Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) involves predominantly posterior subcortical white matter and cortex. PRES is associated with an abrupt and severe increase in blood pressure or administration of various immuno-suppresants. We present a 18-year-old female with PRES. She was admitted to our hospital with seizures. She had been suffering from acute hypertension (170/100 mmHg) associated with acute renal failure. Brain MRI showed reversible biparietal cortical and subcortical edema. We report a case of hypertension-induced PRES associated with acute renal failure. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5):541~543, 2001)
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome* ; Seizures

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of contrast-enhanced MRI with first-pass and delayed images in prediction of myocardial viability after acute myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (M:F=:4, mean age =6 5 years) with acute myocardial infarction underwent first-pass image after bolus injection of gadolinium (one image/sec for 120sec)and delayed image (7 2 minutes later). According to 60 segments on midventricular level, the assessment of MRI were concerned about location of lesion, depth of lesion, enhancement on first-pass image and enhancement pattern on delayed image. MRI findings were compared with wall motion on resting echocardiography and stress or follow-up echocardiography. RESULTS: 1) MRI findings were classified into 4 types: normal enhancement on first-pass and delayed images (type 1), normal enhancement on first-pass image and nontransmural hyperenhancement on delayed image (type 2), non-transmural enhancing defect on first-pass image and transmural enhancement with endocardial non-enhancing defect on delayed image (type 3), and transmural enhancing defect on first-pass image and transmural hyperenhancement on delayed image (type 4).2) Type 2 suggested viable myocardium and type 3 had high porbability of viability. Type was compatible with non-viable myocardium. CONCLUSION: Enhancing defect on first-pass image and involving thickness on both the first-pass image and delayed image in contrast enhanced MRI may predict myocardial viability.
Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardium

A 68-year-old woman with progressive paraparesis and altered sensation lasting approximately five days was admitted to our clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an advanced stage T7-8 epidural mass ventral to the spinal cord, which was believed to be a metastatic tumor considering the patient's age. A highly enhanced epidural mass and pedicle appeared during the MR scan. However, the pathologic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of a primary meningeal melanocytic tumor. Primary epidural melanomas are extremely rare lesions. This case was finally diagnosed as a primary thoracic spinal epidural melanoma.
Aged ; Central Nervous System ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; Paraparesis ; Sensation ; Spinal Cord

We report here on a case of acute aortic dissection after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration in a patient with acute ischemic stroke. A 75-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus presented with left hemiplegia and a decreased mentality. The admission studies revealed severe stenosis of the right middle cerebral artery and decreased cerebral perfusion. Initial chest radiography showed hypertensive cardiovascular changes and increased interstial markings on both lung fields. Cyanosis and cardiac arrest occurred 80 minutes after intravenous t-PA administration. Emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation was done and chest CT showed a dissection involving the whole aorta and pericardial effusion due to bleeding. In spite of our earnest efforts, the patient died. It should be kept in mind that aortic dissection can occur after intravenous t-PA administration and an early clinical suspicion and diagnosis is needed to avoid this devastating complication.
Aged ; Aorta ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cyanosis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Hemiplegia ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lung ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Perfusion ; Pericardial Effusion ; Stroke ; Thorax ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

BACKGROUND: In patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic stable angina, the coronary flow reserve (CFR) is reduced not only in the region of myocardium perfused by the ischemia-related artery but also in the regions supplied by angiographically normal coronary arteries. The effect of myocardial stunning on the remote CFR is unknown, however. METHODS: In ten open-chest anesthetized dogs, left circumflex coronary artery was occluded for 15 minutes (myocardial stunning group, n=5) or for 30 minutes (MI group, n=5) and was followed by a reperfusion for 60 minutes. Before coronary occlusion and at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes after reperfusion, resting coronary blood flow (CBF) and maximal CBF after IV injection of each of adenosine (ADE) and acetylcholine (Ach) was measured with electromagnetic flow probe located in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. CFR was calculated as the ratio of maximal and resting CBF. RESULTS: At 30 minutes and 60 minutes after reperfusion, the remote resting CBF were significantly increased in both groups and the remote CFR was significantly decreased in both groups. The CFR of the MI group was lower than myocardial stunning group. The coronary vasodilator response to Ach was significantly lower than the response to ADE in both groups. CONCLUSION: After MI and myocardial stunning, there was severe coronary vasodilator abnormality in the remote myocardium and that was more marked after MI. The coronary vasodilator response to Ach was significantly lower than the response to ADE in both groups, suggesting endothelial dysfunction in remote myocardium.
Acetylcholine ; Adenosine ; Angina, Stable ; Animals ; Arteries ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels ; Dogs ; Humans ; Magnets ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Stunning* ; Myocardium ; Reperfusion

