[Visualization of the female breast in bone scintigraphy]

Breast cancer incidence rates in Japan have more than doubled in the decade between 1975 and 1985 due to a well-established and affluent Western life-style. One hundred patients having breast cancer, 107 patients having mastectomies, and 243 patients having no breast cancer were reviewed for whole body and spot views of bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP. The frequency of positive breast uptake in patients with no breast cancer showed a maximum in those patients between the ages of 30 and 40, with a progressive rise and fall before and after the peak, respectively. Patients between the ages of 50 and 60 with breast cancer showed a maximum uptake of 83%, while those patients between the ages of 70 and 80 with breast cancer showed an uptake higher than 50%. There was a markedly higher breast uptake ratio in the breast cancer group compared to the breast cancer free group. Although this scanning agent was of no value in recognition of tumor localization from breast uptake, we have to suspect a high incidence of cancer existence whenever there was unilateral increased breast activity. Even though the mechanism of 99mTc-MDP uptake by breast tissue is unknown, breast concentration of 99mTc-MDP appears to be influenced by hormones, especially estrogen.

[A case of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome]

The Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a recently described clinical entity consisting of severe myalgia and eosinophilia that has ascribed to the ingestion of the amino acid L-tryptophan. Over 1500 cases of EMS have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control of United States as of June 1990. We report a case of EMS associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan. A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to severe myalgia. She had swelling on extremities and eosinophilia (1880/mm3). Full thickness biopsy of affected portion showed inflammation of fascia with eosinophils and histiocytes, which were compatible with eosinophilic fasciitis. She had a history of ingestion of fitness protein tablets bought at Hawaii for 3 months from Sep. to Dec. 1989, which contained the amino acid L-tryptophan. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed her as EMS. It is suggested that this case is rare and important in Japan.

[Evaluation of the alkaline-phosphatase labeled DNA probes for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex]

Non-radioisotopic, alkaline phosphatase-labeled DNA (AP-DNA) probe tests for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtb) and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) were evaluated. The overall agreement, sensitivity and specificity of the AP-DNA probes for Mtb and MAC were 100% respectively compared with the conventional biochemical method. Because the procedure is rapid (it can be completed approximately 120 min), safe (it does not use radioisotopes) and convenient (it does not need the special equipment to be performed), it can be easily performed in any clinical laboratory.

[Abnormal findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus involving the brain]

To elucidate the clinical significance of MRI on CNS-SLE, MRI and CT scans were performed in 35 patients with SLE, of 18 patients who had CNS manifestations at the time of MRI examinations. The investigations were also carried out with 17 patients without CNS-SLE. The rate of detection of abnormal findings on MRI in patients with CNS-SLE was 77.2% (14/18), which was high, as compared with the rate of those on CT scans (50%: 9/18). Especially, all of 4 patients with seizure and 3 patients with encephalopathy showed abnormal MRI findings, although respectively 50% and 33.3% of them had abnormal CT scan findings. MRI findings were classified into 4 groups as below: 1) Large focal are as of increased signal intensity at T2 weighted image. These were observed in 2 of 4 patients with seizure and 1 of 3 patients with encephalopathy, which were completely resolved after treatment. 2) Patchy subcortical foci of increased signal intensity at T2 weighted image. These were observed in 11 of 18 CNS-SLE and 7 of 17 without CNS-SLE, which were not detected by CT scan. 3) All of six patients with cerebral infarctions showed high signal intensity areas at T2 weighted image and low signal intensity areas at T1 weighted image. 4) Normal findings were observed in 4 of 18 CNS-SLE (22.2%). We concluded that MRI is useful for the evaluation of CNS-SLE and provides more information than CT scan.

