Search

The article presents an analytical review of the state of radiation and instrumental diagnostics in St. Petersburg in 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Members of the coronavirus family can affect the human central nervous system, causing various neurological complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) seems to be a promising technique for assessing the prognosis of persistent neurological manifestations and complications, determining the completeness of a patient’s recovery during long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To study changes in the metabolites profile in the brain with relation to cognitive impairment in patients with COVID-19.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 68 patients with verified COVID-19 and neurological complaints underwent a diagnostic workup, including a psychoneurological assessment and MRI of the brain with multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), starting in the first 2 weeks from the onset of the disease. In 11 patients, a complex examination was repeated 7–8 months after the onset of the disease. The exclusion criteria were acute severe neurological symptoms, age over 65 years, artificial lung ventilation, lung CT score III–IV, as well as information about pre-Covid neuropsychiatric disorders. As a control group, earlier collected data of 10 healthy volunteers (age 30–67 years) were taken from a local database. Statistics: Intergroup differences in the ratios of metabolites peak areas determined by the 1H-MPC method were assessed using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni’s correction for multiple comparisons. Values were considered statistically significant at pRESULTS: According to 1H-MRS, all patients with COVID-19 showed metabolic changes in the brain: a statistically significant increase in mI/Cr in the white and gray matter and a diffuse decrease in the levels of Cho/Cr in the supraventricular white matter, even in the absence of any changes in structural MRI.DISCUSSOIN: Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the severity of neurological symptoms that arose with the onset of the coronavirus infection. The most pronounced metabolic changes were found in the group with severe neurological manifestations (NM). At follow-up, a gradual recovery of the metabolite profile was noted, but in our sample group complete normalization was not achieved within the specified time frame.CONCLUSION: The obtained data indicate metabolic changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the prospects for using the 1H-MPC technique in the diagnosis of neurological complications of the new coronavirus infection, including manifestations of a psychoneurological syndrome associated with COVID-19.

Kaposi’s sarcoma in association with generalized tuberculosis is a rare combination of two opportunistic HIV-associated diseases, and the difficulties of their detection are especially relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To demonstrate a clinical case of multisystem involvement by Kaposi’s sarcoma and pulmonary tuberculosis in a patient admitted to an infectious diseases hospital with suspected viral pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The patient complained of general weakness, shortness of breath with minimal physical exertion, heavy sweating, cough with yellow-green sputum, fever up to 37–39°С, lack of appetite and weight loss of 13 kg over the past six months. The analysis of clinical data, laboratory, instrumental and pathoanatomical studies performed in a St. Petersburg’s infectious diseases hospitals was carried out. CT findings of generalized lymphadenopathy combined with lung infiltrates in a patient with a positive PCR test for a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) led to the overdiagnosis of a lymphoproliferative disease and did not allow for Kaposi’s sarcoma to be detected in vivo due to the absence of typical CT findings of disseminated tuberculosis in the presence of bilateral pneumonia. Radiologists should be aware of the clinical picture and signs of Kaposi’s sarcoma, it must be included in the differential diagnosis if a patient has an atypical clinical presentation and course of the disease, in the presence of skin rashes, even with a positive PCR for COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years there is an increasing interest in assessing the state of the physis among pediatric orthopedic traumatologists, due to the availability of surgical correction of conditions associated with impaired growth plate function. Application of these methods requires dynamic assessment of the state of the physis. The existing methods for assessing the functional state of the physis are few and imperfect. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in particular diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), is promising for assessing the growth plates.OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of applying DTI technique to assess the state of the physis (growth plate).MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the local ethical committee of the Institute of the Human Brain named after N.P. Bekhtereva of Russian Academy of Sciences, protocol No. 32, dated 21.12.2020. Informed consent was obtained from each legal representative. At the Turner National Medical Research Center for Сhildren’s Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation a standard magnetic resonance examination of the knee joints was performed, additionally diffusion tensor tomography was performed in 75 patients aged 4.1 to 14.3 years (41 males, 34 females), both deemed healthy and with a known physeal pathology. The studies were performed using a Philips Ingenia ElitionX machine with a magnetic field strength of 3 Tesla, DTI was performed in the coronal plane, TE=71.2 ms, TR=4000 ms, b-factor value 600 s/mm2, 15 diffusion directions were used, slice thickness was 3 mm without gaps, the matrix size was 1.25×1.25 mm. The resulting images were processed using the DSI Studio software, including tract construction, estimation of the total volume and average length of the tracts. The reproducibility of the technique was assessed.RESULTS: Higher volumes and mean tract lengths were found in healthy males at puberty compared to other groups. When assessing reproducibility, the standard deviations were about 10% of the final value.DISCUSSION: Images of growth plate tracts were obtained. In individuals of pubertal age that were deemed healthy, the tract volume values and the average length of the tracts were higher than in individuals of prepubertal age and those with pathological conditions affecting the state of the growth plates. The average tract length turned out to be more reproducible than the total tract volume parameter.CONCLUSION: With the help of DTI, it is possible to evaluate the arrangement of the structures in the growth plates.

