Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a syndrome characterized by reversible segmental vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries. Digital subtraction and noninvasive angiograms are typically used to detect vasospasm; however, due to the dynamic nature of RCVS these tests are often negative initially and may need to be repeated multiple times. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) offers many advantages as it is a noninvasive and nonradiating modality. Studies investigating its diagnostic utility for capturing vasospasm and studying temporal evolution of RCVS are limited. ⋯ In this case series, we found TCD to be useful in detecting vasospasm and monitoring the temporal evolution of RCVS. TCD could be a helpful clinical tool to diagnose and monitor RCVS.
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Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is the subjective sensation of a pulse-synchronous sound, most often due to a cerebrovascular etiology. PT can severely impact quality of life and may indicate a life-threatening process, yet a timely and accurate diagnosis can often lead to effective treatment. Clinical assessment with a history and physical examination can often suggest a diagnosis for PT, but is rarely definitive. Therefore, PT should be evaluated with a comprehensive and targeted radiographic imaging protocol. MR imaging provides a safe and effective means to evaluate PT. Specific MR sequences may be used to highlight different elements of cerebrovascular anatomy and physiology. However, routine MR evaluation of PT must comply with economic and practical constraints, while effectively capturing both common and rarer, life-threatening etiologies of PT. ⋯ We describe the physiologic and clinical rationale for including each MR sequence in a comprehensive PT imaging protocol, and detail the role of MR within the broader evaluation of PT, from clinical presentation to treatment.
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Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) of nigrosome-1 is an emerging and clinically applicable imaging marker for parkinsonism, which can be derived from routinely performed brain MRI. The purpose of the study was to assess whether SWI can be used as a triage tool for more efficient selection of subsequent Dopamine Transporter Scan (DaTSCAN) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). ⋯ SWI can be used as triage tool because normal SWI can in most cases rule out parkinsonism. However, the performance of SWI depends on acquisition parameters and rater's experience.
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The aim of this study is to determine whether cerebral white matter (WM) microstructural damage, defined by decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities, could be detected as accurately by measuring the T1/T2 ratio, in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients compared to healthy control (HC) subjects. ⋯ Results showed significant differences between RRMS and HC in both DTI and T1/T2 ratio measurements. T1/T2 ratio even demonstrated extensive WM abnormalities when compared to DTI, thereby highlighting the ratio's sensitivity to subtle differences in cerebral WM structural integrity using only conventional MRI sequences.
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Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is standard care for patients suffering from an ischemic stroke due to a large vessel occlusion. Immediate and follow-up transcranial ultrasound examinations after MT were shown to have a diagnostic benefit. However, it is unclear whether repeated extracranial ultrasound after MT has an additional diagnostic yield, that is, depicts new findings. ⋯ Although sonographic normalization of pathologic findings was observed, pathologic new findings were not detected during follow-up. This study provides first data for a discussion of the role of ultrasound in a structured stroke care after MT. However, larger studies are required to improve the understanding.