[Therapeutic efficacy of norfloxacin for experimental osteomyelitis in rabbits]

Norfloxacin (NFLX), a new quinolone antibiotic agent, was evaluated for its efficacy in experimental osteomyelitis in rabbits. Osteomyelitis was induced in male rabbits by the inoculation of 10(7) CFU/ml (0.1 ml) of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC for NFLX: 0.78 micrograms/ml) with 0.4 ml of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate into the medullary cavity of the proximal tibia. The rabbits were divided into 3 different groups of 4 animals each. The animals in 2 groups were orally administered with NFLX; 100 mg/kg once-daily (group 2) and 50 mg/kg twice-daily (group 3) for 7 days from the 6th hour after inoculation. Group 1 was established as a control without administration of NFLX. All animals were sacrificed on the 7th day after inoculation. Acute osteomyelitic changes were found microscopically in all animals in group 1. In each of the 2 therapeutic groups, incidence of microscopic changes was 50% associated with remission of S-sialic acid value. Thus, NFLX may be considered a useful antimicrobial agent for the treatment of suppurative osteomyelitis.

[Analysis of stereoisomers involved products of synthesized 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose by 1H-NMR spectroscopy]

18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-mannose (FDM) is eventually involved in side products of 18F-2-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) synthesized by the acetylhypofluorite method. We attempted the measurement of existence ratio of FDM and FDG, FDM alpha and FDM beta, FDG alpha and FDG beta by 400 MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The ratio of FDM to FDG were 4.0%. The amounts of FDG beta were much larger than those of FDG alpha. The difference between the amounts of FDM alpha and FDM beta were not significant. 1H-NMR spectroscopy could be utilized in quantitative analysis of products and byproducts in cyclotron chemicals. The FDM in FDG synthesized in our cyclotron system was not considered to affect a lot of influence in PET study.

Positron emission tomography using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose in malignant lymphoma: a comparison with proliferative activity

To evaluate the relationship between PET using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and pathological findings and to compare indices obtained by FDG-PET, FDG-PET was performed in 23 patients with untreated malignant lymphoma. Three indices obtained by FDG-PET, tumor-to-normal contrast ratio (TCR), distribution absorption ratio (DAR), k1k2/(k2 + k3), correlated with proliferative activity which was pathologically estimated both by mitotic count and by proportion of cells in all phases of the cell cycle. The relationship did not significantly change according to which of the three indices was chosen. FDG-PET, which shows the proliferative activity of tumors, is considered to be a useful method for managing tumors.

An analysis of first-order release kinetics from albumin microspheres

Release rates from BSA microspheres prepared from various conditions are analysed using a previously reported equation expressing the first-order release rate constant. The permeability constants calculated applying the equation on experimental release rates are in good agreement with the constants measured from permeation studies using planar membrane, for various preparation conditions. It is shown that the equation expressing the first-order release rate constant is valid more extensively. The permeability constant varies depending on the preparation conditions, and the reason for variation is shown clearly to be the difference in degree of swelling of the polymer. It was found from regression analysis that there is relatively simple correlation between unknown parameters of the equation and the preparation conditions. Release rate constants can be calculated applying the equation on the known parameters and the estimated values of the unknown parameters from the correlation. Good agreement was found between the calculated values and experimental ones; therefore, at least as far as we examined here, the release rate constant of the microsphere can be estimated from the preparation conditions.

Identification of contact allergens in C.I. Solvent Red 23 (commercial Sudan III) by chemical analysis and animal testing

C.I. Solvent Red 23, commercial Sudan III, is widely used in cosmetic products. Chemical analyses and guinea pig sensitization tests were carried out to identify its contact allergens. In the Magnusson & Kligman guinea pig maximization test, C.I. Solvent Red 23 showed 20% positive reactions. By conducting chemical analyses with HPLC and GLC, 2-naphthol (82 ppm), azobenzene (48 ppm), Sudan I (570 ppm) and many unknown impurities, as well as the main constituent pigment Sudan III (87%), were found. The chemical structure of one unknown impurity was identified as an isomer of Sudan III. We found that purified Sudan III showed no positive reaction, while the isomer elicited 30% positive reactions, in the same guinea pig test. Furthermore, cross-sensitization with p-phenylenediamine was investigated using the guinea pig test. Animals sensitized with p-phenylenediamine also showed positive elicitation reactions with purified Sudan III. From these results, the contact allergenicity of C.I. Solvent Red 23 is considered to be due to impurities, including the isomer of Sudan III, 1-(o-phenylazophenylazo)-2-naphthol. Positive reactions to Sudan III previously demonstrated in hairdressers are due to cross-sensitivity with p-phenylenediamine.

