Jeshil Shah

Tuberculosis of the sternum and clavicle: imaging findings in 15 patients

Abstract Objective. To describe the imaging findings in sterno-clavicular tubercular involvement. Design and patients. Fifteen patients with pathologically proven tuberculosis of the sternum and clavicle were retrospectively evaluated. Routine radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in some or all of the patients. Clinical information and imaging features were evaluated in each case. Results. Eight patients had sterno-clavicular joint (SCJ) involvement, five had isolated sternal involvement and two had isolated clavicular involvement. Seven patients were evaluated with only CT, six with only MRI and two with both. There were eight male and seven female patients, varying in age between 16 and 78 years. Fever, swelling and pain were common presenting symptoms. Two patients were HIV positive. Radiographs were positive in only eight patients. Destruction and signal intensity (SI) changes of the sternum and clavicle, destruction of the cartilage, soft tissue changes representing granulation tissue/abscess, displacement of the adjacent structures (vessels, trachea, etc.) and inflammatory changes in the adjacent structures in the form of cellulitis and myositis were common imaging features. Conclusions. All imaging methods can provide complementary information regarding sterno-clavicular tubercular involvement that is helpful for determination of the therapy. MRI is useful in determining the extent of the lesion, particularly marrow involvement and soft tissue extent.

Craniovertebral junction tuberculosis: a review of 29 cases.

Purpose The purpose of this work was to describe the various imaging findings in craniovertebral tuberculosis and the importance of imaging in treatment in these patients. Method A retrospective review of MR and CT scans in 29 patients with craniovertebral tuberculosis was performed. The images were reviewed, paying special attention to both bony (skull base, atlas, and axis) and soft tissue involvement in addition to atlantoaxial dislocation, lateral subluxation of the dens, and compression of the spinal cord. Results Suboccipital pain with neck stiffness was the most common presenting symptom in our patients. The skull was involved in 19 of the 29 cases, clivus involvement was seen in 11 patients, and occipital condyle involvement was present in 14 patients. Detailed analysis of atlas involvement due to tuberculosis showed the lateral masses to be predominantly affected. The dens was involved in 18 cases (62%). Soft tissue masses in the prevertebral area were seen in 22 patients, paravertebral in 27 patients, and epidural involvement in 25 patients was identified. Atlantoaxial displacement was present in seven cases, lateral mass-dens subluxation in five, and superior subluxation of the dens through the foramen magnum compressing the medulla was seen in two cases. Spinal cord compression with intrinsic cord changes was noted in 12 cases. All patients received multidrug antituberculous therapy for 1 year. The presence of neurologic deficit and instability of the atlantoaxial complex was pivotal in further management in these patients. Conclusion A high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary when confronted with patients with neck stiffness and tenderness over the upper cervical vertebrae. MRI in these patients provides a sensitive method for the diagnosis of craniovertebral tuberculosis.

INTRAMEDULLARY TUBERCULOMAS: MR findings in seven patients

Purpose: To describe the MR findings in intramedullary tuberculomas and to discuss the usefulness of MR in the management of this pathology. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of 7 patients from 21 to 60 years of age with clinical and radiological evidence of intramedullary tuberculomas was undertaken. Both T1- and T2-weighted images (WI) were obtained along with postcontrast T1WI. Signal intensities (SIs) of the granulomas were compared with SIs of the normal spinal cord. Results: Six patients showed focus of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body. Six out of 7 showed fusiform swelling of the cord. Ill-defined iso-intensity (in 4 patients) to hyperintensity (in 3 patients) was seen at the site of granuloma on T1WI. On T2WI, 2 patients revealed a hypointense area (with disc enhancement). An iso-hypointense rim was seen surrounding a hyperintense centre in 5 patients (with rim enhancement). Adjacent oedema was seen in all patients. In 2 patients meningeal enhancement was also seen. In 2 patients the histopathology following surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. In the remaining 5 patients, another known focus of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body and a marked response to antitubercular treatment was considered confirmatory for tuberculomas. Conclusion: Hypo- or iso-intensity on T2WI within the spinal cord with surrounding hyperintense oedema is suggestive of intramedullary tuberculomas. Central hyperintensities are also detected at times due to a variable amount of caseous necrosis with liquefaction. On T1WI, fusiform swelling of the cord is seen along with iso- to hyperintense foci, surrounded by hypointense oedema of the cord. Such findings should prompt a contrast-enhanced study, which may show single or conglomerate disc- or ring-enhancing lesions. MR thus plays an important role not only in detection and diagnosis, but also in deciding the treatment options and in the follow-up of those patients.

