1.
[Degenerative cerebellar diseases and differential diagnoses].
Reith, W, Roumia, S, Dietrich, P
Der Radiologe. 2016;(11):976-982
Abstract
CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE Cerebellar syndromes result in distinct clinical symptoms, such as ataxia, dysarthria, dysmetria, intention tremor and eye movement disorders. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS In addition to the medical history and clinical examination, imaging is particularly important to differentiate other diseases, such as hydrocephalus and multi-infarct dementia from degenerative cerebellar diseases. Degenerative diseases with cerebellar involvement include Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy as well as other diseases including spinocerebellar ataxia. ACHIEVEMENTS In addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine imaging investigations are also helpful for the differentiation. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T2-weighted sequences can sometimes show a signal increase in the pons as a sign of degeneration of pontine neurons and transverse fibers in the basilar part of the pons. The imaging is particularly necessary to exclude other diseases, such as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), multi-infarct dementia and cerebellar lesions.
2.
Role of isotope scan, including positron emission tomography/computed tomography, in nodular goitre.
Giovanella, L, Ceriani, L, Treglia, G
Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2014;(4):507-18
Abstract
Nuclear medicine techniques were first used in clinical practice for diagnosing and treating thyroid diseases in the 1950s, and are still an integral part of thyroid nodules work-up. Thyroid imaging with iodine or iodine-analogue isotopes is the only examination able to prove the presence of autonomously functioning thyroid tissue, which excludes malignancy with a high probability. In addition, a thyroid scan with technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile is able to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures for cytologically inconclusive thyroid nodules, as confirmed by meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness studies. Finally, positron emission tomography alone, and positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography scans with (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose are also promising for diagnosing thyroid diseases, but further studies are needed before introducing them to clinical practice.