A new concept for interpretation of first-order release from albumin microspheres

A release mechanism from a microsphere that consisted of a water-swellable polymer and a uniformly dispersed, relatively small number of very slightly soluble large-core particles was considered. When the microsphere is dipped in release media the polymer swells instantly, and every core particle dissolves in the release media in the space between the core particles and the swollen polymer to make a saturated solution. It is assumed that Fickian diffusion of dissolved core substance between all spaces filled with saturated solution and outer sink occurs independent of each other, and release from one entire microsphere is the sum of diffusion from all spaces in the microsphere. Then, derived theoretical release kinetics is found to be first-order, and the derived first-order release rate constant is expressed as a function of the following parameters: radius of core particle, radius of the microsphere, solubility of core substance to media solution, density of the core particle, and permeability constant of core substance in swollen polymer. When rate constants were measured from release tests, varying each parameter, the relation between constants and each parameter follows the function. The permeability constant, which was calculated applying the function on measured rate constants and other known parameters, was in good agreement with the permeability constant measured from permeation study of planar membrane prepared in similar conditions to when preparing microspheres. These results are thought to show the validity of the mechanism and function proposed.

Change of cerebral glucose metabolism by antineoplastic drug

To estimate change of cerebral glucose metabolism by anticancer drugs, positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was performed in 11 patients with malignancies who did not show neurological symptoms. In a patient treated with intravenous high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) and intrathecal MTX, apparent decrease of glucose metabolism was observed. HD-MTX and intrathecal MTX may cause cerebral glucose metabolism disorder primarily. Cerebral glucose metabolism was also mildly reduced by chemotherapy with drugs other than MTX and by radiotherapy outside the brain, with a corresponding change of blood data. It may reflect a psychosomatic change in whole body.

[Fundamental studies on "M. TB probe assay kit" for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis]

DNA probe assay kit for the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was evaluated. This kit is based on beads capture method and using a 20 well assay tray. The culture isolate is suspended with 0.5 ml sterilized water in the tube containing phi 3 mm glass beads for dispersion, transferred to a well of the assay tray. After lysation and adsorption of the nucleic acids to the capture bead, 125I-DNA probe specific for the M. tuberculosis is added to the sample and hybridized for 1 hour at 65 degrees C. Hybridized probe trapped on the capture bead is quantitated using a gamma counter. This hybridization assay kit can detect more than 1 x 10(5) bacteria per assay. Using the control DNA (synthesized oligonucleotide complementary to the probe sequences) and suspension of the culture isolates, the intra assay C.V. value was 4.3% and 5.2% respectively. To compare this probe assay kit with the conventional culture identification method, a total of 144 culture isolates were examined. This test for the M. tuberculosis had 99.3% agreement with the conventional identification procedures, and demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 98.2% specificity. The suspension of culture isolates can be stocked by freezing, the samples can be assayed together when they have accumulated instead of every day. As shown in the above, this assay kit demonstrates a high level of specificity and sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Difference in sensitivity of cardiovascular and respiratory control neurons in the subretrofacial nucleus to glutamate receptor subtype agonists in SHR, WKY and cats

Using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and cats, either glutamate or a glutamate receptor subtype agonist was injected into the subretrofacial nucleus (SRF) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla at the site where the pressor response had been evoked by electrical stimulation. The sensitivity of SRF neurons to the electrical stimulation or glutamate receptor agonist was estimated by the threshold current or dose required to evoke the pressor response. The threshold of SRF neurons to electrical stimulation was similar in the three animal groups, while that to the glutamate receptor agonist was different. The significance of the difference in threshold between WKY and SHR was calculated as was that between WKY and cats. The threshold for kainate stimulation was ten times lower for SHR (0.016 pmol, P less than 0.001) and five times higher for cats (0.78 pmol, P less than 0.05); that for quisqualate stimulation was fifty times lower for SHR (0.016 pmol, P less than 0.001) but similar for cats; that for NMDA stimulation was twelve times lower for SHR (0.13 pmol, P less than 0.001) but seven times higher for cats (11 pmol, P less than 0.01); that for glutamate stimulation was ten times lower for SHR (4.2 pmol, P less than 0.001) but similar for cats. The heart rate and respiratory responses associated with the pressor response were tachycardiac and hypopneic in SHR and WKY, but bradycardiac and hyperpneic in cats. These responses were less dominant than the pressor response. We suggest that the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR may be partly due to abnormal properties of glutamate receptor subtypes acting on vasomotor control neurons in the SRF.

