PURPOSE: To evaluate types of gray matter heterotopias, associated brain anomalies, and its correlation with the patterns of seizure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively 19 patients(male :female=10:9, mean age 21 years) with gray matter heterotopias on brain MRI. Using 1.0T superconducting MR unit, spin echo TI-, proton-density- and T2-weighted images in axial, coronal and sagittal planes were obtained. RESULTS: Types of gray matter heterotopias were single subependymal in four patients, multiple subependymal in one, focal subcortical in eight, diffuse subcortical in two, mixed multiple subependymal and focal subcortical in four. Associated anomalies were seen in 11 patients:other neuronal migration anomalies in eight patients, corpus callosum agenesis in two, and combined holoprosencephaly and Dandy-Walker malformation in one. Fifteen patients had seizure. The patterns of seizure were not correlated with the types of heterotopias. CONCLUSION: In addition to subependymal, focal subcortical, and diffuse subcortical types, gray matter heterotopias included mixed variant of of multiple subependymal and subcortical type. Schizencephaly was the most common form of accompanying anomalies, and patterns of seizure were not correlated with types of gray matter heterotopias, even though main clinical menifestation was seizure.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; Brain ; Dandy-Walker Syndrome ; Holoprosencephaly ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; Neurons ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures

PURPOSE: To evaluate high signal intensity of nontumorous conditions of corpus callosum on T2-weighted MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourty nine patients with nontumorous high signal intensities involving corpus callosum on sagittal T2-weighted image were restrospectively analyzed. Nontumorous condition of corpus callosum were diffuse axonal injury(DAI, 19 cases), cerebral infarctions(16 cases), multiple sclerosis(MS, 5 cases), Wilson's disease(2 cases) and hydrocephalus(7 cases) that were diagnosed by clinical and MR findings. Numbers, configuration, involved thickness and sites of high signal intensities of corpus callosum were analyzed. RESULTS: DAI and infarctions showed either single or multiple lesions. MS and hydrocephalus showed multiple lesions, but Wilson's diseases showed single lesion. In DAI, infarctions and MS the lesions involved any part of corpus callosum, splenium in WIIson's disease, and all parts of corpus callosum in hydrocephalus. Wilson's disease showed only partial thickness involvement, and others involved partial or full thickness of corpus callosum. Configuration of high signal intensity was linear in most cases of hydrocephalus, and oval in Wilson's disease, and oval and confluent in MS, and variable in DAI and infarctions. CONCLUSION: High signal intensities of nontumorous conditions of corpus callosum revealed variable findings, and therefore, analysis of nontumorous high signal intensities of corpus callosum is not made by only MR findings but by conjuction with clinical aspects.
Axons ; Corpus Callosum* ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infarction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and the most accurate element of the diagnostic criteria of the Japan Society of Uitrasonics in medicine(JSUM, Nov. 1989) for distinguishing between benign and malignant solid breast masses on the US. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed the ultrasonic findings of histopathologically proved 51 fibroadenomas, 12 fibrocystic disease, and 39 breast cancers in relation to the diagnostic criteria of the JSUM (shape, border, boundary echo, internal echo, posterior echo, lateral echo, and depth/width ratio). RESULTS: The number of cases of fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease, and breast cancer corresponding to the diagnostic criteria was in the shape(26/51, 5/12, 33/39), border(41/51, 9/12, 29/39), boundary echo(48/51, 12/12, 27/39), internal echo(43/51, 9/12, 24/39), posterior echo(32/51, 3/12, 21/39), and lateral shadowing(15/51, 1/12, 35/39). All diagnostic criterias showed statistical significance for differentiation of benign/malignant breast mass on the US(Chi-square test: p<0.05). The order of accuracy was boundary echo, internal echo, and border. The mean of depth/width ratio was 0.54 +/- 0.15, 0.52 +/- 0.12, and 0.69 +/- 0.21 in fibroadenoma, fibrocystic disease, and breast cancer respectively and it had statistical significance for differentiation of benign/malignant breast mass on the US(ANOVA test: p=0.0002). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic criteria of JSUM is effective for differentiation of benign/malignant breast solid masses on the US and has accuracy in the order of boundary echo, internal echo, and border. Depth/width ratio also has statistical significance.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Fibroadenoma ; Japan* ; Ultrasonics*

