Intimate Visions: Representations of the Imperfect Body in the Age of Digital Medicine

Leonardo ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-287
Author(s):  
Catherine Monahon ◽  
Elizabeth Jameson

The authors explore the work of artists looking at the relationship between illness, identity, the brain and imagery produced by medical imaging technology. Digital images of the brain generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology represent a powerful unveiling, making visible that which was invisible until the creation of the CT scanner and, shortly after, the more refined MRI technology. At the intersection of fine art and clinical medical images, the authors discover a resistance and a reshaping of the experience of illness. In their focus on the brain, illness and identity, the authors feature specific works of artists impacted by diseases of the brain and spinal cord, specifically Laura Ferguson, Katherine Sherwood, Marilène Oliver, Kelly Haydon, Darian Goldin Stahl and Elizabeth Jameson.

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 440-440
Author(s):  
B Milewska-Bobula ◽  
B Lipka ◽  
J Zebrowska ◽  
E Jurkiewicz ◽  
I Pakula-Kosciesza ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 028418512093447
Author(s):  
Chun-yan Lu ◽  
Sha Zhao ◽  
Yi Wei

Background Neuroschistosomiasis is not commonly encountered and is probably underrecognized. We hope these findings can help clinicians and radiologists to raise awareness of this disabling disorder. Purpose To demonstrate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of cerebral schistosomiasis and correlate it with pathological findings. Material and Methods We identified seven patients with cerebral schistosomiasis from radiology and pathology archives of our hospital. Of the seven patients, six were pathologically confirmed. The remaining patient had pathologically confirmed spinal schistosomiasis with MRI findings of cerebral involvement. MRI and pathological findings of these patients were analyzed and correlated. Results Multiple enhancing nodules at varying size were found in all patients. Prominent leptomeningeal or choroidal veins were found in six patients, four at the center of the foci and two at the periphery. Hemorrhage was identified in two patients. Histology revealed granulomas around ova in six patients. A prominent vein with ova in the lumen and wall of a vein was found in one patient and perivascular ova deposition was found in one patient. Conclusion Multiple enhancing nodules with central or peripheral veins in a circumscribed brain area are important signs to the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis. The inflamed veins involved may be the route taken by the ova to spread to the brain tissue.


Author(s):  
Robert Laureno

This chapter on “Imaging” examines the relative advantages and disadvantages of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. It compares the modalities to each other and to gross neuropathology. For several decades, neurologists have been able to view cross-sectional images of living patients. Analogous to gross neuropathology, cross-sectional imaging displays the brain as an entire organ but does not demonstrate microscopic tissue or cellular pathology. By allowing practitioners to view sections of brain and spinal cord in vivo, imaging has improved neurologic practice and facilitated clinical research. This chapter deals with imaging topics that are important to the neurologist. The timing of scans, the effects of gravity, and the importance of plane of section are considered. Imaging is compared to gross neuropathology, and MRI is compared to CT.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Halperin

AbstractTick-borne infections—including tick-borne encephalitis viruses, represented in the United States by rare infections with Powassan and deer tick viruses, and more often Lyme disease—are of increasing importance to neurologists. Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) causes all or part of a triad including meningitis, radiculoneuritis, and cranial neuritis. Rarely, parenchymal brain and spinal cord involvement occur, with focal findings on examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). LNB diagnosis requires plausible exposure, objective evidence of nervous system involvement, and, generally, positive two-tier serology. Central nervous system (CNS) LNB is almost always accompanied by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (cells, protein), often with intrathecal antibody production, which is determined by concentration-adjusted comparison of serum and CSF antibody. Measuring CSF antibody in isolation and nucleic acid-based testing of CSF are not useful in LNB and should be avoided. LNB treatment is highly effective with a 2- to 3-week course of antibiotics. Increasing evidence suggests that LNB not involving the CNS parenchyma can be treated successfully with oral doxycycline.


2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (20) ◽  
pp. 992-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Nieman ◽  
Marissa C. Blank ◽  
Brian B. Roman ◽  
R. Mark Henkelman ◽  
Kathleen J. Millen

The mammalian brain and skull develop concurrently in a coordinated manner, consistently producing a brain and skull that fit tightly together. It is common that abnormalities in one are associated with related abnormalities in the other. However, this is not always the case. A complete characterization of the relationship between brain and skull phenotypes is necessary to understand the mechanisms that cause them to be coordinated or divergent and to provide perspective on the potential diagnostic or prognostic significance of brain and skull phenotypes. We demonstrate the combined use of magnetic resonance imaging and microcomputed tomography for analysis of brain and skull phenotypes in the mouse. Co-registration of brain and skull images allows comparison of the relationship between phenotypes in the brain and those in the skull. We observe a close fit between the brain and skull of two genetic mouse models that both show abnormal brain and skull phenotypes. Application of these three-dimensional image analyses in a broader range of mouse mutants will provide a map of the relationships between brain and skull phenotypes generally and allow characterization of patterns of similarities and differences.


2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (9B) ◽  
pp. 714-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Augusto Moreno de Carvalho

Mansonic neuroschistosomiasis (MN) is not only the most common but also the most serious ectopic presentation of the infection by Schistosoma mansoni. Both, brain and spinal cord can be independently affected by the infection, but the later is more frequently affected. Brain MN by itself is due to the presence of eggs and/or adult worms in situ and can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Unlike the brain MN, spinal cord mansonic neuroschistosomiasis is more frequently symptomatic. In both forms the intensity, the seriousness and also the clinical characteristics of signs and symptoms depend on the amount of eggs in the compromised region and on the intensity of the inflammatory reaction surrounding the eggs. Cerebrospinal fluid examination and magnetic resonance imaging are important diagnostic tools. Both corticosteroids and drugs against S. mansoni are used in the treatment. The outcome may largely depend upon the prompt use of these drugs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 320-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Filippi

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very sensitive in the detection of active lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) and has become a valuable tool to monitor the evolution of the disease either natural or modified by treatment. In the past few years, several studies, on the one hand, have assessed several ways to increase the sensitivity of enhanced MRI to disease activity and, on the other, have investigated in vivo the nature and evolution of enhancing lesions using different non-conventional MR techniques to better define the relationship between enhancement and tissue loss in MS. The present review is a summary of these studies whose results are discussed in the context of MS clinical trial planning and monitoring.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Thafar ◽  
Abdullatif Sami Al Rashed ◽  
Bayan Abdullah Al Matar ◽  
Abdulaziz Mohammad Al-Sharydah ◽  
Abdulrahman Hamad Al-Abdulwahhab ◽  
...  

Background. Porencephaly is an extremely rare neurological disease characterized by the presence of solitary or multiple degenerative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cavities within the brain parenchyma. Case Report. We describe a case involving a 23-year-old male who presented with involuntary movements of the left upper limb of 6 months’ duration. A diagnosis of porencephaly was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conclusion. The rarity of occurrence and atypical presentation of such a lesion present a challenge to clinicians. Little is known about the pathogenesis and appropriate management of porencephaly. Further studies of the implications of porencephaly for neurodevelopment and behavior are needed.


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