Role of intestinal excretion in the effect of subcutaneously administered sedecamycin on cecal infection caused by Treponema hyodysenteriae in mice

The therapeutic effects of subcutaneously administered sedecamycin on experimental Treponema hyodysenteriae infection in mice were evaluated. Sedecamycin was more active than tiamulin and lincomycin. The efficacy of sedecamycin upon subcutaneous administration was similar to that upon oral administration. Sedecamycin given subcutaneously provided similar degrees of protection in bile duct-ligated and intact mice. Pharmacokinetic studies utilizing a liquid chromatographic technique were carried out to determine the concentration of sedecamycin in the cecum, the site of T. hyodysenteriae infection in mice. Little sedecamycin was found; however, lankacidinol, a major metabolite of sedecamycin, was found in the cecal contents of intact mice after subcutaneous or oral administration of sedecamycin. Lankacidinol was also found in the cecal contents of bile duct-ligated mice, although the concentration found after subcutaneous administration of sedecamycin was much lower than that found after subcutaneous or oral administration to intact mice. These results indicate that sedecamycin is excreted directly into the intestinal tract as an active metabolite by a route other than the bile duct. It is suggested that this intestinal excretion plays an important role in the efficacy of subcutaneously administered sedecamycin against cecal infection of mice by T. hyodysenteriae.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in patients with migraine

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied in 91 patients with migraine and in 98 controls. Risk factors known to cause MRI lesions were carefully examined. In 36 patients with migraine (39.6%), small foci of high intensity on T2-weighted and proton-density-weighted images were seen in the white matter. Of patients with migraine who were less than 40 years old and without any risk factor, 29.4% showed lesions on MRI; this was significantly higher than the 11.2% for the group of age-matched controls (n = 98). The lesions were distributed predominantly in the centrum semiovale and frontal white matter in young patients, but extended to the deeper white matter at the level of basal ganglia in the older age group. The side of the MRI lesions did not always correspond to the side of usual aura or headache. Migraine-related variables such as type of migraine, frequency, duration or intensity of headache or consumption of ergotamine showed no significant correlation with the incidence of MRI abnormalities. Our data indicated that migraine may be associated with early pathologic changes in the brain.

Non-thermal vasodilatation by radio frequency burst-type electromagnetic field radiation in the frog

1. When the web of the anaesthetized Xenopus laevis was perfused with Ringer solution maintained at 20 degrees C, radio frequency (RF) burst-type electromagnetic (EM) field radiation not only dilated arterioles of the web which had been preconstricted with noradrenaline, but also dilated arterioles under non-stimulated conditions. The EM field-induced vasodilatation increased slowly and reached a plateau 60 min after the onset of radiation. After the cessation of radiation, vasodilatation remained for 10-20 min, then slowly subsided. 2. When a 10 MHz, 1 V (peak to peak) generator voltage induced a 7.3 milliGauss, 2.19 V cm-1 EM field, the vasodilatory effect was optimum when bursts were applied 50% of the total time at 10 kHz burst rate. 3. The vasodilatory effect was not secondary to dielectric heat in the web, because the EM field was too weak to have produced enough heat to dilate the arterioles and heat would have been constantly conducted away by the perfusion solution. 4. During perfusion with Ringer solution warmed to 30 degrees C, no vasodilatation was found, but perfusion with Ringer solution warmed to 35 degrees C induced only 11% vasodilatation. Perfusion with Ringer solution warmed to 37 degrees C induced irreversible vasoconstriction. The pattern of vasodilatation induced by warm Ringer solution was different from the vasodilatory effect of weak EM field radiation. 5. The extent of the vasodilatory effect was influenced by Ca2+ concentration of the perfusion medium. Under normal Ca2+ conditions arterioles dilated to 126% of the control diameter, while under Ca(2+)-free conditions arterioles dilated to 131% of the control value and under high-Ca2+ conditions (twice the normal level) arterioles dilated to 111% of the control value. This suggests that the vasodilatory effect may be caused by facilitation of Ca2+ outflow, and the extent of this flow may settle down to the equilibrium level of countercurrent flux between Ca2+ influx and outflow. 6. The vasodilatory effect was not inhibited under perfusion with Na(+)-free Ringer solution, suggesting that Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system may not be involved in the vasodilatory effect. The vasodilatory effect was inhibited by vanadate, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-ATPase, and was abolished by Methylene Blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase. The evidence suggests that the mechanism of the vasodilatory effect may depend on an increase in Ca2+ outflow through the plasma membrane of the smooth muscle and/or an increase in Ca2+ influx into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The use of FDG-PET in the detection and management of malignant lymphoma: correlation of uptake with prognosis

