Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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To determine if axial T2-weighted imaging can serve as screening tool for pediatric brain imaging. ⋯ Axial T2 screening can detect pediatric brain abnormalities with high sensitivity and specificity and can possibly replace CT as screening tool if the reading physician is aware of possible limitations/pitfalls. The level of experience influences sensitivity and specificity. Adding diffusion-weighted imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging to a 3-dimensional T2-weighted sequence would most likely further increase sensitivity and specificity.
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Changes in hardware or image-processing settings are a common issue for large multicenter studies. To pool MRI data acquired under these changed conditions, it is necessary to demonstrate that the changes do not affect MRI-based measurements. In these circumstances, classical inference testing is inappropriate because it is designed to detect differences, not prove similarity. ⋯ Power analysis of simulated and automated hippocampal volume data demonstrated that the equivalence margin affects the number of subjects required for well-powered equivalence tests. We have presented a statistical method for determining if morphometric measures obtained under variable conditions can be pooled. The equivalence testing technique is applicable for analyses in which experimental conditions vary over the course of the study.
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Data about the predictive value of quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is lacking. This study aimed to determine if specific apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) thresholds could be determined that correlate with outcome in moderate-severe TBI. ⋯ Quantitative MRI offers additional prognostic information in acute TBI. A whole brain tissue ADC threshold of <400×10(-6) mm2 /second in ≥.49% of brain may be a novel prognostic biomarker.
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The "venous hypothesis" of multiple sclerosis (MS) postulates that intracranial venous congestion disintegrates the blood-brain barrier, resulting in iron accumulation in brain parenchyma triggering the inflammatory process of MS. Transcranial sonography (TCS) reveals brain parenchyma hyperechogenic alterations (BPHA) that are thought to reflect iron accumulation. We sought to investigate potential association of BPHA with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in MS. ⋯ There was no association of BPHA with CCSVI findings. Our findings do not support the "venous hypothesis" resulting in iron accumulation even in the few MS patients fulfilling CCSVI-criteria.
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To report a single-center experience in the endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms in children with stenting and flow-diversion techniques. ⋯ In this series, device-assisted endovascular techniques were a relatively safe and effective method of treatment of pediatric aneurysms. However, continued follow-up is required after treatment, because there are unsolved issues regarding the durability of flow-diverters and stents.