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Objectives: Our aim is to describe the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of pathologies affecting large intracranial arteries. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective and observational study from 2018 to 2020 using 1.5 T MRI. Our study included 75 patients who were referred for MRI brain with clinical features of stroke or having tumors/infection involving large intracranial arteries (vertebral, basilar, and internal carotid arteries) on initial MRI. Correlation of MRI diagnosis was done with final diagnosis. Results: Atherothrombosis was the most common pathology involving all the intracranial large arteries and was most commonly seen in elderly male patients. The second most common pathology involving the internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar arteries was tumors, dissection, and aneurysms, respectively. The most common artery involved by atherothrombosis, tumor, and infection/inflammation was internal carotid artery, whereas it was basilar artery and vertebral artery in cases of aneurysm and dissection, respectively. Conclusion: MRI is an extremely useful modality to study large intracranial arteries. It is useful to demonstrate the site of abnormality, vessel lumen and caliber, vessel wall changes, and perivascular areas. This can help in arriving at correct diagnosis and thereby guide appropriate timely management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Neural mobilization was usually rendered as a treatment for nerve-related low back pain (N-LBP) but warrants more support for its effectiveness and outcomes. The study aimed to find the effect of neural mobilization in improving nerve mobility and symptoms among N-LBP individuals. Methods. An experimental study was conducted in a physiotherapy outpatient department with 23 subjects, divided with simple random allocation into 2 groups: experimental (n = 13) and control (n = 10). A standardized musculoskeletal evaluation was performed prior to the treatment to quantify pain (numeric pain rating scale), lumbar range (bubble inclinometer), sciatic nerve mobility (ultrasonogram), and regional function (Oswestry Disability Index). The participants received therapy for pain modulation and spinal conditioning exercises with or without neural mobilization for 10 sessions spread over 3 weeks. The pre- and posttreatment data were analysed with non-parametric testing with significance assumed at p < 0.05. Results. Between-group analyses provided the following observations: pain intensity: p < 0.047; lumbar range: flexion: p < 0.555, extension: p < 0.294; nerve mobility: p < 0.001; Oswestry Disability Index: p < 0.617. Significant differences were noted only in pain intensity and nerve mobility. In turn, within-group analyses revealed a statistical and clinical significance for all the above post-treatment variables in both groups. Conclusions. Neural mobilization improves nerve mobility (sciatic nerve excursion) and alleviates symptoms. It can be rendered as a treatment in individuals with N-LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article was to illustrate the major stages in cerebral cortical development, review the spectrum of cortical malformations based on the affected developmental stage, describe the characteristics of the major cortical malformations that may be diagnosed prenatally on fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to understand the limitations of fetal MRI. Fetal MRI may show large dysmorphic cortex in hemimegalencephaly, cortical tubers, and subependymal nodules in tuberous sclerosis, smooth featureless cortex in classic lissencephaly, bumpy cortex in cobblestone lissencephaly, ectopic gray matter in heterotopia, excessive microgyri in polymicrogyria, and transmantle cerebral clefts in schizencephaly. We conclude that fetal MRI is of major value in diagnosing many of the cortical malformations including those suspected on prenatal ultrasound. However, fetal MRI is of limited sensitivity in detecting few cortical abnormalities like microdysgenesis especially in the second trimester, as gyration continues to evolve during late pregnancy and even after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]