Mahmood F. Mafee

Rationale for elective neck dissection in 1990

Elective neck dissection has long been a subject of debate among surgeons. The proponents of elective neck dissection base their rationale on studies that show a 30% incidence of occult disease in those situations for which elective neck dissection is recommended. One hundred eighty‐two patients with advanced stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were studied. All patients had preopera‐tive computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and all patients had some form of radical neck dissection. The sensitivity of clinical exam was compared with the sensitivity of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in ability to detect nodal disease. The sensitivity of clinical exam alone was 71.7%, while the sensitivity of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was 91.1%. Based on physical exam alone, there would be a 39% rate of occult disease; if computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging data is combined with physical exam, the occult disease rate would drop to 12%. All centers performing elective neck dissection must reassess their rationale or restudy their occult disease rate with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

MR imaging and CT of orbital infections and complications in acute rhinosinusitis.

The acute onset of orbital and periorbital inflammation presents the clinician with a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, the consequence of which may be very serious. The progression from the initial stage of cellulitis to orbital abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, brain abscess, meningitis, or visual loss may be quite rapid at times. CT, ultrasonography, and MR imaging play an important role in clinical management of these patients. Indeed, it is the information obtained through orbital imaging that directs the clinician to use the correct therapeutic modality.

Imaging of rhinosinusitis and its complications: plain film, CT, and MRI.

Conventional plain-film radiographiy may be used as a screening method for various pathological conditions of the sinonasal cavities. However, CT scanning remains the study of choice for the imaging evaluation of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of sinonasal cavities. MRI is superior to CT in differentiating inflammatory conditions from neoplastic processes. The most common complications of rhinosinusitis in children occur in the orbit. The information obtained from the CT scan and MRI, together with clinical findings, may be the best guidelines for clinical management and the mode of treatment. Although intracranial complications of sinusitis are relatively rare, prompt recognition of these disease states is important to prevent permanent neurological deficient or fatality. It is prudent to obtain MRI of the sinuses, orbits, and brain whenever extensive or multiple complications of sinusitis are suspected, in addition to CT scanning.Chronic rhinosinusitis is a clinical diagnosis, confirmed and staged with the CT scan of sinonasal cavities. Chronic inflammatory disease is often associated with mucosal thickening and sclerosis of the bone, particularly within the sinuses. Chronic extramucosal fungal sinusitis develops as a saprophytic growth in retained secretions in a sinus cavity. The imaging manifestations of chronic mycotic rhinosinusitis may be nonspecific or highly suggestive of the presence of fungal infection. The presence of diffuse increased attenuation within the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity should be considered as chronic allergic hypersensitivity aspergillosis (chronic noninvasive aspergillosis) or chronic hyperplastic sinusitis and polyposis associated with desiccated, retained mucosal secretions. The MRI characteristics of fungal sinusitis depend on the stage of the disease.

MR imaging of orbital inflammatory syndrome, orbital cellulitis, and orbital lymphoid lesions: the role of diffusion-weighted imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Orbital inflammatory syndrome (OIS) has clinical features that overlap with orbital lymphoid lesions and orbital cellulitis. Prompt diagnosis is needed in all 3 conditions because the management of each one differs greatly. CT and MR imaging, though useful, do not always distinguish among these conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating these 3 diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of orbital MR imaging was conducted. T1- and T2-weighted and postcontrast images were analyzed. Region-of-interest analysis was performed by using measurements in areas of abnormality seen on conventional MR imaging sequences and measurements of the ipsilateral thalamus for each patient. The DWI signal intensity of the lesion was expressed as a percentage of average thalamic intensity in each patient. Similarly, lesion apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and lesion-thalamus ADC ratios were calculated. Statistical significance was determined by the Kruskal-Wallis test, and post hoc pairwise comparisons, by the Mann-Whitney U test for DWI-intensity ratio, ADC, and ADC ratio. RESULTS: A significant difference was noted in DWI intensities, ADC, and ADC ratio between OIS, orbital lymphoid lesions, and orbital cellulitis (P < .05). Lymphoid lesions were significantly brighter than OIS, and OIS lesions were significantly brighter than cellulitis. Lymphoid lesions showed lower ADC than OIS and cellulitis. A trend was seen toward lower ADC in OIS than in cellulitis (P = .17). CONCLUSIONS: DWI may help differentiate OIS from lymphoid lesions and cellulitis and may allow more rapid management.

