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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

EEG changes in tuberculous meningitis: a clinicoradiological correlation.

OBJECTIVES: The present study is aimed at describing electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in the tubercular meningitis (TBM) and correlating these with clinical and radiological findings. METHODS: All the patients underwent a detailed neurological evaluation, CSF analysis, EEG and CT scan studies. Outcome was assessed by the Barthel index (BI) score at the end of 3 months, into good (BI > or = 12) and poor (BI < 12). Thirty-two patients with TBM have been included of which 3 were definite and the remaining highly probable. Their mean age was 28 (range 8-62) years and 8 of whom were females. The majority of these patients were in stage III. RESULTS: Clinical signs of raised intracranial tension were present in 9 and history of seizure in 11 patients. Cranial CT scan was abnormal in 22 patients. The CT scan abnormalities included hydrocephalus in 20, infarction in 11, exudates in 7 and tuberculoma in 4 patients. The EEG was abnormal in 24 patients. The EEG abnormalities included diffuse theta to delta slowing in 22 patients, intermittent rhythmic delta activity in frontal region in 15, right to left asymmetry in 5 and epileptiform discharges in 4 patients. At the end of 3 months, 5 patients died, 13 had poor, 3 partial and 11 complete recovery. The EEG findings correlated with the severity of meningitis, the degree of coma and outcome at 3 months as assessed by Barthel index score.

Adolescent↗

McCune-Albright syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Nasal obstruction is one of the most common symptoms pediatric patients present to their physicians with. Usually this symptom is caused by allergic rhinitis or an upper respiratory infection, however, many conditions present with nasal obstruction. We present a 14-year-old patient with a rare cause of nasal obstruction, turbinate enlargement due to fibrous dysplasia, as diagnosed by CT scan and histopathologic analysis. Additionally, clinical history revealed precocious puberty, and a dermatologic exam revealed a café au lait macule, consistent with the McCune-Albright syndrome. This case illustrates the need to formulate a broad differential diagnosis and also consider the overall patient, not just the nasal cavity. The clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, long-term management plan and relevant literature are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Predictors of abnormal findings of computed tomography of the head in pediatric patients presenting with seizures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To develop a preliminary clinical decision guideline, using characteristics of ED pediatric patients presenting with seizures, that successfully predicts all abnormal results of computed tomography (CT) of the head. METHODS: We assembled a retrospective case series in the ED of a tertiary care children's hospital without trauma designation. The series comprised all patients who presented between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1994, with seizures (febrile and afebrile) who underwent head CT as part of ED evaluation. RESULTS: Our inclusion criteria were met by 203 patients. Of these patients, who had a median age of 3.1 years, 53% were boys; 18% had been transferred from another facility; 25% had received anti-convulsant medication in the field, at the referring facility, or both; 32% had a history of seizures before the presenting episode; 6% had sustained a closed-head injury (CHI); 15% had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt; 4% had an underlying malignancy or neurocutaneous disorder (NCT); and 30% had a documented fever. CT findings were abnormal in 25 patients (12%). CT showed evidence of hemorrhage in eight patients (32%), small focal abnormalities in four (16%), cerebral edema in three (12%), and shunt obstruction in two (8%). chi 2 Recursive-partitioning analysis revealed that CT scan results were always normal when the patient did not have an underlying high-risk condition (malignancy, NCT, recent CHI, or recent CSF shunt revision), was older than 6 months, had sustained a seizure of 15 minutes or less, and did not have a history of a new-onset focal neurologic deficit. Retrospective application of these criteria revealed that 41% of the CT scans could have been deferred. CONCLUSION: In this case series, the absence of defined high-risk factors predicted normal head CT findings. The deferral of emergency CT in this population should be considered.