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is a relatively rare and potentially life-threatening complication of chronic pancreatitis. The authors present a case of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating ,chronic pancreatitis. It was converting into a pseudoaneurysm by vessel rupturs. In this case report, color doppler US, CT, and MRI made the definite diagnosis.
Aneurysm, False* ; Diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pancreatitis, Chronic* ; Splenic Artery*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find some points that may help the differential diagnosis of ring lesions in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver through recognition of the characteristics of the morphology and the signal intensities of the ring lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1- and T2-weighted axial spin-echo images and gadolinium-enhanced Tl-weighted images were obtained with a 1.0 T superconducting MR imager. We reviewed the MR findings of 23 hepatic ring lesions which were confirmed as hepatocellular carcinomas (13), metastases (4), liver abscesses (4), hydatid cyst (1), and hematoma (1). RESULTS: There were 19 single rings and 4 double rings (all the cases were liver abscesses) on Tl-weighted images, and 8 single rings and 14 double rings on T2-weighted images. The signal intensity of the ring was low in hepatocellular carcinoma on Tl-weighted images and in hydatid cyst on T2-weighted images. It was high on Tl-weighted images in subacute hemaroma. Target lesion as an inner high-signal-intensity ring surrounded by a high-signal-intensity ring on T2-weighted images was seen in metatasis, liver abscess, and hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: It is helpful to recognize the chracteristics of morphology and signal intensities of the ring lesions in the differential diagnosis of hepatic focal lesions.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echinococcosis ; Hematoma ; Liver Abscess ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

In 10 cases with intracranial arterivenous malformation (AVMs) diagnosed by MR spin echo images, MR angiography was evaluated and compared with conventional angiography in regard to depiction of nidus, arterial feeders, and draining veins. Spin echo images demonstrated the nidus of the AVM in all cases, but displayed the feeding vassels inadequately. These vessels were directly visualized with 3 dimensional STAGE(small tip angle gradient echo) MR angiography using rephasing/dephasing pulse sequences. In 5 cases MR angiography and conventional angiography showed the same results. However, in the others, MR angiography showed lower resolution than conventional angiography. MR angiography is useful in preangiographic evaluation of intracranial AVM but improvement in image resolution, which is dependent on MR hard ware and pulse sequence, is still to be desired.
Angiography* ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Veins

PURPOSE: In clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis of sacroiliac (SIJ) and hip joints with normal or minimal secondary bone change in simple X-ray films, we evaluated the role of MRI in sacroiliac and hip joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors evaluated 11 cases (36 joints;SIJ 14, hip 22) confirmed as spondylitis by clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and compared the detectability of involvement of joints by simple X-ray film and MRI. Authors analysed MR findings for the presence of pannus and its si, intensities (SI), change of articular cartilage, bony erosion and sclerosis, subchondral bone cysts,.~ osteophytosis, bone marrow edema, joint effusion, adjacent soft tissue change, and contrast enhancement ofi pannus. RESULTS: MRI detected not only 20 joints (SIJ 11, hip 9) detected in simple X-ray, but also additional 7 joints (SIJ 3, hip 4). MRI depicted simultaneous involvement of SIJ and hip joints in 5 of 11 cases (SIJ 10 joints, hip9 joints), and bilateral involvement of SIJ and hip joints in 4 among the 5 cases. MRI also demonstrated pannus, which were not detected in conventional films, as intermediate SI on T1WI and high SI on T2WI, in all 27 joints (SIJ 14, Hip 13). Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI revealed enhancement of pannus in 7 cases (17 joints). CONCLUSION: MRI was a valuable modality in evaluation of clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis of SIJ or hip joints with normal or minimal secondary bone change in simple X-ray. Simultaneous evaluation of SIJ and hip joints is suggested in clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis or other joint diseases.
Bone Marrow ; Cartilage, Articular ; Edema ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hip Joint* ; Hip* ; Joint Diseases ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sclerosis ; Spondylitis ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; X-Ray Film

