AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Mar 2013
Quantitative MRI analysis of craniofacial bone marrow in patients with sickle cell disease.
Assessment of bone marrow is most commonly performed qualitatively in the spine or other large long bones. The craniofacial bones are less ideal for bone marrow analysis because of the relatively small bone marrow volume. Because patients with SCD often undergo repeated brain imaging to evaluate for cerebral vaso-occlusive disease, quantitative assessment of craniofacial bone marrow is a reasonable possibility in these patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate specific sickle cell disease changes in craniofacial bone marrow quantitatively by analyzing T1, T2, and secular-T2 relaxation times and volume with the use of quantitative MRI. ⋯ Patients with SCD exhibited significant quantifiable changes in the craniofacial bone marrow because of failure of red-to-yellow marrow conversion and iron deposition that can be identified by qMRI relaxometry and volumetry. Both qMRI relaxometry and volumetry may be used as noninvasive tools for assessment of disease severity.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Mar 2013
Impaired default mode network on resting-state FMRI in children with medically refractory epilepsy.
Resting-state networks including the DMN have been shown to be abnormal in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy. However, little is known about the DMN in children with medically refractory epilepsy. The aim was to determine whether there was a difference in the DMN in children with medically refractory epilepsy relative to controls. ⋯ We have found reduced connectivity in the DMN in children with medically refractory epilepsy. Further studies are needed to determine whether different seizure types have different effects on the DMN and whether the impaired connectivity is related to cognitive functions subserved by the DMN.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Feb 2013
Clinical TrialDiffusion tensor imaging correlates with the clinical assessment of disease severity in cervical spondylotic myelopathy and predicts outcome following surgery.
CSM is a common neurologic disease that results in progressive disability and eventual paralysis without appropriate treatment. Imaging plays a significant role in the evaluation of CSM and has evolved with recent technical advances. We sought to systematically explore the relationship between clinical disease severity and DTI in CSM, and to investigate the potential use of DTI in surgical decision-making models. ⋯ DTI may be a useful diagnostic tool for assessing disease severity in CSM. The predictive value of DTI regarding postoperative outcome may improve surgical decision-making and facilitate health care outcomes research.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Feb 2013
Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of stent-retriever devices versus the Merci retriever for endovascular treatment of acute stroke.
Revascularization of large cerebral artery occlusion is the therapeutic goal in stroke therapy. Currently, many recanalization devices are in clinical use. This study compares the outcome parameters, efficacy, and safety of the new generation of stent-retriever devices with the well-established Merci retriever. ⋯ Patients treated with Trevo and Solitaire stents had a better revascularization rate, better clinical outcome, and lower complication rate than patients treated with the Merci retriever.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyUltrasound guided versus CT-controlled pararadicular injections in the lumbar spine: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
Injection therapies play a major role in the treatment of lower back pain and are to date performed mainly under CT- or fluoroscopic guidance. We conducted this study to evaluate the accuracy, time savings, radiation doses, and pain relief of US-guided pararadicular injections versus CT-controlled interventions in the lumbar spine in a prospective randomized clinical trial. ⋯ US-guided pararadicular injections show a therapeutic effect similar to that in the time-consuming, expensive, ionizing CT or fluoroscopically guided pararadicular injections and result in a significant reduction of procedure time expenditure and avoidance of radiation.