Postpublication errors in imaging-related journals

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Assessment of postpublication errors in peer-reviewed journals is difficult and the numbers and types are unknown. We reviewed published errata in major clinical imaging journals in an attempt to understand the numbers and sources of errors in published articles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five clinical imaging journals with the highest IFs were searched on-line using the terms "erratum" or "errata" anywhere in the title, abstract, or author listing for a total of 5 years. Each erratum was reviewed and categorized by type and source of responsibility.

RESULTS

The following journals were assessed: JNM, Radiology, AJNR, AJR, and RadioGraphics. There were a total of 158 total errata and each was placed in 1 of the following categories: typographical (94), factual (6), image-related (48), statistical calculation (7), or serious foundational errors (3). Errata were also labeled as author (107) or journal responsibility (51). One hundred forty-eight errata were categorized as minor (typographical, factual, and image-related) and 10 as major (statistical calculation, foundational errors).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of the 8910 articles published by the 5 journals during the study period, revealed the number of minor and major errors were few, 1.66% and 0.11%, respectively. Of these errors, 93.7% were considered minor and 6.3% major. Most major errors were judged to be the responsibility of the authors, whereas most minor ones were the responsibility of the journals.

Differentiation of pyogenic brain abscesses from necrotic glioblastomas with use of susceptibility-weighted imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A common imaging finding in brain abscess and necrotic glioblastoma is a T2 hypointense margin. The features of this hypointense rim on SWI have not been previously described, to our knowledge. We aimed to differentiate abscesses from glioblastomas by assessing the morphology of their lesion margin by using SWI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T2WI and SWI were performed in 12 abscesses and 20 rim-enhancing glioblastomas. On T2WI and SWI, the prevalence and the border types (complete versus incomplete) of hypointense rims were qualitatively assessed. On SWI, the contour (smooth versus irregular) and the location of hypointense rims relative to the contrast-enhancing rims as well as the prevalence of the "dual rim sign," defined as 2 concentric rims at lesion margins with the outer one being hypointense and the inner one hyperintense relative to cavity contents, were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Prevalence and the border types of the hypointense rims on T2WI were not different between abscesses and glioblastomas. On SWI, there were significantly more hypointense rims that were complete (P < .001) and smooth (P < .001), having the same location as the contrast-enhancing rims (P < .001) for abscesses. A dual rim sign was present in 9 of 12 abscesses but absent in all glioblastomas (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

SWI may be helpful in differentiating pyogenic abscesses from necrotic glioblastomas. The dual rim sign is the most specific imaging feature distinguishing the 2.

Preliminary evaluation of endogenous milk fluorophores as tracer molecules for curd syneresis

A front-face fluorescence spectroscopy probe was installed in the wall of a laboratory-scale cheese vat. Excitation and emission filters were chosen for the selective detection of vitamin A, tryptophan, and riboflavin fluorescence. The evolution of the fluorescence of each fluorophore during milk coagulation and syneresis was monitored to determine if they had the potential to act as intrinsic tracers of syneresis and also coagulation. The fluorescence profiles for 2 of the fluorophores during coagulation could be divided into 3 sections relating to enzymatic hydrolysis of κ-casein, aggregation of casein micelles, and crosslinking. A parameter relating to coagulation kinetics was derived from the tryptophan and riboflavin profiles but this was not possible for the vitamin A response. The study also indicated that tryptophan and riboflavin may act as tracer molecules for syneresis, but this was not shown for vitamin A. The evolution of tryptophan and riboflavin fluorescence during syneresis followed a first-order reaction and had strong relationships with curd moisture and whey total solids content (r=0.86-0.96). Simple 1- and 2-parameter models were developed to predict curd moisture content, curd yield, and whey total solids using parameters derived from the sensor profiles (standard error of prediction=0.0005-0.394%; R(2)=0.963-0.999). The results of this study highlight the potential of tryptophan and riboflavin to act as intrinsic tracer molecules for noninvasive inline monitoring of milk coagulation and curd syneresis. Further work is required to validate these findings under a wider range of processing conditions.

Spontaneous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with behçet disease

We describe the uncommon case of a patient with Behçet disease who developed a giant spontaneous cervical internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm confirmed at surgery. We also discuss the implications of this rare complication.

Differentiation of tumefactive demyelinating lesions from high-grade gliomas with the use of diffusion tensor imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

TDLs may be indistinguishable from high-grade gliomas on conventional MR imaging. The role of DTI in differentiating TDLs from high-grade gliomas is not clear, and quantitative comparison between the 2 has not been reported. Here we aimed to differentiate TDLs from high-grade gliomas by using DTI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI was performed in 8 TDLs and 13 high-grade gliomas. The presence of 3 findings (ie, intralesional hyperintensities on the FA map, restricted diffusion in the lesion periphery, and a perilesional hyperintense FA rim) was assessed by visual inspection. The FA and MD values were measured in the central nonenhancing portion, peripheral enhancing portion, and perilesional edema for each lesion and compared between the 2 groups respectively.

RESULTS

TDLs had a significantly higher incidence of intralesional hyperintensities on FA maps (P = .049) but a lower incidence of a perilesional hyperintense FA rim (P < .001), compared with those of high-grade gliomas on visual inspection. TDLs had significantly higher FA (P = .004) and lower MD (P = .001) values in the peripheral enhancing portions of the lesions compared with those of high-grade gliomas. In perilesional edema, FA values were significantly higher in high-grade gliomas (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

DTI is helpful in differentiating TDLs from high-grade gliomas by using visual inspection and quantitative analysis.