Fifteen radiologists independently evaluated fifty non-contrast brain computed tomography of patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. Within-group agreement was either negligible or moderate, and the best inter-expert agreement was observed between neuroradiologists with 1 to 3 years of experience. Our study allows us to conclude that ASPECTS is not an ideal tool for standardizing the diagnosis of MCA stroke, therefore, it is necessary to develop new models of standardization systems, as well as the use of hydride diagnostics, including automatic analysis.

The onset of progressive deficit in multiple sclerosis (MS) was often determined retrospectively with difficulties in diagnostic. This is a case report with subtle MS progression. Clinical and structural MRI anamnesis was complemented with multivoxel 1HMRS examination. The patient complained of the walking distance reducing, gradually increasing spasticity in the distal parts of lower extremities, unsteadiness when walking, clumsy movements. Choline and myoinositol levels were predominantly increased in the area of the cingulate gyrus versus other gray matter regions and the same picture was observed in adjacent white matter. Multivoxel 1H-MRS represents a diagnostic tool that can be very useful in complex diagnostic of MS progression. Measuring chemical-pathological changes diffusely in brain tissues may detect distinctive for progression metabolic patterns.

Intestinal angiodysplasia is a vascular pathology of the intestinal wall, one of the causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the severity of which can vary from latent to life-threatening. Patients of this group, according to vital indications, as a rule, are admitted to general surgical hospitals, where, due to the rare occurrence of pathology, there are no well-developed treatment and diagnostic algorithms, which leads to misrecognition of the source of bleeding and unreasonable surgical interventions. To demonstrate the possibilities of computed tomography with bolus intravenous contrast in the detection of intestinal angiodysplasia. Patients sought medical help in a hospital with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Abdominal and pelvic CT using intravenous bolus contrast and multi-phase scanning was performed on 64- and 128-slice CT scanners. Post-processing included analysis of standard reconstructions, MIP and 3D VRT algorithms. Cases represent the main angiographic signs of intestinal angiodysplasia, such as: abnormal vascular network in the intestinal wall, dilatation of the great vessels supplying angiodysplasia, early contrast enhancement of the efferent vein. Evaluation of the MIP and 3D VRT algorithms makes it possible to identify these pathological changes more confidently. To date, computed tomography with bolus intravenous contrast is the most accessible non-invasive diagnostic method that allows to identify and localize intestinal angiodysplasia and, in combination with endoscopic investigative methods, confirm the diagnosis and exclude other pathology characterized by a similar clinical presentation, which helps to choose the correct treatment tactics.

The purpose statement is to study the medical and social status and radiological changes in the CNS in women of reproductive age with HIV/HCV co-infection.Materials and methods. The main group (n=36) consisted of patients with HIV/HCV and co-infection. The comparison group (n=36) consisted of women infected with HIV only. Within the framework of this study, clinical, laboratory (general clinical, biochemical, immunological, virological), and instrumental methods of research were used. All women with HIV/HCV and coinfection underwent indirect liver elastometry. The list of radiation research methods included PET/CT with FDG and MRI of the brain. Statistical processing and comparison of the results was carried out using MS Excel 2010 and GraphPad Prism 8 (GraphPad Software, Inc., USA) in accordance with the standards of mathematical statistics. The criterion of statistical significance of the findings was the value of p˂ 0.01.Results and discussion. According to the criteria for inclusion in the study, patients in the comparison groups had an acceptable level of social adaptation, satisfactory indicators of the immune status, in 2⁄3 cases they achieved virological suppression against the background of antiretroviral therapy. HCV RNA was detected in 25 women (69.4%), pronounced manifestations of fibrotic changes in the liver were found in 6 (12.8%) patients. Radiation studies of the CNS revealed structural changes in 1⁄3 of cases, disorders of glucose metabolism of various localizations in all women with HIV/CHC. In patients with co-infection, compared with women infected with HIV, hypometabolism of glucose in various parts of the brain is significantly more often detected.Conclusion. As a result of a comprehensive clinical and neuroimaging examination, certain changes in the metabolic function of the brain were identified, which are characteristic of women with HIV/HCV co-infection. The use of PET/CT with FDG in some cases makes it possible to detect preclinical signs of VANR, as well as possible early manifestations of neurological disorders.

