Magnetic resonance imaging of the cerebellopontine angle: comparison between constructive interference steady-state and small field-of-view technique turbo spin echo sequences.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to optimize a three-dimensional (3D) turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequence using a small field-of-view (FOV) technique for the study of the cerebellopontine angle and to compare it with a constructive interference steady-state (CISS) sequence. METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging with a 3Tesla (T) scanner, including 3D CISS and the optimized 3D small FOV technique turbo spin echo (3D SFT-TSE) T2-weighted sequences for the study of the cerebellopontine angle. The 3D SFT-TSE sequence was optimized after three different steps, and a quantitative evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was obtained according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) method. Three neuroradiologists made a blind comparative qualitative evaluation of the images between the 3D CISS and the 3D SFT-TSE obtained after the third optimization step, based on spatial resolution, contrast resolution, and presence of artifacts and noise. RESULTS: The calculation of SNR using the NEMA method confirmed the superiority of the third optimization step over the others. For both spatial and contrast resolution, the optimized SFT-TSE was considered better (p < 0.001) than the CISS, while image artifacts and noise were considered worse in the CISS sequence (p < 0.001). Intraobserver analysis showed that all neuroradiologists preferred the 3D SFT-TSE sequence in terms of both spatial resolution and contrast resolution and found more noise and artifact disruption in the CISS sequence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the 2D radiofrequency pulse technique with a 3D SFT-TSE T2 sequence was significantly more efficient than the 3D CISS sequence for the study of the cerebellopontine angle and inner ear structures.

The effect of different brain lesions on the reorganization of language functions within the dominant hemisphere assessed with task-based BOLD-fMRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Language reorganization has been described in brain lesions with respect to their location and timing, but little is known with respect to their etiology. We used fMRI to investigate the effects of different types of left hemisphere lesions (GL = gliomas, TLE = temporal lobe epilepsy and CA = cavernous angioma) on the topographic intra-hemispheric language plasticity, also considering their location. METHODS: Forty-seven right-handed patients with 3 different left hemisphere lesions (16 GL, 15 TLE and 16 CA) and 17 healthy controls underwent BOLD fMRI with a verb-generation task. Euclidean distance was used to measure activation peak shifts among groups with respect to reference Tailarach coordinates of Inferior Frontal Gyrus, Superior Temporal Sulcus and Temporo-Parietal Junction. Mixed-model ANOVAs were used to test for differences in activation peak shifts. RESULTS: Significant activation peak shifts were found in GL patients with respect both to HC and other groups (TLA and CA). In addition, in the same group of patients a significant effect of tumor location (anterior or posterior) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that intra-hemispheric language plasticity is influenced by the type of lesion affecting the left hemisphere and that fMRI is especially valuable in the preoperative assessment of such reorganization in glioma patients.

Successful treatment of ruptured multiple fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysms with Silk Vista Baby flow diverter in a 10-month-old infant.

We report the successful treatment of multiple ruptured fusiform middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms in a 10-month-old girl. This previously healthy infant presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and was found to have multiple irregular dilatations of the superior division branch of the right MCA. Cerebral angiography was performed and confirmed the presence of multiple fusiform aneurysms of the MCA. After discussion with the multidisciplinary team, it was decided to treat the aneurysms with a endovascular approach, using a flow diverter. Microsurgical clipping was deemed risky because of the high likelihood of parent artery occlusion, and expectant management was also considered inappropriate because of the risk of rebleeding. Dual antiplatelet therapy was started, and a flow diverter was successfully delivered in the superior division branch of the right MCA. The postoperative course was uneventful, MRI at 12 months did not show any sign of recurrence, and at 3 years of age the patient had a normal neurological examination.

Republished: Successful treatment of ruptured multiple fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysms with silk vista baby flow diverter in a 10-months-old infant.

We report the successful treatment of multiple ruptured fusiform middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms in a 10-month-old girl. This previously healthy infant presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage and was found to have multiple irregular dilatations of the superior division branch of the right MCA. Cerebral angiography was performed and confirmed the presence of multiple fusiform aneurysms of the MCA. After multidisciplinary team discussion, it was decided to treat the aneurysms with endovascular approach, using a flow-diverter. Microsurgical clipping was deemed risky because of the high likelihood of parent artery occlusion and expectant management was also considered inappropriate because of the risk of re-bleeding. Dual antiplatelet therapy was started, and a flow-diverter was successfully delivered in the superior division branch of the right MCA. The post-operative course was uneventful, MRI at 12 months did not show any sign of recurrence and at 3 years of age the patient had a normal neurological examination.

Utility of 3D rotational angiography road map in flow diverter deployment in a distal dissecting MCA aneurysm.

Distal, dissecting, middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms are changing surgically and endovascularly. Endovascular treatment requires flow diverter stenting. A good vessel visualization is crucial for safe navigation. Three-dimensional rotational digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) is used routinely in diagnostic imaging. The utilization of the 3D-DSA road map in vessel navigation and stent deployment is novel. An illustrative video of a distal, dissecting left MCA aneurysm treated with flow diverter stenting is presented. The technical issues were distal location, dissecting nature with double lumen, proximal stenosis, and vessel curves. The 3D-DSA road map helped to enhance visualization with a safer procedure.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/sS3o1Z0P8WE.