| 1. |
- Ambarki, Khalid, et al.
(författare)
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Blood flow of ophthalmic artery in healthy individuals determined by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging
- 2013
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Ingår i: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. - : Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). - 0146-0404 .- 1552-5783. ; 54:4, s. 2738-2745
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Recent development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers new possibilities to assess ocular blood flow. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility of phase-contrast MRI (PCMRI) to measure flow rate in the ophthalmic artery (OA) and establish reference values in healthy young (HY) and elderly (HE) subjects.METHODS: Fifty HY subjects (28 females, 21-30 years of age) and 44 HE (23 females, 64-80 years of age) were scanned on a 3-Tesla MR system. The PCMRI sequence had a spatial resolution of 0.35 mm per pixel, with the measurement plan placed perpendicularly to the OA. Mean flow rate (Qmean), resistive index (RI), and arterial volume pulsatility of OA (ΔVmax) were measured from the flow rate curve. Accuracy of PCMRI measures was investigated using a vessel-phantom mimicking the diameter and the flow rate range of the human OA.RESULTS: Flow rate could be assessed in 97% of the OAs. Phantom investigations showed good agreement between the reference and PCMRI measurements with an error of <7%. No statistical difference was found in Qmean between HY and HE individuals (HY: mean ± SD = 10.37 ± 4.45 mL/min; HE: 10.81 ± 5.15 mL/min, P = 0.655). The mean of ΔVmax (HY: 18.70 ± 7.24 μL; HE: 26.27 ± 12.59 μL, P < 0.001) and RI (HY: 0.62 ± 0.08; HE: 0.67 ± 0.1, P = 0.012) were significantly different between HY and HE.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the flow rate of OA can be quantified using PCMRI. There was an age difference in the pulsatility parameters; however, the mean flow rate appeared independent of age. The primary difference in flow curves between HE and HY was in the relaxation phase of the systolic peak.
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| 2. |
- Ambarki, Khalid, et al.
(författare)
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Brain ventricular size in healthy elderly: comparison between evans index and volume measurement.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Neurosurgery. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0148-396X .- 1524-4040. ; 67:1, s. 94-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A precise definition of ventricular enlargement is important in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus as well as in assessing central atrophy. The Evans index (EI), a linear ratio between the maximal frontal horn width and the cranium diameter, has been extensively used as an indirect marker of ventricular volume (VV). With modern imaging techniques, brain volume can be directly measured. OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values of intracranial volumes in healthy elderly individuals and to correlate volumes with the EI. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (3 T) was performed in 46 healthy white elderly subjects (mean age +/- standard deviation, 71 +/- 6 years) and in 20 patients (74 +/- 7 years) with large ventricles according to visual inspection. VV, relative VV (RVV), and EI were assessed. Ventricular dilation was defined using VV and EI by a value above the 95th percentile range for healthy elderly individuals. RESULTS: In healthy elderly subjects, we found VV = 37 +/- 18 mL, RVV = 2.47 +/- 1.17%, and EI = 0.281 +/- 0.027. Including the patients, there was a strong correlation between EI and VV (R = 0.94) as well as between EI and RVV (R = 0.95). However, because of a wide 95% prediction interval (VV: +/-45 mL; RVV: +/- 2.54%), EI did not give a sufficiently good estimate of VV and RVV. CONCLUSION: VV (or RVV) and the EI reflect different properties. The exclusive use of EI in clinical studies as a marker of enlarged ventricles should be questioned. We suggest that the definition of dilated ventricles in white elderly individuals be defined as VV >77 mL or RVV >4.96 %. Future studies should compare intracranial volumes with clinical characteristics and prognosis.