COVID-19, having not completed its epidemic development, gradually passes into the stage of prolonged diseases, which at the clinical level is designated as «postcovid syndrome». The symptomatology of these negative phenomena is quite diverse, covers the dysfunction of many organs and systems, and deserves the formulation of polymorphism of secondary and delayed complications. They are based on the consequences of the transferred acute phase of inflammation, systemic prolonged metabolic and structural disorders, including the studied genetic disorders. Possible causes of polymorphism of disorders and their manifestations in the postcovid period are considered.

Review of a patient with HIV infection and generalized tuberculosis against the background of progression of neurological deficit complicated by irregular therapy. Features of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of brain lesions in immunosuppression.

The article presents statistical data on the state of Saint-Petersburg radiology as of 2020.

Introduction: The growing importance of the MSCT method in the case of acute massive pulmonary embolism forms new diagnostic directions — the determination of objective MSCT markers of right ventricular dysfunction and the search for new, previously ignored, MSCT parameters of angiographic severity of embolic load.The purpose of the study: to evaluate the prognostic role and predictivity of the results of MSCT angiopulmonography in the case of choosing a surgical method for the treatment of pulmonary embolism.Research objectives. Тo analyze the influence of the volume of preserved peripheral arterial pulmonary blood flow on the results of surgical treatment of acute massive PE and the dependence of the average pressure in the pulmonary artery on the MSCT parameters.Materials and methods: this work examines the surgical approach to the treatment and possibilities of preoperative MSCT diagnosis of acute massive pulmonary embolism. The 7-year analysis included the analysis of more than 1,200 MSCT studies for acute massive pulmonary embolism. 147 patients were selected for surgical treatment and successfully operated on, the remaining patients received conservative therapy with dynamic MSCT observation. According to international classifiers, the analysis of classes and categories of intraoperative and postoperative complications of emergency surgical treatment was performed in comparison with the initial MSCT parameters of acute massive PE.Results. The smaller the number of segmental branches of the pulmonary artery is determined at the preoperative stage, the higher the risks of mortality and complications of emergency surgical treatment of acute massive PE (pDiscussion. The lightning speed of the course of pulmonary embolism dictates an exceptional approach to the completeness of the diagnosis of the disease, and the change in treatment tactics due to the increasing demand for surgical methods of treatment changes the diagnostic approach to acute pulmonary embolism in general. The success of surgical treatment of PE directly depends on the completeness and speed of preoperative MSCT diagnostics, in particular, on the quality of analysis of intra-pulmonary and intracardiac hemodynamics.Conclusion: For acute massive PE with obstruction at the level of the trunk and / or main branches of the pulmonary artery, with a sharp and often uncontrolled progression of right ventricular failure, risk stratification in «real time» becomes the most relevant, the time factor becomes of paramount importance for determining treatment tactics. The inclusion of previously ignored MSCT parameters in the algorithm of preoperative diagnosis allows us to modify the algorithm of preoperative diagnosis, to form and introduce the concept of the reference MSCT status of a patient with acute massive PE.

Introduction. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome involving the central nervous system (CNS-IRIS) is a dangerous complication in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The radiologic features of this syndrome have been little studied and are presented in isolated works. The diagnosis is difficult because there are no generally accepted criteria for IRIS. Our study is devoted to radiology of IRIS. Based on the results of brain MRI, together with clinical and laboratory data, MRI criteria for IRIS were formulated.Purpose and goals. To determine the prognostic value of MRI signs of CNS-IRIS using in a cohort of HIV-positive patients with neurological symptoms.Materials and methods. The analysis includes data from 68 HIV-infected patients who underwent brain MRI. In 14 of them were diagnosed IRIS with involvement of the central nervous system. To determine the diagnostic efficiency of the formulated MRI criteria, the STATISTICA program was used, decision trees were built, and a ROC analysis was performed.Results. Five decision tree models were built with different predictive values. The models took into account the categorical predictors (MRI criteria) in different order and quantity. The best performance has model #5, which can be considered a clinically useful predictive model.Conclusion. Brain MRI is an essential diagnostic step in HIV-infected patients on ART. It is necessary to expand the indications and conditions for radiological studies of the brain in patients with suspected immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