Twenty-one patients with untreated malignant lymphoma in the head and neck region were evaluated with positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and gallium-67 SPECT imaging. Tumor-to-normal soft-tissue contrast ratios (TCRs) obtained 60 min after injection of FDG were higher than 2.6, and all malignant lymphomas were clearly visualized. In patients with poor prognosis, higher TCRs and glucose utilization rates (GURs) were observed, whereas low TCR and GUR were shown in a patient with low-grade malignancy. In comparison with 67Ga scintigraphy, patients with high TCRs and GURs were likely to show increased accumulation of gallium-67, but accumulation of gallium-67 was not increased as much as FDG in poor prognostic patients. FDG-PET may be useful in the detection and management of malignant lymphoma.

BHV-1 adsorption is mediated by the interaction of glycoprotein gIII with heparinlike moiety on the cell surface

The gIII glycoprotein of bovid herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) has been shown to mediate the adsorption of the virions to cells (K. Okazaki, E. Honda, T. Minetoma, and T. Kumagai, 1987, Arch. Virol. 97, 297-307). In this study, the cellular receptor for BHV-1 was investigated. Addition of heparin to the virus inoculum and treatment of the cells with heparinase prevented the virus from adsorbing to and infecting the cells. Of the major glycoproteins of BHV-1 only gIII was found to bind specifically to heparin. The binding of gIII was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against antigenic site Ia, which interferes with the adsorption of the virus. These findings indicate that the virus adsorption to cells is mediated by interaction of the gIII antigenic site Ia with a heparinlike moiety on the cell surface, which serves as a receptor for BHV-1.

Unusually late onset of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea after head trauma

Two cases of acute meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, in which the head trauma responsible occurred 10 and 30 years before, are presented. Intraoperatively, the brain parenchyma was found to be plugged into the fractured anterior fossa. By debridement and duraplasty from an intradural approach, both patients were cured. Several precipitating factors could be responsible for this unusually late reopening of the fistula. The possible accidental causes could be coughing or undetected microtraumas, but in the long run, atrophy of tissues and consequent changes in brain compliance with aging may play a role.

[Magnetic resonance imaging of small nasopharyngeal tumors]

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 9 patients with a small nasopharyngeal tumor were examined, and among them three cases were evaluated with Gd-DTPA enhancement technique. All cases showed no asymmetry of parapharyngeal space, but they presented neck lymph nodes swelling. These cases were proved malignant by surgical procedures and the blind biopsy. MR findings of levator and tensor veli palatini muscles and retropharyngeal lymph nodes were retrospectively evaluated in correlation with endoscopic examination and biopsy. In six cases among 9 patients, MR images demonstrated tumors on the lateral wall of nasopharynx. Infiltration of levator veli palatini muscle was an especially important earlier sign of nasopharyngeal tumor invasion because the levator veli palatini muscle belongs to the intrapharyngeal muscle group. Endoscopic examination could not reveal any abnormal lesion in three cases among these 6 cases. No definite signal intensity difference between tumor and pharyngeal mucosa was shown on both T1 and T2 weighted images. But the normal pharyngeal mucosa had demonstrated higher intensity than tumor with Gd-DTPA administration. So the enhanced nasopharyngeal MR imaging made the clear intensity difference between tumor and muscle tissue. It was the conclusion that MR imaging was superior to X-CT in detecting small nasopharyngeal tumor.

