AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jun 2006
Multicenter StudySafety of mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke. Results of the multi Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia (MERCI) trial, part I.
The MERCI (Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia) trial reported efficacy of the Merci Retriever for opening intracranial vessels in patients ineligible for intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Patients who receive IV tPA but do not recanalize may also benefit from thrombectomy, but the revascularization efficacy and safety of this strategy has not been reported. ⋯ Mechanical thrombectomy after IV tPA seems as safe as mechanical thrombectomy alone. Mechanical thrombectomy with both first- and second-generation Merci devices is efficacious in opening intracranial vessels during acute ischemic stroke in patients who are either ineligible for IV fibrinolytic therapy or have failed IV fibrinolytic therapy.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jun 2006
Diffusion tensor imaging in multiple sclerosis: assessment of regional differences in the axial plane within normal-appearing cervical spinal cord.
Evaluation of the spinal cord is important in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis. Our purpose was to investigate diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) changes in different regions of normal-appearing spinal cord (NASC) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). ⋯ The NASC in RRMS demonstrates DTI changes. This may prove useful in detecting occult spinal cord pathology, predicting clinical course, and monitoring disease progression and therapeutic effect in MS.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jun 2006
Case ReportsSpinal cord compression by tophaceous gout with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomographic/MR fusion imaging.
A 36-year-old woman presented with lower extremity paralysis. Her past medical history included gout. Conventional radiography and MR imaging revealed bone erosion and soft tissue lesions of the thoracic spine. ⋯ A CT-guided biopsy was diagnostic for inflammatory tophaceous gout. This case describes the CT, MR, and FDG-PET imaging characteristics of acute inflammatory gout. FDG-PET imaging characteristics of this disorder have not been previously described.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jun 2006
Comparative StudySubtracted 3D CT angiography for evaluation of internal carotid artery aneurysms: comparison with conventional digital subtraction angiography.
3D computed tomographic angiography (3DCTA) has been used recently for the evaluation of intracerebral aneurysms, but it is difficult to use this technique to visualize aneurysms near the base of the skull because of the presence of bone. Subtracted 3DCTA could replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for evaluation of aneurysms near the base of the skull if the 2 methods were to give similar results. The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) near the base of the skull by subtracted 3DCTA and DSA. ⋯ VS-3DCTA can be used as an alternative to DSA for preoperative examination of aneurysms near the skull base, where it provides equivalent identification and characterization.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jun 2006
Diffusion tensor imaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: volumetric analysis of the corticospinal tract.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows direct visualization and volumetric analysis of the corticospinal tract (CST). The purpose of this study was to determine whether color maps and fiber tracking derived from DTI data are valuable in detecting and quantifying CST degeneration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ⋯ This study shows that volumetric analysis by using DTI-based color maps is valuable in detecting and monitoring structural degeneration of the CST. This will lead to objective and quantitative assessment of axonal degeneration in ALS.