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Biomedical subjects

R A Hyman

Publications and source records attributed to R A Hyman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Brain lactate and N-acetylaspartate in pediatric AIDS encephalopathy.

Two children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and progressive encephalopathy underwent MR spectroscopy before and after antiretroviral therapy. Initial MR spectroscopy of the basal ganglia region showed decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and a lactate peak. After therapy, there was improvement in NAA/Cr and an absence of the abnormal lactate peak. We suggest that decreased NAA/Cr in AIDS is reversible, that brain lactate might correlate with inflammation, and that MR spectroscopy can be useful in treatment trials.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Temporal lobe epilepsy: correlation of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has demonstrated reduction of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in the epileptogenic temporal lobe. However, the correlation of NAA reduction with cerebral metabolic abnormalities is unknown in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Proton MRS and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG/PET) were used to study 12 unilateral TLE patients with medically intractable seizures and 26 age-matched healthy volunteers. The epileptogenic temporal lobe of each patient was determined by both electroencephalography and FDG/PET. The NAA/choline-plus-creatine (NAA/(Cho+Cr)) ratio correlated significantly with the interictal glucose metabolism (r = 0.54, P < 0.01) in 12 TLE patients. The mean NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio in the epileptogenic temporal lobe was significantly less than that in the contralateral side (P < 0.01), and less than that in normal control temporal lobes (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that quantitative MRS abnormalities reflect underlying metabolic pathology in TLE.

Adult↗

Proton MR spectroscopy of the basal ganglia in healthy children and children with AIDS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to establish an age-dependent spectroscopic database of the normal basal ganglia in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy children and 45 children with AIDS underwent both brain MR imaging and single-voxel MR spectroscopy with a long-echo-time point-resolved technique. A large part of the region of interest studied at MR spectroscopy included the basal ganglia. RESULTS: Seven patients with progressive encephalopathy and eight with static encephalopathy had significantly lower mean N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratios than age-matched control subjects (P<.02). In determining the presence of progressive encephalopathy in children with AIDS, MR spectroscopy appears to be more sensitive and specific than MR imaging and immunologic testing. Thirty patients without encephalopathy had normal NAA/Cr ratios but significantly lower choline/Cr ratios than age-matched control subjects (P<.02). CONCLUSION: Proton MR spectroscopy may be a more sensitive diagnostic technique than MR imaging in childhood AIDS encephalopathy.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Hemorrhagic subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.

We describe the CT and MR findings in a patient diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis after presenting with a hemorrhagic subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGCA). While these tumors are not uncommon in tuberous sclerosis, hemorrhage into them is extremely rare.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in childhood AIDS encephalopathy.

Twenty-five children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on clinical parameters: encephalopathy and nonencephalopathy. N-acetyl aspartate/creatine ratios were compared between the 2 groups and to control data. Spectra were obtained for 2 volumes of interest: the basal ganglia region and the white matter. The mean basal ganglia region ratio for the AIDS encephalopathy patients (n = 8) was 1.12 and the ratio for the AIDS nonencephalopathy patients (n = 17) was 1.48. The ratio for the 9 controls was 1.57. The encephalopathy group had a significantly lower ratio than both the control (P < .001) and the AIDS nonencephalopathy group (P < .002). The mean white matter ratio for the encephalopathy group (n = 8) was 1.47 and for the AIDS nonencephalopathy group (n = 13) was 1.82 with a control (n = 6) ratio of 1.82. The encephalopathy patients had a lower white matter ratio than the nonencephalopathy (P < .05) patients but the ratio was not different than controls (P < .11). It is concluded that N-acetyl aspartate/creatine ratios are reduced in childhood AIDS encephalopathy and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be helpful in defining brain human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this technique.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

The cranial meninges: anatomic considerations.

The anatomy of the cranial dura and leptomeninges is both intricate and complex. A thorough discussion of the protective covering of the brain including the dura, arachnoid, and pia is provided on both gross and microscopic levels. An attempt to include issues of clinical relevance is made, highlighting the Virchow-Robin spaces and the optic sheath. In addition, the normal appearance of the dura and leptomeninges on MRI is presented to establish a framework for the discussion of leptomeningeal pathology.

Arachnoid↗

Neuroimaging of meningeal disease.

In the past two decades, the advent of CT and MRI has made a considerable impact on the evaluation of meningeal diseases, conditions once regulated to cytological, histopathological, or postmortem analyses alone. This article reviews the imaging findings in various meningeal processes with particular attention to the anatomic definition of the meningeal layers and their relationship to the development of meningeal pathology and consequent imaging characteristics.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗

Far lateral lumbar disc herniations and associated structural abnormalities. An evaluation in 60 patients of the comparative value of CT, MRI, and myelo-CT in diagnosis and management.

The management of 60 patients with far lateral lumbar disc herniations operated on over a 5-year period are presented. These lesions were located superiorly within the neural foramens beneath or distal to the facet joints. The type of surgery performed in 43 of 60 (72%) of these patients was significantly altered by the presence of diffuse and lateral recess stenosis. This was better appreciated on the myelogram and myelo-CT (M-CT) studies than with the noncontrast CT and MRI examinations alone. Myelo-CT findings were particularly valuable in assessing patients who had previous surgical procedures.

Female↗

Intraocular radiation blocking.

