a transverse and longitudinal mr imaging voxel based morphometry study in patients with primary cervical dystonia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Findings of standard MR imaging examinations are usually normal in primary CD. These findings are now increasingly challenged by studies using advanced neuroimaging techniques detecting abnormalities in brain areas that may be functionally involved in the pathophysiology of CD. Our purpose was to evaluate GM volumes in patients with CD at baseline and 5 years later. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 19 patients (F/M = 15:4, mean age = 53.2 + 11.2 years), 12 of whom were studied at baseline and again approximately 5 years later. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers acted as controls (F/M = 17:11, mean age = 47.5 + 15.6 years). The subjects were imaged with a 1.5T scanner by using a 3D T1-weighted sequence on 150 contiguous axial 1-mm-thick sections to apply VBM. RESULTS: At entry, VBM analysis disclosed significantly lower GM volumes in the left caudate head and putamen and in the premotor and primary sensorimotor cortices bilaterally in patients than in controls. No correlation was found between decreased GM volumes and patient age, severity of dystonia, or disease duration. At the 5-year follow-up, GM volumes in the left primary sensorimotor cortex in patients had decreased significantly from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained at entry and after a 5-year follow-up consistently showed decreased caudate, putamen, and sensorimotor cortex GM volumes in patients with CD, and they probably play a pathophysiologic role in CD

Structural Brain MR Imaging Changes Associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

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The application of the optimization principle in the Italian and European context

The transposition of Directive 2013/59/Euratom has projected Italian radiation protection into the new safety culture, in which optimization is a multidisciplinary process pursuing a suitable balance among different risks. The fundamental tools in the application of the optimization principle are source-related dose constraints, introduced by the Directive to define the range of options to be considered. This article analyzes some critical issues in their use when managing radiation protection at work in any planned, existing or emergency exposure situation, which involves a risk from exposure to ionizing radiation. Simplified procedures and customized guidelines are outlined from international organizations, such as IAEA, OECD/NEA, and the European ALARA Network (EAN), paving the way to a correct implementation of the optimization principle

Review of operational indications on the design of facilities for radiopharmaceutical manufacturing in italy

Purpose. In this article, the authors propose useful operational indications to approach in the best possible way the issues concerning the design of a facility for manufacturing radiopharmaceuticals, with focus on organizational and safety aspects. Methods. Several documents produced by authoritative bodies, national and international scientific institutions and associations were examined and referenced, to the purpose of reviewing all available information in the field. Results. Indications are gathered for the design stage, including the organization of accesses and routes and characteristics and requirements of premises and systems. Conclusions. Main goal is to guide the reader in evaluating and choosing the most suitable features and equipment to limit the risks due to ionizing radiation and to prevent contamination of the workers and the environment

A Transverse and Longitudinal MR Imaging Voxel-Based Morphometry Study in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Findings of standard MR imaging examinations are usually normal in primary CD. These findings are now increasingly challenged by studies using advanced neuroimaging techniques detecting abnormalities in brain areas that may be functionally involved in the pathophysiology of CD. Our purpose was to evaluate GM volumes in patients with CD at baseline and 5 years later. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 19 patients (F/M = 15:4, mean age = 53.2 + 11.2 years), 12 of whom were studied at baseline and again approximately 5 years later. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers acted as controls (F/M = 17:11, mean age = 47.5 + 15.6 years). The subjects were imaged with a 1.5T scanner by using a 3D T1-weighted sequence on 150 contiguous axial 1-mm-thick sections to apply VBM. RESULTS: At entry, VBM analysis disclosed significantly lower GM volumes in the left caudate head and putamen and in the premotor and primary sensorimotor cortices bilaterally in patients than in controls. No correlation was found between decreased GM volumes and patient age, severity of dystonia, or disease duration. At the 5-year follow-up, GM volumes in the left primary sensorimotor cortex in patients had decreased significantly from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained at entry and after a 5-year follow-up consistently showed decreased caudate, putamen, and sensorimotor cortex GM volumes in patients with CD, and they probably play a pathophysiologic role in CD

Structural Brain MR Imaging Changes Associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

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