This article, being based on the analysis of literature and the author’s own materials, outlines the features of the lesion of the central nervous system in a new coronavirus infection. The main idea is that despite the primary damage to the respiratory tract, SARS-CoV-2 can be attributed to a number of signs as neurotropic viruses, which is ultimately realized by the transport of the pathogen COVID-19 from the place of primary localization — the respiratory tract to the human brain. The virus is capable of hitting all possible pathways of being transferred through tissues and within a short time appears in the brain, interacting with ACE2 receptors and co-receptors, which are expressed in almost all brain cells, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microgliocytes, which carry out the main functional tasks of the brain. The clinical part is devoted to radiation diagnosis of lesions of the nervous system caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Analysis of the literature has made it possible to identify radiation variants of CNS lesions in COVID-19, illustrating the main clinical manifestations of the disease. There are several main clinical and morphological variants of CNS damage in COVID-19 1: acute ischemic stroke, acute encephalopathy, due to massive diffuse damage to the endothelium against the background of vasculitis / endotheliitis, occurring both with and without signs of cerebral artery thrombosis, hemorrhages, primarily of the type of small petechiae, polyetiologic in nature (endothelial damage, acute hypoxia, microembolism). In addition, hemorrhages can be a consequence of venous infarction against the background of sinus thrombosis. Radiological methods can diagnose multi-step lesions of the supra- and subtentorial white matter, vasculitis, in particular Susak’s syndrome, posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy — PRES, leukoencephalopathy, delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy, Miller–Fischer’s polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barre syndrome), syndrome.

The pandemic of the newly coronavirus infection COVID-19 was the test primarily for scientists, experts in epidemiology, infectiology and other fields of medicine participating in addressing the issues of organization and delivery of care, forming up the whole ideology of public health in new conditions. The lecture presents the complex analysis of development of the epidemiologic process, concerning a review of last epidemics, regional features, forecast and modelling approaches, the observers will be able to evaluate demographic, social and medical aspects of evolution. The emphasis is made on the consequences of the transferred infection that directly affect human health, a brief analysis of the clinical manifestations of post-covid syndrome and its expected impact on people, the functioning of all levels of health care, including rehabilitation. The key role of vaccination as the main method of population immunity, prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the development of severe and complicated forms of the disease, as well as domestic manufacturers and manufacturers of several safe and highly effective vaccines has been determined. The article is intended for a wide range of medical professionals, healthcare organizers, government officials and other interested parties.

Introduction. The radiotracer L-[methyl-11C]methionine (Met) has long been considered the tracer of choice in CNS tumors diagnosis using positron emission tomography, combined with computed tomography (PET/CT). However, there are more and more logistic arguments for the introduction of fluorinated amino acids into diagnostics, in particular, O-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (FET), for which our institute has developed its own method of radiochemical synthesis. The aim of the study was to compare amino acid radiotracers L-[methyl-11C]methionine (Met) and O-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine (FET) in the imaging of cerebral gliomasusing PET/CT. Materials and methods. PET/CT studies using Met and FET were performed in 36 patients (15 men and 21 women) aged 28 to 73 years with suspected intracerebral tumor before surgery of biopsy. Pathohistologicalstudy verified gliomas(n-31) or other tumors (n=3), inflammatory process (n=2). The analysis of results included visual comparison of images, calculation of the tumor-to-brainratio (TBR) and metabolic tumor volume for Met and PET. Results. Visual and quantitative analysis of the scans revealed that tumor uptake pattern of FET was similar to those of Met. No significant differences were found in the TBR of both radiotracers in tumors of different grades of malignancy. A strong significant correlation (r=0,9) was revealed between the TBR of Met and FET in gliomas. There were no significant differences between tumor metabolic volumes when using the same cutoff values for both radiotracers. The ROC analysis established the same diagnostic value of Met and FET in differentiating low and high grade gliomas (area under curve 0,884 and 0,881, respectively). Conclusion. Amino acid radiotracers provide comparable diagnostic information in preoperative imaging of gliomas using PET/CT, which makes it possible to recommend FET as an adequate alternative to Met for PET centers without on-site cyclotron.

The article presents statistical data on the state of Saint-Petersburg radiology as of 2019.

Purpose. To compare the capabilities of CT perfusion and MR elastography in predicting the risk of developing pancreatic fistula in patients with periampular tumors at the planning stage of pancreatoduodenectomy.Materials and methods. CT perfusion and MR elastography were performed in 30 patients with no pancreatic diseases and 53 patients with periampular tumors, who were subsequently operated on in the volume of pancreatoduodenectomy.Results. In patients with periampular tumors in 18 (44%) cases, the perfusion and stiffness indices in the pancreatic parenchyma did not differ from the control group, 35 (85,3%) showed a decrease in the main perfusion parameters, while a moderate increase in stiffness was noted in 23 (65,7%), expressed in 12 (34,3%). Against the background of preventive measures, only 3 (5,6%) patients, in all cases with a «soft» pancreas in the postoperative period, developed a pancreatic fistula.Conclusion. CT perfusion and MR elastography are highly informative methods of quantitative and qualitative assessment of the pancreatic parenchyma, detection of fibrotic changes, and are effective in predicting the risk of developing pancreatic fistula.

