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Biomedical subjects

R K Jain

Publications and source records attributed to R K Jain.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Angiogenesis, microvascular architecture, microhemodynamics, and interstitial fluid pressure during early growth of human adenocarcinoma LS174T in SCID mice.

To date, most quantitative information on tumor angiogenesis, microcirculation, and transport has been derived from rodent tumors grown in transparent chamber preparations. In this paper we present a chamber technique adapted to immunodeficient mice for the study of human tumor xenografts. Microcirculatory parameters in severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing a dorsal skin fold chamber preparation were quantified using intravital microscopy and image analysis. The take rate of the human colon adenocarcinoma LS174T in the chamber preparation was 100%, and the tumor area doubling time was 6.5 days. Three days following implantation of 2 x 10(5) tumor cells onto the striated skin muscle, capillary sprouts were noted in the tumor cell mass. Microvasculature in the tumors was established after 10 days. Capillary density, vessel diameter, red blood cell velocity, and blood flow rates in individual microvessels measured on days 10, 14, 18, and 22 showed no statistical difference in the striated muscle (capillaries) and subcutaneous tissue (arterioles and venules) of the skin of tumor-free animals (N = 6), whereas these parameters increased slightly, but not significantly, in the LS174T tumors (N = 7). Mean interstitial fluid pressure (+/- SD) in these small tumors was 4.6 +/- 1.7 mmHg (N = 4) on day 10 and 5.1 +/- 0.9 mmHg (N = 4) on day 22 and significantly elevated compared to that in the subcutaneous and skin tissue (-0.9 +/- 0.8 mmHg) (N = 4) (P < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first model enabling intravital microscopic studies of human tumor xenografts in a transparent chamber preparation in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Studies on angiogenesis, microcirculation, and transport using such a preparation should provide new insights into microcirculation-mediated mechanisms for cancer treatment.

Adenocarcinoma

Ovarian cancer alpha 1,3-L-fucosyltransferase. Differentiation of distinct catalytic species with the unique substrate, 3'-sulfo-N-acetyllactosamine in conjunction with other synthetic acceptors.

Several N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) derivatives were tested as acceptors for alpha 1,3-L-fucosyltransferase present in human ovarian cancer sera and ovarian tumor. The enzyme of the soluble fraction of tumor was purified to apparent homogeneity by chromatography on bovine IgG glycopeptide-Sepharose followed by Sephacryl S-200 (M(r) < 67,000). As compared with 2'-methyl LacNAc, 3'-sulfo LacNAc was about 5-fold more sensitive in measuring alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase in sera (Km, 3'-sulfo LacNAc, 0.12 mM; 2'-methyl LacNAc, 6.67 mM). When ovarian cancer serum was the enzyme source, either the sulfate group or a sialyl moiety at C-3' of LacNAc enhanced the acceptor ability (341 and 242%, respectively), whereas the sulfate group at C-2' or C-6' reduced the activity (22-36%); sulfate at C-6 or fucose at C-2' increased the activity (172 and 253%). The beta-benzylation of the reducing end, in general, increased the activity 2-3-fold. The enzyme of the soluble fraction of tumor exhibited more activity toward 3'-sulfo LacNAc (447%), 2'-fucosyl-LacNAc (436%), and 6-sulfo LacNAc (272%). Very low activity was observed with 3'-sialyl LacNAc (12.4%), 2'-sulfo LacNAc (33%), and 6'-sulfo LacNAc (5%); Fuc alpha 1,2Gal beta 1,3GlcNAc beta-O-p-nitrophenyl (166%), 2-methyl Gal beta 1,3GlcNAc beta-O-benzyl (204%), and 3-sulfo Gal beta 1,3GlcNAc (415%) also acted as acceptors, indicating the coexistence of alpha 1,3- and alpha 1,4-fucosyltransferase. The tumor particulate enzyme behaved entirely different, exhibiting low activity with 3'-sulfo LacNAc (39%) and 2'-fucosyl-LacNAc (148%); 3'-sialyl, 6'-sulfo, 6-sulfo, or 2'-sulfo LacNAc were 3, 43, 53, and 10% active, respectively. Thus, the ovarian cancer serum alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase acts equally well on H-type 2,3'-sialyl LacNAc and 3'-sulfo LacNAc, but not on H-type 1. The enzyme of soluble tumor fraction acts on H-type 2,3'-sulfo LacNAc as well as H-type 1 but poorly on 3'-sialyl LacNAc. The tumor particulate enzyme acts on H-type 2 but poorly on 3'-sulfo or 3'-sialyl LacNAc and is inactive with H-type 1. When normal serum was examined with synthetic acceptors, > 80% activity was found as alpha 1,2-fucosyltransferase and the rest as alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase. A screening of 21 ovarian cancer and 3 normal sera (3'-sulfo LacNAc as acceptor) showed 17-572% increase (average increase, 188%) of alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase activity in cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Carbohydrate Sequence

