Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewAdvanced Tissue Characterization and Texture Analysis Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Horizons and Emerging Applications.
In the last article of this issue, advanced analysis capabilities of DECT is reviewed, including spectral Hounsfield unit attenuation curves, virtual monochromatic images, material decomposition maps, tissue effective Z determination, and other advanced post-processing DECT tools, followed by different methods of analysis of the attenuation curves generated using DECT. The article concludes with exciting future horizons and potential applications, such as the use of the rich quantitative data in dual energy CT scans for texture or radiomic analysis and the use of machine learning methods for generation of prediction models using spectral data.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual Energy Computed Tomography Applications for the Evaluation of the Spine.
Capturing the energy-dependent x-ray attenuation of different tissues, dual-energy computed tomography offers multiple benefits in the imaging of the spine, such as bone and iodinated contrast removal, monosodium urate imaging, and robust reduction of beam-hardening artifacts. The emerging new applications of this technique include bone marrow imaging in acute trauma and myeloinfiltrative disorders, improved bone density determination, and noninvasive assessment of spinal gout.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2017
ReviewMicrostructural MR Imaging Techniques in Multiple Sclerosis.
Due to its sensitivity in the detection of focal white matter (WM) lesions, MR imaging has become a paraclinical tool central to diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and monitoring its evolution. Despite this, the correlation between patients' clinical status and conventional MR imaging measures is weak to moderate. Quantitative MR imaging-based techniques, such as magnetization transfer and diffusion tensor imaging, have a higher specificity toward the heterogeneous pathologic substrates of MS than MR imaging. This article discusses the main insights derived from the application of such MR imaging-based techniques to define MS pathophysiology and to quantify the progressive accumulation of structural damage in the central nervous system.