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R A Bhadelia

Publications and source records attributed to R A Bhadelia.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Education and the cognitive decline associated with MRI-defined brain infarct.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether educational attainment, a correlate of cognitive reserve, predicts the amount of cognitive decline associated with a new brain infarct. METHODS: The Cardiovascular Health Study is a population-based, longitudinal study of people aged 65 years and older. Cognitive function was measured annually using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The authors tested whether education level modified 1) the cross-sectional association between cognitive performance and MRI-defined infarct and 2) the change in cognitive function associated with an incident infarct at a follow-up MRI. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analysis (n = 3,660), MRI-defined infarct was associated with a greater impact on 3MS performance in the lowest education quartile when compared with others (p for heterogeneity = 0.012). Among those with a follow-up MRI who had no infarct on initial MRI (n = 1,433), education level was not associated with the incidence, size, or location of new brain infarct. However, a new MRI-defined infarct predicted substantially greater decline in 3MS scores in the lowest education group compared with the others (6.3, 95% CI 4.4- to 8.2-point decline vs 1.7, 95% CI 0.7- to 2.7-point decline; p for heterogeneity < 0.001). Higher education was not associated with smaller declines in DSST performance in the setting of MRI-defined infarct. CONCLUSIONS: Education seems to modify an individual's decline on a test of general cognitive function when there is incident brain infarct. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cognitive reserve influences the impact of vascular injury in the brain.

Cerebral Infarction↗

Gadolinium enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid in a patient with renal failure.

Gadolinium based MRI contrast agents are considered very safe due to their well known pharmacologic properties and elimination mechanisms. In this paper, we present a unique case in whom transient enhancement of CSF with contrast is seen. Severe renal failure is demonstrated to be responsible for this finding. The diagnostic criteria for everyday clinical setting and possible clinical implications are discussed.

Aged↗

Progressive intracranial vascular disease with strokes and seizures in a boy with progeria.

Progeria, a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by severe growth failure, premature aging, and very early atherosclerosis with coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. There has been no detailed description of progressive cerebrovascular changes in progeria or any attempted neurologic correlation of those changes. A 5-year-old boy developed signs of progeria at 4 months and hypertension at 4 years, treated with atenolol and dipyridamole. Left-sided seizures with a left hemiparesis occurred at 5 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral acute, subacute, and chronic cerebral infarctions. Magnetic resonance angiography disclosed severe stenosis of the left internal carotid artery. The child was also found to have an aortic valve vegetation and was anticoagulated. He subsequently developed right-sided seizures, and treatment with gabapentin was started. Later, severe stenosis also of the right internal carotid artery was found. MRI showed new left cerebral infarction. The child's neurologic symptoms almost certainly were caused by cerebral infarctions from progressive atherosclerosis of major intracranial vessels, but clinical-neuroradiologic correlations were imprecise. There were multiple cerebral infarctions of different ages, some asymptomatic, others ipsilateral to the child's neurologic findings. No therapy has halted progression of the child's cerebrovascular disease.

Brain↗

Prevalence and associations of MRI-demonstrated brain infarcts in elderly subjects with a history of transient ischemic attack. The Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MRI is more sensitive than CT, but the significance of brain abnormalities seen on MR images obtained in older subjects with transient ischemic attack (TIA) is not clear. We studied the prevalence and risk factors associated with MRI-demonstrated infarcts in elderly subjects with a history of TIA. METHODS: Participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study, aged 65 years or more and without prior stroke, were studied with brain MRI (n=3456). The prevalence of brain infarcts (>/=3 mm) on MRI was determined in subjects with and without TIA. The cardiovascular risk factors and clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease associated with MRI infarcts were studied in subjects with TIA. RESULTS: Subjects with TIA (n=100) had a higher prevalence of MRI infarcts than subjects without TIA (46% versus 28%; P<0.001). The unadjusted odds ratio for having MRI infarcts in subjects with TIA was 2.20 (95% CI, 1.47 to 3.30) and remained significantly elevated after adjustments for risk factors and cerebrovascular disease (odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.83). In subjects with TIA, diastolic blood pressure (P=0.01) and internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (P=0.01) were the only factors predictive of the presence of MRI infarcts by stepwise logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MRI infarcts are imaging manifestations of clinically important cerebrovascular disease in subjects with a history of TIA, given their increased prevalence and positive association with increased diastolic blood pressure and internal carotid artery intima-media thickness.

Aged↗

Cerebrospinal fluid flow waveforms: effect of altered cranial venous outflow. A phase-contrast MR flow imaging study.

