Initial Radiological Diagnosis Research Articles

Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging in glioma surgery: a single-center experience.

To investigate the effect of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (Io MRI) on overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS), on the extent of resection (EOR) in patients with glioma, and impact of the radiological diagnosis on the decision to continue the surgery when a residual mass was detected on Io MRI. The study comprised 153 glioma patients who received surgical treatment between 2013 and 2023. One-hundred twenty-five of them had Io MRI guidance during surgery. The remainder 28 patients constituted the control group who did not undergo Io MRI. All patients' age at surgery, gender, initial radiological diagnosis, primary tumor localization, EOR, last histopathological diagnosis, and the follow-up periods were recorded. The rate of tumor recurrence in Io MRI cases was significantly lower compared to the cases in the control group (p < .0001). It was decided to continue the operation in 45 Io MRI applied cases. This raised the gross total resection (GTR) rate from 33.6% to 49.6% in the Io MRI group. The frequency of GTR was significantly higher in patients with an initial radiological diagnosis of low grade glioma than those with high grade glioma. The shortest OS was seen in occipital gliomas. In this study, the convenience provided by the high-field MRI device was explored and proven both in reducing the tumor burden, increasing the PFS, and providing the surgeon with a maximal resection in the first operation.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas misdiagnosed as intracranial neoplasms: illustrative case.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) may induce imaging findings attributable to various disease entities including malignant neoplasms. In these cases, diagnosis and adequate treatment are often delayed and patients may be exposed to spurious treatments in addition to the risks inherent to an untreated dAVF with cortical venous drainage. The authors report a case of a patient referred for surgical treatment of a supratentorial high-grade glioma. Thorough review of imaging data challenged the initial radiological diagnosis and led to proper angiographic workup. As a result, a high-grade dAVF was confirmed and successfully embolized. In addition to this case, we provide an extensive literature review on dAVF initially diagnosed as cerebral neoplasms, including clinical, imaging and follow-up data. The literature provides diagnostic criteria for dAVF on magnetic resonance imaging; however, those criteria may be only partly applicable in many cases. Misdiagnosis of a neoplasm due to dAVF has been reported but remains rare, especially in supratentorial lesions. Digital subtraction angiography should be pursued to rule out an underlying vascular pathology if any doubt. This may prevent unnecessary interventions such as biopsies, pharmacological treatment and a delay in dAVF treatment, given its associated risk of hemorrhage and nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits.

A delayed radiation-induced necrotic lesion in the brainstem mimicking tumor recurrence confirmed by stereotactic biopsy: a case report and literature review

It is important to differentiate radiation necrosis (RN) from tumor recurrence because these conditions require different treatments. Despite the use of various imaging techniques, this distinction remains difficult due to the high heterogeneity of brain tissue. Stereotactic biopsy is still considered the gold standard for a definitive diagnosis of RN despite its invasiveness. However, if the location of the lesion is in the brainstem, stereotactic biopsy is very difficult to even for skillful surgeons. We herein report a case of a 24-year-old male with a history of medulloblastoma at the age of 5, who presented with distinct gait disturbance and dysarthria at a regular visit. The initial radiological diagnosis of a brain mass was recurrent medulloblastoma. Considering the initial diagnosis, additional radiotherapy was considered. Nevertheless, the chance of the mass being RN could not be eliminated. Despite the high risk due to the location of the lesion, a frame-based stereotactic biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis after the biopsy confirmed the lesion as RN. This case illustrates the importance of stereotactic biopsy in differentiating between tumor recurrence and RN, even when the location of the lesion makes it challenging.

Patient-reported outcomes after initial conservative fracture treatment in primary healthcare – a survey study

