Detection of the artery of Adamkiewicz using multidetector row computed tomography in patients with spinal arteriovenous shunt disease

Purpose: To plan a treatment strategy for a spinal arteriovenous shunt (SAVS), identifying the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) and its origin is indispensable. However, detecting the AKA is very difficult in patients with an SAVS when using computed tomography angiography (CTA) by the usual method to find the hairpin curved artery because dilated drainage veins nearly always coexist with the hairpin curved AKA. We designed a method to identify the AKA by focusing on the diameter and pathway of the anterior radiculomedullary arteries (RMAs). Material and methods: Seven consecutive patients with an SAVS were surveyed. They underwent contrast-enhanced CTA and conventional angiography from January 2009 to December 2012. Two readers evaluated the CTA images and assumed that the AKA was the artery that ran through the anterior portion of the neural foramen and continued to pass on the ventral side of the spinal cord. Results: Among the seven patients, nine AKAs were detected with conventional angiography. When using our method, seven AKAs and six AKAs were identified on CTA by Reader 1 and Reader 2, respectively. The average sensitivity was 72.3%, and the specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were sufficiently high (i.e. > 85%) for both readers. The kappa value for detecting the AKA was 0.98. Conclusions: Detecting the origin of the AKA with CTA is challenging in patients with an SAVS. However, focusing on the diameter and pathway of the RMAs may allow successful identification

A Japanese, Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 3 Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Gadobutrol for Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging of the Central Nervous System

Purpose: Gadobutrol 1.0 M is macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This multicenter, open-label, phase 3 study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of gadobutrol-enhanced versus unenhanced MRI in the visualization and diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in Japanese patients.Methods: A total of 223 patients referred for contrast-enhanced MRI of the CNS underwent unenhanced and gadobutrol-enhanced (0.1 mmol/kg body weight) MRI. The unenhanced and combined (unenhanced and enhanced) images were evaluated by three independent readers in a blinded manner for degree of contrast enhancement, border delineation, internal morphology, and number of detected lesions (primary variables), and for primary diagnosis and diagnostic confidence. Final clinical diagnoses were established by an independent truth committee consisting of two neurosurgeons. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for the detection of malignancy and the preciseness of diagnoses (secondary variables) by comparing the results obtained by the blinded readers and the truth committee.Results: Gadobutrol enhancement significantly improved three visualization parameters in MR images: contrast enhancement, border delineation, and internal morphology (P < 0.0001). Non-inferiority was achieved for mean number of lesions detected. Gadobutrol-enhanced imaging provided significant improvements in sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of malignant disease with no loss in specificity, and also improvements in accuracy of exact match diagnosis and diagnostic confidence. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 6 out of 223 patients (2.7%); all were non-serious.Conclusion: Gadobutrol is an effective and well-tolerated contrast agent for MR imaging of the CNS

Enlargement of the brachial plexus on magnetic resonance imaging: a novel finding in adult-onset Krabbe disease

Adult-onset Krabbe disease is an autosomal recessive degenerative leukodystrophy that presents with bilateral corticospinal tract involvement on MRI. Although peripheral nerve involvement is a known manifestation of Krabbe disease, MRI findings of peripheral nerve abnormalities are limited to the cranial nerves and spinal nerve roots. In this case report, we discuss two cases of adult-onset Krabbe disease with brachial plexus enlargement on MRI. Adult-onset Krabbe disease should be included in the differential diagnoses when brachial plexus enlargement and white matter lesions involving corticospinal tracts present simultaneously

Radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the brain

Primary angiosarcoma of the central nervous systemis unusual.We encountered a case of radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the brain. A 65-year-old male was referred to our hospital with drowsiness for the last 6 months. He had undergone radiation therapy for pituitary adenoma 43 years ago. An MRI revealed a right temporal lobe tumour that consisted of a well-demarcated haemorrhagic lesion and an avid contrast enhancement, with significant vasogenic oedema. Surgical resection was performed and a post-operative pathological diagnosis of an angiosarcoma was made. A Thorotrast-associated angiosarcoma has been, hitherto, the only reported case of radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the brain. We present an extremely rare case of primary angiosarcoma of the brain, occurring after external beam radiotherapy