Alternatives to GBCA: Are We There Yet?

Gadolinium has been widely used as the contrast agent of choice for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, gadolinium administration is not always desired due to its inherent enhancement properties and potential side effects (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis). This article reviews gadolinium alternatives, iron-, and manganese- based agents, and their current clinical usage for contrast-enhanced MRI examinations.

Homonymous hemianopia from infarction of the optic tract and lateral geniculate nucleus in deep cerebral venous thrombosis.

A 20-year-old man developed right homonymous hemianopia, hemiparesis, and hemisensory loss from deep cerebral venous thrombosis in the setting of high altitude. Approximately 3 months later, brain MRI showed encephalomalacia of the left optic tract and lateral geniculate nucleus, as well as signal abnormalities of the internal capsule and posterolateral thalamus. Homonymous hemianopia has previously been described in 1 case after deep cerebral venous thrombosis but without detailed neuroimaging features.

Neck MR imaging anatomy.

The normal MR imaging appearance of the neck can be confusing given the number and complexity of structures that pass through it. This article strives to simplify normal MR imaging anatomy of the neck using a spatial approach. We present the protocols used at our institution and provide tables with details.

Skull base, orbits, temporal bone, and cranial nerves: anatomy on MR imaging.

Accurate delineation, diagnosis, and treatment planning of skull base lesions require knowledge of the complex anatomy of the skull base. Because the skull base cannot be directly evaluated, imaging is critical for the diagnosis and management of skull base diseases. Although computed tomography (CT) is excellent for outlining the bony detail, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides better soft tissue detail and is helpful for evaluating the adjacent meninges, brain parenchyma, and bone marrow of the skull base.

Prevalence and etiology of intracranial hemorrhage in term children under the age of two years: a retrospective study of computerized tomographic imaging and clinical outcome in 798 children.

Rationale And Objectives: The purposes of this study were to retrospectively identify various etiologies underlying intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) in term infants aged <2 years and their respective prevalence in this population and to describe the long-term clinical outcomes in these patients.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records and computed tomographic studies of the head in 798 term infants aged 0 to 24 months with suspected or known ICHs was conducted.

Results: ICHs were present in 195 of the 798 infants (24%).

Magnetic resonance imaging of oropharyngeal cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for cross-sectional analysis of head and neck anatomy and pathology. This is especially true with regard to oropharyngeal neoplasms, where soft tissue spread, nodal disease, perineural extension, and osseous involvement may significantly alter therapy and prognosis. In this article, we will provide a background on oropharyngeal cancers and MRI techniques and strategies, describing potential advantages of MRI with regard to particular anatomic subsites of the oropharynx.

CT: history, technology, and clinical aspects.

The introduction of computerized tomography (CT) revolutionized noninvasive imaging, particularly with regards to the central nervous system. Further advances in CT technology over the past two decades have allowed for more elegant visualization of various bodily structures, including vascular anatomy and organ perfusion physiology. This article will review the development of computerized tomography from conventional machines to multislice helical units, emphasizing relevant advances in stroke imaging and including some discussion of radiation safety.