BackgroundPrimary healthcare in Norway has first-line responsibility for medical emergencies, including traumas and fractures. Normally, patients with suspected fractures are referred to specialist care. However, some municipalities have X-ray facilities and handle minor fractures locally. We investigated patient-reported outcome measures after initial treatment of radiologically diagnosed fractures of the wrist, collarbone, and ankle at a primary healthcare centre in a rural municipality with a large ski resort. The patients’ general satisfaction with the treatment was also investigated.MethodsValidated questionnaires were sent to patients with fractures of the wrist or collarbone (Quick DASH—Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) or the ankle (FAOS -The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score). Patients with wrist and collarbone fractures also answered the Quality-of-life questions that are a subscale of the FAOS questionnaire for ankle fractures. Patient satisfaction was measured for all fracture groups. The Quick DASH scale ranges from 0 (no disability at all) to 100 (great disability), while for FAOS a score of 100 indicates no symptoms and 0 indicates extreme disabilities.ResultsA total of 148 of 238 patients answered the questionnaire (62% response rate). Patients with distal radius fractures had a mean Quick DASH score of 5.1 (median 0, range 0–77), and scores were significantly lower for males (p = 0.013) and increased with age (p = 0.024). Patients with collarbone fractures had a mean Quick DASH score of 2.1 (median 0, range 0–32) with no significant age or gender differences. Patients with ankle fractures had the following mean subscale-scores: Pain, 93.8; Symptoms, 71.4; Activities of daily living, 97.4; Sport, 90.0; and Quality of life, 92.1. The scores did not differ significantly by specialization of the physician. A total of 88% of the patients were highly or very highly satisfied with the handling of their fracture.ConclusionsThe patients reported low rates of functional disability and high rates of satisfaction after initial radiological diagnosis and treatment of their fracture at the primary healthcare centre. Specialisation of the treating physician was not associated with the outcome in any of the fracture types.

Lymphadenopathy in the era of COVID-19 vaccination – an oncological dilemma in diagnostic imaging

Initial clinical experience with COVID-19 vaccination suggests that approved COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce a strong immune response and thus cause a significantly higher incidence of axillary lymphadenopathy compared with other vaccines. It can therefore be expected to complicate the diagnosis of patients with overt or suspected mali-gnancy, in whom it may be indistinguishable from malignant node involvement. There is a need for guidelines on the appropriate management of unilateral axillary lymph node enlargement. This article studies the available reports on vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy. It also presents a basic strategy for the assessment of axillary lymphadenopathy based on preliminary recommendations and an algorithm. According to these recommendations, screening should be scheduled before or at least 4-6 weeks after the last dose of the vaccine. This will allow reactive adenopathy to resolve and avoid unnecessary and costly axillary lymph node biopsy. Clear and effective communication between patients, radiologists, referring physician teams, and the general public is the way forward in the management of adenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination.Herein we present 5 cases of lymph node enlargement after mRNA vaccine administration from different authors. Their initial radiological diagnosis raised concerns that they might be metastases. Therefore, radiologists need to include COVID-19 vaccination in the differential diagnosis of patients with unilateral axillary adenopathy. Short-term follow-up of unilateral axillary adenopathy with recent COVID-19 vaccination is an appropriate recommendation.

The New Proactive Approach and Precision Medicine in Crohn's Disease.

The proactive approach to Crohn’s disease (CD) management advocates moving toward algorithmic tight-control scenarios that are designed for each CD phenotype to guide remission induction, maintenance therapy, active monitoring, and multidisciplinary care to manage the complexities of each inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient. This requires accurate initial clinical, laboratory, radiological, endoscopic, and/or tissue diagnosis for proper phenotypic stratification of each CD patient. A substantial proportion of patients in symptomatic remission have been reported to demonstrate evidence of active disease, with elevated fecal calprotectin(FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as a hallmark for mucosal inflammation. Active mucosal inflammation, and elevated CRP and fecal calprotectin (FC) have been shown to be good predictors of clinical relapse, disease progression, and complications in IBD patients. The next frontier of treatment is personalized medicine or precision medicine to help solve the problem of IBD heterogeneity and variable responses to treatment. Personalized medicine has the potential to increase the efficacy and/or reduce potential adverse effects of treatment for each CD phenotype. However, there is currently an unmet need for better elucidation of the inflammatory biopathways and genetic signatures of each IBD phenotype, so personalized medicine can specifically target the underlying cause of the disease and provide maximal efficacy to each patient.

Correlation Between Thymus Radiology and Myasthenia Gravis in Clinical Practice.

