Identification of penumbra in acute ischemic stroke using multimodal MR imaging analysis: A case report study.

Ischemic etiology of stroke is the most common health issue. Differentiating the ischemic core from the associated penumbra is tremendously important in tailoring an effective therapeutic strategy and potential intervention. Additionally, the degree of cell damage adjacent to the ischemic core may be either reversible or irreversible, which may also affect clinical outcomes. We describe a case of a 58-year-old female, who was diagnosed with global aphasia and fluctuating right-sided hypoesthesia. Multimodal MR imaging analysis was obtained, with cerebral blood flow and mean transit time , demonstrating an infarcted core with an even larger penumbra, suggesting potentially salvageable tissue. We concluded that quantified perfusion imaging data should be used in combination with other MR protocols to determine at-risk tissues. This case substantiates the role of multimodal imaging of the penumbra as a routine part of acute stroke workup and management.

Evaluation of iron deposition in brain basal ganglia of patients with Parkinson's disease using quantitative susceptibility mapping.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Parkinson's disease is associated with iron deposition in the brain. The QSM (quantitative susceptibility mapping) is more sensitive than T2-weighted imaging, T2* and R2. Few studies have been used QSM to evaluate the iron in the basal ganglia of patients with Parkinson's disease. Our aim was to evaluate the iron deposition in the basal ganglia using QSM and determination of diagnostic value of this method and evaluation of the association between disease stage with QSM and age with QSM in all nuclei, separately. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were tested using Hoehn and Yahr test in three different stages. Fifteen healthy subjects were considered as control group. MRI sequences were performed using SIEMENS 3 T scanner.The Signal Processing in NMR software was used to process and analyze the images. The QSM in every of the basal ganglia was measured separately. RESULTS: There was a significant difference for QSM in the Subtania Nigera, Red Nucleus, Thalamic Nucleus and Globus Pallidus nucleus between two groups. The relationship between disease stage with QSM was significant in Subtania Nigera, Red Nucleus, and Globus Pallidus nucleus. The QSM values had a significant association with disease stage in all nuclei. The results showed that QSM has a higher accuracy in Subtania Nigera, Globus Pallidus, Red Nucleus and Thalamic Nucleus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using QSM in Red Nucleus, Subtania Nigera, and Globus Pallidus nuclei can help diagnosis and staging the patients with Parkinson's disease. In future, studies with emphasis on the disease stage can be helpful in evaluation the different parts of these three nuclei.