Deep frontal and periventricular age related white matter changes but not basal ganglia and infratentorial hyperintensities are associated with falls: cross sectional results from the LADIS study

BACKGROUND

Global age related white matter changes (ARWMC) are associated with progressive gait disturbances and falls, hypothesised to result from interruptions of cortico-subcortical circuits controlling balance, posture and locomotion.

METHODS

The location of ARWMC in a large cohort of elderly non-disabled individuals with reported falls was analysed, using the cross sectional data of the Leukoaraiosis and Disability (LADIS) study. Detailed anatomical distributions of ARWMC assessed by MRI studies were analysed with respect to falls and balance performance.

RESULTS

The severity of global ARWMC was significantly associated with a history of falls in the year prior to study inclusion (22.2% in the mild, 31.6% in the moderate and 37.3% in the severe ARWMC group according to the Fazekas scale; p = 0.002). Analysing the anatomical distribution of ARWMC, using the semiquantitative Scheltens scale, in multivariate analysis, periventricular (p = 0.006) and frontal deep (p = 0.033) ARWMC were independently associated with falls. Furthermore, logistic regression identified frontal deep (p = 0.003) ARWMC, but not basal ganglia and infratentorial hyperintensities, as significantly associated with balance disturbances.

CONCLUSION

The association of frontal and periventricular ARWMC with falls supports the hypothesis that interruption of frontal subcortical motor circuits lead to balance disturbances and hence to an increased risk for falls in ARWMC.

Hypersensitivity reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents

Neuromuscular blocking agents are the leading drugs responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reactions during anaesthesia. Most hypersensitivity reactions represent IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Their incidence is estimated to be between 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 110,000 general anaesthetics. However striking variations have been reported among countries. The mechanism of sensitisation seems to implicate the presence of a substituted ammonium ion in the molecule. Due to lack of exposure prior to the reaction in a large number of reactors, it has been hypothesised that sensitisation may involve other, as yet undefined, substituted (quaternary and tertiary) ammonium ion containing compounds such as pholcodine, present in the environment of the patient. This hypothesis is still under investigation. The mechanism of non-IgE mediated hypersensitivity reactions is less well known. Identified mechanisms correspond to direct histamine release or interactions with muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Allergic reactions cannot be clinically distinguished from non-IgE-mediated reactions. Therefore, any suspected hypersensitivity reaction must be investigated using combined pre and postoperative testing. Because of the frequent but not systematic cross-reactivity observed with muscle relaxants, every available neuromuscular blocking agent should be tested, using intradermal tests to confirm the responsibility of the suspected drug which should be definitely excluded. Cross-sensitivity investigation will also try to identify the safety of drugs that can be potentially used in future anaesthesia. The determination of basophil activation investigations using direct leukocyte histamine release test or flow cytometry would be of particular interest to investigate cross sensitisation in complement to skin tests. There is no demonstrated evidence supporting systematic pre-operative screening in the general population at this time. However, since no specific treatment has been shown to reliably prevent anaphylaxis, allergy assessment must be performed in all high-risk patients. In view of the relative complexity of allergy investigation, and of the differences between countries, an active policy to identify patients at risk and to provide any necessary support from expert advice to anaesthetists and allergologists through the constitution of allergo-anaesthesia centres in every country should be promoted.

Comprehensive ultrasound assessment of complications post-liver transplantation

Human liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease was first performed in 1963. Refinements in surgical technique and new immunosuppressive regimens have improved outcomes. Today, transplant patients have a 5-year survival rate of approximately 75%. Nevertheless, significant complications still occur. Ultrasonography (US), is the initial imaging modality of choice allowing bedside assessment for detection and follow-up of early and delayed graft complications, and facilitating interventional procedures. This review outlines the role of ultrasound in post-transplantation assessment.