Background: The ability to distinguish between a normal thymus, thymic hyperplasia, and thymoma should aid in clinical management and decision making for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). We sought to determine the accuracy of routine radiological examinations in predicting thymic pathology.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with MG who had undergone thymectomy from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Each patient received at least one initial radiological diagnosis and one histological diagnosis, and the patients were classified into the all-patient, CT, contrast CT, and MRI groups. The sensitivity, accuracy and specificity of each group were calculated for different histological types.Results: This study included 114 patients. All sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values except for sensitivity to hyperplasia in each group for different histological types were satisfactory. MRI had higher sensitivity (68.4, 95% CI: 43.5–87.4%) to histological hyperplasia than did CT (14.3, 95% CI: 0.4–57.9%) and contrast CT (26.7, 95% CI: 7.8–55.1%). Contrast CT had higher specificity (97.9, 95% CI: 88.9–99.95%) for histological hyperplasia than did MRI (88.5, 95% CI: 69.9–97.6%).Discussion: For patients with MG, CT, contrast CT, and MRI examinations can effectively identify thymoma. Additionally, compared with CT or contrast CT, MRI may have a stronger ability to distinguish thymoma and detect hyperplasia.

Radiology Callbacks to a Pediatric Emergency Department and Their Clinical Impact.

Clinical impact of radiology callbacks (missed initial radiologic diagnosis) remains largely unknown in the pediatric emergency department (PED). The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, nature of radiology callbacks, and the impact on clinical care during the return visit (RV). We performed a retrospective chart review of quality assurance database of RVs for radiology callbacks to our PED over a 1-year period. Return visit rate to our PED was 3% (2765/92,000) of which 1.9% (55/2765) was for radiology callbacks. Radiology misses involved mostly x-ray interpretations (92.7%), occurred after-hours (83.6%), with fractures being the most common missed finding. Majority of patients (94.5%) required 1 or more interventions during the RV; 34.5% of radiology callbacks had a major impact on clinical management; 27.2% of radiology callbacks were false-positive. Although RVs secondary to radiology callback remain low, one third of them resulted in major changes in diagnosis, treatment, or disposition and impacted patient outcome.

P.097 Subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with a thromboembolic ischemic stroke- an unexpected observation

Atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke, and is a frequent cause for extra- and intra-cranial vessels stenosis. Here, we present an unusual case of ischemic stroke associated with intra-cranial vessel stenosis and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) secondary to carotid artery atheroma. A 64-year old female known for hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with a three-day history of three transient episodes (&lt; 30 minutes) of dysarthria and right hand weakness. An initial brain CT scan revealed left frontal SAH. She was admitted to our Stroke Unit for observation and management. CT-angiogram revealed 90% ICAs stenosis bilaterally with several short focal stenotic lesions, involving several left MCA branches. Brain MRI revealed acute infarcts in the left insula, external capsule and inferior frontal gyrus. The clinical picture was attributed to a thromboembolic left MCA ischemic stroke. She was managed with maximum medical therapy, and later underwent successful left carotid endarterectomy. The presence of SAH on our patient’s presenting CT scan lead to an initial radiological diagnosis of RCVS. However, subsequent imaging studies indicated that SAH had occurred in association with a thromboembolic ischemic stroke. Despite its rarity, this clinical association is important to recognize to avoid diagnostic confusion and guide appropriate management.

Clinicopathologic Features of Benign Neurogenic Tumor of Urinary Bladder.

Benign neurogenic tumor involving the urinary bladder is a very rare and heterogeneous disease group. The clinical and radiological diagnosis may be difficult because of the disease's rarity and the histological similarities of each disease especially in needle biopsy specimens. However, accurate diagnosis is very important because the clinical course of each disease, even within the same diseases, is quite variable. In this study, we investigated 7 benign neurogenic tumors to better understand the rare disease entity in the urinary bladder by analyzing histological and immunohistochemical findings and comparing clinicopathologic features. We collected the cases by searching the medical records database of Seoul National University Hospital from 2000 to 2016. We identified 3 ganglioneuromas, 2 schwannomas, 1 neurofibroma, and 1 granular cell tumor involving the urinary bladder. There were some limitations for the initial clinical and radiological diagnosis and even pathologic diagnosis using needle biopsy specimens. One infant patient was diagnosed radiologically with rhabdomyosarcoma, but the final diagnosis changed to ganglioneuromatosis. The initial needle biopsy diagnosis of 2 ganglioneuroma cases showed neurofibroma. All patients underwent a local resection, and 1 granular cell tumor patient suffered with pain because of a recurrent tumor. One neurofibromatosis patient had a lesion appear 34 months after the bladder operation, so he underwent repeated debulking operations, but he was diagnosed with malignant transformation after 8 years. An understanding of benign neurogenic tumors involving the urinary bladder and the sharing of rare experiences surrounding them are required to provide accurate diagnoses.

