Kee-Hyun Chang

Gliomas: Histogram Analysis of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps with Standard- or High-b-Value Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging—Correlation with Tumor Grade

PURPOSE To explore the role of histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps based on entire tumor volume data in determining glioma grade and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ADC maps at standard (1000 sec/mm(2)) and high (3000 sec/mm(2)) b values. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Twenty-seven patients with astrocytic tumors underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with b values of 1000 and 3000 sec/mm(2), and the corresponding ADC maps were calculated (ADC(1000) and ADC(3000), respectively). Regions of interest containing the lesion were drawn on every section of the ADC map containing the tumor and were summated to derive volume-based data of the entire tumor. Histogram parameters were correlated with tumor grade by using repeated measurements analysis of variance, the Tukey-Kramer test for post hoc comparisons, and an unpaired Student t test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the optimum threshold for each histogram parameter, and sensitivity and specificity were assessed. RESULTS Minimum ADC(1000) and ADC(3000) both decreased with increasing tumor grade. The 50th and 75th percentiles of cumulative ADC(1000) histograms showed significant differences between grades (P = .015 and .001, respectively), while the fifth and 75th percentiles of cumulative ADC(3000) histograms showed such differences (P = .015 and .014, respectively). Minimum ADC and the fifth percentile for both ADC(1000) (P < .001 and P = .024, respectively) and ADC(3000) (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively) proved to be significant histogram parameters for differentiating high- from low-grade gliomas. The diagnostic value of the parameters derived from ADC(1000) and ADC(3000) were compared, and a significant difference (0.202, P = .014) was found between the areas under the ROC curve of the fifth percentiles for ADC(1000) and ADC(3000). CONCLUSION Histogram analysis of ADC maps based on entire tumor volume can be a useful tool for grading gliomas. The fifth percentile of the cumulative ADC histogram obtained at a high b value was the most promising parameter for differentiating high- from low-grade gliomas.

Similarity and disparity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia in MR volumetric abnormalities of the hippocampus-amygdala complex

Objectives: Given that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia may share clinical symptoms as well as functional brain abnormalities, this study was designed to clarify common and different morphological abnormalities in OCD and schizophrenia. Methods: Volumes of the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the thalamus were measured in three age and sex matched groups of 22 patients with OCD, 22 patients with schizophrenia, and 22 normal subjects using three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Volume tracing was performed manually on serial coronal slices with the references of sagittal or axial planes using internal landmarks. Results: Hippocampal volume was bilaterally reduced in both OCD and schizophrenic patients versus the normal controls. Left amygdala volume was significantly enlarged in patients with OCD but not in patients with schizophrenia versus the normal controls. The thalamus did not show any volumetric group differences. Conclusions: Non-specific hippocampal reduction in both the OCD and schizophrenic groups is likely to link to a clinical overlap between the two illnesses, whereas the left amygdala enlargement observed only in the OCD patients seems to be suggestive of a unique role for the amygdala in the pathophysiology of OCD.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease: serial changes in corpus callosum on MRI.

SummarySerial MRI findings of changes in corpus callosum lesions in two cases of Marchiafava-Bignami disease are presented. In both, MRI displayed diffuse swelling of the corpus callosum in the acute stage, thought to represent oedema and demyelination. In the chronic stage, in addition to atrophy of the corpus callosum with presumed focal necrosis, previously undescribed focal hypointensity on T2-weighted images, of unknown cause, was observed in the corpus callosum.

Diffusion-weighted MRI in cystic or necrotic intracranial lesions.

Abstract Our purpose was to investigate the signal intensities of cystic or necrotic intracranial lesions on diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and measure their apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC). We examined 39 cystic or necrotic intracranial lesions in 33 consecutive patients: five malignant gliomas, seven metastases, two other necrotic tumours, a haemangioblastoma, three epidermoids, an arachnoid cyst, seven pyogenic abscesses, 12 cases of cysticercosis and one of radiation necrosis. DWI was performed on a 1.5 T unit using a single-shot echo-planar spin-echo pulse sequence with b 1000 s/mm2. The signal intensity of the cystic or necrotic portion on DWI was classified by visual assessment as markedly low (as low as cerebrospinal fluid), slightly lower than, isointense with, and slightly or markedly higher than normal brain parenchyma. ADC were calculated in 31 lesions using a linear estimation method with measurements from b of 0 and 1000 s/mm2. The cystic or necrotic portions of all neoplasms (other than two metastases) gave slightly or markedly low signal, with ADC of more than 2.60 × 10−3 mm2/s. Two metastases in two patients showed marked high signal, with ADC of 0.50 × 10−3 mm2/s and 1.23 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. Epidermoids showed slight or marked high signal, with ADC of less than 1.03 × 10−3 mm2/s. The arachnoid cyst gave markedly low signal, with ADC of 3.00 × 10−3 mm2/s. All abscesses showed marked high signal, with ADC below 0.95 × 10−3 mm2/s. The cases of cysticercosis showed variable signal intensity; markedly low in five, slightly low in three and markedly high in four.

Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging in intracranial tuberculosis

SummaryTwenty-six patients with intracranial tuberculosis (Tb) (10 with acute meningitis, 5 with chronic meningitis, 5 with meningitic sequelae and 6 with localized tuberculoma(s) were examined with MR before and after Gd-DTPA enhancement (0.1 mmol/kg), using 2.0T superconducting unit, and the images were retrospectively analyzed and compared with CT scans. Without Gd-DTPA enhancement, the MR images were generally insensitive to detection of active meningeal inflammation and granulomas. The signal intensity of granulomas was usually isointense to gray matter on both T1- and T2-weighted images, whether they were associated with diffuse meningitis or presented as localized tuberculoma(s). A few granulomas showed focal hypointensity on T2-weighted images. Calcifications seen on CT of the meningitic sequelae group usually appeared markedly hypointense on all spin-echo sequences. On Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted images, abnormal meningeal enhancement indicating active inflammation was conspicuous, and the granulomas often appeared as conglomerated ring-enhancing nodules, which seems to be characteristic of granulomas. Thin rim enhancement around the suprasellar calcifications were observed in two out of 5 patients with meningitic sequelae. Compared with CT, MR detected a few more ischemic infarcts, hemorrhagic infarcts, meningeal enhancement and granulomas in the acute meningitis group, but missed small calcifications in the basal cisterns well shown on CT in the sequelae group. Otherwise, MR generally matched CT scans. MR imaging appears to be superior to CT in evaluation of active intracranial Tb only if Gd-DTPA is used, while CT is better than MR in evaluating meningitic sequelae with calcification.

Parietal Lobe Epilepsy: The Semiology, Yield of Diagnostic Workup, and Surgical Outcome

Summary:  Purpose: To characterize the clinical features, the prognostic value, and diagnostic sensitivities of various presurgical evaluations and the surgical outcomes in parietal lobe epilepsy (PLE), we describe 40 patients who were diagnosed as having PLE, including 27 surgically treated patients.

Sonographic Features of Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas in Comparison With Conventional Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the sonographic features as well as the results of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTCs) and conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTCs). Methods. Forty patients with 44 FVPTCs and 59 patients with 74 conventional PTCs were enrolled in this study. The sonographic features, sonographic gradings, and FNAB results were compared between the two groups. Results. The mean nodule size of FVPTCs was larger than that of conventional PTCs (17.70 versus 10.53 mm; P < .001). Sonographic features of an ovoid‐to‐round shape (95% versus 73%), isoechogenicity (52% versus 8%), and a hypoechoic halo (25% versus 3%) were more frequent in FVPTCs than conventional PTCs (P < .001). Sonographic features of a taller‐than‐wide shape (5% versus 22%), a spiculated margin (7% versus 32%), marked hypoechogenicity (5% versus 38%), and microcalcification (7% versus 24%) were rarer in FVPTCs than conventional PTCs (P < .05). The incidence of a sonographically malignant grade was also lower in FVPTCs (48%) than conventional PTCs (81%; P < .001). A diagnosis of PTC on FNAB of FVPTCs was less common than that of conventional PTCs (28% versus 56%; P = .0393); however, a diagnosis of an indeterminate cytologic type such as atypical cells or follicular lesions in FVPTCs was higher than that in conventional PTCs (46% versus 19%; P = .0418). Conclusions. Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinomas show a relatively larger size, more benign sonographic features, a lower incidence of a sonographically malignant grade, and a lower diagnostic rate of PTC on FNAB compared with conventional PTCs.

Distinguishing Tumefactive Demyelinating Lesions from Glioma or Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Added Value of Unenhanced CT Compared with Conventional Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging

PURPOSE To determine retrospectively whether unenhanced computed tomographic (CT) images of the brain have added value in distinguishing tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) from primary glioma or central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, compared with conventional contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images only. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Unenhanced CT and MR images in 15 patients with TDLs (seven women, eight men; mean age, 42 years; range, 27-57 years) and 48 patients with primary brain tumor (27 women, 21 men; mean age, 48 years; range, 19-70 years; 10 lymphomas, 38 gliomas) were retrospectively reviewed. The CT attenuation of regions that were enhanced or unenhanced at MR imaging was visually categorized into three grades, and CT attenuation values were determined quantitatively. The diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging for differentiating TDLs from tumors was compared with that of MR imaging plus CT. RESULTS The following MR imaging features were found more frequently in patients with TDL than in those with brain tumor: incomplete rim enhancement, mixed T2-weighted iso- and hyperintensity of enhanced regions, absence of a mass effect, and absence of cortical involvement (all P values < .05). CT hypoattenuation of MR enhanced regions was observed in 14 (93%) of 15 patients with TDL but in only two (4%) of 48 patients with tumor. The CT attenuation of MR enhanced regions was significantly lower for patients with TDL than for those with tumor (P < .001). The diagnostic accuracy of CT plus MR imaging was significantly higher than that of MR imaging alone (97% vs 73.0%, respectively; P < .001), and the diagnostic accuracy of CT was significantly higher than that of unenhanced T1-weighted MR imaging (95% vs 63%, P < .001). CONCLUSION Unenhanced CT plus MR imaging was more accurate for distinguishing TDLs from glioma or CNS lymphoma than contrast-enhanced MR imaging alone.

Cerebral sparganosis : analysis of 34 cases with emphasis on CT features

SummaryCerebral sparganosis is a rare parasitic CNS disease, producing chronic active granulomatous inflammation. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, CT scans and histopathologic specimens in 34 patients with cerebral sparganosis. The majority of the patients (89%) were rural inhabitants; 75% had a history of ingestion of frogs and/or snakes. The major presenting symptoms were seizure (84%), hemiparesis (59%) and headache (56%) of chronic course. On CT scans, the disease most frequently involved the cerebral hemispheres, particularly frontoparietal lobes, with occasional extension to the external and internal capsules and basal ganglia. The cerebellum was rarely involved. Bilateral involvement was seen in 26%. The main CT findings consisted of white matter hypodensity with adjacent ventricular dilatation (88%), irregular or nodular enhancing lesion (88%), and small punctate calcifications (76%). In combination, the CT triad above appears to be specific for this disease, and was noted in 62% of cases. Of 16 follow-up CT scans, 5 (38%) showed a change in the location of the enhancing nodule. With a single CT scan, it does not appear to be possible to determine whether the worm is alive or dead, information important for deciding whether to intervene surgically. Change in the location of the enhancing nodule and/or worsening of the other CT findings on sequential CT scans would suggest that the worm is alive and that the patient is a candidate for surgery.

True Progression versus Pseudoprogression in the Treatment of Glioblastomas: A Comparison Study of Normalized Cerebral Blood Volume and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient by Histogram Analysis

Objective The purpose of this study was to differentiate true progression from pseudoprogression of glioblastomas treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with temozolomide (TMZ) by using histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV) maps. Materials and Methods Twenty patients with histopathologically proven glioblastoma who had received CCRT with TMZ underwent perfusion-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2). The corresponding nCBV and ADC maps for the newly visible, entirely enhancing lesions were calculated after the completion of CCRT with TMZ. Two observers independently measured the histogram parameters of the nCBV and ADC maps. The histogram parameters between the true progression group (n = 10) and the pseudoprogression group (n = 10) were compared by use of an unpaired Students t test and subsequent multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis to determine the best predictors for the differential diagnosis between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was employed to determine the best cutoff values for the histogram parameters that proved to be significant predictors for differentiating true progression from pseudoprogression. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the level of inter-observer reliability for the histogram parameters. Results The 5th percentile value (C5) of the cumulative ADC histograms was a significant predictor for the differential diagnosis between true progression and pseudoprogression (p = 0.044 for observer 1; p = 0.011 for observer 2). Optimal cutoff values of 892 × 10-6 mm2/sec for observer 1 and 907 × 10-6 mm2/sec for observer 2 could help differentiate between the two groups with a sensitivity of 90% and 80%, respectively, a specificity of 90% and 80%, respectively, and an area under the curve of 0.880 and 0.840, respectively. There was no other significant differentiating parameter on the nCBV histograms. Inter-observer reliability was excellent or good for all histogram parameters (intraclass correlation coefficient range: 0.70-0.99). Conclusion The C5 of the cumulative ADC histogram can be a promising parameter for the differentiation of true progression from pseudoprogression of newly visible, entirely enhancing lesions after CCRT with TMZ for glioblastomas.