Interstitial hypertension in human breast and colorectal tumors.

The efficacy of present day antineoplastic regimens depends upon the delivery and penetration of therapeutic agents through the tumor vascular and interstitial spaces to the tumor cell target. The distribution of relevant molecules or cells in a solid tumor is often poor and heterogeneous and is believed to be due to a number of pathophysiological factors, including elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). Using the wick-in-needle technique, IFP was measured in primary breast and colorectal carcinomas as well as their respective metastases to the lymph nodes and liver in a total of 17 patients. IFP was also measured in one recurrent renal cell carcinoma, one melanoma metastasis to the lymph nodes, and another melanoma metastasis to the lung. IFP varied from 4 to 50 mm Hg with a mean +/- SD of 20 +/- 13 mm Hg in the neoplasms (n = 41 measurements; n = 21 tumors), while IFP in normal tissues had a mean of 2 +/- 4 mm Hg (n = 11). The mean IFPs for metastatic melanoma, primary breast carcinoma, and liver metastases from a colorectal primary were found to be 33 +/- 14, 15 +/- 9, and 21 +/- 12 mm Hg, respectively. In the renal cell carcinoma, the pressure was 38 mm Hg. These results agree with the findings of our 3 previous studies examining IFP in human superficial melanomas (14.3 +/- 12.5 mm Hg, n = 12), cervical carcinomas (15.7 +/- 5.7 mm Hg, n = 12), and head and neck tumors (13.2 +/- 8.8 mm Hg, n = 19), and indicate that in all types of human tumors studied to date, IFP was significantly elevated above that of normal tissue. This observation may be useful in localizing tumors during needle biopsy.

Adult

2H-nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of tumor blood flow: spatial and temporal heterogeneity in a tissue-isolated mammary adenocarcinoma.

2H-Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of deuteron accumulation in tissue following an i.v. bolus of deuterium oxide provides a noninvasive means of constructing maps of tissue perfusion. With a measured arterial input function and a simple model for tissue-capillary exchange, these data can provide quantitative estimates of local flow. This technique was tested in rat brain and then applied to the study of spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation of blood flow in the tissue-isolated R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma. Global flow from the brain averaged 0.96 ml/min.g, in good agreement with results obtained from other methods; the perfusion of brain was relatively homogeneous. Global tumor blood flow averaged 0.32 ml/min.g, ranging from 0.11 to 0.96 ml/min.g. Imaging revealed variations in perfusion both within and between the tumors that far exceeded those expected from brain flow heterogeneity and uncertainty in the flow estimates. By obtaining repeated flow images at 30-min intervals, it was possible to show that the regional blood flow shifted with time in single pixels and in multipixel regions. These experiments show that 2H-nuclear magnetic resonance may be useful in obtaining noninvasive and quantitative measurement of temporal blood flow changes in a solid tumor in vivo.

Adenocarcinoma

In vitro measurement and screening of monoclonal antibody affinity using fluorescence photobleaching.

