No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell*

The computed tomography (CT) number is closely related to hematocrit level according to many of the previous reports. We measured the CT number in various organs, such as the frontal white matter, basal ganglia, occipital white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, liver, abdominal aorta, spleen, kidney, and psoas muscle. We correlated the CT numbers of the organs with hematocrit levels which were graded into 10% increments (20.0-29.9%, 30.0-39.9%, 40.0-49.9%). Thus the change of CT numbers in various organs according to the hematocrit level was analyzed. The increased CT numbers according to the 10% increment of hematocrit in the frontal white matter, basal ganglia, occipital white matter, liver, abdominal aorta, spleen, and psoas muscle were 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 3.3, 5.3, 3.8, 2.4 respectively. Even though the CT numbers of the cerebrospinal fluid and kidney were not influenced by hematocrit level the CT numbers in most of the there organs postitively correlated with hematocrit level. Therefore, it was concluded that in the differential diagnosis using CT numbers, the hematocrit level of patient must be taken into consideration.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Basal Ganglia ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematocrit* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Psoas Muscles ; Spleen ; White Matter

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristic features of MR imaging in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR imaging of 27 cases with pathologically-proven spinal tuberculosis and analyzed the MR findings including the extent of the lesions on non-contrast T1, proton density, and T2*VI, and the specific contrast enhancement patterns of the lesion on Gd-DTPA enhnced TIWI. RESULTS: The inflammatory lesions showed low signal intensity on T1WI in 25 patients(93%) and high signal intensity on T2*gradient echo image in 25 patients(93%). Bone destruction was noted in 15 patients(55%), disc-space narrowing in 21 patients(77%), paravertebral abscess in 16 patients(59%), subligamentous extension in 23 patients(85%), kyphosis in 8 patients(29%), and spinal canal narrowing in 19 patients(70%). After Gd-DTPA was administrated, rim-enhancement was noted in all patients(100%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality for establishing the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis as well as delineating the extent of soft tissue involvement. Characteristic peripheral rim enhancement after injection of Gd-DTPA may provide rather specific diagnosis in spinal tuberculosis.
Abscess ; Diagnosis ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Kyphosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine differential findings between Type I degenerative endplate changes and diskitis on MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images(T1, T2 weighted or Gradient echo) of L-spine in twelve patients with a Type I degenerative endplate change and nine patients with diskitis were reviewed for the morphologic and signal intensity changes of intervertebral disc, vertebral endplate and vertebral body. RESULTS: involvement of the marrow of one side of intervertebral disk was noted in 33%(4/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 11%(1/9) of diskitis. Decreased signal intensity of intervertebral disc was seen in 92% (11/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 11%(1/9) of diskitis on T2 weighted or Gradient echo image. Loss of intranuclear cleft signal was noted in 17%(2/12) of Type I endplate changes, and 78%(7/9) of diskitis. Even disc space narrowing was seen in all cases of Type I endplate changes, but uneven narrowing was seen in 44%(4/9) of diskitis. Only partial cortical disruption was noted in 42%(5/12) of Type I endplate changes, while partial or total cortical disruption was noted in 89%(8/9) of diskitis. The extent of marrow involvement more than 2/3 was noted in 8%(1/12) of Type I endplate changes, but 56%(5/9) of diskitis. The margin of signal intensity change was well defined in 33%(4/12) of Type I endplate changes, but that of diskitis was ill defined in all cases(9/9). Gadolinium enhancement was homogeneous in all cases(5/5) of Type I endplate changes, and 63%(5/8) of diskiris. CONCLUSION: We conclude that involvement of one side of endplate, decreased signal intensity of intervertebral disc on T2 weighted or gradient echo image, even narrowing of disc space, lesser extent of marrow involvement, well defined margin and homogeneous enhancement pattern are the findings of Type I degenerative endplate changes on MR images.
Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Discitis* ; Gadolinium ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