Brain↗

Intensity-modulated whole pelvic radiation therapy in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to reduce the volume of small bowel irradiated in women with gynecologic malignancies receiving whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten women with cervical (5) or endometrial (5) cancer undergoing WPRT were selected for this analysis. A planning CT scan of each patient was obtained following administration of oral, i.v., and rectal contrast. The clinical target volume (CTV) was defined as the proximal vagina, parametrial tissues, uterus (if present), and regional lymph nodes. The CTV was expanded uniformly by 1 cm in all directions to produce a planning target volume (PTV). The bladder, rectum, and small bowel were also delineated in each patient. Two plans were created: a standard "4-field box" with apertures shaped to the PTV in each beam's eye view and an IM-WPRT plan designed to conform to the PTV while minimizing the volume of normal tissues irradiated. Both plans were normalized to deliver 45 Gy to the PTV. Isodose distributions and dose-volume histograms (DVH) were compared. RESULTS: The IM-WPRT plan reduced the volume of small bowel irradiated in all 10 patients at doses above 30 Gy. At the prescription dose, the average volume of small bowel irradiated was reduced by a factor of two (17.4 vs. 33.8%, p = 0.0005). In addition, the average volume of rectum and bladder irradiated at the prescription dose was reduced by 23% in both cases (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0005, respectively). The average PTV doses delivered by the conventional and IM-WPRT plans were 47.8 Gy and 47.4 Gy, respectively. Corresponding maximum doses were 50.0 Gy and 54.8 Gy, respectively. However, on average, only 3.2% of the PTV received greater than 50.0 Gy in the IM-WPRT plans. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that IM-WPRT is an effective means of reducing the volume of small bowel irradiated in women with gynecologic malignancies receiving WPRT. This approach potentially offers a method for reducing small bowel complications in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗

Assessment of renal function with computed tomographic densitometry measurements.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We assessed the relationship between multiple renal computed tomographic (CT) densitometry parameters and renal function. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-three patients underwent standardized helical CT of the abdomen. The ratio of mean attenuation in the renal cortex to mean attenuation in the aorta (KAR), the products of mean renal cortical attenuation with CT-estimated renal volume (KVP), and the patient's weight (KWP) were derived from scans obtained 90 sec (n = 373) and 30 sec (n = 108) after initiation of intravenous contrast material administration. These densitometry parameters were compared with renal function measured by serum level of creatinine and creatinine clearance (CrCl). RESULTS: Among the 373 patients in the study, we found statistically significant differences (p < .01) between the patients with normal renal function (CrCl > or = 60 ml/min, n = 300) and the patients with abnormal renal function (CrCl < 60 ml/min, n = 73) for the KAR, KVP, and KWP. The KAR was the parameter best correlated with CrCl and was an independent predictor of renal function from the patient's age, weight, and renal volume. Fifty-three patients with a KAR less than 1 had significantly worse renal function (CrCl = 60 +/- 21 ml/min) than the patients with a KAR greater than or equal to 1 (CrCl = 95 +/- 31 ml/min). Only 4% of patients with normal renal function had a KAR less than 1. A threshold value of KAR less than 1 had a sensitivity of 55%, a specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value of 75%, and a negative predictive value of 90% for predicting renal dysfunction. CT parameters obtained at 30 sec were less useful than parameters at 90 sec. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing clinically requested CT scanning, renal densitometry analysis can be used to depict patients with normal renal function; however, it has a high false-negative rate in depicting patients with diminished renal function.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms tumor, and deletion of the patched gene in Gorlin syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A 5-year-old year girl with a medical history of mental retardation, physical abnormalities and a known interstitial deletion of chromosome 9q22-q32 presented with a palpable suprapubic mass. During ultrasound investigation, a left renal mass was also detected. The patient underwent surgical removal of both neoplasms, which were diagnosed as a rhabdomyosarcoma and a Wilms tumor. Seven years later, she presented with macroglossia and a benign mandibular cyst. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, karyotyping, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, brain CT scan, anatomic pathology analysis with immunohistochemistry, and typing of polymorphic markers in the patched (PTCH) gene region. DIAGNOSIS: Gorlin syndrome with synchronous rhabdomyosarcoma and Wilms tumor. MANAGEMENT: Left nephrectomy, excision of paravesical tumor, excision of mandibular cysts, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome↗

Autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy: clinical spectrum, new epitempin mutations, and genetic heterogeneity in seven European families.