Traumatic Brain Injury in Children under Age 24 Months: Analysis of Demographic Data, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Post-traumatic Seizure.

ObjectiveTraumatic brain injury (TBI) in children under age 24 months has characteristic features because the brain at this age is rapidly growing and sutures are opened. Moreover, children this age are completely dependent on their parents. We analyzed the demographic data and risk factors for outcomes in TBI patients in this age group to elucidate their clinical characteristics.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological films of children under 24 months who were admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013 for TBI. Specifically, we analyzed age, cause of injury, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, radiological diagnosis, seizure, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, and we divided outcomes into good (GOS 4–5) or poor (GOS 1–3). We identified the risk factors for post-traumatic seizure (PTS) and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe total number of patients was 60, 39 males and 21 females. Most common age group was between 0 to 5 months, and the median age was 6 months. Falls were the most common cause of injury (n=29, 48.3%); among them, 15 were falls from household furniture such as beds and chairs. Ten patients (16.7%) developed PTS, nine in one week; thirty-seven patients (61.7%) had skull fractures. Forty-eight patients had initial GCS scores of 13–15, 8 had scores of 12–8, and 4 had scored 3–7. The diagnoses were as follows: 26 acute subdural hematomas, 8 acute epidural hematomas, 7 focal contusional hemorrhages, 13 subdural hygromas, and 4 traumatic intracerebral hematomas larger than 2 cm in diameter. Among them, two patients underwent craniotomy for hematoma removal. Four patients were victims of child abuse, and all of them had PTS. Fifty-five patients improved to good-to-moderate disability. Child abuse, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis found that the salient risk factor for a poor outcome was initial GCS on admission.ConclusionThe most common cause of traumatic head injury in individuals aged less than 24 months was falls, especially from household furniture. Child abuse, moderate to severe TBI, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS. Most of the patients recovered with good outcomes, and the risk factor for a poor outcome was initial mental status.

A comparison of two techniques: Open and percutaneous biopsies of thoracolumbar vertebral body lesions.

Aim:The purpose of this article is to compare the similarity of initial radiological diagnosis and pathological diagnosis between thoracal and lumbar vertebral bodies and the adequacy and the reliability of open and percutaneous biopsies performed via transpedicular approach in the lesions located in vertebral bodies.Materials and Methods:Thirty-three patients who had undergone transpedicular biopsy for vertebral body lesions were retrospectively evaluated. Seventeen patients were diagnosed by percutaneous transpedicular biopsy (11 in the lumbar vertebrae, 6 in the thoracal vertebrae). Sixteen patients were diagnosed by open transpedicular biopsy (9 in the lumbar vertebrae, 7 in the thoracal vertebrae).Results:The similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis was 71.4% in the open biopsy and was 69.2% in the percutaneous biopsy (P > 0.05). The similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis was 66.7% in the lumbar region and was 77.8% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). For percutaneous biopsy group, the similarity ratio was 72.7% in the lumbar region and was 66.7% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). For open biopsy group, the similarity ratio was 62.5% in the lumbar region and 83.3% in the thoracal region (P > 0.05). No complication was observed.Conclusion:Specimen adequacy of open biopsy was higher than percutaneous biopsy. Particularly, the open thoracal biopsy has provided the highest similarity ratio between the initial radiological diagnosis and the final pathological diagnosis.

Fraktur des Atlas durch eine aneurysmatische Knochenzyste nach Bagatelltrauma

Aneurysmal bone cysts predominantly occur in young adults and the long bones, the lumbar spine and the pelvis are mainly affected. This article presents the case of a 22-year-old woman with the very rare localization of an aneurysmal bone cyst of the atlas and an atlas fracture after a minor trauma. The initial radiological diagnosis was a suspicted aneurysmal bone cyst which was confirmed histologically. Due to the unstable fracture it was decided to carry out surgical treatment with occipitocervical stabilization in combination with a transoral bone graft. After a period of 11 months the fracture had completely healed and the implants were removed without any complications.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may optimize the extent of resection of World Health Organization grade II gliomas: a case series of 17 patients