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common fungal infection and is frequently seen in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. We report a rare case of cavernous sinus mucormycosis in a 70-year-old man with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. An endoscopic surgical removal of the mucocele was performed. The histopathologic examination revealed characteristic aseptate branching hyphae with invasion of blood vessels, which is consistent with zygomycosis. The patient was administered high-dose amphotericin B therapy. While undergoing amphotericin-B treatment, the patient developed a left-sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography revealed acute infarction in the right hemisphere and occlusion of the right internal carotid artery in the right cavernous sinus. The patient was managed with conventional medical treatment for acute cerebral infarction and additional amphotericin B infusion. The patient survived, but with severe neurologic sequelae despite extensive medical therapy, including complete-visual loss, leftsided hemiparesis, impairment of cognitive function, dysphagia, and neuropathic pain on the left side of the body. We report herein the clinical course and treatment of a patient with cerebral complications due to mucormycosis and also present a brief literature review.
Aged ; Amphotericin B ; Blood Vessels ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cavernous Sinus ; Caves ; Cerebral Infarction ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Immunosuppression ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mucocele ; Mucormycosis ; Neuralgia ; Paresis ; Zygomycosis

We report a rare case that showed aggravation of neurological symptoms due to expansion of the synovial cyst at C7/T1 after several month of trauma and present the consideration of proper prevention and management. A 64-year old male was admitted by right arm weakness(GIV+) after a pedestrian traffic accident. According to computed tomography(CT) scan and electromyography(EMG), a brachial plexus injury was diagnosed and he was treated conservatively. After 7 months, he was re-admitted by the left side weakness(GIV-) with severe pain and magnetic resonance image(MRI) revealed the expanded cystic lesion at C7/T1 level which compressed the cord from left side. After administration of steroid, surgical resection was performed via posterior approach and partial laminectomy. The dural expansion was observed after total removal of cyst which was diagnosed as a pathologist and symptoms were completely recovered. Because of its possibility of expansion of the synovial cyst and critical myelopathic symptoms can be induced in cervical spine, immobilization should be in consideration for acute period of post-trauma, especially, in old-aged patients with degenerative facet joints. And surgical procedure should not be delayed if symptoms developed.
Accidents, Traffic ; Arm ; Brachial Plexus ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Spine ; Synovial Cyst ; Zygapophyseal Joint

We present a rare case of optochiasmatic cavernous angioma (CA) that progressed despite radiation therapy. A 31-year-old female patient presented with sudden loss of left visual acuity and right homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a suprasellar mass and findings compatible with a craniopharyngioma or an optic glioma with bleeding. An open biopsy was conducted using the transcranial approach, and histological examination revealed gliosis. During the one-year follow-up period, imaging suggested intratumoral bleeding and the mass continued to grow. We recommended re-operation, but the patient refused due to fear of surgery. Consequently, the patient received fractionated radiation therapy (3,000 cGy) to the parasellar area. Despite the radiotherapy, the mass continued to grow for the following 6 years. The final MRI before definitive treatment revealed a multilobulated, multistage hematoma with calcification in the parasellar area, extending into the third ventricle and midbrain. The patient ultimately underwent reoperation due to the growth of the tumor. The mass was completely removed with transcranial surgery, and the pathologic findings indicated a cavernous angioma (CA) without evidence of glioma. As shown in our case, patients may suffer intratumoral hemorrhage after biopsy and radiotherapy. This case places the value of biopsy and radiotherapy for a remnant lesion into question. It also shows that reaching the correct diagnosis is critical, and complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Caves ; Craniopharyngioma ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glioma ; Gliosis ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Hematoma ; Hemianopsia ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Optic Nerve Glioma ; Reoperation ; Third Ventricle ; Visual Acuity

The surgical as well as endovascular treatment of blood-blister-like aneursysms (BBAs) is extremely difficult because of these pathological natures, such as small and the fragile necks. The optimal treatment of BBAs has remained uncertain. Stents are known to divert blood flow and induce thrombosis of intracranial aneurysms. We report 3 cases of successful obliteration of BBAs after multiple stents placement.
Aneurysm ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neck ; Stents ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the expression levels of p65 and S100 in the rat masseter muscle after the injection of different concentrations of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A). METHODS: We injected either 5 or 10 U of BTX-A into both masseter muscle of rats. As a control group, the same volume of saline was injected. After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed. Subsequently, a biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the samples were performed using a p65 or S100 antibody. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of each myofibril was significantly reduced by BTX-A injection (P < 0.001). The expression of p65 and S100 increased significantly with increasing concentrations of BTX-A (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The injection of BTX-A into the masseter muscle induced muscle atrophy. Subsequently, p65 and S100 expression in myoblasts were increased for the protection of muscle cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Biopsy ; Masseter Muscle* ; Muscle Cells ; Muscular Atrophy ; Myoblasts ; Myofibrils ; Rats