a case of sudden hearing loss as the first manifestation of Moyamoya disease in a young adult.

The Efficacy of One Molar Contrast Material in the Evaluation of Breast Lesions with MR Imaging.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of 1 molar (containing 1 mol/mL gadobutrol) contrast material in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions with MRI. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty-seven women (age range: 22-77 years, mean: 43.7 years) with 76 breast lesions were included in this study. Dynamic post-contrast images with 0.2 mL/kg gadobutrol (Gadovist) injection were obtained in all patients. Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) of the lesions, as well as their contrast enhancement patterns (ring, heterogeneous, homogenous), and perilesional increased vascularity were studied. RESULTS: Fifty-six benign and 20 malignant lesions were examined histopathologically. In malignant cases, heterogeneous and peripheral enhancements were most commonly determined, whereas homogeneous enhancement was most commonly determined in benign cases. CNR was 450% in malignant lesions, and 60% in benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Type II/III contrast-time curves, ring/heterogeneous enhancement, prominent increase in CNR, and perilesional vascularity increase are important findings determining malignancy, whereas Type I curves, homogenous enhancement, a slight increase in CNR, and absence of perilesional vascularity increase support findings of benign breast lesions. By increasing CNR and providing increased perilesional vascularity, Gadovist can help in the determination of malignant breast lesions.

Flow volumes of internal jugular veins are significantly reduced in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the flow volumes of the internal jugular veins (IJVs) in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) using Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) and to compare the findings with the control group. Forty patients diagnosed with CVST between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. The patients diagnosed with a thrombosis via MRV and MRI underwent a bilateral examination of the IJVs by DUS. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n=29) unilateral total thrombosis; Group II (n= 6) bilateral diffuse thrombosis; and Group III (n=5) unilateral partial thrombosis. The IJV flow volumes of each group were compared to that of the control group (n=20). In Group I, the average flow volume was 53 ml/min on the side of the thrombosis. In Group II, the mean volume of the right and left IJV was 265 ml/min, and in Group III, the mean volume on the side of the partial thrombosis was 160 ml/min. The flow volume on the thrombosed side in Group I and Group III and the mean of the total bilateral flow volume in Group II were significantly lower than that of the control group. IJV flow volumes in the CVST group were significantly lower compared to the control group. Reduced flow volumes of the IJV may be diagnostic for CVST or an additional parameter to be considered with the use of MRI.

A Case of ADEM Mimicking Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy Based on Supratentorial MRI Findings.

A 9-year-old male admitted for syncope also had the complains of pain and numbness in his legs and frequent falling down. There was a history of upper respiratory tract infection 10 days before. On neurologic examination, paraparesia and fall a sleep were identified. On magnetic resonance imaging, the symetric signal increases were seen in biparieto-occipital white matter intented to corpus callosum at T2-weighted sequences and cytotoxic edema was seen at diffusion-weighted images. Heterogeneous contrast enhancement was seen on these areas. In addition, at the C7-Th5 vertebrae levels, spinal cord had diffuse increased signal intensity and contrast enhancement. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was thought based on clinical and radiological findings. Steroid therapy was started. Significant improvement was shown after treatment. On 2-year follow-up, there was no recurrence. In conclusion, it must be kept in mind that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can rarely present with biparieto-occipital involvement which extends to corpus callosum and can mimic adrenoleukodystrophy. For the differential diagnosis butterfly glioma, tumefactive demyelinating lesions or multiple sclerosis should be considered.

Solitary paraganglioma of the hypoglossal nerve: A case report with magnetic resonance imaging findings.

PATIENT: Female, 58 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Solitary paraganglioma of the hypoglossal nerve Symptoms: Neck pain Medication: - Clinical Procedure: Surgical resection Specialty: Otolaryngology. OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating in the neural crest. Only a few cases of hypoglossal paraganglioma have been reported in the published literature. The localization of hypoglossal paragangliomas close to the carotid artery precludes determination of tumor origin preoperatively. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old female patient was admitted due to neck pain. During physical examination, a significant mass could not be palpated in the upper left part of the neck, despite sensitivity during palpation. Atrophy and left deviation of the left half of the tongue was observed. MRI of the neck revealed a lesion located superior to the carotid bifurcation between the left internal carotid artery and external carotid artery. There was atrophy in the left half of the tongue. The neck mass displaced the left internal carotid artery anteriorly and medially. The operation was performed with left lateral cervical access. This lesion, which derived from the hypoglossal nerve, was excised. Following histopathological evaluation, the lesion was diagnosed as paraganglioma. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglossal paraganglioma is quite rare and there are no established criteria for preoperative diagnosis. Hypoglossal paraganglioma must be considered to determine treatment options if a lateral neck mass and ipsilateral tongue atrophy are present at the level of the 12th cranial nerve tract.

A case of enchondromatosis concomitant with cerebral hamartomas: radiologic findings.

Enchondromatosis is a congenital nonhereditary condition characterized by multiple symmetrically distributed intraosseous cartillaginous masses in the metaphyses and diaphyses of bones. We report a case of bilateral multiple enchondromas and cerebral hamartomas in an 11-year-old boy in whom x-rays displayed distortion and expansion of bilateral long tubuler bones, hands and feet, scapulas, pelvis, and occipital regions of the calvarium. In addition to osseous abnormalities, bilateral cerebral hamartomas were observed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature with enchondromatosis and cerebral hamartomas.

Metastasis of testicular yolk sac tumor to cauda equina.

Primary germ cell tumors may spread to the lung, liver, brain, and bone hematogenously. However, spinal metastasis is extremely rare. A case with yolk sac tumor (YST) and cauda equina metastasis was presented in a 2-year-old boy. Two months prior to admisssion, he underwent left radical orchiectomy for testicular YST. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal and cauda equina involvement. This is the first report of metastasis of testicular YST to cauda equina in a child.

The diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in soft tissue abscesses.

PURPOSE: To study the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in soft tissue abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were included in this study who were thought to have soft tissue abscess or cystic lesion as a result of clinical and radiological examinations. Localisations of the lesions were: 1 periorbital, 3 breast, 14 intraabdominal, and 32 intramuscular lesions. After other radiological examinations, DWI was performed. The signal intensity values of the lesions were evaluated qualitatively according to the hyperintensity on b-1000 DWI, using 1.5 T MR system. All of the lesions were aspirated after DWI, and detection of pus in the aspiration material was accepted as gold standard for the diagnosis of abscess. RESULTS: In 38 of the 50 patients, hyperintensity was obtained on diffusion-weighted images. False-positive results were maintained in 2 of these patients, and true-positive results were maintained in 36 of them. In 11 of the 50 patients, hypointensity was visualised on diffusion-weighted images. False-negative results were maintained in 3 of these patients, and true-negative results were maintained in 8 of them. An abscess which was seen on post-contrast conventional MRI could not be seen on DWI, and this was regarded as false-negative. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of diffusion-weighted images for detecting soft tissue abscesses were found to be 92% and 80%, respectively. DWI has a high diagnostic value in soft tissue abscesses, and is an important imaging modality that may be used for the differentiation of cysts and abscesses.

Clinical outcome and magnetic resonance imaging findings in infants with hypoglycemia.

The authors examined clinical outcome and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in infants with hypoglycemia to determine the effects of hypoglycemia on the developing brain. A total of 110 infants with hypoglycemia were included in the study. Of the patients, 36 were females and 74 were males. The age of the infants was between 1 day and 22 months. Of the 110 infants, 47 were preterm neonates, 40 were term neonates, and 23 were older than 28 days. No difference in serum glucose level was noted between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants. The most common observed abnormal findings were hyperintense lesions, encephalomalacia, and cerebral atrophy. Abnormal MRI findings were found in 4% of preterm infants, in 32.5% of term infants, and in 43.5% of older infants. Abnormal MRI findings were statistically significantly more common in symptomatic infants than in asymptomatic infants. Of the infants, 45.5% of hypoglycemic infants had cerebral palsy and/or cerebral palsy plus epilepsy.

Goldston syndrome in a fetus: case report and literature review.

We present a case of the Goldston syndrome which is the association of polycystic kidneys with Dandy-Walker malformation. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound in twenty second week of gestation. Obstetric ultrasound and fetal MRI studies showed hydrocephalus, agenesis of the cerebellar hemispheres, vermian hypoplasia, cystic dilatation of the 4(th) ventricle, enlargement of the posterior fossa, abdominal distension, and oligohydramnios.. The kidneys were symmetrically enlarged and multicystic. To our knowledge this is the third reported case of Goldston syndrome which was diagnosed during intrauterine life.

MRI of omphalopagus conjoined twins with a Dandy-Walker malformation: prenatal true FISP and HASTE sequences.

Conjoined twins are an extremely rare congenital malformation without any known genetic predisposition. Omphalopagus twins are the second most common variety of conjoined twins and usually are joined at the umbilicus. We present omphalopagus conjoined twins demonstrated with true FISP (fast imaging with steady-state procession) and HASTE (half- Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, which showed Dandy- Walker malformation in one of the pair. To our knowledge, this is the first case of conjoined twins with this malformation, which was diagnosed with ultrafast MRI.

Submandibular and thyroid gland involvement of hydatid cysts: a very rare association with percutaneous treatment.

A 48-year-old man who had a complaint of swelling in the left submandibular region and right side of the neck was referred to our radiology clinic for sonographic examination that revealed a type 1 hydatid cyst with a diameter of 32 mm in the left submandibular gland, and a type 3 hydatid cyst with a diameter of 33 mm in the right thyroid gland. The diagnosis was verified by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and hemagglutination tests. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case in the literature of hydatid cysts involving both submandibular and thyroid glands. There was no abdominal, thoracic or brain involvement. The patient was a singer and did not accept surgical treatment, and percutaneous drainage with the PAIR (Puncture-Aspiration of cyst contents-Injection of hypertonic saline solution-Reaspiration) technique was performed for both cysts. There were no complications during or after the intervention. During 4 months of follow up the sizes of both cysts were decreased and the germinative membranes were shrunken, having a pseudotumor appearance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature that the PAIR method was applied for thyroid and submandibular gland hydatid cysts. Percutaneous treatment of thyroid and submandibular gland hydatid cysts seems to be a safe and effective procedure as a possible alternative to surgery.

Cine phase-contrast MRI evaluation of normal aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid flow according to sex and age.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was cerebrospinal flow quantification in the cerebral aqueduct using cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique in both sexes and five different age groups to provide normative data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects with no cerebral pathology were included in this study. Subjects were divided into five age groups: < or =14 years, 15-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, and > or =45 years. Phase, rephase, and magnitude images were acquired by 1.5 T MR unit at the level of cerebral aqueduct with spoiled gradient echo through-plane, which is a cine phase-contrast sequence. At this level, peak flow velocity (cm/s), average flow rate (cm/ s), average flow (L/min), volumes in cranial and caudal directions (mL), and net volumes (mL) were studied. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in peak flow between the age group of < or =14 years and the older age groups. There were no statistically significant differences in average velocity, cranial and caudal volume, net volume, and average flow parameters among different age groups. Statistically significant differences were not detected in flow parameters between sexes. CONCLUSION: When using cine-phase contrast MRI in the cerebral aqueduct, only the peak velocity showed a statistically significant difference between age groups; it was higher in subjects aged < or =14 years than those in older age groups. When performing age-dependent clinical studies including adolescents, this should be taken into consideration.