Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently entered the "high-field" era, and systems equipped with 3.0-4.0T superconductive magnets are becoming the gold standard for diagnostic imaging. While higher signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is a definite advantage of higher field systems, higher susceptibility effect remains to be a significant trade-off. To take advantage of a higher field system in performing routine clinical images of higher anatomical resolution, we implemented a vector contrast image technique to 3.0T imaging, three-dimensional anisotropy contrast (3DAC), with a PROPELLER (Periodically Rotated Overlapping Parallel Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction) sequence, a method capable of effectively eliminating undesired artifacts on rapid diffusion imaging sequences. ⋯ Anatomical images of significantly higher resolution than the best current standard, T2 reversed images, were successfully obtained. As a technique readily applicable under routine clinical setting, 3DAC PROPELLER on a 3.0T system will be a powerful addition to diagnostic imaging.
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Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder divided into a parkinsonian (MSA-P) and a cerebellar variant. The purpose of this study was to assess regional brain atrophy and iron content using Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and Voxel-based relaxometry (VBR) respectively, in MSA-P. ⋯ Diffuse brain atrophy, mainly in the motor circuitry is observed in MSA-P. Normalization for atrophy should always be performed in T2 measurements.
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Case Reports
Magnetic resonance characteristics and susceptibility weighted imaging of the brain in gadolinium encephalopathy.
To report the brain imaging features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in inadvertent intrathecal gadolinium administration. ⋯ Intrathecal gadolinium demonstrates characteristic imaging features on MRI of the brain and may mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage on susceptibility-weighted imaging. Identifying high dose gadolinium within the CSF spaces on MRI is essential to avoid diagnostic and therapeutic errors.
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To assess the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of spinal intramedullary ependymomas. ⋯ Ependymomas occur most often at the upper cord rather than in the conus medullaris and filum terminale. Of the cervical and thoracic ependymomas, most were cellular or epithelial types. Papillary ependymomas occurred exclusively in the conus medullaris and filum terminale. Rostral and caudal cysts are frequently associated with intramedullary ependymomas. Clear tumor margins, more uniform enhancement, and central locations can help differentiate ependymomas from other intramedullary spinal cord tumors.
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Usually, microembolic signal (MES) monitoring is performed for MESs arising from downstream sources. The aim of this study is to describe the special characteristics of MESs originating from nearby sources in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). ⋯ MESs recorded from MCA stenoses may have special characteristics of multiple frequencies on both post-FFT spectra and pre-FFT time domain signals. Our findings may represent rotating or vibrating emboli as they are just dislodged from the thrombus and are moving from the vessel wall to the center. Further clinical and laboratory studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.