A novel process for the removal of aniline from wastewaters

The aim of this research was to develop a solid regenerable catalytic adsorbent capable of removing aniline from aqueous solutions. A H-Beta zeolite was first loaded with copper in an ion-exchange process to enhance its catalytic activity. Experimental results indicated an aniline adsorption level of approximately 106-114 mg g(-1) for each of the unmodified H-Beta, the 0.5% (w/w) Cu-Beta or the 1.4 % (w/w) Cu-Beta zeolites. The adsorption processes followed the Langmuir model and the level of aniline adsorbed was largely unaffected by a change in temperature. Assessment of the aqueous stability of the exchanged copper on the Beta zeolites indicated minimum copper leaching in the range pH 5-11 thus providing a stable working pH range for both the 0.5% (w/w) and 1.4% (w/w) Cu-Beta adsorbent materials. Catalytic oxidation studies on the adsorbed aniline indicated that the presence of copper in the zeolites significantly enhanced the degradation of aniline to predominantly carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen. Five successive adsorption/catalytic oxidation cycles did not diminish the aniline adsorption capacity of the copper loaded zeolites but there was a small loss in the efficacy of the catalytic oxidation of the adsorbed aniline by the end of the 5th cycle.

Does online submission of manuscripts improve efficiency?

AIMS

The purpose of this study online is to evaluate whether online submission of papers to a peer reviewed journal is more efficient than hard copy submission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study covering a 12-month period was performed. With the help of the editorial office of a selected radiologic journal: Clinical Radiology, we retrospectively audited the Clinical Radiology issues of accepted papers from July 2003 to July 2004 to compare articles that were submitted and evaluated on line against those that were submitted and evaluated by hard copy. Some manuscripts were submitted on line and evaluated by hard copy and were therefore included as a third data set. Manuscripts were sub-divided under the headings: review articles, pictorial reviews, original papers, technical reports and case reports. Data was tabulated in relation to the length of time between submission and acceptance. Both total, as well as average times under each individual heading were calculated. Data sets were then compared to assess if there was any time efficiency benefit between online and hard copy submission.

RESULTS

Data on 155 papers submitted and accepted to Clinical Radiology was obtained. The average number of days that it took an article that was submitted and reviewed online was 108.9 days. An article submitted online with paper review took on average 147.2 days and those submitted solely by paper took on average 149.8. When this data was further subdivided, for the online submission and review group, the average number of days for a review article to be submitted and reviewed took 91.9 days, for a pictorial review article, it took 69.6 days and it took 123.6 days for an original paper. With respect to online submission with paper review, a review article took 84 days, a pictorial review article took 120 days and an original paper took 145.4 days. With respect to paper submission and review, it took for 165.1 days for a review article, 147.8 days for a pictorial review article and 143.1 days for an original paper.

CONCLUSION

Online manuscripts submission is more efficient than hard copy submission for all manuscript types.

Self-perceived memory impairment and cognitive performance in an elderly independent population with age-related white matter changes

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether self-perceived memory impairment is associated with the severity of white matter changes (WMC) and is related to cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the multinational Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study (LADIS), which investigates the impact of WMC on global functioning. WMC severity was rated using the Fazekas scale. Medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) was scored visually and mean values were calculated. The neuropsychological battery consisted of the Mini-Mental State Examination, a modified version of the VADAS-Cog, Trail making and Stroop tests. A question about self-perceived memory impairment was used as a measure for presence of memory complaints. Cognitive performance was analysed test-by-test and in three main domains: memory, executive functions and speed/motor control. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used as a measure of depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Six hundred and thirty-eight subjects were included in this study. No association was found between memory complaints and the severity of WMC. Subjects with memory complaints (n = 399) had a higher GDS score [t((637)) = -7.15; p<0.02] and performed worse on almost all cognitive tests and on the three cognitive domains. Multiple linear regression showed that the worse performance on the memory domain was associated with memory complaints independently of depressive symptoms, WMC severity and MTA (R(2) = 0.183; F = 17.09, beta = -0.126; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In a sample of non-disabled elderly subjects with WMC, self-perceived memory impairment is significantly associated with objective memory impairment independently of the WMC severity, depressive symptoms and MTA.

