scholarly journals Stereotactic surgery for neurocysticercosis of the 4th ventricle: illustrative cases

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis J. Saavedra ◽  
Carlos M. Vásquez ◽  
Hector H. García ◽  
Luis A. Antonio ◽  
Yelimer Caucha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Stereotactic Surgery ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Deep Lesion ◽  
4Th Ventricle

BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, affects the cerebral ventricles in 20–30% of cases and may lead to hydrocephalus and other neurological morbidity. Conventional treatment for cysts in the 4th ventricle includes open surgery (suboccipital approach) and neuroendoscopy, with the latter being the option of choice. Stereotactic surgery, minimally invasive, offers a good alternative for this type of deep lesion. OBSERVATIONS The authors report the cases of two women, 30 and 45 years old, who presented with headache, dizziness, and ataxia and were diagnosed with 4th ventricle cysticercosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed dilated 4th ventricles (approximately 2.5 cm in both cases, with cystic images inside the ventricular cavity). Both patients were treated with stereotactic surgery via a suboccipital transcerebellar approach. Cyst material was extracted, and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination. The surgeries had no complications and resulted in clinical improvement. Control MRI scans showed reduction of the volume of the ventricle without residual cysts. LESSONS Minimally invasive stereotactic surgery provided a safe alternative for 4th ventricle neurocysticercosis cysts, with more benefits than risks in comparison with conventional techniques.

scholarly journals Complete laparoscopic-transhiatal removal of duplex benign oesophageal tumour: case report and review of literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
László Andrási ◽  
Zoltán Szepes ◽  
László Tiszlavicz ◽  
György Lázár ◽  
Attila Paszt
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Thoracoscopic Approach ◽  
Transhiatal Approach ◽  
Tissue Acquisition ◽  
Oesophageal Tumour ◽  
Benign Tumours

Abstract Background Leiomyoma is the most common benign oesophageal tumour. Half of all leiomyoma patients have oesophagus-associated complaints, such as dysphagia and epigastric pain, and the other 50% are asymptomatic with a diagnosis made on incidental discovery. Endoscopic ultrasonography is essential for an accurate preoperative workup and can enable guided-tissue acquisition for immunohistochemistry in certain cases. Smaller tumours are amenable to traditional and novel endoscopic removal in specialized centres, but some complex cases require surgical enucleation with a minimally invasive approach. Case presentation An asymptomatic 60-year-old woman was accidentally diagnosed with a bifocal oesophageal mass, which was discovered by chest computed tomography. We report a rare case of a duplicated lower-third oesophageal leiomyoma, which was completely removed via the laparoscopic transhiatal approach. The patient has recovered successfully from the surgery. She has been followed up for six months with a normal oesophagram, adequate oesophageal function and no complaints observed. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma in both lesions. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of duplex oesophageal leiomyomas removed laparoscopically. Using the minimally invasive abdominal technique, the lower oesophagus can be mobilised to the mediastinum without pleura injury and offers a good alternative to the thoracoscopic approach in patients with possible intrathoracic difficulties. At experienced centres, laparoscopic transhiatal enucleation of lower oesophageal leiomyomas and other benign tumours with a combination of intraoperative oesophagoscopy is a safe, fast and effective operation.

scholarly journals Regional medical practice variation in high-cost healthcare services

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Berger ◽  
Thomas Czypionka
Keyword(s):  
Medical Practice ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Practice Variation ◽  
District Level ◽  
Healthcare Data ◽  
Regional Medical ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a popular yet cost-intensive diagnostic measure whose strengths compared to other medical imaging technologies have led to increased application. But the benefits of aggressive testing are doubtful. The comparatively high MRI usage in Austria in combination with substantial regional variation has hence become a concern for its policy makers. We use a set of routine healthcare data on outpatient MRI service consumption of Austrian patients between Q3-2015 and Q2-2016 on the district level to investigate the extent of medical practice variation in a two-step statistical analysis combining multivariate regression models and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition. District-level MRI exam rates per 1.000 inhabitants range from 52.38 to 128.69. Controlling for a set of regional characteristics in a multivariate regression model, we identify payer autonomy in regulating access to MRI scans as the biggest contributor to regional variation. Nevertheless, the statistical decomposition highlights that more than 70% of the regional variation remains unexplained by differences between the observable district characteristics. In the absence of epidemiological explanations, the substantial regional medical practice variation calls the efficiency of resource deployment into question.

