Neurosonology

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INTRODUCTION: Most of the cases of ischaemic stroke in our setting are of atherothrombotic origin. Detecting intracranial and cervical carotid artery stenosis in patients with ischaemic stroke is therefore essential. Ultrasonography has become the tool of choice for diagnosing carotid artery stenosis because it is both readily accessibility and reliable. However, use of this technique must be validated in each laboratory. The purpose of this study is to validate Doppler ultrasound in our laboratory as a means of detecting severe carotid artery stenosis...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Low cost, avoidance of irradiation, and high temporal resolution are inherent advantages of ultrasound imaging that translate into multiple clinical uses in many domains of neurology. This article presents clinical uses of ultrasound examination in cerebrovascular, neurodegenerative, and peripheral nervous system diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Modern treatment and prevention of ischemic stroke rely on prompt diagnosis. Ultrasonography has found a place as a noninvasive screening test and bedside technique that provides estimates of the degree of stenosis as well as hemodynamic and structural information about intracranial and extracranial vessels in real time...

Purpose: Transcranial B-mode sonography (TCS) of brain parenchyma is increasingly used as a diagnostic tool for movement disorders. Accordingly, experimental B-Mode Assist software was developed to enable digitized analysis of the echogenicity of predefined brain regions. The aim of the study was to assess the reproducibility of digitized TCS image analysis of the insula. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 patients with an indication for neurosonological examination were screened for participation in the study...

The paper presents standards related to ultrasound imaging of the cerebral vasculature and structures. The aim of this paper is to standardize both the performance and description of ultrasound imaging of the extracranial and intracranial cerebral arteries as well as a study of a specific brain structure, i.e. substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. The following aspects are included in the description of standards for each ultrasonographic method: equipment requirements, patient preparation, study technique and documentation as well as the required elements of ultrasound description...

In this chapter, we review imaging of the extracranial carotid arteries and the indications for noninvasive carotid artery evaluation, measuring the degree of arterial stenosis and plaque morphology. We also analyze the types of noninvasive imaging, including carotid duplex ultrasound, transcranial Doppler, magnetic resonance angiography, and computer tomography angiography. We look at each of these modalities, briefly discussing techniques, benefits, limitations, and sources of error. Furthermore, we discuss the apparent accuracy and the need for multimodality imaging...

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently occur in the elderly; however, CVD is not frequent in the PD population. The possible relationship between PD and CVD was studied with controversial findings. More specifically, it is unclear whether PD can be protective against the development of vascular disease. To assess the neurosonological examination of a group of PD patients matched with a control group of patients not affected by PD along with the potential risk of developing CVD in the PD group to evaluate any differences...

INTRODUCTION: In 2008, stroke mortality, morbidity, and disability rates in Aragon were higher than the average in Spain. These data underscored the need to develop a stroke care programme (PAIA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the dynamics of planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement developed between 2009 and 2014 as well as the results of the PAIA after that 5-year period. RESULTS: Structure, processes, and outcomes have improved with reference to the key indicators of healthcare (audit: 2008, 2010, 2012) among others: stroke rate in 2013 was 2...

The paper presents standards related to ultrasound imaging of the cerebral vasculature and structures. The aim of this paper is to standardize both the performance and description of ultrasound imaging of the extracranial and intracranial cerebral arteries as well as a study of a specific brain structure, i.e. substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. The following aspects are included in the description of standards for each ultrasonographic method: equipment requirements, patient preparation, study technique and documentation as well as the required elements of ultrasound description...

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BTA) responders have elevated levels of calcitonin gene-related and vasoactive intestinal peptides, which are potent vasodilators. We aimed to investigate neurovascular features as a predictor of BTA treatment response in patients with chronic migraine. METHODS: We prospectively recruited South Korean patients who were diagnosed with chronic migraine and underwent BTA injection at a university hospital from December 2013 to January 2015...

BACKGROUND: Air-saline transcranial Doppler is nowadays the first-choice examination to identify right-to-left shunt. To increase right-to-left shunt detection in echocardiography, cardiologists also use air-gelatin mixtures, which are more stable, more echogenic, and easier to be prepared. AIM: We assessed the sensitivity of air-gelatin compared with air-saline for transcranial Doppler right-to-left shunt detection. METHODS: Air-saline transcranial Doppler, during unilateral middle cerebral artery monitoring at rest and after Valsalva maneuver, was performed in patients referred to our neurosonology laboratory for right-to-left shunt detection...

The paper presents standards related to ultrasound imaging of the cerebral vasculature and structures. The aim of this paper is to standardize both the performance and description of ultrasound imaging of the extracranial and intracranial cerebral arteries as well as a study of a specific brain structure, i.e. substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. The following aspects are included in the description of standards for each ultrasonographic method: equipment requirements, patient preparation, study technique and documentation as well as the required elements of ultrasound description...

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BACKGROUND: To demonstrate the technical feasibility of interfacing transcranial Doppler (TCD) and carotid "duplex" ultrasonography (CUS) peripherals with telemedicine end points to provide real-time spectral waveform and duplex imaging data for remote review and interpretation. METHODS: We performed remote TCD and CUS examinations on a healthy, volunteer employee from our institution without known cerebrovascular disease. The telemedicine end point was stationed in our institution's hospital where the neurosonology examinations took place and the control station was in a dedicated telemedicine room in a separate building...

INTRODUCTION: White matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin, are recognized as an important cause of morbidity with established clinical and cognitive consequences. Nonetheless, many doubts remain on its physiopathology. Our goal is to clarify the potential role of carotid atherosclerosis and other vascular risk factors in the development of white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included patients that underwent CT brain scan and neurosonologic evaluation within a one-month period...

Contrast-transcranial Doppler and contrast-transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (c-TCCD) have been reported to have high sensitivity in detecting patent foramen ovale as compared with transesophageal echocardiography. An international consensus meeting (Jauss and Zanette 2000) recommended that the contrast agent for right-to left-shunt (RLS) detection using contrast-transcranial Doppler be prepared by mixing 9 mL of isotonic saline solution and 1 mL of air. The aim of our study was to determine whether adding blood to the contrast agent results in improved detection of RLS...

We herein report the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian man with known vertebral defects, anal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, cardiac defects, renal and limb anomalies (VACTERL) association who presented with a headache and vertigo following the sudden and temporary loss of consciousness while attending a concert four days before admission to the hospital. On a physical examination, the following findings were found: a low body height, low-set ears, thoracic scoliosis and a mild holosystolic heart murmur...

We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with arterial hypotension, lightheadedness, vomiting, a sense of tingling in his right arm, and a right-beating horizontal nystagmus. He was initially admitted to the Intensive care unit and treated with standard vasopressor agents. A neurosonological examination showed the steal phenomenon on both vertebral arteries; the neuroradiological examination revealed occlusion of the left subclavian artery and subtotal stenosis of the innominate artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed...

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) is a rare and poorly studied entity. The medium-long term prognosis reported is variable. Collateral circulation must play a crucial role in the outcome, however, the evidence in literature is scarce. AIM: To describe the prognosis and the neurosonological features in a series of patients with BCAO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from our Neurosonology laboratory database for 5 years...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.