Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Extracranial carotid artery stenosis (ECAS) due to the presence of atherosclerotic plaque is a well-known risk factor for stroke. Several structural imaging studies have investigated the effect of ECAS on the brain, focusing on structural damage (in particular cerebral small vessel disease) and on the rearrangement of the cerebral circulation. For example, it is known from the literature an association between carotid stenosis and cerebral small vessel disease, and it is also noted that a series of compensatory mechanisms are activated by the cerebrovascular system in order to overcome the cerebral hypoperfusion that is induced by the ECAS. ⋯ Although these studies have been performed on small cohorts of patients without standardized protocols, it is plausible that in the future, such studies will help find early stage markers of cognitive impairment. This could permit an extension of indications for revascularization for the treatment of cognitive impairment in selected patients. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the current knowledge on the effects of ECAS on brain and cognition by analyzing the main evidence from animal and clinical studies, with a special focus on rs-fc MR studies.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Transcranial Sonography versus CT for Postoperative Monitoring After Decompressive Craniectomy.
Computed tomography (CT) is the actual gold standard diagnostic tool for monitoring patients after decompressive craniectomy. It is validated and provides a wide number of information. However, it takes time, expensive, and requires patient transportation. Transcranial sonography (TCS) could represent an alternative diagnostic tool in these patients. The aim of this study is to compare TCS versus CT scan after decompressive craniectomy in terms of diagnosing complications and costs evaluation. ⋯ TCS could be a reliable alternative diagnostic tool for major complications in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy. It could limit the number of CT scans per patient overcoming several limitations, such as costs, radiation exposure, and need to move the patient.
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Despite increasing demand for fluoroscopy-guided lumbar puncture (FG-LP), there is limited quantitative and epidemiological data on patients undergoing this procedure. Additionally, data are scarce on the correlation of iliac crest landmarks to the actual anatomical lumbar level (intercristal line). The aim of this study is to determine if (1) body mass index (BMI) correlates with skin to spinal canal distance (SCD) and (2) the iliac crest landmark correlates with the presumed anatomical landmark on cross-sectional imaging. ⋯ There was direct, positive linear correlation between BMI and SCD at clinically relevant lumbar disc levels. Furthermore, there is considerable anatomical variance in the intervertebral space that aligns with the superior aspect of the iliac crest.
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Susceptibility-Weighted 3T MRI of the Swallow Tail Sign in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Control Study.
The swallow tail sign describes the physiological appearance of nigrosome-1 within the substantia nigra on high-resolution transverse susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Previous studies demonstrated its absence in Parkinson's disease due to increasing iron content. In multiple sclerosis (MS), increased iron accumulation can be found in the brain tissue including the substantia nigra. ⋯ The finding of an abnormal swallow tail sign in MS patients may provide an additional imaging marker even in early MS development.
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Blood-derived monocytes/macrophages can be labeled with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIO) at periphery and subsequently migrate into areas of inflammation in the brain. We investigated temporal pattern of migration of peripheral immune cells in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) model of chronic demyelination by USPIO-enhanced imaging. ⋯ Serial USPIO imaging is a promising biomarker for investigating the effect of therapeutic interventions on monocytes/macrophages and microglia activation and neurodegeneration in TMEV-infected animals.