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Biomedical subjects

C M Citrin

Publications and source records attributed to C M Citrin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Computed tomography of the visual pathways.

Many articles have discussed the anatomy and pathology of the orbits. Although this area is exquisitely visualized via computed tomography, the bulk of the visual apparatus lies behind the optic canal. A variety of pathologic conditions will manifest themselves by changes in the visual fields. This article demonstrates the normal anatomy of the visual pathways within the brain by CT scanning and correlates various changes that cause visual field defects.

Adult↗

Computed tomographic presentation of granulomatous reaction from intraventricular shunt.

A case is presented in which the patient was diagnosed as having a large mass lesion arising in the region of the quadrigeminal plate. The patient had been shunted in the past for hydrocephalus. The computed tomographic picture was that of a primary brain neoplasm. At surgery extensive granulation tissue was found. The similarity between the CT presentation of this inflammatory mass and a neoplasm is emphasized.

Brain Diseases↗

Use of computerized axial tomography (CAT scan) in evaluating therapy of orbital pseudotumor.

Two patients with orbital pseudotumor, demonstrated by computerized axial tomography (CAT scan), are presented. This radiological technique was further used to demonstrate the complete resolution (Case 1) and marked regression (Case 2) of the orbital masses after steroid therapy. CAT scan characteristics of orbital pseudotumor were discussed and contrasted with the findings in thyroid ophthalmopathy. It is our recommendation that patients with CAT scan and clinical characteristics of orbital pseudotumor should be treated with systemic steroids and resolution of the inflammatory lesion should be corroborated by a repeat scan in atypical cases. Orbital surgery and other invasive studies should be used in those patients in whom there is no objective improvement in the disease process.

Diplopia↗

Scleral thickening: a CT sign of orbital pseudotumor.

Orbital pseudotumor is a benign inflammatory lesion of the orbit. Computed tomography is a new method for evaluation of orbits. Scleral uveal rim thickening with contrast enhancement was found in eight of 15 patients with pseudotumor (53%). Similar rim thickening was seen in one postoperative patient and two cases of recent trauma. Therefore, the sign presumably represents inflammation. It was not seen in 47 cases of thyroid disease and 66 cases of neoplasm.

Bone Diseases↗

Deviation of the rectosigmoid colon simulating a presacral tumor: report of a case.

The rectosigmoid colon has a potential for a great deal of mobility and variation of position. This is partially due to the wide variation in length and distal attachment of the sigmoid mesocolon. When anterior or lateral deviations of the distal sigmoid and rectum are found on barium-enema examinations, the possibility of anomalous fixation of the rectosigmoid should be considered.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Multi-planar reconstruction as a method of eliminating streak artifact in computed tomographic images.

Multi-planar reconstruction has been touted as an aid in the diagnosis of spinal canal disease. The basic information available on the transaxial CT sections can be reassembled in coronal, oblique, or sagittal planes. However, when this computed reconstruction is performed there is invariably an amount of image degradation related to the thickness of the transaxial sections. We have had experience in a case in which system artifact caused a greater degradation of the primary image than on the reconstructed image.

Adult↗

Computerized tomography in the evaluation of pituitary adenomas.

Computerized tomography during the past few years has been unequivocally been proven to be of extreme value in the evaluation of intracranial disease. Despite earlier reports, accuracy of diagnosis in the area of the sella turcica is found to be high despite the close proximity of both bony and air-containing structures. Correlation between computed tomographic images, angiography and pneumoencephalography has been performed and demonstrates that CT scans with a low margin of erro depict the relationships of pituitary adenomas to the surrounding brain parenchyma. The continued importance of angiography, and to some degree pneumoencephalography, in the diagnosis of pituitary tumors is discussed.

Adenoma↗

High resolution orbital computed tomography.

The latest generation CT scanners allow for spatial and contrast resolution within the orbit that has not previously been available. Utilization of these technological advances in association with appropriate techniques enables visualization of vascular and neural structures within the orbits that have not previously been emphasized in the literature. The CT scans were generated in both axial and coronal planes, using either 1 or 2 mm thick sections. All images were generated using ultrahigh resolution scanning techniques, available on the Picker 1200-SX scanner. The primary advantage of this system is the availability of secondary collimation of the X-ray beam at the detector, limiting detector aperture to only 1.3 mm. This, in association with utilization of the small focal spot and high sampling rate, aids in the visualization of divisions of the third and fifth nerves, as well as in the visualization of the sixth nerve within the orbit. Several branches of the ophthalmic artery within the orbit are also identified, including the infratrochlear and supratrochlear artery as well as the central retinal artery.

Humans↗

MR imaging of syringobulbia.

The magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of 65 patients with syringomyelia were evaluated to determine the incidence and MR characteristics of syringobulbia. Syringobulbia was identified in 11 patients (17%), 10 of whom had communicating syringomyelia (associated with the Chiari I malformation) and one idiopathic syringomyelia. The cavities extended from 5 to 20 mm above the plane of the foramen magnum. Two types of syringobulbia were identified. The 10 patients with Chiari I malformation had thin clefts or slits extending into the medulla. These cavities were much smaller than the cervical cavities. The other patient had saccular syringobulbia in which the medullary cavity was similar to the cervical syrinx cavity. The T1-weighted images were most useful in detection of syringobulbic cavities. The theory of syringobulbia development and a brief review of the literature are included.

Adolescent↗

Measurements of the normal cervical spinal cord on MR imaging.

The purpose of this study was to determine normal measurements of the C1-T3 spinal cord in anteroposterior and transverse planes from MR images and to compare these with previously published data. Seven hundred and fifty-six measurements were made from 66 randomly selected MR studies of the cervical spine. We measured the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the cord at each vertebral level and computed the simple product of these diameters to provide a single useful numerical value, termed the approximate cord area (ACA). The cord varies in average anteroposterior and transverse diameters from 8.8 mm x 12.4 mm at C2 to 8.7 mm x 14 mm at C4 to 7.4 mm x 11.4 mm at C7. The cervical enlargement was found from C4 to C6 and was most evident by comparing the ACA values. At C2 the average ACA was 110 mm2, at C4 it was 121.9 mm2, and at C7 the average ACA was 84.6 mm2. Comparison of our data with the literature reveals disparate measurements that vary up to 6 mm from our mean values. However, our results correlated well with the postmortem studies of Nordquist (1964). A single number cannot be used as the basis for evaluating spinal cord size. Each level should be compared with the normal range specific for that level.

Adult↗

MR imaging of CSF-like choroidal fissure and parenchymal cysts of the brain.

The purposes of this study were to delineate the MR characteristics of CSF-like parenchymal or fissural cysts of the brain and to correlate them with the clinical findings. Clinical data and MR images of 34 patients with these abnormalities were reviewed. Pathologic correlation was not available. Two types of cystic lesions were identified and separated by location: medial temporal lobe cysts arising in or near the choroidal fissure (26 patients) and parenchymal or pseudoparenchymal cysts not related to the choroidal fissure (eight patients). The choroidal fissure cysts simulated intraparenchymal cysts on axial images but their extraaxial location was well portrayed on the coronal images. Choroidal fissure cysts had a characteristic spindle shape on sagittal images. The other cysts were found in the temporal lobe (seven patients) or thalamus (one patient) and appeared parenchymal but situated close to the subarachnoid space. These lesions were round or ovoid. There was no abnormal enhancement in 10 patients studied with gadopentetate dimeglumine. Coronal images were most useful, revealing the cysts as focal CSF-intensity lesions expanding the choroidal fissure of the temporal lobe. All the cysts appeared to represent incidental findings that did not correlate with the clinical signs and/or symptoms that prompted the imaging evaluations. The MR characteristics of CSF-like cysts are important to recognize so that they are not confused with other, more serious entities, such as intraaxial cystic tumors, infarctions, or parasitic lesions.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance demonstration of normal CSF flow.

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance and incidence of flowing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain were investigated. The MR scans of 46 randomly selected patients with normal examinations were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were studied using both T2-weighted and T1-weighted spin-echo pulse sequences. Thirty-one patients (67%) had decreased intensity in the aqueduct of Sylvius on the T2-weighted images when compared with the intensity of CSF in the lateral ventricles. This was termed the CSF flow-void sign. The feature was present in the caudal fourth ventricle in 15 patients (32%) and in the third ventricle in two patients (4%) on T2-weighted scans. It was seen in only 13% of patients on T1-weighted scans. It is believed the CSF flow-void sign represents pulsatile CSF flow. Its recognition is important because it explains the inhomogeneity in the appearance of the CSF, which could be confused with pathologic processes. It may be valuable in the routine evaluation of MR examinations if it does reflect CSF circulatory dynamics.

Adult↗

MR demonstration of altered cerebrospinal fluid flow by obstructive lesions.

