AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyEvaluation of vertebroplasty with a validated outcome measure: the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.
Vertebroplasty is rapidly disseminating as a treatment for vertebral compression fractures, but its efficacy has not been assessed with a well-validated, back pain-specific instrument. We report the use of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) in patients undergoing vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic compression fractures. ⋯ Patients who underwent vertebroplasty experienced relief of back pain and symptoms, as shown by improvement in verbal pain and RDQ scores. The RDQ correlates well with measures of pain, shows clinically significant improvement and is responsive to changes across time. More important, the RDQ provides an easily administered, well-validated, back pain-specific outcome measure that could be adopted to assess vertebroplasty outcomes.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyIncidence of vertebral artery thrombosis in cervical spine trauma: correlation with severity of spinal cord injury.
The incidence of blunt traumatic vertebral artery dissection/thrombosis varies widely in published trauma series and is associated with spinal trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of traumatic vertebral artery thrombosis (VAT) in cervically injured patients by using routine MR angiography (MRA) and MR imaging and identify associations with the severity of neurologic injury. ⋯ The absence of neurologic symptoms in a patient with cervical spine fracture does not preclude VAT. VAT associated with cervical spinal injury occurs with similar frequency in both neurologically intact (ASIA E) and motor-incomplete patients (ASIA C and D) but is significantly more common in motor-complete SCI (ASIA A and B).
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Nov 2005
Endovascular recanalization of internal carotid artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke.
Endovascular therapy (ET) of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis is equivalent to carotid endarterectomy for stroke prevention; however, patients with ICA occlusion and acute symptoms are traditionally not candidates for ET. We report our experience in endovascular recanalization of acute stroke patients with ICA occlusion. ⋯ Endovascular therapy of carotid occlusion in hyperacute stroke patients is feasible and may help to reduce stroke volume and increase good outcome in some patients.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Nov 2005
Clinical TrialIntravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (tirofiban) followed by intra-arterial urokinase and mechanical thrombolysis in stroke.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate preliminarily the efficacy and safety of intravenous tirofiban combined with intra-arterial pharmacologic and mechanical thrombolysis in patients with stroke. ⋯ The combination of intravenous tirofiban with intra-arterial urokinase and mechanical thrombolysis may be successful in reestablishing vessel patency and result in a good functional outcome in patients with major cerebral arteries occlusions.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyMR imaging findings of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: relations with venous drainage patterns.
Venous drainage patterns are a major determinant of clinical outcome in intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) patients. In this study, we sought to identify MR imaging finding differences between DAVF types classified on the basis of venous drainage patterns. ⋯ MR imaging demonstration of leptomeningeal or medullary vascular dilation and enhancements may be associated with features that are considered predictors of a poor outcome and indicates a need for urgent therapy in intracranial dural AVF patients. MRA is a complementary tool for the identification of dural AVF with venous flow-related enhancement.