AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Aug 2020
Case ReportsCOVID-19 Neurologic Complication with CNS Vasculitis-Like Pattern.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which spreads rapidly from person to person and manifests in most symptomatic patients as a respiratory illness, similar to prior SARS viruses. Neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 are uncommon; those so far reported include encephalopathy, stroke from large-vessel occlusion, and polyneuropathy. ⋯ Also, a characteristic lower extremity skin rash was present in our patient. Our observation lends support to the increasingly suspected mechanism of "endotheliitis" associated with this novel coronavirus.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Aug 2020
Case ReportsAtypical Deep Cerebral Vein Thrombosis with Hemorrhagic Venous Infarction in a Patient Positive for COVID-19.
There is growing evidence that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a neurotropic and neuroinvasive potential. In particular, neurologic complications associated with the infection by SARS-CoV-2 include strokes that may result from a dysregulated inflammatory response to the infection. We report an atypical deep cerebral vein thrombosis complicated with hemorrhagic venous infarction in a patient positive for SARS-CoV-2 with no risk factors for thrombosis.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Aug 2020
Artificial Intelligence in Neuroradiology: Current Status and Future Directions.
Fueled by new techniques, computational tools, and broader availability of imaging data, artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the practice of neuroradiology. The recent exponential increase in publications related to artificial intelligence and the central focus on artificial intelligence at recent professional and scientific radiology meetings underscores the importance. There is growing momentum behind leveraging artificial intelligence techniques to improve workflow and diagnosis and treatment and to enhance the value of quantitative imaging techniques. This article explores the reasons why neuroradiologists should care about the investments in new artificial intelligence applications, highlights current activities and the roles neuroradiologists are playing, and renders a few predictions regarding the near future of artificial intelligence in neuroradiology.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jul 2020
ReviewPreserving Access: A Review of Stroke Thrombectomy during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Thrombectomy for large-vessel-occlusion stroke is a highly impactful treatment. The spread of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) across the United States and the globe impacts access to this crucial intervention through widespread societal and institutional changes. In this document, we review the implications of COVID-19 on the emergency care of large-vessel occlusion stroke, reviewing specific infection-control recommendations, available literature, existing resources, and expert consensus. ⋯ Preservation of access to thrombectomy must be prioritized for its public health impact. While the extent of required changes will vary by region, tiered planning for both escalation and de-escalation of measures must be a part of each practice. In addition, preparations described serve as templates in the event of future pandemics.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · Jul 2020
Variable Refocusing Flip Angle Single-Shot Imaging for Sedation-Free Fast Brain MRI.
Conventional single-shot FSE commonly used for fast MRI may be suboptimal for brain evaluation due to poor image contrast, SNR, or image blurring. We investigated the clinical performance of variable refocusing flip angle single-shot FSE, a variation of single-shot FSE with lower radiofrequency energy deposition and potentially faster acquisition time, as an alternative approach to fast brain MR imaging. ⋯ Variable refocusing flip angle single-shot FSE achieved 2× faster scan times than single-shot FSE with improved image sharpness at brain-fluid interfaces and gray-white differentiation. Such improvements are likely attributed to a combination of improved contrast, spatial resolution, SNR, and reduced T2-decay associated with blurring. While variable refocusing flip angle single-shot FSE may be a useful alternative to single-shot FSE and, potentially, T2-FSE when faster scan times are desired, motion artifacts were more common in variable refocusing flip angle single-shot FSE, and, thus, they remain an important consideration before clinical implementation.