Age-stratified Assessment of Brain Volumetric Segmentation on the Indian Population Using Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Automated methods for quantifying brain tissue volumes have gained clinical interest for their objective assessment of neurological diseases. This study aimed to establish reference curves for brain volumes and fractions in the Indian population using Synthetic MRI (SyMRI), a quantitative imaging technique providing multiple contrast-weighted images through fast postprocessing. METHODS: The study included a cohort of 314 healthy individuals aged 15-65 years from multiple hospitals/centers across India. The SyMRI-quantified brain volumes and fractions, including brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), gray matter fraction (GMF), white matter fraction (WMF), and myelin. RESULTS: Normative age-stratified quantification curves were created based on the obtained data. The results showed significant differences in brain volumes between the sexes, but not after normalization by intracranial volume. CONCLUSION: The findings provide normative data for the Indian population and can be used for comparative analysis of brain structure values. Furthermore, our data indicate that the use of fractions rather than absolute volumes in normative curves, such as BPF, GMF, and WMF, can mitigate sex and population differences as they account for individual differences in head size or brain volume.

Chemical shift imaging: An indispensable tool in diagnosing musculoskeletal pathologies.

Chemical shift imaging (CSI) is an important fat-suppression technique in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); it is used routinely in abdominal imaging to detect the presence of intralesional fat. Its utility in musculoskeletal imaging has recently gained interest as a technique that is complementary to routine imaging. It is believed to aid in diagnosing and differentiating various osseous pathologies. This review describes the role of CSI as an imaging technique for diagnosing various osseous and periarticular pathologies in different clinical scenarios.

The value of sonoelastography in the diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinopathy-a comparison study.

OBJECTIVE:: This study assessed the association between tendon stiffness on sonoelastography and grades of tendinopathy on MRI in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. METHODS:: 25 consecutive adult patients with clinically suspected supraspinatus tendinopathy and no prior history of trauma referred for MRI of the shoulder were selected for this study. The supraspinatus tendinopathy was graded in consonance with MRI findings (Grade I, normal; Grade II, mild tendinopathy; Grade III, moderate tendinopathy; and Grade IV, marked tendinopathy). Strain ratios were evaluated. Spearman rank correlation test was used, to analyze the association of the MRI grade with strain ratios. RESULTS:: Out of 25 patients, Grade I changes on MRI were found in 5 patients (20.0%), Grade II tendinopathy in 13 patients (52.0%), Grade III in 6 patients (24.0%), and Grade IV in 1 patient (4.0%). The mean sonoelastography strain ratio of supraspinatus tendons were 0.76 ± 0.32 in patients with Grade I, 0.59 ± 0.40 in Grade II, 0.31 ± 0.10 in Grade III and 0.15 ± 0.02 in Grade IV patients respectively. The strain ratios showed good correlation with the MRI grade p < 0.05. CONCLUSION:: We compared the MRI findings of supraspinatus tendinopathy with sonoelastography strain ratios. Sonoelastography showed good correlation with MRI. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: Sonoelastography in supraspinatus tendinopathy may help in predicting improvement or worsening of the tendon health at the tissue level. Therefore, there is a possibility that it has use in the rehabilitation of professionals suffering from supraspinatus tendinopathy.

Fetal MRI: A pictorial essay.

Ultrasonography (USG) is the primary method for antenatal fetal evaluation. However, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has now become a valuable adjunct to USG in confirming/excluding suspected abnormalities and in the detection of additional abnormalities, thus changing the outcome of pregnancy and optimizing perinatal management. With the development of ultrafast sequences, fetal MRI has made remarkable progress in recent times. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate a spectrum of structural abnormalities affecting the central nervous system, thorax, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract, as well as miscellaneous anomalies. Anomalies in twin gestations and placental abnormalities have also been included.

MRI evaluation of pathologies affecting the corpus callosum: A pictorial essay.

The corpus callosum is a midline cerebral structure and has a unique embryological development pattern. In this article, we describe the pathophysiology and present imaging findings of various typical/atypical conditions affecting the corpus callosum. Since many of these pathologies have characteristic appearances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their therapeutic approaches are poles apart, ranging from medical to surgical, the neuroradiologist should be well aware of them.