ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Head Trauma: 2021 Update

Rate of abnormalities in quantitative MR neuroimaging of persons with chronic traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can result in lasting brain damage that is often too subtle to detect by qualitative visual inspection on conventional MR imaging. Although a number of FDA-cleared MR neuroimaging tools have demonstrated changes associated with mTBI, they are still under-utilized in clinical practice.

METHODS

We investigated a group of 65 individuals with predominantly mTBI (60 mTBI, 48 due to motor-vehicle collision, mean age 47 ± 13 years, 27 men and 38 women) with MR neuroimaging performed in a median of 37 months post-injury. We evaluated abnormalities in brain volumetry including analysis of left-right asymmetry by quantitative volumetric analysis, cerebral perfusion by pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL), white matter microstructure by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and neurometabolites via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

RESULTS

All participants demonstrated atrophy in at least one lobar structure or increased lateral ventricular volume. The globus pallidi and cerebellar grey matter were most likely to demonstrate atrophy and asymmetry. Perfusion imaging revealed significant reductions of cerebral blood flow in both occipital and right frontoparietal regions. Diffusion abnormalities were relatively less common though a subset analysis of participants with higher resolution DTI demonstrated additional abnormalities. All participants showed abnormal levels on at least one brain metabolite, most commonly in choline and N-acetylaspartate.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate the presence of coup-contrecoup perfusion injury patterns, widespread atrophy, regional brain volume asymmetry, and metabolic aberrations as sensitive markers of chronic mTBI sequelae. Our findings expand the historic focus on quantitative imaging of mTBI with DTI by highlighting the complementary importance of volumetry, arterial spin labeling perfusion and magnetic resonance spectroscopy neurometabolite analyses in the evaluation of chronic mTBI.

Traumatic Cervical Cerebrovascular Injury and the Role of CTA: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review

Traumatic cerebrovascular injury (CVI) involving the cervical carotid and vertebral arteries is rare but can lead to stroke, hemodynamic compromise, and mortality in the absence of early diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis of both blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) and penetrating CVI is based on cerebrovascular imaging. The most commonly used screening criteria for BCVI include the expanded Denver criteria and the Memphis criteria, each providing varying thresholds for subsequent imaging. Neck CTA has supplanted catheter-based digital subtraction angiography as the preferred screening modality for CVI in patients with trauma. This AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review describes the current state of CTA-based cervical imaging in trauma. We review the most common screening criteria for BCVI, discuss BCVI grading scales that are based on neck CTA, describe the diagnostic performance of CTA in the context of other imaging modalities and evolving treatment strategies, and provide a practical guide for neck CTA implementation.

The Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule

BACKGROUND

Several clinical decision rules have been devised to guide head computed tomography (CT) use in patients with minor head injuries, but none have been validated in patients 65 years or older. We aimed to derive and validate a head injury clinical decision rule for older adults.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of an existing dataset of consecutive emergency department (ED) patients >65 years old with blunt head trauma. The main predictive outcomes were significant intracranial injury and Need for Neurosurgical Intervention on CT. The secondary outcomes also considered in the model development and validation were All Injuries and All Intracranial Injuries. Predictor variables were identified using multiple variable logistic regression, and clinical decision rule models were developed in a split-sample derivation cohort and then tested in an independent validation cohort.

RESULTS

Of 5776 patients, 233 (4.0%) had significant intracranial injury and an additional 104 (1.8%) met CT criteria for Need for Neurosurgical Intervention. The best performing model, the Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule, assigns points based on several clinical variables. If the points totaled 25 or more, a CT scan is indicated. The included predictors were arrival via Emergency Medical Services (+30 points), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <15 (+20 points), GCS <14 (+50 points), antiplatelet medications (+17 points), loss of consciousness (+16 points), signs of basilar skull fracture (+50 points), and headache (+20 points). Utilizing this clinical decision rule in the validation cohort, a point total ≥25 had a sensitivity and specificity of 100.0% (95% CI: 96.0-100) and 12.3% (95% CI: 10.9-13.8), respectively, for significant intracranial injury and Need for Neurosurgical Intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule has the potential to reduce unnecessary CT scans in older adults, without compromising safe emergency medicine practice.

A Narrative Review on Financial Challenges and Health Care Costs Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a highly prevalent and potentially severe medical condition. Challenges regarding TBI management are related to accurate diagnostics, defining its severity, and establishing prompt interventions to affect outcomes. Among the health care components in the TBI handling strategy is intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, which is fundamental to therapy decisions. However, ICP monitoring is an Achilles tendon, imposing a significant financial burden on health care systems, particularly in middle and low-income communities. This article arises from the understanding from the authors that there is insufficient scientific evidence about the potential economic impacts from the use of noninvasive technologies in the monitoring of TBI. Based on personal experience, as well as from reading other, clinically focused studies, the thesis is that the use of such technologies could greatly affect the health care system and this article seeks to address this lack of literature, show ways in which such systems could be evaluated, and show estimations of possible results from these investigations.

