Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
-
In this pilot study, we investigated functional brain activation changes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in remission compared to age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). ⋯ These results suggest that CD patients in remission may show accelerated signs of aging in terms of brain responses to a typical cognitive task. Future work with larger sample size will need to replicate these results as well as investigate the influence of factors, such as chronicity of the disease and medication effects on task-associated brain activation patterns in this patient population.
-
There is a paucity of literature related to the neuroimaging of CNS tuberculosis (TB) and largely covers pediatric CNS TB. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of different forms of CNS TB and its associated complications and to study longitudinal disease course using computed tomography (CT) and MRI. ⋯ Tuberculoma, hydrocephalus, and cerebral infarcts are the most prominent findings in CNS tuberculosis. Our study showed development of new lesions on subsequent neuroimaging suggesting a dynamic and progressive nature of the disease process in some individuals.
-
Visualization of structural details of treatment devices during neurointerventional procedures can be challenging. A new true two-resolution imaging X-ray detector system features a 194 µm pixel conventional flat-panel detector (FPD) mode and a 76 µm pixel high-resolution high-definition (Hi-Def) zoom mode in one detector panel. The Hi-Def zoom mode was developed for use in interventional procedures requiring superior image quality over a small field of view (FOV). We report successful use of this imaging system during intracranial aneurysm treatment in 1 patient with a Pipeline-embolization device and 1 patient with a low-profile visualized intramural support (LVIS Blue) device plus adjunctive coiling. ⋯ Visualization of device structures was much improved in the high-resolution Hi-Def mode, leading to easier, more controlled deployment of stents and coils than conventional FPD mode.
-
The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of a novel MR safe lower extremity motor control neuroimaging paradigm to elicit reliable sensorimotor region brain activity. ⋯ These results indicate that a loaded lower extremity force production and attenuation task that simulates the range of motion of squatting, stepping, and landing from a jump is reliable for longitudinal neuroimaging applications and support the use of this paradigm in further studies examining therapeutic interventions and changes in dynamic lower extremity motor function.
-
Vascular aspects like global cerebral hypoperfusion are frequently reported in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although mechanistic question remains unanswered, this hemodynamic impairment may be caused by a widespread endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) has been described in patients with MS by means of hypercapnic perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We sought to further evaluate potential hemodynamic restriction in patients with MS using functional sonographic methods. ⋯ These preliminary sonographic findings appear to independently corroborate the previously reported observation of impaired CVR on brain MRI in patients with MS. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms as well as the clinical impact of this observation remain elusive.