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Osseous metastases are the most common spine tumor and increasingly prevalent as advances in cancer treatments allow patients to live longer with their disease. Evidence-based algorithms derive the majority of their data from imaging studies and reports; the radiologist should understand the most current treatments and report in the language of the treatment team for efficient and effective communication and patient care. Advanced imaging techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI are increasingly used for diagnosis and problem solving. Radiologists have a growing role in treatment of patients with metastatic disease, performing cement augmentation and tumor ablation.

Beyond fat suppression (FS), the efficacy of (fat-water separation or Dixon [FWD]) Dixon imaging in gadolinium-enhanced spine imaging has yet to be validated. This study evaluated enhanced opposed-phase (OP) and fat-only (FO) images along with water-only (WO; FS) images against traditional unenhanced techniques and rated the incremental value of in-phase imaging in patients with presumed neoplastic focal spine lesions.A retrospective cohort study of 36 subjects with focal spine lesions imaged with FWD was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively.Enhanced OP, WO, and FO images were of significant value in detection of osseous lesions, surpassing the lesion conspicuity with conventional techniques both qualitatively and quantitatively, although the impact of in-phase imaging was limited. Water-only imaging performed well for FS.Contrast-enhanced FO, WO, and OP outperform traditional techniques, providing reliable lesion characterization and highest conspicuity. In-phase imaging offered limited impact on the subjective assessment of enhancement. The added value and robustness of FWD, particularly the unique contrast provided by FO imaging, suggests consideration for routine use for postgadolinium spine imaging.

OBJECTIVE We explored how a novel T1-weighted 3-dimensional (3D) fast spin echo (FSE) sequence (Cube; GE, Waukesha, Wis) might outperform conventional 2-dimensional (2D) FSE techniques for contrast-enhanced imaging of the pituitary and parasellar region. METHODS Ninety-one patients were imaged with 3D Cube and conventional 2D FSE on a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed images for anatomical delineation (infundibulum, optic apparatus, and cavernous sinus), degree of artifact, and confidence in lesion definition or exclusion using a 5-point scale. In addition, the readers were asked to rank overall preference. RESULTS Readers A and B found 3D Cube to be better or equal to 2D FSE in 84% and 86% of the cases. Three-dimensional Cube provided significantly better images than 2D FSE with respect to delineation of the infundibulum (P < 0.0001), cavernous sinus (P < 0.0001), optic apparatus (P = 0.002 for reader A and P = 0.265 for reader B), and fewer artifacts at the sellar floor (P < 0.0001). Three-dimensional Cube provided greater lesion conspicuity or confidence in lesion exclusion (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional Cube provides superior quality with thinner slices as well as diminished artifact and can replace conventional 2D FSE sequences for routine evaluations of the pituitary and parasellar region.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite common use of CTP to assess cerebral hemodynamics in the setting of ischemia, concerns over radiation exposure remain. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of an adaptive 70-kVp (peak) whole-brain CTP protocol with variable sampling intervals and extended duration against an established fixed-sampling, limited-period protocol at 80 kVp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 37 patients with stroke scanned with conventional (n 17) and variant-protocol (n 20) whole-brain CTP was performed. We compared radiation dose, parametric map quality, and consistency of full-contrast circulation capture between a modified 70-kVp protocol, with 20 whole-brain passes at variable sampling intervals over an extended sampling period, and a conventional 80-kVp CTP examination with 24 passes at fixed-sampling intervals and a more limited scanning window. Mann-Whitney U test analysis was used to compare both protocols. RESULTS: The 70-kVp CTP scan provided superior image quality at a 45% lower CT dose index volume and 13% lower dose-length product/effective dose compared with the conventional 80-kVp scan. With respect to the consistency of contrast-passage capture, 95% of the adaptive, extended protocol continued through the venous return to baseline, compared with only 47% by using the conventional limited-length protocol. Rapid sampling during the critical arterial arrival and washout period was accomplished in nearly 95% with both the variable and fixed-sampling-interval protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-kilovolt (peak) CTP with variable and extended sampling produces improved image quality at lower radiation doses with greater consistency of full contrast passage capture. ABBREVIATIONS: CTDIvol CT dose index volume; DLP dose-length product

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit undergo multiple head CT scans, resulting in high cumulative radiation exposures. Our aim was to assess the acceptability of a dedicated, special-purpose sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction–based ultra-low-dose CT protocol for neurosurgical intensive care unit surveillance head CT examinations, comparing image quality with studies performed with our standard-of-care sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction low-dose CT and legacy filtered back-projection standard-dose CT protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 54 head CT examinations: ultra-low-dose CT (n = 22), low-dose CT (n = 12), and standard-dose CT (n = 20) in 22 patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Standard-dose CT was reconstructed by using filtered back-projection on a Somatom Sensation 64 scanner. Ultra-low-dose CT and ultra-low-dose CT examinations were performed on a Siemens AS+128 scanner with commercially available sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction. Qualitative and quantitative parameters, including image quality and dose, were evaluated. RESULTS: Sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction ultra-low-dose CT represented a 68% lower dose index volume compared with filtered back-projection standard-dose CT techniques in the same patients while maintaining similar quality and SNR levels. Sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction low-dose CT offered higher image quality than filtered back-projection standard-dose CT (P < .05) with no differences in SNR at a 24% lower dose index volume. Compared with low-dose CT, ultra-low-dose CT had significantly lower SNR (P = .001) but demonstrated clinically satisfactory measures of image quality. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, dedicated ultra-low-dose CT for surveillance head CT imaging led to a significant dose reduction while maintaining adequate image quality.

