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Biomedical subjects

V M Rao

Publications and source records attributed to V M Rao.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Parenchymal versus reticuloendothelial iron overload in the liver: distinction with MR imaging.

Parenchymal iron deposition occurs in hemochromatosis, while iron is deposited in reticuloendothelial (RE) cells after blood transfusions or rhabdomyolysis. Magnetic resonance images of patients with decreased liver signal intensity on T2-weighted images at 1.5 T were blindly compared in an effort to distinguish these conditions. In each of five patients with hemochromatosis, the pancreas had low signal intensity, but splenic signal intensity was decreased in only one. In contrast, only three of the 16 patients with RE iron overload had low pancreatic signal intensity, while all of these patients either had low splenic signal intensity (n = 14) or previously underwent splenectomy (n = 2). Distinction among these causes of iron deposition is clinically important because parenchymal iron overload from hemochromatosis may produce significant tissue damage, while the RE iron of transfusions and rhabdomyolysis is of little clinical consequence.

Adolescent↗

Noninvasive diagnostic imaging in hemoglobinopathies.

We have provided a global review of the current applications of newer modalities, particularly MR imaging, as applicable to the major manifestations of sickle cell disease, the most common hemoglobinopathy. There is a need for well-designed prospective longitudinal studies utilizing MR imaging to gain further insight into the pathophysiology of this intriguing disease. Additionally, MR imaging, because of lack of ionizing radiation, is ideally suited for long-term sequential studies and may thus provide an objective means for monitoring response to therapy.

Adolescent↗

Imaging of the parapharyngeal space: anatomy and pathology.

A multitude of histologic neoplasms occur within the boundaries of the parapharyngeal space. Contrast enhanced computed tomography and recently MRI have greatly enhanced the preoperative diagnosis of parapharyngeal space tumors. MRI is currently the modality of choice in evaluating masses originating in the parapharyngeal space or masses from adjacent spaces which grow into the parapharyngeal space. Gadolinium DTPA enhanced MRI of head and neck tumors is helpful for demonstrating neoplastic involvement of paranasal sinus, perineural tumor extension, or intracranial extension of neoplasms. Parapharyngeal space tumors are equally demonstrated by unenhanced MRI. The majority of tumors involving the parapharyngeal space are from the deep portion of the parotid gland or from minor salivary glands, and the majority of these tumors are benign mixed tumors. Based on the CT appearance and enhancement characteristics, it is difficult to accurately distinguish a minor salivary gland tumor from a neurogenic tumor. MR tissue signal characteristics alone cannot be reliably utilized in making this distinction. Internal carotid artery displacement remains the most reliable distinguishing feature. Minor salivary gland tumors will displace the internal carotid artery posterior and lateral, whereas neurogenic tumors will displace the internal carotid artery anterior and medial.

Branchioma↗

Altered condylar morphology associated with disc displacement in TMJ dysfunction: observations by MRI.

Magnetic resonance images of 276 TM joints in 138 symptomatic patients were analyzed in a retrospective study to determine the condylar shape and size and to correlate it with internal derangement. Internal derangement by MRI was noted in 66% of the TM joints. Our study demonstrates that the regressive condylar changes in TM joints with internal derangement were more common (61%) than proliferative bony changes (39%). On the converse, none of the TM joints with regressive condyles revealed normal disc. The altered bony morphology also correlated with the severity of internal derangement, i.e. bony changes in TM joints with anterior closed lock were noted in 64% compared to 45% with reducible disc. The cause and effect relationship of the regressive condylar remodeling and disc abnormality is not clear and needs further study.

Adolescent↗

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction: correlation of MR imaging, arthrography, and arthroscopy.