Rhinosinusitis: Developing guidance for clinical trials

The Rhinosinusitis Initiative was developed by 5 national societies. The current guidance document is an expansion of the 2004 publication, “Rhinosinusitis: Establishing definitions for clinical research and patient care” and provides templates for clinical trials in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and symptom-relieving therapies for the following: (1) acute presumed bacterial rhinosinusitis, (2) chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyps, (3) CRS with nasal polyps, and (4) classic allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. In addition to the templates for clinical trials and proposed study designs, the Rhinosinusitis Initiative has developed 6 appendices, which address (1) health outcomes, (2) nasal endoscopy and staging of CRS, (3) radiologic imaging, (4) microbiology, (5) laboratory measures, and (6) biostatistical methods.

OPTIC NERVE SHEATH MENINGIOMAS: Role of MR Imaging

Optic nerve meningiomas usually are seen in middle-aged and elderly women, and present as a slowly progressing axial proptosis and loss of vision. CT and MR imaging are the most valuable diagnostic tools to evaluate these tumors. This article reviews the MR imaging and CT characteristics of optic nerve sheath meningiomas and discusses features that may distinguish optic nerve sheath meningiomas from simulating lesions.

MRI of Orbital Cellulitis and Orbital Abscess: The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

OBJECTIVE Our aims were to describe the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in detecting abscess as a complication of orbital cellulitis and to assess whether abscess can be diagnosed with a combination of conventional unenhanced sequences and whole-brain DWI with parallel acquisition. Nine cases of orbital cellulitis imaged with MRI were retrospectively reviewed, including six cases with pyogenic abscess. CONCLUSION In this preliminary study, DWI improved diagnostic confidence in nearly all cases of orbital abscess when used in conjunction with contrast-enhanced imaging. DWI also confirmed abscess in a majority of cases without contrast-enhanced imaging, which may be of particular use when contrast material is contraindicated.

Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy (Parry-Romberg Disease)

Hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome) is characterized by slowly progressive atrophy of one side of the face, primarily involving the subcutaneous tissue and fat. The onset is usually in the first two decades. Ophthalmic involvement is common; the most frequent abnormality is progressive endophthalmos with subsequent changes in the palpebral fissure. Pupillary disturbances, heterochromia, uveitis, and restrictive strabismus have also been frequently reported. We describe six cases that manifest a wide spectrum of ocular and systemic findings. They are noteworthy in that all exhibit pigmentary disturbances of the ocular fundus, a finding rarely reported. Another unusual ocular manifestation in one patient was an acquired partial third nerve palsy on the unaffected side.

Lacrimal gland tumors and simulating lesions. Clinicopathologic and MR imaging features.

The lacrimal gland region can be involved in a wide spectrum of orbital pathology, including inflammatory, lymphoproliferative, and epithelial tumors. This article focuses on benign and malignant epithelial tumors of lacrimal gland and simulating lesions. The clinical presentations, MR imaging, and pathologic findings of lacrimal gland tumors are reviewed.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation and Differentiation of Uveal Melanoma

We evaluated 39 patients with intraocular disease by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Malignant uveal melanoma was considered the likely diagnosis in 25 patients. Seventeen patients underwent surgery, and the histopathologic diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed. The authors observed that uveal melanomas had characteristic MRI features consisting of a relatively high-signal intensity in T1-weighted images and a relatively low-signal intensity in T2-weighted images. These images reflected their inherently relative short T1 and T2 relaxation times. Choroidal lesions elevated more than 3 mm were well visualized on MRIs. MRI also proved valuable for differentiating uveal melanoma from associated subretinal effusion, choroidal hemangioma, choroidal metastasis, and hemorrhagic and serous choroidal detachments.