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Objective To describe the personality traits of temperament and character in patients with tinnitus and to identify differences in these traits associated with the severity of tinnitus. Study design Case series with comparisons. Setting Tertiary referral centre. Participants From January to December 2014, one hundred and thirty-four adult patients with chronic subjective tinnitus completed psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Measurements Personality traits were assessed by the TCI. The TCI assesses seven dimensions of personality traits and four temperaments ‘novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence’, as well as three characters ‘self-directedness, cooperativeness, self-transcendence’. Main outcome measures The values of the TCI parameters in the tinnitus patients were compared with reference data from a non-institutional adult population, and associations between TCI parameter values and tinnitus severity were evaluated. Results In terms of temperament, tinnitus patients had higher scores for ‘harm avoidance’, whereas scores for ‘novelty seeking’, ‘reward dependence’ and ‘persistence’ were significantly lower than the reference. In terms of character, lower ‘cooperativeness’ and ‘self-transcendence’ were identified in the subjects with tinnitus. The ‘novelty seeking’ score was inversely related to tinnitus severity (r = −0.285, P = 0.001), while other temperament and character traits did not show significant correlations. Conclusions There may be a connection between tinnitus and personality traits, especially in the case of ‘novelty seeking’, which is relatively constant over a lifetime. The TCI questionnaire may be useful in facilitating the application of personality traits to tailored counselling for tinnitus.

To establish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that differentiate residual tumors from postoperative surgical changes following the transsphenoidal approach of a pituitary adenoma. We analyzed residual enhancements at the tumor bed in 52 patients who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced sella MRI within 48 hours after surgery and at 6 to 28 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups defined by either peripheral or nodular enhancement patterns. For each group, we measured the maximum thickness of the residual enhancing portion and compared differences in the residual tumor and postoperative changes. Among the tumors examined in the 52 patients, 19 residual tumors showed nodular (n = 16) and peripheral (n = 3) enhancement patterns, and 33 postoperative changes showed nodular (n = 3) and peripheral (n = 30) enhancement patterns. The mean residual tumor thickness was 7.1 mm (range, 2.9–16.8 mm) and 1.9 mm (range, 1.0–7.4 mm) in the postoperative change. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a 3.9-mm thickness was associated with 89% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 94% accuracy for diagnosis of residual tumor. On immediate postoperative MRI, residual enhancement with greater than 3.9-mm thickness and nodular pattern suggest residual pituitary adenoma tumor.

Separator is one of the key components of primary batteries and affects the safety and life of the battery. In this study, separator was prepared based on the polyamide (PA) nonwoven with PA nanofiber. PA nonwoven was prepared meltblown method. The spinning conditions for meltblown were optimized to improve the mechanical strength and the electrolyte property, which play an important roll to determine the electrical performance of battery. It was revealed that the PA nanofiber in the PA separator contributed to the electrolyte absorption and electrolyte absorption speed as well. The electrical performance of battery having PA separator was also investigated.

In this paper, poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofiber was prepared by an electrospinning method. Graphene oxide sheets was obtained via filtration from graphene oxide aqueous solution which synthesized by Hummers method. By sonication, a homogeneously dispersed and well distributed poly acylic acid and graphene oxide nanosheets solution were obtained, and this can be used to modify the neat poly (vinylidene fluoride) nanofiber membrane for not only increasing the hydrophilic properties but also improving the mechanical properties. The poly(vinylidene fluoride)/graphene oxide composite membrane was characterized by SEM, FT-IR, pore properties and mechanical properties. The composite membrane showed an appropriate pore size, excellent mechanical property comparing with pure poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane. The results showed the membrane could be feasibly used as a MF membrane.

A membrane material based on polyamide-imide (PAI) has received a great attention lately due to its thermal resistance, outstanding mechanical property, and low thermal expansion coefficient. In this study, we have focused on the preparation of porous PAI nanofiber membranes (PNMs) for water treatments. The preparation of PNMs was completed via the electrospinning method using PAI in a mixed solvent of dimethylacetamide and tetrahydrofuran. The resulting PNMs were then thermally treated to improve mechanical properties. These PAI-based membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope, tensometer (tensile strength and elongation), pore characteristic, contact angle analyzer (contact angle), and dead-end cell device (water flux). We noticed that the pore diameter (1.0–0.3 μm) of PNMs was systematically controlled by simply increasing the number of PNMs layers. As these nanofiber membranes were found to be highly hydrophobic, we also attempted to prepare hydrophilic PNMs with a PAI solut...

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) nanofiber ion exchange membrane for the application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The composite membrane of PS/PVdF was prepared by using the electrospinning method with PVdF solution in a mixed solvent of DMAc and acetone by pore-filling with a mixture of styrene and PS using DVB as cross-linking reagent. Ion exchange membrane (SPS/PVdF) was then manufactured by introducing sulfonate (–SO3H) groups using sul-furic acid on the prepared PS/PVdF membranes. The modified membranes were characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), electrical conductivity and membrane & electrode assembly (MEA). By controlling the content of PS, characteristics comparable to Nafion which has water uptake, IEC and electrical conductivity values suited for the application in PEMFC could be ob...

Purpose It is difficult to differentiate CNS lymphoma from other tumors such as malignant gliomas, metastases, or meningiomas with conventional MR imaging, because the imaging findings are overlapped between these tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perfusion weighted MR imaging findings of CNS lymphomas and to compare the relative cerebral blood volume ratios between CNS lymphomas and other tumors such as high grade gliomas, metastases, or meningiomas. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed MRI findings and clinical records in 13 patients with pathologically proven CNS lymphoma between January 2006 and November 2008. We evaluated the relative cerebral blood volume ratios of tumor, which were obtained by dividing the values obtained from the normal white matter on MRI. Results Total 13 patients (M:F = 8:5; age range 46–67 years, mean age 52.3 years) were included. The CNS lymphomas showed relatively low values of maximum relative CBV ratio in most patients regardless of primary or secondary CNS lymphoma. Conclusion Perfusion weighted image may be helpful in the diagnosis of CNS lymphoma in spite of primary or secondary or B cell or T cell.

Two different types of polymer-modified mortars(PMM) were prepared with recycled PET and fly-ash. One is rigid PMM and the other is flexible PMM which are based on the composition of recycled PET. Their mechanical properties including friction coefficient measurement and damping characteristics such as sound absorption were investigated and compared with the commercial PMM such as epoxy PMM and PET PMM. The result from mechanical properties indicated that the rigid PMM could be competitive with the commercial PET PMM. The measurement of sound absorption coefficient showed that both rigid PMM and flexible PMM had much better damping capacity than commercial PMM. However, the friction coefficient of rigid PMM revealed that it would be suitable for the use as floor material.

