scholarly journals Necessity for craniospinal irradiation of germinoma with positive cytology without spinal lesion on MR imaging - A controversy

Author(s):  
Masayuki Kanamori ◽  
Hirokazu Takami ◽  
Tomonari Suzuki ◽  
Teiji Tominaga ◽  
Jun Kurihara ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and spinal MR imaging are routinely performed for staging before treatment of intracranial germinoma. However, the interpretation of the results of CSF cytology poses two unresolved clinical questions: 1) Does positive CSF cytology correlate with the presence of spinal lesion before treatment?; and 2) Is craniospinal irradiation (CSI) necessary for patients with positive CSF cytology in the absence of spinal lesion? Methods Multicenter retrospective analyses were performed based on a questionnaire on clinical features, spinal MR imaging finding, results of CSF cytology, treatments, and outcomes which was sent to 86 neurosurgical and 35 pediatrics departments in Japan. Pretreatment frequencies of spinal lesion on MR imaging were compared between the patients with positive and negative cytology. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates were compared between patients with positive CSF cytology without spinal lesion on MR imaging treated with CSI and with whole brain or whole ventricular irradiation (non-CSI). Results A total of 92 germinoma patients from 45 institutes were evaluated by both CSF cytology and spinal MR images, but 26 patients were excluded because of tumor markers, the timing of CSF sampling or incomplete estimation of spinal lesion. Of the remaining 66 germinoma patients, spinal lesions were equally identified in patients with negative CSF cytology and positive cytology (4.9% and 8.0%, respectively). 11 patients treated with non-CSI had excellent PFS comparable to 11 patients treated with CSI. Conclusion CSI is unnecessary for germinoma patients with positive CSF cytology without spinal lesions on MR imaging.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yang ◽  
Zhiyun Feng ◽  
Nian Chen ◽  
Zhenhua Hong ◽  
Yongyu Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To investigate the role of gravity in the sedimentation of lumbar spine nerve roots using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of various body positions. Methods A total of 56 patients, who suffered from back pain and underwent conventional supine lumbar spine MR imaging, were selected from sanmen hospital database. All the patients were called back to our hospital to perform MR imaging in prone position or lateral position. Furthermore, the sedimentation sign (SedSign) was determined based on the suspension of the nerve roots in the dural sac on cross-sectional MR images, and 31 cases were rated as positive and another 25 cases were negative. Results The mean age of negative SedSign group was significantly younger than that of positive SedSign group (51.7 ± 8.7 vs 68.4 ± 10.5, P < 0.05). The constitutions of clinical diagnosis were significantly different between patients with a positive SedSign and those with a negative SedSign (P < 0.001). Overall, nerve roots of the vast majority of patients (48/56, 85.7%) subsided to the ventral side of the dural sac on the prone MR images, although that of 8 (14.3%) patients remain stay in the dorsal side of dural sac. Nerve roots of only one patient with negative SedSign did not settle to the ventral dural sac, while this phenomenon occurred in 7 patients in positive SedSign group (4% vs 22.6%, P < 0.001). In addition, the nerve roots of all the five patients subsided to the left side of dural sac on lateral position MR images. Conclusions The nerve roots sedimentation followed the direction of gravity. Positive SedSign may be a MR sign of lumbar pathology involved the spinal canal.


1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Hochbergs ◽  
G. Eckervall ◽  
H. Wingstrand ◽  
N. Egund ◽  
K. Jonsson

Purpose: By means of MR imaging, to determine signal abnormalities in the femoral epiphysis; to determine their location, extent and restitution over time; and to correlate these findings to the Catterall radiological classification. Material and Methods: A total of 247 MR images in 86 patients (101 hips) with Legg-CalvC-Perthes disease were examined. The MR images were taken in the coronal plane, and the images through the center of the femoral head were used for this study. Results: T1-weighted images proved as good as T2-weighted images for the MR evaluation of the extent of the necrosis. In almost every case, the central-cranial part of the epiphysis showed a low initial signal. In Catterall group I, the medial part was never involved. In Catterall III and IV, almost the entire epiphysis showed signal changes. In the period 3–6 years after diagnosis, we still found signal changes in the epiphysis in some hips but there was no correlation with the Catterall classification. After 6 years, the epiphysis showed normal signal intensity in MR imaging. In T1-weighted images, Gd-enhancement occurred in the peripheral regions in the early stages of the disease. The central part of the epiphysis became more enhanced over time and peaked in the period 1–3 years after diagnosis. Conclusion: MR is a valuable modality for monitoring changes in the femoral epiphysis. We propose a new classification of the extent and pattern of epiphyseal bone-marrow abnormalities based on the 4 zones most commonly observed in MR imaging.


