• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.420-422
• /
• 2012

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis. A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling. The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.217-221
• /
• 2022

Neurogenic muscular atrophy is muscle wasting and weakness caused by trauma or disease of the nerve that innervates the muscle. We describe a case of unilateral trigeminal neuropathy and neurogenic muscular atrophy of the masticatory muscle caused by a tumor in the foramen ovale. A 59-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of difficulty in right-sided mastication. There were no evident clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. However, severe atrophy of the right masseter and temporalis muscles and hypesthesia of the right side mandibular nerve area were confirmed. Through T1 and T2 signals on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a mass suspected of a neurogenic tumor was observed in the foramen ovale and cavernous sinus. Severe atrophy of all masticatory muscles on the right side was observed. This rare case shows trigeminal neuropathy caused by a tumor around the foramen ovale and atrophy of the ipsilateral masticatory muscles. For an accurate diagnosis, it is essential to identify the underlying cause of muscle atrophy with neurologic symptoms present. This can be done through a more detailed clinical examination, including sensory testing and brain MRI, and consider a referral to neurology or neurosurgery for the differential diagnosis of the intracranial disorder.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.107-115
• /
• 2017

Objectives This study is planned to classify correlation between HIVD of L-spine MRI and Digital Infrared Thermal Image (DITI). Methods We measured the temperature of both leg whose 120 men and 116 women patients with lumbar pain in Bucheon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. And We use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for classifying the patients who has lumbar intervertebral disc or not. Results 1) There was no statistical relation between difference of both leg's temperature and gender (p>0.05). 2) There was meaningful statistical relation between difference of both leg's temperature and age (p<0.05). 3) There was meaningful statistical relation between direction of HIVD of L-spine and direction of temperature reduction. 4) There was meaningful statistical relation between the severity of HIVD of L5/S1 and degree of temperature reduction. But there was no statistical relation between the severity of HIVD of L3/4, L4/5 and degree of temperature reduction. Conclusions We can use Digital Infrared thermal image (DITI) on low back pain patients for diagnosis. But we should not use DITI alone. DITI has limit in diagnosis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.153-161
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To identify the differential MRI findings between myxoid tumors and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (BPNSTs) in the musculoskeletal system. Materials and Methods: The study participants included a total of 35 consecutive patients who underwent MRI between September 2011 and December 2013. The patients were pathologically diagnosed with myxoid tumors (22 patients) or BPNSTs (13 patients). Evaluation was done by two radiologists, based on the following characteristics: size, margin, degree of signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI), homogeneity of SI on T2WI, enhancement pattern, enhancement homogeneity, presence of cystic portion, internal fat component, presence of fat split sign, presence of target sign, presence of continuation with adjacent neurovascular bundle, and presence of surrounding halo. Results: Large size, high SI on T2WI, heterogeneous enhancement, and internal fat component were commonly observed in myxoid tumors, while homogenous enhancement, fat split sign, target sign were common in BPNSTs. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Other findings, such as margin, homogeneity of SI on T2WI, enhancement pattern (peripheral or solid), internal cystic portion, continuation with neurovascular bundle, and surrounding halo, did not show significant difference between myxoid tumors and BPNSTs (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the differential diagnosis of myxoid tumors and BPNSTs involving the musculoskeletal system, several MRI findings such as degree of SI on T2WI, enhancement homogeneity, internal fat component, fat split sign, and target sign, may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.392-396
• /
• 2013

