Cerebral stroke is the very common cause of executive dysfunctions, such as disinhibition and inability to switch of attention. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine a clinical characteristic of executive dysfunctions in light of the neuropsychological examinations. Forty-four patients who had ischemic stroke were examined twice with a twelve-month interval. At each session executive functions were measured on the same patients. Executive functioning was measured by three popular tasks, i.e. an experimental version of the Stroop Color- Word Interference Test, Verbal Fluency Test, and Trail Making Test. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were examined once only to transform patients’ results of neuropsychological testing into standardized form. Executive impairment was found in 24 patients (i.e. 65% of the clinical group), who failed to complete at least one of the three tests. Patients manifested executive dysfunctions which were highly heterogeneous with respect to character, severity and their prevalence. Overall, there was clear evidence that executive functions showed substantial recovery. Timecourse of distinct executive dysfunctions was similar.
Background Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is rare but potentially life-threatening cause of acute headache. First diagnostic test performed in the Emergency Department (ED) for acute “thunderclap” headache is computed tomography of the head (CT) without contrast enhancement. Negative non-contrast head CT may be erroneously interpreted as an exclusion of SAH and lead to ED discharge. The consequences of overlooking SAH are of special interest to the Emergency Physician. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and clinical picture of CT-negative cases of SAH admitted to the ED. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of charts of patients admitted to the ED and diagnosed with SAH during 18 consecutive months. Results Our data gives information about clinical picture of patients with CT-negative SAH and their further clinical course. Out of 126 patients diagnosed with SAH, 5 (4.0%) were diagnosed with SAH despite negative non-contrast head CT scan. All cases were diagnosed by means of lumbar puncture and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. In all patients with CT-negative SAH computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed and no vascular abnormalities were found. In one case digital subtraction angiography was performed due to equivocal CTA picture and it demonstrated small unruptured aneurysm of the medial cerebral artery. All patients with CT-negative SAH were admitted to a neurological ward and later discharged from the hospital without neurological deficit. There were no episodes of clinical deterioration and none of the patients required an urgent neurosurgical intervention. Conclusions Although lumbar puncture remains a gold standard in exclusion of SAH, head CT scan without contrast enhancement appears to be a satisfying diagnostic tool in ED.
Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is rare but potentially life-threatening cause of acute headache. First diagnostic test performed in the Emergency Department (ED) for acute “thunderclap” headache is computed tomography of the head (CT) without contrast enhancement. Negative non-contrast head CT may be erroneously interpreted as an exclusion of SAH and lead to ED discharge. The consequences of overlooking SAH are of special interest to the Emergency Physician. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and clinical picture of CT-negative cases of SAH admitted to the ED. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of charts of patients admitted to the ED and diagnosed with SAH during 18 consecutive months. Results: Our data gives information about clinical picture of patients with CT-negative SAH and their further clinical course. Out of 126 patients diagnosed with SAH, 5 (4.0%) were diagnosed with SAH despite negative non-contrast head CT scan. All cases were diagnosed by means of lumbar puncture and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. In all patients with CT-negative SAH computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed and no vascular abnormalities were found. In one case digital subtraction angiography was performed due to equivocal CTA picture and it demonstrated small unruptured aneurysm of the medial cerebral artery. All patients with CT-negative SAH were admitted to a neurological ward and later discharged from the hospital without neurological deficit. There were no episodes of clinical deterioration and none of the patients required an urgent neurosurgical intervention. Conclusions: Although lumbar puncture remains a gold standard in exclusion of SAH, head CT scan without contrast enhancement appears to be a satisfying diagnostic tool in ED.
Borderline ovarian tumors represent about 10% of all epithelial ovarian cancers, but in contrast to epithelial ovarian cancers, they constitute a group of tumors with a much better prognosis. An assessment of clinical presentation, physical examination, radiological and biochemical findings is necessary to tailor management strategies for patients with ovarian tumors. The article, which is based on a case report, describes different approaches for preoperative diagnosis as well as discusses approaches that might bring some insights on tumor histology. Furthermore, it raises a question about which imaging techniques should be proposed for a reliable diagnosis of borderline ovarian tumors to ensure safe surgery planning.
PL
Guzy o granicznej złośliwości stanowią około 10% nabłonkowych nowotworów jajnika, ale w porównaniu z rakami jajnika charakteryzują się lepszym rokowaniem. Analiza obrazu klinicznego, badania fizykalnego, badań radiologicznych i biochemicznych jest niezbędna, by pacjentkę z guzem jajnika skierować na odpowiednie leczenie. W artykule na podstawie przedstawionego przypadku opisano podejścia diagnostyczne do przedoperacyjnego rozpoznania, a także poddano dyskusji badania pozwalające na wgląd w histologię guza oraz kwestię, jakie badania obrazowe powinno się zaproponować, aby z dużym prawdopodobieństwem potwierdzić obecność guzów o granicznej złośliwości i bezpiecznie zaplanować operację.