Antibody screening is a routine in vitro assay in monoclonal antibody development and production. We have recently adapted the fluorescence photobleaching method to quantify antibody mass transport and binding parameters in bulk solution (Kaufman and Jain, 1990, 1991). The present study uses this in vitro method to screen a series of monoclonal antibodies (IgG) developed against the rabbit VX2 carcinoma tumor line. These experiments indicate that the three antibodies recognize distinct epitopes on the tumor, with equilibrium binding constants of 1.3 +/- 0.5, 5.1 +/- 3.6 and 2.0 +/- 1.1 x 10(7) M-1 for the antibodies RVC-184, RVC-626 and RVC-779, respectively. The antibody diffusion coefficient revealed no dependent upon protein concentration or antigen bead volume fraction within the ranges investigated. It was demonstrated experimentally that the interactions conformed to a reaction limited binding model of fluorescence recovery, that the system was at equilibrium, and that non-specific binding due to the fluorescein probe was not significant. Once the non-reactive fraction of antibody is determined, this photobleaching technique does not require perturbation or physical separation of the unbound species. As such, it has many potential applications including in vivo investigation of binding parameters.

Animals

Pharmacokinetic analysis of the perivascular distribution of bifunctional antibodies and haptens: comparison with experimental data.

A mathematical model is developed to describe the concentration profiles around individual tumor blood vessels for two-step approaches to cancer treatment. The model incorporates plasma pharmacokinetics, interstitial diffusion, reversible binding between antibody and hapten and between antibody and tumor-associated antigens, and physiological parameters to evaluate present experimental approaches and to suggest new guidelines for the effective use of two-step approaches. Results show considerable interaction between the binding kinetics, initial drug doses, and antigen density, with optimal parameter ranges depending on the desired goal: treatment or detection. The hapten concentration in tumors was found to be nonuniform because of specific binding to antibodies. While binding of the hapten to the bifunctional antibody is necessary for improved retention, too large a binding affinity may lead to very poor penetration of the hapten into regions far away from blood vessels. The time delay between antibody and hapten injection was found to be an important parameter. Longer time delays were found to be advantageous, subject to constraints such as internalization of the antibody and tumor growth during treatment. A proper combination of initial doses for the two species was also seen to be crucial for maximum effectiveness. Comparison of the model with the experimental data of Le Doussal et al. (Cancer Res., 51: 6650-6655, 1991) and Stickney et al. (Cancer Res., 50: 3445-3452, 1990) suggests two novel, yet testable, hypotheses: (a) the early pharmacokinetics of low molecular weight agents can have an important effect on later concentrations using two-step approaches; and (b) metabolism may play an important role in reducing concentrations in the tumor and tumor:plasma concentration ratios. These results should help in the effective design of two-step strategies.

Antibodies, Neoplasm

Mucin biosynthesis revisited. The enzymatic transfer of Gal in beta 1,3 linkage to the GalNAc moiety of the core structure R1-GlcNAc beta 1,6GalNAc alpha-O-R2.