PURPOSE: Authors analyzed the MR findings of swollen extremities to evaluate the MR features of lymphedema and phlebedema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed MR imagings of 17 cases of swollen extremities, including 12 lymphedemas and 5 phlebedemas. We obtained axial TI-, T2-, and Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WIs using 1.0T superconducting magnet and measured cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous and subfascial tissues of a slice with grossly largest cross-sectional area using perimeter. We also analyzed changes in the signal intensities of the subcutaneous and subfascial tissues on T2WI, presence of enhancement on Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI, and presence of skin thickening. RESULTS: Both subcutaneous and subfascial tissues of swollen extremities were increased in the cross-sectional areas than those of contralateral normal side. The subcutaneous compartment in lymphedema was statistically significantly increased in cross-sectional area than subfascial compartment in lymphedema(p<0.005) and subcutaneous tissue in phlebedema(p<0.05). Increased signal intensities and characteristic "honeycomb appearance" of subcutaneous tissue in the lymphedema were specific findings on T2WI. CONCLUSION: MR imaging was useful and noninvasive method in the diagnosis of swollen extremities. There were increased cross-sectional area of subcutaneous compartment with "honeycomb appearance" in lymphedema and increased signal intensities of both subcutaneous and subfascial compartment in phlebedema on the T2WI.
Diagnosis ; Extremities* ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Lymphedema* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of high signal intensity of the septum pellucidum in hydrocephalus on proton density-weighted brain MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors reviewed the MR images of 418 cases of patients with normal(175 cases), hydrocephalic(35 cases), atrophic(58 cases), and other groups(150 cases) retrospectively. We analyzed the signal intensity of the septum pellucidum in the normal group and the incidences of high signal intensities of periventricular area of frontal horn of lateral ventricle(area 1), periventricular area except area 1(area 2), callososeptal area(area 3), and septum pellucidum(area 4) in the normal and abnormal groups. RESULTS: In the normal group, the septurn pellucidum was isointense to the head of caudate nucleus on proton density-weighted image. High signal intensity of the septurn pellucidurn was seen in 31 cases (22 cases of hydrocephalus, 5 cases of brain atrophy, and 4 cases of others), and showed high specificity(91.4%) for hydrocephalus in spite of low sensitivity(62.9%), as compared with periventricular hyperintensities of other areas. CONCLUSION: High signal intensity of the septum pellucidum on proton density-weighted image may be caused by transependymal CSF migration in the patients with hydrocephalus, and considered as an additional finding of hydrocephalus in the cases of ventriculomegaly.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Caudate Nucleus ; Head ; Horns ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Incidence ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Septum Pellucidum*

The authors introduced flip back spin echo (FBSE) technique for MR imaging of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) instead of conventional spin echo (SE) technique, and evaluated whether FBSE technique in MRI of TMJ is adequate for the diagnosis of the disorders or not. FBSE T1 parasagittal images in closed mouth state and sequential opening and closing mouth states using patient's own finger(s) were obtained and then FBSE T1 paracoronal image in closed mouth state and STAGE(short tip angle gradient echo) parasagittal T2WI were followed. All 30 images of the symptomatic TMJs using FBSE technique were excellent in the visualization of articular and their displacement, and we could easily diagnose the internal derangement. FBSE technique was adequate for the diagnosis of internal derangement of the TMJ, and the modified cine display from images using FBSE technique was advantageous in the diagnosis of the disorders by visualization of the dynamic motion of the TMJ.
Diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mouth ; Temporomandibular Joint*