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D Tampieri

Publications and source records attributed to D Tampieri.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Magnetic resonance imaging shows specific abnormalities in the MELAS syndrome.

The MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) can be difficult to identify. We report MRI abnormalities that we believe are specific to this disorder in three patients with complete or partial MELAS syndrome. The patients all showed an unusual pattern on T2-weighted MRI with multifocal areas of hyperintense signal confined to the cortex of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and adjacent white matter. Some images suggested selective cortical involvement of deeper layers only. Deep white matter was relatively spared, distinguishing this from usual cerebrovascular disease or the edema after status epilepticus. Specificity of these findings is further suggested by a good correlation of these findings with the previously described unique postmortem brain pathology of MELAS.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1991

Developmental anterobasal temporal encephalocele and temporal lobe epilepsy.

The authors describe the association between an antero-basal temporal lobe encephalocele and medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy in three patients treated successfully by surgery. Two men and one woman, aged 26 to 37 years (mean 31 years), had onset of complex automatism and generalized seizures in their second and fourth decades (mean age 22.7 years). They had been epileptic for 6 to 14 years (mean 8.3 years) before surgery. Preoperative electroencephalograms localized ictal epileptic activity to the left mesial temporal lobe in all cases, and neuropsychological testing revealed dominant temporal lobe dysfunction. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated an anteromedial basal temporal encephalocele extending into the pterygopalatine fossa through a bone defect at the base of the greater sphenoid wing in the region of the foramen rotundum and pterygoid process, a discrete center of embryonal chondrification. At surgery, the encephaloceles were found in front of the uncus, and an area of gliosis extended from the encephalocele to the amygdalohippocampal region. All patients have been seizure-free following anterior temporal resection and amygdalohippocampectomy including the encephalocele. These three cases delineate a condition of disordered embryogenesis wherein a developmental anterobasal temporal encephalocele acts as the substrate for temporal lobe epilepsy. This lesion may be diagnosed preoperatively with MR imaging and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of late-onset temporal lobe epilepsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Magnetic resonance imaging of hypothalamic hamartomas causing gelastic epilepsy.

Hypothalamic hamartomas may cause a peculiar epileptic syndrome characterized by seizures of laughter and precocious puberty. Four mentally handicapped patients suffering from gelastic epilepsy were referred to our institution for investigation; three of them also presented with precocious puberty. In all four cases magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a space-occupying lesion of the hypothalamus that was considered to be a hamartoma. Biopsies were not performed. Hamartomas appear isodense in plain computed tomography scans, and they do not enhance. Such lesions display an isointense signal in T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and a hyperintense signal in proton density and T2-weighted images. MRI is the procedure of choice for detecting such lesions at the base of the brain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of an infiltrative lesion of the anterior visual pathways.

Infiltrative lesions of the optic chiasm and optic nerves are uncommon. The authors report such a case and discuss the differential diagnosis, paying particular attention to imaging. In the reported case high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed thickening of the optic chiasm and intracranial optic nerves, a pattern characteristic of an inflammatory or neoplastic process.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

Wilson's disease: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

The condition of a patient with Wilson's disease was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on initial presentation of the illness. The examination revealed mild atrophy of the superior vermis. Symmetric areas of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images were detected in the anterior thalami, mesencephalic tectum and tegmentum. Marked symmetric hypointensities appeared in the head of caudate, pallida, substantia nigra and red nuclei. The histopathology of Wilson's disease suggests that these hypointensities may be secondary to the presence of protein-bound copper.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Angiolipoma of the central nervous system].

Angiolipomas of the central nervous system are rare tumors (37 cases in the literature) and are mostly located in the spine (95%), rarely in the skull. When they are intraspinal, these masses are extradural in more than 90% of the cases. Angiolipomas are benign tumors containing vascular and mature adipose elements. The clinical symptomatology is non specific, but computed tomography and mostly MRI provide a precise diagnosis. With 2 additional cases and a review of the literature, we define the main characteristics of these tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Dynamic stereotactic radiosurgery in arteriovenous malformation. Preliminary treatment results.

From December 1986 through August 1988, 25 patients with intracranial arteriovenous malformations underwent radiosurgery with the dynamic stereotactic irradiation technique. The prescribed dose at isocenter ranged from 50 Gy to 55 Gy, given as a single fraction in 92% of the patients. Field sizes, defined at the 90% isodose surface, varied from 5 mm to 25 mm and were chosen in order to deliver 20 to 25 Gy at the periphery of the malformation. To date, 14 angiographic studies were repeated at 1 year posttreatment. In six patients (43%) a complete obliteration of the lesion was achieved. Late side effects were observed in three patients. Our initial analysis, at 1 year posttreatment, suggests that our results are comparable with those previously reported for other radiosurgical techniques. The linac-based dynamic stereotactic technique appears to be a valid alternative to radiosurgery with the Gamma unit or with heavy-charged particle beams.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Spinal synovial cyst: case report using magnetic resonance imaging.

