AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jan 2019
Determinants of Deep Gray Matter Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Multimodal MRI Study.
Deep gray matter involvement is a consistent feature in multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different deep gray matter alterations and the development of subcortical atrophy, as well as to investigate the possible different substrates of volume loss between phenotypes. ⋯ Our study confirms the diffuse involvement of deep gray matter in MS, demonstrating a different behavior between MS phenotypes, with subcortical GM atrophy mainly determined by global WM lesion burden in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, while local microstructural damage and susceptibility changes mainly accounted for the development of deep gray matter volume loss in patients with progressive MS.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Dec 2018
Diffusional Kurtosis along the Corticospinal Tract in Adult Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a reversible form of dementia characterized by enlarged ventricles, which can deform and cause disruptions to adjacent white matter fibers. The purpose of this work was to examine how diffusion and kurtosis parameters vary along the corticospinal tract and determine where along this path microstructure is compromised in patients diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus. We hypothesized that disruption of the corticospinal tract from ventricular enlargement can be measured using diffusion MR imaging and this will be quantified in periventricular regions. ⋯ A lower axonal water fraction indicates a lower axonal density in the corticospinal tract, which may indicate permanent damage. Lower axial kurtosis may imply that axons are being more aligned due to compression.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Dec 2018
Imaging and Surgical Findings in Patients with Hemi-Laryngopharyngeal Spasm and the Potential Role of MRI in the Diagnostic Work-Up.
Hemi-laryngopharyngeal spasm is a recently discovered condition characterized by episodic coughing and unilateral throat contractions that may lead to severe stridor. These symptoms are caused by a vascular compression of the ipsilateral vagus nerve, typically the PICA. Microvascular decompression of the vagus nerve has been demonstrated to be a potential cure for this neurovascular compression syndrome. The main aim of this study was to clarify the role of MR imaging in the diagnostic work-up of this rare condition. ⋯ The presence of unilateral neurovascular contact or compression of the vagus nerve does not confirm the diagnosis of hemi-laryngopharyngeal spasm. The MR imaging finding of ipsilateral vascular compression of the vagus nerve is a necessary but not sufficient finding for the diagnosis of hemi-laryngopharyngeal spasm.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Dec 2018
Differentiation of Hemorrhage from Iodine Using Spectral Detector CT: A Phantom Study.
Conventional CT often cannot distinguish hemorrhage from iodine extravasation following reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the potential of spectral detector CT in differentiating these lesions. ⋯ Spectral detector CT can accurately differentiate blood from iodinated contrast in a phantom setting.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Dec 2018
MR Imaging for Differentiating Contrast Staining from Hemorrhagic Transformation after Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Phantom and Patient Study.
Early differentiation of contrast staining from hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischemic stroke who have undergone endovascular treatment is critical in preventing the delayed administration of antiplatelet agents. We aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of an immediate postinterventional DWI protocol including B0 and gradient recalled-echo sequences to discriminate those 2 conditions through phantom and preliminary retrospective patient studies. ⋯ According to our preliminary results, contrast staining might be differentiated from hemorrhagic transformation using an immediate postinterventional DWI protocol including gradient recalled-echo sequences. It might be possible to expedite establishment of postinterventional medical treatment strategy.