{"title":"Fetal hemochromatosis: rare case of hepatic and extrahepatic siderosis involving thyroid on fetal MRI","authors":"Sumathi Natarajan, Ravindar Kashyap, Saira Rajan, Dhivakar Muthusamy","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01361-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01361-5","url":null,"abstract":"Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a rare condition that is characterized by severe neonatal liver disease in association with hepatic and extrahepatic excess iron deposition (siderosis), while sparing the reticuloendothelial system. The most common cause of fetal liver injury leading to the NH phenotype (accounting for over 95% of cases) is gestational alloimmune liver disease. This condition is caused by the transfer of maternal IgG antibodies through the placenta, targeting a fetal hepatocyte antigen. Prenatal diagnosis, particularly the identification of iron overload involving both liver and thyroid, is of significant importance and can have a profound impact on patient care. To our knowledge, no case has been reported on prenatal diagnosis of iron overload involving both liver and thyroid. We present an exceptionally rare case of fetal hemochromatosis in a primigravida, a case that significantly contributes to our understanding of this condition. The diagnosis was made with the presence of hepatic and extrahepatic siderosis involving the thyroid using Ultrasonography (USG) and fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings. A 23-year-old primigravida was referred to our center in view of oligohydramnios, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and echogenic bowel at 29 weeks of gestation. USG and fetal MRI showed features of coarse liver echotexture and iron overload involving the liver and thyroid; this is the first case describing iron accumulation in the fetal thyroid gland diagnosed in utero. This case underscores the critical importance of performing MRI in suspected cases of fetal hemochromatosis for early diagnosis and intervention, emphasizing the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ebraheem Hassan Abubakr Shaaban, Mohamed Mahmoud El Shafei, Salah El Deen El Desouki, Rehab Elnemr, Omnia Ezz Eldin
{"title":"Ultrasound-guided combined intra-articular corticosteroids injection and suprascapular nerve block for pain control in patients with frozen shoulder","authors":"Ebraheem Hassan Abubakr Shaaban, Mohamed Mahmoud El Shafei, Salah El Deen El Desouki, Rehab Elnemr, Omnia Ezz Eldin","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01360-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01360-6","url":null,"abstract":"Frozen shoulder is an incapacitating disease that causes pain and limitation in the shoulder joint functional capacity. This work aimed to assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided combined intra-articular corticosteroids (CS) injection and suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) in pain control in patients with frozen shoulders. Our prospective study included 40 patients, equally divided into two groups: group A; managed with combined ultrasound (US) guided intra-articular corticosteroids injection (IACSI) and SSNB, and group B patients managed with US-guided SSNB. The visual analog scale score statistically significantly improved after both injections. This success was maintained and showed mild improvement at 8-week intervals (with increased patient capability to do physiotherapy after pain control). Similarly, improvement in the functional capacity of the shoulder joint was identified and assessed by the Oxford shoulder score (OSS) in both groups. Mean OSS was statistically significantly higher at 4-week intervals than before the nerve block for groups A and B. At 8 weeks interval, this favorable result was sustained (p < .001). US-guided SSNB is an effective, radiation-free method to alleviate frozen shoulder-related pains. However, US-guided combined SSNB and IACSI was more effective than SSNB alone in both pain alleviation and improved shoulder joint function.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142269145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed M. Harraz, Ahmed H. Abouissa, Ahmed Adel El Eshmawy, Wael El Refaey, Ahmed Ibrahim Tawfik
{"title":"Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy in management of pulmonary embolism","authors":"Mohamed M. Harraz, Ahmed H. Abouissa, Ahmed Adel El Eshmawy, Wael El Refaey, Ahmed Ibrahim Tawfik","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01359-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01359-z","url":null,"abstract":"Acute pulmonary embolism is recorded as one of the most common and critical medical conditions, resulting in a notable mortality rate requiring a multidisciplinary management. In this series, we address the management of massive and sub-massive pulmonary embolism utilizing catheter-based intervention, in particular the conjunction of mechanical thrombus disruption and aspiration with pharmacological thrombolysis (pharmacomechanical thrombectomy). 37 patients were diagnosed with massive and sub-massive pulmonary embolism based on the clinical and radiological findings. Pre-procedural vital parameters were obtained, including oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and blood pressure. Under continuous monitoring and conscious sedation, a pulmonary angiography via right common femoral vein access was performed for pre-procedural assessment. Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy was performed using the AngioJet Ultra System (Boston Scientific). Using the power pulse option, a fibrinolytic agent was infused into the thrombus. After 5–10 min, mechanical thrombectomy is performed with a maximum 3 passes through the thrombus. This technique is performed in the main pulmonary artery and lower branch. The procedure is repeated on the other side. The maximum duration of thrombectomy is 2–3 min on each side. Procedure success was based on improvement of vital signs and not related to post-procedure angiographic findings. All patients showed immediate improvement of vital signs (blood pressure, 02 saturation, and pulse rate) with progressive improvement over the following days. There were no procedure-related complications. Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism. It can be a first-line treatment even in patients without absolute contraindication to systemic thrombolysis.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amira R. Mahmoud, Nehad Fouda, Eman Mohamed Helmy, Ali Elsorougy
{"title":"Role of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiation of renal cell carcinoma subtypes","authors":"Amira R. Mahmoud, Nehad Fouda, Eman Mohamed Helmy, Ali Elsorougy","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01352-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01352-6","url":null,"abstract":"Renal cell carcinoma is the most fatal form of renal tumors, representing about ninety percent of all renal cancers. There are different variations in prognosis among various histological types of RCC. In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on differentiating between RCC subtypes. Evaluation of different subtypes of renal cell carcinoma using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted MRI is the aim of this study. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCCs) showed highest f and D values, followed by chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCCs), while papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCCs) had the lowest values. CCRCCs had significantly different D and f values compared to non-clear types (PRCC and ChRCC) (P < 0.05). The D* values of CCRCC were the highest, PCRCC had intermediate values, while ChRCCs had the lowest values (P < 0.05). The D* values of ChRCCs demonstrated significant difference when compared to both CCRCCs and PRCCs (P < 0.05). The cutoff points of D, D* and f parameters for distinguishing CCRCCs from non-clear cell types (ChRCCs and PRCC) were 0.835, 0.0355 and 0.335, respectively, yielding specificities of 97.2%, 83.3% and 76.5% and sensitivities of 100%, 57.5% and 72.7%, respectively. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) can be utilized to distinguish renal cell carcinoma subtypes.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed Marey, Parisa Arjmand, Ameerh Dana Sabe Alerab, Mohammad Javad Eslami, Abdelrahman M. Saad, Nicole Sanchez, Muhammad Umair
{"title":"Explainability, transparency and black box challenges of AI in radiology: impact on patient care in cardiovascular radiology","authors":"Ahmed Marey, Parisa Arjmand, Ameerh Dana Sabe Alerab, Mohammad Javad Eslami, Abdelrahman M. Saad, Nicole Sanchez, Muhammad Umair","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01356-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01356-2","url":null,"abstract":"The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular imaging has revolutionized the field, offering significant advancements in diagnostic accuracy and clinical efficiency. However, the complexity and opacity of AI models, particularly those involving machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), raise critical legal and ethical concerns due to their \"black box\" nature. This manuscript addresses these concerns by providing a comprehensive review of AI technologies in cardiovascular imaging, focusing on the challenges and implications of the black box phenomenon. We begin by outlining the foundational concepts of AI, including ML and DL, and their applications in cardiovascular imaging. The manuscript delves into the \"black box\" issue, highlighting the difficulty in understanding and explaining AI decision-making processes. This lack of transparency poses significant challenges for clinical acceptance and ethical deployment. The discussion then extends to the legal and ethical implications of AI's opacity. The need for explicable AI systems is underscored, with an emphasis on the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. The manuscript explores potential solutions such as explainable AI (XAI) techniques, which aim to provide insights into AI decision-making without sacrificing performance. Moreover, the impact of AI explainability on clinical decision-making and patient outcomes is examined. The manuscript argues for the development of hybrid models that combine interpretability with the advanced capabilities of black box systems. It also advocates for enhanced education and training programs for healthcare professionals to equip them with the necessary skills to utilize AI effectively. Patient involvement and informed consent are identified as critical components for the ethical deployment of AI in healthcare. Strategies for improving patient understanding and engagement with AI technologies are discussed, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication and education. Finally, the manuscript calls for the establishment of standardized regulatory frameworks and policies to address the unique challenges posed by AI in healthcare. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous monitoring, the medical community can ensure the responsible integration of AI into cardiovascular imaging, ultimately enhancing patient care and clinical outcomes.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142203499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joe Vimal Raj, B. Vigneshwaran, Yamini Subbiah, Elamparidhi Padmanaban, Umamageswari Amirthalingam, R. L. Balavaitheeswar
{"title":"Unveiling spindle cell lipoma: a radiological case report","authors":"Joe Vimal Raj, B. Vigneshwaran, Yamini Subbiah, Elamparidhi Padmanaban, Umamageswari Amirthalingam, R. L. Balavaitheeswar","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01357-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01357-1","url":null,"abstract":"Spindle cell lipoma is a benign adipocytic tumour, commonly occuring in the subcutis of posterior neck, upper back and shoulder, particularly in middle aged males. It is often composed of relatively equal ratio of fat and spindle cells, yet either component may predominate. Because of its variable ratio, a spindle cell lipoma may mimic liposarcoma radiologically. This article aimed to describe the MRI characteristics that assist in diagnosing spindle cell lipoma. Case presentation: A 45-year-old female presented with a gradually progressive neck swelling along the posterior aspect over a period of 2 years. Physical examination revealed a firm, mobile, non-tender mass in the left suboccipital region. Radiographic imaging showed a well-defined heterogeneous, minimally enhancing soft tissue swelling with areas of macroscopic fat and multiple macrocalcifications in the left suboccipital region extending to the left parapharyngeal space, showing loss of fat plane with adjacent muscles. Differential diagnoses of soft tissue neoplasms such as atypical lipoma and low-grade liposarcoma were considered. Surgical excision confirmed a myxoid variant of spindle cell lipoma upon histopathological examination. Spindle cell lipomas, commonly found in the posterior neck, have varied imaging features that are not distinctive. Despite their non-specific nature, radiologists should recognize these features, as the tumor can be treated effectively with simple excision. When encountering a well-defined, complex fatty mass in the subcutaneous tissue of the posterior neck, consider a diagnostic possibility of spindle cell lipoma.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sahar Mansour, Enas Sweed, Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed Gomaa, Samar Ahmed Hussein, Engy Abdallah, Yassmin Mohamed Nada, Rasha Kamal, Ghada Mohamed, Sherif Nasser Taha, Amr Farouk Ibrahim Moustafa
{"title":"Artificial intelligence as an initial reader for double reading in breast cancer screening: a prospective initial study of 32,822 mammograms of the Egyptian population","authors":"Sahar Mansour, Enas Sweed, Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed Gomaa, Samar Ahmed Hussein, Engy Abdallah, Yassmin Mohamed Nada, Rasha Kamal, Ghada Mohamed, Sherif Nasser Taha, Amr Farouk Ibrahim Moustafa","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01353-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01353-5","url":null,"abstract":"Although artificial intelligence (AI) has potential in the field of screening of breast cancer, there are still issues. It is vital to make sure AI does not overlook cancer or cause needless recalls. The aim of this work was to investigate the effectiveness of indulging AI in combination with one radiologist in the routine double reading of mammography for breast cancer screening. The study prospectively analyzed 32,822 screening mammograms. Reading was performed in a blind-paired style by (i) two radiologists and (ii) one radiologist paired with AI. A heatmap and abnormality scoring percentage were provided by AI for abnormalities detected on mammograms. Negative mammograms and benign-looking lesions that were not biopsied were confirmed by a 2-year follow-up. Double reading by the radiologist and AI detected 1324 cancers (6.4%); on the other side, reading by two radiologists revealed 1293 cancers (6.2%) and presented a relative proportion of 1·02 (p < 0·0001). At the recall stage, suspicion and biopsy recommendation were more presented by the AI plus one radiologist combination than by the two radiologists. The interpretation of the mammogram by AI plus only one radiologist showed a sensitivity of 94.03%, a specificity of 99.75%, a positive predictive value of 96.571%, a negative predictive value of 99.567%, and an accuracy of 99.369% (from 99.252 to 99.472%). The positive likelihood ratio was 387.260, negative likelihood ratio was 0.060, and AUC “area under the curve” was 0.969 (0.967–0.971). AI could be used as an initial reader for the evaluation of screening mammography in routine workflow. Implementation of AI enhanced the opportunity to reduce false negative cases and supported the decision to recall or biopsy.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142203500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hamza Retal, Soumya El Graini, Amine Naggar, Alia Yassine Kassab, Asaad El Bakkari, Laila Jroundi, Fatima Zahrae Laamrani
{"title":"Utility of computed tomography in assessing caustic ingestion damage to the esogastric tract","authors":"Hamza Retal, Soumya El Graini, Amine Naggar, Alia Yassine Kassab, Asaad El Bakkari, Laila Jroundi, Fatima Zahrae Laamrani","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01358-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01358-0","url":null,"abstract":"Ingestion of corrosive substances represents a frequent and consequential medical scenario, significantly impacting both vital and functional prognoses through the emergence of acute complications or stenosis, which pose considerable therapeutic challenges. Currently, endoscopy remains the cornerstone modality for diagnostic assessment and management. Nevertheless, recent research highlights computed tomography (CT) as a promising alternative, avoiding the risks associated with endoscopy and reducing the unnecessary surgical interventions based on its findings. Our retrospective study, spanning three years, encompassed 28 patients who had ingested corrosive substances. Among them, 24 underwent both CT scanning and endoscopic evaluation using CT and endoscopic scores. Employing Standardized CT scoring criteria alongside the Zargar’s endoscopic classification, our findings revealed significant concordance between the two modalities, particularly in discerning trans-parietal necrosis within the esophagus and stomach. Notably, radiographic evidence of digestive tract injury was found to be predictive of complications in over 80% of cases, demonstrating high sensitivity and negative predictive value. Furthermore, CT scores indicating moderate to severe injury were significantly associated with stenosis, with slightly inferior performance compared to endoscopy. Of particular note, a CT score indicative of severe injury was found to be a good predictor of mortality, further underscoring the prognostic value of CT in these cases. While the utility of CT in this context is undeniable, its integration with endoscopic findings remains imperative. We advocate for a systematic approach incorporating CT scanning, with further prospective research warranted to explore the feasibility of CT as a standalone diagnostic tool, as suggested by some scholars.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"402 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142203528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Momena Essam Ibrahim Elsadawy, Yehia Omar, Noha M. Taha
