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Background and Purpose: Intracranial arterial calcification (IAC) has been the focus of much attention by clinicians and researchers as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis, but correlations of IAC patterns (intimal or medial) with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and plaque stability are still a matter of debate. Our study aimed to assess the associations of IAC patterns identified on computed tomography (CT) with the presence of plaque detected on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and plaque stability. Materials and Methods: Patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack and intracranial artery stenosis were recruited. IAC was detected and localized (intima or media) on non-contrast CT images. Intracranial atherosclerotic plaques were identified using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and matched to corresponding CT images. Associations between IAC patterns and culprit atherosclerotic plaques were assessed by using multivariate regression. Results: Seventy-five patients (mean age, 63.4 ± 11.6 years; males, 46) were included. Two hundred and twenty-one segments with IAC were identified on CT in 66 patients, including 86 (38.9%) predominantly intimal calcifications and 135 (61.1%) predominantly medial calcifications. A total of 72.0% of intimal calcifications coexisted with atherosclerotic plaques, whereas only 10.2% of medial calcifications coexisted with plaques. Intimal calcification was more commonly shown in non-culprit plaques than culprit plaques (25.9 vs. 9.4%, P = 0.008). The multivariate mixed logistic regression adjusted for the degree of stenosis showed that intimal calcification was significantly associated with non-culprit plaques (OR, 2.971; 95% CI, 1.036–8.517; P = 0.043). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intimal calcification may indicate the existence of a stable form of atherosclerotic plaque, but plaques can exist in the absence of intimal calcification especially in the middle cerebral artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the weight-bearing imaging methods in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a three-dimensional (3D) deformity of the spine with unknown etiology. The apical vertebrae in AIS rotate away from the midline in a complex 3D pattern that formerly could only be appreciated by computed tomography (CT). Despite its superb anatomical delineation, CT is not ideal due to high radiation and scanning in either the supine or prone position; hence the full effect of gravity on the spinal curvature cannot be assessed. The introduction of low-dose stereoradiography with the capacity of 3D reconstruction has recently opened up a new era of assessment of the scoliotic spine in the upright position at multiple time points during the preoperative and postoperative period. The handheld 3D ultrasound imaging system also provides a radiation-free alternative for close monitoring for disease progression and treatment outcomes for AIS. Upright magnetic resonance imaging is radiation free and superb for the assessment of spinal cord and intervertebral disks; however, its utilization in scoliosis is limited by high cost and limited availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Percutaneous cryotherapy has become a minimally invasive treatment option for unresectable lung malignancies. We report the experience and outcomes with percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided cryotherapy of primary lung malignancies, as well as recurrence and metastases, in patients ineligible for surgery.Methods: The procedure was performed after administration of local anesthesia on 23 tumors in 19 patients (10 male and 9 female patients; mean age, 58.7 years). None of the patients were surgical candidates and underwent CT-guided percutaneous cryotherapy for treatment of the malignant mass in the lung. Visualization of low-attenuation ice ball formation was performed using CT scanning after each cycle of freezing and thawing therapy. Subsequent CT scans were scheduled at 3-month intervals post-procedure to assess tumor control.Results: No lethal complication, major bleeding or bronchial damage was observed in any of the 23-cryotherapy sessions performed. Three patients developed pneumothorax and one patient required chest tube insertion. Thirteen tumors (56.5%) regressed, including two complete responses, five tumors (21.7%) were stationary and the remaining five tumors (21.7%) were found to be progressing at the 3-month follow-ups. No recurrence was found in the 11 regressed tumors for 6 months, and there was also no recunence in the two tumors that completely responded up to 12 months later with a satisfactory procedure.Conclusion: Percutaneous cryotherapy for primary lung cancer, recurrence and metastatic lung tumors is feasible and safe for local control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]