OBJECTIVE

This review primarily investigates the economic burden of TBI and whether new technologies are suitable to reduce its health care costs without compromising the quality of care, according to the levels of evidence available. The objective is to stimulate more research and attention in the area.

METHODS

For this narrative review, a PubMed search was conducted for articles discussing TBI health care costs, as well as monitoring technologies (tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optic nerve sheath diameter, transcranial Doppler, pupillometry, and noninvasive ICP waveform) and their application in managing TBI. Strategies were first evaluated from a medical noninferiority perspective before calculating the average savings of each selected strategy. All applicable studies were analyzed for quality using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 Statement117 and this article was written to conform as much as possible with it.

RESULTS

The review included 109 references and showed a consistent potential in noninvasive technologies to reduce costs and maintain or improve the quality of care.

CONCLUSIONS

TBI prevalence has increased with a disproportionate health care burden in the last decades. Noninvasive monitoring techniques seem to be effective in reducing TBI health care costs, with few limitations, especially the need for more supporting scientific evidence. The undeniable clinical and financial potential of these techniques is compelling to further investigate their role in TBI management, as well as the creation of more comprehensive monitoring models to the understanding of complex phenomena occurring in the injured brain.

Diagnostic Accuracy of SPECT for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study examines the diagnostic accuracy of brain perfusion SPECT for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42023484636). Five databases were searched for studies evaluating brain perfusion SPECT in adult patients with mTBI (GCS 13-15). Study quality was assessed using a modified QUADAS-2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed to pool proportions of hypoperfusion abnormalities across brain lobes.

RESULTS

Of 4735 records, 22 studies (5 longitudinal [40% high quality], 17 cross-sectional [24% high quality]) were included totaling 800 patients (mean age, 37.4 ± 12.6 years; 36.4% female). Meta-analysis of proportions indicated that the frontal lobe most frequently showed hypoperfusion on brain perfusion SPECT (pooled proportion 40.1% [95% confidence interval, 31.2% to 49.8%], 99/254, I2 = 54.5%), followed by the temporal lobe (26.1% [95% confidence interval, 19.9% to 33.6%], 68/254, I2 = 30.7%). Several studies found that hypoperfusion abnormalities were associated with neuropsychological findings. Also, brain perfusion SPECT could detect abnormalities not seen on MRI. Abnormalities in perfusion on brain perfusion SPECT may be more readily detected with a quantitative assessment compared with a visual assessment alone, although there appears to be no consensus on the optimal method for image interpretation. Evidence evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of brain perfusion SPECT for mTBI was limited. Using the GRADE framework, the evidence was rated as low.

CONCLUSIONS

Although perfusion abnormalities can be seen in patients with mTBI, commonly in the frontal and temporal lobes, the findings are nonspecific and may derive from various factors. Ultimately, brain perfusion SPECT provides additional information for mTBI, but the final added value for the detection of mTBI is unknown.

Acute Computer Tomography Findings in Pediatric Accidental Head Trauma-Review

Head trauma in paediatric patients is a worldwide and constant issue. It is the number one cause for childhood mortality and morbidity. Children of all ages are susceptible to sustaining head trauma and the anatomical characteristics of the region put them in a high-risk category for developing severe traumatic brain injuries. Boys are more frequently victims of accidental head traumas, and their injuries are more severe than those encountered in girls. The mechanisms of the trauma are a determining factor for the types of lesions we find. The traumatic injuries fall into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary traumatic injuries can be severe and life threatening, and their presence needs to be documented in order to set the correct therapeutic conduct. Due to their importance, this pictorial review focuses on them and the images used herein are selected from the database of our hospital. It is important to distinguish each of the different injuries that can be encountered. At the same time, radiologists are advised to remember that for children up to five years of age, some non-accidental imaging findings may appear to coincide with those found in accidental head trauma.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Dizziness and Ataxia: 2023 Update

Diagnostic evaluation of a patient with dizziness or vertigo is complicated by a lack of standardized nomenclature, significant overlap in symptom descriptions, and the subjective nature of the patient's symptoms. Although dizziness is an imprecise term often used by patients to describe a feeling of being off-balance, in many cases dizziness can be subcategorized based on symptomatology as vertigo (false sense of motion or spinning), disequilibrium (imbalance with gait instability), presyncope (nearly fainting or blacking out), or lightheadedness (nonspecific). As such, current diagnostic paradigms focus on timing, triggers, and associated symptoms rather than subjective descriptions of dizziness type. Regardless, these factors complicate the selection of appropriate diagnostic imaging in patients presenting with dizziness or vertigo. This document serves to aid providers in this selection by using a framework of definable clinical variants. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Cerebrovascular Diseases-Stroke and Stroke-Related Conditions

