Imaging neural stem cell graft-induced structural repair in stroke.

Stem cell therapy ameliorates motor deficits in experimental stroke model. Multimodal molecular imaging enables real-time longitudinal monitoring of infarct location, size, and transplant survival. In the present study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to track the infarct evolution,tissue repair, and the fate of grafted cells.

Molecular and magnetic resonance imaging of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cell grafts in ischemic rat brain.

Real-time imaging of transplanted stem cells is essential for understanding their interactions in vivo with host environments, for tracking cell fate and function and for successful delivery and safety monitoring in the clinical setting. In this study, we used bioluminescence (BLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the fate of grafted human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in stroke-damaged rat brain. The hNSCs were genetically engineered with a lentiviral vector carrying a double fusion (DF) reporter gene that stably expressed enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) and firefly luciferase (fLuc) reporter genes.

Lower extremity CT angiography (CTA): initial evaluation of a knowledge-based centerline estimation algorithm for femoro-popliteal artery (FPA) occlusions.

Rationale And Objectives: Existing density- and gradient-based automated centerline-extraction algorithms fail in severely diseased or occluded arterial segments for the generation of curved planar reformations (CPRs). We aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the precision of a knowledge-based centerline-extraction algorithm in patients with occluded femoro-popliteal artery (FPA).

Material And Methods: Computed tomography angiograms of 38 FPA occlusions (mean length 120 mm) were retrospectively identified.

Multi-detector row CT angiography of lower extremity arterial inflow and runoff: initial experience.

Purpose: To assess the patterns of lower extremity arterial inflow and runoff opacification with four-channel multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography in a cohort of patients with disease warranting imaging of the lower extremity arterial system.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four patients with symptomatic lower extremity arterial occlusive or aneurysmal disease underwent imaging with four-channel multi-detector row CT from the supraceliac abdominal aorta through the feet. Transverse sections were acquired with a 2.

Iliac arterial injuries after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: correlation with iliac curvature and diameter.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between iliac arterial tortuosity and cross-sectional area and the occurrence of iliac arterial injuries following transfemoral delivery of endovascular prostheses for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Materials And Methods: Iliac arterial curvature values and orthogonal cross-sectional areas were determined from helical computed tomographic (CT) data acquired in 42 patients prior to transfemoral delivery of aortic stent-grafts. The curvature and luminal cross-sectional area orthogonal to the median centerline were quantified every millimeter along the median centerline of the iliac arteries.