Diabetes-associated nephropathy and obesity influence COVID-19 outcome in type 2 diabetes patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 has rapidly spread around the globe and various comorbidities, such as diabetes have been recognized as risk factors for an unfavorable outcome. We analyzed a cohort of COVID-19 patients (n = 75) treated at a German community hospital. With a focus on diabetes mellitus, we evaluated the impact of distinct comorbidities on the COVID-19 disease course.

Evaluation of Sodium (Na) MR-imaging as a Biomarker and Predictor for Neurodegenerative Changes in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease.

Background/aim: Sodium (Na) MR imaging is a noninvasive MRI technique that has been shown to be sensitive to visualize biochemical information about tissue viability, their cell integrity, and cell function in various studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in regional brain Na signal intensity between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy controls to preliminarily evaluate the capability of Na imaging as a biomarker for AD.

Patients And Methods: A total of 14 patients diagnosed with AD were included: 12 in the state of dementia and 2 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 12 healthy controls (HC); they were all scanned on a 3T clinical scanner with a double tuned H/Na birdcage head coil.

Diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia despite missing detection of viral nucleic acid and initially inconspicuous radiologic findings.

The diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mainly based on a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. PCR samples are obtained from upper or lower respiratory tract specimens. However, the sensitivity of PCR is known to have some limitations.

Repeatability and reproducibility of cerebral Na imaging in healthy subjects.

Background: Initial reports of Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) date back to the 1970s. However, methodological challenges of the technique hampered its widespread adoption for many years. Recent technical developments have overcome some of these limitations and have led to more optimal conditions for Na-MR imaging.

Late-onset major depression is associated with age-related white matter lesions in the brainstem.

Objective: Age-related white matter lesions (ARWMLs) have been identified in various clinical conditions such as reduced gait speed, cognitive impairment, urogenital dysfunction, and mood disturbances. Previous studies indicated an association between ARWML and late-onset major depression. However, most of these focused on the extent of supratentorial ARWML and neglected presence and degree of infratentorial lesions.

Perfusion-weighted imaging and dynamic 4D angiograms for the estimation of collateral blood flow in lacunar infarction.

Although lacunar infarction accounts for approximately 25% of ischemic strokes, collateral blood flow through anastomoses is not well evaluated in lacunar infarction. In 111 lacunar infarction patients, we analyzed diffusion-weighted images, perfusion-weighted images, and blood flow on dynamic four-dimensional angiograms generated by use of Signal Processing In NMR-Software. Blood flow was classified as absent (type 1), from periphery to center (type 2), from center to periphery (type 3), and combination of type 2 and 3 (type 4).

Signal changes of the alar ligament in a healthy population: a dispositional or degenerative consequence?

OBJECT The alar ligaments (ALs) are vital for stabilizing the craniocervical junction. In terms of morphology, their appearance varies and is visible on MRI. Dark signal of the AL on proton-density (PD)-weighted images is generally considered the norm, but the etiology of frequently observed signal hyperintensities is poorly understood.

Sparing of the hippocampus indicates better collateral blood flow in acute posterior cerebral artery occlusion.

Background: In acute posterior cerebral artery, occlusion involvement of the hippocampus is a common finding. Nevertheless, until today, infarction and ischemic lesion evolution in the hippocampus has not been studied systematically.

Aim: Evaluation of hippocampal infarction patterns in posterior cerebral artery occlusion in the very early phase (≤six-hours) and ischemic lesion evolution on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging in relation to collateral blood flow assessed by a magnetic resonance imaging-based approach was conducted.

Value of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI in the acute phase of transient global amnesia.

Purpose: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a transitory, short-lasting neurological disorder characterized by a sudden onset of antero- and retrograde amnesia. Perfusion abnormalities in TGA have been evaluated mainly by use of positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In the present study we explore the value of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) in TGA in the acute phase.

Anatomical Variations in the Posterior Circle of Willis and Vascular Pathologies in Isolated Unilateral Thalamic Infarction.

Background And Purpose: To characterize relations between configurations of the posterior part of the Circle of Willis (CoW) and the occurrence of unilateral thalamic infarction.

Methods: From a magnetic resonance imaging report database, we identified and analyzed 111 patients with acute isolated unilateral thalamic infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Vascular pathologies were noted on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and the diameter of the posterior communicating artery (PComA) and the P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral artery determined.

Missing relationship of moyamoya and persistent primitive artery in Europeans. Another distinctive feature or artifact?

Purpose: Previous studies found higher incidence of persistent primitive arteries in Asian moyamoya (MM) patients than in the general population, which was thought to be a characteristic trait of the MM entity in general. We analyzed incidence of persistent primitive arteries and demographics of patients with European MM treated in one single center. First, we compared our large dataset to existing literature and second, we raised the question whether European MM demonstrates similar high prevalence of persistent primitive arteries as it was previously presented within Asian MM.

In vivo micro-CT imaging of untreated and irradiated orthotopic glioblastoma xenografts in mice: capabilities, limitations and a comparison with bioluminescence imaging.

Small animal imaging is of increasing relevance in biomedical research. Studies systematically assessing the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced in vivo micro-CT of orthotopic glioma xenografts in mice do not exist. NOD/SCID/γc(-/-) mice (n = 27) underwent intracerebral implantation of 2.

Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery Vascular Hyperintensities Possibly Indicate Slow Arterial Blood Flow in Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia.

Background And Purpose: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a dilatative arteriopathy associated with a decreased blood flow velocity. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensity (FVH) is a phenomenon most likely representing slow arterial blood flow. We sought to examine the frequency and extent of FVH in VBD.