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| 3. |
- Ambarki, Khalid, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of Automatic Measurement of the Intracranial Volume Based on Quantitative MR Imaging
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Neuroradiology. - : American Society of Neuroradiology. - 0195-6108 .- 1936-959X. ; 33:10, s. 1951-1956
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain size is commonly described in relation to ICV, whereby accurate assessment of this quantity is fundamental. Recently, an optimized MR sequence (QRAPMASTER) was developed for simultaneous quantification of T1, T2, and proton density. ICV can be measured automatically within minutes from QRAPMASTER outputs and a dedicated software, SyMRI. Automatic estimations of ICV were evaluated against the manual segmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 19 healthy subjects, manual segmentation of ICV was performed by 2 neuroradiologists (Obs1, Obs2) by using QBrain software and conventional T2-weighted images. The automatic segmentation from the QRAPMASTER output was performed by using SyMRI. Manual corrections of the automatic segmentation were performed (corrected-automatic) by Obs1 and Obs2, who were blinded from each other. Finally, the repeatability of the automatic method was evaluated in 6 additional healthy subjects, each having 6 repeated QRAPMASTER scans. The time required to measure ICV was recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between reference and automatic (and corrected-automatic) ICV (P greater than .25). The mean difference between the reference and automatic measurement was -4.84 +/- 19.57 mL (or 0.31 +/- 1.35%). Mean differences between the reference and the corrected-automatic measurements were -0.47 +/- 17.95 mL (-0.01 +/- 1.24%) and -1.26 +/- 17.68 mL (-0.06 +/- 1.22%) for Obs1 and Obs2, respectively. The repeatability errors of the automatic and the corrected-automatic method were less than1%. The automatic method required 1 minute 11 seconds (SD = 12 seconds) of processing. Adding manual corrections required another 1 minute 32 seconds (SD = 38 seconds). CONCLUSIONS: Automatic and corrected-automatic quantification of ICV showed good agreement with the reference method. SyMRI software provided a fast and reproducible measure of ICV.
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| 4. |
- Ambarki, Khalid, et al.
(författare)
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MR imaging of brain volumes : evaluation of a fully automatic software
- 2011
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Ingår i: American Journal of Neuroradiology. - 0195-6108 .- 1936-959X. ; 32:2, s. 408-412
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Automatic assessment of brain volumes is needed in researchand clinical practice. Manual tracing is still the criterionstandard but is time-consuming. It is important to validatethe automatic tools to avoid the problems of clinical studiesdrawing conclusions on the basis of brain volumes estimatedwith methodologic errors. The objective of this study was toevaluate a new commercially available fully automatic softwarefor MR imaging of brain volume assessment. Automatic and expertmanual brain volumes were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging (3T, axial T2 and FLAIR) was performed in 41 healthyelderly volunteers (mean age, 70 ± 6 years) and 20 patientswith hydrocephalus (mean age, 73 ± 7 years). The softwareQBrain was used to manually and automatically measure the followingbrain volumes: ICV, BTV, VV, and WMHV. The manual method hasbeen previously validated and was used as the reference. Agreementbetween the manual and automatic methods was evaluated by usinglinear regression and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the automatic andmanual methods regarding all volumes. The mean differences wereICV = 49 ± 93 mL (mean ± 2SD, n = 61), BTV = 11± 70 mL, VV = –6 ± 10 mL, and WMHV = 2.4± 9 mL. The automatic calculations of brain volumes tookapproximately 2 minutes per investigation. CONCLUSIONS: The automatic tool is promising and provides rapid assessmentof brain volumes. However, the software needs improvement beforeit is incorporated into research or daily use. Manual segmentationremains the reference method.
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| 5. |
- Behrens, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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In Reply
- 2010
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Ingår i: Neurosurgery. - 0148-396X .- 1524-4040. ; 67:6, s. 1864-
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Behrens, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Transcranial Doppler pulsatility index: not an accurate method to assess intracranial pressure.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Neurosurgery. - 0148-396X .- 1524-4040. ; 66:6, s. 1050-1057
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) assessment of intracranial blood flow velocity has been suggested to accurately determine intracranial pressure (ICP). OBJECTIVE: We attempted to validate this method in patients with communicating cerebrospinal fluid systems using predetermined pressure levels. METHODS: Ten patients underwent a lumbar infusion test, applying 4 to 5 preset ICP levels. On each level, the pulsatility index (PI) in the middle cerebral artery was determined by measuring the blood flow velocity using TCD. ICP was simultaneously measured with an intraparenchymal sensor. ICP and PI were compared using correlation analysis. For further understanding of the ICP-PI relationship, a mathematical model of the intracranial dynamics was simulated using a computer. RESULTS: The ICP-PI regression equation was based on data from 8 patients. For 2 patients, no audible Doppler signal was obtained. The equation was ICP = 23*PI + 14 (R = 0.22, P < .01, N = 35). The 95% confidence interval for a mean ICP of 20 mm Hg was -3.8 to 43.8 mm Hg. Individually, the regression coefficients varied from 42 to 90 and the offsets from -32 to +3. The mathematical simulations suggest that variations in vessel compliance, autoregulation, and arterial pressure have a serious effect on the ICP-PI relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo results show that PI is not a reliable predictor of ICP. Mathematical simulations indicate that this is caused by variations in physiological parameters.
