Emergency Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Articles

Accuracy of Intra-Axial Brain Tumor Characterization in the Emergency MRI Reports: A Retrospective Human Performance Benchmarking Pilot Study.

Demand for emergency neuroimaging is increasing. Even magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often performed outside office hours, sometimes revealing more uncommon entities like brain tumors. The scientific literature studying artificial intelligence (AI) methods for classifying brain tumors on imaging is growing, but knowledge about the radiologist's performance on this task is surprisingly scarce. Our study aimed to tentatively fill this knowledge gap. We hypothesized that the radiologist could classify intra-axial brain tumors at the emergency department with clinically acceptable accuracy. We retrospectively examined emergency brain MRI reports from 2013 to 2021, the inclusion criteria being (1) emergency brain MRI, (2) no previously known intra-axial brain tumor, and (3) suspicion of an intra-axial brain tumor on emergency MRI report. The tumor type suggestion and the final clinical diagnosis were pooled into groups: (1) glial tumors, (2) metastasis, (3) lymphoma, and (4) other tumors. The final study sample included 150 patients, of which 108 had histopathological tumor type confirmation. Among the patients with histopathological tumor type confirmation, the accuracy of the MRI reports in classifying the tumor type was 0.86 for gliomas against other tumor types, 0.89 for metastases, and 0.99 for lymphomas. We found the result encouraging, given the prolific need for emergency imaging.

Imaging Outcomes of MRI After CT in Pediatric Spinal Trauma: A Single-center Experience

Background: Imaging has an essential role in the diagnostic workup of suspected pediatric spinal trauma. The most suitable imaging method is still being debated and needs to be considered regarding the patient, injury, and local resources. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often performed after computed tomography (CT) in case of neurological symptoms or suspected ligamentous disruption. However, it is unclear if the MRI yields significant additional value after CT if the spinal cord injury is not suspected and if the MRI could be used as the sole imaging modality in an emergency department. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of emergency MRI after CT in suspected spinal trauma in children and adolescents. Methods: The imaging data and medical records of patients 17 years of age and younger with emergency spinal CT and MRI over 8 years were retrospectively reviewed. The primary study outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of the 2 imaging modalities in detecting surgically treated spinal injuries. Results: The study population consisted of 100 patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated all 7 surgically treated injuries, although one of the injuries was initially missed with CT. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed more injuries, but none of the injuries visible on CT required surgical fixation. Magnetic resonance imaging was able to exclude unstable injuries in patients who had highly suspicious or unequivocal findings on CT. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography were both highly accurate in detecting unstable pediatric spinal injuries requiring surgical treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging seems not to reveal additional unstable injuries after adequately interpreted spinal CT. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective observational study.

Findings on emergent magnetic resonance imaging in pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis: A single center perspective.

This study's aim is to describe the imaging findings in pregnant patients undergoing emergent MRI for suspected acute appendicitis, and the various alternative diagnoses seen on those MRI scans. This is a single center retrospective analysis in which we assessed the imaging, clinical and pathological data for all consecutive pregnant patients who underwent emergent MRI for suspected acute appendicitis between April 2013 and June 2021. Out of 167 patients, 35 patients (20.9%) were diagnosed with acute appendicitis on MRI. Thirty patients (18%) were diagnosed with an alternative diagnosis on MRI: 17/30 (56.7%) patients had a gynecological source of abdominal pain (e.g. ectopic pregnancy, red degeneration of a leiomyoma); 8 patients (26.7%) had urological findings such as pyelonephritis; and 6 patients (20%) had gastrointestinal diagnoses (e.g. abdominal wall hernia or inflammatory bowel disease). Our conclusions are that MRI is a good diagnostic tool in the pregnant patient, not only in diagnosing acute appendicitis, but also in providing information on alternative diagnoses to acute abdominal pain. Our findings show the various differential diagnoses on emergent MRI in pregnant patients with suspected acute appendicitis, which may assist clinicians and radiologists is patient assessment and imaging utilization.

Paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm with delayed stent occlusion after deployment of a flow diverter stent involving the orifice of the anterior cerebral artery: illustrative case.

In-stent thrombotic occlusion is a serious ischemic complication that can also result in ischemia in the distal perfusion territory and the territory of side branches for the artery in which the flow diverter (FD) stent is deployed. A 49-year-old female with a large paraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm was treated with an FD involving the orifice of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The antiplatelet dose was reduced because of an increased clopidogrel response postintervention. The patient developed aphasia 2 months later. Emergency magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography of the brain indicated FD stent occlusion and a small infarct in the distal vascular territory of the ipsilateral ICA, but the anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) territory was preserved by collateral flow. Emergency superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis was performed, and she was discharged without neurological deficit 2 weeks after the second operation. In-stent occlusion after FD deployment involving the orifice of the ACA can cause severe cerebral ischemia that requires an adequate antiplatelet effect and careful follow-up. The AChoA territory can be preserved by collateral blood flow even in cases of in-stent occlusion.

Emergency MRI in Spine Trauma of Children and Adolescents-A Pictorial Review.

Severe spinal trauma is uncommon in the pediatric population, but due to the potentially devastating consequences of missed injury, it poses a diagnostic challenge in emergency departments. Diagnostic imaging is often needed to exclude or confirm the injury and to assess its extent. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers an excellent view of both bony and soft tissue structures and their traumatic findings without exposing children to ionizing radiation. Our pictorial review aims to demonstrate the typical traumatic findings, physiological phenomena, and potential pitfalls of emergency MRI in the trauma of the growing spine.

Imaging Outcomes of Emergency MRI in Patients with Suspected Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare neurological emergency condition with non-specific symptoms. Imaging options to rule out CVST are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to determine the imaging outcomes of emergency MRI as a first-line imaging method in patients with suspected CVST. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed emergency brain MRI referrals from a five-year period in a tertiary hospital for suspicion of CVST. We recorded patient characteristics, risk factors mentioned in the referrals, and imaging outcomes. Altogether 327 patients underwent emergency MRI on the grounds of suspected CVST. MRI showed evidence of CVST among five patients (1.5%). Imaging showed other clinically significant pathology in 15% of the patients and incidental findings in 5% of the patients. Despite clinical suspicion, the diagnostic yield of emergency MRI for CVST is low and similar to that previously reported for CT. MRI is an alternative imaging method devoid of ionizing radiation in patients with suspected CVST.

A Meningioma Mimic and Distinct Subtype of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Primary Dural Lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma that arises in the brain parenchyma, eyes, meninges, or spinal cord in the absence of systemic disease. Primary dural lymphoma (PDL), in contrast, arises from the dura mater of the brain. PDL is usually a low-grade B-cell marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), whereas other types of PCNSL are usually high-grade large B-cell lymphoma. This specific pathological subtype has important therapeutic and prognostic implications, making PDL a distinct subtype of PCNSL. Herein, we report a case of PDL in an African American patient, in her late thirties, who presented to our emergency room with chronic headaches. An emergent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a dural-based homogeneously enhancing extra-axial mass along the left hemisphere, which was contained within the anterior and parietal dural mater. A surgical specimen was collected after an emergency debulking procedure. The flow cytometry, done on the surgical specimen obtained, was positive for CD19+, CD20+, and CD22+, but negative for CD5- and CD10-. These findings were consistent with a clonal B-lymphoproliferative disorder. The surgical pathology specimen immunohistochemistry was positive for CD20+ and CD45+, but negative for Bcl-6Cyclin D1- and CD56-. The Ki67 was 10-20%. These findings were consistent with extranodal MZL. Given the location and pathology, the patient was diagnosed with PDL. Due to MZL's indolent nature, location outside the blood-brain barrier, and known efficacy to bendamustine-rituximab (BR), we decided to treat our patient with BR. She completed six cycles without major complications, and her post-therapy brain MRI showed complete remission (CR). Our case adds to the sparse literature about PDL and highlights the efficacy of BR systemic chemotherapy on MZLs.