We investigated the MR imaging appearance of flowing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain in the presence of obstructive lesions of the ventricular pathways. The pulsatile movement of CSF through the ventricular system is seen as an area of low signal intensity that has been termed the CSF flow-void sign (CFVS). This is best appreciated in areas of narrowing within the ventricular system; that is, the aqueduct of Sylvius, foramen of Magendie, and interventricular foramina. MR studies of 27 patients with lesions affecting the ventricular pathways were reviewed for the presence of the CFVS. Single-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted multisection techniques were used in all cases. The CFVS was always seen more prominently on the T2-weighted images. The presence of the CFVS indicated patency of the ventricular pathway in which it was identified. The absence of the CFVS in the presence of hydrocephalus indicated that a possible obstructive lesion was present, but it did not directly indicate the level of the obstruction. The CFVS was absent in the aqueduct of Sylvius in 13 patients with obstruction or stenosis of the aqueduct, but it was also absent in one patient with a colloid cyst of the interventricular foramina. In three patients with preoperative and postoperative MR, the CFVS was seen in the area of interest only after resection of the obstructing lesion. We concluded that the presence of the CFVS is a useful indicator of the patency of the ventricular pathway in which it is seen. The absence of the CFVS at a location in which it is normally seen may indicate the presence of an obstruction, but it must be correlated with other signs to be interpreted correctly.

Adolescent↗

Significance of cerebellar tonsillar position on MR.

It has been noted that a low degree of ectopia of the cerebellar tonsils on MR is of questionable significance. We measured the position of the cerebellar tonsils with respect to the inferior aspect of the foramen magnum in 200 normal patients and in 25 patients with a firm diagnosis of Chiari I malformation. In the normal group, the mean position of the tonsils was 1 mm above the foramen magnum with a range from 8 mm above the foramen magnum to 5 mm below. In the patients with Chiari I malformations, the mean position was 13 mm below the foramen magnum with a range from 3 mm below the foramen magnum to 29 mm below. Fourteen percent of normal patients had tonsils extending slightly below the foramen magnum. If 2 mm below the foramen magnum is taken as the lowest extent for tonsils in a normal patient, our sensitivity in predicting symptomatic patients is 100% and our specificity is 98.5% (three false positives). If 3 mm below the foramen magnum is taken as the lowest normal tonsillar position, our sensitivity is 96% and our specificity is 99.5%. MR demonstration of less than 2 mm of tonsillar ectopia is probably of no clinical significance in the absence of syringomyelia.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation↗

The MR appearance of CSF pulsations in the spinal canal.

We investigated the MR appearance and incidence of low-signal areas within the CSF of the spinal canal. Nonuniform areas of decreased signal intensity in intracranial CSF have been named the CSF flow-void sign (CFVS) and appear to be due to spin dephasing secondary to pulsatile CSF motion. Similar areas are seen in the spinal canal. The MR scans of 50 randomly selected patients, constituting a total of 63 spinal studies, were reviewed. There were 27 cervical, 16 thoracic, and 20 lumbar spine examinations. All patients were studied using T2-weighted and T1-weighted spin-echo pulse sequences. T2-weighted images were done with sufficiently long TE and TR to cause the CSF to appear hyperintense compared with brain and spinal cord tissue. Two patients with enlarged spinal canals and two patients with syringohydromyelia were also included to illustrate the appearance of prominent CSF pulsations. The CFVS was identified on T2-weighted scans in the cervical spinal canal in nine patients (33%), in the thoracic spinal canal in one patient (6%), and possibly in the lumbar spinal canal in two patients (10%). The CFVS was prominent in two patients with enlarged CSF spaces and was also seen in the intramedullary cavity of the patients with syringohydromyelia. The CFVS could obscure small dural lesions and, in some instances, simulate enlarged vessels. Recognition of the spinal CFVS is important to avoid the incorrect diagnosis of intraspinal lesions.

Adolescent↗

MR imaging of the mesencephalic tectum: normal and pathologic variations.

Variations of the quadrigeminal plate (mesencephalic tectum) were determined on midline sagittal MR images of the brain in 93 patients without known mesencephalic abnormalities and in 10 patients with known aqueductal stenosis or obstruction. Measurements of the thicknesses of the superior and inferior colliculi and the length of the tectum were made on the midline sagittal section. Images were obtained with a 0.5 T system with spin-echo pulse sequences using a TE of 30 or 40 msec with a TR of 500-1500 msec. The average thickness of the superior and inferior colliculi was about 5 mm, but the range was from 2-7 mm on the midline sagittal section. Abnormally thin colliculi appeared to have no clinical significance while abnormal thickness was observed in patients with neoplastic disease, sarcoidosis, and mesencephalic "beaking." While most neoplasms have abnormal signal intensity on T2-weighted images, small lesions may be difficult to perceive on transaxial images due to volume averaging or noncontiguous sections. Measurements of the tectum, on the commonly obtained midline sagittal section, may be useful for patients with small infiltrative lesions.

Adolescent↗