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| 8. |
- Israelsson, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Ventriculomegaly and balance disturbances in patients with TIA
- 2012
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 125:3, s. 163-170
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives - Dilated ventricles and gait disturbances are common in the elderly, and these are also features of the treatable syndrome idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). Many studies report an association between hypertension, vascular disease and INPH. The objective of this study was to study the frequency of ventriculomegaly, with or without hydrocephalic symptoms, in patients who had suffered from a transitory ischaemic attack (TIA).Methods - Gait, Romberg sign, tandem standing and one-leg stance were consecutively evaluated in elderly >24 h after a TIA. Ventricular size, white matter lesions and atrophy were assessed on computed tomography scans. Exclusion criteria were conditions possibly influencing the balance tests.Results - Seventy-six patients with TIA out of 105 were included. Ventriculomegaly [Evans Index (EI) > 0.30] was observed in 19.7% and very large ventricles (EI > 0.33) in 7.9%. Ventriculomegaly was found in 58% of the patients with a previous 'history of balance or gait disturbance', but only in 12% of those without any prior disturbance (chi-square test; P = 0.0009). Three out of 76 patients with TIA (3.9%) fulfilled both radiological and clinical criteria for 'possible INPH'.Conclusion - Ventriculomegaly is a common finding in elderly. One out of 20 patients with TIA may suffer from INPH, existing before and independent of the TIA diagnosis. Therefore, patients presenting with ventriculomegaly and gait/balance disturbances not attributable to other causes should be referred to a hydrocephalus centre or a neurologist with special interest in INPH.
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| 9. |
- Sundström, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Venous and cerebrospinal fluid flow in multiple sclerosis. A case-control study.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Annals of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 0364-5134 .- 1531-8249. ; 68:2, s. 255-259
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prevailing view on multiple sclerosis etiopathogenesis has been challenged by the suggested new entity chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. To test this hypothesis, we studied 21 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis cases and 20 healthy controls with phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, in multiple sclerosis cases we performed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography. We found no differences regarding internal jugular venous outflow, aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid flow, or the presence of internal jugular blood reflux. Three of 21 cases had internal jugular vein stenoses. In conclusion, we found no evidence confirming the suggested vascular multiple sclerosis hypothesis.
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| 10. |
- Vågberg, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
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Automated Determination of Brain Parenchymal Fraction in Multiple Sclerosis
- 2013
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Ingår i: American Journal of Neuroradiology. - : American Society of Neuroradiology. - 0195-6108 .- 1936-959X. ; 34:3, s. 498-504
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain atrophy is a manifestation of tissue damage in MS. Reduction in brain parenchymal fraction is an accepted marker of brain atrophy. In this study, the approach of synthetic tissue mapping was applied, in which brain parenchymal fraction was automatically calculated based on absolute quantification of the tissue relaxation rates R1 and R2 and the proton attenuation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The BPF values of 99 patients with MS and 35 control subjects were determined by using SyMap and tested in relationship to clinical variables. A subset of 5 patients with MS and 5 control subjects were also analyzed with a manual segmentation technique as a reference. Reproducibility of SyMap was assessed in a separate group of 6 healthy subjects, each scanned 6 consecutive times. RESULTS: Patients with MS had significantly lower BPF (0.852 0.0041, mean +/- SE) compared with control subjects (0.890 +/- 0.0040). Significant linear relationships between BPF and age, disease duration, and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were observed (P less than .001). A strong correlation existed between SyMap and the reference method (r = 0.96; P less than .001) with no significant difference in mean BPF. Coefficient of variation of repeated SyMap BPF measurements was 0.45%. Scan time was less than6 minutes, and postprocessing time was less than2 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: SyMap is a valid and reproducible method for determining BPF in MS within a clinically acceptable scan time and postprocessing time. Results are highly congruent with those described using other methods and show high agreement with the manual reference method.
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