scholarly journals A detailed analysis of anatomical plausibility of crossed and uncrossed streamline rendition of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT(T)) in a commercial stereotactic planning system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker A. Coenen ◽  
Bastian E. Sajonz ◽  
Peter C. Reinacher ◽  
Christoph P. Kaller ◽  
Horst Urbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Planning ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Fiber Structure ◽  
Native Space ◽  
Volume Of Interest ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background An increasing number of neurosurgeons use display of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT) based on diffusion weighted imaging (dMRI) as basis for their routine planning of stimulation or lesioning approaches in stereotactic tremor surgery. An evaluation of the anatomical validity of the display of the DRT with respect to modern stereotactic planning systems and across different tracking environments has not been performed. Methods Distinct dMRI and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of high and low quality from 9 subjects were used. Six subjects had repeated MRI scans and therefore entered the analysis twice. Standardized DICOM structure templates for volume of interest definition were applied in native space for all investigations. For tracking BrainLab Elements (BrainLab, Munich, Germany), two tensor deterministic tracking (FT2), MRtrix IFOD2 (https://www.mrtrix.org), and a global tracking (GT) approach were used to compare the display of the uncrossed (DRTu) and crossed (DRTx) fiber structure after transformation into MNI space. The resulting streamlines were investigated for congruence, reproducibility, anatomical validity, and penetration of anatomical way point structures. Results In general, the DRTu can be depicted with good quality (as judged by waypoints). FT2 (surgical) and GT (neuroscientific) show high congruence. While GT shows partly reproducible results for DRTx, the crossed pathway cannot be reliably reconstructed with the other (iFOD2 and FT2) algorithms. Conclusion Since a direct anatomical comparison is difficult in the individual subjects, we chose a comparison with two research tracking environments as the best possible “ground truth.” FT2 is useful especially because of its manual editing possibilities of cutting erroneous fibers on the single subject level. An uncertainty of 2 mm as mean displacement of DRTu is expectable and should be respected when using this approach for surgical planning. Tractographic renditions of the DRTx on the single subject level seem to be still illusive.

scholarly journals Brain atrophy and clinical characteristics predicting SDMT performance in multiple sclerosis: A 10-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732199239
Author(s):  
Cecilie Jacobsen ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽  
Turi O Dalaker ◽  
Ingvild Dalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Data ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Specific Volumes

Objectives To identify Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), clinical and demographic biomarkers predictive of worsening information processing speed (IPS) as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Methods Demographic, clinical data and 1.5 T MRI scans were collected in 76 patients at time of inclusion, and after 5 and 10 years. Global and tissue-specific volumes were calculated at each time point. For the primary outcome of analysis, SDMT was used. Results Worsening SDMT at 5-year follow-up was predicted by baseline age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), SDMT, whole brain volume (WBV) and T2 lesion volume (LV), explaining 30.2% of the variance of SDMT. At 10-year follow-up, age, EDSS, grey matter volume (GMV) and T1 LV explained 39.4% of the variance of SDMT change. Conclusion This longitudinal study shows that baseline MRI-markers, demographic and clinical data can help predict worsening IPS. Identification of patients at risk of IPS decline is of importance as follow-up, treatment and rehabilitation can be optimized.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional analysis of follow-up chest MRI and chest CT scans in patients previously affected by COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Pecoraro ◽  
Stefano Cipollari ◽  
Livia Marchitelli ◽  
Emanuele Messina ◽  
Maurizio Del Monte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chest Ct ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Imaging Biomarker ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Ct And Mri ◽  
Interlobular Septal Thickening

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the agreement between chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) and to assess the diagnostic performance of chest MRI relative to that of CT during the follow-up of patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019. Materials and methods Fifty-two patients underwent both follow-up chest CT and MRI scans, evaluated for ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, fibrosis, pleural indentation, vessel enlargement, bronchiolar ectasia, and changes compared to prior CT scans. DWI/ADC was evaluated for signal abnormalities suspicious for inflammation. Agreement between CT and MRI was assessed with Cohen’s k and weighted k. Measures of diagnostic accuracy of MRI were calculated. Results The agreement between CT and MRI was almost perfect for consolidation (k = 1.00) and change from prior CT (k = 0.857); substantial for predominant pattern (k = 0.764) and interlobular septal thickening (k = 0.734); and poor for GGOs (k = 0.339), fibrosis (k = 0.224), pleural indentation (k = 0.231), and vessel enlargement (k = 0.339). Meanwhile, the sensitivity of MRI was high for GGOs (1.00), interlobular septal thickening (1.00), and consolidation (1.00) but poor for fibrotic changes (0.18), pleural indentation (0.23), and vessel enlargement (0.50) and the specificity was overall high. DWI was positive in 46.0% of cases. Conclusions The agreement between MRI and CT was overall good. MRI was very sensitive for GGOs, consolidation and interlobular septal thickening and overall specific for most findings. DWI could be a reputable imaging biomarker of inflammatory activity.

scholarly journals Minimally Invasive Autopsy Practice in COVID-19 Cases: Biosafety and Findings

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Natalia Rakislova ◽  
Lorena Marimon ◽  
Mamudo R. Ismail ◽  
Carla Carrilho ◽  
Fabiola Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Diffuse Alveolar Damage ◽  
The Body ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Minimally Invasive Autopsy ◽  
Postmortem Studies ◽  
Death Investigation ◽  
Insight Into