One of significant challenges faced by diabetologists, surgeons and orthopedists who care for patients with diabetic foot syndrome is early diagnosis and differentiation of bone structure abnormalities typical of these patients, i.e. osteitis and Charcot arthropathy. In addition to clinical examination, the patient’s medical history and laboratory tests, imaging plays a significant role. The evaluation usually begins with conventional radiographs. In the case of osteomyelitis, radiography shows osteopenia, lytic lesions, cortical destruction, periosteal reactions as well as, in the chronic phase, osteosclerosis and sequestra. Neurogenic arthropathy, however, presents an image resembling rapidly progressing osteoarthritis combined with aseptic necrosis or inflammation. The image includes: bone destruction with subluxations and dislocations as well as pathological fractures that lead to the presence of bone debris, osteopenia and, in the later phase, osteosclerosis, joint space narrowing, periosteal reactions, grotesque osteophytes and bone ankylosis. In the case of an unfavorable course of the disease and improper or delayed treatment, progression of these changes may lead to significant foot deformity that might resemble a “bag of bones”. Unfortunately, radiography is non-specific and frequently does not warrant an unambiguous diagnosis, particularly in the initial phase preceding bone destruction. For these reasons, alternative imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance tomography, scintigraphy, computed tomography and ultrasonography, are also indicated.
PL
Jednym z istotnych problemów, z jakimi borykają się diabetolodzy, chirurdzy i ortopedzi zajmujący się leczeniem pacjentów z zespołem stopy cukrzycowej, jest możliwie wczesne rozpoznanie oraz zróżnicowanie zmian w strukturach kostnych typowych dla tej grupy chorych – zapalenia kości i neuroosteoartropatii Charcota. W procesie diagnostycznym obok badania podmiotowego, przedmiotowego i wyników badań laboratoryjnych istotną rolę odgrywa diagnostyka obrazowa. Metodą pierwszego rzutu jest klasyczna radiografia. W przypadku zapalenia kości na radiogramach można stwierdzić: obszary rozrzedzenia struktury kostnej, przerwanie zarysów warstwy korowej, odczyny okostnowe, a w fazie przewlekłej również zagęszczenie utkania kostnego i obecność martwaków. W przebiegu neuroosteoartropatii Charcota rozwija się natomiast obraz przypominający szybko postępujące zmiany zwyrodnieniowe, połączone z martwicą aseptyczną lub zmianami zapalnymi, na który składają się: destrukcja kostna z podwichnięciami i zwichnięciami oraz patologicznymi złamaniami prowadzącymi do pojawienia się licznych fragmentów kostnych, rozrzedzenie struktury kostnej, a w fazie późniejszej sklerotyzacja, zwężenie szpar stawowych oraz powstawanie odczynów okostnowych, groteskowych osteofitów, jak również ankyloza kostna. Przy niekorzystnym przebiegu i niewłaściwym leczeniu progresja zmian może doprowadzić do nasilonego zniekształcenia stopy i powstania tzw. rumowiska kostnego. Niestety obraz radiologiczny bywa nieswoisty i niejednokrotnie nie pozwala na postawienie jednoznacznego rozpoznania, zwłaszcza w fazie początkowej, zanim dojdzie do destrukcji kostnej. Z tego względu w niejednoznacznych przypadkach wskazane jest wykorzystanie również innych metod diagnostyki obrazowej, takich jak tomografia rezonansu magnetycznego, badania scyntygraficzne, tomografia komputerowa i ultrasonografia. Artykuł w wersji polskojęzycznej jest dostępny na stronie http://jultrason.pl/index.php/issues/volume-18-no-72
Background: The invasiveness and exposure to radiation in voiding cystourethrography led to the introduction of alternative methods of diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux, including contrast enhanced voiding urosonography. While there is a limited number of studies comparing these methods using new generation ultrasound contrast agents, none of them compared both methods simultaneously. This study is aimed at assessing agreement between contrast enhanced voiding urosonography with second-generation ultrasound contrast agents and voiding cystourethrography. Methods: From April 2013 to May 2014, 83 children (37 female and 46 male), mean age 3.5 years, age range from 1 month to 17.5 years, underwent prospective simultaneous assessment by contrast enhanced voiding urosonography and voiding cystourethrography, with a total of 166 uretero-renal units evaluated. Results: The sensitivity of voiding cystourethrography and contrast enhanced voiding urosonography were comparable, amounting to 88%, however, neither reached 100% for the entire studied population. The negative predictive value of voiding urosonography and voiding cystourethrography was 97%, and there was no difference between both methods. Conclusion: Voiding cystourethrography and contrast enhanced voiding urosonography are comparable methods in diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux, and can be performed alternatively. However, some limitations of contrast enhanced voiding urosonography must be remembered.