PURPOSE: [corrected] To describe the clinical and genetic findings of seven additional pedigrees with autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE). METHODS: A personal and family history was obtained from each affected and unaffected member, along with a physical and neurologic examination. Routine and sleep EEGs, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in almost all the patients. DNAs from family members were typed with several microsatellite markers localized on either side of LGI1 at 10q24 and screened for LGI1 mutations. RESULTS: The seven families included a total of 34 affected individuals (10 deceased). The age at onset ranged between 8 and 50 years (average, 22 years). Twenty-six patients had clear-cut focal (elementary, complex, or secondarily generalized) seizures, characterized by prominent auditory auras in 68% of the cases. Less frequent ictal symptoms were visual, psychic, or aphasic seizures, the latter occurring in isolation in one family. The attacks were rare and well controlled by antiepileptic drug treatment but recurred after drug discontinuation. Interictal EEGs were usually unrevealing. MRI or CT scans were negative. Analysis of LGI1/Epitempin exons failed to show mutations in three pedigrees. Linkage analysis strongly suggested exclusion of linkage in one of these families. We found two novel missense mutations, a T-->C substitution in exon 6 at position 598, and a T-->A transition in exon 8 at position 1295, the latter being detected in a family with aphasic seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the inclusion of aphasic seizures within the ADLTE clinical spectrum, suggest the existence of locus heterogeneity in ADLTE, and provide new familial cases with LGI1 missense mutations associated with the disease.

Adolescent↗

Penetration failure and misdiagnosis of stereotactic biopsy caused by the uncommonly firm tissue of a gliomyosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report the very rare case of a gliomyosarcoma that caused penetration failure in stereotactic biopsy and therefore led to misdiagnosis. This complication should be considered as a potential reason for diagnostic failure with uncommonly firm tumors in frame-based stereotactic biopsy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An 83-year-old women presented with a 4-week history of right hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a left precentral lesion of 1 cm in diameter with moderate contrast uptake and perifocal edema. INTERVENTION: Stereotactic biopsy was performed using the Cosman-Robert-Wells (CRW) system and a side-aspirating biopsy needle. Six tissue samples were taken; however, histopathologic examination remained non-diagnostic. Because the hemiparesis had worsened, a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) was taken four weeks later and clearly demonstrated an increase in size of the lesion. Neuronavigation-guided open surgery revealed a very firm, well-delimited tumor that was classified in the pathologic examination as a gliomyosarcoma. Repeated recalculations of the target coordinates, analysis of the CT scan that was taken 4 days after the stereotaxy, and finally, recognition of the extraordinary firmness of this gliomyosarcoma allowed us to presume with certainty that we had not penetrated the lesion with the biopsy cannula, but rather had merely pushed it ahead of the instrument while the tissue samples were taken. CONCLUSION: The reported case is both unique for its histopathologic diagnosis and for the complication it caused in stereotactic biopsy. The case also supports the implementation of image-guided interventions for diagnostic biopsy, rather than frame-based stereotaxy in the future.

Aged↗

A positioning device for computed tomography: a clinical report.

This clinical report describes a device (Centrascan) used to assist in the correct alignment of the patient's head during computed tomography (CT) assessment of a proposed implant site. To obtain the desired anatomic detail, CT requires precise alignment of the axial images at right angles to the long axis of the proposed implant. This clinical report compared the anatomic morphology of a projected implant site derived from axial images provided by DentaScan software analysis of the CT scan acquisition. Images from a conventional scan, with the patient's head aligned along the frontal plane (perpendicular to the Frankfort plane) and along the sagittal plane (coinciding with either the cortical bone of the hard palate or the inferior border of the mandible), were compared with images acquired by use of the Centrascan device. The two scans differed substantially. In particular, the cross-sectional images obtained by the conventional procedure showed a distorted anatomy; conversely, the images obtained by the Centrascan procedure showed a better reproduction of the examined area. The Centrascan device seemed to help the radiologist achieve a more correct alignment of the patient's head during CT scan acquisition. Further studies are necessary to fully explore the relative technical merits of the Centrascan device.

Dental Implants↗

Nonlateralized attentional deficits: an important component behind persisting visuospatial neglect?

Simple reaction time was examined in a consecutive series of 60 right hemisphere stroke patients at the postacute stage and at 6 to 7 months poststroke. Reaction times to auditory stimuli were measured within the ipsilesional side of space. Patients showing contralateral neglect in conventional tests of neglect showed significantly increased reaction times at the postacute stage and at the follow-up compared to those not showing neglect and to those in a group of normal controls. The results suggest that a lowered general attentional capacity may constitute a central component behind persistent neglect. An additional analysis of the CT scans of the patients showed that a large lesion including the paraventricular white matter in the temporal lobe was the most important anatomical correlate of persisting slow reactions.