The analysis of the epidemic process associated with COVID-19 is carried out, possible scenarios of the development of events are presented. The most common anamnestic data, symptoms of infection, clinical picture and possible complications are described in detail. The features of the COVID-19 course in risk groups and the algorithms of administrative and medical actions that should underlie the provision of medical care to patients with cardiovascular, oncological, rheumatological diseases, pregnant women, etc. The section of diagnostics and examination features is of particular importance, since it includes not only the definition of the causative agent of the disease, but also the main indicators that determine the severity of the clinical picture, prognosis, the nature and extent of medical care. Considerable experience is presented in the clinical practice of computed tomography of the lungs, the method, the primary and early method for identifying not only lung lesions, but also the underlying disease — COVID-19. Information is presented from literary sources based on the experience of overcoming this formidable disease and its consequences by our colleagues, as well as the experience of domestic clinicians and scientists.

The introduction of antiretroviral therapy has changed the human immunodeficiency virus pandemic. Some patients with HIV infection after starting or resuming ART develop a paradoxical worsening of clinical status, called Immune Reсоnstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). However, if clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of this syndrome have been formulated, IRIS neuroradiological criteria do not exist yet. The present study presents neuroradiological features and diagnostic algorithm for identification of IRIS involving central nervous system.

Today magnetic resonance enterography is one of the most informative and safe methods of identification of the manifistations and complications of Crohn’s disease among children and adults. Receipt of the high-informaitive MR-enterograms directly depends on the right preparation of the patient and the competent research. The article deals with semiotics of the small bowel lesions in Crohn’s disease. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the images are also represented.

A feature of the HIV epidemic is currently a large number of comorbid and severe forms of the disease, with frequent involvement in the pathological process of the brain. Brain lesions can be primary, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus itself and secondary, due to the development of opportunistic and secondary diseases and tumors. Correct and timely deciphering of the nature of brain damage is necessary for the choice of treatment tactics and as a consequence of reducing mortality. Objective. To study the radiological manifestations of brain damage in HIV infection in urgent and planned admission of patients to specialized hospitals. Materials and methods of research. In the work, studies were conducted to study the clinical and radiological manifestations of brain damage in HIV-infected patients admitted to various medical institutions with a diagnosis of HIV infection. Radiation examination of the brain was performed in adult HIV-infected patients (n = 410) using magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast. The final diagnosis was made taking into account clinical, laboratory, radiological studies on the classification of ICD-10 in accordance with the domestic requirements of the formulation of comorbid diagnosis. Conclusion. To correctly decipher the nature of brain damage, it is necessary to use comprehensive studies including clinical, laboratory and radiation examination methods. Magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast is the method of choice in the examination of the brain in HIV-infected patients. The structure of brain damage in HIV-infected patients had a different nature: in 54.4% there were signs of the presence of opportunistic and secondary diseases; in 24.9% signs of HIV encephalopathy; in 13.2% signs of nonspecific changes in small vessels of the brain, indicating premature aging or abnormal development; in 7.56% signs of involvement of the brain in the pathological process were not detected. Structure and opportunistic secondary diseases were presented: toxoplasmosis of the brain 18.3%; herpes lesions 12.2%; chief of 10.24%; neuroinfection unspecified etiology is 12.2%; cryptococcosis 4.39%; TB is 2.44%; lymphoma of the brain is 2.44%; MAC infection is 0.24%. Brain damage in HIV-infected patients is largely characterized by synchronicity (mixed infection in 8.52 %) and multifactorial lesions.

The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of MR diffusion imaging (DWI) and hybrid positron emission and computed tomography (PET/CT) with [11C]methionine for glioma grading and to compare the spatial distribution of diffusion restriction and [11C]methionine uptake abnormalities within a tumor.Material and methods: MRI with diffusion sequences and PET/CT with [11C]methionine were performed for 46 patients with untreated histologically proven brain gliomas. Quantitative evaluation included the minimal apparent diffusion coefficient value (ADCmin) in the tumor and maximum [11C]methionine uptake ratio, measured as ratio of highest tumor count density to that of the brain cortex(tumor-to-cortex-T/Cmax). Mean measurements of ADC (ADCmean) and T/C (T/Cmean) were obtained for each tumor. The ADC and T/Cratio values for glioma grading were assessed and correlations were evaluated. In addition PET and ADC images were coregistered to each other.Results: The T/Cmax and ADCmin values were significantly negatively correlated (r=–0,82). The T/Cmean and ADCmean measurements also demonstrated the significant negative correlation (r=0,56). The T/Cmax showed best accuracy in glioma grading. Sites of maximal radiotracer uptake and minimal ADC did not match in 34% of cases and in 66% of tumors the match was partial.Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT using [11C]methionine in glioma grading exceeds DWI-MRI, and for both methods it is preferable to analyze a small tumor volume. The T/C ratios and ADC measurements demonstrate the significant inverse correlations. High rate of mismatch between spatial distribution of increased [11C]methionine uptake and low ADC areas within a tumor could be a result of different biological features registered by PET and DWI.

