Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is an advanced technique more specific to irreversible ischemic injury than conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). However, its clinical translation has been limited by a long acquisition time and complex postprocessing. ⋯ In this pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating a fast DKI sequence into a clinical MRI protocol. Acute infarcts were depicted on kurtosis maps, and MK lesion volumes were smaller than MD, in accordance with prior works. Future studies are needed to determine the role of DKI in acute stroke treatment selection and prognostication.
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The objective is to demonstrate feasibility of separating magnetic sources in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) by incorporating magnitude decay rates R 2 ∗ $R_2^{\rm{*}}$ in gradient echo (GRE) MRI. ⋯ Separation of magnetic sources based solely on GRE complex data is feasible by combining magnitude decay rate modeling and phase-based QSM and χ - ${\chi}^{-}$ change may serve as a biomarker for myelin recovery or damage in acute MS lesions.
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Differentiating paragangliomas from schwannomas and distinguishing sporadic from neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF 2)-related schwannomas is challenging but clinically important. This study aimed to assess the utility of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI (DSC-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in discriminating infratentorial extra-axial schwannomas from paragangliomas and NF2-related schwannomas. ⋯ DSC-MRI and DWI both can aid in differentiating paragangliomas from schwannomas and sporadic from NF2-related schwannomas.
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Whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, to identify structural abnormalities associated with the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis in achondroplasia. ⋯ In achondroplasia, the spinal canal narrowing, due to accelerated degenerative changes, is a predisposing factor of symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar canal MRI is a helpful tool to detect the risk of the development of neurological symptoms; in adult patients, a stenosis higher than 60% of upper lumbar canal could be a critical value for the onset of neurological symptoms.
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Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is standard of care. Evidence-based guidelines on eligibility for MT have been outlined and evidence to extend the treatment benefit to more patients, particularly those at the extreme ends of a stroke clinical severity spectrum, is currently awaited. As patient selection continues to be explored, there is growing focus on procedure selection including the tools and techniques of thrombectomy and associated outcomes. ⋯ Further enhancement of AI techniques to potentially include automated vessel probe tools in suspected large vessel occlusions is proposed. Value of AI may be extended to assist in procedure selection including both the tools and technique of thrombectomy. Delivering personalized medicine is the wave of the future and tailoring the MT treatment to a stroke patient is in line with this trend.