This study focuses on the investigation of the possibility of the crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) membranes with both poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) (PAM) and 3-(trihydroxysilyl)-1-propane-sulfonic acid (THS-PSA) for the direct methanol fuel cell application. In order to characterize the prepared membranes, the water content, the thermal gravimetric analysis, the ion exchange capacity, the ion conductivity and the methanol permeability measurements were carried out and then compared with the existing Nafion 115 membrane. The ion exchange capacity of the resulting membranes showed 1.6~1.8 meq./g membrane which was improved than Nafion 115, 0.91 meq./g membrane. In the case of the proton conductivity, the THS-PSA introduced membranes gave more excellent than Nafion 115, . On the other hand, the methanol permeability was increased more than Nafion 115 for all the range of THA-PSA concentration.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the signal intensity (SI) change of the labyrinth in patients with vestibular schwannoma on isotropic 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging at 3 T.Thirty-four patients with surgically confirmed or radiologically diagnosed vestibular schwannoma were included in this study. Retrospectively, we visually and quantitatively compared the SIs of the cochlea and vestibule on the affected side with those on the unaffected side. We also investigated whether there was correlation between the SI ratios (SIRs) of the labyrinth and the audiometric findings.On 3D FLAIR images, the SI of the cochlea and vestibule on the affected side was significantly increased in 97% (33/34) and 91% (31/34), respectively. While the SI of the cochlea was diffusely increased, that of the vestibule was only partially increased. Quantitative study also revealed statistically significantly higher SIRs of the cochlea (0.99 +/- 0.29) and vestibule (0.73 +/- 0.31) on the affected side, compared with the cochlea (0.47 +/- 0.20) and vestibule (0.19 +/- 0.10) on the unaffected side. There was no significant correlation of the SIRs of the labyrinth with the degree of hearing loss.In patients with vestibular schwannoma, isotropic 3D FLAIR imaging is a useful method for the evaluation of the SI changes of the labyrinth.

Purpose To evaluate the value of the high signal intensity halo sign as a new marker of a fresh or recent intraplaque hemorrhage on the maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography. Materials and Methods A total of 135 consecutive patients were included in this study. High-resolution MRI using 3-inch surface coils was performed on a 1.5T scanner before the carotid endarterectomy. TOF MR angiograms and T2-weighted, T1-weighted pre- and postcontrast fast spin echo images were obtained. The surgical and pathological findings of the carotid artery were analyzed and correlated with the MRI findings. Results A total of 42 atheromas (31.1%) had a fresh or recent intraplaque hemorrhage on the surgicopathological findings. A total of 38 (90.5%) of these patients showed high signal intensity halo around the carotid artery on the MIP images of TOF MR angiography. The high signal intensity halo sign, compared with the surgical and histopathological findings, demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 91%, 83%, 72%, and 95%, respectively, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in the detection of an intraplaque hemorrhage. The multisequence approach suggested the presence of an intraplaque hemorrhage with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 93%, 85%, 74%, and 96%, respectively, with a 95% CI. Conclusion High signal intensity halo around the carotid artery on the MIP images of TOF MR angiography is useful in the noninvasive detection of a fresh or recent carotid intraplaque hemorrhage. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:1341–1346. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PVDF (Kynar® 761) nanofibers were made by electrospinning with an external voltage of 6–10 kV, a traveling distance of 7–15 cm and a flow rate of 0.4–1 mL/h. Although the mean diameter of the fibers has not changed significantly, the conditions affected the change in diameter distribution. This was attributed to interactions, both attraction and repulsion, between the positive charges on the polymer solutions and the electrically grounded collector. Higher voltages and traveling distance increased the level of attraction between the positive charge on the polymer solution and the electrically grounded collector, resulting in a narrow diameter distribution. In addition, a high flow rate allowed a high population of uniformly charged solutions to travel to the grounded collector, which resulted in a narrow diameter distribution. The optimum conditions for electrospinning of PVDF in DMAc/acetone (3/7 by wt) were a collector voltage of 6 kV, a syringe tip to collector of 7 cm, a flux rate of 0.4 mL/h and 10 kV, 10 cm, 1 mL/h. Since PVDF is widely used as a filtration membrane, it was electrospun on a PET support with a rotating drum as a grounded collector. Surprisingly, some straight nanofibers were separated from the randomly deposited nanofibers. The straight nanofiber area was transparent, while the randomly deposited nanofiber area was opaque. Both straight nanofibers and aligned nanofibers could be obtained by manipulating the PET drum collector. These phenomena were not observed when the support was changed to an Al sheet. This suggests that a pseudo dual collector was generated on the PET sheet. No negative charge was created because the PET sheet was not a conductive material. However, less charge was created when the sheet was not perfectly attached to the metal drum. Hence, the nanofibers jumped from one grounded site to the nearest one, yielding a straight nanofiber.

The antifungal effectiveness against rose powdery mildew using antimicrobial nanosilver colloidal solution was investigated. Double-capsulized nanosilver was prepared by chemical reaction of silver ion with aid of physical method, reducing agent and stabilizers. The average diameter of nanosilver was about 1.5 nm. They were highly stable and very well dispersive in aqueous solution. The Transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectrometer were used for measurements of size analysis and their stability, respectively. The nanosilver colloidal solution of concentration of 5000 ppm was diluted in 10 ppm of 500 kg and sprayed at large area of 3306 m2polluted by rose powdery mildew. The white rose powdery mildew fade out above 95 % after 2 days and was not recurred for a week. The antifungal effects were observed by an optical microscope and photographs.

Cognitive decline in dementia does not correspond precisely to the amount of neurodegeneration in the brain. This discrepancy in brain damage and its clinical manifestation has been explicated by the concept of reserve. Brain reserve inferred from the brain size had moderate success in explaining the discrepancy, and numerous studies have reported the effects of education supporting cognitive reserve. Yet the neural substrates of reserve have been elusive. Utilizing optimized voxel-based morphometry, we have identified brain regions that were significantly smaller in individuals with low cognitive performance (LCP) compared to those with normal cognitive performance (NCP) in community-residing non-demented elderly people both with low educational attainment. It was assumed that the cognitive performance in this population reflected long-standing cognitive functioning of the individual, possibly the reserve, based on their stable follow-up performance and clinical interviews. Bilateral precuneus, right superior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus were smaller in individuals with LCP. Further, the LCP individuals had weaker correlation between the gray matter volume of those regions and the rest of the cortex. On the other hand, volume of these regions was more tightly correlated with the K-DRS Total score in these individuals. Finally, an outcome study of the community sample from which this study's participants were recruited from reported five times higher risk of dementia in the LCP group. Precuneus and prefrontal cortex are proposed as key sites comprising the neural substrates that underlie the reserve.

Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are rare, and most of the studies reported in the literature in which the endovascular approach was applied were carried out on a limited number of patients with PCA aneurysms. We retrospectively reviewed our cases of PCA aneurysms--at various locations and of differing shapes--that received endovascular treatment and evaluated the treatment outcome.From January 1996 to December 2006, 13 patients (eight females and five males) with 17 PCA aneurysms (nine fusiform and eight saccular) were treated using the endovascular approach. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 67 years, with a mean age of 44 years. Of the 13 patients, ten presented with intracranial hemorrhage, and one patient, with a large P2 aneurysm, presented with trigeminal neuralgia; the aneurysms were asymptomatic in the remaining two patients.All 13 patients were successfully treated, with only one procedure-related symptomatic complication. Seven patients were treated by occlusion of the aneurysm and parent artery together; five patients, by selective embolization of the aneurysm; one patient, by partial coiling. Although infarctions were found in two patients treated with selective embolization and in three patients treated with parent artery occlusion, only one patient with a ruptured P2 aneurysm treated with parent artery occlusion developed transient amnesia as an ischemic symptom.Posterior cerebral artery aneurysms can be treated safely with either occlusion of the aneurysm together with the PCA or with a selective coil embolization. Infarctions may occur after endovascular treatment, but they are rarely the cause of a disabling symptom.

The aim of this study was to differentiate hemangioblastomas from metastatic brain tumors using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and compare the diagnostic performances with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI). We retrospectively reviewed 7 patients with hemangioblastoma and 15 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including DWI, DSC-MRI, and DCE-MRI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and DCE-MRI parameters (K trans, k ep, v e, and v p) were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic performance of each parameter was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. v p, k ep, and rCBV were significantly different between patients with hemangioblastoma and those with metastatic brain tumor (p 0.012 showed 100 % sensitivity, 93.3 % specificity, and 95.5 % accuracy and a rCBV > 8.0 showed 85.7 % sensitivity, 93.3 % specificity, and 90.9 % accuracy for differentiating hemangioblastoma from metastatic brain tumor. DCE-MRI was useful for differentiating hemangioblastoma from metastatic brain tumor.

Objective Endovascular treatment using Onyx has been increasingly used to treat intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). This study evaluated predictive factors for favorable treatment outcome in patients with intracranial noncavernous DAVFs treated by transarterial Onyx embolization. Methods Between August 2008 and August 2014, 55 patients who underwent transarterial Onyx embolization for noncavernous DAVFs were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' demographic, clinical, and procedural data were analyzed to find statistically significant predictive factors for favorable treatment outcomes after Onyx embolization. Fistulas were classified angiographically according to the relationship between fistulas and dural venous sinuses and the presence of leptomeningeal venous reflux. Results Sixty-eight Onyx embolizations were performed in 55 patients. Immediate angiographic cure was achieved in 28 patients, and 14 of 27 patients with residual shunts showed progressive occlusion at follow-up imaging studies. Therefore, the overall favorable treatment outcome was 76.4% (42/55). The remaining 13 patients (23.6%) showed persistent residual shunts, and 3 (5.5%) of them showed aggravation of residual lesion on follow-up studies. Of 25 patients with non-sinus fistulas, 23 patients (92%) showed favorable treatment outcomes, and 19 of 30 patients (63.3%) with sinus fistulas showed favorable outcomes. Among the evaluated variables, non-sinus DAVFs was a statistically significant predictive factor for favorable response to transarterial Onyx embolization ( P Conclusions Transarterial Onyx embolization is a highly effective treatment method for non-sinus DAVFs. Careful consideration of angiographic features and multimodal embolization strategies are required for treatment of sinus DAVFs.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to assess the CT features of surgically resected pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.CONCLUSION. The CT features of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung appear to be dictated by the epithelial component of the tumor. Among the various subtypes of pleomorphic carcinoma, the large cell and giant cell subtype showed constant CT features including subpleural location, peritumoral areas of ground-glass attenuation, and extensive central low-attenuation areas.

To retrospectively investigate how repeat injections of absolute ethanol in therapeutic doses, required for multisession sclerotherapy of large high-flow soft-tissue arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in patients with normal cardiopulmonary function, affect pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP).Study received approval and waiver of informed consent by institutional review board and was conducted in 16 male and 16 female patients with AVMs who underwent repeat sclerotherapy (142 sessions total) with absolute ethanol from July 1997 to December 2003. PAPs were monitored during first session in all patients. In subsequent sessions, PAP was monitored with pulmonary catheter when predicted single dose of ethanol exceeded 3 mL and total amount exceeded 0.25 mL/kg. PAP was measured in 104 sessions. Serum ethanol levels from blood samples obtained at end of each session were reviewed. PAP parameters were analyzed at beginning and end of each session, and highest value was recorded to assess any increase after repeat therapy. Difference between initial and highest PAP values recorded in a session (Delta(max)) was noted to determine any increase during repeat sessions. Possible relationship was reviewed between this value and amount of ethanol used. For sessions without PAP monitoring, mixed model was used for statistical analysis.Total ethanol used was variable. In 43 sessions, highest mean PAP exceeded 25 mm Hg. Incidence of sustained pulmonary hypertension (mean PAP25 mm Hg) at end of each session was 30.8% (32 of 104 sessions). Initial PAP parameters did not increase or decrease during repeat sessions. No significant changes in Delta(max) of systolic and mean PAP were observed with increasing number of sessions. Rather, Delta(max) of diastolic PAP was reduced after repeat sessions (P = .03). There was no significant correlation between serum ethanol level and PAP parameters at end of sessions. Relationships between Delta(max) values of systolic, mean, and diastolic PAP and total ethanol used were not significant.High incidence of acute pulmonary hypertension was observed in each sclerotherapy session without lasting effect on PAP.

A patient with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis began to have new motor seizures of the right face manifested by clonic contractions that occurred several hundred times a day, consistent with simple partial status epilepticus. Ictal electroencephalogram discharges started from the left frontal region and then spread to the left hemisphere with left frontal maximum. But clinical seizures were limited to the right face. The frequent partial seizures were controlled by the intravenous infusion of phenytoin. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple conglomerated round nodules with encephalomalacia in the left temporal and occipital lobes. Applying the technique of ictal-interictal single-photo emission computed tomography subtraction, the authors were able to localize the focal ictal-hyperperfusion on left precentral cortex adjacent to the lesions that correspond to the anatomical distribution of left face motor area.

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well accepted for the contemporary diagnosis of venous malformation (VM), providing hemodynamic and anatomic information on the lesion, including its relationship with surrounding tissues and organs. Study design A total of 196 clinically suspected VM patients were reviewed retrospectively to assess the accuracy and reliability of MRI for the diagnosis of VM. Initial workup included MRI, duplex ultrasonography, and whole-body blood pool scintigraphy, along with additional transarterial lung perfusion scintigraphy and lymphoscintigraphic assessment when indicated. Phlebography or arteriography, or both, were generally reserved as a road map for the treatment. A total of 294 MRI findings for 196 patients were also compared with the matching duplex ultrasonography findings available for 178 patients and matching whole-body blood pool scintigraphy findings for 136 patients. The phlebographic findings available for 87 patients were also compared. Results Among the 196 patients with clinically suspected VM, 174 were confirmed as having VM by MRI with true-positive findings and 2 as false-positive findings by MRI (sensitivity, 98.9%; positive predictive value, 98.9%). MRI ruled out VM for 18 patients with true-negative findings, though 2 were false-negative (specificity, 90%; negative predictive value, 90.0%). Two positive and two false-negative findings of VM, made by MRI, were subsequently confirmed by angiography. Among the 87 patients for whom phlebographic findings were available, 73 were confirmed as true-positive diagnoses of VM, 1 as false-positive, 11 as true-negative, and 2 as false-negative (sensitivity, 97.3%; specificity, 91.7%; positive predictive value, 98.7%; negative predictive value, 84.6%). Conclusions MRI is likely to modify the traditional role of angiography for the management of VM and become a new standard, at least for diagnosis. MRI also is an excellent parameter in the assessment of treatment results.

