Table of Contents
Editorials
Perspectives
Editorial
Review Articles
Methodologic Perspectives
Patient Safety
- Safety of Unilateral Endovascular Occlusion of the Cervical Segment of the Vertebral Artery without Antecedent Balloon Test Occlusion
The safety of unilateral vertebral artery occlusion without prior balloon test occlusion was retrospectively assessed in 59 patients who underwent postprocedure CT or MR imaging. No patients had clinical or imaging evidence of postprocedural infarctions. Both dominant and non-dominant vertebral arteries were safely occluded.
Commentary
Brain
- Role of EPI-FLAIR in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Comparative Analysis with FLAIR
The role of the EPI-FLAIR sequence in patients with acute stroke was evaluated. A total of 52 patients with acute stroke were studied with conventional FLAIR and EPI-FLAIR imaging and quality and lesion conspicuity were assessed. Nearly all studies were of diagnostic quality. The authors concluded that in patients with acute stroke, EPI-FLAIR offers qualitative and quantitative results comparable with conventional FLAIR at reduced acquisition time.
- Imaging Findings in MR Imaging–Guided Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Patients with Essential Tremor
This study reports the imaging findings after focused ultrasound ablation of the intermedius nuclei in patients with essential tremor. Fifteen patients received follow-up MRI studies on 4 occasions after treatment. Maximal lesion size and perilesional edema predicted a good outcome and all lesions showed consistent and typical findings in the days, weeks, and months after treatment.
Commentary
Interventional
- Bioactive versus Bare Platinum Coils in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: The MAPS (Matrix and Platinum Science) Trial
This prospective, randomized, multicenter study compares the efficacy of the Matrix versus bare metal coils. A group of 626 patients were divided between the 2 coil types and aneurysm recurrence and hemorrhage were assessed 1 year after procedures. Recurrences were associated with initial incomplete obliterations and the bare metal coils were not inferior to Matrix coils. Thus, due to cost differences, utilization of Matrix coils may not be justified.
Extracranial Vascular
Commentary
Pediatrics
- Evaluation of SWI in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
A sample of 21 patients with sickle cell disease were assessed with SWI and compared with controls. The MRI findings were correlated with hematologic parameters. Venous volumes were lower in the SCD group but not associated with the hematologic parameters included in this study. Arterial hypointensity was seen in nearly all patients with SCD. Quantitation of venous volume with SWI may be useful for the assessment of cerebrovascular pathology in patients with SCD.
Spine
- Spinal Cord Injury after Blunt Cervical Spine Trauma: Correlation of Soft-Tissue Damage and Extension of Lesion
This study retrospectively evaluates whether ligamentous injury or disk disruption after spinal cord injury correlates with lesion length. Length of lesion, disk disruption, ligamentous injury association, and extent of spinal cord injury were statistically assessed. The number of ligaments affected had a positive correlation with the extension of the lesion. Thus, in cervical spine trauma, a specific pattern of ligamentous injury correlates with the length of the spinal cord lesion.