The case of a 65-year-old woman who developed a spinal synovial cyst at the L4-5 disk space is reported. Her clinical signs and symptoms are presented. A comparison among her preoperative myelogram, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging showed magnetic resonance imaging to be more accurate in detailing both the intraoperative and pathological findings.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Sub-callus epidermoid cyst. A case report].

The cranio-encephalic epidermoid cysts are rare tumors. These lesions are extra-axial and can occur at the infratentorial or supratentorial level. The epidermoid cysts are classically in contact with the base of the skull, and less often intraventricular; the other locations are exceptional. Because of their CT aspect (hypodense lesion, rarely isodense, well defined, without contrast enhancement, and without surrounding edema) and MR aspect (in more than 70% of the cases: more or less homogeneous lesion, hypointense in T1 and hyperintense in T2), the authors believe that it is possible to suggest such a diagnosis even with an atypically located case. We report the case of an epidermoid cyst located between the corpus callosum and the falx cerebri.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Generalized cortical dysplasia manifested by diffusely thick cerebral cortex.

Unilateral or bilateral rolandic macrogyria has been described as a cause of epilepsy and, in some cases, retardation. Tissue from the periphery of these lesions shows the changes of focal cortical dysplasia. Evidence reported herein suggests that cortical dysplasia may also be generalized. Two patients with intractable epilepsy and mental retardation had diffusely abnormal, thick cortex, shallow gyri, and poor demarcation of gray and white matter. One patient had an anterior callosotomy that led to considerable improvement of the epilepsy. Cortical layers 5 and 6 could not be differentiated on biopsy material. The white matter was poorly myelinated and contained clusters of heterotopic neurons. This syndrome, a congenital disorder of neuronal migration, with prolonged survival, represents a mild form of lissencephaly. It can be diagnosed during life by computed tomography or magnetic resonance scanning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Bilateral central macrogyria: epilepsy, pseudobulbar palsy, and mental retardation--a recognizable neuronal migration disorder.

The neuronal migration disorders comprise several morphological entities that are recognizable during life using current imaging techniques. We studied 4 patients who had a characteristic bilateral central rolandic and sylvian macrogyria. The patients had pseudobulbar palsy with oromotor incoordination and developmental delay and were mildly retarded. Minor seizures developed between the ages of 8 and 9 years. Subsequently, atonic drop attacks became the predominant epileptic pattern. Epileptogenic electrographic abnormalities were secondary generalized or multifocal. The lesions were detected by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in all patients. Bilateral symmetrical areas of thick cortex surrounding a large sulcus were seen. This syndrome consists of specific clinical, imaging, electroencephalographic, and epileptic features. It can be suspected clinically and confirmed by imaging studies. Callosotomy in two patients helped the intractable seizures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Intracerebral cavernous angiomas.

We studied 31 patients with histologically verified intracerebral cavernous angiomas. Twenty-two patients were symptomatic; nine were asymptomatic. All 22 symptomatic patients had seizures, three had intracranial hemorrhage, and one had signs of a space-occupying lesion. Twenty-seven lesions were located in the neocortex, three in the brainstem, and one in the cerebellum; all exhibited characteristic gross and microscopic features of cavernous angiomas. CT identified the location and extent of the lesion in 16 of 27 cases. Six of seven lesions demonstrated contrast enhancement, and ten of 27 scans harbored densities consistent with intracerebral calcium. Angiography was performed in 17 cases and was completely normal in eight. MRI revealed mixed signal intensity centrally with a ring of decreased signal intensity peripherally on T2-weighted images and was diagnostic in five cases. Surgical treatment offers an excellent prognosis for seizure control in patients with such lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Intramedullary dermoid tumor diagnosed with the assistance of magnetic resonance imaging.

Intramedullary dermoid tumors are unusual. Traditional methods of diagnosing spinal tumors have included clinical suspicion, plain roentgenography, myelography, and computed tomography. A case of intramedullary tumor provisionally diagnosed preoperatively by traditional methods and specifically as dermoid tumor with the assistance of magnetic resonance imaging is presented. Diagnosis and treatment of spinal dermoid tumors with an emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Postural displacements of the brain--on the feasibility of using CT for determination of stereotactic coordinates.

Ten patients were studied with CT. In order to achieve consistent and reproducible CT slices an external helmet fixation system was used. Certain well defined cerebral structures were chosen as anatomical landmarks and their relationship to the skull determined with the patient in supine, lateral and prone positions. No displacements of brain structures could be observed. The results show the feasibility of using the same coordinates for intracranial structures at CT and at operation irrespective of the position of the patient's head at these procedures. Four of these patients were examined after lumbar intrathecal administration of 5 ml metrizamide (200 mgJ/ml). This small amount of positive contrast does not seem to influence on the position for the brain.

Brain↗