The article demonstrates the first Russian experience of prenatal proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1Н MRS) of the brain. The results of the study are analyzed, the metabolic changes during the gestation period is evaluated. Neuroimaging methods of assessing brain metabolism may play a role in the diagnosis and prognosis of some perinatal neurological disorders, that is why the information about normal cerebral metabolic processes is extremely important. Prenatal 1Н MRS of the brain is an informative, non invasive diagnostic method that is performed complementary to MRI and provides unique information about the cerebral biochemical composition. Brain metabolic changes may precede structural, e.g. the appearance of changes in the spectrograms may outgo the changes in traditional MRI, therefore, the method may be useful in the early detection of a pathology. Early detection of abnormal metabolic brain processes may be helpful in identifying future potential therapeutic strategies.

Objective: optimization of the technique and study of the possibilities of MR-elastography in assessing the rigidity of the pancreatic parenchyma under normal conditions, with fibrotic changes and adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods. MR elastography was performed for 15 patients with no history and clinical laboratory data indicating the presence of pancreatic diseases, 20 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the stage of preoperative planning to assess the rigidity of the tumor and parenchyma, in order to predict the probability of pancreatic fistulas. With the application of special software, the quantitative values of stiffness in kPa were calculated, a qualitative analysis of the state of the parenchyma was carried out using color parametric maps. Results. The stiffness of the pancreatic parenchyma normally ranged from 1,54 to 2,87 kPa, averaging 2,5 kPa. The unchanged parenchyma was characterized by blue staining on color parametric maps in the hardness range from 0 to 8 kPa, violet in the range from 0 to 20 kPa. In patients with a tumor process in all cases there was a low-grade adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, verified by histological data. The rigidity of adenocarcinoma varied from 6 to 9 kPa, on the color parametric maps there was a red staining of the tumor in the range of hardness of 0– 8 kPa, yellow in the range of 0–20 kPa. In the postoperative period, the pancreatic fistula on the background of preoperative preparation was formed only in 3 patients with normal pancreatic parenchyma, according to elastography rigidity indicators. Conclusion. MR-elastography is an informative method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of the stiffness of pancreatic parenchyma, and effective instrument for predicting the development of pancreatic fistulas.

The clinical and neurological status and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine were studied in successively examined 100 patients with suspected infectious spondylitis. The study design is a prospective monocentric cohort with a period of recruitment of the material in 2015–2017. Level of evidence — III. The prevalence of intramedullary changes in the form of gliosis/myeloischemia-edema in comparison with other variants of the detected changes was revealed; the presence of a higher degree of spinal sagittal stenosis (SCSs) and spinal cord kifosis (SCK) and also the average number of affected vertebrae in tuberculous spondylitis than in non-specific ones has been proven. In HIVpositive patients, higher values of the degree of maximum sagittal canal stenosis (SCSs) were observed than in HIVnegative ones. The statistical dependence between the severity of neurological disorders estimated by the Frankel scale with the etiology of the process and with specific variants of structural changes in the spinal cord has not been proven. Indicators of tactile and pain sensitivity were significantly higher in patients with intramedullary changes in the form of gliosis / myeloischemia-edema than in myelomalacia.

With improved treatment for cerebral gliomas leading to longer survival, late rare complications of radiation therapy on the brain are more frequently observed. The paper presents the results of positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C]methionine in 4 patients with malignant cerebral glioma, in whom the phenomenon of transient diffuse high [11C]methionine uptake in the cerebral cortex was detected during treatment monitoring. The unilateral high [11C]methionine uptake in the posterior portion of the cerebral hemisphere was stereotyped and easy to recognize. Nevertheless high amino acid uptake on PET did not match with structural abnormalities on MRI and was not accompanied by aggravation of neurological symptoms or by epileptic seizures. The results of the follow-up examinations excluded tumor recurrence. The control PET/CT scans showed complete resolution of the abnormal [11C]methionine uptake. The clinical and instrumental similarity of the presented cases allowed to establish the diagnostic criteria for the phenomenon of metabolic pseudoprogression and to compare them with the criteria of the SMART syndrome (stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy). Two cases with SMART syndrome are presented as a comparison group. The similarities and discrepancies of unusual metabolic hyperfunction with previously known phenomena and possible mechanisms for their development are discussed. It is important for clinicians and radiologists to be aware of the characteristic imaging findings of the metabolic pseudoprogression on PET with [11C] methionine to avoid overdiagnosis of the brain tumor recurrence and aggressive treatment approach.

