Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Comparative Study
Reduced Field of View Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in the Evaluation of Congenital Spine Malformations.
Reduced field of view diffusion-weighted imaging (rFOV DWI) is a more recently described technique in the evaluation of spine pathology. In adults, this technique has been shown to increase clinician confidence in identification of diffusion restricting lesions. ⋯ rFOV DWI of the lumbar spine in the pediatric population has qualitatively improved image quality and observer confidence for lesion detection when compared to conventional fFOV SS-EPI DWI.
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The transcranial sonography (TCS) finding of reduced echogenicity of brainstem raphe (hypoechogenic BR) has been associated with depressive states. Here, we review the TCS studies in subjects with depressive disorders and with depression related to degenerative brain diseases, and compare the frequency and clinical correlates of hypoechogenic BR in these reports. Summarizing the data published so far, hypoechogenic BR is present in 67% (range, 37-95%) of depressed but only in 15% (5-36%) of nondepressed subjects without history of neurodegenerative disease. ⋯ Although some studies did not show any relationship between BR echogenicity and severity of depression, others suggest an association with higher severity of depression, or even with suicidal ideation. In one study BR hypoechogenicity was found to be associated with better responsivity to serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Further studies are warranted to compare the TCS findings of BR alteration with post-mortem histopathological findings, and with genetic variants related to cerebral serotonin metabolism.
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This study was designed to evaluate the potential of the dynamic autoregulation index (ARI) to serve as an early warning system for an imminent clinical deterioration after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ The results demonstrate the capability of the ARI to serve as a reliable early warning system after SAH. Further trials with larger study populations are needed to validate these promising preliminary data.
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Low-grade and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are often difficult to differentiate on the basis of conventional MR imaging characteristics. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI can assess tumor microvasculature and has demonstrated utility for predicting glioma grade and prognosis in primary brain tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of plasma volume (Vp) and volume transfer coefficient (K(trans) ) derived from DCE MRI in differentiating between grade II and grade III oligodendrogliomas. ⋯ The results of our study suggest the DCE MRI parameter Vpmean can noninvasively differentiate between grade II and grade III oligodendrogliomas.
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The evolution of intracerebral hematoma and perihematoma edema in the ultra-early period on computed tomographic (CT) scans in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not well understood. We aimed to investigate hematoma and perihematoma changes in "neutral brain" models of ICH. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that substantial hematoma retraction and perihematoma hypodensity occurs in ICH in the absence of any new bleeding or biological activity of surrounding brain. Such observations suggest that active bleeding is underestimated in patients with no or small hematoma expansion and our understanding of perihematoma hypodensity needs to be reconsidered.