Diagnostic yield of emergency MRI in non-traumatic headache

PurposeNon-traumatic headache is one of the most common neurological complaints in emergency departments. A relatively low diagnostic yield of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among outpatients has been previously reported, but studies of emergency patients are lacking. We sought to determine the diagnostic yield of emergency MRI among outpatients presenting to the emergency department with non-traumatic headache.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed emergency MRI referrals in a tertiary hospital for non-traumatic headache over a five-year period. We recorded patient characteristics, relevant clinical information from the referrals, and imaging outcomes.ResultsIn total, 696 emergency patients with non-traumatic headache underwent MRI, most within 24 h of presentation. Significant findings related to headache were found in 136 (20%) patients, and incidental findings in 22% of patients. In a multivariate model, the predisposing factors of the significant findings were age, smoking, nausea, and signs/symptoms of infection. The protective factors were numbness and history of migraine. A predictive clinical score reached only moderate performance.ConclusionAlthough emergency MRI shows headache-related findings in one in five patients, accurate prediction modeling remains a challenge, even with statistically significant predictors and a large sample size.

Correlating Magnetic Hyperthermia and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Performance of Cubic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Crystal Structural Integrity.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have multiple biomedical applications in AC-field hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement. Here, two cubic particle suspensions are analyzed in detail, one suspension displayed strong magnetic heating and MRI contrast efficacies, while the other responded weakly. This is despite them having almost identical size, morphology, and colloidal dispersion. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the spinel phase Fe3O4 was present in both samples and identified prominent crystal lattice defects for the weakly responding one. These are interpreted as frustrating the orientation of the moment within the cubic crystals. The relationship between crystal integrity and the moment magnitude and dynamics is elucidated for the case of fully dispersed single nanocubes, and its connection with the emergent hyperthermia and MRI contrast responses is established.

MRI of odontogenic maxillofacial infections: diagnostic accuracy and reliability

ObjectivesTo determine the diagnostic accuracy of emergency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in odontogenic maxillofacial infections, the clinical and surgical significance of MRI findings, and whether MRI can identify the tooth responsible for the infection.MethodsA retrospective cohort study reviewed 106 emergency neck MRI scans of patients with neck infections of odontogenic origin. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in identifying abscesses was studied relative to surgical findings. Correlations were analyzed between various MRI findings and clinical results and outcomes, such as the surgical approach (intraoral vs. extraoral). The ability of MRI findings to predict the causative tooth was assessed in a blinded multi-reader setting.ResultsOf the 106 patients with odontogenic infections, 77 (73%) had one or more abscesses. Imaging showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.95, 0.84, and 0.92, respectively, for MRI diagnosis of an odontogenic abscess. Among the imaging findings, mediastinal edema was the strongest predictor of extraoral surgery. MRI showed bone marrow edema in the majority of patients, and multi-reader assessment showed good reliability. MRI was also able to predict the causative tooth accurately.ConclusionsEmergency neck MRI can accurately detect odontogenic abscesses and reliably point to the causative tooth. These results can increase the utility and reliance on emergency MRI in clinical decision-making.

MISDIAGNOSIS OF SPONTANEOUS SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMATOMA IN A PARTURIENT: A CASE REPORT

Background: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematomais a rare clinical entity. The symptoms can be similar to Guillain Barre Syndrome, especially if it occurs at the cervicothoracic junction. Its pathophysiology is still unknown and seems to be multifactorial, which makes it a challenging situation in terms of diagnosis and treatment, mainly during pregnancy. Case report:a 22-year-old female at 31 weeks of pregnancy presented to the emergencies complaining of the sudden onset of a neurogenic syndrome with the history of influenza like symptoms six days before. Although cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed no abnormalities, the diagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome was suspected on the basis of a series of arguments.The next day, her case worsened as she started exhibiting tetraparesis with genital disorders. Emergency Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed a spinal epidural hematoma extending from C5 to C7. The patient underwent an emergency decompressive laminectomy with evacuation of the hematoma. No apparent vascular malformation was objectified. Despite rehabilitation, she still experienced motor sequelae. Conclusion:Each case requires individual and repetitive evaluation with the establishment of a dated diagram in order to minimize the risk of delayed diagnosis and treatment in spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma, mainly during pregnancy.