Imaging of horseshoe kidneys and their complications

Horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion anomaly and the patients are prone to a variety of complications, such as stone disease, pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction, trauma, infections and tumours. As result of the abnormal anatomy of a horseshoe kidney, imaging and treatment pathways vary substantially from the normal kidney. In this review, we describe the role of modern imaging in depicting horseshoe kidneys and their complications, in tandem with the role the interventional radiologist plays in treating these patients.

A case of back pain associated with neurology in a young man

BACKGROUND

We present the case of a 14-year-old with a 3-month history of back pain, who on presentation, was demonstrated to have neurological signs.

METHOD

Investigation with radiographs and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which demonstrated an expansile lesion in the tenth thoracic vertebra with posterior extension causing spinal cord compression. This was treated with surgical resection and spinal cord decompression.

RESULTS

Diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst was made following histopathological examination of the resected lesion.

CONCLUSION

Back pain in childhood is a significant and often sinister symptom, which requires careful evaluation.

Imaging of adenomyomatosis of the gall bladder

Adenomyomatosis is a relatively common abnormality of the gall bladder, with a reported incidence of between 2.8 and 5%. Although mainly confined to the adult study group, a number of cases have been reported in the paediatric study group. It is characterized pathologically by excessive proliferation of the surface epithelium and hypertrophy of the muscularis propria of the gall bladder wall, with invagination of the mucosa into the thickened muscularis forming the so-called 'Rokitansky-Aschoff' sinuses. The condition is usually asymptomatic and is often diagnosed as an incidental finding on abdominal imaging. The radiological diagnosis is largely dependent on the visualization of the characteristic Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses. As the condition is usually asymptomatic, the importance of making a correct diagnosis is to prevent misinterpretation of other gall bladder conditions such as gall bladder cancer, leading to incorrect treatment. In the past, oral cholecystography was the main imaging method used to make this diagnosis. In most institutions, oral cholecystography is no longer carried out, and the diagnosis is now more commonly seen on cross-sectional imaging. In this review article, we describe the manifestations of adenomyomatosis on the various imaging methods, with an emphasis on more modern techniques such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. A brief section on oral cholecystography to aid readers familiar with this technique in understanding the comparable imaging features on more modern imaging techniques is included.

Association of gait and balance disorders with age-related white matter changes: the LADIS study

OBJECTIVE

In the Leukoaraiosis and Disability (LADIS) Study, 11 European centers are evaluating the role of age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) as an independent determinant of the transition to disability in the elderly (65 to 84 years). We aimed at determining the influence of ARWMC on different objective measures of gait and balance.

METHODS

Six hundred thirty-nine nondisabled individuals were prospectively enrolled and are being followed-up for 3 years. Subjects are graded in three standardized categories of ARWMC (mild, moderate, and severe) according to central MRI reading. Quantitative tests of gait and balance include the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; range: 0 [poor] to 12 [normal]), a timed 8-m walk, and a timed single leg stance test.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analysis, deficiencies in gait and balance performance were correlated with the severity of ARWMC (SPPB: 10.2 +/- 2.1 in the mild, 9.9 +/- 2.0 in the moderate, 8.9 +/- 2.6 in the severe group; p < 0.001). Walking speed correlated with the severity of ARWMC (1.24 +/- 0.28 m/second in the mild, 1.18 +/- 0.32 m/second in the moderate, and 1.09 +/- 0.31 m/second in the severe group; p < 0.001). Balance was best in individuals with mild ARWMC (single leg stance time: 18.9 +/- 10.8 seconds) compared with moderate and severe ARWMC (16.4 +/- 10.8 and 13.6 +/- 11.2 seconds) (p < 0.001). Physically inactive individuals had a higher risk of a pathologic SPPB score (moderate vs mild ARWMC: odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.52; severe vs mild ARWMC: odds ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.80).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support a strong association between the severity of age-related white matter changes and the severity of gait and motor compromise. Physical activity might have the potential to reduce the risk of limitations in mobility.

Calvarial tuberculosis: an unusual presentation (2007: 8b)

We describe a case of calvarial tuberculosis with an associated extra-dural collection. This presentation has rarely been reported in the literature and the magnetic resonance imaging features are not well documented.