Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Analysis of the structural connectomes can lead to powerful insights about the brain's organization and damage. However, the accuracy and reproducibility of constructing the structural connectome done with different acquisition and reconstruction techniques is not well defined. In this work, we evaluated the reproducibility of the structural connectome techniques by performing test-retest (same day) and longitudinal studies (after 1 month) as well as analyzing graph-based measures on the data acquired from 22 healthy volunteers (6 subjects were used for the longitudinal study). ⋯ The intraclass coefficient analysis showed the highest reproducibility for the DTI connectome, however, with more sparse connections than HARDI and DSI. Qualitative (neuroanatomical) assessment of selected tracts confirmed the quantitative results showing that HARDI managed to detect most of the analyzed fiber groups and fanning fibers. In conclusion, we found that HARDI acquisition showed the most balanced trade-off between high reproducibility of the connectome, higher rate of path detection and of fanning fibers, and intermediate acquisition times (10-15 minutes), although at the cost of higher appearance of aberrant fibers.
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To evaluate the effects of preoperative embolization on overall surgical outcomes after meningioma resection and determine whether pre- and postembolization tumor enhancement patterns on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be used to assess the efficacy of embolization. ⋯ Pre- and postembolization tumor enhancement patterns on magnetic resonance imaging defined as EF correlate with improved surgical facilitation and postoperative functional outcomes in the management of intracranial meningioma.
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Whole brain atrophy is a putative outcome measure in monitoring relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). With the ongoing MRI transformation from 1.5T to 3T, there is an unmet need to calibrate this change. We evaluated brain parenchymal volumes (BPVs) from 1.5T versus 3T in MS and normal controls (NC). ⋯ Field strength may impact whole brain volume measurements in patients with MS though the differences are not too divergent between 1.5T and 3T.
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To report a single-center experience in the endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms in children with stenting and flow-diversion techniques. ⋯ In this series, device-assisted endovascular techniques were a relatively safe and effective method of treatment of pediatric aneurysms. However, continued follow-up is required after treatment, because there are unsolved issues regarding the durability of flow-diverters and stents.
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Headache after cerebral angiography is frequent but has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of headache after cerebral angiography. This study also addressed the predisposing factors that facilitate headache recovery. ⋯ The incidence of headache after DSA was 55.6%. Patients with a previous history of headaches, cerebrovascular disease, or a college education may have a higher risk of developing post-DSA headaches than do those without such history. Headache recovery may be associated with a patient history of diabetes or cerebrovascular disease.