Imaging in isolated sacral tuberculosis : a review of 15 cases

Abstract Objective. To review imaging studies of isolated involvement of the sacrum due to tuberculosis and determine the role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of these patients. Design and patients. A retrospective analysis of 15 cases of isolated sacral tuberculosis imaged with MR imaging was performed. The CT images were also reviewed where available, and the various lesion characteristics were identified. We also reviewed the medical records in an attempt to determine the impact of the imaging studies on the management of these patients. Results. Fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) presented with symptoms of 3–15 months’ duration. Chronic localized backache with muscle spasm was the commonest presenting symptom; discharging sinuses with abscess formation was found in six patients, five of whom were children. MR imaging of the sacrum revealed a hypointense marrow signal on T1-weighted images and hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images in 14 of 15 patients, the S2 vertebra being always involved. CT revealed osteolytic changes in the sacrum in all the five patients in whom CT was performed. All patients showed marked clinical improvement within 1 year of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Conclusion. Isolated tuberculosis of the sacrum is uncommon but should be suspected in patients presenting with chronic low backache or children with discharging sinuses/abscesses and showing sacral destruction on CT or MR imaging. MR imaging can identify cases and enables early institution of anti- tuberculous chemotherapy.

Avascular necrosis of spine: a rare appearance.

Study Design. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of two contiguous vertebrae along with the intervening disc is presented. Objectives. AVN of two contiguous vertebrae and the intervening disc is a rare entity and can be confused with infective and neoplastic processes. We present the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of AVN. Summary of Background Data. AVN of vertebral bodies is a known entity; however, involvement of two contiguous vertebrae along with the intervening disc is atypical. The imaging features can be confused with an infective etiology, which involves the disc more commonly as compared to AVN. Neoplastic destruction of vertebrae also needs to be ruled out in appropriate clinical situations. Methods. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine were performed followed by an MRI. Subsequently CT-guided fine needle aspiration cytology was performed. Results. These radiographic features were correlated with the clinical and pathologic findings. The MRI findings of a wedge-shaped lesion with classic fluid intensity (hyperintense signal, like that of cerebrospinal fluid on T2-weighted images) are characteristic of AVN. Fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis and excluded an infective or a neoplastic process. Conclusions. The MRI findings described in this report are very characteristic of AVN of spine. Clinical and radiologic correlation could help in making the diagnosis and avoid unnecessary investigations.

Isolated Solitary Vertebral Body Tuberculosis—Study of Seven Cases

AIM To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in isolated solitary vertebral body tuberculosis. Also to emphasize tuberculosis as an important entity, besides neoplasms, in the differential diagnosis of pathologies involving a single vertebral body. MATERIAL AND METHODS The clinical and imaging features of seven patients (four men and three women; age range 18-60 years), with proved solitary vertebral body tuberculosis were retrospectively studied. RESULTS Isolated solitary vertebral body tuberculosis is seen in only 1.69% of the total proven cases of spine tuberculosis seen in our institute between 1993 and 2002. All patients presented with constitutional symptoms and localized pain and tenderness. MRI showed decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Cortical break was seen in three patients of whom epidural and pre-vertebral extensions were seen in one each. CONCLUSIONS Although tuberculosis affecting a solitary vertebral body is rare it should be considered as an important differential diagnosis, besides neoplasms. In these cases MRI serves as the best imaging technique available for diagnosis. However, confirmation can only be made on histopathology or culture of the specimen.

Diastematomyelia with terminal lipomyelocystocele arising from one hemicord:Case report

Diastematomyelia is an uncommon spinal dysraphism with midline dorsoventral clefting of the spinal cord. Formation of syrinx cavity within the hemicord, vertebral anomalies and lipomas is known to be associated with diastematomyelia. We present an unusual case of a 4-month-old girl, who presented with diastematomyelia and terminal myelocystocele, and dilatation of the terminal portion of the spinal canal with formation of a cystic structure. Findings were confirmed by subsequent surgery and histopathology. Ectopic right kidney, Chiari I malformation and changes of partial sacral agenesis were other findings noted in this case. No case report of formation of terminal myelocystocele arising from one hemicord was described in the literature we reviewed.

Giant hypothalamic hamartoma with cystic change: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract We describe the MRI findings in two patients with giant hypothalamic hamartomas with cystic areas. Cystic change within hypothalamic hamartomas is rarely reported in the literature.

Persistent mullerian duct syndrome with teratoma in an ectopic testis: imaging features.

Abstract The persistent mullerian duct syndrome represents a rare form of male pseudohermaphroditism, secondary to mullerian inhibiting factor (MIF) deficiency. We describe imaging findings in a 30-year-old male (46 XY karyotype) with bilateral cryptorchidism and mullerian duct anomalies (presence of uterus and fallopian tubes). Grade-III teratoma with yolk sac tumour was detected in one of the undescended testis, lying in the pelvic cavity. The other testis was in the inguinal canal. The rest of the wolffian duct structures (e. g. prostate, seminal vesicles) were nearly normal. Very few reports of imaging findings of this entity have been published thus far, probably because of the rarity of entity, incidental detection of most of the cases at surgery and relatively asymptomatic clinical presentation.

Extensive gliomas of visual tract in a patient of neurofibromatosis-I

Although bilateral optic nerve gliomas are commonly found in patients with neurofibromatosis I, extensive gliomas involving the entire visual tracts, bilaterally are relatively rare. Usually the optic radiations are spared. We report a case of a 2-year-old child with extensive disease of bilateral visual pathways with involvement of the hypothalamus manifesting as obesity.