The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L., Grossulariceae), a small, perennial shrub native to central Europe and northern Asia, is cultivated throughout the world, including the United States. In addition to its anecdotal use in traditional herbal medicine, modern laboratories have demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of blackcurrant constituents on a myriad of disease states. The properties of the blackcurrants are conferred from its biochemical constituents, some of which include anthocyans (specifically delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside), flavonols, phenolic acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. A plethora of studies have been published with regards to its various therapeutic applications. This article attempts to summarize these studies, providing a general overview of the research in this field. Several studies focus on the therapeutic potential of blackcurrants with regards to hypertension and other cardiovascular-associated illnesses, neoplastic, neurodegenerative and ocular diseases, nephrolithiasis, and diabetic neuropathy. Safety concerns and future directions are also mentioned, suggesting the critical examination of the exact mechanism of action, specific radical-scavenging capabilities of the blackcurrants and the crucial need for well-designed clinical trials to ensure the successful use of blackcurrants in a clinical setting.

Background and purpose The facial nerve is unique among cranial nerves in demonstrating normal enhancement of particular segments. The effect of varying T1 relaxivities of gadolinium-based contrast agents on facial nerve enhancement is unclear. In this study, we assess differences in normal facial nerve enhancement with two different gadolinium-based contrast agents, gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine. In addition, we evaluate differences in facial nerve enhancement with spin-echo (SE) T1 versus 3D inversion recovery prepared fast spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) post-contrast sequences. Methods A total of 140 facial nerves in 70 individuals were evaluated (70 with gadobutrol and 70 with gadopentetate dimeglumine) by two blinded reviewers. Differences in enhancement of facial nerve segments between the two agents were analyzed. Differences in enhancement between SE T1 and FSPGR imaging were also evaluated. Results There was no significant difference in facial nerve enhancement between gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine. Enhancement was commonly observed in the geniculate, tympanic and mastoid segments (98%-100%) with either contrast agent; enhancement was less common in the labyrinthine segments (9%-14%) and lateral canalicular segment (2%-5%). There was a smaller enhancing proportion of labyrinthine and tympanic segments with FSPGR as compared to SE T1 images with gadobutrol. Conclusion There is no significant difference in overall enhancement of the facial nerve between gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine. Mild enhancement of the lateral canalicular portion of the facial nerve may be a normal finding. With FSPGR sequence, there is lesser perceived enhancement of the labyrinthine and tympanic segments of the facial nerve with gadobutrol.

This case series describes the caudate body (CB) sign noted in computed tomography (CT) scans of patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) clinically manifesting symptoms suggestive of anterior cerebral circulation infarction. This sign has the advantage of early appearance, side-to-side comparison, and high conspicuity. Two of the presented cases demonstrate the CB sign in the absence of other established signs typically seen with early cerebral infarction. Five additional cases demonstrate this sign in conjunction with previously described criteria. The CB sign may allow earlier detection of hyperacute infarction leading to more rapid initiation of thrombolytics to minimize ischemic injury.

We present a case of a 40-year-old woman with a history of retinoblastoma in the left eye treated with enucleation and radiation therapy as an infant who recently developed worsening pain and exophthalmos in her right eye. Multimodality imaging demonstrated an enhancing, FDG-avid mass in the medial right orbit with associated bone destruction and extension into the ethmoid sinus. Pathologic analysis after excision showed a highly undifferentiated tumor consistent with melanoma. Although development of malignant melanoma in an irradiated field is rare, it should be considered in the differential, especially in childhood cancer survivors at increased risk of second malignant neoplasms.