@article {828, title = {Axial 3D gradient-echo imaging for improved multiple sclerosis lesion detection in the cervical spinal cord at 3T.}, journal = {Neuroradiology}, volume = {55}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Mar}, pages = {431-9}, abstract = {

INTRODUCTION: In multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord imaging can help in diagnosis and follow-up evaluation. However, spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is technically challenging, and image quality, particularly in the axial plane, is typically poor compared to brain MRI. Because gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images might offer improved contrast resolution within the spinal cord at high magnetic field strength, both without and with a magnetization transfer prepulse, we compared them to T2-weighted fast-spin-echo (T2-FSE) images for the detection of MS lesions in the cervical cord at 3T.

METHODS: On a clinical 3T MRI scanner, we studied 62 MS cases and 19 healthy volunteers. Axial 3D GRE sequences were performed without and with off-resonance radiofrequency irradiation. To mimic clinical practice, all images were evaluated in conjunction with linked images from a sagittal short tau inversion recovery scan, which is considered the gold standard for lesion detection in MS. Two experienced observers recorded image quality, location and size of focal lesions, atrophy, swelling, and diffuse signal abnormality independently at first and then in consensus.

RESULTS: The number and volume of lesions detected with high confidence was more than three times as high on both GRE sequences compared to T2-FSE (p < 0.0001). Approximately 5 \% of GRE scans were affected by artifacts that interfered with image interpretation, not significantly different from T2W-FSE.

CONCLUSIONS: Axial 3D GRE sequences are useful for MS lesion detection when compared to 2D T2-FSE sequences in the cervical spinal cord at 3T and should be considered when examining intramedullary spinal cord lesions.

}, keywords = {Adult, Aged, Algorithms, Cervical Vertebrae, Echo-Planar Imaging, Female, Humans, Image Enhancement, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Spinal Cord}, issn = {1432-1920}, doi = {10.1007/s00234-012-1118-5}, author = {Ozturk, Arzu and Aygun, Nafi and Smith, Seth A and Caffo, Brian and Calabresi, Peter A and Reich, Daniel S} } @article {830, title = {Total white matter hyperintensity volume in bipolar disorder patients and their healthy relatives.}, journal = {Bipolar Disord}, volume = {14}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Dec}, pages = {888-93}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are more common in subjects with bipolar disorder (BP) than in healthy subjects (HS). Few studies have examined the effect of the diagnostic type of bipolar illness on WMH burden, and none have approached this question through a direct measurement of the volume of affected white matter in relationship to familiality. In this pilot study, we utilized a volumetric measurement of WMH to investigate the relationship between the total volume of WMH and the familiality and type of BP.

METHODS: Forty-five individuals with bipolar I disorder (BP-I) with psychotic features, BP-I without psychotic features, or bipolar II disorder (BP-II), seven of their unaffected relatives, and 32 HS were recruited for participation. T-2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on all subjects, and the total volume of all WMH for each subject was measured in cubic centimeters. The significance of difference between groups was tested using ANOVA with post-hoc adjustment for multiple comparisons. Further, we used logistic regression to test for trends between symptom load and total WMH volume.

RESULTS: The mean total volume of WMH in BP-I patients with psychotic features was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of HS. Further, we observed a positive linear trend by familiality and type of affectedness when comparing mean total WMH volume of HS, unaffected family members, subjects with BP-II, and BP-I with and without a history of psychosis (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Based on a quantitative technique, WMH burden appears to be associated with familiality and type of BP. The significance of these findings remains to be fully elucidated.

}, keywords = {Adult, Analysis of Variance, Bipolar Disorder, Brain, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Leukoencephalopathies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated}, issn = {1399-5618}, doi = {10.1111/bdi.12019}, author = {Tighe, Sarah K and Reading, Sarah A and Rivkin, Paul and Caffo, Brian and Schweizer, Barbara and Pearlson, Godfrey and Potash, James B and Depaulo, J Raymond and Bassett, Susan S} }