Mehmet Teksam

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: Incidence of atypical regions of involvement and imaging findings

OBJECTIVE Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is classically characterized as symmetric parietooccipital edema but may occur in other distributions with varying imaging appearances. This study determines the incidence of atypical and typical regions of involvement and unusual imaging manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients were eventually included as having confirmed PRES from 111 initially suspected cases, per imaging and clinical follow-up. Two neuroradiologists retrospectively reviewed each MR image. Standard sequences were unenhanced FLAIR and T1- and T2-weighted images in all patients, with diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 75) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (n = 69) in most. The regions involved were recorded on the basis of FLAIR findings, and the presence of atypical imaging findings (contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, hemorrhage) was correlated with the severity (extent) of hyperintensity or mass effect on FLAIR. RESULTS The incidence of regions of involvement was parietooccipital, 98.7%; posterior frontal, 78.9%; temporal, 68.4%; thalamus, 30.3%; cerebellum, 34.2%; brainstem, 18.4%; and basal ganglia, 11.8%. The incidence of less common manifestations was enhancement, 37.7%; restricted diffusion, 17.3%; hemorrhage, 17.1%; and a newly described unilateral variant, 2.6%. Poor correlation was found between edema severity and enhancement (r = 0.072), restricted diffusion (r = 0.271), hemorrhage (r = 0.267), blood pressure (systolic, r = 0.13; diastolic, r = 0.02). Potentially new PRES causes included contrast-related anaphylaxis and alcohol withdrawal. CONCLUSION This large series of PRES cases shows that atypical distributions and imaging manifestations of PRES have a higher incidence than commonly perceived, and atypical manifestations do not correlate well with the edema severity.

Detection of Aneurysms by 64-Section Multidetector CT Angiography in Patients Acutely Suspected of Having an Intracranial Aneurysm and Comparison with Digital Subtraction and 3D Rotational Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Four-section multisection CT angiography (MSCTA) accurately detects aneurysms at or more than 4 mm but is less accurate for those less than 4 mm. Our purpose was to determine the accuracy of 64-section MSCTA (64MSCTA) in aneurysm detection versus combined digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3D rotational angiography (3DRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review of patients studied because of acute symptoms suspicious for arising from an intracranial aneurysm, 63 subjects were included who had undergone CT angiography (CTA). Of these, 36 underwent catheter DSA; all but 4 were also studied with 3DRA. The most common indication was subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; n = 43). Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed each CTA, DSA, and 3DRA. RESULTS: A total of 41 aneurysms were found in 28 patients. The mean size was 6.09 mm on DSA/3DRA and 5.98 mm on 64MSCTA. κ was excellent (0.97) between the aneurysm size on 64MSCTA and DSA/3DRA. Ultimately, 37 aneurysms were detected by DSA/3DRA in 25 of the 36 patients who underwent conventional angiography. The reviewers noted four 1- to 1.5-mm sessile outpouchings only on 3DRA; none were considered a source of SAH. One 64MSCTA was false positive, whereas one 2-mm aneurysm was missed by CTA. The sensitivity of CTA for aneurysms less than 4 mm was 92.3%, whereas it was 100% for those 4–10 mm and more than 10 mm, excluding the indeterminate, sessile lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the available literature, 64MSCTA may have improved the detection of less than 4-mm aneurysms compared with 4- or 16-section CTA. However, the combination of DSA with 3DRA is currently the most sensitive technique to detect untreated aneurysms and should be considered in suspicious cases of SAH where the aneurysm is not depicted by 64MSCTA, because 64MSCTA may occasionally miss aneurysms less than 3–4 mm size.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings in carbon monoxide poisoning

Abstract. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) of two patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning demonstrated white matter and cortical hyperintensities. In one patient, the changes on the FLAIR sequence were more subtle than those on DWI. The DWI abnormality in this patient represented true restriction. In the second patient, repeated exposure to CO caused restricted diffusion. DWI may be helpful for earlier identification of the changes of acute CO poisoning.

Intraspinal epidermoid cyst: diffusion-weighted MRI.

Abstract We report a 7-year-old boy who presented with two-month history of worsening low back and right leg pain. Conventional MR images demonstrated a poorly outlined intradural mass recognized by the displacement of the conus medullaris and the nerve roots of the cauda equina at the L2–3 level. The signal intensity of the lesion was similar to CSF. There was no contrast enhancement of the lesion. Diffusion-weighted images and ADC values revealed restricted diffusion within the mass. Myelography confirmed the mass as an intradural filling defect with myelographic block at the L2–3 level. The patient underwent total surgical excision of the mass. Pathologic examination revealed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst.