Adult↗

Computed tomography as an adjunct to chest x-rays of intensive care unit patients.

An analysis of 23 CT scans performed on 20 patients was carried out in an approximate 2-yr period. In 15 patients, CT scans were judged useful by subsequent clinical course when they indicated maintenance or alteration of existing treatment strategies. CT scans in five patients were not helpful. When judged by eventual outcome, the impact of CT scans remains uncertain. The influence of transportation is difficult to assess; it requires experienced team work and is contraindicated in cases where respiratory or circulatory stability might be seriously impaired.

Adult↗

Neurologic complications of liver transplantation.

Nineteen adult patients underwent 21 orthotopic liver transplants at the Cleveland Clinic between November 1984, and August 1986. Eight of 19 (42%) patients developed seizures. One patient suffered a single seizure, and seven patients had multiple, generalized seizures. Two of these seven patients became comatose after several days of seizure activity. Over several weeks, both of these patients regained consciousness--however, they exhibited a cerebellar-type syndrome, manifested as severe ataxia, weakness, and dysarthria. Both patients have improved, but remain neurologically impaired. Laboratory evaluation included serum electrolytes, magnesium, osmolality, and cyclosporine levels. Neurologic testing consisted of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, computed tomographic (CT) scanning, and electroencephalography (EEG). Although the CSF protein was mildly elevated in two patients, all cultures remained sterile. None of the CT scans demonstrated any abnormalities. In five patients, the EEG showed generalized slowing consistent with diffuse encephalopathy. Other factors associated with seizures in transplant patients were analyzed, including fluid retention, hypertension, high-dose steroids, hypomagnesemia, graft dysfunction, and demyelinization. Many of our patients had the first three of these factors, since all but one developed their seizures within the first ten postoperative days. Only one patient had mild hypomagnesemia. Trough cyclosporine levels (whole blood, HPLC) were not in the toxic range (greater than 500 ng/mL). The serum osmolality was elevated in all four patients in whom it was measured, ranging from 309 to 341 mOsm/kg. Only three patients exhibited graft dysfunction--two moderate and one severe. The cause of neurologic toxicity following transplantation is unclear. Although many factors have been implicated, no common denominator has emerged. Several reports have linked cyclosporine with seizures and other neurologic problems, such as the cerebellar-type syndrome exhibited in two of our patients. Future studies should include magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head and measuring osmolality and cyclosporine levels in the blood and CSF.

Adult↗

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes with special reference to the mechanism of cerebral manifestations.

A 29-year-old man with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy caused by partial deficiency of mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) is described. Clinical manifestations were characterized by generalized convulsion, dementia and stroke-like episodes consisting of hemianopsia, Gerstmann's syndrome and visual hallucination. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid lactate and pyruvate levels were elevated. Biochemical studies on a muscle biopsy specimen revealed partial deficiency of Complex I activity, and decreases in the 75-kDa and the 20-kDa subunits of Complex I by immunoblotting analysis. Serial brain CT scans revealed multiple low-density areas with fluctuating densities. Single photon emission tomographic study revealed preservation of blood circulation where CT scans showed diminished density in acute stage, suggesting the presence of abnormal cellular metabolism rather than vascular occlusion as the basic mechanism of his stroke-like episodes. Pathogenesis of neurological manifestations in MELAS is discussed with reference to the possible involvement of free radicals in inducing brain damage.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Human cerebral asymmetries evaluated by computed tomography.

The handedness of seventy-five persons without evidence of neurological disease, was assessed with a standardised test. An analysis of the CT scans of the same persons was performed to determine (1) presence and lateralisation of frontal and occipital "petalia," (2) width of frontal and occipital lobes of each hemisphere, (3) direction of straight sinus deviation. Results suggest that handedness and cerebral asymmetries are independent variables. There were no significant differences between right-handers and non-right-handers. Also there were no significant differences between strongly left-handed and ambidextrous individuals, nor were there differences between right-handers with or without family history of left-handedness. Irrespective of handedness, left occipital "petalia" was more common than right (p < 0.01), right frontal petalia was more common than left (p < 0.01), and straight sinus deviation was more commonly toward the right. The study does not support the concept that cerebral "symmetry" or "reverse asymmetry" are associated with left-handedness or ambidexterity. The noted asymmetries are more likely to be direct correlates of cerebral language dominance, than of handedness. Furthermore, the possibility that outside forces acting on the bone contributes to the asymmetries cannot be excluded. CT scan may be of value as a direct predictor of cerebral dominance.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Osteolytic lesions as a presenting sign of acute myeloid leukemia.

