RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 High-resolution intracranial vessel wall imaging: imaging beyond the lumen
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 589
OP 597
DO 10.1136/jnnp-2015-312020
VO 87
IS 6
A1 Matthew D Alexander
A1 Chun Yuan
A1 Aaron Rutman
A1 David L Tirschwell
A1 Gerald Palagallo
A1 Dheeraj Gandhi
A1 Laligam N Sekhar
A1 Mahmud Mossa-Basha
YR 2016
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/87/6/589.abstract
AB Accurate and timely diagnosis of intracranial vasculopathies is important due to significant risk of morbidity with delayed and/or incorrect diagnosis both from the disease process as well as inappropriate therapies. Conventional vascular imaging techniques for analysis of intracranial vascular disease provide limited information since they only identify changes to the vessel lumen. New advanced MR intracranial vessel wall imaging (IVW) techniques can allow direct characterisation of the vessel wall. These techniques can advance diagnostic accuracy and may potentially improve patient outcomes by better guided treatment decisions in comparison to previously available invasive and non-invasive techniques. While neuroradiological expertise is invaluable in accurate examination interpretation, clinician familiarity with the application and findings of the various vasculopathies on IVW can help guide diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. This review article provides a brief overview of the technical aspects of IVW and discusses the IVW findings of various intracranial vasculopathies, differentiating characteristics and indications for when this technique can be beneficial in patient management.