Objective: The differentiation between orbital lymphoma and subacute or chronic inflammatory pseudotumor (SCIPT) may be difficult clinically and radiologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement characteristics of orbital lymphoma and SCIPT with two-phase helical computed tomography (CT) and delayed coronal CT and to determine whether attenuation measurements on CT can be used to differentiate between the 2 diseases. Methods: Nineteen histopathologically proven orbital lymphomas and 9 SCIPTs were examined with two-phase helical CT. After injecting 90 mL contrast material at a rate of 3 mL/s, early- and late-phase axial CT scans were obtained with scanning delays of 30 and 90 seconds, respectively. Delayed coronal scans were obtained with delays of 4-9 minutes. Attenuation of the lesions at each phase was measured quantitatively. Relative percentages of contrast enhancement (CE) were calculated to determine the cutoff value for differentiating SCIPT from lymphoma. Results: The CT attenuation change over time was significantly different between orbital lymphoma and SCIPT (P < 0.05). Increased CT attenuation between early- and late-phase axial scans was seen in 42% (n = 8) of lymphoma cases, and decreased CT attenuation was seen in 58% (n = 11). In 17 lymphomas (90%), the CT attenuation decreased between late-phase axial and delayed coronal scans. Conversely, in 7 SCIPTs (78%), the CT attenuation increased gradually over time from early-phase axial to delayed coronal scans. The relative percentage of CE at the delayed coronal scan had a cutoff value of -6.97%, a sensitivity of 84%, and a specificity of 100%. Conclusion: Different characteristics of attenuation change on two-phase helical CT and delayed coronal CT can be helpful in differentiating between orbital lymphoma and SCIPT.

Nematophin and its analog incorporating tryptamine unit have been isolated and characterized from strain XR-PC of a symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophilus, which was newly isolated from Korean entomopathogenic nematodes. The stereoselective synthesis of these compounds was accomplished, and the relative configurations were determined. Nematophin exhibited potent antibacterial activities over several strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) comparable to those of vancomycin.

The purpose of this study was to compare multiphasic perfusion computed tomography (CT) with diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting final infarct volume, infarct growth, and clinical severity in patients with hyperacute ischemia untreated by thrombolytic therapy.Multiphasic perfusion CT was performed in 19 patients with ischemic stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset. Two CT maps of peak and total perfusion were generated from CT data. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion MRI were obtained within 150 minutes after CT. Lesion volumes on CT and MRI were compared with final infarct volume and clinical scores, and mismatch on CT or MRI was compared with infarct growth.The lesion volume on the CT total perfusion map strongly correlated with MRI relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and that on the CT peak perfusion map strongly correlated with MRI relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and rCBV (P0.001). The lesion volume on unenhanced CT or DWI moderately correlated with final infarct volume, but only lesion volume on unenhanced CT weakly correlated with baseline clinical scores (P = 0.024). The lesion volumes on the CT peak perfusion map and MRI rCBF similarly correlated with final infarct volume and clinical scores and more strongly than those on mean transit time (MTT) or time to peak (TTP). DWI-rCBF or CT mismatch was more predictive of infarct growth than DWI-MTT or DWI-TTP mismatch.Multiphasic perfusion CT is useful and of comparable utility to diffusion and perfusion MRI for predicting final infarct volume, infarct growth, and clinical severity in acute ischemic stroke.

Numerous viruses, including influenza virus, measles virus, Hantavirus, adenovirus, herpesviruses, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus, can cause lower respiratory tract infection in adults. Viral pneumonia in adults can be classified into two clinical groups: so-called atypical pneumonia in otherwise healthy hosts and viral pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. Influenza virus types A and B cause most cases of viral pneumonia in immunocompetent adults. Immunocompromised hosts are susceptible to pneumonias caused by cytomegalovirus, herpesviruses, measles virus, and adenovirus. The radiographic findings, which consist mainly of patchy or diffuse ground-glass opacity with or without consolidation and reticular areas of increased opacity, are variable and overlapping. Computed tomographic findings, which are also overlapping, consist of poorly defined centrilobular nodules, ground-glass attenuation with a lobular distribution, segmental consolidation, or diffuse ground-glass attenuation with thickened interlobular septa. The radiologic findings reflect the variable extents of the histopathologic features: diffuse alveolar damage (intraalveolar edema, fibrin, and variable cellular infiltrates with a hyaline membrane), intraalveolar hemorrhage, and interstitial (intrapulmonary or airway) inflammatory cell infiltration. Clinical information such as patient age, immune status, community outbreaks, symptom onset and duration, and presence of a rash remain important aids in diagnosis of viral causes.

Objective: To determine the utility of perfusion MR imaging in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven patients with pathologically proven brain tumors (21 high-grade gliomas, 8 low-grade gliomas, 8 lymphomas, 6 hemangioblastomas, 7 metastases, and 7 various other tumors) were included in this study. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and time-to-peak (TTP) ratios were quantitatively analyzed and the rCBV grade of each tumor was also visually assessed on an rCBV map. Results: The highest rCBV ratios were seen in hemangioblastomas, followed by high-grade gliomas, metastases, low-grade gliomas, and lymphomas. There was no significant difference in TTP ratios between each tumor group (p>0.05). At visual assessment, rCBV was high in 17 (81%) of 21 high-grade gliomas and in 4 (50%) of 8 low-grade gliomas. Hemangioblastomas showed the highest rCBV and lymphomas the lowest. Conclusion: Perfusion MR imaging may be helpful in the differentiation of thevarious solid tumors found in the brain, and in assessing the grade of the various glial tumors occurring there.