MRI Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joints in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Review

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRI findings of children with rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) affecting the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and correlate these findings with symptoms. MRI studies of the TMJ in 26 children with a clinical diagnosis of JRA were retrospectively reviewed. All studies included oblique and sagittal T1, T2*, proton density/T2, and coronal T1-weighted images. T1 and proton density/T2-images were repeated with the mouth open. Post contrast sagittal and coronal T1-images were obtained in 19 patients. All studies were done on either 1.5 Tesla or 3.0 Tesla units with dedicated surface coils. By consensus, two radiologists evaluated the studies for abnormal condyles, bone erosions, presence or absence of discs, effusions, contrast enhancement and pannus. Open mouth views were assessed for incomplete or abnormal translation. Clinical records were reviewed to correlate symptoms with MRI findings. Abnormal condyles were seen in 49%. Discs were identifiable in 71%. Abnormal translation was seen in 71% and pannus in 49%. Erosions were seen in 37%, effusions in 24% and contrast enhancement in 50%. Correlation with clinical examination showed that of five asymptomatic patients, three had abnormal translation. Fifteen patients presented joint asymmetry on clinical examination and all showed abnormal translation on MRI. Our findings suggest that abnormal translation and joint enhancement may be the most common MRI findings in JRA patients with TMJ arthritis. Abnormalities may occur even in the absence of symptoms and the most common finding in symptomatic patients is abnormal translation.

Sildenafil-induced cervical spinal cord infarction

We present a patient with an acute cervical spinal cord infarction resulting from the use of sildenafil (Viagra) in combination with his hypertension medication. Symptoms were acute and rapidly progressive, and MR imaging with DWI was crucial in confirming the diagnosis.

The new World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors: what can the neuroradiologist really say?

The WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System has become the worldwide standard for classifying and grading brain neoplasms. The most recent edition (WHO 2007) introduced a number of significant changes that include both additions and redefinitions or clarifications of existing entities. Eight new neoplasms and 4 new variants were introduced. This article reviews these entities, summarizing both their histology and imaging appearance. Now with more than 3 years of clinical experience following publication of the newest revision, we also ask, "What can the neuroradiologist really say?" Are there imaging findings that could suggest the preoperative diagnosis of a new tumor entity or variant?

Differentiation of brain abscesses from necrotic glioblastomas and cystic metastatic brain tumors with diffusion tensor imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The differentiation of abscesses from glioblastomas and metastases may not always be possible on the basis of DWI. Our hypothesis was that differences in diffusion properties as detected by DTI allow differentiation of abscess from glioblastomas and metastasis. Furthermore, diagnostic performance of tensor metrics quantifying anisotropy or tensor shapes is better than that of ADC in measuring mean diffusivity for this purpose.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI was performed in 15 abscesses, 15 necrotic glioblastomas, and 26 cystic metastases. In each lesion, manually segmented into 4 regions of interest (ie, cystic cavity, enhancing rim, and immediate [edema most adjacent to the enhancing rim] and distant zones of edema), FA, ADC, C(l), C(p), and C(s) values were measured and statistically compared among groups and evaluated with ROC curve analysis. The presence of a hyperintense FA rim (a rim of edematous tissue that was hyperintense on the FA map) was assessed visually.

RESULTS

Abscess was significantly different from glioblastoma for all tensor metrics measured in the cystic cavity and immediate zone of edema and for all except C(l) in the enhancing rim. Abscess was significantly different from metastasis for all tensor metrics measured in the cystic cavity and enhancing rim and for FA, ADC, and C(l) in immediate zone of edema. The incidence of a hyperintense FA rim was significantly higher in glioblastoma and metastasis compared with abscess. The 3 tensor metrics with the highest performance in differentiating abscess from glioblastoma and metastasis were FA, C(l), and C(s) of the cystic cavity.

CONCLUSIONS

DTI is able to differentiate abscess from glioblastoma and metastasis. FA, C(l), and C(s) outperformed ADC in diagnostic performance comparisons.

Pediatric sensorineural hearing loss, part 2: syndromic and acquired causes

This article is the second in a 2-part series reviewing neuroimaging in childhood SNHL. Previously, we discussed the clinical work-up of children with hearing impairment, the classification of inner ear malformations, and congenital nonsyndromic causes of hearing loss. Here, we review and illustrate the most common syndromic hereditary and acquired causes of childhood SNHL, with an emphasis on entities that demonstrate inner ear abnormalities on cross-sectional imaging. Syndromes discussed include BOR syndrome, CHARGE syndrome, Pendred syndrome, Waardenburg syndrome, and X-linked hearing loss with stapes gusher. We conclude the article with a review of acquired causes of childhood SNHL, including infections, trauma, and neoplasms.

Pediatric sensorineural hearing loss, part 1: Practical aspects for neuroradiologists

SNHL is a major cause of childhood disability worldwide, affecting 6 in 1000 children. For children with prelingual hearing loss, early diagnosis and treatment is critical to optimizing speech and language development, academic achievement, and social and emotional development. Cross-sectional imaging has come to play an important role in the evaluation of children with SNHL because otolaryngologists routinely order either CT or MR imaging to assess the anatomy of the inner ears, to identify causes of hearing loss, and to provide prognostic information related to potential treatments. In this article, which is the first in a 2-part series, we describe the basic clinical approach to imaging of children with SNHL, including the utility of CT and MR imaging of the temporal bones; we review the most recent proposed classification of inner ear malformations; and we discuss nonsyndromic congenital causes of childhood SNHL.