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Arthur M De Schepper

Publications and source records attributed to Arthur M De Schepper.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Accuracy of MRI in characterization of soft tissue tumors and tumor-like lesions. A prospective study in 548 patients.

The purpose of our study was to assess prospectively the value of MRI in characterization of soft tissue tumors (STT) and soft tissue tumor-like lesions in a multi-institutional setting by a group of experts. The material consisted of 548 untreated and proven STT or tumor-like lesions originating from a multi-institutional database of STT in which 930 consecutive patients with STT examined by MRI were registered between 1 January 2001 and 28 April 2003. Based on MRI findings, a suitably ordered differential diagnosis was made in consensus by two radiologists (J.L.M.A.G and A.M.D.S). MRI diagnoses were compared with histology results (455 cases, 83%) and/or 6-month follow-up (93 cases, 17%) as reference standards. The correlation between the MRI and histological diagnosis and between the radiological and histological phenotype were statistically determined. One hundred twenty-three patients presented with a malignant STT; 425 patients presented with a benign one. Concerning differentiation between malignant and benign lesions (dignity), a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 82%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 98% and positive predictive value (PPV) of 60% with accuracy of 85% were obtained. Concerning phenotype characterization, if only the first MRI diagnosis was taken into account, a sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 98%, NPV of 98%, PPV of 70% and accuracy of 96% were obtained. For benign lesions, sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 98%, NPV of 98%, PPV of 76% and accuracy of 97% were obtained. The phenotype's definition of malignant STT had a sensitivity of 37%, a specificity of 96%, NPV of 96%, PPV of 40% and an accuracy of 92%. A correct diagnosis compared with histological assessment was proposed in 227(50%) of the 455 histologically confirmed cases. Despite non-quantified MR parameter evaluation, the results of our prospective study were better than those reported in previous studies and demonstrated the need for a centralized approach to such rare pathology.

Adolescent↗

Van Buchem disease: lifetime evolution of radioclinical features.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lifetime evolution of the radioclinical features in a large family with van Buchem disease. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The study population included 13 patients, ranging between 6 and 69 years. The evolution of the clinical features has been assessed by retrospective analysis of the clinical records of the patients. The age-related evolution of the cortical hyperostosis and defective modeling at the tubular bones was evaluated by morphometric analysis of hand films in 9 patients, compared with 9 control individuals. Progression of sclerosis of the craniofacial bones was evaluated by analysis of the skull radiographs of eleven van Buchem patients, taken at different age. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Radioclinical features, including sclerosis of the cranial and tubular bones and cranial nerve deficit, become more prominent in older patients. Defective modeling of tubular bones, cortical thickness and medullary width progress with age. Radioclinical abnormalities of van Buchem patients become more prominent in older patients, which suggests that the van Buchem gene is very actively involved in bone metabolism throughout life. Morphometric analysis of the plain films supports the hypothesis that the physiological function of the van Buchem gene is to inhibit bone formation and possibly to regulate bone remodeling.

Adolescent↗

The interutricular distance determined from external landmarks.

Knowledge of the exact distance between the utricles is important in new vestibular tests, such as the unilateral centrifugation (UC) test for the unilateral examination of the utricles. During this test, subjects are rotated at constant velocity and simultaneously laterally displaced along an interaural axis so that one labyrinth becomes aligned with the axis of rotation. When the axis of rotation crosses precisely through one labyrinth, only the opposite labyrinth is stimulated. To achieve this setup, precise knowledge of the interutricular distance is needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the interutricular distance (IUD), measured on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, and specific external measures of head dimensions such as distance nasion-inion, intermastoid distance (IMD), distances between the temporomandibular joints and between the lateral margins of the orbits. Data have been collected in a series of 50 subjects (25 men and 25 women). On MR images we found a mean IUD of 7.22 cm (SD = 0.42 cm). There was a strong correlation between the IUD measured on MR images and the intermastoid distance. A linear combination of the IMD, nasion-inion distance and height of the subjects could predict the IUD very satisfactory (R = 0.85, adjusted R2=0.723). We also determined a measure of eccentricity of the vestibular labyrinths. The 95% prediction interval for the asymmetry appeared to be less than 4.3%.

Adolescent↗

Imaging features of musculoskeletal tuberculosis.

The purpose of this article is to review the imaging characteristics of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Skeletal tuberculosis represents one-third of all cases of tuberculosis occurring in extrapulmonary sites. Hematogenous spread from a distant focus elsewhere in the body is the cornerstone in the understanding of imaging features of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. The most common presentations are tuberculous spondylitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and soft tissue involvement. The diagnostic value of the different imaging techniques, which include conventional radiography, CT, and MR imaging, are emphasized. Whereas conventional radiography is the mainstay in the diagnosis of tuberculous arthritis and osteomyelitis, MR imaging may detect associated bone marrow and soft tissue abnormalities. MR imaging is generally accepted as the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis, demonstration of the extent of the disease of tuberculous spondylitis, and soft tissue tuberculosis. Moreover, it may be very helpful in the differential diagnosis with pyogenic spondylodiscitis, as it may easily demonstrate anterior corner destruction, the relative preservation of the intervertebral disk, multilevel involvement with or without skip lesions, and a large soft tissue abscess, as these are all arguments in favor of a tuberculous spondylitis. On the other hand, CT is still superior in the demonstration of calcifications, which are found in chronic tuberculous abscesses.

Humans↗

Brainstem hemorrhage in descending transtentorial herniation (Duret hemorrhage).

OBJECTIVES: To review clinical and radiological findings in patients with Duret hemorrhages and to discuss the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the case records of four patients with Duret hemorrhages who had been admitted to the neurological intensive care unit with supratentorial mass lesions. RESULTS: Descending transtentorial and subfalcine herniations were present in all cases. Three patients were admitted with acute subdural hematoma and one with intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Computed tomography revealed the presence of blood in the mesencephalon and upper pons. Three patients died; one survived with severe disabilities. DISCUSSION: Duret hemorrhages are typically located in the ventral and paramedian aspects of the upper brainstem (mesencephalon and pons). The pathophysiology of Duret hemorrhage remains under debate: arterial origin (stretching and laceration of pontine perforating branches of the basilar artery), versus venous origin (thrombosis and venous infarction). Multifactorial causation seems likely. CONCLUSION: Duret hemorrhages are delayed, secondary brainstem hemorrhages. They occur in craniocerebral trauma victims with rapidly evolving descending transtentorial herniation. Diagnosis is made on computed tomography of the brain. In most cases the outcome is fatal. On the basis of our observations we believe that arterial hypertension and advanced age are risk factors for the development of Duret hemorrhage.

Aged↗