Postmortem studies are crucial for providing insight into emergent diseases. However, a complete autopsy is frequently not feasible in highly transmissible diseases due to biohazard challenges. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) is a needle-based approach aimed at collecting samples of key organs without opening the body, which may be a valid alternative in these cases. We aimed to: a) provide biosafety guidelines for conducting MIAs in COVID-19 cases, b) compare the performance of MIA versus complete autopsy, and c) evaluate the safety of the procedure. Between October and December 2020, MIAs were conducted in six deceased patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, in a basic autopsy room, with reinforced personal protective equipment. Samples from the lungs and key organs were successfully obtained in all cases. A complete autopsy was performed on the same body immediately after the MIA. The diagnoses of the MIA matched those of the complete autopsy. In four patients, COVID-19 was the main cause of death, being responsible for the different stages of diffuse alveolar damage. No COVID-19 infection was detected in the personnel performing the MIAs or complete autopsies. In conclusion, MIA might be a feasible, adequate and safe alternative for cause of death investigation in COVID-19 cases.

scholarly journals Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in patients with dorsal root ganglion stimulation

Pain Practice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Reining ◽  
Dirk Winkler ◽  
Joachim Boettcher ◽  
Juergen Meixensberger ◽  
Michael Kretzschmar
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

scholarly journals Electrical stimulation to clinically identify position of the lingual nerve: results of 50 subjects with reliability and correlation with MRI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaa Aljamani ◽  
Callum Youngson ◽  
Fadi Jarad ◽  
Francis O’Neill
Keyword(s):  
Third Molar ◽  
Lingual Nerve ◽  
Observer Agreement ◽  
Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽  
The Third ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Tingling Sensation ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Clinical Determination

Abstract Purpose Recently we described mapping of the lingual nerve clinically in patients using electrical nerve stimulation. This paper reports results of a larger study with inter- and intra-observer reliability and comparison with positional measurements from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods In 50 healthy participants, measurements were taken when subjects felt a tingling sensation in the tongue induced by a stimulation probe over the lingual nerve. Three positions were measured in relation to the third molar. Measurement reliability was tested for both inter-observer and intra-observer agreement and positional data of the lingual nerve measured clinically was also compared with nerve position as measured from MRI scans. Results Out of 50 participants, 96 nerves (49 = left/47 = right) were included in the study. The lingual nerve was identified in 90% (87) of this sample. The mean of height of the nerve in points A, B and C were 9.64 mm, 10.77 mm and 12.34 respectively. Inter-and intra-observer agreement was considered to be good to excellent (ICC = 0.8–0.96). Agreement between nerve mapping measured values and MRI measured values was good (ICC < 0.6). Conclusion This technique may prove useful for the clinical determination of lingual nerve position prior to procedures in the third molar region.

scholarly journals Multifocal glioblastoma multiform with “encephalitis-like presentation” : a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Issam Sa’adeh ◽  
Mohamed Jamal Saadh
Keyword(s):  
Vasogenic Edema ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ◽  
Glioblastoma Multiform ◽  
Atypical Clinical Presentation ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Multifocal Glioblastoma

Abstract Background Glioblastoma multiform is the most common and aggressive type of primary malignant tumor that affects the central nervous system in adults. It clinically presents with seizures, headache, and/or progressive focal neurological deficits. Radiologically, glioblastoma multiform appears as a single distinguishable, large heterogeneous lesion affecting the cerebrum with characteristic central necrosis, marginal enhancement, and surrounding vasogenic edema. This article describes a patient that exhibited an atypical clinical presentation of multifocal glioblastoma multiform with misleading early radiological features that simulated herpetic encephalitis. Results A 66-year-old female that presented with left-sided hemiparesis and left partial motor seizures underwent multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was also performed to screen for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Conclusions The early stages of glioblastoma may manifest as symptoms typical to encephalitis, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis and identification of atypical glioblastoma multiform presentations, as reported in this article, are essential.

Progress of leukoaraiosis is inhibited by correction of platelet hyper-aggregability

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigekiyo Fujita ◽  
Tetsuro Kawaguchi ◽  
Toshiyuki Uehara ◽  
Kazuhito Fukushima
Keyword(s):  
Group Versus ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
White Matter Hyperintensity ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Observation Period

Background: Platelet hyper-aggregability is an important risk factor for leukoaraiosis. In this study we investigated whether aggravation of leukoaraiosis can be controlled by means of long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.Methods:Twenty-one patients with leukoaraiosis and uncorrected platelet hyper-aggregability were compared with 21 controls matched for age, grade of leukoaraiosis and observation period whose platelet hyper-aggregability was corrected. Platelet aggregability was estimated by an optical analytical method with a nine-stage display using two different concentrations each of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen (the double ADP method).Results:The mean observation period between two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for both groups was 4.1 years. In the non-corrected group, moderate to severe aggravation of leukoaraiosis was observed in a large number of patients. In the corrected group, only a small number of patients showed generally mild aggravation of leukoaraiosis. The number of patients showing aggravation of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) was 7 in 21 in the non-corrected group versus 1 in 21 (p=0.022) in the corrected group, and for aggravation of deep white-matter hyperintensity, these values were 9 in 21 versus 4 in 21, respectively. Thus, the difference was more significant if the degree of aggravation was taken into account.Conclusion:The progress of leukoaraiosis is greatly inhibited by long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.

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