The lecture intended for general practitioners represents collated information on the most important mechanisms of brain damage under HIV infection, the rate of neurocognitive disorders and their role in disability of patients, classification of these disorders. The capabilities and importance of diagnosis and an in-depth work-up of patients for establishing complete clinical diagnosis and order of effective treatment are presented in the lecture. Much attention is given to immunosuppression influence, brain cell elements involvement and forming of reservoir of HIV infection in pathogenesis of neurocognitive diseases. The lecture describes special aspects of radiology examinations including magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy for assessment of metabolism and tissue perfusion using some chemical markers. Approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment are provided taking into account the stage of a disease. An algorithm of detection of causes and diagnosis of cognitive disorders is stated in the lecture and the role of different diagnostic approaches at different stages of HIV infection including HIV-associated diseases is shown.

For specification of entrapment neuropathies pathogenesis in patients with acromegaly clinical and electroneurophysiological trial of the nerveswere conducted. It was determined that motor disorders in patients with incomplete remission of an acromegalia were more often than in patients with full remission. A significant difference between the frequency of occurrence of sensitive disturbances in patients with incomplete and full remission of acromegalia was not revealed. Expression of disturbances of the majority of electroneurophysiological indicators was more appreciable in patients with incomplete remission. In patients with incomplete remission the moderated and expressed disturbances prevailed, and patients from full remission had mild disturbances. The neurologic symptomatology of tunnel neuropathies and electroneuromyography disturbances were more expressed in group with incomplete remission. Conservative therapy of tunnel neuropathies was more effective in patients with full remission of acromegaly. It was revealed that the durability of acromegalia and accompanying pathology of a patient also influences expression of neurologic symptomatology and effect of the treatment. The lesser the durability of acromegalia, the better treatment results of neuropathies. The data obtained with a magnetic and resonant tomography on growth existence round a tendon of a flexor, regional growth of a bone trapeze and augmentation of transversal section of a median nerve and as signal strength change from it allow to specify a pathophysiology of tunnel neuropathies in acromegalia. The combined use of an electroneuromyography and a magnetic and resonant tomography possesses high informational content in diagnostics of tunnel neuropathies. These methods allow giving an objective assessment of changes of neuromuscular changes in patients with a syndrome of the carpal channel with acromegalia. Specification of a pathogenesis of tunnel neuropathies allows carrying out correction of agents and treatment methods in patients with acromegalia, thus reaching good results of treatment in short terms.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a leading cause of the central nervous system disorders in acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the clinical course of cerebral toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. The study included 90 HIV-infected patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis, who underwent inpatient treatment. In case of positive enzyme immunoassay, HIV infection was confirmed with the immunoblot test. The HIV-1 ribonucleic acid level was determined using the polymerase chain reaction method. The flow cytometry was used for counting CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4 cells). Pathomorphological examination included the autopsy, gross and microscopic examination of internal organs, histological and other methods. The incidence of cerebral toxoplasmosis significantly increases at the CD4 count below 100 cells/μl, P < 0.001, and at the HIV viral load above 50 copies/ml, P < 0.05. The clinical picture of cerebral toxoplasmosis included focal symptoms, cognitive impairment, toxic syndrome, mild cerebral symptoms and a meningeal symptom. Given the absence of a specific clinical picture and the absence of abnormal laboratory and instrumental findings, the cerebral toxoplasmosis needs to be diagnosed with a number diagnostic methods combined: clinical examination, laboratory testing, immunological examination, molecular genetic testing and neuroradiological imaging.

Vertigo and dizziness are among the most common complaints prompting a large number of imaging investigations. Causes of central and peripheral vertigo are very diverse but some of them present with typical imaging findings. In this paper we review a number of etiologies of vertigo and describe relevant CT and MR imaging findings.

Differential diagnosis of normal and pathological development of the fetal brain in accordance with gestational period is an actual problem of prenatal medicine. The basic brain structures of the fetus, including gyrus and sulcus are forming during the pregnancy, such processes as lamination and myelination of white matter starts. The paper analyzed the diagnostic capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the sequence of formation of sulcus and gyrus of the fetal brain at various stages of its development, shows the value of the method in assessing maturation of white matter. Prenatal MRI data were compared to ultrasound and postmortem studies.

