Epidermoid tumours associated with lumbar punctures performed in early neonatal life

Three children (ages 5, 7, and 12 years) with epidermoid tumours in the spinal canal, all of whom had a lumbar puncture during the early neonatal period, are reported. A considerable delay occurred from the first symptoms until the diagnosis was made. MRI of the lumbar spine was the method of choice in the diagnostic work-up. All three cases were successfully surgically treated. The link between lumbar punctures and epidermoid tumours and the possible risk factors involved are explored. Because of the variable clinical presentation, the possibility of the existence of these tumours should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Meningoradiculitis due to borreliosis presenting as low back pain only

We report a child with Borrelia burgdorferi meningoradiculitis. This entity, also known as Bannwarth syndrome, is rare and its presentation with low back pain only is even more unusual. The MRI findings can suggest the diagnosis.

Early and late MR findings in near-miss sudden infant death syndrome

We report the early and late MR findings in a 7-month-old infant with near-miss sudden infant death syndrome. We believe this is the first such described report.

Cortical visual impairment following perinatal hypoxia: clinicoradiologic correlation using magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the visual prognosis of cortical visual impairment following perinatal hypoxia.

METHODS

MRI findings of 19 babies with the diagnosis of a perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult and cortical visual impairment (CVI) were reviewed. Two groups of patients based on gestational age were compared. Babies with a gestational age > or = 34 weeks were included in group 1(n = 8). Infants < 34 weeks' gestation were included in group 2(n = 11). All 19 children underwent MRI.

RESULTS

Normal MRI always correlated with better visual outcome, regardless of the gestational age at which the insult occurred. Among infants born at or later than 34 weeks' gestation, a favorable visual recovery occurred in two with normal MRI findings. The presence of infarcts or periventricular leukomalacia indicated that full visual recovery would not occur. Among infants born before 34 weeks' gestation, the MRI findings were normal in two who had a favorable visual outcome. A normal visual cortex and the absence of periventricular leukomalacia were helpful in prognosticating the visual outcome. A general delay in the myelination-particularly in the myelination of the optic radiation-was a common finding and until now has not been described in children with CVI routinely.

CONCLUSION

MRI's ability to follow the process of myelination may be of predictive value. MRI, therefore, should be obtained in a child with CVI following perinatal hypoxia.

Spinal epidural hematoma and ankylosing spondylitis

Spinal epidural hematoma is an unusual condition requiring urgent neurosurgical intervention. Imaging plays an important role in the preoperative work-up. Although MR imaging is the examination of choice, a myelogram and CT myelogram are often performed in an emergency situation. The association with ankylosing spondylitis has been described and is considered a risk factor for developing a hematoma.

Positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and proton NMR spectroscopy of white matter in multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To assess characteristics of MS lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) with various imaging modalities. Glucose metabolism was investigated with FDG-PET, metabolite concentration with proton NMR spectroscopy, and lesion detection with routine brain MRI.

METHODS

Thirteen patients were studied in a stable phase of their disease, and two during an acute episode. Nine healthy volunteers served as controls.

RESULTS

Three patients had a normal brain MRI, 12 had typical lesions. MR images were registered to the PET planes. Lesions and contra-lateral control areas were analyzed, 10/15 lesions showed relative hyper-metabolism and 2 hypo-metabolism. NAA concentration was significantly decreased in both lesions and NAWM.

CONCLUSION

In stable MS, most large lesions have a relatively increased glucose utilization and decreased NAA concentration. NAWM showed a significantly decreased NAA concentration compared to healthy subjects, but no difference in glucose metabolism. Active lesions in acute MS are also hyper-metabolic. This finding opens a new window on the classification of white matter lesions based on glucose utilization.

Chondrosarcoma of the skull base: CT, MR and pathological features

We report on CT and MR image findings of a skull base chondrosarcoma. Chondroid mineralisation, a histological feature of chondrosarcoma, can be recognised on CT and is, together with the off-midline position of the tumour, the most characteristic finding. Differentiation is usually made by histological and immunocytochemical staining. Surgery, proton radiation therapy and stereotactic single high-dose irradiation have been used to treat patients with chondrosarcoma. It is worth mentioning that it was likely that the chondrosarcoma in our patient represented a malignant degeneration of an enchondroma that had been resected 30 years earlier.

Congenital scalp defect, distal limb reduction anomalies, right spastic hemiplegia and hypoplasia of the left arteria cerebri media. Further evidence that interruption of early embryonic blood supply may result in Adams-Oliver (plus) syndrome

In this report we describe a male patient with the interesting combination of a large congenital scalp defect, distal limb reduction anomalies, right spastic hemiplegia and hypoplasia of the left arteria cerebri media. Follow-up data from birth up to the age of 18 years revealed positive evolution with low to normal intelligence. The findings in the present patient, i.e. an Adams-Oliver syndrome associated with a severe neurological deficit, are best explained as resulting from interruption of the early embryonic blood supply.