PL
Wprowadzenie: Negatywne skutki promieniowania jonizującego wykorzystywanego do badań cystouretrografii mikcyjnej wymuszają poszukiwanie alternatywnych metod diagnostycznych. Takim badaniem może być sonocystografia mikcyjna z użyciem ultrasonograficznych środków kontrastujących. Liczba prac porównujących klasyczne badanie cystouretrografii mikcyjnej i badanie ultrasonograficzne z użyciem środków kontrastujących drugiej generacji jest jednak niewielka. Dotąd nie opublikowano pracy, która porównałaby jednoczasowo obie metody w diagnostyce odpływów pęcherzowo-moczowodowych. Prezentowana praca ma na celu ocenę zgodności między badaniem ultrasonograficznym z użyciem środków kontrastujących drugiej generacji i badaniem cystouretrografii mikcyjnej. Materiał i metody: W okresie od kwietnia 2013 do maja 2014 roku jednoczasowe badanie ultrasonograficzne z użyciem środków kontrastujących drugiej generacji i cystouretrografii mikcyjnej wykonano u 83 dzieci (37 dziewczynek i 46 chłopców, średnia wieku 3,5 roku, zakres wieku od 1 miesiąca do 17,5 roku). Prospektywnej ocenie zostało poddanych 166 jednostek moczowodowo-nerkowych. Wyniki: W badaniu wykazano podobną czułość obu metod diagnostycznych w diagnostyce odpływów pęcherzowo- moczowodowych, na poziomie 88%, żadna z metod nie osiągnęła wyniku 100%. Ujemna wartość predykcyjna dla obu metod wyniosła 97% i nie wykazano żadnej istotnej różnicy pomiędzy obiema metodami w zakresie diagnostyki odpływów pęcherzowo-moczowodowych. Wniosek: Obie metody wykazały podobną czułość w ocenie odpływów pęcherzowo-moczowodowych. Należy jednak pamiętać o możliwych ograniczeniach badania ultrasonograficznego z użyciem środków kontrastujących drugiej generacji w diagnostyce fazy mikcyjnej u niespokojnych, płaczących w trakcie badania dzieci.
The aim of this study was to assess regional perfusion at baseline and regional cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) to delayed acetazolamide challenge in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis. Sixteen patients (ten males) aged 70.94±7.71 with carotid artery stenosis ≥ 90% on the ipsilateral side and ≤ 50% on the contralateral side were enrolled into the study. In all patients, two computed tomography perfusion examinations were carried out; the first was performed before acetazolamide administration and the second 60 minutes after injection. The differences between mean values were examined by paired two-sample t-test and alternative nonparametric Wilcoxon's test. Normality assumption was examined using W Shapiro-Wilk test. The lowest resting-state cerebral blood flow (CBF) was observed in white matter (ipsilateral side: 18.4±6.2; contralateral side: 19.3±6.6) and brainstem (ipsilateral side: 27.8±8.5; contralateral side: 29.1±10.8). Grey matter (cerebral cortex) resting state CBF was below the normal value for subjects of this age: frontal lobe - ipsilateral side: 30.4±7.0, contralateral side: 33.7±7.1; parietal lobe - ipsilateral side: 36.4±11.3, contralateral side: 42.7±9.9; temporal lobe - ipsilateral side: 32.5±8.6, contralateral side: 39.4±10.8; occipital lobe - ipsilateral side: 24.0±6.0, contralateral side: 26.4±6.6). The highest resting state CBF was observed in the insula (ipsilateral side: 49.2±17.4; contralateral side: 55.3±18.4). A relatively high resting state CBF was also recorded in the thalamus (ipsilateral side: 39.7±16.9; contralateral side: 41.7±14.1) and cerebellum (ipsilateral side: 41.4±12.2; contralateral side: 38.1±11.3). The highest CVR was observed in temporal lobe cortex (ipsilateral side: +27.1%; contralateral side: +26.1%) and cerebellum (ipsilateral side: +27.0%; contralateral side: +34.6%). The lowest CVR was recorded in brain stem (ipsilateral side: +20.2%; contralateral side: +22.2%) and white matter (ipsilateral side: +18.1%; contralateral side: +18.3%). All CBF values were provided in milliliters of blood per minute per 100 g of brain tissue (ml/100g/min). Resting state circulation in subjects with carotid artery stenosis is low in all analysed structures with the exception of insula and cerebellum. Acetazolamide challenge yields relatively uniform response in both hemispheres in the investigated population. Grey matter is more reactive to acetazolamide challenge than white matter or brainstem.
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