Enhancement pattern of the normal facial nerve at 3.0 T temporal MRI.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enhancement pattern of the normal facial nerve at 3.0 T temporal MRI. We reviewed the medical records of 20 patients and evaluated 40 clinically normal facial nerves demonstrated by 3.0 T temporal MRI. The grade of enhancement of the facial nerve was visually scaled from 0 to 3. The patients comprised 11 men and 9 women, and the mean age was 39.7 years. The reasons for the MRI were sudden hearing loss (11 patients), Méniàre's disease (6) and tinnitus (7). Temporal MR scans were obtained by fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain; three-dimensional (3D) fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) images of the temporal bone with a 0.77 mm thickness, and pre-contrast and contrast-enhanced 3D spoiled gradient record acquisition in the steady state (SPGR) of the temporal bone with a 1 mm thickness, were obtained with 3.0 T MR scanning. 40 nerves (100%) were visibly enhanced along at least one segment of the facial nerve. The enhanced segments included the geniculate ganglion (77.5%), tympanic segment (37.5%) and mastoid segment (100%). Even the facial nerve in the internal auditory canal (15%) and labyrinthine segments (5%) showed mild enhancement. The use of high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (with 3 T MRI), thin-section contrast-enhanced 3D SPGR sequences showed enhancement of the normal facial nerve along the whole course of the nerve; however, only mild enhancement was observed in areas associated with acute neuritis, namely the canalicular and labyrinthine segment.

Pseudotumour in the bladder as a complication of total hip replacement: ultrasonography, CT and MR findings.

We report a pseudotumour in the urinary bladder following total hip replacement with review of the literature. Pseudotumour in the urinary bladder as a late complication of total hip replacement is an extremely rare condition. In this case, cross-sectional imaging modalities including sonography, CT and MR showed a hypervascular polypoid mass in the urinary bladder and adjacent wall thickening with a band connecting between the mass and the acetabulum. Histopathological diagnosis confirmed acute and chronic inflammation with calcification.

Sonographic findings of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas, a rare tumor occurring in young women. METHODS: The sonographic findings of 11 cases of pathologically proven solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In 6 cases (55%), combined cystic and solid portions of the masses were observed, whereas only solid-looking masses without anechoic cystic portions were seen in 4 cases (36%). One case (9%) had marginal calcification, consequently, the internal architecture was not evaluated by sonography. Internal echoes were seen in 3 of 6 cystic and solid masses. Septa were seen in 3 cases. Among 11 cases of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm, tumor margins were well defined in 10, and tumor capsules were detected in 9 (echogenic in 7 and hypoechoic in 2). Calcifications were seen in 3 cases (27%). CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic sonographic findings of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm were well-encapsulated, cystic, and solid masses, but sometimes the mass was seen as a pure solid-looking mass or had internal septations or calcifications.

Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions by sulfapyridine.

We examined the effect of sulfapyridine on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. Sulfapyridine (1 and 10 microg/kg) significantly inhibited systemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Sulfapyridine (1 and 10 microg/kg) also inhibited significantly local mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. Moreover, sulfapyridine inhibited histamine release dose-dependently in the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. When sulfapyridine was added, the level of cAMP in RPMC, transiently and significantly increased about 4-fold compared with that of basal cells. These results indicate that sulfapyridine inhibits mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro.