Evaluating contrast-enhancing brain lesions in patients with AIDS by using positron emission tomography

Article Abstract:

Using positron emission tomography along with a Toxoplasma blood test in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who have documented brain lesions may non-invasively distinguish patients with toxoplasmosis from those with lymph cancer. Positron emission tomography is an imaging technique that prints internal cross-sectional images that highlight pockets of metabolism activity. Doctors evaluated positron emission tomography scans and Toxoplasma blood tests of 18 patients with AIDS who had documented brain lesions and recommended therapy based on the outcomes of these tests. They accurately distinguished patients with lymph cancer from those with toxoplasmosis or other conditions in 17 of the 18 cases. Only one patient required a brain biopsy to determine a diagnosis. Eight patients had toxoplasmosis, six patients had lymph cancer, and four patients had other conditions.

Evaluation, Medical examination, Diseases, AIDS patients, Blood, Lymphomas, PET imaging, Positron emission tomography, Toxoplasmosis, Blood tests

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Transient cortical blindness and bioccipital brain lesions in two patients with acute intermittent porphyria

Article Abstract:

Patients with a sudden loss of vision may have porphyria. Porphyria is a condition characterized by an increase in the production of porphyrin compounds and can have various neurological symptoms. Doctors presented the case histories of two patients who had a sudden loss of vision. They found lesions in the back of the brain by using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Urine tests of both patients revealed elevated levels of porphyrin compounds. Doctors determined that they both had porphyria. Both patients had seizures during their hospital stays. One patient developed temporary muscle weakness in both arms and legs and the other developed paralysis in both arms and legs. Vision returned to normal and the neurological symptoms disappeared with glucose and hematin or heme-arginate treatment.

Blindness, Porphyria

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Brain lesions in scuba divers

Article Abstract:

Scuba divers are more likely than non-divers to have brain lesions caused by a lack of blood supply to that area of the brain. This could be caused by gas bubbles that form in the blood as the diver rises to the surface.

Health aspects, Injuries, Causes of, Brain, Ischemia, Brain injuries, Scuba diving

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