We compared pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-99m (V) DMSA) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) for the detection of residual or recurrent gliomas after surgery and radiotherapy. A total of 24 glioma patients, previously operated upon and treated with radiotherapy, were studied. SPECT was acquired 2-3 h post-administration of 555-740 MBq of Tc-99m (V) DMSA. Lesion to normal (L/N) delayed uptake ratio was calculated as: mean counts of tumor ROI (L)/mean counts of normal mirror symmetric ROI (N). (1)H-MRS was performed using a 1.5-T scanner equipped with a spectroscopy package. SPECT and (1)H-MRS results were compared with pathology or follow-up neuroimaging studies. SPECT and (1)H-MRS showed concordant residue or recurrence in 9/24 (37.5%) patients. Both were true negative in 6/24 (25%) patients. SPECT and (1)H-MRS disagreed in 9 recurrences [7/9 (77.8%) and 2/9 (22.2%) were true positive by SPECT and (1)H-MRS, respectively]. Sensitivity of SPECT and (1)H-MRS in detecting recurrence was 88.8 and 61.1% with accuracies of 91.6 and 70.8%, respectively. A positive association between the delayed L/N ratio and tumor grade was found; the higher the grade, the higher is the L/N ratio (r = 0.62, P = 0.001). Tc-99m (V) DMSA brain SPECT is more accurate compared to (1)H-MRS for the detection of tumor residual tissues or recurrence in glioma patients with previous radiotherapy. It allows early and non-invasive differentiation of residual tumor or recurrence from irradiation necrosis.

Background: Conventional MRI provides important morphologic information regarding the brain and spinal cord involvement by demyelinating plaques. However, it is of almost no value in assessing the normal-appearing white matter which has been proved by multiple pathologic studies to be directly and indirectly involved in the process of multiple sclerosis. Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging MRI have been widely used in multiple researches as a better solution for studying the normal-appearing white matter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of diffusion tensor imaging examination of the normal-appearing white matter of the brain and spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis and to determine the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging metrics and patient's clinical status. Results: The significant negative correlation found between expanded disability status scale score of secondary progressive MS patients and global (brain and spinal cord) average fractional anisotropy values in normal-appearing white matter and tracts (P = 0.000). Correlation between average apparent diffusion coefficient of corpus callosum tract and expanded disability status scale score revealed a significant positive correlation in RRMS (P = 0.001). While in secondary progressive MS, a significant negative correlation between fractional anisotropy average of the corpus callosum tract and expanded disability status scale score was noted (P = 0.015). Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between diffusion tensor imaging readings and clinical status of patients can be used to understand unexplained deterioration over disease course and also can be used when conventional MRI findings are equivocal. Corpus callosum affection in MS patients is intimately related to clinical status and its assessment should be done whenever possible.

No abstract

BACKGROUND The case report detailed an unusual presentation of an iatrogenic dorsal cord herniation at the level of the thoracic cord after insertion of an epidural catheter 8 months before presentation to the neurosurgical clinic. OBSERVATIONS Only 13 cases of iatrogenic dorsal cord herniation, most of which occurred after spinal surgery, have been described in the literature. This was the first case of a spinal cord hernia described after the insertion of an epidural catheter. In this case study, the authors described a 38-year-old man who presented with progressive lower limb weakness, sensory deficits, perianal numbness, and urinary/fecal incontinence. He was diagnosed with a spinal cord hernia that reherniated after an initial sandwich duroplasty repair. Definitive repair was made after his re-presentation using an expansile duroplasty. LESSONS In patients with previous spinal instrumentation who present with neurological symptoms, spinal cord herniation should be considered a likely differential despite its rarity. In this case, a simple duroplasty was insufficient to provide full resolution of symptoms and was associated with recurrence. Perhaps a combination of graft and expansile duroplasty may be used for repair, especially when associated with a tethered cord and in the presence of significant adhesions.

Background and Aim: Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) is considered the standard technique used in cervical cancer. However, toxicity is still a concern. The aim of this study was to compare 3D-CRT with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as a way to reduce toxicity. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer stage IIB-IVA treated with concurrent chemo-radiation using 3D-CRT were re-planned using IMRT. Analysis was done for target coverage, organ at risk, as well as dose homogeneity. Planning was done on Xio-Elekta planning system. Results: D 95 % was 42.7Gy for 3D-CRT plans versus 41Gy for IMRT plans and V40 for the rectum, bladder and small bowel was significantly less for IMRT. For the femoral heads: V30 was 59.4 % with IMRT versus 96 % with 3D-CRT. V10 of the pelvic bone marrow was significantly less with 3D-CRT than IMRT; however V20 was better for IMRT plans. In terms of overall treatment time, IMRT calculated treatment time is longer, with mean integral monitor unit (IMU) of 1177.01 compared to 144.30 with 3D-CRT. Conclusion: IMRT for locally advanced cervical cancer can reduce the dose to risk structures without compromising tumour coverage.