Our purpose was to assess the effect of alterations in the cranial venous outflow on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow waveforms using phase-contrast MRI. Thirteen healthy subjects were assessed for CSF flow and cerebral vascular flow at the C2-3 level, both before and after jugular venous compression (JVC). The flow waveforms were assessed both as an aggregate, and after dividing subjects in two groups based on percent jugular venous flow (PJVF) i.e. jugular outflow expressed as percent of cerebral arterial inflow. Group 1:7 subjects with PJVF more than and including median (predominantly jugular outflow); Group 2:6 subjects with PJVF less than median (predominantly extra-jugular outflow). CSF waveforms: JVC produced rounding of contours and flattening of dicrotic waves, with the effect being greater in group 1 than group 2. In group 1, systolic upslopes of the waveforms increased. No significant aggregate amplitude changes were noted; amplitudes increased in group 1 (P = 0.001), and decreased in group 2 (P = 0.03). Temporal interval to the maximum CSF systolic flow significantly increased in group 1. Vascular flow: Arterial flow significantly decreased in group 1. Jugular flow significantly decreased in both groups. The results suggest that CSF flow waveforms are sensitive to alterations in the cranial venous outflow. Changes in group 1 are most likely because of an elevation in intracranial pressure. Analysis of CSF flow waveforms appears a promising noninvasive tool for assessment of cranial compartment.

Adult↗

Functional analysis of third ventriculostomy patency with phase-contrast MRI velocity measurements.

Our purpose was to explore the utility of cine phase-contrast MRI velocity measurements in determining the functional status of third ventriculostomies, and to correlate the quantitative velocity data with clinical follow-up. We examined six patients with third ventriculostomies and 12 normal subjects by phase-contrast MRI. The maximum craniocaudal to maximum caudocranial velocity range was measured at regions of interest near the third ventricular floor, and in cerebrospinal fluid anterior to the upper pons and spinal cord on midline sagittal images. Ratios of the velocities of both the third ventricle and prepontine space to the space anterior to the spinal cord were obtained. The velocities near the third ventricular floor and in the pontine cistern were significantly higher in patients than in normal subjects, but the velocity anterior to the spinal cord was similar between the groups. The velocity ratios, used to normalize individual differences, were also higher in patients than in controls. Two patients had lower velocity ratios than their fellows at the third ventricular floor and in the pontine cistern; one required a shunt 11 months later, while in the other, who had a third ventricular/thalamic tumor, the lower values probably reflect distortion of the third ventricular floor. We conclude that phase-contrast MR velocity measurements, specifically the velocity ratio between the high pontine cistern and the space anterior to the spinal cord, can help determine the functional status of third ventriculostomies.

Adolescent↗

Cerebrospinal fluid pulsation amplitude and its quantitative relationship to cerebral blood flow pulsations: a phase-contrast MR flow imaging study.

Our purpose in this investigation was to explain the heterogeneity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pulsation amplitudes. To this end, we determined the contributions of the cerebral arterial and jugular venous flow pulsations to the amplitude of the CSF pulsation. We examined 21 healthy subjects by cine phase-contrast MRI at the C2-3 disc level to demonstrate the CSF and vascular flows as waveforms. Multiple regression analysis was performed to calculate the contributions of (a) the arterial and venous waveform amplitudes and (b) the delay between the maximum systolic slopes of the arterial and venous waveforms (AV delay), in order to predict the amplitude of the CSF waveform. The contribution of the arterial waveform amplitude was positive (r = 0.61; p = 0.003) to the CSF waveform amplitude and that of the venous waveform amplitude was negative (r = -0.50; p = 0.006). Both in combination accounted for 56% of the variance in predicting the CSF waveform amplitude (p < 0.0006). The contribution of AV delay was not significant. The results show that the variance in the CSF flow pulsation amplitudes can be explained by concurrent evaluation of the CSF and vascular flows. Improvement in the techniques, and controlled experiments, may allow use of CSF flow pulsation amplitudes for clinical applications in the non-invasive assessment of intracranial dynamics by MRI.

Adult↗

Early cardioverter defibrillator infection: value of indium-111 leukocyte imaging.

In the early postoperative period, it may be difficult to diagnose an infected implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system using anatomic imaging modalities such as computed tomography alone. We describe a case that illustrates the complementary physiologic role of indium-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in identifying and defining the extent of early postoperative implantable cardioverter-defibrillator infection.

