Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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To evaluate visualization and signal characteristics of macroscopic changes in patients with ophthalmologically stated papilledema and to find a suitable high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. ⋯ An MRI protocol consisting of a 5-mm transverse T2w TSE sequence; a T2*w, 3D CISS sequence; a T1w, 3D MP-RAGE sequence with and without contrast medium; and a transverse T1w, (2-mm) 2D TSE sequence with fat-suppression technique with intravenous contrast medium is suitable to visualize the macroscopic changes in papilledema. In addition, this combination is an excellent technique for the examination of the orbits and the brain.
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Duplex scanning is an accepted method for noninvasive evaluation of carotid stenosis. However, the ultrasound criteria used for the detection of threshold stenoses vary widely between laboratories, and quality assurance measures to allow adjustment of criteria are often lacking. This study was completed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine Doppler velocity criteria for threshold carotid stenoses, compared to an accepted standard, and to demonstrate methods to allow adjustment of criteria. ⋯ This study showed that duplex scanning is able to detect threshold carotid stenoses. For the best performance, each laboratory should have its own criteria; however, the criteria provided here could be a helpful reference to those laboratories that have not yet established their own criteria. Most important, this study provides an example of how to evaluate the performance criteria, how to modify them, how such changes can affect performance, and how performance can be modified depending on the goals of the laboratory.
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Today's vascular laboratory technology offers broad applications throughout vascular medicine. We explore the diagnostic work-up and management of selected peripheral vascular diseases by benchmarking the institutional mix of invasive and noninvasive technology utilization and associated cost burdens. ⋯ Benchmark indices reveal near total adoption of noninvasive technology for vascular diagnostic workups at our center. The benefits to institutions of benchmarking their technology utilization mix and costs are discussed in relation to identifying potential for cost-containment from modifying technology utilization practices.
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Quantitative measurement of blood flow volume in the common carotid artery (CCA) is now possible using the color velocity imaging quantification (CVI-Q) ultrasound technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebral hemodynamic effects of unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion on CCA blood flow volumes (FVs) using CVI-Q. ⋯ Quantitative FV measurement using CVI-Q ultrasound can identify clear alterations in volume flow, collateral pathways, and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with unilateral ICA occlusion. It is a complementary tool, providing additional objective information about the cerebral hemodynamic effects of ICA occlusion that goes beyond what is available using routine flow velocity data.
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Unilateral pain in the cervical region and limitation of neck movements are nonspecific symptoms frequently encountered in daily medical practice. Vertebral artery dissection is rarely considered as a diagnostic possibility unless brainstem or cerebellar ischemia follows the acute pain. Three cases of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) having the sole complaint of pain of acute onset in the posterior neck region are presented. ⋯ Severe neck pain and/or occipital headache frequently accompanies ischemic symptoms in cases with VAD. The cases in this report emphasize that spontaneous and often unilateral posterior cervical pain of acute onset can be the only manifestation of a VAD. A high degree of suspicion especially in young patients with no past history of a similar pain can help to establish the diagnosis, thereby preventing erroneous and potentially hazardous therapeutic interventions such as physiotherapy or neck manipulation.