Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the sensitivity of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) compared to conventional spin-echo T2-weighted and T2*-weighted images in detecting iron deposition in the motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in comparison with age-matched normal controls. We also investigated the etiology of the low signal referring to the pathology of one autopsy case. ⋯ Decreased signal intensity of the motor cortex on SWI may serve a useful role in ALS diagnoses, particularly in young patients. MR images were also helpful for speculating on the etiology of ALS.
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Though diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for diagnosing many pathologies, its use in infectious spondylodiscitis is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the use of DW MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping for the diagnosis of infectious spondylodiscitis. ⋯ These data suggest that DWI/ADC MRI may be useful in the early diagnosis of infectious spondylodiscitis.
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Bilateral optic neuropathy with bilateral putaminal lesions may be caused by methanol or cyanide poisoning or mitochondrial disorders including Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and Leigh syndrome. We report the case of a 34-year-old Japanese man who developed bilateral visual loss 5 days after the development of gastrointestinal symptoms. ⋯ We diagnosed bilateral optic neuropathy with bilateral putaminal lesions caused by preceding infection-triggered demyelination. We administered methylprednisolone, but his vision did not recover.