2006 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Pirotte ◽  
Serge Goldman ◽  
Olivier Dewitte ◽  
Nicolas Massager ◽  
David Wikler ◽  
...  

Object The aim of this study was to evaluate the integration of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning data into the image-guided resection of brain tumors. Methods Positron emission tomography scans obtained using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and l-[methyl-11C]methionine (MET) were combined with magnetic resonance (MR) images in the navigational planning of 103 resections of brain tumors (63 low-grade gliomas [LGGs] and 40 high-grade gliomas [HGGs]). These procedures were performed in 91 patients (57 males and 34 females) in whom tumor boundaries could not be accurately identified on MR images for navigation-based resection. The level and distribution of PET tracer uptake in the tumor were analyzed to define the lesion contours, which in turn yielded a PET volume. The PET scanning–demonstrated lesion volume was subsequently projected onto MR images and compared with MR imaging data (MR volume) to define a final target volume for navigation-based resection—the tumor contours were displayed in the microscope’s eyepiece. Maximal tumor resection was accomplished in each case, with the intention of removing the entire area of abnormal metabolic activity visualized during surgical planning. Early postoperative MR imaging and PET scanning studies were performed to assess the quality of tumor resection. Both pre- and postoperative analyses of MR and PET images revealed whether integrating PET data into the navigational planning contributed to improved tumor volume definition and tumor resection. Metabolic information on tumor heterogeneity or extent was useful in planning the surgery. In 83 (80%) of 103 procedures, PET studies contributed to defining a final target volume different from that obtained with MR imaging alone. Furthermore, FDG-PET scanning, which was performed in a majority of HGG cases, showed that PET volume was less extended than the MR volume in 16 of 21 cases and contributed to targeting the resection to the hypermetabolic (anaplastic) area in 11 (69%) of 16 cases. Performed in 59 LGG cases and 23 HGG cases, MET-PET demonstrated that the PET volume did not match the MR volume and improved the tumor volume definition in 52 (88%) of 59 and 18 (78%) of 23, respectively. Total resection of the area of increased PET tracer uptake was achieved in 54 (52%) of 103 procedures. Conclusions Imaging guidance with PET scanning provided independent and complementary information that helped to assess tumor extent and plan tumor resection better than with MR imaging guidance alone. The PET scanning guidance could help increase the amount of tumor removed and target image-guided resection to tumor portions that represent the highest evolving potential.


1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Wang ◽  
A. Sundin ◽  
A. Ericsson ◽  
T. Bach-Gansmo ◽  
A. Hemmingsson ◽  
...  

Purpose: to evaluate dysprosium-enhanced MR imaging for differentiation between morphologically intact and necrotic tumor tissue in a tumor model. Material and Methods: A human colon carcinoma was transplanted subcutaneously into 9 nude (immunodeprived) rats. MR imaging was performed before and after injection of the dysprosium agent Dy-DTPA-BMA. T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted sequences were acquired. the tumors were dissected, histological sections were prepared, and compared with corresponding MR images. Results: in intact tissue, the MR signal intensity in the T2- and T2*-weighted images decreased after Dy injection and the delineation of the intact regions were sharp and corresponded well to the gross histological sections. Conclusion: Dy-enhanced MR imaging facilitated the differentiation between intact and necrotic tumor tissue.


2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy J. Binning ◽  
James K. Liu ◽  
John Gannon ◽  
Anne G. Osborn ◽  
William T. Couldwell

Object Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) are infrequently symptomatic, and apoplexy is one of the most unusual presentations. Only a few cases of apoplexy associated with RCCs have been reported, and their clinical, imaging, surgical, and pathological features are poorly understood. In the cases that have been reported, intracystic hemorrhage has been a consistent finding. The authors report 6 cases of RCCs in which the presenting clinical and imaging features indicated pituitary apoplexy, both with and without intracystic hemorrhage. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed charts and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies obtained in patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for RCC. Six patients were identified who presented with symptoms and MR imaging characteristics consistent with pituitary apoplexy but were found intraoperatively to have an RCC. All 6 patients presented with a sudden headache, 2 with visual loss, and 1 with diplopia. Review of the preoperative MR images demonstrated mixed signal intensities in the sellar masses suggestive of a hemorrhagic pituitary tumor. In all patients there was a presumed clinical diagnosis of pituitary tumor apoplexy and an imaging-documented diagnosis of hemorrhagic pituitary tumor. Results All 6 patients underwent transsphenoidal resection to treat the suspected pituitary apoplexy. Intraoperative and histopathological findings were consistent with the diagnosis of an RCC in all cases. Only 2 cases showed evidence of hemorrhage intraoperatively. In all cases, an intracystic nodule was found within the RCC at surgery, and this intracystic nodule was present on the initial MR imaging when retrospectively reviewed. The imaging characteristics of the intracystic nodules were similar to those of acute hemorrhage seen in cases of pituitary apoplexy. Conclusions The clinical and imaging features of RCCs appear similar to those of hemorrhagic pituitary tumors, making them often indistinguishable from pituitary apoplexy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
CP Gilmore ◽  
JJG Geurts ◽  
N Evangelou ◽  
JCJ Bot ◽  
RA van Schijndel ◽  
...  

