Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual-Energy Computed Tomography of the Neck: A Pictorial Review of Normal Anatomy, Variants, and Pathologic Entities Using Different Energy Reconstructions and Material Decomposition Maps.
There is increasing use of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for the evaluation of head and neck pathologic entities. Optimal DECT utilization requires familiarity with the appearance of normal tissues variants, and pathologic entities on different DECT reconstructions that may be used in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to provide a practical, pictorial review of the appearance of normal anatomic structures and different neoplastic and nonneoplastic head and neck pathologic entities on commonly used DECT reconstructions.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual Energy Computed Tomography Applications for the Evaluation of the Spine.
Capturing the energy-dependent x-ray attenuation of different tissues, dual-energy computed tomography offers multiple benefits in the imaging of the spine, such as bone and iodinated contrast removal, monosodium urate imaging, and robust reduction of beam-hardening artifacts. The emerging new applications of this technique include bone marrow imaging in acute trauma and myeloinfiltrative disorders, improved bone density determination, and noninvasive assessment of spinal gout.
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Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is clinically characterized by severe optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, but recent studies with anti-aquaporin-4-antibody specific to NMO have revealed that the clinical spectrum is wider than previously thought. International consensus diagnostic criteria propose NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD) as the term to define the entire spectrum including typical NMO, optic neuritis, acute myelitis, brain syndrome, and their combinations. ⋯ MR imaging and optical coherence tomography are indispensable in the diagnosis and evaluation of NMOSD. This article reviews the clinical and MR imaging findings of anti-aquaporin-4-antibody-seropositive and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody-seropositive NMOSD.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2017
ReviewBrain Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Relevance and Technical Aspects.
There is evidence of a neurodegenerative process running in parallel with or as a consequence of the inflammatory phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS). MR imaging has been central in the generation of such knowledge and has played a pivotal role in investigating the neurodegenerative process. However, there is insufficient evidence supporting MR imaging-measured brain atrophy as a biomarker of the neurodegenerative component of MS in the daily care of patients with MS. This article discusses the prognostic value of brain volume measurements and their potential role in monitoring treatment response in patients with MS.
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Increased iron deposition in cerebral deep gray matter has been considered a global marker for neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS); it scales with disease duration and severity. Iron accumulation in white matter and MS lesions might be more directly related to disease activity and has been discussed as a contributor to the inflammatory and neurodegenerative cascade. ⋯ We discuss findings from MR iron mapping proposed. Because of the confounding magnetic properties of myelin, iron mapping in white matter remains an unresolved issue.