This prospective study correlated the results of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, arthrography, and arthroscopy in 27 patients with clinically suspected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Open surgical confirmation was available in 12 TMJs. The variables assessed with each modality were disk position and morphology, disk perforation, joint adhesions, and degenerative joint disease. MR imaging was superior to dual joint arthrography with arthrotomography in delineation of the disk position. MR imaging accurately demonstrated the disk position in 11 joints (92%); arthrography was accurate in nine of the 12 joints (75%) with surgically confirmed dysfunction. Disk perforations and joint adhesions were not demonstrated with MR imaging. Arthroscopy was superior to arthrography and MR imaging in the detection of disk perforations, joint adhesions, and early degenerative changes along the articular eminence and glenoid fossa. The authors believe MR imaging should constitute the first line of imaging because it provides accurate information about disk position in a noninvasive manner. In most cases, information obtained with MR imaging is adequate in deciding whether to institute conservative or surgical management; in difficult cases, triple correlation may be needed.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone marrow: diagnostic value in diffuse hematologic disorders.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has value in characterizing normal and abnormal bone marrow because of its ability to distinguish fat from other tissues. Due to this advantage, hematologic disorders resulting in alterations of the normal cellular and fatty marrow distribution can be appreciated. In this article, the role of MRI in diffuse hematologic disorders is emphasized. At birth, almost all marrow is cellular, but by age 25, cellular marrow is restricted to the axial skeleton and proximal femoral and humeral metaphysis. The remainder is fatty, consisting of 80% fat, 15% water, and 5% protein. With increased need for hematopoiesis, reconversion from fatty to cellular marrow occurs in many diffuse disease states. Diffuse diseases that affect bone marrow production are divided into four categories representing conditions that affect the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell. These include stem cell failure resulting in aplastic anemia, uncontrolled stem cell proliferation as exemplified by polycythemia vera, stem cell dysplasia such as sickle cell anemia, and malignant transformations or replacement. The MRI appearance of these disorders is discussed in this article. The use of spin-echo (SE) sequences is the most common approach to bone marrow imaging. With T1-weighted SE images, fatty marrow will appear bright and cellular marrow, with lower fat content, will exhibit a lower density signal. With T2-weighted SE pulse sequences, contrast between fatty marrow and cellular marrow decreases. Contrast between fatty and cellular marrow is enhanced with chemical shift imaging, including Dixon out-of-phase imaging, as emphasized in this article. MRI presents a more global view of the bone marrow than biopsy material and should provide a better understanding of diffuse hematologic disease progression and resolution.

Bone Marrow↗

Computed tomography of salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.

Three cases of Sjögren's syndrome, one with uncomplicated disease, and the other two complicated by pseudolymphoma and malignant lymphoma, respectively, are presented. Computed tomography can provide information useful in the diagnosis, detection of complications, and, therefore, management of Sjögren's syndrome.

Aged↗

The prevalence of avascular necrosis in sickle cell anemia: correlation with alpha-thalassemia.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of alpha-thalassemia on the prevalence of avascular necrosis in 52 adult patients with sickle cell anemia. alpha-Globin genotypes were determined by restriction endonuclease mapping of genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Radiographs of humeral and femoral heads were interpreted by two radiologists who were not aware of the clinical picture and the genotype of the patients in the study. We present data showing that there is a significant positive correlation between alpha-gene deletion and the prevalence and extent of avascular necrosis in our patient population.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of the ischemic hip. Alterations within the osteonecrotic, viable, and reactive zones.

To explore the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to depict the morphologic features of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head and to determine whether a classification based on stage of necrosis is possible, images of hips with 56 proved lesions were examined and correlated with roentgenographic stage, severity of pain and functional impairment, and available computed tomography (CT) scans. Six femoral heads with AVN were also studied ex vivo with MRI, CT, roentgenographic, and histologic examinations. These examinations were compared with 100 normal hips in 50 individuals and one normal proximal femoral specimen. The reactive interface between live and dead bone at the periphery of AVN lesions had a characteristic MRI appearance that facilitated diagnosis. Based on central signal intensity on two different pulse sequences, lesions could be separated into four classes that correlated with roentgenographic and clinical staging. Lesions that were isointense with fat on both sequences had an earlier roentgenographic stage and less severe symptoms than did lesions that were less intense than fat. Among hips with AVN in patients younger than 50 years of age, 67% had premature conversion to fatty intertrochanteric marrow outside the borders of the lesion. Detecting premature conversion to fatty marrow has important implications regarding the pathogenesis of AVN and may aid early diagnosis. MRI provides pathophysiologic information that is different from information obtained from conventional methods or various combinations of methods and may provide a basis for an improved system for grading AVN lesions.

Adult↗

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the sheep and its retinal connections.