Background Post-mortem studies demonstrate extensive grey matter demyelination in MS, both in the brain and in the spinal cord. However the clinical significance of these plaques is unclear, largely because they are grossly underestimated by MR imaging at conventional field strengths. Indeed post-mortem MR studies suggest the great majority of lesions in the cerebral cortex go undetected, even when performed at high field. Similar studies have not been performed using post-mortem spinal cord material. Aim To assess the sensitivity of high field post-mortem MRI for detecting grey matter lesions in the spinal cord in MS. Methods Autopsy material was obtained from 11 MS cases and 2 controls. Proton Density-weighted images of this formalin-fixed material were acquired at 4.7Tesla before the tissue was sectioned and stained for Myelin Basic Protein. Both the tissue sections and the MR images were scored for grey matter and white matter plaques, with the readers of the MR images being blinded to the histopathology results. Results Our results indicate that post-mortem imaging at 4.7Tesla is highly sensitive for cord lesions, detecting 87% of white matter lesions and 73% of grey matter lesions. The MR changes were highly specific for demyelination, with all lesions scored on MRI corresponding to areas of demyelination. Conclusion Our work suggests that spinal cord grey matter lesions may be detected on MRI more readily than GM lesions in the brain, making the cord a promising site to study the functional consequences of grey matter demyelination in MS.


2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaijayantee Kulkarni ◽  
Vedantam Rajshekhar ◽  
Lakshminarayan Raghuram

Object. The authors studied whether cervical spine motion segments adjacent to a fused segment exhibit accelerated degenerative changes on short-term follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods. Preoperative and short-term follow-up (mean duration 17.5 months, range 10–48 months) cervical MR images obtained in 44 patients who had undergone one- or two-level corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The motion segment adjacent to the fused segment and a segment remote from the fused segment were evaluated for indentation of the thecal sac, disc height, and sagittal functional diameter of the spinal canal on midsagittal T2-weighted MR images. Thecal sac indentations were classifed as mild, moderate, and severe. New indentations of the thecal sac of varying severity (mild in 17 patients [38.6%], moderate in 10 [22.7%], and severe in six [13.6%]) had developed at the adjacent segments in 33 (75%) of 44 patients. The degenerative changes were seen at the superior level in 11 patients, inferior level in 10 patients, and at both levels in 12 patients and resulted from both anterior and posterior element degeneration in the majority (23 [69.6%]) of patients. The remote segments showed mild thecal sac indentations in seven patients and moderate indentations in two patients (nine [20.5%] of 44). Compared with the changes at the remote segment, the canal size was significantly decreased at the superior adjacent segment by 0.9 mm (p = 0.007). No patient sustained a new neurological deficit due to adjacent-segment changes. Conclusions. On short-term follow-up MR imaging, levels adjacent to the fused segment exhibited more pronounced degenerative changes (compared with remote levels) in 75% of patients who had undergone one- or two-level central corpectomy.


Radiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 230 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Huppertz ◽  
Thomas Balzer ◽  
Anthony Blakeborough ◽  
Josy Breuer ◽  
Andrea Giovagnoni ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Golman ◽  
I. Leunbach ◽  
J. H. Ardenkjær-Larsen ◽  
G. J. Ehnholm ◽  
L.-G. Wistrand ◽  
...  

Purpose: to evaluate a new single-electron contrast agent for Overhauser-enhanced MR imaging. the contrast agents that are currently available give enhancement factors that are too low to make the technique a valid option for routine clinical use Material and Methods: MR images were generated directly following the injection of the substance into rats. the MR scanner was operated at a main magnetic field of 0.01 T and equipped with a separate rf-transmitter tuned to the electron paramagnetic resonance frequency of the contrast agent Results: as expected, the images generated show a high level of enhancement in areas where the contrast agent was present, and a maximum enhancement of 60 times the normal proton signal was obtained in the vascular area. the signal-to-noise ratios in the images were superior to those previously attained Conclusion: the new contrast agent makes it possible to generate MR images with both morphological and functional information at 0.01 T. the signal-to-noise ratios found in the generated images were of the same order as, or better than, those obtained with the standard clinical routine


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