Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
-
Sodium imaging shows great potential for the characterization of brain tumors. Intensity correction is required but the additional scan time is costly. Recent developments can halve the time but were optimized in normal brains and may not be applicable in brain tumor imaging. We aim to develop an individualized uniformity correction for sodium imaging optimized for brain tumor patients that reduces scan time but provides high-resolution images for clinical practice. ⋯ The 4 mm birdcage coil image provided the optimal approach for both as a compromise between the time-savings effect and image quality. This method allows for a 2-mm iso-cubic voxel resolution clinical sodium scan within 12 minutes. We also presented prescanned phantom sensitivity map results, which were designed to cover all patient head sizes. This approach provides an alternative solution in more time-sensitive cases.
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to movement and balance deficits. In addition to physical therapy, brain-based neurorehabilitation efforts have begun to show promise in improving these deficits. The present study investigated the effectiveness of translingual neural stimulation (TLNS) on patients with mild-to-moderate TBI (mmTBI) and related brain connectivity using a resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) approach. ⋯ Although the limited sample size may have led to lack of significant correlations with functional assessments, these results provide preliminary evidence that TLNS in conjunction with physical therapy can induce brain plasticity in TBI patients with balance and movement deficits.
-
To investigate the association of different phenotypes, count, and locations of chronic covert brain infarctions (CBI) with long-term mortality in patients with first-ever manifest acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Additionally, to analyze their potential interaction with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and predictive value in addition to established mortality scores. ⋯ WMH represent a strong surrogate biomarker of long-term mortality in first-ever manifest AIS or TIA patients. CBI phenotypes, count, and location seem less relevant. Incorporation of CBI and WMH slightly improves predictive capacity of established risk scores.
-
Differentiating schwannomas and metastases in the cerebellopontine angles (CPA)/internal auditory canals (IAC) can be challenging. This study aimed to assess the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to differentiate schwannomas and metastases in the CPA/IAC. ⋯ DWI and DCE-MRI can help differentiate CPA/IAC schwannomas and metastases, and Vp is the most significant parameter.
-
The timing of decision-making for a surgical intervention in patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is challenging. Spinal cord motion phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI) measurements can reveal the extent of dynamic mechanical strain on the spinal cord to potentially identify high-risk patients. This study aims to determine the comparability of axial and sagittal PC-MRI measurements of spinal cord motion with the prospect of improving the clinical workup. ⋯ This study demonstrates good comparability between axial and sagittal spinal cord motion measurements in DCM patients. To this end, axial and sagittal PC-MRI are both accurate and sensitive in detecting pathologic cord motion. Therefore, such measures could identify high-risk patients and improve clinical decision-making (ie, timing of decompression).