Role of hippocampal volumetry in drug resistant epilepsy

Background: Hippocampus is a brain structure located deep in the temporal lobe. The structure is crucial for learning and memory and is a natural inhibitor of seizure activity in brain. In drug resistant epilepsy (DRE), there is shrinkage of the hippocampus leading to poor seizure control.Methods: Patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for drug resistant epilepsy between the age group of 10-60 years were enrolled in the study. Epileptic non drug resistant controls and normal healthy individuals were taken from same cohort. Selected patients underwent MRI Brain and their hippocampal volumes were estimated manually. Coronal oblique sections, perpendicular to the long axis of hippocampus were taken and hippocampal volume (HV) were calculated using region of interest approach with manual delineation . Results: There was increment in detecting hippocampal atrophy from 30% to 46.6% in DRE patients when manual hippocampal atrophy was used in addition to visual assessment. The mean right and left hippocampal volumes in drug resistant epilepsy cases were found to be 2.17+0.57 cc and 1.52+0.54 cc respectively. Left HV was found to be statistically significantly smaller than right side (p value < 0.05). DRE patients had smaller mean bilateral HV than healthy controls, the difference being 33%. The left HV loss was almost double the right HV loss among DRE cases. The hippocampal volumes were reduced in DRE patients compared to epileptic non-resistant patients; however the difference was found to be less than that of normal healthy controls.Conclusion: Manual hippocampal volumetry detected more patients with hippocampal atrophy in our study compared to visual assessment. Manual hippocampal volumetry should be routinely done in patients with Drug resistant epilepsy

Mature cystic teratoma mimicking ectopic pregnancy: a case report

We present a case of mature cystic teratoma resembling ectopic pregnancy in a patient with positive serum beta-hCG and an adnexal mass. A 30-year-old woman who was experiencing pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding was sent to the emergency room. An ultrasound revealed a complex right adnexal mass measuring 63×42 mm and the absence of an intrauterine gestational sac. Based on these findings, ectopic pregnancy was suspected; nevertheless, a subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was planned, which suggested mature cystic teratoma. On a laparoscopy, later findings were verified. Cyst removal was the patient's treatment. Despite the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy being indicated by the existence of an adnexal mass without an intrauterine gestational sac and a positive beta-hCG level, a mature cystic teratoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Clinical utility of TIRADS and ultrasound elastography in characterization of thyroid nodules

Background: Thyroid nodules are a common entity in an iodine deficient population, however malignant nodules are relatively uncommon with excellent prognosis. Ultrasound elastography is a useful tool for characterization of nodules and allows selection of tumors for FNAC. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of strain elastography and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.Methods: This study included 100 thyroid nodules evaluated using ultrasound TIRADS classification. Strain elastography evaluated the nodules using the elasticity score and strain ratio followed by VTI and shear wave velocity generated from ARFI data to characterize the nodules. Final diagnoses were obtained from cytological and/or histological evaluation. The diagnostic performance of the two elastography methods was analyzed and compared by multiple receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Results: Of the 100 thyroid nodules observed in 100 patients (82 females and 18 males), 22% were malignant nodules and 78% were benign. The cut off values for elasticity scores, mean SR, VTI grade and mean SWV for predicting malignant thyroid nodules were greater than or equal to score 2, 2.4, grade 3, 2.5m/s respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for elasticity score, mean SR, VTI grade and mean SWV was 0.79, 0.78, 0.89 and 0.84, respectively (P>0.05) and the accuracy was 74, 81.6, 88 and 87.5%, respectively (P>0.05). The accuracy of the combined use of conventional sonography, strain elastography and ARFI imaging was 85.6% respectively, which was higher than that of conventional sonography (P>0.05).Conclusions: Strain elastography and ARFI imaging have high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules and therefore have good clinical utility in evaluating these lesions

Myriad of magnetic resonance imaging findings in human immune deficiency virus positive patients with central nervous system manifestations

Human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) is a neurotropic virus that affects the central nervous system (CNS) early in the course of illness. Neurological complications are seen in about 60% of the patients and were the major presenting complaints in 20% patients in the pre-highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) era. Imaging especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is thus helpful in shedding light on the causative factor of neurological symptoms in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. It can be used as an adjunct to clinical features and serological/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings to diagnose CNS abnormalities with greater confidence and modify therapeutic strategy accordingly. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study with 12 HIV positive patients for a period of 12 months. MRI evaluation was done using conventional brain sequences. HIV encephalopathy was diagnosed on imaging in 8 patients, polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) in 2 patients, CNS toxoplasmosis in 1 patient and CNS lymphoma in one patient. The clinical details and imaging features of the various manifestations are described. Though there might be a certain degree of overlap in the imaging findings, some imaging findings provide important diagnostic clues for specific diseases, especially on MRI. 

Role of imaging in neonatal Chikungunya encephalitis acquired by vertical transmission

Background: Chikungunya is a viral infection which usually manifests as fever, rash, and arthralgia. Neurological complications are rare but are increasingly been seen in children and adults in endemic countries like India. Vertical transmission is seen in neonates with mothers who have been infected with the virus in the antenatal period. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify the essential role of imaging in the workup of these neonates, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of 10 neonates presenting with hypoactivity, maculopapular rash, and fever progressing to generalized seizures, and apnea suggestive of encephalitis was done. Chikungunya was confirmed by serum IgM CHICK enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. Imaging evaluation included neurosonogram, computed tomography, and MRI with diffusion-weighted sequence with follow-up imaging at 1–3 months. Results: All the neonates had encephalopathy (100%) with or without seizures and perioral rashes. Cerebrospinal fluid showed mononuclear pleocytosis, raised protein or hypoglycorrhachia in 75% cases. Bacterial markers including cultures were negative. MRI showed features of viral encephalitis involving frontoparietal subcortical and deep white matter and corpus callosum with restricted diffusion. Neurocognitive outcomes in these neonates revealed neurodevelopmental delays for which follow-up MRI imaging was important, revealing reversal in diffusion changes, cystic encephalomalacia, and diffuse cerebral atrophy. Conclusion: In countries like India, experiencing annual outbreaks of Chikungunya infections radiologists must be familiar with the neuroimaging features and its possible sequelae

Magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory synovial arthritis causing wide range of disability in children. The involvement of temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) in JIA varies ranging from 17% to 87%. Unlike other synovial joints, the TM joint is particularly vulnerable to inflammatory damage as the mandibular growth plate is superficial. JIA is a clinical diagnosis and is characterized by synovial hyperplasia and inflammation leading to joint effusion. TMJ involvement is clinically difficult to assess and often goes untreated. Children with TMJ arthritis have mastication dysfunction and pain. Delayed detection and treatment leads to abnormalities like micrognathia, jaw deformity, facial dysmorphism and chewing problems. MRI is the most sensitive modality to diagnose synovitis and involvement of TMJ in children of JIA.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken in 30 children diagnosed as JIA as per ILAE criteria. They were evaluated clinically followed by contrast enhanced MRI for evidence of TMJ arthritis.Results: Of the 60 joints evaluated, clinical involvement was found in 18 joints (10 patients). 12(66.7%) out of them had MRI changes. 3(7.1%) joints out of 42 asymptomatic joints had MRI changes. 13 joints had synovial hypertrophy, 8 joints showed bone erosions. Bone marrow edema was seen in 2 joints, with no evidence of cartilage involvement in any joint. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of clinical examination to diagnose TMJ arthritis as compared to MRI was 80.0%, 86.7%, 66.7% and 92.7% respectively.Conclusions: With paucity of clinical signs and symptoms, early involvement of TMJ arthritis in children of JIA can be detected by MRI to prevent long term disability in patients

Multi detector computed tomography imaging in penetrating injuries

Background: Penetrating injuries forms an important component of surgical emergencies. Penetrating trauma typically involves the violation of the body by a gunshot wound (GSW) or stab wound. Emergency laparotomy is the accepted management in patients with a penetrating injury who are not hemodynamically stable. However, selective non-operative management has been shown to decrease the rate of unnecessary surgery. Plain radiographs and FAST are useful for initial assessment of these patients. Multi detector CT is an indispensable tool in the evaluation of patients who are stable and are candidates for conservative treatment.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was carried out on 40 patients admitted with penetrating injury to the trauma centre of PGIMER and Dr RML hospital. Of the 40 patients, 14 were taken for emergency laparotomy. In 26 cases, MDCT was done to evaluate for solid organ, hollow organ and vascular injuries.Results: The mean age of patients was 38 years, with male to female ratio of 5:1. Stab injury was the commonest type of injury, followed by gunshot wounds. Liver was the commonest solid organ involved, followed by kidneys and spleen. Other organs involved were diaphragm, small bowel and colon.Conclusions: Penetrating injuries can be life-threatening, making prompt diagnosis essential. Recognizing key abnormalities on MDCT ensures patients are triaged appropriately. Multi-detector CT is thus widely used to evaluate penetrating injuries in stable patients

Carotid intimal medial thickness in children with celiac disease

Introduction: Increasing cardiovascular risk in celiac disease (CD) may be attributed to the chronic systemic inflammation and unfavorable biochemical profile leading to accelerated atherosclerosis. Carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT) has emerged as a direct marker of the early atherosclerosis as compared to traditional biochemical markers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the CIMT in children with CD aged 1–16 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the department of Pediatrics and Radio Diagnosis in a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi. Thirty-six children with CD with age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. CIMT for the anterior and posterior walls on each side was measured, and the mean CIMT was obtained for all the enrolled children. Results: The mean right-sided CIMT was significantly higher in cases (0.053±0.009 cm vs. 0.039±0.007 cm, p=0.000). The mean left-sided CIMT did not significantly differ between the groups (0.051±0.009 cm vs. 0.048±0.055 cm, p=0.702). The mean CIMT (right and left together), although higher in Celiacs, was not significantly different from controls (0.052±0.008 cm and 0.044±0.029 cm, p=0.114). However, a significant positive correlation between the age of the patients, age at the onset of symptoms, and CIMT was noted. Conclusion: Although we could not demonstrate statistically significant results, the mean CIMT and the right-sided measurements were significantly higher in cases than in controls

Neuroimaging in drug resistant epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is a common serious neurological condition and 30 to 40 % of people with epilepsy have seizures that are not controlled by medication. Patients are considered to have drug resistant epilepsy if disabling seizures continue despite appropriate trials of two anti-epileptic drugs. Most lesions causing drug resistant epilepsy can be detected by 3T MR Imaging using dedicated epilepsy protocol which is crucial for diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic planning with benefit from surgery. We present a review of the major abnormalities related to drug resistant epilepsy, highlighting the key findings of 3 T MRI.Methods: A Cross-sectional Observational study was done in 30 patients. Patients less than 60 yrs of age of either sex, diagnosed with DRE as per ILAE criteria, were included in the study. 3T MRI was performed using dedicated epilepsy protocol, with additional 3D imaging for manual hippocampal volumetric evaluation.Results: About 77% cases showed an MRI abnormality on visual assessment, with additional 16% cases showing abnormal MRI findings on manual hippocampal volumetry. Nearly 50% of the abnormal MRI cases showed Mesial Temporal Sclerosis, followed by neoplasms as etiology of DRE.Conclusions: MR imaging has significantly improved detection of pathologies related to epilepsy, especially with the advent of epilepsy protocol. The total percentage of MRI abnormalities increased after incorporating manual hippocampal volumetry