Medlingoff0610

To improve the understanding and the diagnosis of intracranial ependymal tumors.

The clinical, radiological and prognostic features of 48 supratentorial extraventricular ependymomas and 74 intraventricular ependymomas were summarized and compared.

Supratentorial extraventricular ependymomas, most often located in the frontal lobe (33.3%) and classified as grade III (75.0%), had relatively large eccentric cysts (3.07 ± 2.03 cm), significant enhancement (84.8%), low apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and associated with higher mortality (41.3%). The majority of intraventricular lesions occurred in the fourth ventricle (86.5%) and classified as grade II (78.4%), had relatively small and multiple cystic changes (1.04 ± 0.87 cm), slight or moderate enhancement (76.9%), high ADC values and associated with lower mortality (20.7%). There were few significant differences between grade II and grade III tumors in these 2 groups, respectively. Young age, high grade and low ADC values are worse prognostic indicators for patients with supratentorial extraventricular ependymomas, but not for those with intraventricular ependymomas.

Conventional radiological features, combined with clinical manifestations and quantitative information provided by diffusion-weighted imaging, may not only enhance the diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis but also provide a better pathophysiological understanding of intracranial ependymal tumors.

Conventional radiological features, combined with clinical manifestations and quantitative information provided by diffusion-weighted imaging, may not only enhance the diagnosis and assist in determining prognosis but also provide a better pathophysiological understanding of intracranial ependymal tumors.

This study aimed to assess the effects of abdominal fat content and anatomical changes on the measurement of bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

The bone mineral density measurements were performed with quantitative computed tomography for patients who underwent DXA and abdominal CT on the same day. The effects of abdominal fat content and anatomic changes on the results of DXA were assessed.

Of the 43 patients, 88.3% were women, 11.7% were men, and the mean age was 55.6 years (range, 32-72). There was a significant relationship between the error in the measurement of T-scores with DXA and osteophytic new bone formation (P = 0.011). There were significant relationships between the error in detecting osteoporosis with DXA and osteophytic new bone formation, facet joint degeneration, and aortic calcification (P < 0.05).

Abdominal fat content does not significantly affect T-scores. However, DXA can give false-negative results in detecting osteoporosis, especially in patients with osteophyte new bone formation, facet joint degeneration, and aortic calcifications, all conditions primarily in elderly patients. In these cases, it is more appropriate to use quantitative computed tomography instead of DXA.

Abdominal fat content does not significantly affect T-scores. However, DXA can give false-negative results in detecting osteoporosis, especially in patients with osteophyte new bone formation, facet joint degeneration, and aortic calcifications, all conditions primarily in elderly patients. In these cases, it is more appropriate to use quantitative computed tomography instead of DXA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dual-energy computed tomography (CT) virtual noncalcium (VNCa) technique as a means of quantifying osteoporosis.

Dual-energy CT scans were obtained prospectively, targeting lumbar regions of 55 patients with chronic low back pain. CY-09 purchase A standard quantitative CT (QCT) phantom was positioned at the waist during each procedure, using proprietary software (QCT Pro; Mindways, Tex) to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in each vertebral body. Vendor dual-energy analytic software was altered with a specially modified configuration file to produce a "Virtual Non Calcium" or "VNCa" output, as such output variables were remapped to produce the following calcium values rather than iodine, yielding the following QCT parameters CT value of calcium (originally "contrast media" [CM]), CT value of mixed energy imaging (regular CT value [rCT]), calcium density (originally "contrast agent density" [CaD]), and fat fraction (FF). Pearson test served to assess correlations between BMD and thehod for quantifying the mineral content and marrow fat composition of bone in diagnostic assessments of osteoporosis.

Dual-energy CT VNCa technique may constitute a valid alternative method for quantifying the mineral content and marrow fat composition of bone in diagnostic assessments of osteoporosis.

This study aimed to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes of the symphysis pubis in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) and to assess its association with clinical factors.

A retrospective analysis of 172 patients with ax-SpA was performed to assess the presence of active inflammatory and structural changes of the symphysis pubis on MRI scans, and their association with clinical factors and the SPARCC (Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada) scoring of the sacroiliac joint were evaluated.

The proportions of active inflammation and structural changes of the symphysis pubis were 69/172 (40.1%) and 54/172 (31.4%), respectively. When comparing the active inflammation and no-active inflammation symphysis pubis groups, the former had higher level C-reactive protein, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and younger median age of patients. Moreover, no significant correlation was noted between the active inflammation of the symphysis pubis and SPARCC score of the sacroiliac joint. When comparing the normal and abnormal symphysis pubis groups, the latter had longer symptom duration.

The MRI changes of the symphysis pubis were seen in 55.2% of the patients with ax-SpA and were associated with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and symptom duration.

The MRI changes of the symphysis pubis were seen in 55.2% of the patients with ax-SpA and were associated with C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and symptom duration.