An encepholocele is defined as a herniation of cranial contents through a defect in the skull. Encephaloceles are classified accroding to their contents and location. Encephalocele is a useful general term to refer to common features of the various forms of anomaly, but considerable differences exist in the pathology, treatment and prognosis of encephaloceles at each anatomical location. Improved neuroimaging facilities, especially MRI, make it easy not only to detect the encephalocele including its contents and location, but also to get preoperative informations. We have reviewed a total of 22 patients with encephalocele whom we have experienced from 1986, July to 1990, June. Twelve were at occipital location, six at cranial vault, three at cranial base, one at frontoethmoidal location. The size of cranium bifidum and herniating sac of the cranial vault and occipital location is larger than that of frontobasal location. The incidence of associated hydrocephalus is in order of occipital, cranial vault, frontobasal form, and its prognosis is also better in frontobasal form than in occipital of cranial vault form.
Encephalocele* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Skull ; Skull Base

The signal intensity of paranasal sinus mucocele is highly variable, ranging from high to low on both T1 weighted and T2 weighted sequence, This variation is likely due to the combined effects of decreased free water concentration, cross-linking and polymerization of the macromolecular mucus glycoprotein, and increased viscosity. We have experienced three cases of the paranasal sinus mucocele with different signal intensity on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We describe MR characteristics of the paranasal sinus mucocele and compare with MR characteristics for other paranasal sinus disease.
Glycoproteins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mucocele* ; Mucus ; Paranasal Sinus Diseases ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Viscosity ; Water

PURPOSE: The medial meniscus is injured much more than the lateral meniscus. Because the medial meniscus is much larger in diameter, is thinner in its periphery and narrower in body than the lateral meniscus, and does not attach to either cruciate ligament. We evaluated correlations with sites of tear and history of trauma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed retrospectively in 43 patients with meniscal tears on MRI(51 cases) and correlated them with history of trauma. RESULTS: The most common site of injury was the posterior horn of the medial meniscus(32/51), but high incidence of lateral meniscal tear compared with previous reports was seen. In the cases which had history of trauma, the posterior horn of medial meniscus was most commonly injured(26/34) and 5 meniscal tears were combined with meniscal tear in the other site. The tear in the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was seen only in a patient which had history of trauma and combined with meniscal tear in the other site. But in the meniscal tears without definite history of trauma, the incidence of meniscal tear was different from the meniscal tear with history of trauma. The incidence of lateral meniscal tear(11/17) was highter than medial meniscal tear and the posterior horn of lateral meniscus was commonly injured. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the medial meniscus was commonly injured, especially posterior horn, but in the cases which had no definite history of trauma, the lateral meniscus was commonly ipjured. An awareness of prevalent site of meniscal injuries may be helpful in the diagnostic interpretation of MR imaging of knee.
Animals ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and the usefulness of MRI in patients with shoulder injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sensitivity and the accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of various lesion were evaluated in 20 patients with shoulder injuries. RESULTS: MRI enabled Bankart lesions and SLAP lesions to be accurately predicted with 100% sensitivity and 90% accuracy in both. However, for types of SLAP lesions, the sensitivity and the accuracy were 60% and 70%, respectively, and for full-thickness or partial-thickness tear of rotator cuff, the sensitivity and the accuracy were 75% in both. MRI was also effective at predicting rotator cuff tear with 100% sensitivity and 95% accuracy. Sensitivity and accuracy for the diagnosis of Hill-Sachs lesion were 91.7% and 90%, respectively. For all lesions except Hill-Sachs lesion, the negative prediction value was higher than the positive prediction value, which means MRI overestimated the lesions. CONCLUSION: MRI was accurate and useful in the prediction of prediction of rotator cuff tear, labral tear and Hill-Sachs lesions. However, for the identification of full-thickness or partial-thickness tear of rotator cuff, and types of SLAP lesions, it was less accurate and less useful.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder*