Normal blood flow and velocity in the superior sagittal sinus were measured in 30 patients. A fast two-dimensional ungated phase-contrast (PC) pulse sequence was compared with a peripherally gated cine PC technique for velocity and flow quantitation. The same imaging parameters were used for both methods. Measured values for mean velocity and flow obtained with the two methods were compared by using regression analysis and t testing. For blood flow, the correlation coefficient was .976. For velocity measurements, r was .950. Mean flow was 285 mL/min +/- 19 with the ungated PC method and 281 mL/min +/- 19 with the cine PC method. The mean velocities measured with the two methods were 12.94 cm/sec +/- 1.1 and 13.59 cm/sec +/- 1.1, respectively. There was no significant difference (paired t test) between the methods for mean flow or velocity data. This was true even though flow in the superior sagittal sinus is moderately pulsatile, as shown with the cine PC technique. The ungated PC method provided these data in 13 seconds versus 3.5 minutes for the cine PC method.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Complement activation following oxidative stress.

It is clear that complement plays an important role in the inflammatory process following oxidative stress in cellular and animal models. Clinical trials underway with novel complement inhibitors will establish the potential therapeutic benefit of complement inhibition in human disease. For as much as we understand about the role of complement in disease states, many questions remain. How is complement activated on endothelial cells following oxidative stress? What is the ligand for MBL on endothelial cells following oxidative stress? Will inhibition of MBL provide tissue protection to the extent observed with other complement inhibitors such as sCR1 or anti-C5 mAbs? These questions and more will undoubtedly be answered in the next millennium.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MRI in varicella-zoster virus leukoencephalitis in the immunocompromised host.

Immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for CNS and disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. In this report we present the MR findings in a leukemic patient with active, biopsy-proven VZV leukoencephalitis. The characteristic MR features of this infection were clustered subcortical plaque-like lesions demonstrating rapid demyelination. Active lesions enhanced with intravenous contrast medium administration. Edema and hemorrhage were not prominent early findings but developed as the infection evolved. These findings were strikingly similar to those reported in prior autopsy studies of immunocompromised patients with VZV leukoencephalitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cranial hypertrophic interstitial neuropathy.

The authors describe a patient with complex cranial neuropathy caused by pathologically proved hypertrophic interstitial neuropathy. Plain and contrast-enhanced MR studies were performed prior to surgical exploration. Surgical complications caused the patient's death and a complete pathology study was done. Though nonspecific, MR proved helpful in determining the extent of disease and areas of anatomic involvement.

Cranial Nerve Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

PREP--rehabilitation means good neighbors.

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Central America↗