Clinical Characteristics of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis With and Without Subperiosteal Abscesses in the Acute Care Setting.

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) is a common pediatric disease that can progress to involve nearby structures leading to complications including subperiosteal abscesses (SPAs). Those with SPAs, in particular, often require surgical intervention for complete treatment. Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the most common causes of AHO. With the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Ataphylococcus aureus and its propensity to form abscesses, there has been an observed increased frequency of AHO with SPAs in children. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the gold standard of imaging for AHO, it is not readily available on a 24/7 basis and often necessitates procedural sedation in children. Delay in MRI and surgical intervention in patients with SPAs may lead to increased complications. The goal of this study is to identify, using clinical features easily obtained in the acute care setting, patients at high risk for AHO with SPAs who may benefit from emergent MRI and/or surgical intervention. A retrospective chart review of patients aged birth to younger than 18 years diagnosed with AHO, who presented to a tertiary pediatric hospital from June 10, 2012, to November 1, 2017, were evaluated. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups: AHO alone and AHO with SPAs. A final cohort of 110 subjects were included and analyzed. Of these, 73 (66%) were identified as having AHO alone and 37 (33.6%) as having AHO with SPAs. Patients had a higher risk of AHO with SPAs if they had a history of fever, decreased range of motion, edema, or elevated laboratory studies including white blood cell, absolute neutrophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein was shown to have the highest correlation of AHO with SPAs, with an optimal cut point of 10.3 mg/dL, yielding a sensitivity of 67.7% and specificity of 77.6%. Patients with AHO with SPAs were at higher risk of having a positive blood culture for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Clinicians in acute care settings should have a high index of suspicion of AHO with SPAs in children with history of fever, decreased range of motion, or elevated laboratory values (white blood cell, absolute neutrophil count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein). In particular, those with a significantly elevated CRP are at a higher risk for having AHO with SPAs in comparison with an uncomplicated AHO. However, with the significant overlap in historical and clinical variables in the initial presentations of children with AHO with and without SPAs, the clinical urgency in obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging must continue to be individualized based on overall clinical suspicion and availability of resources.

Utilization of Emergent Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Utilizing an emergent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pathway for emergency department patients with acute onset of stroke-like symptoms allows for optimization of acute ischemic stroke treatment. Emergent MRI increases the percentage of patients administered intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and minimizes stroke-related long-term disabilities. MRI also reduces the overall cost of stroke-related care by (1) preventing unnecessary IV tPA administration and its associated hospital costs and (2) facilitating faster stroke etiology work-up and treatment plan initiation to reduce hospital length of stay. The primary purpose of this article is to summarize two hospitals’ experience utilizing an evidence-based emergent MRI pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms who may be IV tPA eligible. Secondary purposes are to describe (1) emergent MRI pathway challenges with implemented mitigation strategies and (2) case examples (wake-up stroke; mild stroke-like symptoms with acute ischemic stroke confirmed by MRI).

Bilateral antererior circulation stroke: A rare but threatening consequence of pituitary apoplexy. Case report and systematic literature review.

