Multiparametric Quantitative Mri Of The Cervical Spinal Cord To Measure Microstructure And Tissue Injury

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a ‘go-to’ reference for methods and applications of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, with specific sections on Relaxometry, Perfusion, and Diffusion. Each section will start with an explanation of the basic techniques for mapping the tissue property in question, including a description of the challenges that arise when using these basic approaches. For properties which can be measured in multiple ways, each of these basic methods will be described in separate chapters. Following the basics, a chapter in each section presents more advanced and recently proposed techniques for quantitative tissue property mapping, with a concluding chapter on clinical applications. The reader will learn: The basic physics behind tissue property mapping How to implement basic pulse sequences for the quantitative measurement of tissue properties The strengths and limitations to the basic and more rapid methods for mapping the magnetic relaxation properties T1, T2, and T2* The pros and cons for different approaches to mapping perfusion The methods of Diffusion-weighted imaging and how this approach can be used to generate diffusion tensor maps and more complex representations of diffusion How flow, magneto-electric tissue property, fat fraction, exchange, elastography, and temperature mapping are performed How fast imaging approaches including parallel imaging, compressed sensing, and Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting can be used to accelerate or improve tissue property mapping schemes How tissue property mapping is used clinically in different organs Structured to cater for MRI researchers and graduate students with a wide variety of backgrounds Explains basic methods for quantitatively measuring tissue properties with MRI - including T1, T2, perfusion, diffusion, fat and iron fraction, elastography, flow, susceptibility - enabling the implementation of pulse sequences to perform measurements Shows the limitations of the techniques and explains the challenges to the clinical adoption of these traditional methods, presenting the latest research in rapid quantitative imaging which has the possibility to tackle these challenges Each section contains a chapter explaining the basics of novel ideas for quantitative mapping, such as compressed sensing and Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting-based approaches

Quantitative MRI of the Spinal Cord is the first book focused on quantitative MRI techniques with specific application to the human spinal cord. This work includes coverage of diffusion-weighted imaging, magnetization transfer imaging, relaxometry, functional MRI, and spectroscopy. Although these methods have been successfully used in the brain for the past 20 years, their application in the spinal cord remains problematic due to important acquisition challenges (such as small cross-sectional size, motion, and susceptibility artifacts). To date, there is no consensus on how to apply these techniques; this book reviews and synthesizes state-of-the-art methods so users can successfully apply them to the spinal cord. Quantitative MRI of the Spinal Cord introduces the theory behind each quantitative technique, reviews each theory’s applications in the human spinal cord and describes its pros and cons, and suggests a simple protocol for applying each quantitative technique to the spinal cord. Chapters authored by international experts in the field of MRI of the spinal cord Contains “cooking recipes —examples of imaging parameters for each quantitative technique—designed to aid researchers and clinicians in using them in practice Ideal for clinical settings

Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury comprehensively covers the medical and pathological issues related to neurotrauma and its often devastating consequences. Written by globally renowned experts in the field, both clinicians and researchers will find this book invaluable to update their knowledge. This volume is divided into two sections, one covering the brain, the other the spinal cord. Each section discusses the following topics: • The demographic in the developed and developing world where neurotrauma is witnessing a massive expansion • Major clinical issues including advanced semi-experimental monitoring techniques utilized by neurosurgeons and intensivists and the potential use of identifying markers of tissue injury • Overview of major pathophysiological changes • The development of animal models; successes and limitations • Past, current and future therapeutic strategies including rehabilitative opportunities. Presenting the most up-to-date clinical and experimental research in neurotrauma, this volume is essential reading for neurologists, neurosurgeons, intensive care physicians and rehabilitative physicians.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) refers to translational movements which within a given voxel and during the measurement time present a distribution of speeds in orientation and/or amplitude. The concept was introduced in 1986 together with the foundation of diffusion MRI because it had been realized that flow of blood in capillaries (perfusion) would mimic a diffusion process and impact diffusion MRI measurements. IVIM-based perfusion MRI, which does not require injection of any tracer or contrast agent, has been first investigated in the brain, but is now experiencing a remarkable revival for applications throughout the body, especially for oncologic applications, from diagnosis to treatment monitoring. This book addresses a number of highly topical aspects of the field from leading authorities, introducing the concepts behind IVIM MRI, outlining related methodological issues, and summarizing its current usage and potential for clinical applications. It also presents future research directions, both in terms of methodological development and clinical application fields, extending to new, non-perfusion applications of IVIM MRI, such as virtual MR elastography.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to use MRI for the imaging of lung disease. Special emphasis is placed on routine applications and the clinical impact of MRI in each setting. In addition, current technological developments are reviewed and information presented on dedicated applications of MRI in preclinical and translational research, clinical trials, and specialized institutions. During the past two decades, significant advances in the technology have enabled MRI to enter and mature in the clinical arena of chest imaging. Standard protocols are now readily available on MR scanners, and MRI is recommended as the first- or second-line imaging modality for a variety of lung diseases, not limited to cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer. The benefits and added value of MRI originate from its ability to both visualize lung structure and provide information on different aspects of lung function, such as perfusion, respiratory motion, ventilation, and gas exchange. On this basis, novel quantitative surrogates for lung function and therapy control (imaging biomarkers) are generated. The second edition of MRI of the Lung has been fully updated to take account of recent advances. It is written by an internationally balanced team of renowned authors representing all major groups in the field.

"Why are there no effective treatments for my condition? Why do researchers exclude patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis from enrolling in clinical trials? Please let me know if you hear of studies that I might be allowed to enter or treatments that I could try for my condition. " Thus, in recent years, the sad lament of the patient with primary progressive MS (PPMS). This variant, often in the guise of a chronic progressive myelopathy or, less commonly, progressive cerebellar or bulbar dysfunction, usually responds poorly to corticosteroids and rarely seems to benefit to a significant degree from intensive immunosuppressive treatments. In recent years, most randomized clin ical trials have excluded PPMS patients on two counts. Clinical worsening devel ops slowly in PPMS and may not be recognized during the course of a 2-or 3-year trial even in untreated control patients. This factor alone adds to the potential for a type 2 error or, at the very least, inflates the sample size and duration of the trial. In addition, there is mounting evidence that progressive axonal degeneration and neuronal loss (rather than active, recurrent inflammation) may be important components of the pathology in this form of the disease. Although contemporary trials are evaluating whether PPMS patients may benefit from treatment with the ~-interferons and glatiramer acetate, preliminary, uncontrolled clinical experi ence suggests that the results may not be dramatic.

The first book to cover the groundbreaking development and clinical applications of Magnetic Resonance Elastography, this book is essential for all practitioners interested in this revolutionary diagnostic modality. The book is divided into three sections. The first covers the history of MRE. The second covers technique and clinical applications of MRE in the liver with respect to fibrosis, liver masses, and other diseases. Case descriptions are presented to give the reader a hands-on approach. The final section presents the techniques, sequence and preliminary results of applications in other areas of the body including muscle, brain, lung, heart, and breast.