Objective To document the signal characteristics of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at evolving stages on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) by comparison with conventional MR images. Materials and methods In our retrospective study, 38 patients with ICH underwent a set of imaging sequences that included DWI, T1-and T2-weighted imaging, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR). In 33 and 10 patients, respectively, conventional and echo-planar T2* gradient-echo images were also obtained. According to the time interval between symptom onset and initial MRI, five stages were categorized: hyperacute (n=6); acute (n=7); early subacute (n=7); late subacute (n=10); and chronic (n=8). We investigated the signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of ICH and compared the signal intensities of hematomas at DWI and on conventional MR images. Results DWI showed that hematomas were hyperintense at the hyperacute and late subacute stages, and hypointense at the acute, early subacute and chronic stages. Invariably, focal hypointensity was observed within a hyperacute hematoma. At the hyperacute, acute and early subacute stages, hyperintense rims that corresponded with edema surrounding the hematoma were present. The mean ADC ratio was 0.73 at the hyperacute stage, 0.72 at the acute stage, 0.70 at the early subacute stage, 0.72 at the late subacute stage, and 2.56 at the chronic stage. Conclusion DWI showed that the signal intensity of an ICH may be related to both its ADC value and the magnetic susceptibility effect. In patients with acute stroke, an understanding of the characteristic features of ICH seen at DWI can be helpful in both the characterization of intracranial hemorrhagic lesions and the differentiation of hemorrhage from ischemia.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to compare the use of MRI and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Method: Nineteen patients with surgically proven FCD were analyzed retrospectively. MRI was performed in all patients, and FDG-PET was performed in 17 patients. We compared the MR and FDG-PET findings of FCD according to the histologic findings that were classified into three grades. Results: Four cases were classified as Grade I, 4 cases as Grade II, and 11 cases as Grade III FCD. The lesions were detected on MRI in 9 (82%) of the 11 patients with Grade III FCD and in only 1 (13%) of the 8 patients with Grade I and II FCD. Cortical hypometabolism of the lesion was revealed on FDG-PET in 6 (86%) of the 7 patients with Grade I and II FCD and in 9 (90%) of the 10 patients with Grade III FCD. The extent of the cortical abnormality was larger on FDG-PET than on MRI in 11 (65%) of the 17 patients. Conclusion: FDG-PET is more useful in delineating the cortical abnormality in patients with mild degrees of FCD. The extent of the lesion was larger or similar on FDG-PET compared with that of the MRI.

To evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) for differentiating tumour progression from radiation necrosis.Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent removal of a metastatic brain tumour that increased in size after stereotactic radiosurgery were retrospectively reviewed. The layering of the ADC was categorised into three patterns. ADC values were measured on each layer, and the maximum rCBV was measured. rCBV and the layering pattern of the ADC of radiation necrosis and tumour progression were compared.Nine cases of radiation necrosis and seven cases of tumour progression were pathologically confirmed. Radiation necrosis (88.9 % vs. 14.3 %) showed a three-layer pattern of ADC with a middle layer of minimum ADC more frequently. If rCBV larger than 2.6 was used to differentiate radiation necrosis and tumour progression, the sensitivity was 100 % but specificity was 56 %. If the lesions with the three-layer pattern of ADC with moderately increased rCBV (2.6-4.1) were excluded from tumour progression, the sensitivity and specificity increased to 100 %.The three-layer pattern of ADC shows high specificity in diagnosing radiation necrosis; therefore, combined analysis of the ADC pattern with rCBV may have added value in the correct differentiation of tumour progression from radiation necrosis.

Objective Despite the risk of intracranial hemorrhage, combination therapy with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and intraarterial mechanical thrombolysis can be effective for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the feasibility and safety of intraarterial tirofiban following formation of anterograde flow after mechanical thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. Methods We analyzed data from consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, who underwent treatment with intraarterial thrombolysis. All patients were evaluated immediately and 7 days later by computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging scanning with magnetic resonance angiography. For clinical outcome analysis, we followed up the NIHSS score and modified Rankin Scale score during a period of 3 months. Results Sixteen patients underwent treatment. The mean baseline NIHSS score was 16.1 ± 4.4 points. 75.1% of patients showed angiographic improvement; 43.8% and 31.3% had complete and partial recanalization, respectively. 53.3% and 56.3% showed clinical improvement and favorable outcome at 24 h and 3 months, respectively. One patient had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions Our results suggest that administration of local intraarterial tirofiban after anterograde flow formation is a viable treatment strategy for patients of acute ischemic stroke for reducing the risk of reocclusion after intraarterial thrombolysis.

Does dynamic gadolinium-enhanced imaging with simultaneous acquisition of coronal and sagittal planes improve diagnostic accuracy of pituitary microadenomas compared with coronal images alone?Fifty-six patients underwent 3-T sella MRI including dynamic simultaneous acquisition of coronal and sagittal planes after gadolinium injection. According to conspicuity, lesions were divided into four scores (0, no; 1, possible; 2, probable; 3, definite delayed enhancing lesion). Additional information on supplementary sagittal images compared with coronal ones was evaluated with a 4-point score (0, no; 1, possible; 2, probable; 3, definite additional information). Accuracy of tumour detection was calculated.Average scores for lesion detection of a combination of two planes, coronal, and sagittal images were 2.59, 2.32, and 2.18. 6/10 lesions negative on coronal images were detected on sagittal ones. Accuracy of a combination of two planes, of coronal and of sagittal images was 92.86%, 82.14% and 75%. Six patients had probable or definite additional information on supplementary sagittal images compared with coronal ones alone (10.71%).Dynamic MRI with combined coronal and sagittal planes was more accurate for detection of pituitary microadenomas than routinely used coronal images. Simultaneous dynamic enhanced acquisition can make study time fast and costs low.We present a new dynamic MRI technique for evaluating pituitary microadenomas • This technique provides simultaneous acquisition of contrast enhanced coronal and sagittal images. • This technique makes the diagnosis more accurate and reduces the examination time. • Such MR imaging only requires one single bolus of contrast agent.

To evaluate the neurovascular compression (NVC) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) using T2 VISTA and FLAIR VISTA fusion imaging. Sixty-six consecutive patients with TN who underwent MR imaging at 3-T between April 2008 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) of T2 VISTA and FLAIR VISTA fusion imaging were used for image interpretation. The frequency of vascular contact, the segment of compression and the type of vessel were compared between the ipsilateral symptomatic side and the contralateral asymptomatic side. The frequency of vascular contact on the ipsilateral side and the contralateral side were 95.5% (63/66) and 74.2% (49/66), respectively. The frequency of indentation on the ipsilateral side and contralateral side were 74.2% (49/66) and 21.2% (14/66), and showed a statistically significant difference (p

A self-expanding silicone-covered tube constructed of Gianturco stents was used for palliative treatment of esophagorespiratory fistula related to esophageal carcinoma in eight patients. All eight were unable to swallow food or water before treatment. The tubes were inserted under fluoroscopic guidance, without technical failure or complication. Clinical improvement was determined by grading food intake capacity on a five-point scale: none, liquid, soft food, most food, or all food. After the procedure, all fistulas were occluded. Four patients could swallow most foods, two could swallow soft food, one could swallow all foods, and one (who died of preexisting pneumonia 10 days after the procedure) could manage only liquids. Three patients were surviving without symptoms of aspiration for 4-24 weeks. Four patients died 6-16 weeks after placement of the stent tubes. Insertion of a silicone-covered stent tube was an effective palliative treatment for esophagorespiratory fistulas caused by esophageal cancer.