Layers 1 and 2 of the sheep's LGN have similar properties to layers A and A1 in the cat. In layer 3 of the sheep the cell size is the same as that of the main group in layers 1 and 2, and it is contralaterally driven but has no sublamination. There is a medial interlaminar nucleus in the sheep which consists of two incomplete laminae, each driven by one eye. Scattered cells from the whole of the retina temporal to the decussation line project to the contralateral LGN. There is only a band of cells 1.5 mm wide nasal to the decussation line which project to the ipsilateral LGN. Cells with corresponding ipsilateral fields are found on the medial side of the nucleus in layers 1 and 2. A few cells with orientation sensitivity have been seen in the LGN. The area of the greatest cell density in the retina, the streak, is accommodated in the LGN by expansion vertically, not horizontally.

Animals↗

Femoral head avascular necrosis: correlation of MR imaging, radiographic staging, radionuclide imaging, and clinical findings.

To better correlate the appearance of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head on magnetic resonance (MR) images with the stage of disease, MR images of 56 proved AVN lesions were compared with staging from corresponding radiographs (n = 56), Tc-99m scans (n = 41), and grade of symptoms (n = 28). Fractures complicating AVN were seen in 28 (50%) of 56 radiographs (radiographic stages III-V). With long repetition (TR) and echo delay (TE) times, a characteristic "double line sign" consisting of high signal intensity inside a low-intensity peripheral rim was seen in 45 lesions (80%). The central region within the rim was isointense with marrow fat on both short and long TR and TE images in 20 (71%) of 28 lesions uncomplicated by fracture (stages I-II) but in only four (14%) of 28 stage III-V lesions (P less than .001). Symptoms were least severe in lesions isointense with fat and most severe in lesions with low-signal central regions at short and long TRs and TEs. The peripheral double line sign on long TR/TE images may add specificity to the diagnosis of AVN by MR imaging. A chronologic pattern of central MR signal features is presented which may allow staging of AVN by MR imaging.

Female↗

Chemical-shift MR imaging of the femoral head: an in vitro study of normal hips and hips with avascular necrosis.

To study the conventional and chemical-shift MR images of fatty, hemopoietic, and ischemic bone marrow, four normal femurs from autopsies and six femoral heads from total hip replacement done for avascular necrosis (AVN) were imaged with a small-bore 1.4-T MR unit. T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images, fat- and water-selective spin-echo images, and out-of-phase images were obtained. The specimens were then sectioned, radiographed, and studied histologically. The capital epiphysis and greater trochanter in normal femurs had the highest signal on T1-weighted, fat-selective, and out-of-phase images owing to their high fat content. Fat-selective and water-selective images accurately depicted regions of fat and water, whereas T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and out-of-phase images were misleading in some cases. On T2-weighted images, a double line consisting of a rim of low signal with a high-signal inner border was noted surrounding AVN lesions. Histologic correlation showed that the low-signal outer rim was due to sclerotic bone, while the high-intensity inner border was due to granulation tissue and/or chondroid metaplasia. Fractures within the six AVN lesions were best seen on T2-weighted images, but these could not be distinguished from granulation tissue. On T2-weighted images, the weight-bearing cartilage had lower signal in five of six femoral heads with AVN. We conclude that the MR appearance of AVN reflects its complex histopathology. Direct spin-echo chemical-shift imaging can help correlate MR images with histology by providing information not available from conventional or out-of-phase images.

Adult↗

Computed tomography of choanal atresia: special considerations of the unilateral type.

Seven cases of choanal atresia are presented: four cases with bilateral choanal atresia, and three cases with unilateral choanal atresia. The patients in three of these cases were born with the CHARGE association--an association of choanal atresia with coloboma, heart disease, retarded growth, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies. Diagnosis in all cases was confirmed. Computed tomography generally confirms the clinical diagnosis of bilateral choanal atresia. Unilateral choanal atresia, however, presents late, and both the clinical and radiographic manifestations may be subtle. In all our cases of unilateral choanal atresia, computed tomography demonstrated the definitive components accounting for this deformity. Computed tomography, because it so accurately defines the anatomic malformation, is now the imaging modality of choice in this entity.

Adolescent↗