A Case of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis involving the External Auditory Canal

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is commonly characterized by abnormal function and differentiation or proliferation of monocytes. In LCH, granulomatous lesions, including langerine-positive histocytes and inflammatory infiltrates, can occur to all tissues, particularly well in the bones, skin, lungs, and pituitary gland. In case of external auditory canal LCH, conductive hearing loss may occur, and the most common symptom is otorrhea. Here we present a case that 49-year-old male with external auditory canal mass. Since no invasive findings were seen in radiologic study, endoscopic transcanal excision was performed and LCH was proven by pathologic report. We present this case of external auditory canal LCH with the review of literature.

Cerebral Abnormalities in Spina Bifida: A Neuropathological Study

Introduction Spina bifida (SB) is the most common neural tube defect in humans. Here, we analyzed systematically the neuropathological findings of the brain in SB cases. Methods 79 cases with SB aperta (SBA) and 6 cases with SB occulta (SBO) autopsied at the Charité Neuropathology from 1974 to 2000 were re-evaluated retrospectively. For this, case files and spinal cord as well as brain sections were studied. Results While no brain malformations were detected in SBO cases, 95% of SBA cases had brain malformations. Main brain anomalies identified were hydrocephalus (71%), Chiari II malformation (36%), heterotopia (34%), other cerebellar anomalies (36%), gyrification defects (33%), and ependymal denudation (29%). Hydrocephalus was observed as early as gestational week 17 and was highly associated to Chiari II and ependymal denudation. In 55% SBA was accompanied by further anomalies not primarily affecting the CNS. Conclusion We confirm using neuropathologic methods brain malformations in most SBA but none in SBO cases. In addition to our previous radiologic study, we now demonstrate the high prevalence of cerebellar malformations and cerebral heterotopias in SBA. The early detection of hydrocephalus and Chiari II malformation in fetuses raises the question whether these arise parallel rather than in strict temporal sequence.

The impact of age, sex, disc height loss and T1 slope on the upper and lower cervical lordosis: a large-scale radiologic study

Purpose To clarify the relative influence of age, sex, disc height loss and T1 slope on upper (Occiput-C2) and lower cervical lordosis (C2–C7). Methods Standing lateral cervical radiographs of 865 adult subjects were evaluated. The presence and severity of disc height loss from C2/C3 to C6/C7 (a total of 4325 discs) were assessed using a validated grading system. The total disc height loss score for each subject was calculated as the sum of the score of each disc space. Sagittal radiographic parameters included: occipital slope, occiput-C2 (Oc-C2) lordosis, C2–C7 lordosis and T1 slope. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the relative influence of the multiple factors on upper and lower cervical lordosis. Results This study included 360 males and 505 females, with a mean age of 40.2 ± 16.0 years (range, 20–95 years). Linear multivariate regression analyses showed that greater age, male sex, greater T1 slope were each found to be significantly and independently associated with greater C2–C7 lordosis, whereas total disc height loss score was negatively associated with C2–C7 lordosis. T1 slope had the most independent influence on C2–C7 lordosis among these factors. Age, sex and disc height loss were not independently associated with Oc-C2 lordosis. Conclusions Results from our large-scale radiologic analysis may enhance the understanding of the factors that affect cervical lordosis, indicating that age, sex, disc height loss and T1 slope were each independently associated with C2–C7 lordosis. However, age, sex and disc height loss were not independently associated with upper cervical lordosis.

Vertebral heart size and cardiosternal contact evaluation in thoracic roentgenographs of the Nigerian indigenous dog

The aim of this cross-sectional prospective radiologic study was to determine reproducible biometric ratios for cardiac assessment in the indigenous dog. Thirty healthy male and female dogs were used for the study. Sixty right and left lateral thoracic projections of the dogs were acquired. Parameters in each radiograph were objectively evaluated, namely: cardiac long and short axes in right and left lateral views. Indices generated were the vertebral heart size and the cardiosternal contact (also known as intercostal heart size). The mean values of vertebral heart size (VHS) and intercostal heart size (IHS) were: 9.82±0.08/9.70±0.10 and 3.40±0.05/3.37±0.05 for the right and left lateral radiographs, respectively. Vertebral heart size correlated strongly, positively and significantly with cardiac long and short axes while IHS showed a high, positive and significant relationship with short axis but a moderately, positively significant association with long axis. The indices determined in the study are easy to use and allow for objective investigation of the canine heart. The results of this research are clinically relevant in the diagnosis and management of cardiac anomalies. Keywords: Diagnosis, Nigerian dogs, radiology, thoracic measurements

How Great is Greater Tuberosity? – A Analysis by CT Multiplanar Reconstruction

Objective: This study was designed to explore the precise size of the greater tuberosity of humerus in Chinese population.Methods: The radiologic study was performed on 66 CTs of shoulder from the hospital’s CT scan database of out-patient department from December 2018 to February 2020. This study designed a method to measure the size of the greater tuberosity (GT). The width, height and thickness of the greater tuberosity were measured on CT image multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), which was independently conducted by two observers.Results: 66 intact shoulders CT scans were analyzed, including 26 women and 40 men with a mean age of 36.79 ± 9.17 years, with 41 right and 25 left shoulders. There were no significant differences in GT width, GT height, GT thickness and PH thickness between two observers. The ICC for the GT width measurements taken by CT was 0.872. The ICC for the GT height was 0.810. The ICC for the GT thickness was 0.777. The ICC for the PH thickness was 0.971. For male cases, the total PH thickness was 51.06±2.30 (45.70-55.20) mm for female cases, the total PH thickness was 45.79±2.57 (41.40-51.25) mm. Gender have a significant impact on the results, man had a larger GT than woman.Conclusions: The method was an applicable way the measure the size of greater tuberosity, it showed good reliability. The size of GT in male cases was larger than female. These data provides important information for further research and clinical practice.