AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2004
Multiparametric iterative self-organizing MR imaging data analysis technique for assessment of tissue viability in acute cerebral ischemia.
Defining viability and the potential for recovery of ischemic brain tissue can be very valuable for patient selection for acute stroke therapies. Multiparametric MR imaging analysis of ischemic lesions indicates that the ischemic lesion is inhomogeneous in degree of ischemic injury and recovery potential. We sought to define MR imaging characteristics of ischemic lesions that are compatible with viable tissue. ⋯ ISODATA multiparametric MR imaging of acute stroke clearly shows inhomogeneity and different viability of the ischemic lesion. Ischemic tissues with lower acute phase ISODATA tissue signature values (< or = 4) and higher rADC values (> or = 0.79) are much more likely to recover than those with higher signature values or lower rADC values. The effect of these factors on tissue recovery, however, is dependent on whether preceding treatment with rt-PA had been performed. Our approach can be a valuable tool in the design of therapeutic stroke trials with an extended time window.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2004
Selective lumbar nerve root blocks with CT fluoroscopic guidance: technique, results, procedure time, and radiation dose.
CT fluoroscopy may be used as a rapid and effective means of guiding needle placement when performing selective lumbar nerve root blocks. In this set of patients, the average external radiation dose was 0.73 mrem per procedure, with an average of 2 seconds of CT-fluoroscopy time and four images per procedure. Average physician room time was 7 minutes. Use of intermittent CT fluoroscopy during lumbar selective nerve root blocks can result in minimal radiation dose levels and procedure times that are comparable to fluoroscopic guidance.