FLAIR vascular hyperintensities and dynamic 4D angiograms for the estimation of collateral blood flow in posterior circulation occlusion.

Introduction: The objectives of this paper are to assess collateral blood flow in posterior circulation occlusion by MRI-based approaches (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensities (FVHs), collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms) and investigate its relation to ischemic lesion size and growth.

Methods: In 28 patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and 10 patients with basilar artery (BA) occlusion, MRI findings were analyzed, with emphasis on distal FVH and collateralization on dynamic 4D angiograms.

Results: In PCA occlusion, distal FVH was observed in 18/29 (62.

Perfusion patterns in migraine with aura.

Objectives: Migraine with aura is a common neurological disorder, and differentiation from transient ischemic attack or stroke based on clinical symptoms may be difficult.

Methods: From an MRI report database we identified 33 patients with migraine with aura and compared these to 33 age-matched ischemic stroke patients regarding perfusion patterns on perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)-derived maps: time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (MTT), and cerebral blood flow and volume (CBF, CBV).

Results: In 18/33 (54.

Implantation of pipeline flow-diverting stents reduces aneurysm inflow without relevantly affecting static intra-aneurysmal pressure.

Background: Flow-diverting stent (FDS) implantation is an endovascular treatment option for intracranial aneurysms. However, little is known about the hemodynamic effects.

Objective: To assess the effect of stent compression on FDS porosity, to evaluate the influence of single and overlapping implantation of FDS on intra-aneurysmal flow profiles, and to correlate stent porosity with changes in static mean intra-aneurysmal pressure.

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis in acute isolated thalamic infarction detected by dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI.

Purpose: Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is a state of neural depression caused by loss of connections to injured neural structures remote from the cerebellum usually evaluated by positron emission tomography. Recently it has been shown that dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted MRI (PWI) may also be feasible to detect the phenomenon. In this study we aimed to assess the frequency of CCD on PWI in patients with acute thalamic infarction.

Diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging in acute lacunar infarction: is there a mismatch?

Purpose: Characterization of lacunar infarction (LI) by use of multimodal MRI including diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging (DWI, PWI) is difficult because of the small lesion size. Only a few studies evaluated PWI in LI and the results are inconsistent.

Methods: In 16 LI patients who underwent initial MRI within 6 hours after symptom onset and follow-up MRI within 1 week demographics, clinical presentation, and MRI findings were analyzed with special emphasis on DWI and PWI findings.

Comparison of Fenestra LC, ExiTron nano 6000, and ExiTron nano 12000 for micro-CT imaging of liver and spleen in mice.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare different contrast agents for longitudinal liver and spleen imaging in a mouse model of liver metastasis.

Materials And Methods: Mice developing liver metastases underwent longitudinal micro-computed tomography imaging after injection of Fenestra LC, ExiTron nano 6000, or ExiTron nano 12000. Elimination times and contrast enhancement of liver and spleen were compared.

Laser-guided cervical selective nerve root block with the Dyna-CT: initial experience of three-dimensional puncture planning with an ex-vivo model.

Background: Cervical selective nerve root block (CSNRB) is a well-established, minimally invasive procedure to treat radicular cervical pain. However, the procedure is technically challenging and might lead to major complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a three-dimensional puncture planning and two-dimensional laser-guidance system for CSNRB in an ex-vivo model.

A Low Cost Metal-Free Vascular Access Mini-Port for Artifact Free Imaging and Repeated Injections in Mice.

Purpose: Small injection ports for mice are increasingly used for drug testing or when administering contrast agents. Commercially available mini-ports are expensive single-use items that cause imaging-artifacts. We developed and tested an artifact-free, low-cost, vascular access mini-port (VAMP) for mice.

Anatomical variations in the posterior part of the circle of willis and vascular pathology in bilateral thalamic infarction.

Background And Purpose: Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction is a rare subtype of stroke the etiology of which still remains undetermined in many patients.

Methods: From a computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging report database, we identified and analyzed 48 patients with bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging. Vascular pathologies were noted on CT angiography (CTA)/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and the P1 segments of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) described as normal, hypoplastic, or absent.

Imaging for deep brain stimulation: The zona incerta at 7 Tesla.

Aim: To evaluate different promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods at 7.0 Tesla (T) for the pre-stereotactic visualization of the zona incerta (ZI).

Methods: Two neuroradiologists qualitatively and quantitatively examined T2-turbo spin-echo (T2-TSE), T1-weighted gradient-echo, as well as FLASH2D-T2Star and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for the visualization of the ZI at 7.

Characterization and longitudinal monitoring of melanoma growth in ret-transgenic mice using a single-sequence MRI protocol.

Spontaneous melanoma models in transgenic mice are increasingly used in preclinical research as they most closely match the progression of melanoma in humans. While optical inspection only allows analysis of tumors located on the skin, the accurate measurement and growth of subcutaneous tumors have not been adequately assessed. To improve the measurement accuracy of melanoma tumors, we used a fast single-sequence MRI protocol at 9.

The subthalamic nucleus at 3.0 Tesla: choice of optimal sequence and orientation for deep brain stimulation using a standard installation protocol: clinical article.

Object: Reliable visualization of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is indispensable for accurate placement of electrodes in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for patients with Parkinson disease (PD). The aim of the study was to evaluate different promising new MRI methods at 3.0 T for preoperative visualization of the STN using a standard installation protocol.