Brain stroke is a rare, life-threatening condition associated with pituitary apoplexy (PA), resulting from direct arterial occlusion due to mechanical compression secondary to the sudden enlargement of the pituitary adenoma, or to vessel vasospasm, induced by tumor hemorrhage. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with PA complicated by bilateral anterior circulation stroke due to critical stenosis of both anterior cerebral arteries (ACA). Despite the quick surgical decompression and consequent blood flow restoration, the neurological conditions of the patient did not improve and she died 18days later. Ten other cases of anterior circulation stroke due to PA were retrieved in a systematic review of literature. Clinical and neuroradiological features of these patients and treatment outcome were assessed to suggest the most proper management. The onset of neurological symptoms suggestive for brain stroke in patients with PA requires performing an emergency Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), including Diffusion-weighted and angiographic MR-sequences. The role of surgery in these cases is debated, however, transsphenoidal adenomectomy would permit us to decompress the ACA and restore blood flow in their territories. Although the prognosis of PA-induced anterior circulation stroke is generally poor, a timely diagnosis and treatment would be paramount for improving patient outcome.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in pediatric neck infections—a comparison with adult patients

BackgroundDifferences in the functioning of the immune system and the anatomical proportions of the neck between children and adults lead to different manifestations of deep neck infections. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may serve as an alternative to computed tomography (CT) as the primary imaging modality.ObjectiveTo study characteristic MRI findings and the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in pediatric deep neck infections.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively studied a cohort of pediatric patients who underwent a neck 3-tesla MRI study over a five-year period. Inclusion criteria were: 1) emergency MRI findings indicating an infection, 2) infection as the final clinical diagnosis, 3) diagnostic image quality verified by the radiologist reading the study and 4) age under 18 years. Patient record data, including surgery reports, were compared with the MRI findings.ResultsData of 45 children were included and analysed. Compared to adults, children had a higher incidence of retropharyngeal infection and lymphadenitis, and a lower incidence of peritonsillar/parapharyngeal infection. MRI showed evidence of an abscess in 34 children. Of these 34 patients, 24 underwent surgery, which confirmed an abscess in 21 but no abscess in three patients. In addition, three patients underwent surgery without MRI evidence of abscess, and an abscess was found in one of these cases. The measures of diagnostic accuracy among the children were sensitivity 0.96, specificity 0.77, positive predictive value 0.89, negative predictive value 0.91 and accuracy 0.89. Compared with adults, children had lower C-reactive protein, but a similar proportion of them had an abscess, and abscess size and rate of surgery were similar.ConclusionDespite the differences in the infection foci, emergency MRI in children had equal diagnostic accuracy to that in adults.

Spinal Cord Injury Following Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is an interventional procedure for the treatment of patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Spinal cord injury after MILD has not yet been reported in literature. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 95-year-old woman who underwent the MILD procedure at the L1-L2 level for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Following the procedure, the patient noticed lower extremity weakness and numbness, suprapubic numbness, groin pain, and urinary retention. Emergent magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine exhibited new cord signal change at T12-L1. She subsequently underwent emergent L1-S1 decompression with gradual improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Direct trauma to the cord or increased pressure in a severely stenotic canal from injectate volume may have contributed to this patient’s injury. Consideration of the severity and location of stenosis is critical as these results may pose additional risk factors for injury with the MILD procedure. KEY WORDS: MILD, spinal stenosis, spinal cord injury, interventional procedure

White Cord Syndrome: A Reperfusion Injury Following Spinal Decompression Surgery

Reperfusion injury of the spinal cord has been scarcely reported. Herein, we present a case of white cord syndrome after spinal decompression. A 61-year-old male, who initially had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at C3-6 level, was admitted to our hospital with a ruptured disc at the C6-7 level. The patient experienced radiating pain in both upper extremities. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was performed. However, the patient developed quadriplegia. Emergency magnetic resonance imaging revealed a new and enlarged signal change in the spinal cord at the C4-7 level. Additional posterior decompression surgery was performed. After intense rehabilitation, the patient's motor function improved to grade 4. White cord syndrome is likely due to reperfusion injury following operative decompression of a compressed spinal cord segment. Although rare, spine surgeons should be aware of this complication and warn patients preoperatively.