Interhemispheric lipoma with variable callosal dysgenesis: relationship between embryology, morphology, and symptomatology

Eight interhemispheric lipomas (five tubulonodular lipomas and three curvilinear lipomas) were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose was to further investigate the relationship between the morphology of the different subtypes and the clinical presentation. The imaging findings were reviewed in light of a recent theory on the development of the corpus callosum. Interhemispheric lipomas should be considered as one entity with a variable expression depending on the severity and/or the time of the insult. Curvilinear lipomas can be either small or extensive and are usually not symptomatic. Tubulonodular lipomas can be either predominantly anterior or posterior in location. The anterior subtype appears to be a more severe form of tubulonodular lipoma. The associated structural abnormalities are most likely responsible for the symptoms, rather than the lipoma itself. Magnetic resonance imaging allows a more precise timing of the insult, resulting in the development of a lipoma. The knowledge of the embryology between the 6th and the 20th week is important to explain these abnormalities. Until now it has been accepted that the corpus callosum develops in an orderly fashion. A recent theory has demonstrated that this is not necessarily true, and that fibers can cross the midline at any place irrespective of the normal development. This theory explains the sometimes amorphous appearance of the remnant of the corpus callosum if a lipoma is present.

Anaplastic (malignant) ganglioglioma arising from heterotopic grey matter nodules

Anaplastic ganglioglioma is a rare malignant neoplasm. The short clinical course and the anaplastic histological features are characteristics of malignant ganglioglioma. Immunohistochemistry is necessary for the final diagnosis. The MRI appearances are described here for the first time in literature. Nodular grey matter heterotopias had been demonstrated and the patient developed an anaplastic ganglioglioma two years later, on the same place where the grey matter heteropias had been seen. This finding supports the hypothesis that these tumours may arise from grey matter nodules.

Aggressive pituitary macroadenoma: CT and MR appearances

Two cases of aggressive pituitary macroadenoma (prolactinoma) with diffuse invasion of the skull base are described. Clinical signs usually appear late. CT shows the bone destruction, whereas MRI accurately delineates the extension of the tumor and involvement of the surrounding neurovascular structures. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining are necessary for a definitive diagnosis differentiating prolactimonas from a wide range of skull base tumours and for deciding on additional therapy and prognosis. Aggressive pituitary macroadenoma is a large and diffuse tumor which is difficult to treat; therapy usually consists of extensive surgery, radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy with dopaminergic agents.

Orbital fat edema in anorexia nervosa: a reversible finding

Orbital fat edema was found in a patient with long-standing severe anorexia nervosa. The changes disappeared after the patient gained weight. The underlying mechanisms remains unexplained, but the changes most likely coincide with the disappearance of fat tissue and the appearance of edema following disturbance of the electrolyte/fluid balance.

Leber congenital amaurosis--differential diagnosis, ophthalmological and neuroradiological report of 18 patients

Between 1985 and 1995 eighteen babies, presenting to our department with absent visual contact and roving eye movements, showed a non-recordable flash electroretinogram (fERG). This was confirmed when repeated after a one-year interval. In four patients with developmental delay an underlying systemic disorder was diagnosed after a thorough pediatric neurological evaluation: Senior Loken syndrome, neuroaxonal dystrophy, ceroid lipofuscinosis and a yet unclear metabolic disorder were the revised diagnoses. The fourteen remaining patients were diagnosed as having primary idiopathic Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). Three of them showed developmental delay. In all three cerebellar abnormalities were visualized on brain computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Brain CT of the other eleven patients with age appropriate development was normal. We conclude that LCA is a diagnosis of exclusion and a cautious approach with a thorough history and pediatric neurological examination is necessary to exclude a more global pediatric neurological disorder.

The role of cranial computed tomography in the diagnostic work-up of headache

Approximately 18% of all patients referred for a cranial computed tomography complain of headache only. We reviewed 363 consecutive patients in order to assess the value of this examination in the diagnostic approach. Despite the vast number of normal examinations (88.4%), we advocate the routine use of a cranial computed tomography in every patient with chronic headache. The cost of the examination can significantly be reduced by performing an unenhanced scan only. An additional contrast-enhanced scan should be obtained if a suspicious lesion is seen. Brain magnetic resonance imaging is not indicated except in the preoperative workup of a lesion visualized on computed tomography.

Juvenile fibrosarcoma of the temporal bone

A case of juvenile fibrosarcoma arising from the head and neck region is described. This type of tumour should be considered as a separate entity different from the fibrosarcoma in adults because of the different clinical behaviour. The symptomatology, the radiographic features and the literature data are reviewed.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 in childhood: correlation of MRI findings with intelligence

In a group of 28 children with neurofibromatosis type 1 aged between 4 and 16 years, neuroradiological findings were correlated with intelligence as measured by the Wechsler scales. The presence or specific location in the brain of T2 weighted prolonged signals on MRI was not associated with cognitive problems. No other physical characteristics associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 were found to correlate significantly with IQ. At the present these T2 weighted hyper-intense spots should not be used to predict neurofibromatosis type 1 associated cognitive problems.

Childhood neuroborreliosis: clinicoradiological correlation

We report the cranial CT and MRI findings in three children with Lyme disease (neuroborreliosis). The neuroimaging findings in children have been rarely reported. We found cranial MRI far superior to cranial CT. Ring-enhancing lesions have been described in acute disseminating encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis but not in neuroborreliosis. Although other infectious and inflammatory diseases cannot be excluded, Lyme disease should be included in the differential diagnosis and put forward as being the most likely diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting. Gadopentetate dimeglumine is helpful in assessing the response to antibiotic treatment.