Aged↗

Neuroimaging findings in patients on immunosuppressive therapy: experience with tacrolimus toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the neuroimaging (CT and MR imaging) findings in liver transplant patients who develop severe neurologic side effects during immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus and to correlate these findings with clinical signs and tacrolimus levels in blood. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Brain CT and/or MR imaging was performed on six patients who developed neurologic symptoms while receiving tacrolimus in the post-transplant period. All patients were evaluated by the neurology staff, and imaging studies were independently interpreted by three neuroradiologists. Trough tacrolimus levels in blood were measured with the IMX immunoassay and were correlated with neurologic symptoms and imaging findings. RESULTS: Imaging abnormalities were observed in five of six patients during the course of their neurologic illnesses. For each patient, neurologic symptoms began when the tacrolimus level in blood was at a peak, exceeding the therapeutic limit in all but one case. In five patients, neurologic symptoms eventually resolved after the tacrolimus dose was reduced or after the drug was stopped. Multifocal low attenuation of white matter was the predominant finding seen on CT images, and matching hyperintense white matter foci were observed on long-TR MR images. In three patients, clinical recovery was accompanied by reversal of the white matter abnormalities seen on CT and MR images. CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus may produce neurologic side effects that are associated with brain CT and MR imaging abnormalities. Resolution of symptoms and reversal of imaging findings occur when the tacrolimus dose is reduced.

Adult↗

Prevalence of pathologically proven intrapulmonary lymph nodes and their appearance on CT.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of pathologically proven intrapulmonary lymph nodes and to evaluate their appearance on CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 15-year period (1980-1994), 184 patients underwent minithoracotomies for evaluation of CT-detected peripheral pulmonary abnormalities. Of these 184 patients, 96 had well-circumscribed peripheral pulmonary nodules. The size, position, and radiographic features of all pathologically proven intrapulmonary lymph nodes were independently assessed by two experienced radiologists. RESULTS: The nodules in 17 (18%) of the 96 patients with well-circumscribed peripheral pulmonary nodules were pathologically proven to be intrapulmonary lymph nodes. Two of the 17 patients had two nodules; the remaining patients had solitary nodules. The maximum diameter of the nodules varied from 7 to 12 mm. All the nodes were located within 20 mm of a visceral pleural surface. Twelve of the nodules were located in the lower lobes, and the remaining nodules were located in the right middle lobe. CONCLUSION: Although intrapulmonary lymph nodes are not a well-known entity, our results indicate that they are discovered in a significant number of patients who undergo minithoracotomies for the evaluation of CT-detected pulmonary nodules. Although these lymph nodes do not possess any specific CT appearance, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of single (or multiple) parenchymal nodules, particularly those found in the lower lobes.

Female↗

Cerebrospinal fluid flow waveforms: analysis in patients with Chiari I malformation by means of gated phase-contrast MR imaging velocity measurements.

PURPOSE: To determine the features of the cardiac cycle-related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pulsations in with Chiari I malformation before and after decompressive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients and 23 healthy subjects underwent cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Ten patients were also examined after decompressive surgery. Four regions of interest were selected in the upper cervical subarachnoid space and premedullary cistern. Velocity and fraction of the cardiac cycle waveforms were plotted, and amplitude, temporal, and CSF displacement parameters were assessed. RESULTS: In the Chiari I patients, impaired systolic and unaltered diastolic CSF flow pulsations immediately below the foramen magnum were identified. After surgery, the systolic flow pulsations immediately below the foramen magnum improved. Good correlation with post-surgical improvement was observed. CONCLUSION: CSF flow waveform analysis helps demonstrate abnormalities in CSF flow at the foramen magnum and the benefits of decompressive surgery in patients with the Chiari I malformation.

Adolescent↗

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid flow waveforms with gated phase-contrast MR velocity measurements.

PURPOSE: To analyze the characteristics of normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow waveforms and to relate them to the arterial input and venous output flow waveforms in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Cine phase-contrast MR was obtained in 17 volunteers. The temporal velocity information from the cervical pericord CSF spaces, basal cisterns, and aqueduct, as well as the internal carotid and vertebral arteries and internal jugular veins, were plotted as waveforms. The waveforms were analyzed for configurations, amplitudes, and temporal patterns. In four volunteers the reproducibility of the precord CSF flow waveforms was examined on different days. In three volunteers the effect of jugular venous compression on the precord and aqueductal CSF flow waveforms was also evaluated. RESULTS: (a) Distinct and reproducible configurational features were observed in the CSF flow waveforms. Jugular venous compression produced elevation of the disatolic slope of the precord waveforms. (b) The amplitudes were variable. Jugular venous compression reduced the precord CSF velocities. (c) The systolic temporal parameters were less variable and more reproducible than the diastolic temporal parameters. Jugular venous compression resulted in delay in the systolic parameters of the precord waveforms. (d) Craniocaudal and caudocranial postcord CSF flow occurred either simultaneous with or earlier than the precord CSF flow. Pericord CSF flow in either direction preceded that in the cisterns and in the aqueduct. (e) A significant temporal relationship was noted in the precord space between the time of the R wave to the maximum velocities and the arterial flow. CONCLUSION: CSF flow waveform analysis seems to be a reliable, reproducible, and sensitive method for assessing the CSF dynamics.