Osteolytic lesions rarely occur in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We reported an atypical form of the disease, with marrow fibrosis and osteolytic lesions, in a 17-year-old patient, whose main symptom was lumbar pain. Diagnosis of AML was established by bone marrow and lymph node histological analysis. Computed tomography (CT) scan and 99mTc-MDP bone scintyscan revealed osteolytic lesions. After remission-induction, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy showed no evidence of leukemic infiltration, nevertheless bone abnormalities persisted on 99mTc-MDP bone scintyscan, suggesting residual disease. Suspect bone areas were irradiated with symptomatic improvement and 99mTc-MDP bone scintyscan showed the appearance of more condensed bone compared with the pre-radiotherapy pattern. Twelve months later he was readmitted to the hospital due to relapse of AML and died of sepsis within a few weeks. This report illustrates the usefulness of histological studies to establish diagnosis of AML in atypical cases, as well as the importance of CT scan and bone scintigraphy scan for the identification of osteolytic lesions. It also provides additional data as evidence that although osteolytic lesions indicate an adverse prognosis in AML, local irradiation results symptomatic relief.

Acute Disease↗

Tuberculosis--the threat re-emerges.

Tuberculosis remains a significant problem in Australia with five to six new cases per 100,000 of the population per year. The majority of cases occur in individuals born outside Australia. Approximately 70% is pulmonary disease and 30% nonpulmonary. Diagnosis can be made by history, clinical examination, Mantoux testing, chest X-ray plus a thoracic CT scan and sputum analysis. Occasionally bronchoscopy and/or fine needle aspiration biopsy may be indicated. Six months of appropriate supervised chemotherapy achieves a 98% cure. Healthcare workers are at special risk of infection and should have Mantoux testing; if this is negative then either BCG or regular Mantoux surveillance is recommended. Whilst multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is relatively uncommon in Australia, it is a significant problem in the United States and parts of South East Asia and such patients often come to surgical resection of their tuberculous lesions; during such resection healthcare workers are exposed to a potentially lethal infection.

Antitubercular Agents↗

Clinical report of 28 patients with Sheehan's syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical and hormonal characteristics with Sheehan's syndrome in 28 cases that we had diagnosed and followed in the last 20 years. Twenty-eight patients with Sheehan's syndrome, diagnosed and followed at our University Endocrinology Clinic in the last 20 years were reported in the study. Medical history, physical examination, routine laboratory examinations, pituitary hormone analysis, CT and/or MRI scan of the sella of the patients were reviewed. All patients had a history of massive hemorrhage at delivery and physical signs of Sheehan's syndrome. Twenty-six of them lacked postpartum milk production, followed by failure of resumption of menses. There were 9 subjects with disturbances in consciousness associated with hyponatremia on admittance. All 28 patients had secondary hypothyroidism, adrenal cortex failure, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency. Diabetes insipidus has not been found in any patient. Empty sellae were revealed in 8 patients by CT and/or MRI scan. Sheehan's syndrome is still encountered in clinical practice occasionally. If not diagnosed early, it could cause increased morbidity and mortality. The most important clues for diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome are lack of lactation and failure of menstrual resumption after a delivery complicated with severe hemorrhage.

Adrenal Insufficiency↗

[Juvenile hereditary chorea. Study of a family with recessive pattern of transmission].

Report of a family in which the parents are consanguineous and healthy and 4 of their 8 children began with involuntary choreic movements at ages 10 to 14. In all cases the clinical manifestations remained stable throughout the 5-year period of observation. There have been no clinical deterioration and intellectual functions were found to be intact. All patients were submitted to neurologic examination, neuropsychological testing, CT-scan, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electroencephalogram, serum copper and ceruloplasmin among other blood tests. These cases were diagnosed as having "juvenile hereditary chorea" from the typical clinical manifestations and after exclusion of other known causes of chorea. Relevant clinical aspects and possible differential diagnosis are discussed along with some advancing hypothesis concerning its relationship with other hereditary diseases presenting with chorea.

Adolescent↗