We recently treated an unusual recurred aneurysm with GDC (Guglielmi detachable coils) that reformed one month later at the same arterial segment at which the initial aneurysm had been clipped at its neck.

Background: Oligodendrogliomas are primarily supratentorial tumors. However, infrequently, they can also arise from infratentorial structures. There are only limited numbers of radiological articles on the specific imaging findings of this entity. Purpose: To investigate the imaging findings of infratentorial oligodendrogliomas. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical records of six patients with pathologically proven infratentorial oligodendrogliomas between December 1994 and April 2008. Tumor location, circumscription, signal intensity (SI), enhancement pattern, the presence of restricted diffusion, and the change of the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) on MRI were evaluated. Results: In total, six patients (three male, three female; mean age 65 years, range 51–75 years) were included. The pathology revealed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas in all six patients. The location was cerebellum in four patients, medulla in one patient, and fourth ventricle and tegmentum in one patient. Three of them were of the infiltrative type, and the other three of the mass-forming type. The solid component of the tumors showed high SI ( n=6) on FLAIR and T2-weighted images, and low ( n=5) or iso ( n=1) SI on T1-weighted images. All infiltrative lesions showed multifocal patchy enhancement, and mass-forming lesions showed heterogeneous enhancement ( n=2) and diffuse homogeneous enhancement ( n=1). Three patients had restricted diffusion, and one had leptomeningeal seeding. There was markedly increased rCBV on perfusion-weighted image (PWI) in one patient. Calcification or hemorrhage was not found. Tumor progression after operation, radiation therapy, gamma-knife surgery, or chemotherapy developed in five patients. Conclusion: Although infratentorial oligodendrogliomas did not show characteristic imaging findings, there was a tendency toward multifocal heterogeneous enhancement and absent or mild mass effect of infiltrative lesions. Infratentorial oligodendrogliomas may be more malignant than supratentorial oligodendrogliomas.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the MRI findings of visceral larva migrans (VLS) of Toxocara canis in spinal cord. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed spinal MRI findings in eight patients with serologically proven Toxocara canis between 2005 and 2008. We evaluated the location, length, extent and migration of the lesion, MR signal intensity (SI), enhancement pattern, and swelling of the spinal cord. We evaluated clinical features including presenting symptoms and signs and treatment response. Results Total 8 patients (M = 8; age range 36–79 years) were included. The lesions were located in the cervical or thoracic spinal cord in all patients. All lesions showed high SI and minimal or mild swelling of involved spinal cord on T2WI and focal nodular enhancement on posterior or posterolateral segment of spinal cord. The length of involved lesion was relatively short in most patients. There was a migration of lesion in one patient. In spite of albendazole or steroid treatment, neurological symptoms or signs were not significantly improved in all patients. Conclusion Although all lesions show non-specific imaging findings like non-tumorous myelopathy mimicking transverse myelitis, single lesion, focal nodular enhancement on posterior or posterolateral segment of spinal cord, relatively short segmental involvement and migration of lesion may be characteristic findings of spinal VLM of Toxocara canis. In addition, the reluctant response to the treatment may be characteristic of spinal VLM of Toxocara canis.

A 51-year-old female presented with bilateral accessory middle cerebral arteries (MCA) with associated ruptured aneurysm manifesting as a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography demonstrated the bilateral accessory MCA and associated ruptured aneurysm at the junction of the left anterior cerebral artery and left accessory MCA. This was successfully treated by coil embolization. Magnetic resonance angiography obtained 6 months later revealed no evidence of residual or recurring aneurysm.

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is known for high rate of associated malignancy. The purpose of this study was to identify (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings of sinonasal IPs. We also tried to compare the PET/CT findings with the MR imaging findings.We retrospectively reviewed PET/CT and MR images of eight patients with sinonasal IP with (n = 6) or without (n = 2) coexistent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Particular attention was paid to correlate the PET/CT findings with the MR imaging findings in terms of area distribution of standard uptake values (SUVs) and a convoluted cerebriform pattern (CCP).In two benign IPs, the maximum SUVs measured 8.2 and 7.8, respectively (mean, 8.0). In both tumors, MR images demonstrated a diffuse CCP. In six IPs with coexistent SCC, the maximum SUVs ranged from 13.3 to 31.9 (mean +/- SD, 20.2 +/- 6.6). In these tumors, MR images demonstrated a diffuse CCP in two, a partial CCP in three, and no CCP in one. A wide discrepancy was noted between MR imaging and PET/CT in terms of area distribution of a CCP and SUVs.In sinonasal lesions with MR imaging features of IP, (18)F-FDG PET/CT demonstrating avid FDG uptake does not necessarily imply the presence of coexistent malignancy. In our small series, although IPs containing foci of SCC had consistently higher SUVs than IPs without SCC, the limited literature on this subject suggests that PET cannot be used reliably to make the distinction.

Purpose To characterize the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and clinical features of intraventricular (IV) meningiomas. Materials and methods CT ( n =8) and MR ( n =12) images and medical records of 12 patients (five men and seven women; mean age, 36 years; range, 14–68 years) with pathologically proven IV meningiomas were retrospectively reviewed. Particular attention was put on the size and shape of the mass; internal architecture such as necrosis or calcification within the tumor; peritumoral edema; associated hydrocephalus and clinical features such as symptoms, treatment, and prognosis. Results There were five of benign, three of atypical, and four of malignant subtype. All lesions were located in the lateral ventricle ranging in maximum diameters from 4.0 to 7.3 cm (mean, 5.4 cm). All tumors had lobulated shape. Five (71%, 5/7) of the atypical and malignant IV meningiomas, but just two (40%, 2/5) benign IV meningiomas, had irregular lobulation. The tumors were isointense ( n =7) or hypointense ( n =5) to gray matter on T1-weighted images, whereas isointense ( n =9) or hyperintense ( n =3) on T2-weighted images. On gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, homogeneous enhancement was seen in five lesions, and heterogeneous enhancement was seen in seven lesions, Most patients ( n =10) had associated localized hydrocephalus due to ventricular entrapment. Intratumoral necrosis was seen in two cases (17%, 2/12), all of these were malignant subtype. In two cases of atypical and malignant subtypes, recurrences were found during the follow-up period after surgical resection. Conclusion More than half ( n =7, 58%) of the IV meningiomas were of atypical ( n =3) or malignant ( n =4) subtype. IV meningiomas tend to have a lobulated shape, especially irregular lobulation, and intratumoral necrosis was frequently seen in the atypical or malignant subtypes.

