SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained using SpectroView® (SV) and J-Magnetic Resonance User Interface (jMRUI) from the same magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of hydrogen data. METHODS: Data from 23 males with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 23 healthy non-AUD males were acquired by a 1.5 Tesla MR using a PRESS sequence (TE=30 ms) in four voxels located in the right frontal and left frontal (RF and LF) lobes, and posterior cingulate (AC and PC). The ratio of the signals from both N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho) over creatine (Cr) was calculated automatically using SV and semiautomatically by an expert neuroradiologist using jMRUI. The software’ agreement was calculated by the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of the ratio of the obtained values. RESULTS: The standard deviation was greater in jMRUI than in SV. Although there was a correlation between the results from both methods, it was not possible to predict their variance from one another. Additionally, the 95% LoA showed that jMRUI values were expected to vary from 38 to 190% of those obtained using SV for NAA/Cr in RF of AUD subjects and from 48 to 196% for NAA/Cr in CA of non-AUD individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The difference between the methods may represent clinically significant magnitudes. We suggest the use of the same method when comparing spectroscopic data. We also suggest that in clinical practice, the automatic method should be preferred.

Resumo Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo explorar a conectividade funcional da rede de modo padrão em usuários de crack-cocaína comparando-a a controles não usuários da mesma faixa etária. Materiais e Métodos: Usuários de crack-cocaína internados em abstinência por pelo menos quatro semanas e controles não usuários pareados por idade foram submetidos a ressonância magnética funcional em estado de repouso, enquanto descansavam com os olhos fechados. Depois do pré-processamento de dados, a rede de modo padrão foi definida por análise espacial de componentes independentes e análise de correlação baseada em sementes, por regiões de interesse centradas no córtex cingulado anterior ventral e no córtex cingulado posterior. Resultados: A conectividade funcional analisada por componentes independentes não foi diferente entre os usuários de crack- cocaína e os controles pareados por idade. No entanto, a análise de correlação baseada em sementes à procura de uma conectividade funcional métrica única entre regiões específicas do cérebro mostrou uma negatividade significativamente maior da conectividade entre o córtex cingulado anterior ventral e o lóbulo parietal superior esquerdo, quando comparada a controles pareados por idade. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que conectividades extrínsecas seletivas da rede de modo padrão relacionadas a funções motoras e executivas podem estar comprometidas na dependência de crack-cocaína.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to explore the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) in crack-cocaine users, in comparison with that observed in age-matched non-drug-using controls. Materials and Methods: Inpatient crack-cocaine users who had been abstinent for at least four weeks and age-matched non-drug-using controls underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Images were acquired while the subjects rested with their eyes closed. After data preprocessing, DMNs were defined by spatial independent component analysis and seed-based correlation analysis, by chosen regions of interest centered in the ventral anterior cingulate cortex and in the posterior cingulate cortex. Results: The functional connectivity of the DMN determined by independent component analysis did not differ between the crack-cocaine users and the controls. However, the seed-based correlation analysis seeking a single metric of functional connectivity between specific brain regions showed that the negative connectivity between the ventral anterior cingulate cortex and the left superior parietal lobule was significantly greater in the crack-cocaine users than in the controls. Conclusion: The results suggest that selective extrinsic network connectivity of the DMN related to motor and executive function is impaired during crack-cocaine addiction.

AbstractDespite its infrequent occurrence, testicular schistosomiasis forming pseudo-tumors can be considered in the differential diagnosis of testicular tumors, especially in areas where the parasitic disease is endemic. In this report, we present a case of testicular schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni and mimicking a testicular neoplasm. We describe the patterns of a testicular nodule on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance images in a 46-year-old man. The nodule was removed after a pre-operative diagnosis of a non-malignant lesion. Histology demonstrated granulomas with epithelioid macrophages and eosinophils around S. mansoni eggs within a fibrous tissue that formed a nodular structure.