Magnetic resonance images of 128 patients with compressive lesions of the cervical spinal canal were reviewed to determine whether a high signal intensity lesion within the spinal cord was present on T2 and proton density weighted spin echo images. Such high signal intensity was observed in 24 cases or 18.8%. The incidence was higher in herniated disk (32.4%), atlanto-axial dislocation (28.6%), and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (22.7%), whereas the abnormality was found sporadically in cervical spondylosis and vertebral body tumors. The high intensity lesion on T2 weighted images was generally observed in patients with constriction or narrowing of the spinal cord. The lesion was not demonstrated on T1 weighted spin echo images. Spinal cord constriction or localized narrowing seemed to be the most important predisposing factor in producing such a high signal intensity. The pathophysiologic basis of such an abnormality was presumed to be myelomalacia or cord gliosis secondary to a long-standing compressive effect of the spinal cord.
Dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a 1.5-T superconductive unit was used in the evaluation of nine normal pituitary glands and 10 pituitary adenomas, including four microadenomas and six macroadenomas. Seven to 10 images were obtained every 20-30 seconds with use of the spin-echo technique after rapid injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The earliest contrast material enhancement of normal structures was seen in the infundibulum and posterior lobe of the pituitary gland at 20 seconds, followed by gradual contrast material enhancement of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland from the junction of the infundibulum to the peripheral portion of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland within 80 seconds after gadopentetate dimeglumine injection. The peak enhancement of pituitary adenomas occurred at 60-200 seconds, usually after the most marked enhancement of the normal pituitary gland. Microadenomas are best visualized at earlier phases of gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced dynamic imaging, with signal intensity lower than that seen on images of normal pituitary glands.
Conventional radiation therapy resulted in cure of DCCFs in nine (75%) of the 12 patients and in improvement of signs and symptoms in one (8%). Fast-type DCCFs may not always be improved. Radiation therapy may be useful in DCCFs after embolization.
The drug 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine-C8 (FUdR-C8), one of the lipophilic prodrugs of FUdR, was dissolved in an oily lymphographic agent (Lipiodol Ultra Fluid, Andre Gelbe Laboratory, Paris, France; Ethiodol, Savage Laboratories, Melville, NY) and used for the intraarterial treatment of malignant liver tumors. From August 1985 to June 1988, 33 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 13 patients with metastatic liver tumors were treated with this agent at the Kumamoto University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. The response rate (complete remission [CR] and partial remission [PR]) was 27.6% for hepatocellular carcinomas and 46.1% for metastatic liver tumors. The cumulative 1-year survival rate was 55.1% for hepatocellular carcinomas and 70.0% for metastatic liver tumors. More than a 50% decrease in the tumor marker level was observed in ten of 21 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and in two of eight patients with metastatic liver tumors. The side effects, which were transient and controlled with conservative treatment, included fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and acute gastritis.
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