Radiosurgery is a noninvasive procedure where spatially accurate and highly conformal doses of radiation are targeted at brain lesions with an ablative intent. Recently, radiosurgery has been established as an effective technique for local treatment of brain metastasis. After radiosurgery, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in the assessment of the therapeutic response and of any complications. The therapeutic approach depends on the imaging findings obtained after radiosurgery, which have a role in the decision making to perform additional invasive modalities (repeat resection, biopsy) to obtain a definite diagnosis and to improve the survival of patients. Conventional MR imaging findings are mainly based on morphological alterations of tumors. However, there are variable imaging findings of radiation-induced changes including radiation necrosis in the brain. Radiologists are sometimes confused by radiation-induced injuries, including radiation necrosis, that are seen on conventional MR imaging. The pattern of abnormal enhancement on follow-up conventional MR imaging closely mimics that of a recurrent brain metastasis. So, classifying newly developed abnormal enhancing lesions in follow-up of treated brain metastasis with correct diagnosis is one of the key goals in neuro-oncologic imaging. To overcome limitations of the use of morphology-based conventional MR imaging, several physiological-based functional MR imaging methods have been used, namely diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion MR imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy, for the detection of hemodynamic, metabolic, and cellular alterations. These imaging modalities provide additional information to allow clinicians to make proper decisions regarding patient treatment.

Objective HydroCoil (MicroVention, Aliso Viejo, CA), a hydrogel-platinum coil hybrid device, is one of various efforts to overcome delayed recanalization of coiled intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of intracranial aneurysms treated with HydroCoils. Methods This multicenter prospective study included 80 aneurysms in 76 patients treated with HydroCoils. There were 32 (40%) ruptured and 48 (60%) unruptured aneurysms; 22 (28%) were large aneurysms (maximal diameter, > or = 10 mm) and 58 (72%) were small. Aneurysm volumes were 100 mm3 or more in 48 (60%) and less than 100 mm3 in 32 (40%); in 13 aneurysms (16%), volumes were 600 mm3 or more. Efficacy and safety were evaluated on the basis of degree of initial occlusion, procedure-related complications, and the follow-up result. Results Initial aneurysmal occlusion was complete in 60 (75%) aneurysms and near-complete in 14 (17.5%). Procedure-related complications included aseptic meningitis-related problems, including delayed hydrocephalus in 13 patients (28% among cases of unruptured aneurysms) and thromboembolism in two patients. Radiological follow-up data obtained 6 months or more after coil embolization were available in 54 aneurysms (68%) and revealed stable occlusion in 48 (89%) aneurysms, minor recanalization in one (2%), and major recanalization in five (9%). All of the recanalized aneurysms were 600 mm3 or more in volume, and aneurysm volume was a single important variable related to delayed recanalization on multiple logistic regression analysis (P = 0.016). Conclusion HydroCoil embolization seems to be a feasible treatment option in intracranial aneurysms in terms of initial aneurysmal occlusion rate and durability at the time of the follow-up evaluation; however, caution is required regarding aseptic meningitis and delayed hydrocephalus. Calculated aneurysmal volume of 600 mm3 seems to be critical in determining the anatomic outcome in aneurysms embolized with HydroCoils.

This study examined the relationship between the severity of aphasia and regional cerebral perfusion on brain SPECT using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and a statistical probabilistic anatomic map (SPAM) in patients with a striatocapsular infarction (SCI) along with the other clinical and imaging findings.The subjects were 16 right-handed Korean-speaking patients with a left SCI who underwent 99mTc-ethylcyteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) SPECT (8.1 +/- 4.8 d [mean +/- SD] after onset). MRI showed that no patient had any abnormality in the cerebral cortex (6.8 +/- 6.0 d after onset). The aphasia quotient (AQ), which is a measure of the severity of aphasia, was obtained by using the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery (5.3 +/- 3.9 d after onset). For quantitative evaluation of cerebral perfusion, the asymmetry indices (AIs) for subcortical and cortical areas were calculated using SPM and SPAM. The infarct size was measured using MRI.Aphasia occurred in 15 (2 global, 7 transcortical, and 6 anomic aphasia) of the 16 patients. Left cerebral cortical hypoperfusion was observed in all 15 patients with subcortical aphasia. Aphasia was more severe in 6 patients with extensive cerebral cortical hypoperfusion than in the remaining 10 patients (AQ = 41.8 +/- 25.2 points vs. 84.2 +/- 7.7 points [mean +/- SD], P = 0.001). There was an association between the AQ and age (rho = -0.665), infarct size (rho = -0.594), AIs of the frontal cortex (rho = -0.653), temporal cortex (rho = -0.782), parietal cortex (rho = -0.694), whole cerebral cortex (rho = -0.768), and the cerebellar cortex (rho = 0.765). Voxel-based SPM analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the AQ and the perfusion of the left temporal cortex and the right cerebellum.The severity of subcortical aphasia after a left SCI without cortical abnormalities on MRI is associated with the extent and severity of the left cerebral cortical hypoperfusion on brain perfusion SPECT performed during the subacute stage, particularly in the left temporal cortex. Quantitative brain perfusion SPECT using SPM and SPAM can help in evaluating subcortical aphasia in a SCI because it provides functional information that cannot be obtained by morphologic imaging.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to find structural brain abnormalities in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The volumes of the cerebrum, hippocampus and frontal lobe and the area of the corpus callosum's subdivisions were all semiautomatically measured, and then optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was performed in 19 JME patients and 19 age/gender matched normal controls. RESULTS The rostrum and rostral body of the corpus callosum and the left hippocampus were significantly smaller than those of the normal controls, whereas the volume of the JME's left frontal lobe was significantly larger than that of the controls. The area of the rostral body had a significant positive correlation with the age of seizure onset (r = 0.56, p = 0.012), and the volume of the right frontal lobe had a significant negative correlation with the duration of disease (r = -0.51, p = 0.025). On the VBM, the gray matter concentration of the prefrontal lobe (bilateral gyri rectus, anterior orbital gyri, left anterior middle frontal gyrus and right anterior superior frontal gyrus) was decreased in the JME group (corrected p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The JME patients showed complex structural abnormalities in the corpus callosum, frontal lobe and hippocampus, and also a decreased gray matter concentration of the prefrontal region, which all suggests there is an abnormal neural network in the JME brain.