Background The typical clinical symptoms of glomus tumors are pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change, and the presence of these clinical findings is helpful in diagnosis. However, the tumors often pose diagnostic difficulty because of variations in presentation and the nonspecific symptoms of glomus tumors. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have reported on the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing glomus tumors in patients with unspecific symptoms. Methods The inclusion criteria of this study were: having undergone surgery for subungual glomus tumor of the hand, histopathologic confirmation of glomus tumor, and having undergone preoperative MRI. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The characteristics of the tumors and the presenting symptoms including pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change were retrospectively reviewed. Results Five out of 21 patients (23%) did not show the typical glomus tumor symptom triad because they did not complain of pain provoked by coldness. Nevertheless, preoperative MRI showed well-defined small soft-tissue lesions on T1- and T2-weighted images, which are typical findings of glomus tumors. The tumors were completely resected and confirmed as glomus tumor histopathologically. Conclusions Early occult lesions of glomus tumor in the hand may not be revealed by physical examination because of their barely detectable symptoms. Moreover, subungual lesions may be particularly difficult to evaluate on physical examination. Our cases showed that MRI offers excellent diagnostic information in clinically undiagnosed or misdiagnosed patients. Preoperative MRI can accurately define the character and extent of glomus tumor, even though it is impalpable and invisible.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3569-3573
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare C-11 choline and F-18 FDG PET/CT, gadoxetic-enhanced 3-T MRI and contrast-enhanced CT for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Twelve chronic hepatitis B patients suspected of having HCC by abdominal ultrasonography received all diagnostic modalities performed within a one-week timeslot. PET/CT results were analyzed visually by two independent nuclear medicine physicians and quantitatively by tumor to background ratio (T/B). Nine patients then had histopathological confirmation. Results: Six patients had well differentiated HCC, while two and one patient(s) were noted with moderately and poorly differentiated HCC, respectively. All were detected by both CT and MRI with an average tumor size of $5.7{\pm}3.8cm$. Five patients had positive C-11 choline and F-18 FDG uptake. Of the remaining four patients, three with well differentiated HCC showed negative F-FDG uptake (one of which showed negative results by both tracers) and one patient with moderately differentiated HCC demonstrated no C-11 choline uptake despite intense F-18 FDG avidity. The overall HCC detection rates with C-11 choline and F-18 FDG were 78% and 67%, respectively, while the sensitivity of F-18 FDG for non-well differentiated HCC was 100%, compared with 83% of C-11 choline. The average T/B of C-11 choline in well-differentiated HCC patients was higher than in moderately and poorly differentiated cases (p=0.5) and vice versa with statistical significance for T/B of F-18 FDG (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our results suggested better detection rate in C-11 choline for well differentiated HCC than F-18 FDG PET. However, the overall detection rate of PET/CT with both tracers could not compare with contrast-enhanced CT and MRI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.333-339
• /
• 2009

Objective : Few studies on the clinical spectrum of automated pressure-controlled discography (APCD)-defined positive discs have been reported to date. Thus, the present study was undertaken to analyze clinical parameters critical for diagnosis of discogenic pain and to correlate imaging findings with intradiscal pressures and pain responses in patients with APCD-positive discs. Methods : Twenty-three patients who showed APCD-positive discs were selected for analysis. CT discogram findings and the degrees of nuclear degeneration seen on MRI were analyzed in comparison to changes of intradiscal pressure that provoked pain responses; and clinical pain patterns and dynamic factors were evaluated in relation to pain provocation. Results : Low back pain (LBP), usually centralized, with diffuse leg pain was the most frequently reported pattern of pain in these patients. Overall, LBP was most commonly induced by sitting posture, however, standing was highly correlated with L5/S1 disc lesions (p<0.01). MRI abnormalities were statistically correlated with grading of CT discogram results (p<005); with most pain response observed in CT discogram Grades 3 and 4. Pain-provoking pressure was not statistically correlated with MRI grading. However, it was higher in Grade 3 than Grade 4. Conclusion : APCD-positive discs were demonstrated in patients reporting centralized low back pain with diffuse leg pain, aggravated by sitting and standing. MRI was helpful to assess the degree of nuclear degeneration, yet it could not guarantee exact localization of the painful discs. APCD was considered to be more useful than conventional discography for diagnosis of discogenic pain.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.61-86
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of continuous and detailed follow-up of patients after spinal surgery by reviewing the literature on epidural hematoma and the lower court ruling on lumbar MRI during the judgment on the negligence of postoperative follow-up. In the case of neglecting MRI examination or cooperation after surgery, delaying MRI examination after pain and symptom appeal after surgery, and returning home immediately after neurological symptom development after surgery, negligence in progress observation was recognized. In the case of the case where the negligence was not recognized even after the occurrence of the aftereffects by taking measures against the symptoms, and the case where the scope of the doctor's discretion for the execution of the test was recognized, It is hoped that this study will help prevent medical accidents and disputes related to follow-up after spinal surgery by increasing awareness of the importance of prompt MRI examination, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and power, especially in the case of new neurological symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The aim of this study is to consider degenerative spine disease theoretically and compare plain radiography which is a basic study for low back pain with MRI in cases of degenerative lumbar spine disease to find out whether the abnormalities agree with each other. Methods : In 4 cases of lumbar degenerative disease, we studied the relation of the abnormalities such as disc space narrowing, spinal space narrowing, loss of lordosis and osteophytes on plain radiography with those on MRI of HIVD, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Results : Many abnormalities such as disc space narrowing, spinal space narrowing, loss of lordosis, osteophytes and change of cortex & bone marrow on plain radiography suggest HIVD, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis on MRI. Conclusion : For low back pain patients, plain radiography is a basic study in diagnosis of HIVD, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis but MRI or CT scan is necessary to develop(build) a treatment plan like an operation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.92-95
• /
• 2009

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening disease which may result from a variety of causes. We describe the features of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and bone scintigraphy, and their importance for diagnosis and treatment of a patient with rhabdomyolysis.