Iodine-based liquid radiographic contrast agents were placed in normal and tumor-bearing (Greene strain) rabbit eyes to evaluate their ability to block iodine-125 radiation. This experiment required the procedures of tumor implantation, vitrectomy, air-fluid exchange, and 125I plaque and thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) chip implantation. The authors quantified the amount of radiation attenuation provided by intraocularly placed contrast agents with in vivo dosimetry. After intraocular insertion of a blocking agent or sham blocker (saline) insertion, episcleral 125I plaques were placed across the eye from episcleral TLD dosimeters. This showed that radiation attenuation occurred after blocker insertion compared with the saline controls. Then computed tomographic imaging techniques were used to describe the relatively rapid transit time of the aqueous-based iohexol compared with the slow transit time of the oil-like iophendylate. Lastly, seven nontumor-bearing eyes were primarily examined for blocking agent-related ocular toxicity. Although it was noted that iophendylate induced intraocular inflammation and retinal degeneration, all iohexol-treated eyes were similar to the control eyes at 7 and 31 days of follow-up. Although our study suggests that intraocular radiopaque materials can be used to shield normal ocular structures during 125I plaque irradiation, a mechanism to keep these materials from exiting the eye must be devised before clinical application.

Animals↗

Computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. A collaborative interinstitutional study.

A retrospective study (1983-1984) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) examinations in 471 patients with known pathology in the brain and craniocervical junction was conducted in order to determine the relative efficacy of MRI versus CT. All MRI examinations involved slice thickness greater than 10 mm, and only single-slice single-echo or multislice single-echo imaging techniques were available. These studies were evaluated independently by two neuroradiologists from a panel of six for anatomic abnormalities, lesion contrast, and radiologist's impression. Results, which excluded microadenomas of the pituitary and approximately 9% of studies in which consensus was not achieved by the readers, were as follows: (1) 14% of the studies were positive on MRI but normal on CT; (2) in 55% of the studies, MRI was better than CT; (3) MRI was equal or better than CT in 95% of the studies; and (4) CT was better than MRI in 5% (21/421) of the examinations. There were no patients in this series where CT was positive but MRI missed the abnormality.

Adult↗

Aneurysms and vascular malformations.

Intracranial aneurysms and vascular malformations are frequently detected following intracranial hemorrhages. A CT scan is the most sensitive method of detecting acute subarachnoid, parenchymal, and intraventricular hemorrhages. Small aneurysms are inconsistently visualized on MR scans. Angiography remains the standard for complete and accurate depiction of patent aneurysms, as well as of arteriovenous and venous malformations that have not thrombosed. Giant and thrombosed aneurysms present as mass lesions and are frequently detected when MR is used as a screening examination. Often MRI characterizes these lesions better than CT or angiography. Patients with vascular malformations who have focal neurologic symptoms without hemorrhage are best evaluated with MRI. Patent vascular malformations demonstrating flow void and other flow-related phenomena are readily demonstrated. Occult vascular malformations, including thrombosed arteriovenous, venous, and cavernous malformations and telangiectasia, are also best detected by MRI and are not visible on angiography.

Cerebral Angiography↗

Imaging strategies for MR of the brain.

MR has emerged as the imaging modality of choice for the brain in patients presenting with seizures, chronic headaches, progressive neurologic deficits, ataxia, vertigo, hearing loss, visual loss, congenital abnormalities, signs of increased intracranial pressure, dementia, suspected multiple sclerosis, and in the vast majority of other elective neurologic problems. CT should currently be considered the primary imaging modality in patients with acute neurologic deficits (stroke), acute onset of severe headaches, and when fine bone detail is required. Acutely injured patients are more readily studied with CT. The vast majority of patients in whom CT is preferred are seen in emergent situations, frequently in hospital emergency rooms. The effects of trauma beyond the acute stage are best evaluated with MR. In the future, MR is likely to become the procedure of choice in even more clinical situations than at present. A summary of currently recommended primary imaging modalities in various clinical situations is provided in Table 1.

Ataxia↗

Imaging strategies for MR of the spine.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has rapidly evolved as a primary modality for evaluating the spine. Following routine radiographs, MR is currently the preferred examination in evaluating patients presenting with myelopathy, suspected congenital abnormalities, discitis/osteomyelitis, and myeloradiculopathy. It is becoming the examination of choice in evaluating patients with radiculopathy as well when fast-scan techniques are available. MR of the spine will prove increasingly important as the technology advances. It is likely that MR will replace myelography entirely for many indications.

Humans↗

0.6 T magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the orbit was performed with a 0.6 T superconducting imaging system in 100 patients with normal orbits who were being evaluated for brain pathology and in 21 additional patients with a variety of orbital lesions to determine the efficacy of MR imaging in displaying orbital abnormalities. Usually, MR studies were performed using a multislice technique with multiple spin-echo pulse sequences and 30, 60, and 90 msec echo times and 500, 1500, and 2000 msec repetition times. Using section thicknesses of about 8 mm, imaging was performed in the transaxial, coronal, and sagittal projections. Pixel size was 0.9 X 1.8 mm, and the examination took about 30 min. The MR findings were compared with computed tomographic (CT) findings in all cases. Either combined axial and coronal studies of 5-mm-thick sections or a thin axial study of 1-mm-thick sections followed by reformatting techniques to obtain multiplanar images was used. Contrast enhancement was used in the CT studies. Both MR and CT clearly demonstrated the soft-tissue abnormality in all cases except two, in which MR failed to detect the abnormality. In one, MR failed to detect a small retrobulbar hemorrhage that occurred after a surgical procedure for retinal detachment. In the second case, rather extensive calcification in the posterior choroidal layers and lens was not detected by MR imaging. In several other cases, MR provided information beyond that obtained with CT. MR has the advantage of providing exquisite anatomic detail in multiplanar images, and it appears to be more sensitive than CT in detecting small, subacute and chronic hemorrhage within soft-tissue masses in the orbit and in detecting ischemia of the globe. CT is superior to MR imaging in portraying fine bone detail.

Adult↗