The involvement of eloquent brain areas may preclude the total/subtotal surgical resection of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs). The feasibility and functional tolerance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been demonstrated in such cases. The present study assesses the clinical and radiological impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the natural course of DLGG. Seventeen patients without feasible surgical resection (infiltration of functional areas and/or large contralateral extension) were retrospectively selected. Temozolomide based neoadjuvant chemotherapy was initiated, inducing a tumor volume decrease and allowing a functional based maximal surgical resection. The median follow-up since initial radiological diagnosis was 5.9 years (range, 1.4-11). The median time to malignant transformation was 5.9 years. Six patients (35 %) had 1p19q codeletion, 12 patients (70 %) with IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation, and eight patients (47 %) had p53 overexpression. Chemotherapy reduced tumor volume (median -35.6 %, range -61.6 to -5.1 %) in contralateral hemisphere through the corpus callosum in seven cases (41 %) and in ipsi-lesional functional areas in ten cases (59 %). Chemotherapy significantly decreased the imaging tumor growth (measured by the velocity of diametric expansion VDE) with a median of -3.2 mm/year (range, -29.8 to -0.9 mm/year) (p < 0.001). A tumor volume decrease of more than 20 % was correlated with a lower postoperative residual tumor (median 2 cc, p = 0.04), a greater extent of resection (93.1 vs. 89.5 %), a higher probability of total/subtotal removal. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Temozolomide could optimize the surgical resection of DLGGs and could impact their natural history. Further large prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Radiologic-histological correlation of hepatocellular carcinoma treated via pre-liver transplant locoregional therapies

Locoregional therapies (LRTs) are treatments to achieve local control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Correlation between radiologic response to LRT and degree of induced tumor necrosis is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate different levels of radiologic response after pre-liver transplant (LT) LRT and its correlation with percentage of tumor necrosis on explanted histopathology. Institutional Review Board approved LT database was queried for treated HCC in patients undergoing LT. Radiologic response was evaluated to predict tumor necrosis in the explanted liver. Tumor response was evaluated 1 to 3 months after LRT with computed tomography or MRI via Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. LRT was repeated as needed until time of LT. Histological tumor necrosis was graded as complete (100%), partial (50%-99%), or poor (<50%). Between 2002 and 2011, 128 patients (97 men and 31 women) received pre-LT LRT including transarterial therapy (93), radiofrequency ablation (20), or combination of both (15). The mean age of the patients was 58+/-9 years. Their mean follow-up was 35+/-27 months. The median waitlist time was 55 days. One hundred (78%) patients had HCC within the Milan criteria at the initial radiologic diagnosis. Nineteen (15%) of the patients had complete tumor necrosis on histopathology analysis. Fifty (39%) of the patients exhibited partial necrosis, 52 (41%) showed poor or no necrosis and 7 (5%) showed progressive disease. The overall pre-LT radiologic staging was correlated with explant pathology in 73 (57%) of the patients. Underestimated tumor stage was noted in 49 (38%) patients, and overestimated tumor stage in 6 (5%) patients. The post-LT 3-year overall survival and disease free survival were 82% and 80%, and the rates for complete and partial tumor necrosis were 100% vs 78% (P=0.02) and 100% vs 75% (P=0.03), respectively. In the current era, interpretation of radiologic response after LRT for HCC does not correlate accurately with histologic tumor necrosis. Total tumor necrosis is the goal of LRT; therefore, evolution in its performance is needed. Similarly, ways to predict therapy induced tumor necrosis via radiological investigation need to be improved.

546 A Giant Orbital Plexiform Neurofibroma with Massive Intracranial Extention in a Newborn

Orbital masses in newborns are rare. Herein a newborn with a giant orbital tumor is presented. A 10-day female baby was admitted to hospital with proptosis. She was the first...

Clinical course of sub-centimeter-sized nodules detected during surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the outcome of sub-centimeter-sized nodules (SCSNs) detected during surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients at risk. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 142 patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C without a prior history of HCC in whom a SCSN was detected during HCC surveillance. We calculated the rate of HCC development from SCSNs in the study population and analyzed the differences in the baseline clinical characteristics and imaging features between the patients with SCSNs that eventually developed into HCC and patients with SCSNs that did not develop into HCC. During 667 person-years of follow-up, HCC developed in 33 patients. The calculated HCC development rate was 4.9% per year. The cumulative one-, two-, three- and five-year HCC development rates were 5.6%, 10.6%, 14.1% and 20.4%, respectively. Upon baseline comparison, the HCC group was older (54.4 ± 8.3 years vs 48.9 ± 9.4 years; P = 0.003) and had lower albumin levels (3.56 ± 0.58 g/dL vs 3.84 ± 0.55 g/dL; P = 0.012) and higher baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (8.5 ng/mL vs 5.4 ng/mL; P = 0.035) compared to the non-HCC group. Nodule pattern and initial radiologic diagnosis also differed between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that age [P = 0.012, odds ratio (OR) =1.075, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.016-1.137], sex (P = 0.009, OR = 3.969, 95% CI: 1.403-11.226), and baseline AFP level (P = 0.024, OR = 1.039, 95% CI: 1.005-1.073) were independent risk factors for developing HCC. The overall risk of HCC development in patients with SCSNs is similar to that in liver cirrhosis patients. Patients with these risk factors need to be closely monitored during follow-up.

