Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Review Meta Analysis
Brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate recurrent neoplasm from radiation necrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Postradiation treatment necrosis is one of the most serious late sequelae and appears within 6 months. The magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI) has been used for the detection of brain tumors. The study aimed to determine the radiological accuracy and efficacy in distinguishing recurrent brain tumor from radiation-induced necrosis by identifying pseudoprogression. ⋯ MR spectroscopy is effective in distinguishing recurrent brain tumors from necrosis. Our meta-analysis revealed that Cho/NAA, Cho/Cr, and NAA/Cr ratios were significantly better predictor of detected recurrent tumor. Therefore, the MRSI is an informative tool in the distinction of tumor recurrence versus necrosis.
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Evidence of brain gadolinium retention has affected gadolinium-based contrast agent usage. It is, however, unclear to what extent macrocyclic agents are retained and whether their in vivo detection may necessitate nonconventional MRI. Magnetization transfer (MT) could prove suitable to detect gadolinium-related signal changes since dechelated gadolinium ions bind to macromolecules. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate associations of prior gadolinium administrations with MT and T1 signal abnormalities. ⋯ Conventional T1-weighted imaging provided dose-dependent associations with gadolinium administrations in MS, while these could not be detected with 2-dimensional MT. Future studies could explore newer MT techniques like 3D and inhomogenous MT. Notably, these associations were identified with conventional MRI even though most patients had not received gadolinium administrations in the preceding 9 years, suggestive of long-term retention.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Intracranial atherosclerotic plaque enhancement and long-term risk of future strokes: A prospective, longitudinal study.
The prognostic significance of postcontrast enhancement of intracranial atheromatous plaque is uncertain. Prospective, long-term follow-up studies in Caucasians, using a multicenter design, are lacking. We aimed to evaluate whether this radiological sign predicts long-term new stroke in symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients. ⋯ High intracranial postcontrast enhancement is a long-term predictor of new stroke in ICAD patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether postcontrast enhancement reflects inflammatory activity of intracranial atheromatous plaque.
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The purpose was to explore the effects of transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) on neurochemical concentrations (brainstem, anterior cingulate cortex [ACC], dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC], ventromedial prefrontal cortex [VMPFC], and the posterior cingulate cortex [PCC]) using ultrahigh-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy. ⋯ These data demonstrate that a single session of unilateral TNS slightly decreased tCr concentrations in the DLPFC region.
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Multicenter Study
Spinal arachnoid webs in adults: Clinical and imaging features in a multicenter study.
Spinal arachnoid webs (SAWs) are rare and can present with myelopathic symptoms. This study aims to add 85 more cases of SAWs to the literature so we can continue to analyze clinical and imaging trends of SAWs to better understand this entity and its natural history. ⋯ We present 85 additional cases of SAWs to the existing literature. Our cases all occurred in the dorsal thoracic subarachnoid space, predominantly from T2 to T6. Patients present with symptoms like other causes of cord compression, and spinal MR studies should be evaluated routinely for the findings of SAWs. Further research could focus on understanding SAW prevalence, risk factors, and pathophysiology.