scholarly journals Histology and computed tomography of incidental calcifications in the human basal ganglia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther J. M. de Brouwer ◽  
Pim A. de Jong ◽  
Annemarieke De Jonghe ◽  
Marielle H. Emmelot-Vonk ◽  
Huiberdina L. Koek ◽  
...  

AbstractIncidental basal ganglia calcifications are a common finding on computed tomography (CT). We investigated the histological characteristics of these calcifications and their association with CT findings, using post-mortem basal ganglia tissue from 22 patients. Eight patients had basal ganglia calcifications on histology, and six patients had calcifications on CT, varying from mild to severe. Four patients had calcifications identified by both histology and CT, and two patients had calcifications detected by CT but not by histology, possibly because of insufficient tissue available. Calcifications were found mainly in the tunica media of arterioles located in the globus pallidus, which suggests that incidental CT calcifications are vascular in nature. However, tunica media calcifications, and thereby incidental basal ganglia calcifications, are probably not related to atherosclerosis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 366-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Calheiros de Lima Petribu ◽  
Andrezza Christine Vieira Fernandes ◽  
Marília de Brito Abath ◽  
Luziany Carvalho Araújo ◽  
Felipe Reis Silva de Queiroz ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To describe head computed tomography (CT) findings in neonates with congenital Zika virus infection confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid. Materials and Methods: This was a study of 16 newborn infants who exhibited abnormal head CT findings during an outbreak of Zika virus infection. Those infants had the following features: brain imaging suggestive of congenital infection; brain calcifications and negative results on tests for other main infectious causes of primary microcephaly, namely toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and HIV; positivity for Zika virus on IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cerebrospinal fluid. Results: Decreased brain volume was observed in 13 (81.2%) of the infants. All of the infants showed cortico-subcortical calcifications, mainly located in the frontal lobe. In 15 neonates (93.7%), ventriculomegaly was observed. Colpocephaly was a common finding, being observed in 10 patients (62.5%). A prominent occipital bone was identified in 9 patients (56.2%). Conclusion: Our study proves that Zika virus infection can cause congenital brain damage, with or without microcephaly. Some predominant head CT findings in neonates with congenital Zika virus infection, although not pathognomonic, are strongly suggestive of a pattern.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7498
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Ball ◽  
Emanuela Barisione ◽  
Luca Mastracci ◽  
Michela Campora ◽  
Delfina Costa ◽  
...  

Lung fibrosis has specific computed tomography (CT) findings and represents a common finding in advanced COVID-19 pneumonia whose reversibility has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to quantify the extension of collagen deposition and aeration in postmortem cryobiopsies of critically ill COVID-19 patients and to describe the correlations with qualitative and quantitative analyses of lung CT. Postmortem transbronchial cryobiopsy samples were obtained, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and stained with Sirius red to quantify collagen deposition, defining fibrotic samples as those with collagen deposition above 10%. Lung CT images were analyzed qualitatively with a radiographic score and quantitatively with computer-based analysis at the lobe level. Thirty samples from 10 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia deceased during invasive mechanical ventilation were included in this study. The median [interquartile range] percent collagen extension was 6.8% (4.6–16.2%). In fibrotic compared to nonfibrotic samples, the qualitative score was higher (260 (250–290) vs. 190 (120–270), p = 0.036) while the gas fraction was lower (0.46 (0.32–0.47) vs. 0.59 (0.37–0.68), p = 0.047). A radiographic score above 230 had 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, CI: 66.4% to 100%) and 66.7% specificity (95% CI: 41.0% to 92.3%) to detect fibrotic samples, while a gas fraction below 0.57 had 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 66.4% to 100%) and 57.1% specificity (95% CI: 26.3% to 88.0%). In COVID-19 pneumonia, qualitative and quantitative analyses of lung CT images have high sensitivity but moderate to low specificity to detect histopathological fibrosis. Pseudofibrotic CT findings do not always correspond to increased collagen deposition.


2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Vogel ◽  
H Gulbins ◽  
H Reichenspurner ◽  
A Heinemann ◽  
H Vogel

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Vogel ◽  
H Gulbins ◽  
H Reichenspurner ◽  
A Heinemann ◽  
H Vogel

Author(s):  
Sabina Strano-Rossi ◽  
Serena Mestria ◽  
Giorgio Bolino ◽  
Matteo Polacco ◽  
Simone Grassi ◽  
...  