Remote cerebellar hemorrhage after lumbar spinal surgery

BACKGROUND Postoperative remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) as a complication of lumbar spinal surgery is an increasingly recognized clinical entity. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of RCH after lumbar spinal surgery and to describe diagnostic imaging findings of RCH. METHODS Between October 1996 and March 2007, 2444 patients who had undergone lumbar spinal surgery were included in the study. Thirty-seven of 2444 patients were scanned by CT or MRI due to neurologic symptoms within the first 7 days of postoperative period. The data of all the patients were studied with regard to the following variables: incidence of RCH after lumbar spinal surgery, gender and age, coagulation parameters, history of previous arterial hypertension, and position of lumbar spinal surgery. RESULTS The retrospective study led to the identification of two patients who had RCH after lumbar spinal surgery. Of 37 patients who had neurologic symptoms, 29 patients were women and 8 patients were men. CT and MRI showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the folia of bilateral cerebellar hemispheres in both patients with RCH. The incidence of RCH was 0.08% among patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery. CONCLUSION RCH is a rare complication of lumbar spinal surgery, self-limiting phenomenon that should not be mistaken for more ominous pathologic findings such as hemorrhagic infarction. This type of bleeding is thought to occur secondary to venous infarction, but the exact pathogenetic mechanism is unknown. CT or MRI allowed immediate diagnosis of this complication and guided conservative management.

Intracranial metastasis via transplacental (vertical) transmission of maternal small cell lung cancer to fetus: CT and MRI findings

We present the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of brain metastases in an unusual case of a premature, 33‐week gestational age neonate who was emergently delivered from a mother suspected of having lung cancer according to imaging performed during the third trimester of pregnancy. Owing to the presence of placental metastases noted after delivery, the fetus had initial screening with brain MRI and chest/abdomen CT as well as serial screening imaging studies during the first 5 months of life, all of which were apparently normal. However, serial examinations eventually revealed a cerebellar lesion that significantly improved after chemotherapy but recurred and enlarged within a few months. This lesion was later confirmed to be metastasis by subsequent biopsy and resection. More metastatic lesions were identified in the frontal and temporal lobes on follow‐up MRI. In the setting of aggressive maternal malignancy (without known fetal primary malignancy) an intracranial mass can, on the exceedingly rare occasion, result from maternal high‐grade malignancy and the neuroradiologist should be alerted to this phenomenon.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with cyclosporine A neurotoxicity in a bone-marrow transplant recipient

Abstract We report subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with cyclosporine A (CSA) neurotoxicity after bone-marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia. CT showed occipital subarachnoid hemorrhage. MRI confirmed this, and demonstrated cortical and subcortical edema in the posterior temporal, occipital, and posterior frontal lobes bilaterally, which was typical of CSA neurotoxicity. Recognition of CSA neurotoxicity as the cause of the subarachnoid hemorrhage obviated angiographic investigation. After cessation of cyclosporine therapy, the cortical and subcortical edema resolved on follow-up MRI with some residual blood products in the subarachnoid space.

Multi‐slice Computed Tomography Angiography in the Detection of Residual or Recurrent Cerebral Aneurysms after Surgical Clipping

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of multi‐slice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in detecting residual or recurrent aneurysms in patients undergoing aneurysm clipping surgery. Material and Methods: Eight patients with nine aneurysms who had both MSCTA and DSA were included in the study. Two independent experienced neuroradiologists evaluated the examinations. Results: Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of detecting residual or recurrent aneurysms on MSCTA were 0.80, 0.60, and 1.00, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 1.00 and 0.71, respectively. Conclusion: MSCTA is a promising technique for evaluating residual or recurrent aneurysms in patients undergoing surgical treatment of aneurysm with titanium clips.

Hypernatraemic dehydration in a neonate: brain MRI findings.

Severe hypernatremic dehydration can cause serious neurological complications in neonates. The most significant problems include brain oedema, intracranial haemorrhage, sinus thrombosis, haemorrhagic infarcts and permanent brain damage. The symptoms of many of these complications are similar. With respect to brain MRI findings in hypernatremic neonates, this is a report that describes linear lesions that represent intracranial haemorrhage at the grey-white matter junction. These MRI findings may be helpful for diagnosing hypernatremic dehydration, and for ruling out differential diagnoses for complications of this disorder.

A retained neurointerventional microcatheter fragment in the anterior communicating artery aneurysm in multi‐slice computed tomography angiography

We present a case of multi‐slice computed tomography angiography of a 60‐year‐old patient with a retained fragment of microcatheter within an anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysm. This is a rare complication of Guglielmi detachable coil embolization. After an unsuccessful embolization procedure, the patient underwent surgery. During clipping of an AcomA aneurysm, the microcatheter traveled up the pericallosal branch of the right anterior cerebral artery. Subsequently, the microcatheter fragment did not prevent normal blood flow through the artery, and the patient has been doing well without neurological sequelae.