PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

P M Parizel

Publications and source records attributed to P M Parizel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transient uterine contraction mimicking adenomyosis on MRI.

Transient myometrial contraction as a physiological phenomenon may simulate pathological conditions, such as a focal or diffuse adenomyosis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential presence of this phenomenon and imaging should be repeated after a suitable interval when the nature of a bulge or a region of low intensity in the myometrium is in doubt. In this paper, we report a transient myometrial contraction that mimics an adenomyosis, but disappears in repeated series.

Adult

Imaging findings in diffuse axonal injury after closed head trauma.

Even in patients with closed head trauma, brain parenchyma can be severely injured due to disruption of axonal fibers by shearing forces during acceleration, deceleration, and rotation of the head. In this article we review the spectrum of imaging findings in patients with diffuse axonal injuries (DAI) after closed head trauma. Knowledge of the location and imaging characteristics of DAI is important to radiologists for detection and diagnosis. Common locations of DAI include: cerebral hemispheric gray-white matter interface and subcortical white matter, body and splenium of corpus callosum, basal ganglia, dorsolateral aspect of brainstem, and cerebellum. In the acute phase, CT may show punctate hemorrhages. The true extent of brain involvement is better appreciated with MR imaging, because both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic lesions (gliotic scars) can be detected. The MR appearance of DAI lesions depends on several factors, including age of injury, presence of hemorrhage or blood-breakdown products (e. g., hemosiderin), and type of sequence used. Technical aspects in MR imaging of these patients are discussed. Non-hemorrhagic lesions can be detected with fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), proton-density-, or T2-weighted images, whereas gradient echo sequences with long TE increase the visibility of old hemorrhagic lesions.

Adolescent

Distribution and incidence of degenerative spine changes in patients with a lumbo-sacral transitional vertebra.

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the overall incidence and distribution of lumbo-sacral degenerative changes (i.e. disc protrusion or extrusion, facet degeneration, disc degeneration, nerve root canal stenosis and spinal stenosis) in patients with and without a lumbo-sacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). The study population consisted of 350 sequential patients with low back pain and/or sciatica, referred for medical imaging. In all cases CT scans of the lumbo-sacral region were obtained. In 53 subjects (15%) and LSTV was found. There was no difference in overall incidence of degenerative spine changes between the two groups. We did find, however, a different distribution pattern of degenerative changes between patients with and those without an LSTV. Disc protrusion and/or extrusion occurred more often at the level suprajacent to the LSTV than at the same level in patients without LSTV (45.3% vs 30.3%). This was also the case for disc degeneration (52.8% vs 28%), facet degeneration (60.4% vs 42.6%) and nerve root canal stenosis (52.8% vs 27.9%). For spinal canal stenosis there was no statistically significant difference between the two categories. In conclusion, our findings indicate that an LSTV does not in itself constitute a risk factor for degenerative spine changes, but when degeneration occurs, it is more likely to be found at the disc level above the LSTV.

Case-Control Studies

The influence of MR field strength on the detection of focal liver lesions with superparamagnetic iron oxide.

The purpose of this study was to compare the value of low- vs high-field MR systems in the detection of focal liver lesions after IV administration of iron oxide particles. A prospective study was undertaken which included 20 patients with focal liver lesions on CT or US, or strong clinical suspicion of focal liver disease. Iron oxide particles were administered in an IV drip infusion over 30 min. Magnetic resonance imaging was subsequently performed on a 0.2 and a 1.5-T system. Both examinations were performed in one session. Turbo spin-echo T2-weighted sequences were used for further analysis (at 0.2 T: TR 4050 ms, TE 96 ms; 1.5 T: TR 3000 ms, TE 103 ms). After randomisation, images were analysed by two blinded readers. The evaluation included lesion counts, determination of lesion conspicuity and overall image quality (both graded on a scale 1-5). Quantitative analysis was performed on 29 lesions. Lesion-to-liver signal intensity and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated. The total lesion count (cumulative counts for two observers) was 59 on the high-field system and 63 on the low-field system. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference. On both systems median value for lesion conspicuity was 3. No statistically significant difference was found. Global image quality was rated higher on the high-field system: 3 vs 2 for the low-field system (p = 0.0017). Quantitative analysis showed no significant difference for lesion-to-liver signal intensity ratios or CNRs. Although subjective image quality is significantly better on the high-field system, this does not result in better lesion detection or better lesion conspicuity. No significant difference in objective quantitative parameters was found in our series.

Adult

Imaging of primary tumors and tumor-like conditions of the lumbosacral osseous spine.

Primary tumors of the osseous spine are rare. This article illustrates some aspects of imaging of tumoral pathology of the osseous spine. Plain film and CT scan still remain the initial imaging modalities in the work-up of tumoral pathology of the osseous spine. MR imaging however has proven its potentials in the detection of lesions in areas with superimposing structures which hamper reliable reading of the plain films or in areas with a complex bony anatomy such as the sacrum. MR imaging is exquisite in determining the local extent of tumoral lesions and in defining the relationship to adjacent central nervous system structures. In some tumors or tumor-like lesions, MR imaging allows to make a correct tissue-related diagnosis or to strengthen the diagnosis made on plain film/CT observations. In other case MR imaging only has a role in staging or may have definitely no role at all.

Adult

A patient with congenital short small bowel associated with malrotation.

A case of congenital short small bowel associated with malrotation and malabsorption in a baby girl is presented. Clinical manifestations developed in the first days after birth and consisted of diarrhea, vomiting and poor weight increase. Congenital short small bowel was suspected on radiological examination, which showed an associated malrotation. The diagnosis was confirmed by exploratory laparotomy. The length of the small intestine was only 50 cm. The intensive work of maintaining nutrition and controlling infection is described.

Body Weight

Imaging findings in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.

The incidence of low back pain and leg pain related to the spine is very high in the Western population. As a result of conservative treatment failure there are roughly 200,000 lumbar disk operations performed annually. Unsuccessful surgical outcome is known as the failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). FBSS is a complex and poorly understood syndrome, with as many different imaging findings as different possible etiologic mechanisms. Still we believe some imaging aspects deserve special attention. Firstly it is of particular importance to correctly differentiate residual disk herniation from epidural scar tissue since disk herniation can be an indication for repeat intervention. Secondly when residual disk herniation is present, one should keep in mind that it is not necessarily responsible for the patients complaints. Thirdly, late nerve root enhancement should be considered as pathological. Finally one should be aware of the mechanical back stress that may develop as a result of discectomy. One of the consequences can be secondary foraminal stenosis which is probably one of the most common causes of FBSS.

Cicatrix

MR of the brain in Sjögren-Larsson syndrome.

Cerebral MR was performed in three patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. In each case, a 1.5-T system was used, and the patient was under general anesthesia. The MR findings included confluent hyperintense white matter lesions in the periventricular and deep white matter of the centrum semiovale, with sparing of the subcortical U fibers. The topography of the white matter abnormalities correlated well with the clinical signs and symptoms.

Adult

Deep cerebral invasion by basal cell carcinoma of the scalp.

We report recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the scalp with deep cerebral invasion in an 82-year-old man. Plain films and CT showed extensive, full thickness, skull destruction at the vertex. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed neoplastic invasion of the meninges and left cerebral hemisphere, down to the lateral ventricle. We postulate that tumour extended into the brain along perivascular spaces of transcerebral vessels. This hypothesis is supported by the cleft-like contrast enhancement on MRI.

Aged

Clinical usefulness of contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE of the brain.

Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of a 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence (MP-RAGE) in clinical practice. We prospectively examined 200 patients with a variety of neurological disorders and symptoms. We compared lesion conspicuity and contrast enhancement on MP-RAGE images with conventional gadolinium-enhanced spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted images. Both the original MP-RAGE data and the reformatted images were characterised by improved differentiation between grey and white matter. More lesions were found on the 3D series, in both patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease. Contrast enhancement of small oedematous lesions affecting the white matter in demyelinating disease was less obvious. Multiplanar reformatting, which can be realised in any desired plane and surface rendering with sophisticated segmentation algorithms superbly displayed the underlying anatomical relationships between lesions and normal brain structures. Excellent spatial resolution, the absence of posterior fossa artefacts and equivalent contrast enhancement resulted in an increased number of space-occupying lesions being found on the MP-RAGE images. Thus contrast-enhanced MP-RAGE is an alternative to conventional SE imaging in the investigation of intracranial masses. Although the total number of lesions found in patients with demyelinating disease was significantly higher on MP-RAGE, demonstration of blood-brain-barrier breakdown in active lesions was less obvious.

Adult

MRI after successful lumbar discectomy.

Our aim was to establish the normal range of MRI findings after successful lumbar discectomy. We prospectively examined 34 consecutive patients with an excellent clinical outcome by MRI 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. All examinations included sagittal and axial spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted images before and after intravenous gadolinium-DTPA and fast SE T2-weighted images. Contrast enhancement along the surgical tract was seen in all patients 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. After 6 months minimal or no mass effect on the dural sac by epidural scar was seen. In 20% of patients there was recurrent disc herniation, with mass effect. Enhancing nerve roots were seen in 20% of patients 6 weeks postoperatively, and half of these were associated with recurrent disc herniation at the same side. None of these patients still showed nerve root enhancement 6 months after surgery. Postoperative MRI studies must be interpreted with great care since the features described in the failed back surgery syndrome are also found, to some extent, in asymptomatic postoperative patients.

Adolescent

Whiplash injuries: is there a role for imaging?

Whiplash describes the manner in which a head is moved suddenly to produce a sprain in the neck and typically occurs after rear-end automobile collisions. It is one of the most common mechanisms of injury to the cervical spine. Although considered by some to be a form of compensation neurosis, evidence suggests that whiplash injuries are real and that they are a potential cause of significant impairment. Symptoms of cervical whiplash injury include neck pain and stiffness, interscapular pain, arm pain and/or occipital headache, and many whiplash patients have persistent complaints. Cervical roentgenography and conventional or computed tomography (CT) may show dislocations, subluxations and fractures in severely traumatized patients, but often fail to determine or visualize the cause for a whiplash syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, is able to assess different types of soft-tissue lesions related to whiplash injuries. Dynamic imaging may show functional disturbances. More widespread use of flexion/extension views, high-resolution static MRI and especially dynamic MRI should improve the correlation between imaging findings and patients' complaints.

Cervical Vertebrae

Parinaud's syndrome in a patient with multifocal glioma.

We describe the clinical and neuroradiological findings in a 63-year-old man with Parinaud's syndrome. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a mass lesion within the quadrigeminal plate. Additional MR findings included a right frontoparietal subcortical lesion as well as periventricular white matter edema due to acute deterioration of hydrocephalus. On MR, the diagnosis of multifocal glioma was proposed. Neuropathological examination after resection of the supratentorial lesion revealed an oligodendroglioma, grade II.

Brain Neoplasms

Postmortem MRI of the brain with neuropathological correlation.

We prospectively correlated in vitro MRI of the brain with the neuropathological findings in patients with suspected intracranial disease. In vitro MRI was performed on 91 consecutive formalin-fixed whole-brain specimens. In 60 cases, the images were correlated with the neuropathological findings (number of lesions, lesion boundaries, spread of oedema and type of lesions). As compared with neuropathology, MRI showed an equal number of lesions in 50 cases, more in 5, and less in 5 specimens, resulting in a sensitivity of 83.3%. The extent of perilesional oedema was better seen on in vitro MRI than on gross pathology. Microscopic extent of glial tumours was underestimated on both T2-weighted images and macroscopic examination. Neuropathology remains the reference study, since on in vitro MRI primary brain tumours, metastatic deposits and non-neoplastic space-occupying lesions cannot be differentiated. However, in our study MRI had a specificity of 76.6%. MRI of postmortem specimens is sensitive to focal brain lesions, and can focus the attention of the neuropathologist to abnormal regions.

Adolescent