AbstractScopolamine is an alkaloid which acts as competitive antagonists to acetylcholine at central and peripheral muscarinic receptors. We report the case of a 41-year-old male convict with a 27-year history of cannabis abuse who suddenly died in the bed of his cell after having smoked buscopan® tablets. Since both abuse of substances and recent physical assaults had been reported, we opted for a comprehensive approach (post-mortem computed tomography CT (PMCT), full forensic autopsy, and toxicology testing) to determine which was the cause of the death. Virtopsy found significant cerebral edema and lungs edema that were confirmed at the autopsy and at the histopathological examination. Scopolamine was detected in peripheral blood at the toxic concentration of 14 ng/mL in blood and at 263 ng/mL in urine, and scopolamine butyl bromide at 17 ng/mL in blood and 90 ng/mL in urine. Quetiapine, mirtazapine, lorazepam, diazepam, and metabolites and valproate were also detected (at therapeutic concentrations). Inmates, especially when they have a history of drug abuse, are at risk to use any substance they can find for recreational purposes. In prisons, active surveillance on the management and assumption of prescribed drugs could avoid fatal acute intoxication.


Author(s):  
F. Riva ◽  
U. Buck ◽  
K. Buße ◽  
R. Hermsen ◽  
E. J. A. T. Mattijssen ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study explores the magnitude of two sources of error that are introduced when extracorporeal bullet trajectories are based on post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and/or surface scanning of a body. The first source of error is caused by an altered gravitational pull on soft tissue, which is introduced when a body is scanned in another position than it had when hit. The second source of error is introduced when scanned images are translated into a virtual representation of the victim’s body. To study the combined magnitude of these errors, virtual shooting trajectories with known vertical angles through five “victims” (live test persons) were simulated. The positions of the simulated wounds on the bodies were marked, with the victims in upright positions. Next, the victims were scanned in supine position, using 3D surface scanning, similar to a body’s position when scanned during a PMCT. Seven experts, used to working with 3D data, were asked to determine the bullet trajectories based on the virtual representations of the bodies. The errors between the known and determined trajectories were analysed and discussed. The results of this study give a feel for the magnitude of the introduced errors and can be used to reconstruct actual shooting incidents using PMCT data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Irizato ◽  
Hiroshi Matsuura ◽  
Atsuya Okada ◽  
Ken Ueda ◽  
Hitoshi Yamamura

Abstract Background This study evaluated the time course of computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who required mechanical ventilation and were treated with favipiravir and steroid therapy. Results Eleven patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included. CT findings assessed at the three time points showed that all patients had ground-glass opacities (GGO) and consolidation and mixed pattern at intubation. Consolidation and mixed pattern disappeared in most of the patients whereas GGO persisted in all patients at 1-month follow-up. In addition to GGO, a subpleural line and bronchus distortion and bronchial dilatation were frequent findings. The degree of resolution of GGO varied depending on each patient. The GGO score correlated significantly with the time from symptoms onset to initiation of steroid therapy (ρ = 0.707, p = 0.015). Conclusions At 1-month follow-up after discharge, non-GGO lesions were absorbed almost completely, and GGO were a predominant CT manifestation. Starting steroid therapy earlier after onset of symptoms in severe COVID-19 pneumonia may reduce the extent of GGO at 1-month follow-up.


Author(s):  
Pankaj Gupta ◽  
Rohan Kamat ◽  
Jayanta Samanta ◽  
Harshal Mandavdhare ◽  
Vishal Sharma ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) in acute pancreatitis (AP) may reduce tissue perfusion and impair organ function and has been shown to portend poor prognosis. We investigated the computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with AP with IAH. Methods This retrospective study comprised of consecutive patients with AP from June 2016 to June 2018 in whom intraabdominal pressure (IAP) was measured. The patients who underwent a contrast-enhanced CT within 7 days of IAP measurement were included. Using a cutoff of 12 mm Hg for IAP, the patients were divided into IAH and non-IAH groups. Measures of severity and clinical outcome were evaluated. CT parameters were compared between the groups. Results The IAH group comprised of 41 patients, while there were 20 patients in the non-IAH group. The IAH group was characterized by severe disease, increased incidence of organ failure, increased requirement for drainage and surgery, prolonged hospital and intensive care unit stay. The mortality was not significantly different between the two groups. On univariate analysis, the CT features that were found to be significantly different between the two groups were the presence of collection (p = 0.036), the maximum dimension of collection (p = 0.004), volume of collection (p = 0.019), biliary dilatation (p = 0.011), and the presence of moderate-to-severe pleural effusion (p = 0.009). On multivariate analysis, all these parameters except biliary dilatation were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion CT findings in patients with AP may suggest IAH. This can be used as an additional marker for severity of AP.


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