High-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in cerebrovascular diseases.

Most intracranial vascular disorders like atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) share similar lumenographic findings in traditional imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiographic studies. Hence, there is a need for an advanced imaging modality like vessel wall imaging (VWI) to confirm the diagnosis so that appropriate clinical management could be done. Now, currently vessel wall imaging could be done in a high resolution manner with three dimensional (3D) imaging sequences. The aim of this article is to deal with the protocol as well as the current imaging applications of the high resolution VWI.

Impact of intensity-modulated proton therapy in reducing radiation-induced lymphopenia in glioma patients.

Background: Current standard management in adult grades 2-4 gliomas includes maximal safe resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy. Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) has been shown to possibly affect treatment outcomes adversely. Proton beam therapy (PBT) may reduce the volume of the normal brain receiving moderate radiation doses, and consequently RIL. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and severity of RIL during proton beam therapy (PBT). Methods: We identified patients with grades 2-4 glioma treated with PBT at our center between January 2019 and December 2021. We evaluated the incidence and severity of RIL from weekly complete blood count (CBC) data collected during PBT and compared it to the patients who were treated with photon-based RT (XRT) at our center during the same time. Results: The incidence of any degree of lymphopenia (48% in PBT, vs. 81.2% in XRT, P value = .001) and severe lymphopenia (8% in PBT, vs. 24.6% in XRT, P value = .093) were both significantly lesser in patients who received PBT. Severe RIL in patients receiving PBT was seen in only CNS WHO Gr-4 tumors. Mean whole brain V20GyE and V25GyE inversely correlated to nadir ALC and were both significantly lower with PBT. Patients with lymphopenia during PBT showed a trend toward poorer progression-free survival (P = .053) compared to those with maintained lymphocyte counts. Conclusions: Proton therapy seems to have a superior sparing of normal brain to moderate dose radiation than photon-based RT and reduces the incidence of lymphopenia. Glioma patients with lymphopenia possibly have worse outcomes than the ones with maintained lymphocyte counts.

Assessment of Collaterals Using Multiphasic CT Angiography in Acute Stroke: Its Correlation with Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the research was to compare the efficiency of multiphase and single-phase computed tomography (CT) angiography in assessing the leptomeningeal collaterals and in predicting the long-term clinical outcome as well as the risk of hemorrhagic transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from October 2016 to May 2018 in consecutive patients who presented within 8 hours of the onset of acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes, with NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scores ≥5. They underwent triple-phase cerebral CT angiography, and the collaterals were assessed separately using both single-phase and multiphase techniques. The ability of the collaterals to predict the 24-hour CT ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score), risk of cerebral hemorrhagic transformation, and 90-day clinical outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients, which included 42 with an involvement of the middle cerebral artery and 14 with mixed occlusions, were assessed. In the multivariate logistic analysis, multiphase CT angiography collateral grading is one of the independent predictors of favorable outcomes. Area under the curve (AUC) was 0.853 (95% confidence interval [CI; 0.73, 0.97]) for multiphase CT collateral scoring in predicting the long-term functional independence, whereas single-phase CT (sCT) scoring displayed an AUC value of only 0.609 (95% CI [0.43, 0.78]). Eighty-two percent of the patients with good multiphase CT collaterals were functionally independent. CT ASPECTS at 24 hours was significantly better in patients with a good multiphase CT collateral score than in those with a good single-phase score. None of the patients with good collaterals in multiphase CT angiography had a significant hemorrhagic transformation. Good multiphase CT collaterals demonstrated 78% sensitivity, 81% specificity, and 80% accuracy in predicting the functional outcome. CONCLUSION: Multiphase CT collateral system was superior to single-phase angiography in predicting the long-term functional outcomes. Prediction of the hemorrhagic transformation risk was also observed to be better for multiphase CT.

Spinal Drop Metastasis of Glioblastoma-Two Case Reports, Clinicopathologic Features, Current Modalities of Evaluation, and Treatment with a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastomas (World Health Organization grade IV) are aggressive primary neoplasms of the central nervous system. Spinal metastasis occurs supposedly in 2%-5% of patients. This percentage may be only the tip of iceberg because most succumb to the disease before clinical detection and few documented cases are reported. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: A 45-year-old man presented with history of diplopia and gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a left cerebellar space-occupying lesion. The histopathology was consistent with glioblastoma. The patient underwent adjuvant chemoradiation. A year later, he presented with seizures, worsening headache, neck stiffness, and low back pain. Imaging showed metastasis to the S1/S2 region of the spinal canal. A 29-year-old man presented with episodic headaches associated with nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and imbalance while walking. Computed tomography of the brain showed a hypodense lesion involving the left midbrain, pons, and left middle cerebellar peduncle, causing fourth ventricular pressure with obstructive hydrocephalus. A navigation-guided biopsy of the brainstem lesion confirmed the diagnosis of glioblastoma World Health Organization grade IV, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (R132 H) and H3K27M negative. Isocitrate dehydrogenase gene sequencing was suggested. The patient was referred for chemoradiation. During treatment, he worsened neurologically and developed axial neck and back pain. Neuraxis screening showed disseminated leptomeningeal spread, which was confirmed on dural biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal and dural metastasis should always be suspected in patients with glioblastoma with signs and symptoms not explained by primary lesion. A regular protocol with postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging before and after initial surgery is mandatory to detect spinal metastasis before it becomes clinically apparent, thereby improving the prognosis and quality of life in patients.