Deciphering acute shoulder trauma with normal initial X-ray: Contributions of ultrasonography and MRI

IntroductionShoulder trauma with normal radiographs is a frequent emergency presentation. The predominance of pain makes clinical examination unreliable, and complementary imaging is often needed for diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in deciphering such trauma. The study hypothesis was that MRI can confirm most diagnoses and reveal occult lesions. Methods48 patients with a median age of 33 years (IQR, 22-48.75), admitted to the Emergency Department between February and September 2016, were prospectively included. All had normal X-ray and underwent emergency and deferred emergency (D+7-10) clinical examination, and US and MRI at D+7-14. The same examinations were repeated to establish diagnosis and initiate treatment. MRI was considered as gold-standard for definite diagnosis. ResultsDiagnoses comprised: 14 shoulder contusions; 13 rotator cuff tears; 8 acromioclavicular sprains; 6 fractures: 3 greater tuberosity, 2 humeral head, 1 lateral quarter of the clavicle; 3 subluxations or anterior dislocations with spontaneous reduction; 1 posterior dislocation with spontaneous reduction; 1 case of resorption of calcification in the pectoralis major tendon; 1 case of coracobrachialis strain; and 1 partial pectoralis major detachment. Concordance with final diagnosis was 42% (20/48) on initial clinical examination and 52% (25/48) on reassessment. On US, concordance was 71% (34/48), with 82% positive predictive value for cuff tear and 0% for instability. MRI was contributive in all cases, revealing 48 abnormal signals in 41 patients, thus establishing 48 diagnoses. ConclusionExcept in precise diagnostic situations such as rotator cuff tear, US is not a contributive examination, completely overlooking shoulder instability and bone contusion. MRI should play an increasing role in deciphering these traumas. Level of evidenceII; prospective cohort study.

Susceptibility-diffusion mismatch correlated with leptomeningeal collateralization in large vessel occlusion stroke.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between asymmetric prominent hypointense vessels (prominent vessel sign, PVS) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and leptomeningeal collateralization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled patients with M1 segment occlusion of the middle cerebral artery who underwent emergency magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography within 24 hours from stroke onset. The extent of PVS on SWI was assessed using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Leptomeningeal collateralization on digital subtraction angiography images was assessed using the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) scale. Spearman’s rank correlation test was performed to explore the correlation of ASITN/SIR scores with SWI-ASPECTS and SWI-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch scores.ResultsThirty-five patients were enrolled. There was no significant correlation between SWI-ASPECTS and ASITN/SIR scores. However, SWI-DWI mismatch scores were positively correlated with ASITN/SIR scores.ConclusionThe range of PVS on SWI did not closely reflect the collateral status, while the range of SWI-DWI mismatch was significantly correlated with the leptomeningeal collateralization. In patients with acute anterior circulation stroke due to large vessel occlusion, larger SWI-DWI mismatch was associated with better leptomeningeal collaterals.

Post-traumatic spinal hematoma in ankylosing spondylitis.

The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence, location, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) and spinal subdural hematoma (SSH) in post-traumatic ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. A total of 2256 consecutive referrals for urgent and emergency MRI scans of the spine over a period of eight years and ninemonths were manually reviewed for any mentions indicating axial ankylosis and post-traumatic spinal hematoma. We found 164 patients with ankylosed spines complicated by spinal fracture, of whom 32 had AS. Of the 132 excluded patients, 80 had diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). The primary outcome was the presence of spinal hematoma, and the secondary outcome was spinal canal narrowing and spinal cord impingement. Two musculoskeletal radiologists and one fellow in musculoskeletal radiology reviewed the images for the presence of spinal hematoma and related signal characteristics, blinded to one another and initial reports. Of 28 post-traumatic AS patients, 19 had SEHs and five had spinal SSHs. There was a statistically significant difference between Frankel grades before and after surgery in respect of neurological improvement (p = 0.008). Patients who had radiologically proven spinal cord impingement showed more severe neurological deficits (p = 0.012). Hematomas with T1 heterogeneity showed a significantly increased delay (p = 0.047) between injury and imaging, while other signal characteristics were only approximate. Both SEH and SSH are common complications in post-traumatic AS patients. Patients benefit from surgery, but the relevance of spinal hematoma as a separate factor causing neurological deficit remains unclear.