Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are the most common thermal ablation methods. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of these techniques have been carried out in recent years. Objectives: Evaluation of local therapeutic effectiveness of imaging guided percutaneous thermal ablation methods, short-middle term radiologic and clinical outcomes and to compare the effectiveness of treatment between two MWA and RFA methods. Patients and Methods:We retrospectively browsed clinical-radiologic-pathologic-demographic parameters of patients who had undergone RF or MW treatment due to HCC between January 2012 and January 2015. Twelve females (30%) and 28 males (70%) who had at least 6 months follow-up were included. We evaluated the risk factors which we considered to affect the prognosis by means of Log-Rank (Mantel-Cox) analysis. Complications rates, ablative effectiveness, local progression free and disease free survival rates for 6 months and 1 year periods were calculated by Kaplan Meier test for each group separately. The results of two groups were compared by chi-square test. Results: 6-month, 1-year and 2-year survival rates for thermal ablation were 84.6%, 78.7% and 65% for general; 76.3%, 55.2%, 33% for disease free and 78.9%, 76.2%, 37.3% for local progression free respectively. Size and number of lesions were the only parameters that effective for all type of survival rates. In addition, Child-Pugh classification, AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) level and gender were found to affect just; general, disease free and local progression free survival rates respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in complication, ablative effectiveness, 6 month and 1 year general, disease free and progression free survival rates between RF and MW separately. Conclusion: RF and MW ablation methods have similar complication rates, tumor ablation efficiency and survival rates for treatment in HCC patients.

No abstract

Background To investigate the imaging findings and clinical features of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT). Methods We retrospectively sought for cases that have suspicious imaging findings for MVNT through the hospital information system. The patients’ demographics and clinical symptoms were extracted. All available images were re-examined. Results Headache was the most common complaint (n = 7). Other complaints included seizure, stroke-like symptoms and numbness. Conventional MRI revealed that all lesions consisted of tiny, sharply marginated, round or ovoid nodules following the gyral contour. These nodules were hyperintense on T2 and FLAIR WI, hypointense on T1 WI. All lesions were characterized by a lack of enhancement and diffusion restriction. Mass effect and peripheral edema were not observed. MVNT presented as an incidental finding in one case who complained gynecomastia and had pituitary adenoma on pituitary MRI. All lesions were supratentorial—mostly on the right side (10/11)—and located in subcortical white matter. Follow-up MRI was available for 11 patients with a mean of 14.8 months (3–40 months). No change in lesion size and morphology was observed in these follow-up images. Conclusions Radiological and clinical follow-up data suggest MVNT may exhibit indolent behavior. If asymptomatic, patients can be followed by imaging alone. Surgery should be considered for symptomatic patients.

No abstract

Cervical radiculopathy and spinal cord indentation caused by vertebral artery loop formation is a rare entity. We report here an 85-year-old woman had a four-year history of neck pain and left arm weakness. Radiologic evaluation showed vertebral artery loop formation compressing the adjacent nerve root and spinal cord. Accurate radiologic diagnosis of this condition is crucial to reduce unexpected surgical complications.