Adult↗

Chiari I malformations: assessment with phase-contrast velocity MR.

PURPOSE: To assess movement of the medulla, tonsils, and upper cervical cord as well as that of the posterior fossa cerebrospinal fluid pathways in both normal subjects and those with Chiari I malformations. METHODS: Nine healthy volunteers and eight patients with Chiari I malformations were examined with phase-contrast cine MR. With a region-of-interest cursor, the directions and intensities of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid were assessed and intensity-versus-time graphs generated. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid flow patterns of the patients with Chiari I malformations were normal except for absence of valleculla flow. In addition, increased velocities (10 times normal) of the tonsils of all patients with Chiari I malformations together with posterior movement of the medulla (rather than the expected anterior movement seen in volunteers) occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Increased velocities of the tonsils may be the result of the carotid systolic pulse being delivered to a structure (the tonsil) without the normal surrounding cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in impact of the tonsils in the confined foramen magnum and a consequent caudocranial recoil. An alternative explanation would include the Bernoulli effect caused by the confined location of the tonsils. There may be a decrease in the peak tonsillar velocities after surgery.

Adolescent↗

Esophageal pseudomass at the thoracic inlet on barium swallow: CT findings.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to describe the CT findings in patients with an apparent mass at the thoracic inlet on barium swallow and to further explore its etiology by making appropriate measurements on CT. METHOD: Barium swallows and CT scans of five patients with esophageal pseudomass were reviewed and compared with CT scans of 65 controls. Anteroposterior (AP) diameters of the thoracic inlet were measured, and the relationships of the esophagus to the trachea were determined on CT. RESULTS: Absence of a demonstrable mass on CT in patients with an extrinsic impression on barium swallow was associated with narrowed AP diameter of the thoracic inlet (< 5 cm) and the esophagus to the left of the trachea. A significant correlation was observed between the AP diameter of the inlet and the position of the esophagus in relation to the trachea in control subjects (r = 0.52, p < 0.001); with diminished diameter, the esophagus is more frequently located to the left side of the trachea. CONCLUSION: An apparent mass is simulated by lateral deviation of the lower cervical esophagus, due to diminished available space between the trachea and the esophagus in subjects with a narrow (< 5 cm) AP diameter of the thoracic inlet.

Adult↗

Efficacy of MR angiography in the detection and characterization of occlusive disease in the vertebrobasilar system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to determine the efficacy of MR angiography (MRA) in the detection and characterization of occlusive disease in the vertebrobasilar system. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the posterior circulation registry of our institution to select 42 consecutive patients with posterior circulation ischemic symptoms who underwent both MRA and angiography. The extracranial vertebral arteries (ECVAs) were examined by two-dimensional time-of-flight MRA above the C6 level, and the intracranial vertebral arteries (ICVAs) and basilar arteries (BAs) were examined by three-dimensional time-of-flight MRA. Sixty-two ECVAs, 63 ICVAs, and 39 BAs were examined by the readers. RESULTS: Occlusive disease was seen on angiography in 22 of the 42 patients. The sensitivity and specificity values for detection of lesions in 12 ECVA, 19 ICVA, and 12 BA abnormalities were as follows: ECVA, 92 and 96% for Reader A and 100 and 90% for Reader B; ICVA, 84 and 93% for Reader A and 74 and 82% for Reader B; and BA, 100 and 88% for Reader A and 100 and 78% for Reader B. For ICVA, the sensitivity of MRA was less than that of angiography because of lesions missed by the readers at the junctional area of the extra-and intracranial MRA. MRA accurately characterized 9 of the 12 (75%) ECVA, 10 of the 19 (43%) ICVA, and 11 of the 12 (92%) BA lesions. CONCLUSION: MRA is an effective method for detection of occlusive lesions in the ECVAs and BAs. Clinically important lesions can be missed by MRA in the ICVA. MRA is more accurate in characterization of occlusive lesions in BAs than in ECVAs or ICVAs.

Aged↗