Anthracofibrosis Involving Lung Parenchyma

To describe computed tomographic (CT) findings of anthracofibrosis involving lung parenchyma. Retrospectively reviewed CT findings of 34 patients with anthracofibrosis involving lung parenchyma, showing deposition of anthracotic pigmentation with focal fibrotic lesions on histologic examination. Types included nodules (41.2%), masses (55.9%), and fibrotic consolidation (2.9%). The mean size was 26.8 mm. The most common location was right upper lobe (n = 10). Satellite nodules were identified in 5 patients, calcification was identified in 11 patients, necrotic low attenuation was identified in 9 patients, and marginal spicule was identified in 26 patients (76.5%). The CT images showed airway manifestation of anthracofibrosis in 13 patients, nodal manifestation in 11 patients, and inactive tuberculosis in 14 patients. Initial radiologic diagnosis included tuberculosis (n = 10), lung cancer (n = 9), organized pneumonia (n = 7), nonspecific pulmonary nodule (n = 7), and anthracofibrosis (n = 1). Anthracofibrosis involving lung parenchyma appears as a nodule, mass, or fibrotic consolidation, surrounded by long spicule. It may be the spectrum of bronchial anthracofibrosis involving small airway of lung parenchyma.

Diffuse hemispheric dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor: a new radiological variant associated with early-onset severe epilepsy

The authors describe the clinical and radiological features in 3 children with a diffuse hemispheric dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) presenting with severe epilepsy and a previously unreported and characteristic MR imaging appearance. The DNET is a well-recognized cause of focal epilepsy, usually with a very good response to resection. These tumors are usually intracortical, and most commonly arise in the temporal lobe or frontal lobes. Radiologically they are usually sharply demarcated, and show little contrast enhancement. Three children (2 boys and 1 girl) presented at 14, 17, and 22 months of age with epileptic seizures. The seizures were focal motor or complex focal. One patient had epileptic spasms. The response to antiepileptic drug therapy was poor. Motor and cognitive development was delayed in all patients. One patient developed a severe epileptic encephalopathy, with regression of motor and cognitive skills. Her electroencephalogram obtained at that time showed hypsarhythmia. Admission MR imaging showed a diffuse unilateral abnormality involving frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes with little or no mass effect. There was involvement of both gray and white matter, with a striking sparing of the internal capsule in spite of apparent tumor throughout the basal ganglia and thalamus. In 2 patients there was prominent expansion of cortical gyri by tumor. In 1 child the initial radiological diagnosis was a middle cerebral artery infarct. On subsequent review the radiological diagnosis was thought to be low-grade glioma in all patients. The first patient underwent 2 limited resections involving the temporal lobe. He has continued to have poorly controlled seizures and severe behavioral and cognitive problems. The other patients had subtotal resection to the level of the internal capsule. One patient is currently seizure free 24 months postsurgery, but remains cognitively impaired. The patient in Case 3 is having some seizures 3.5 years postsurgery and remains hemiplegic, but the regression has reversed and she is making steady developmental progress. The pathological specimens showed the typical features of a DNET in all cases. This striking radiological pattern has not previously been described as a feature of a DNET. Recognition of this radiological pattern in young children with epilepsy will allow early consideration for resection, which may lead to improved long-term cognitive outcome.

Silicoantracosis: una forma de presentación clinicorradiológica excepcional simulando metástasis pulmonares

We present the case of an asymptomatic patient with an initial clinical and radiological diagnosis of lung metastases in whom histological study diagnosed anthracosilicosis. A review of the literature shows that this presentation of anthracosilicosis is exceptional; our patient had atypical radiological findings and a very long latency period (over 50 years) after a brief (nearly 6 years) exposure to coal dust.