- Frequency of Coexistent Spinal Segment Variants: Retrospective Analysis in Asymptomatic Young Adults
Spinal segment variants are highly prevalent and can potentially lead to incorrect spinal enumeration. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of spinal segment variants and to study the potential association among these variants in an asymptomatic population. The results showed that the spinal segment variants are highly prevalent, ranging from 4.2% (cervical rib) to 26.4% (LSTV), and that these variants are associated with each other. The authors recommend further imaging for spine enumeration before interventions or operations when a spinal segment variant is identified.
- CTA and CTP for Detecting Distal Medium Vessel Occlusions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the diagnostic test accuracy for CTA and CTP in the detection of distal medium vessel occlusion. The study found consistent evidence for a higher sensitivity in detecting distal medium vessel occlusion, particularly in arteries beyond the M2 segment of MCA, with multiphase CTA or CTP compared with single-phase CTA.
- T1-Weighted, Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Perfusion Imaging Can Differentiate between Treatment Success and Failure in Spine Metastases Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Routine MRI techniques are rather limited in assessing treatment response versus disease progression following radiation therapy as lesion size often fluctuates after both successful and unsuccessful treatment. In this study, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI perfusion parameters were used to predict treatment success or failure regarding spinal osseous metastases and to show the concordance with lesion-size measurements in the determination of treatment success or failure. The authors found there were significant differences in the change in plasma volume following radiation treatment between their clinical response and persistent disease groups. Additionally, they demonstrated that plasma volume had a higher specificity than size measurements.
- Prevalence and Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of intracranial aneurysms in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with brain vascular malformations. In their study cohort of 180 patients with HHT and brain vascular malformations, the authors demonstrated that the prevalence of intracranial aneurysm in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is comparable with that in the general population without clear association with shunting brain vascular malformations.
- Cervical Osteomyelitis and Diskitis as a Complication of Neopharyngeal Breakdown: A Multisite Case Series Review
This case series of 11 patients status post laryngectomy/pharyngectomy describes the imaging findings of pharyngoesophageal wall breakdown with subsequent cervical spine infection. The authors show that MRI is more sensitive for spine infection in these patients presenting with neck, fever, and serologic evidence of infection.
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