Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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The molecular groups WNT activated (WNT), Sonic hedgehog activated (SHH), group 3, and group 4 are biologically and clinically distinct forms of medulloblastoma. We evaluated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values' utility in differentiating/predicting medulloblastoma groups at the initial diagnostic imaging evaluation and prior to surgery. ⋯ ADC analysis of a tumor's contrast-enhancing solid portion may aid preoperative molecular classification/prediction of pediatric medulloblastomas and may facilitate optimal surgical treatment planning, reducing surgery-induced morbidity.
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The changing MRI signal accompanying brain maturation in fetal brains can be quantified on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Deviations from the natural course of ADC values may reflect structural pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of fetal pathologies on the ADC values in different regions of the fetal brain and their evolution with increasing gestational age. ⋯ The ADC values in different regions of the fetal brain and their evolution with increasing gestational age are influenced by pathologies compromising the cerebral maturation.
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Use of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) scans to quantify multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion volume on 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has many downsides, including poor image homogeneity. There are little data about the relative benefit of alternative modalities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if magnetization-prepared 2 rapid acquisition gradient echo (MP2RAGE) is a viable alternative to FLAIR for robust lesion volume measurement and disability correlations. ⋯ 7T MPFLAIR and MP2RAGE T1 map-based WML volumes are highly intercorrelated and both correlate with disability. Thus, MP2RAGE may be a viable alternative to FLAIR-based methods for WML measurement on 7T MRI in MS research.
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Hemoglobin (Hbg) is often thought to impact cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). This study was performed to investigate the relationship between Hbg value and CBFV in African children with malaria. ⋯ In a large sample of African children with malaria, Hbg did not correlate with CBFVs as measured by TCD. Future work that includes baseline TCD measurements and Hbg values as well as other physiological parameters known to influence CBFVs is necessary to confirm these findings.
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Meta Analysis
Diffusion MRI Reversibility in Ischemic Stroke Following Thrombolysis: A Meta-Analysis.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) detects early infarction in acute stroke. With the substantial progress in stroke therapies, the frequency of posttreatment DWI reversibility in modern stroke cohorts is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic literature review examining the relationship between characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke and DWI reversibility following treatment with lytic therapy. ⋯ These data suggest that early DWI signal may not represent the definitive DWI burden in recanalized populations. However, substantial heterogeneity exists regarding the rate of DWI reversal following recanalization. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the relationship among time to treatment, early reversal rates, and clinical outcomes. Physicians should use caution when basing clinical decisions on DWI lesion volumes, as these likely change to some degree with recanalization.