AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2013
Meta AnalysisMR imaging features of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities.
AD is one of the few leading causes of death without a disease-modifying drug; however, hopeful agents are in various phases of development. MR imaging abnormalities, collectively referred to as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, have been reported for several agents that target cerebral Aβ burden. ARIA includes ARIA-E, parenchymal or sulcal hyperintensities on FLAIR indicative of parenchymal edema or sulcal effusions, and ARIA-H, hypointense regions on gradient recalled-echo/T2* indicative of hemosiderin deposition. This report describes imaging characteristics of ARIA-E and ARIA-H identified during studies of bapineuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against Aβ. ⋯ In 49% of cases of ARIA-E, there was the associated appearance of ARIA-H. In treated patients without ARIA-E, the risk for incident blood products was 4%. This association between ARIA-E and ARIA-H may suggest a common pathophysiologic mechanism. Familiarity with ARIA should permit radiologists and clinicians to recognize and communicate ARIA findings more reliably for optimal patient management.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2013
Clinical TrialRole of semantic paradigms for optimization of language mapping in clinical FMRI studies.
The optimal paradigm choice for language mapping in clinical fMRI studies is challenging due to the variability in activation among different paradigms, the contribution to activation of cognitive processes other than language, and the difficulties in monitoring patient performance. In this study, we compared language localization and lateralization between 2 commonly used clinical language paradigms and 3 newly designed dual-choice semantic paradigms to define a streamlined and adequate language-mapping protocol. ⋯ The combination of Silent Word Generation and ≥1 visual semantic paradigm, such as Sentence Completion and Noun-Verb Association, is adequate to determine language localization and lateralization; Noun-Verb Association has the additional advantage of objective monitoring of patient performance.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2013
Case ReportsStent retriever use for retrieval of displaced microcoils: a consecutive case series.
Coil displacement during endovascular coiling procedures may require coil retrieval in the context of flow limitation or thromboembolic risk. No standard recommended method of coil retrieval exists. ⋯ Two illustrative cases from the 14 are described, and technical notes are detailed regarding use of the technique. The use of stent retrievers presents a simple, safe, and effective choice for removal of prolapsed coils during aneurysm coiling.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2013
Parenchymal hypointense foci associated with developmental venous anomalies: evaluation by phase-sensitive MR Imaging at 3T.
The risk of hemorrhage in the context of developmental venous anomaly is considered to be very low, but it has never been evaluated by susceptibility-weighted MR imaging at 3T. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypointense foci (ie, microhemorrhage or cavernous malformation) associated with DVA on phase-sensitive MR imaging, on the basis of principles similar to those of susceptibility-weighted MR imaging, and to evaluate the relationship between the hypointense foci and several factors, such as white matter hyperintense lesions adjacent to DVA on T2-weighted imaging, DVA morphology, and clinical symptoms. ⋯ Our results support the hypothesis that microhemorrhage or cavernous malformation can be related to venous congestion caused by abnormal venous drainage. We conclude that phase-sensitive MR imagingis useful for the detection of microhemorrhage or cavernous malformation in patients with DVA, especially when associated with white matter hyperintense lesion.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Oct 2013
ReviewResting-state fMRI: a review of methods and clinical applications.
Resting-state fMRI measures spontaneous low-frequency fluctuations in the BOLD signal to investigate the functional architecture of the brain. Application of this technique has allowed the identification of various RSNs, or spatially distinct areas of the brain that demonstrate synchronous BOLD fluctuations at rest. ⋯ Clinical applications of resting-state fMRI are at an early stage of development. However, its use in presurgical planning for patients with brain tumor and epilepsy demonstrates early promise, and the technique may have a future role in providing diagnostic and prognostic information for neurologic and psychiatric diseases.