Synthetic glycosides containing the core, -Glc-NAc beta 1,6GalNAc alpha-, acted as acceptors for beta-galactosyltransferase of human ovarian tumor. A significant amount of Gal was transferred from UDP-Gal (100 nmol) to the alpha-benzylglycoside of LacNAc beta 1,6GalNAc (LGBn) (25.1 nmol of Gal) and the alpha-ortho-nitrophenylglycosides of LacNAc beta 1,6GalNAc (22.0 nmol of Gal), GlcNAc beta 1,6GalNAc (15.5 nmol of Gal), and Fuc alpha 1,3GlcNAc beta 1,6GalNAc (25.9 nmol of Gal); LacNAc beta 1,6(Gal beta 1,3)GalNAc alpha-O-Bn (where Bn is benzyl) was almost inactive (only 1.2 nmol of Gal), indicating the Gal transfer to the alpha-GalNAc moiety. The product from LGBn was isolated in microgram quantities and identified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry as LacNAc beta 1,6(Gal beta 1,3)GalNAc alpha-O-Bn. The alpha GalNAc:beta 1,3Gal transferase was present in high concentration in ovarian tumor tissue (ovarian cancer serum----1.4; ascitic fluid----0.9; tumor----17.4). Asialo Cowper's gland mucin (ACGM) at 5 mg/ml reaction mixture inhibited the transfer of Gal to LGBn (25.2 and 53.4% respectively for 2 and 18 h incubation at 37 degrees C); inhibition by LGBn was 13.4 and 24.5%, respectively. In contrast to the inhibition by ACGM (25.2-31.6%), there was substantial increase (13.4-35.7%) in the inhibition by LGBn, when the incubation for 2 h at 37 degrees C was continued for 40 h at 4 degrees C, indicating the high affinity of LGBn for the enzyme at lower temp. Km for LGBn in presence of ACGM was 7.6 mM and in absence, 2.7 mM; Km for ACGM (M(r) 200,000) in presence of LGBn was 16.1 microM and Ki for ACGM (as the inhibitor) was 41.7 microM. In comparison with two normal ovarian tissues, the enzyme was found to be low (55-67%) in three ovarian tumors and high (146-260%) in two ovarian and one uterus tumors, as measured with ACGM; the synthetic acceptors showed similar activities. The enzyme had nearly the same extent of activity in the pH range 6-8. Fuc alpha 1,3GlcNAc beta 1,6GalNAc alpha-O-ONP had the highest affinity for the enzyme. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of beta 1,3Gal attachment on alpha GalNAc, which has already been substituted by beta 1,6GlcNAc, then elongated by beta 1,4Gal and also terminated by alpha 1,3Fuc.

Acetylgalactosamine

Microvascular pressure is the principal driving force for interstitial hypertension in solid tumors: implications for vascular collapse.

The interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) has been found to be as high as 20 to 50 mm Hg in both experimental and human solid tumors. While the IFP is an important determinant of the delivery of therapeutic agents to neoplastic cells in vivo, the mechanisms responsible for interstitial hypertension are not completely understood. The high vascular permeability of tumor blood vessels and the absence of a functional lymphatic circulation suggest that the hydrostatic microvascular pressure (MVP) is the main force governing IFP in tumors. To test this hypothesis, we simultaneously measured IFP and MVP in 13 tissue-isolated R3230AC mammary adenocarcinomas transplanted in rats. The MVP in superficial postcapillary venules of diameters between 25 and 250 microns was measured with the micropuncture technique. MVP was compared to the IFP in the periphery (measured with micropuncture technique) and in the center (measured with wick-in-needle technique). Similar to our previous study, IFP rose rapidly and reached maximum values at a depth of 0.2 to 1.0 mm from the tumor surface. These maximum IFP values [16.5 +/- 7.1 mm Hg (SD)] were equal to IFP in the tumor center [18.4 +/- 9.3 mm Hg] [R2 = 0.86, P greater than 0.8]. Superficial MVP (17.3 +/- 6.1 mm Hg) was equal to both central (P greater than 0.9) and superficial IFP (P greater than 0.7). These results demonstrate that the main driving force for IFP in tumors is the MVP. Furthermore, the concept that blood vessel collapse is induced by higher hydrostatic pressures in the tumor interstitium compared to that in the vascular lumen is not supported by the present finding that elevated IFP is accompanied by equally elevated MVP.

Adenocarcinoma

Effect of bivalent interaction upon apparent antibody affinity: experimental confirmation of theory using fluorescence photobleaching and implications for antibody binding assays.