Last years are characterized by the growth of encephalitis (Ef) frequency and demyelination diseases of CNS in children, especially, among teenagers. The diseases are characterized by similar of clinical features of the disease onset, absence of differential diagnostical criteria and frequency of the disease chronisation and possibility of transformation in multiple sclerosis (MS), all this determines the problem of differential diagnosis. The aim is to determine differential-diagnostical features of Ef, disseminated encephalomyelitis (DEM) and MS in children by analysis of structure MRI and brain multi-modal evoked potentials (MEP). We observed 35 children with Ef, 40 with DEM and 40 with MS. All patients were from 3 to 17 years old. All patients were diagnosed clinically in acute period and in catamnesis — after 3 and 6 months. MS diagnosis was based on McDonald criteria, 2010 year. ADEM diagnosis was also based on international criteria. We analyzed brain MRI, spinal MRI and MEP in all patients during the first day of hospitalization and after 3 and 6 months later. The analysis of the MRI of the brain and spinal cord in encephalitis (EF, n=35), disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM, n=60) and multiple sclerosis (MS, n=60) of children on admission to hospital, and then — after 3 and 6 months. Up to 85% of foci with ADEM and EF had irregular shapes, accompanied by swelling phenomena, and mass effect and in 2⁄3 cases were localized in the gray or white and gray matter of the CNS. In 60% of cases in patients with EF and ADEM based on the localization of foci could suggest the etiology of the disease. In MS 67,5% were detected multifocal white matter lesions (more than 10 lesions), and most of the foci had a size of up to 1 cm and the correct round-oval and the absence of signs of inflammation. The presence of lesions in the gray matter at EF, ADEM and MS respectively observed in 82,5%, 40% and 7,5% of cases. After 3–6 months of MRI in the majority of EF and DEM foci regressed, and in MS were reduced in size, but not completely disappeared. According to the study of evoked potentials (EP) of the brain in children with MS and ADEM often increased latency of the responses, while the EF decreased cortical or brainstem response amplitude. The majority of patients with MS have changed the parameters both 3–4 different EP (somatosensory from the upper and lower limbs, acoustic stem and/or visual), while ADEM and EF-1–2 evoked potentials. Chronic EF, and the progression of neurological symptoms was not associated with the advent of the «new» lesion, and up to 75% of the foci can regress completely after 3–6 months. Chronic EF characterized by increase of only brain atrophy, which involves communication of these changes only with neuronal process. Whereas in MS and multiphase ADEM appeared «new» foci accumulating contrast agent that allows you to talk about preserving the pathogenesis of vascular component in their progression. Study of MEP and MRI in children with Ef, DEM and MS in dynamics can be useful for differential diagnosis and monitoring of therapy efficacy.

The article presents statistical data on the state of Saint-Petersburg radiology as of 2017.

Childhood encephahtis is as high as 19—20% in the structure of morbidity of neuroinfections and a high risk for neurological deficit. The study was undertaken to delineate the clinical, etiological, and topical characteristics of encephahtis in children from the 10-year data of the Research Institute of Childhood Infections. The clinical presentation, etiology, and magnetic resonance imaging results were analyzed in 302 children aged from 1 month to 18 years with encephahtis. The pattern of encephalitides was ascertained to present as leukoencephalitis (75%), polioencephalitis (17%), and panencephahtis (8%). Viral encephahtis was found in 76% of the children whereas bacterial encephahtis was seen in 8,7% and mainly associated with B. burgdorferi s.l. Leukoencephalitis was specified to be related to herpesvfruses, more commonly to its types 3, 4, and 6 in 78% of cases. In 82% of cases, the etiology of panencephahtis was associated with congenital viral infection, among which cytomegalia amounted to almost one third and polioencephalitis was caused by tick-borne encephahtis virus in 45% of cases. Leukoencephalitis was characterized by impaired sensitivity and cerebel-lar symptomatology with an outcome to recovery in 78% of cases. Polioencephalitis showed a preponderance of unconsciousness and convulsions whereas panencephahtis exhibited movement disorders and cognitive impairments with an outcome to cognitive or neurological deficit in 45—77% of cases. Thus, the topical characteristics of encephahtis in children determine its clinical presentation and depend on age and etiology. The established correlation between these parameters makes it possible to improve the early diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

Interest to the clinical use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) increased significantly over the last years due to equipment enhancement of the modern MR-scanners as well as broadening the options of the MRS method. In particular the multivoxel spectroscopy is becoming widely used where is of great importance not only interpretation of the magnetic resonance spectra, but also correct grouping of voxels for the accurate evaluation of metabolites abnormalities and estimation of the regional metabolic differences. Respectively, authors present their recommendations for the voxel grouping in the multivoxel spectroscopic magnetic resonance examination. The variants of grouping are presented based on the example of one-slice brain multivoxel spectroscopy. The article can be useful for the medical researchers and MRI practitioners who use MRS in clinical practice.

Occupational chronic myofibrosis is a disease resulting from physical overstrain and functional overload of upper extremities and shoulder girdle and beeing the most prevalent occupational diseases related to the so-called «working hand». Myofibrosis occur among persons employed actually in all industries, building and agriculture and may develop as an isolated disease or combined with other occupational diseases of musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems. The aim of this report is to find the best radiological method in occupational myofibrosis revealing. The article presents the diagnostic values of radio-opaque myography, ultrasound study, MRI and their place in diagnostic algorithm.