A patient with traumatic orbitomedial frontal lobe damage demonstrated good neurocognitive recovery but a lasting, profound disturbance of emotional regulation and social cognition. Initial neuropsychological findings included a complete anosmia, mildly reduced fluency and disturbed motor regulation. The impairments of fluency and motor regulation resolved, and formal measures of “frontal lobe” functioning were generally intact. However, she remained impaired on tasks requiring the interpretation of social situations, which mirrored her impairment in real life functioning. This disturbance in social cognition appeared related to difficulty appreciating and integrating the relatively subtle social and emotional cues required for the appropriate interpretation of events. The patient's presentation represents an intermediate position between patients with profound neurobehavioral deficits and patients with impaired real-life social cognition despite intact neuropsychological performance following orbitofrontal damage. Variations in the orbitofrontal behavioral syndrome may be related to extent of lesion, time post injury and the course of recovery in different patients.

Objective To evaluate the contribution of CT angiography (CTA) in predicting clinical outcome in a broad spectrum of patients presenting with acute neurological deficits suggestive of brain ischemia, to assess its strengths and limitations in this setting, and examine its influence on selection of patients for thrombolytic treatment. Patients and methods Prospective, observational outcome study of 54 consecutive patients with acute neurological deficits suggestive of brain ischemia who received immediate CTA. Clinical outcome was compared for patients presenting with and without arterial occlusion on CTA. Treatment decisions made by a vascular neurologist blinded to CTA results were compared to CTA cognizant treatment. Results For patients presenting with slight to moderate neurological deficits, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting good clinical outcome was 0.62 and 0.79, respectively, using the initial NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score alone, and 0.38 and 0.92 if additionally, CTA showed no occlusion. For patients presenting with more severe deficits, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting poor clinical outcome using the NIHSS score alone was 0.79 and 0.60, compared to 0.67 and 0.92 if CTA showed vessel obstruction. CTA correctly identified six stroke mimickers. Selection of patients for thrombolysis made with knowledge of CTA results were more often conservative, and corresponded to CTA blinded decisions in 42/50 cases (84%, r = 0.72). Conclusions Combining CTA results with the neurological exam allows increased specificity for predicting clinical outcome as compared to predictions based on admission NIH Stroke Scale score alone. Awareness of CTA results was occasionally associated with less aggressive treatment and testing decisions.

Background and Purpose. Early computed tomography (CT) signs of stroke signify major arterial occlusion. CT angiogram (CTA) is useful in detecting major arterial occlusion and may help triaging patients for intra-arterial thrombolysis. The correlation between the early signs of stroke and arterial occlusion on CTA was studied.Methods. Consecutive patients with suspected acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset underwent noncontrast CT of the head followed by CTA. The scans were later reviewed for evidence of early signs of stroke on CT scan and intracranial arterial occlu-sion on CTA.Results. Sixteen of 65 patients had arterial occlu-sion on CTA; 12 (75%) of these showed the early CT signs of stroke. All the early signs except M2 “dot” sign significantly cor related with middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion on CTA. Hyperdense MCA sign was the only independent predictor of a MCA occlusion.Conclusion. In a small sample, early CT signs of stroke strongly correlated with arterial occlusion, with hyperdense MCA sign being the most predictive of a MCA occlusion.

Background and Purpose — We sought to evaluate the ability of CT angiography (CTA) to determine vessel occlusion before acute stroke treatment and to predict its impact on patient outcome. Methods — Consecutive patients with acute focal neurological deficits received immediate brain CTA. Occlusion on CTA was correlated with other neuroimaging studies and clinical outcome. Results — Diagnostic CTA was obtained in 54 patients: catheter angiography (digital subtraction angiography) confirmed the CTA findings in 12 of 14 patients (86%). CTA results were consistent with at least 1 other neuroimaging study in 40 of 50 patients (80%). Patients with occlusion on CTA had significantly worse discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (mean 14.3 versus 4.5, P =0.0023). In multivariate analysis, both CTA-determined presence of occlusion and admission NIHSS score were independent predictors of clinical outcome. Conclusions — In our study there was good agreement between acute CTA interpretation and subsequent imaging studies. CTA evidence of occlusion correlated strongly and independently with poor clinical outcome. CTA provides relevant data regarding vessel patency in acute stroke, which may be of value in selecting patients for aggressive treatment.