The affinity of a monoclonal antibody for its tumor-associated antigen is one of several parameters governing in vivo monoclonal antibody distribution. However, there is a lack of apparent correlation between the affinity of a bivalent monoclonal antibody measured using equilibrium binding experiments and its in vivo delivery. Furthermore, differences in the reported affinity for identical antibody/antigen pairs are quite common in the literature. In this paper, both of these discrepancies are addressed in terms of variation in avidity due to bivalent interaction. The enhancement of avidity afforded by bivalent attachment is addressed theoretically by extending the model of Crothers and Metzger (Immunochemistry, 9: 341-357, 1972). Theoretical assessment of Lineweaver-Burk, Scatchard, Steward-Petty, Langmuir, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and Sips models demonstrates quantitatively that the measured affinity using equilibrium binding experiments may vary over four orders of magnitude with similar variation in experimental cellular antigen density. Further, the measured affinity is a function of the experimental protocol. Predictions of avidity enhancement were confirmed experimentally using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. These experiments measured the equilibrium binding constant and concentration of binding sites for an immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody and its F(ab) fragment directed against the rabbit VX2 carcinoma cell line. Bivalent binding data agree quantitatively with those predicted by the bivalent model with no adjustable parameters. It is concluded that bivalent equilibrium binding constants are useful only in antibody screening, where experimental conditions are identical for all series. They must be used with caution in predicting in vivo antibody distribution, and it is recommended that the intrinsic, monovalent affinity be measured in tandem with any bivalent antibody study as a standard reference.

Animals

Nicotinamide can lower tumor interstitial fluid pressure: mechanistic and therapeutic implications.

Several investigators have shown that nicotinamide (NA) may increase the tumor blood flow and/or alleviate temporal fluctuations in tumor blood flow and, consequently, increase pO2. However, the mechanisms of these changes in tumor blood flow are not understood, especially because NA lowers the mean arterial blood pressure in mice. Our hypothesis is that NA may decrease flow resistance in tumors, which would lower vascular pressure and tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP). To test this hypothesis, we measured the physiological parameters: mean arterial blood pressure, TIFP, tumor water content, and hematocrit in C3H mice bearing FSaII tumors, before and after treatment with 500 mg/kg of NA. In control animals, TIFP increased with tumor growth up to 400 mm3, reached a plateau, and then decreased when the tumor size was above 1000 mm3 (n = 135). Tumor water content correlated significantly with TIFT (for tumors less than 500 mm3) (n = 26). NA caused approximately a 15% decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (P less than 0.05) and a 35% decrease in TIFP (P less than 0.001) at 2 h postinjection, without any change in hematocrit. The change in TIFP was found to be tumor size dependent. Specifically, NA decreased the TIFP by 47% (P less than 0.001) and 39% (P less than 0.001) in medium (200 to 500 mm3) and large (500 to 800 mm3) tumors, respectively. The decrease in TIFP in small (less than 200 mm3) and very large (greater than 800 mm3) tumors was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.1). Our results may explain the size-dependent enhancement in pO2 and radiation response reported by I. Lee and C. W. Song (Radiat. Res., 130: 65-71, 1992) for this tumor line. If our results could be confirmed in human tumors in situ, they would have significant implications in noninvasive measurements of TIFP using NMR and in cancer treatment using radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Animals

A facile synthesis of nitrophenyl oligosaccharides containing the O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyrano syl unit at their nonreducing end.

A facile approach towards the synthesis of 4-nitrophenyl O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyra nos ide, 2-nitrophenyl O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucop yra nosyl)- (1----6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside, 4-nitrophenyl O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucop yra nosyl)- (1----6)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, and 4-nitrophenyl O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucop yra nosyl)-(1----6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside has been accomplished through the development and use of methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-beta-L-fucopyranoside as the glycosyl donor.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate

Interstitial hypertension in head and neck tumors in patients: correlation with tumor size.

Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is associated with poor blood supply and inadequate delivery of drugs to solid tumors. IFP was measured in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region in humans using the wick-in-needle technique. In all lesions (n = 19), the IFP was elevated (4-33 mm Hg). Furthermore, the IFP increased with tumor size. The highest IFP was 33 mm Hg in a 24-ml tumor. In one tumor, the IFP was found to be negative (-2.6 mm Hg), which is comparable to that in human skin or subcutaneous tissue. The histopathology of this tumor was benign. If this pressure difference between malignant and benign lesions can be confirmed in a large number of tumors, then the IFP could be used to aid tumor detection during needle biopsy. The value of IFP as a predictor of response to radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy should be assessed prospectively.

