Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2023
ReviewCurrent State of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging for Traumatic Brain Injury Prognostication.
Advanced imaging techniques are needed to assist in providing a prognosis for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly mild TBI (mTBI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is one promising advanced imaging technique, but has shown variable results in patients with TBI and is not without limitations, especially when considering individual patients. Efforts to resolve these limitations are being explored and include developing advanced diffusion techniques, creating a normative database, improving study design, and testing machine learning algorithms. This article will review the fundamentals of DTI, providing an overview of the current state of its utility in evaluating and providing prognosis in patients with TBI.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2023
ReviewThe Current State of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Head Trauma.
Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a MR imaging technique suited to detect structural and microstructural abnormalities in traumatic brain injury (TBI). This review article provide an insight in to the physics principles of SWI and its clinical application in unraveling the complex interaction of the biophysical mechanisms of head injury. ⋯ The review also detailed the emerging advance techniques of Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and artificial intelligence offer the ability to detect and follow the evolution of microbleeds in patient with chronic TBI. These new techniques offers a unique insight into the acute and chronic state of TBI.
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The acute and long-term neurobiological sequelae of concussion (mild traumatic brain injury [mTBI]) and sub-concussive head trauma have become increasingly apparent in recent decades in part due to neuroimaging research. Although imaging has an established role in the clinical management of mTBI for the identification of intracranial lesions warranting urgent interventions, MR imaging is increasingly employed for the detection of post-traumatic sequelae which carry important prognostic significance. As neuroimaging research continues to elucidate the pathophysiology of TBI underlying prolonged recovery and the development of persistent post-concussive symptoms, there is a strong motivation to translate these techniques into clinical use for improved diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2023
ReviewConventional MR Imaging in Trauma Management in Pediatrics.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in children across the world. The aim of initial brain trauma management of pediatric patients is to diagnose the extent of TBI and to determine if immediate neurosurgical intervention is required. A noncontrast computed tomography is the recommended diagnostic imaging choice for all patients with acute moderate to severe TBI. This article outlines the current use of conventional MR imaging in the management of pediatric head trauma and discusses potential future recommendations.
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MR imaging has been shown to have higher sensitivity than computed tomography (CT) for traumatic intracranial soft tissue injuries as well as most cases of intracranial hemorrhage, thus making it a significant adjunct to CT in the management of traumatic brain injury, mostly in the subacute to chronic phase, but may also be of use in the acute phase, when there are persistent neurologic symptoms unexplained by prior imaging.