Fluorescein-Guided Surgery for Resection of High-Grade Gliomas: A Multicentric Prospective Phase II Study (FLUOGLIO).

Sodium fluorescein is a dye that, intravenously injected, selectively accumulates in high-grade glioma (HGG) tissue through a damaged blood-brain barrier. In this article, the final results of a multicentric prospective phase II trial (FLUOGLIO) on fluorescein-guided HGG resection through a dedicated filter on the surgical microscope were reported. Patients with suspected HGGs considered suitable for removal were eligible to participate in this trial.

Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging versus Contrast-enhanced US: A Comparison in Glioblastoma Surgery by Using Intraoperative Fusion Imaging.

Purpose To compare contrast material enhancement of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) versus that with preoperative gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by using real-time fusion imaging. Materials and Methods Ten patients with GBM were retrospectively identified by using routinely collected, anonymized data. Navigated contrast-enhanced US was performed after intravenous administration of contrast material before tumor resection.

Extraneural metastases in glioblastoma patients: two cases with YKL-40-positive glioblastomas and a meta-analysis of the literature.

Glioblastoma (GBM) are high-grade gliomas that severely impact on overall survival (OS). GBM cell motility and the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier could favor GBM cell communication with the systemic circulation. In spite of this, extracranial GBM metastases are rare.

Towards the Personalized Treatment of Glioblastoma: Integrating Patient-Specific Clinical Data in a Continuous Mechanical Model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant among brain tumors. In addition to uncontrolled proliferation and genetic instability, GBM is characterized by a diffuse infiltration, developing long protrusions that penetrate deeply along the fibers of the white matter. These features, combined with the underestimation of the invading GBM area by available imaging techniques, make a definitive treatment of GBM particularly difficult.

The lateral infratrigeminal transpontine window to deep pontine lesions.

Object: Surgery of brainstem lesions is increasingly performed despite the fact that surgical indications and techniques continue to be debated. The deep pons, in particular, continues to be a critical area in which the specific risks related to different surgical strategies continue to be examined. With the intention of bringing new knowledge into this important arena, the authors systematically examined the results of brainstem surgeries that have been performed through the lateral infratrigeminal transpontine window.

Experimental models of brain ischemia: a review of techniques, magnetic resonance imaging, and investigational cell-based therapies.

Stroke continues to be a significant cause of death and disability worldwide. Although major advances have been made in the past decades in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, enormous challenges remain in the way of translating new therapeutic approaches from bench to bedside. Thrombolysis, while routinely used for ischemic stroke, is only a viable option within a narrow time window.

Is fluorescein-guided technique able to help in resection of high-grade gliomas?

Object: Fluorescein, a dye that is widely used as a fluorescent tracer, accumulates in cerebral areas where the blood-brain barrier is damaged. This quality makes it an ideal dye for the intraoperative visualization of high-grade gliomas (HGGs). The authors report their experience with a new fluorescein-guided technique for the resection of HGGs using a dedicated filter on the surgical microscope.

Prevalence of silent cerebral ischemia in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation and correlation with cognitive function.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) and cognitive performance in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and controls in sinus rhythm.

Background: Large registries have reported a similar risk for symptomatic stroke in both paroxysmal and persistent AF. The relationship among paroxysmal and persistent AF, SCI, and cognitive impairment has remained uncharted.

Pulmonary veins branching pattern, assessed by magnetic resonance, does not affect transcatheter atrial fibrillation ablation outcome.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to provide, in a large cohort of patients, a description of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PV) anatomy in relation to ablation outcome.

Background: The role of LA imaging, assessed before transcatheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), is unknown.

Methods: 330 patients referred for transcatheter ablation of AF (paroxysmal 62.

Performance assessment of four 64-slice computed tomographic devices for a typical clinical protocol.

Objective: To compare the performances of four 64-slice CT devices, as regards radiation dose and image quality.

Methods: Effective dose was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters in an Alderson Rando phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories, New York, NY). Quantitative image quality was evaluated in a Catphan 600 phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, New York, NY) using 3 parameters (modulation transfer function, contrast-to-noise ratio, and figure of merit).

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a cause of silent thromboembolism? Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cerebral thromboembolism in patients undergoing ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency left atrial catheter ablation has become a routine procedure for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to assess with preprocedural and postprocedural cerebral magnetic resonance imaging the thromboembolic risk, either silent or clinically manifest, in the context of atrial fibrillation ablation. The secondary end point was the identification of clinical or procedural parameters that correlate with cerebral embolism.

Morphologic analysis of left atrial anatomy by magnetic resonance angiography in patients with atrial fibrillation: a large single center experience.

Unlabelled: LA and PV Anatomy in Patients With AF.

Introduction: Although transcatheter atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation requires accurate anatomic knowledge, pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy has not been fully investigated. Aim of this study is to describe left atrium (LA) and PV anatomy by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a large cohort of patients with AF.

Left atrial volume at MRI is the main determinant of outcome after pulmonary vein isolation plus linear lesion ablation for paroxysmal-persistent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: To assess retrospectively clinical and procedural predictors of long-term recurrences after atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods: Two hundred and forty consecutive patients (201 men; mean age 60 +/- 10 years) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus linear lesion ablation for antiarrhythmic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation between 2005 and 2007 were studied. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left atrium was performed in all the patients.

Native whole-heart coronary imaging for the identification of anomalous origin of the coronary arteries.

Congenital abnormalities of the coronary arteries are an uncommon cause of chest pain and in some cases may cause sudden cardiac death. We examined with magnetic resonance (MR) a 52 year-old woman presenting with effort angina, and positive treadmill stress test. Whole-heart coronary imaging performed without paramagnetic contrast agents revealed an anomalous origin of a single coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva.