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Biomedical subjects

F J Hodges

Publications and source records attributed to F J Hodges.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical experience with ioversol 320 in cranial computed tomographic scanning.

Sixty patients referred to the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, participated in an open-label, noncomparative study of the safety, tolerance, and efficacy of the contrast agent ioversol 320 in cerebral computed tomographic (CCT) scanning. None of the patients experienced any drug-related, clinically significant changes in vital signs or any serious adverse reactions; nor did they report experiencing pain when the agent was injected intravenously. In addition, the radiographic quality of the scans was rated as excellent or good for patients who had enhanceable brain lesions. All CCT scans were considered diagnostic. In this series, ioversol 320 proved to be safe, well tolerated, and effective for use in CCT scanning.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of MR and CT myelography in imaging the cervical and thoracic spine.

MR imaging and CT myelography were compared in a retrospective study of 38 patients with suspected lesions of the cervical and thoracic spinal canal and cord. Twenty-eight abnormal cases were found, including spondylosis (9), tumors (8), intramedullary cavities (3), arachnoiditis (3), disk-space-centered infection or osteomyelitis (2), nonneoplastic cord swelling (2), and CSF-borne metastasis (1). MR was equal or superior to CT myelography in depicting cases of cord enlargement, cord compression, and cord atrophy, providing better tissue characterization, no shoulder artifact, and no limitation caused by CSF block. CT myelography was superior to MR in depicting cases of spondylosis and arachnoiditis. It showed superior spatial resolution, which was most pronounced when comparing axial images and hence particularly superior in detecting the lateral extent of disk herniation. Use of surface coils and thin imaging sections is essential for accurate and complete MR evaluation of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Arachnoiditis↗

MR imaging in infra-, para- and retrosellar mass lesions.

To determine its diagnostic efficacy in infra-, para- and retrosellar mass lesions magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was compared with computed tomography (CT) in 39 cases. Thirty-six lesions were imaged with a Siemens 0.5 T superconducting unit, three with a 1.5 T unit. CT scanning was performed with third generation equipment. There were 28 neoplasms including eight pituitary adenomas with infrasellar extension, four meningiomas, four extensions from regional malignancies, three chordomas, three juvenile angiofibromas, three medial temporal gliomas, and one each of neuroma, epidermoid and metastasis. Eleven non-neoplastic masses included four vascular anomalies, three cholesterol granulomas, two arachnoid cysts, one sphenoid mucocele and one mixed sclerosing bone dystrophy with mass-like thickening of basisphenoid and basiocciput. While MR and CT were equally sensitive (100%), MR was superior in further delineating and characterizing a lesion. MR showed normal or abnormal blood vessels better than CT, and revealed changes of compact bone often quite satisfactorily. Effects on the brain parenchyma or CSF and airspaces were consistently well demonstrated. Provided absence of contraindications MR should be the primary radiologic screening test in suspected mass lesions of above location.

Brain Diseases↗

Suprasellar lesions: evaluation with MR imaging.

The authors retrospectively evaluated the characteristics on magnetic resonance (MR) images of 59 suprasellar lesions and compared them with computed tomography (CT) scans in 55 of the cases in which CT was performed. A diverse number of lesions were included: 17 pituitary adenomas; eight optic or hypothalamic gliomas; six craniopharyngiomas; six vascular anomalies; four lesions with extension into the suprasellar space; three metastases; two each of meningioma, hamartoma, germinoma, sarcoid granuloma, and teratoma; and one each of lymphoma, optic tract hematoma, cerebrospinal fluid-borne metastasis, pituitary hyperplasia, and sphenoid sinus mucocele. MR enabled characterization of lesions containing hemorrhage, fat, flowing blood, mucus, and cyst and allowed more specific diagnoses than CT in 6% of cases. MR was equivalent to CT in allowing lesions to be detected and in 20% of cases more accurately defined altered perisellar anatomy. Vascular abnormalities can be better evaluated with MR, and use of angiography can be avoided in some cases.

Adenoma↗

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in children with rare movement disorders.

Both CT and MR can aid in the differentiation between benign and less favorable pediatric movement disorders. However, MR is the more sensitive imaging modality and thus preferable. This was demonstrated in 18 patients with conditions ranging from idiopathic dystonias to aminoacidopathies, Leigh's disease, and Hallervorden-Spatz disease. In the latter three entities characteristic lesions were shown in the basal ganglia, although not consistently. A specific diagnosis seems possible in Leigh's disease, provided the clinical setting is appropriate.

Adult↗

Leigh's subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy manifesting as spasmus nutans.

Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (SNE), or Leigh's disease, is an unusual neurologic disorder that is associated with nystagmus, strabismus, and optic atrophy in the majority of cases, and is most often described in infants. The defect currently thought to account for SNE is the presence of an inhibitor factor in the thiamine pathway. We saw a patient whose eye findings initially were believed to represent spasmus nutans, but whose clinical course, computed tomographic findings, and autopsy findings were typical of SNE.

Brain Diseases↗

Cerebral cortical atrophy in pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease.

Computed tomography of the head in 15 children with end-stage renal disease revealed cerebral cortical atrophy in eight and ventricular enlargement in an additional two. These changes were not necessarily associated with any clinical signs or symptoms. Although high doses of steroids may have been responsible for some of the lesions, alternate etiologies are required to explain the abnormality in others cases. The mean length of time the patients received chronic hemodialysis was twice as long in patients with atrophy as in those with normal scans. However, possible causative factor/s related to dialysis could not be identified. The high incidence of cerebral atrophy is cause for concern and indicates the need for further study of this phenomenon.

Adolescent↗

Sphenoid pneumosinus dilatans. A sign of meningioma originating in the optic canal.

Surgical exploration of three patients who had a radiological diagnosis of sphenoid pneumosinus dilatans disclosed an intracanalicular meningioma of the sheath of the optic nerve (MSON), bilaterally in two patients and unilaterally in the other. Two cases of sphenoid pneumosinus dilatans, previously reported, are reviewed, and a new case is presented. The relationship of sphenoid pneumosinus to MSON is discussed. Sphenoid pneumosinus dilatans may be an early sign of MSON in the optic canals or at the optic foramens.

Adolescent↗

Synovial cyst (ganglion) of the lumbar spine simulating extradural mass.

Four additional cases of synovial cyst (ganglion) arising from the facet joint between L4 and L5 are reported. Only five such cases have been reported in the past. For the first time impressive and characteristic myelographic findings are described, which make a preoperative diagnosis possible in these cases.

Aged↗

Neuroradiological manifestations of intracranial sarcoidosis.

Six cases of sarcoidosis involving the central nervous system are reported with the neuroradiological findings and appearance on computed tomography. Communicating hydrocephalus with sarcoid arachnoiditis is the most common finding, but arteritis and masses have also been reported. Two rare cases of intracerebral masses are included. The radiological findings and clinical histories are reviewed with emphasis on the use of CT and complete neuroradiological studies for patients with possible central nervous system sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

Traumatic vertebrobasilar occlusive disease in childhood.

Vigorous gymnastics and repeated manipulations of the cervical spine by a chiropractor were associated with headaches and transient cranial nerve deficits in a 7-year-old boy who had a history of birth trauma. Progressive cerebellar dysfunction was later accompanied by a visual field defect. A computerized axial tomography scan revealed a cerebellar infarction, and arteriograms showed vertebral and basilar occlusions. Passive stretching of the cervical spine during chiropractic maneuvers may lead to vertebral artery thrombosis with subsequent embolization into the basilar artery circulation.

Athletic Injuries↗

Efficacy of computed tomography of the head in changing patient care and health costs: a retrospective study.

Detailed analysis of all neurologic and neurosurgical admissions at Johns Hopkins Hospital for 6 months prior to the second 6 months after installation of a CT head scanner was undertaken in an attempt to identify the effect CT had on health care decisions, costs, and morbidity. Data showed decreased cost of more than $2,000 per patient and shorter length of stay by 7 days in patients with extracerebral collections, and more than $2,500 and 8 days reduction in patients with tumors after CT was in use. A group matched by computer for age, diagnosis, and physician showed decreased costs of more than $2,000 and shortened stay by more than 3 days per hospitalization. Increased costs were shown in patients with cerebrovascular disease after CT. Change in method of workup with fewer invasive studies for all patients (P less than .001) and significant increases in cost of diagnostic workup were demonstrated (P less than .001). There was no change in morbidity and mortality between the two groups. These data suggest that CT of the head may reduce cost and length of hospitalization in certain patient groups and frequently alters patient workup.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and computerized axial tomography findings.

Computerized axial tomography (CAT) in 38 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome showed normal findings in 20 patients and abnormalities in 18; diffuse cerebral atrophy (8) was the most common abnormality. These findings are not basically different from those recently reported by Gastaut and Gastaut (1976). Emphasis is laid upon age and possible increase of diffuse abnormalities with advancing age. The observation of 2 cases with cerebellar atrophy is also discussed.

Adolescent↗

Internal auditory canal enlargement in neurofibromatosis without acoustic neuroma.

Acoustic neuroma has always been reported to accompany neurofibromatosis in patients with enlargement of the internal auditory canal. The authors describe a case in which the internal auditory canal was enlarged but there was no tumor. This may represent a normal variant or a manifestation of the bony dysplasia of neurofibromatosis.

Adult↗