For extracranial arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck (HNAVMs), in which the nidus was accessible via the percutaneous route, ethanol sclerotherapy was a feasible and safe first-line treatment, although successful outcomes were obtained for only about half of the subjects. For other HNAVMs, surgical excision with embolization may be the best choice of treatment.To suggest a treatment protocol for patients with HNAVMs by comparing the treatment outcomes and complications of ethanol sclerotherapy with those of surgical excision combined with embolization.Twenty patients who had been diagnosed with HNAVM and treated between 1995 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Ethanol sclerotherapy, surgical excision and embolization were used as treatments, either alone or in various combinations. The treatment outcomes and complications with the different modalities were analyzed.Ethanol sclerotherapy was used for 12 cases, with a success rate of 50.0% and a permanent complication rate of 8.3%. Surgical excision combined with embolization was used for 13 patients. Although all patients achieved successful resolution of their HNAVM after surgical excision, 15.4% suffered from permanent complications. In total, 16/20 patients (80.0%) eventually achieved aor = 75% reduction in the size of their lesions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the diffusion and perfusion parameters in hyperacute infarction, and we wanted to determine the viability threshold for the ischemic penumbra using diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging (DWI and PWI, respectively). Materials and Methods: Both DWI and PWI were performed within six hours from the onset of symptoms for 12 patients who had suffered from acute stroke. Three regions of interest (ROIs) were identified: ROI 1 was the initial lesion on DWI; ROI 2 was the DWI/PWI mismatch area (the penumbra) that progressed onward to the infarct; and ROI 3 was the mismatch area that recovered to normal on the follow-up scans. The ratios of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and the time to peak (TTP) were calculated as the lesions’ ROIs divided by the contralateral mirror ROIs, and these values were then correlated with each other. The viability threshold was determined by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: For all three ROIs, the ADC ratios had significant linear correlation with the TTP ratios (p < 0.001), but not with the rCBV ratios (p = 0.280). There was no significant difference for the ADC and rCBV ratios within the ROIs. The mean TTP ratio/TTP delay between the penumbras’ two ROIs showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). The cutoff value between ROI 2 and ROI 3, as the viability threshold, was a TTP ratio of 1.29 (with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 73%, respectively) and a TTP delay of 7.8 sec (with a sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 72%, respectively). Conclusion: Determining the viability thresholds for the TTP ratio/delay on the PWI may be helpful for selecting those patients who would benefit from the various therapeutic interventions that can be used during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.

Objective To describe the radiologic findings of primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) of the face other than mycosis fungoides. Methods Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 5 consecutive patients with pathologically proven primary facial PTCL other than mycosis fungoides were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with PTCL involving the sinonasal cavity or lymph nodes were excluded. Results Diagnoses of patients included in this study consisted of natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (n = 2), subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (n = 1), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 1), and PTCL not otherwise specified (n = 1). Infiltration or swelling of the superficial space of the face was noted on both CT and MRI, mimicking inflammation or infection. Also seen were well-enhancing small nodular (n = 2) or infiltrative mass-like lesions (n = 2) within the areas of infiltration, which showed intermediate signal intensity on T2-weighted images. One patient demonstrated infiltration and swelling alone. Conclusions Primary facial PTCL is a rarely encountered tumor and demonstrates infiltration or swelling mimicking inflammation or infection. Nodular or infiltrative mass-like lesions may be helpful for its diagnosis.

In case of coil embolization of a giant or a multilobular aneurysm, it is difficult to fill an aneurysm sac completely with coils, therefore, partial blocking of an aneurysm sac is inevitable. Blood flow characteristics, which may influence embolization process of an aneurysm, are affected by the locations of coils for partially blocked aneurysms. Blood flow fields inside an aneurysm are also influenced by the geometry of a parent vessel. In order to suggest the coil locations effective for aneurysm embolization, the blood flow fields of lateral aneurysm models were analyzed for different coil locations and parent vessel geometries. Flow rate into an aneurysm sac from a parent vessel (inflow rate) and wall shear stress were also calculated. Inflow rates were smaller and low wall shear regions were larger in the distal neck blocked model comparing to the dome blocked models. In the distal neck blocked model, inflow volume was smaller by 31% (straight parent vessel model) and 34% (curved parent vessel model) comparing to other models. The time averaged values of normalized low wall shear regions were 4% and 12% greater in the distal neck blocked models with a straight and a curved parent vessel, respectively. Since smaller inflow and low wall shear stress provide hemodynamic environment promoting thrombus embolization, distal neck should be the effective coil location for aneurysm embolization.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well accepted for the contemporary diagnosis of venous malformation (VM), providing hemodynamic and anatomic information on the lesion, including its relationship with surrounding tissues and organs.A total of 196 clinically suspected VM patients were reviewed retrospectively to assess the accuracy and reliability of MRI for the diagnosis of VM. Initial workup included MRI, duplex ultrasonography, and whole-body blood pool scintigraphy, along with additional transarterial lung perfusion scintigraphy and lymphoscintigraphic assessment when indicated. Phlebography or arteriography, or both, were generally reserved as a road map for the treatment. A total of 294 MRI findings for 196 patients were also compared with the matching duplex ultrasonography findings available for 178 patients and matching whole-body blood pool scintigraphy findings for 136 patients. The phlebographic findings available for 87 patients were also compared.Among the 196 patients with clinically suspected VM, 174 were confirmed as having VM by MRI with true-positive findings and 2 as false-positive findings by MRI (sensitivity, 98.9%; positive predictive value, 98.9%). MRI ruled out VM for 18 patients with true-negative findings, though 2 were false-negative (specificity, 90%; negative predictive value, 90.0%). Two positive and two false-negative findings of VM, made by MRI, were subsequently confirmed by angiography. Among the 87 patients for whom phlebographic findings were available, 73 were confirmed as true-positive diagnoses of VM, 1 as false-positive, 11 as true-negative, and 2 as false-negative (sensitivity, 97.3%; specificity, 91.7%; positive predictive value, 98.7%; negative predictive value, 84.6%).MRI is likely to modify the traditional role of angiography for the management of VM and become a new standard, at least for diagnosis. MRI also is an excellent parameter in the assessment of treatment results.

In order to study the flow dynamic changes inside an aneurysm sac due to the partial occlusion of the aneurysm neck, velocity fields were measured using a particle image velocitimeter (PIV) in in vitro aneurysm models under the physiological flow waveform. Lateral aneurysm models arising from the curved parent vessel with different occlusion ratios and sites-e.g. no clip, 50% proximal and distal clip, and 75% proximal and distal clip-were tested. Reduced inflow and intraaneurysmal velocities may provide a better hemodynamic environment for aneurysm embolization. Comparing inflow rates and averaged intraaneurysmal velocities in the proximal and the distal clip model, they were lower in the distal clip model in cases of 50% neck occlusion, but they were lower in the proximal clip model in cases of 75% occlusion. These results suggest that clipping sites for reduced inflow and intraaneurysmal flow velocities may differ for different residual neck sizes. Less effective inflow blocking in the 75% distally clipped model may be due to the curvature of the parent artery. Therefore, not only the residual neck size and clipping site but the geometry of parent vessel significantly affect the flow fields inside the aneurysm, and subsequently the success of the aneurysm treatment.

Objective: To assess the utility of multiphasic perfusion CT in the prediction of final infarct volume, and the relationship between lesion volume revealed by CT imaging and clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who have not undergone thrombolytic therapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients underwent multiphasic perfusion CT within six hours of stroke onset. After baseline unenhanced helical CT scanning, contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained 20, 34, 48, and 62 secs after the injection of 90 mL contrast medium at a rate of 3 mL/sec. CT peak and total perfusion maps were obtained from serial CT images, and the initial lesion volumes revealed by CT were compared with final infarct volumes and clinical scores. Results: Overall, the lesion volumes seen on CT peak perfusion maps correlated most strongly with final infarct volumes (R 2 =0.819, p