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Biomedical subjects

Bruce A Wasserman

Publications and source records attributed to Bruce A Wasserman.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Cavernous carotid artery calcification and white matter ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relevance of cavernous carotid artery calcification on unenhanced CT scans of the brain has recently been investigated against the backdrop of the widespread implementation of coronary artery calcification scoring. We sought to determine whether the degree of cavernous carotid artery calcification correlated with scores of white matter hyperintensity seen on MR images. In so doing, we sought to establish a relative risk for future stroke on the grade of carotid calcification. METHODS: Neuroradiologic findings in 187 patients who underwent CT and MR imaging examinations within 1 month of each other were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of circumferential calcification and thickness of calcification were graded for the cavernous carotid arteries on the basis of CT findings. Using the scale developed by the Cardiovascular Health Study, the white matter was graded for degree of disease on the basis of MR findings. Correlation tests and regression analyses were performed to determine the impact of age, race, and sex on results. RESULTS: Although the cavernous carotid calcification scores and the MR imaging white matter scores showed good correlation (P <.001), the effect was mediated by age. With age factored in as a covariant, no correlation was shown between CT calcification scores and MR imaging white matter scores. Sex had no effect, but African American study participants had worse MR imaging white matter scores than did white participants. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for age, cavernous carotid calcification grades and MR imaging white matter scores do not show a significant correlation. The relative risk for future stroke cannot be predicted from cavernous carotid calcifications.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Diffuse axonal injuries: pathophysiology and imaging.

Diffuse axonal shear injury is a common traumatic brain injury, with significant neurologic and behavioral impact on patients. Radiologic recognition of this entity and understanding of its sequelae can be of utmost importance in the prediction of outcome and planning for rehabilitation. MRI has proven to be the optimal means of detection and characterization of DAI lesions, with GRE and FLAIR sequences being particularly helpful, and more advanced techniques such as MRS show preliminary evidence of some utility in determining outcome.

Brain↗
PubMed2002

Carotid artery atherosclerosis: in vivo morphologic characterization with gadolinium-enhanced double-oblique MR imaging initial results.

In nine subjects with carotid atherosclerosis, double-oblique, contrast material-enhanced, double inversion-recovery, fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired through atheroma in the proximal internal carotid artery. Fibrocellular tissue within atheroma selectively enhanced 29% after administration of gadolinium-based contrast agent. Contrast enhancement helped discriminate fibrous cap from lipid core with a contrast-to-noise ratio as good as or better than that with T2-weighted MR images but with approximately twice the signal-to-noise ratio (postcontrast images, 36.6 +/- 3.6; T2-weighted images, 17.5 +/- 2.1; P <.001).

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Bilateral arch origin of the vertebral arteries.

A case of bilateral anomalous origins of the vertebral arteries (VAs) is reported. Both VAs arose directly from the aortic arch between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. The possible embryologic mechanism and clinical importance of this previously unreported variant are reviewed.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed2002

Intracranial hypotension as a cause of radiculopathy from cervical epidural venous engorgement: case report.

We describe the case of a 40-year-old man with spontaneous intracranial hypotension who presented with cervical radiculopathy associated with epidural venous engorgement. Epidural venous engorgement can occur secondary to intracranial hypotension and manifests intracranially as pachymeningeal venous engorgement. In the cervical spine, two cases of epidural venous engorgement due to intracranial hypotension have been reported in the literature, and neither patient presented with symptoms related to nerve compression. Epidural venous engorgement should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an enhancing epidural mass in the cervical spine. Diagnostic clues include sparing of the anterior midline and posterior aspects of the epidural space and, if present, pulsation artifact.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Serial MR Imaging of Annular Tears in Lumbar Intervertebral Disks.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Annular tears of lumbar intervertebral disks are found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic persons; therefore, it is difficult to determine whether these findings indicate acute abnormality. Our purpose was to determine whether the MR imaging findings of tears (ie, hyperintensity and contrast enhancement) of the annulus fibrosus persist or resolve over time. METHODS: A radiologic database was searched for spinal MR imaging examinations noting annular tears. Eighteen patients were identified who had undergone more than one spinal MR imaging study. The images were reviewed for presence or absence of annular tears, defined as an area of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images or enhancement in the posterior annulus, separate from the nucleus pulposus. RESULTS: Annular tears were observed at 29 levels in 18 patients. Two tears developed during the follow-up interval. When contrast-enhanced images were obtained during serial examinations, 10 (100%) of 10 enhancing annular tears persisted on the follow-up contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (mean interval, 17.2 months; SD, 12.3 months). High signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images was noted in 26 (96%) of 27 tears initially and persisted in 23 (88%) of 26 (mean interval, 21.9 months; SD, 15.0 months). CONCLUSION: Hyperintensity on T2-weighted MR images and enhancement of annular tears could not be used to determine the tears' acuity over the range of follow-up provided in this study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pediatric spine.

Magnetic resonance is an excellent modality for imaging the pediatric spine. Its successful use requires understanding both the basic physics and the sedation protocols necessary for acquiring high-resolution images. Interpreting the images accurately depends on appreciating the differences between the normal anatomy of the pediatric and the adult spine. Evaluating the images requires familiarity with the differential diagnosis of pediatric spine disease, including the most common processes (infections, neoplasms, and trauma) as well as spinal dysraphism. Despite the acknowledged usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging of the pediatric spine, controversies remain related to its safety in this age group and its limitations in diagnosing and evaluating scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome.

Adolescent↗