{"title":"The added value of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in anatomical staging of prostatic carcinoma in correlation with the histopathological zonal staging","authors":"Momena Essam Ibrahim Elsadawy, Yehia Omar, Noha M. Taha","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01351-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01351-7","url":null,"abstract":"Prostate cancer is well known as the commonest cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. CT, MRI and bone scintigraphy are considered the commonly widely used imaging diagnostic tools for detection, staging and follow-up of prostate cancer. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a membrane glycoprotein, that can be concentrated in prostate cancer cells up to 100 times higher than in normal cells. PSMA-targeted imaging modalities have now proven their efficacy in diagnosis, staging and follow-up of prostate cancer. The use of 68Ga PSMA PET-CT has efficiently improved the detection of loco-regional and metastatic disease. 68Ga PSMA PET-CT also has an effective role in the primary diagnosis, staging, and detecting biochemical recurrence after curative treatment and in metastasis-targeted therapy. This work aims to review the role of 68Ga PSMA PET-CT in anatomical staging of prostate cancer in correlation with histopathological staging. Zonal correlation between 68Ga PSMA findings and biopsy results showed sensitivity ranging between 76.9 and 90.6% and specificity ranging from 85.7 to 100%. There was high significant correlation between the SUVmax uptake and the biopsy results, between the SUVmax uptake and the local staging as well as between the Gleason score and 68Ga PSMA PET/CT findings. 68Ga PSMA PET/CT is a highly promising imaging modality with an effective role in detection of prostate cancer showing high sensitivity and specificity in prediction of zonal histopathological results and loco-regional Gleason score staging with significant positive correlation between the SUV uptake results, Gleason score and the PSA levels.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"106 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142203525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amine Naggar, Ibtissam El Ouali, Saadia Aidi, Adyl Melhaoui, Najwa Ech-cherif el Kettani, Meriem Fikri, Mohamed Jiddane, Firdaous Touarsa
{"title":"Spinal arachnoid web: a systematic review of a rare entity, with two illustrative case reports","authors":"Amine Naggar, Ibtissam El Ouali, Saadia Aidi, Adyl Melhaoui, Najwa Ech-cherif el Kettani, Meriem Fikri, Mohamed Jiddane, Firdaous Touarsa","doi":"10.1186/s43055-024-01348-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-024-01348-2","url":null,"abstract":"Spinal arachnoid web (AW) is a very rare entity, with a limited number of cases documented in the literature. Our manuscript represented a comprehensive general review, encompassing various aspects of the subject matter without focusing on any single element. The objective of this systematic review was to describe and analyze reported cases of surgically proven spinal arachnoid webs (AWs) to elucidate their imaging and clinical features, pathophysiology, and optimal management strategies, and to determine the total number of documented cases in the literature. Patterns and commonalities across reported cases were identified to provide a clearer framework for diagnosing and treating this elusive condition. A search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, respecting PRISMA guidelines, was conducted to include reported cases of surgically proven spinal AW. Our surgically proven case was included as well. The search yielded 196 cases of surgically confirmed spinal AWs in the literature. Adding our case, the total is 197. They are seen commonly in middle-aged patients, slightly more prevalent in males, and often without an evident cause. Sensation disturbances were the most frequently found clinical signs, followed by gait difficulties, weakness, and pain. Symptoms were predominantly located in the lower limbs and trunk. On imaging, an indentation to the rear aspect of the spinal cord was most frequently found at the mid-thorax followed by the upper thorax, often associated with a syrinx or a hyperintense T2 cord signal, usually extending rostrally. Excision was the most efficient treatment. The assessment found that AW cases are rare in the literature, indicating the disease's scarcity. It manifests insidiously, with the shortest latency reported being 2 weeks. Upper limb symptoms occur in a quarter of cases regardless of the AW's thoracic location, likely due to rostral syrinx and cerebrospinal fluid flow disturbances. Most pathology results revealed fibrous connective tissue, similar to findings in arachnoid cysts, suggesting that AW may result from a ruptured arachnoid cyst or its precursor. Using 3D SPACE STIR and CISS MRI sequences is recommended to visualize the arachnoid band directly.","PeriodicalId":11540,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142203526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}