M. De Maeseneer

Diagnosis and treatment of vascular lesions of the lip

Many vascular lesions involve the lip. We present the clinical and imaging findings of vascular lesions, including haemangiomas and vascular malformations. We review the changing role of surgery and other treatments in the management of each type of lesion. Haemangiomas are treated surgically only when lip function is substantially impaired. Superselective embolisation is the treatment of choice for arteriovenous malformations, whereas capillary-venous malformations are best treated by operation together with intralesional injection of fibrosing agents. Capillary malformations are usually treated with laser.

Can bone marrow edema be seen on STIR images of the ankle and foot after 1 week of running

PURPOSE To evaluate whether initiation of running in sedentary individuals would lead to bone marrow edema on MR images, within the time span of 1 week. MATERIALS AND METHODS The feet of 10 healthy volunteers were imaged by MR imaging before and after running during 30 min a day for 1 week. The images were evaluated by consensus of 2 musculoskeletal radiologists who graded the presence of bone marrow edema on a 4-point scale. Edema scores and number of bones involved before and after running were compared statistically. RESULTS Edema was present on the baseline images in 3 subjects. After running edema showed an increase or was present in 5 subjects. The changes after running were statistically significant. Bones involved were the talus, calcaneus, navicular bone, cuboid bone, and 5th metatarsal. CONCLUSION Edema patterns can be seen in the feet of asymptomatic individuals. During initiation of running an increase of edema or development of new edema areas can be seen.

Diffusion-weighted MRI in cyclosporin A neurotoxicity for the classification of cerebral edema

Abstract. Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive agent, is known to have neurotoxic effects, but until now, there has not been agreement on the underlying mechanism. Our report suggests, by using diffusion-weighted MRI, that the brain lesions caused by cyclosporin A, are probably related to vasogenic edema. This may explain the complete recovery of the lesions on imaging when cyclosporine therapy is stopped.

MR imaging of normal extrinsic wrist ligaments using thin slices with clinical and surgical correlation

Eighty-nine MR examinations of the wrist were retrospectively analyzed. MRI results were compared with clinical findings and/or arthroscopy. Thin proton density and T2 weighted sequences and 3D DESS weighted sequences were applied on a 1.5T scanner. On the palmar side three radiocarpal ligaments are recognized including the radioscaphocapitate, radiolunotriquetral, radioscapholunate, and midcarpal triquetroscaphoidal ligaments. Ulnocarpal ligaments include the ulnolunate ligament and the ulnotriquetral ligament. On the dorsal side three ligaments are recognized: the dorsal radiolunotriquetral, and the midcarpal triquetroscaphoidal and triquetro-trapezoido-trapezial. The collateral ligaments include the radial and ulnar collateral ligament. MR is a valuable technique in the assessment of the extrinsic and midcarpal ligaments. Depiction of the extrinsic ligaments can best be accomplished with coronal 3D DESS sequences and sagittal and transverse proton density and T2 weighted sequences with thin slices.

MRI in hypertrophic mono- and polyneuropathies

Different conditions that may lead to enlarged nerves or nerve roots include hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN), neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), and intraneural perineurioma. Differential diagnosis of hypertrophic mono- and polyradiculopathies remains challenging but is important because of different treatments and prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify the hypertrophic nerve segments and guide a fascicular biopsy. A fascicular biopsy will often be necessary for precise diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of anatomical variants of the subtalar joint.

ObjectiveTo evaluate MRI with thin slices to depict anatomical variations of the subtalar and talocalcaneonavicular joints.Methods and materialsAnkle MRI was performed in 51 patients. The articular configurations were differentiated on sagittal T1-weighted and three-dimensional (3D) DESS images. Multiplanar reconstructions were performed. The variation in curvature of the posterior facet of the calcaneus and talus was analysed. 3D surface-rendered images of the calcaneus were obtained. All images were studied by an experienced physical therapist.ResultsAnalysis revealed that 18 (36.7%) of the subjects had 3 distinct facets on the calcaneus. A missing anterior facet was revealed in five (10.2%) of subjects. Twenty-six (53.1%) subjects showed a fusion of the anterior and middle facets. In four cases, an articulation was found between the talus and the cuboid bone. At the posterior talocalcaneal articulation, variations were observed of the curvature of the medial side of the joint.ConclusionsThe configuration of the facets of the talocalcaneal joints can be analysed on MR images. On 3D images, an articular connection was seen between the talus and the cuboid bone, as well as variations in the curvature of the posterior talocalcaneal joint. These anatomical variations may have implications for mobility and stability of the ankle.

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare: MR imaging findings.

Abstract We present a case of subcutaneous granuloma annulare evaluated with MR imaging. The mass was poorly defined and showed thickened interconnecting strands with low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MR images. When a poorly defined subcutaneous mass with low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images is observed in an otherwise healthy child, subcutaneous granuloma annulare should receive serious consideration. Subcutaneous granuloma annulare should be added to the list of tumors with short T2.

Comparison of surface coil and knee coil for evaluation of the patellar cartilage by MR imaging

PURPOSE The aim of this work was to compare the knee coil and the surface coil for the visualisation of the patellar cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 28 patients (17 women, 11 men) with an average age of 40 years (range 14-76) with knee pain MR was performed. Transverse images were obtained using a fast spin echo proton density weighted sequence on a Philips Gyroscan Intera 1.5 T clinical system. Transverse images were obtained at the level of the patellar cartilage using both the surface and the knee coil. All images were evaluated by consensus of two radiologists. They evaluated a number of quality criteria on a 4-point scale. Criteria for artefacts were also graded on a 4-point scale. RESULTS For the visualisation of fluid there was no significant difference between the knee coil and the surface coil (P=0.021). For all other criteria regarding image quality and presence of imaging artefacts there was a significant difference between both coils (P<0.001) with the surface coil obtaining the better result. CONCLUSION The use of the surface coil in the visualisation of the patellar cartilage can be recommended at knee MR.

The imaging findings of impingement syndromes of the lower limb

In this article we provide an overview of impingement syndromes of the lower limb. At the level of the hip, femoroacetabular and ischiofemoral impingement are recognised. At the level of the knee, we discuss Hoffas fat pad impingement, suprapatellar fat pad impingement, pericruciate impingement, and iliotibial band syndrome. The impingement syndromes associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair and intercondylar osteophytes are also illustrated. Most impingement syndromes are described at the level of the ankle. These include, anterior, anterolateral, posterior, anteromedial, posterior, and posterolateral impingement. For these conditions, we describe the best technique and expected imaging findings. It should be kept in mind that many of these findings have been observed in the asymptomatic population. Impingement is essentially a clinical diagnosis and imaging findings should be considered as supportive elements for this clinical diagnosis.

The 'torus palatinus': a common but relatively unknown entity.

A 60-year-old woman was referred for imaging evaluation of a lump at the midline of the hard palate. The lump was painless but felt hard and lobulated on palpation.Ulcerations were not apparent. It had appeared gradually over time. An open mouth spiral head CT study before and after intravenous contrast injection was performed, with bone reconstructions of the facial skeleton. It revealed a flat based bony thickening at the cleft of the hard palate with a width of 11 mm and a length of 15 mm (Fig. A,B,C). The bony protrusion was covered by a thin layer of mucosa (Fig. D). Contrast enhancement was absent. No other lesions were evident in the oral cavity. The nasal cavity and nasal septum were normal.