New degradation product of des-Gly10-NH2-LH-RH-ethylamide (fertirelin) in aqueous solution

A new degradation product was found in an ampule preparation of des-Gly10-NH2-LH-RH-ethylamide (fertirelin) stored at room temperatures. The same product, produced at a higher temperature, was identified to be a diastereomeric mixture of cyclo(His-Trp) by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and comparison with authentic samples. Preferred conformations regarding substituents on the diketopiperazine ring of cyclo(His-Trp) were calculated using coupling constants between vicinal protons.

Artificial neural networks for source localization in the human brain

Source localization in the brain remains an ill-posed problem unless further constraints about the type of sources and the head model are imposed. Human head is modeled in various ways depending critically on the computing power available and/or the required level of accuracy. Sophisticated and truly representative models may yield more accurate results in general, but at the cost of prohibitively long computer times and huge memory requirements. In conventional source localization techniques, solution source parameters are taken as those which minimize an index of performance, defined relative to the model-generated and clinically measured voltages. We propose the use of a neural network in the place of commonly employed minimization algorithms such as the Simplex Method and the Marquardt algorithm, which are iterative and time consuming. With the aid of the error-backpropagation technique, a neural network is trained to compute source parameters, starting from a voltage set measured on the scalp. Here we describe the methods of training the neural network and investigate its localization accuracy. Based on the results of extensive studies, we conclude that neural networks are highly feasible as source localizers. A trained neural network's independence of localization speed from the head model, and the rapid localization ability, makes it possible to employ the most complex head model with the ease of the simplest model. No initial parameters need to be guessed in order to start the calculation, implying a possible automation of the entire localization process. One may train the network on experimental data, if available, thereby possibly doing away with head models.

[A case of juvenile hemifacial spasm, successfully treated by microvascular decompression]

A 16-year-old girl had an episode of intermittent involuntary spasm of the right inferior orbicularis oculi muscle at the age of 12. In the following years the right orbicularis oris muscle and platysma were unilaterally and progressively involved in the spasms and with increasing frequency. Medical treatment with minor transquilizer was not effective. She was referred to our department at the age of 16. CT and MRI revealed no abnormality. Angiographical study revealed that the right PICA (posterior inferior cerebellar artery) was tourtously coming off from a relatively high portion of the right vertebral artery. The trunk of the right AICA (anterior inferior cerebellar artery) was not able to be identified. Although the onset of this condition was unusually early, the clinical course and symptoms of hemifacial spasm were so clearly typical that she underwent microvascular decompression surgery on July 26, 1988, at the age of 16. During the operation an upward looping PICA was found crossing and tightly compressing the exit zone of the right facial nerve. The offending artery seemed to be elastic without significant atherosclerotic change. The arterial loop was carefully dissected and replaced with two pieces of sponge prosthesis between the artery and the surface of brain stem. Her hemifacial spasm completely disappeared post-operatively. No recurrence has been noted for over one year in the follow-up observation. Hemifacial spasm is subacutely or chronically a progressive disorder of facial involuntary movement. The arterial compression in the exit zone of the facial nerve is said to be the cause of the disorder and microvascular decompression has been indicated for it since a little before the beginning of this decade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reversible MRI and CT findings in uremic encephalopathy

In this 35-year-old woman with chronic glomerulonephritis and uremic encephalopathy, the basal ganglia bilaterally, internal capsules and periventricular white matter showed hypodensity on CT, low signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI and high signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI. Following a series of dialyses, her clinical symptoms and blood chemistry improved. The CT and MRI returned to normal. These reversible abnormalities may be caused by reversible ischemic change, but disorders of cerebral metabolism and uremic toxins may contribute.