Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques: Basic Principles and Clinical Applications

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, is multifaceted. It manifests as acute episodes as well as an accumulative chronic disability; myelin involvement as well as axonal damage; local as well as global effects; and disease load elements as well as compensatory mechanisms. The visual system, with its clear structural organization and relatively direct reflection of damage, may serve as an appropriate model to study MS. In recent years, we have witnessed a blossoming in the field of visual measures in MS. Because it is impossible to cover all different aspects of these measures, we chose to focus on several hot topics in MS literature and shed light on them through studies conducted in the visual system. We argue that numerous methods can be used to study axonal and demyelinating aspects of the disease. Although optical coherence tomography and static visual functions better reflect the axonal aspects of the disease, conduction velocity as measured by visual-evoked potential latencies and dynamic visual function mirrors myelin levels. We also posit that the classic disease load parameters cannot be the only means by which we assess a patient's condition. Novel imaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to assess the global effects of local damage on neighboring white matter and compensatory abilities of the brain. There have been great advances in therapeutic research in MS. However, the stratification of patients according to their prognosis and predictive outcomes in response to treatment is still in its infancy. The many facets of MS make it difficult to piece all the data together into one cohesive conclusion for the individual patient. The visual system, with our ability to assess both structure and function, offers a promising opportunity to study both pathophysiologic mechanisms and novel therapies

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Pediatric Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Multi-Institutional Experience of Technical and Clinical Outcomes

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy is a promising treatment for acute ischemic stroke in children, but outcome and technical data in pediatric patients with large-vessel occlusions are lacking. Objective: To assess technical and clinical outcomes of thrombectomy in pediatric patients. Methods: We undertook a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who experienced acute ischemic stroke from April 2017 to April 2019 who had immediate, 30-, and 90-d follow-up. Patients were treated with endovascular thrombectomy at 5 US pediatric tertiary care facilities. We recorded initial and postprocedural modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade ≥ 2b, initial and postprocedural Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score, and pediatric modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 0 to 2 at 90 d. Results: There were 23 thrombectomies in 21 patients (mean age 11.6 ± 4.9 yr, median 11.5, range 2.1-19; 52% female). A total of 19 (83%) thrombectomies resulted in mTICI grade ≥ 2b recanalization. The median PedNIHSS score was 13 on presentation (range 4-33) and 2 (range 0-26) at discharge (mean reduction 11.3 ± 6.1). A total of 14 (66%) patients had a mRS score of 0 to 2 at 30-d follow-up; 18/21 (86%) achieved that by 90 d. The median mRS was 1 (range 0-4) at 30 d and 1 (range 0-5) at 90 d. One patient required a blood transfusion after thrombectomy. Conclusion: In this large series of pediatric patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy, successful recanalization was accomplished via a variety of approaches with excellent clinical outcomes; further prospective longitudinal study is needed

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Pediatric Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Multi-Institutional Experience of Technical and Clinical Outcomes.

BackgroundEndovascular thrombectomy is a promising treatment for acute ischemic stroke in children, but outcome and technical data in pediatric patients with large-vessel occlusions are lacking.ObjectiveTo assess technical and clinical outcomes of thrombectomy in pediatric patients.MethodsWe undertook a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who experienced acute ischemic stroke from April 2017 to April 2019 who had immediate, 30-, and 90-d follow-up. Patients were treated with endovascular thrombectomy at 5 US pediatric tertiary care facilities. We recorded initial and postprocedural modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade ≥ 2b, initial and postprocedural Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score, and pediatric modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 0 to 2 at 90 d.ResultsThere were 23 thrombectomies in 21 patients (mean age 11.6 ± 4.9 yr, median 11.5, range 2.1-19; 52% female). A total of 19 (83%) thrombectomies resulted in mTICI grade ≥ 2b recanalization. The median PedNIHSS score was 13 on presentation (range 4-33) and 2 (range 0-26) at discharge (mean reduction 11.3 ± 6.1). A total of 14 (66%) patients had a mRS score of 0 to 2 at 30-d follow-up; 18/21 (86%) achieved that by 90 d. The median mRS was 1 (range 0-4) at 30 d and 1 (range 0-5) at 90 d. One patient required a blood transfusion after thrombectomy.ConclusionIn this large series of pediatric patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy, successful recanalization was accomplished via a variety of approaches with excellent clinical outcomes; further prospective longitudinal study is needed