Aged

Synthesis of oligosaccharides containing the X-antigenic trisaccharide (alpha-L-Fucp-(1----3)-[beta-D-Galp-(1----4)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc) at their nonreducing ends.

The "armed" methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-beta-L-fucopyranoside was reacted with "disarmed" phenyl O-(tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-6-O-benzyl-2- deoxy-2-phthalimido-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside in the presence of CuBr2-Bu4NBr complex to give phenyl O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-O- [(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-(1----3])-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy -2- phthalimido-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6) as a novel glycosyl donor. The glycosylating capability of 6 was further examined using N-iodosuccinimide-triflic acid as a reagent. This led to the synthesis of a tetrasaccharide and a pentasaccharide incorporating the X-antigenic structure represented by 6.

Carbohydrate Sequence

Interstitial fluid pressure in solid tumors following hyperthermia: possible correlation with therapeutic response.

Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) of tumors may be a physiological barrier to the delivery of certain therapeutic agents. The objective of this study was to find out if IFP could be lowered using localized hyperthermia and if the reduction in IFP could predict the tumor response to treatment. Amelanotic melanoma (A-Mel-3) implanted into the dorsal skin of Syrian golden hamsters was exposed to hyperthermic treatment after 7 days of tumor growth at tumor volumes of about 100-150 mm3. Hyperthermia was induced by immersing the tumor in a water bath at 43 degrees C for 30 or 60 min. Forty-eight h later the IFP of control and treated tumors was determined by using the wick-in-needle technique. The mean IFP in control tumors was 12.6 mmHg. Hyperthermic treatment for 30 min induced a significant decrease to 2.8 mmHg (P less than 0.001 versus controls), whereas a 60-min immersion of the tumors induced a further decrease to 0.8 mmHg (P less than 0.05 versus 43 degrees C for 30 min). Separate experiments on tumor growth in corresponding groups of animals revealed a significant growth delay of 2.7 days after hyperthermia for 30 min. Enhanced growth delay and partial tumor response in 66% of the tumors were found following 60 min of hyperthermia at 43 degrees C. The thermal dose-dependent decrease in IFP presumably results from the dose-dependent damage to the tumor vasculature. In addition, the association of an enhanced biological effect with a more pronounced reduction of interstitial fluid pressure suggests that the IFP might serve as a quantitative parameter to predict the response of tumors to hyperthermic therapy.

Animals

MR observations on the effects of praziquantel in neurocysticercosis.

Eight patients with neurocysticercosis treated with praziquantel (PZQ) were studied with serial MR imaging to demonstrate the early effects of the drug in brain lesions. Increase in cyst size and appearance of pericystic edema were observed as early as 24 hr, followed by gradual degeneration of the scolex and cyst contents. Cysts showed varied degree of response to the drug and in their rate of disappearance. MRI was found to be a sensitive technique to objectively document early changes in the parasite and patterns of response to the cysticidal drug in brain cysticercosis.

Adult

Magnetic resonance imaging in occult spinal dysraphism.

A prospective study was carried out in 100 cases of suspected occult spinal dysraphic anomalies with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in order to determine its diagnostic efficacy as the initial imaging modality. MR imaging provided accurate preoperative information in 91 out of 92 cases (98.9%). Some of the unusual and interesting findings in the series were: presence of intrinsic cord abnormality in 19 out of 21 cases (90.4%) with a normal plain radiograph, 4 cases of diastematomyelia with a dermoid in the dorsal and lumbar region associated with syringohydromyelia, intradural fibrous/glial bands, syringohydromyelia/myelomalacia of the conus with tethered cord syndrome having a normally placed conus, and myelocystocele. It is concluded that MRI is an excellent primary diagnostic tool, together with a plain radiograph, for complete preoperative evaluation of mid-line spinal anomalies.

Adolescent