Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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The aim of this study was to describe in detail the characteristics and accreditation compliance of laboratories in the United States applying for Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) transcranial Doppler (TCD) accreditation. ⋯ The results suggest that there are significant differences between IAC applicant laboratories and laboratories represented by Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) claims data. In addition, accurate study reporting, physician training, and ongoing quality improvement activities may not be optimized in laboratories applying for accreditation. With the information learned from this study, educational strategies by professional organizations, including the IAC, can be tailored to help improve TCD practice.
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The current prognostic biomarker of functional outcome in brachial plexus birth palsy is serial clinical examination throughout the first 6 months of age. This can delay surgical treatment and prolong parental anxiety in neonates who will recover spontaneously. A potentially superior biomarker is a volumetric proton density MRI performed at clinical presentation and within the first 12 weeks of life, providing a high spatial and contrast resolution examination in 4 minutes. ⋯ Rapid non-sedated volumetric Cube Proton Density MRI protocol performed at initial clinical presentation can accurately grade severity of brachial plexus birth palsy injury and predict functional performance at 6 months of age.
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Quantification of changes in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using ocular sonography (OS) constitutes an elegant technique for estimating intracranial and intraspinal pressure. Aortic aneurysm repair (AAR) is associated with a reasonable risk of increased spinal fluid pressure, which is largely dependent on the extent of aneurysm repair (supra- vs. infrarenal). The aim of this study was to compare ONSD measurements in patients with suprarenal AAR (sAAR) or infrarenal AAR (iAAR). ⋯ ONSD changes seem to be a reliable marker to estimate spinal perfusion. Since OS provides a suitable bedside tool for rapid reevaluation, it may guide physicians in the identification and treatment of patients at high risk for spinal cord ischemia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Topographic Assessment of Acute Ischemic Changes for Prognostication of Anterior Circulation Stroke.
The location of acute ischemic infarct can affect the clinical outcome of stroke patients. We aimed to develop a prognostic tool based on the topographic distribution of early ischemic changes on admission computed tomography (CT) scans. ⋯ Topographic assessment of acute ischemic changes using the sASPECTS (including caudate, lentiform nucleus, insula, and M5) can predict disability/death in anterior circulation stroke as accurately as the ASPECTS; and may help predict response to treatment and risk of developing symptomatic ICH.
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Genetic skeletal disorders (GSDs) are a heterogeneous group characterized by an intrinsic abnormality in growth and (re-)modeling of cartilage and bone. A large subgroup of GSDs has additional involvement of other structures/organs beside the skeleton, such as the central nervous system (CNS). CNS abnormalities have an important role in long-term prognosis of children with GSDs and should consequently not be missed. ⋯ A wide spectrum of morphological abnormalities is associated with GSDs. Early diagnosis of CNS involvement is important in the management of children with GSDs. This pattern-recognition approach aims to assist and guide physicians in the diagnostic work-up of CNS involvement in children with GSDs and their management.