Cerebrovascular disease encompasses a vast array of conditions. The imaging recommendations for stroke-related conditions involving noninflammatory steno-occlusive arterial and venous cerebrovascular disease including carotid stenosis, carotid dissection, intracranial large vessel occlusion, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are encompassed by this document. Additional imaging recommendations regarding complications of these conditions including intraparenchymal hemorrhage and completed ischemic strokes are also discussed. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Management of Head Trauma

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a heterogenous spectrum of disease. It is essential to rapidly assess a patient's neurologic status and implement measures to prevent secondary brain injury. Intracranial hypertension, a common sequela of TBI, is managed in a tiered and systematic fashion, starting with the least invasive and moving toward the most invasive. TBI has long-lasting effects on patients and their families and represents a substantial financial and social influence on society. Research regarding the prognosis and treatment of TBI is essential to limit the influence of this widespread disease.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Tinnitus: 2023 Update

Tinnitus is abnormal perception of sound and has many subtypes. Clinical evaluation, audiometry, and otoscopy should be performed before ordering any imaging, as the choice of imaging will depend on various factors. Type of tinnitus (pulsatile or nonpulsatile) and otoscopy findings of a vascular retrotympanic lesion are key determinants to guide the choice of imaging studies. High-resolution CT temporal bone is an excellent tool to detect glomus tumors, abnormal course of vessels, and some other abnormalities when a vascular retrotympanic lesion is seen on otoscopy. CTA or a combination of MR and MRA/MRV are used to evaluate arterial or venous abnormalities like dural arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous malformation, carotid stenosis, dural sinus stenosis, and bony abnormalities like sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities in cases of pulsatile tinnitus without a vascular retrotympanic lesion. MR of the brain is excellent in detecting mass lesions such as vestibular schwannomas in cases of unilateral nonpulsatile tinnitus. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Equity considerations in clinical practice guidelines for traumatic brain injury and homelessness: a systematic review

Background

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) predominantly prioritise treatment and cost-effectiveness, which encourages a universal approach that may not address the circumstances of disadvantaged groups. We aimed to advance equity and quality of care for individuals experiencing homelessness and traumatic brain injury (TBI) by assessing the extent to which homelessness and TBI are integrated in CPGs for TBI and CPGs for homelessness, respectively, and the extent to which equity, including consideration of disadvantaged populations and the PROGRESS-Plus framework, is considered in these CPGs.

Methods

For this systematic review, CPGs for TBI or homelessness were identified from electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO), targeted websites, Google Search, and reference lists of eligible CPGs on November 16, 2021 and March 16, 2023. The proportion of CPGs that integrated evidence regarding TBI and homelessness was identified and qualitative content analysis was conducted to understand how homelessness is integrated in CPGs for TBI and vice versa. Equity assessment tools were utilised to understand the extent to which equity was considered in these CPGs. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021287696).

Findings

Fifty-eight CPGs for TBI and two CPGs for homelessness met inclusion criteria. Only three CPGs for TBI integrated evidence regarding homelessness by recognizing the prevalence of TBI in individuals experiencing homelessness and identifying housing as a consideration in the assessment and management of TBI. The two CPGs for homelessness acknowledged TBI as prevalent and recognised individuals experiencing TBI and homelessness as a disadvantaged population that should be prioritised in guideline development. Equity was rarely considered in the content and development of CPGs for TBI.

Interpretation

Considerations for equity in CPGs for homelessness and TBI are lacking. To ensure that CPGs reflect and address the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI, we have identified several guideline development priorities. Namely, there is a need to integrate evidence regarding homelessness and TBI in CPGs for TBI and CPGs for homelessness, respectively and engage disadvantaged populations in all stages of guideline development. Further, this review highlights an urgent need to conduct research focused on and with disadvantaged populations.

Funding

Canada Research Chairs Program (2019-00019) and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Grant #725A).

Diffusion tensor imaging in the courtroom: Distinction between scientific specificity and legally admissible evidence

Interest and uptake of science and medicine peer-reviewed literature by readers outside of a paper’s topical subject, field or even discipline is ever-expanding. While the application of knowledge from one field or discipline to others can stimulate innovative solutions to problems facing modern society, it is also fraught with danger for misuse. In the practice of law in the United States, academic papers are submitted to the courts as evidence in personal injury litigation from both the plaintiff (complainant) and defendant. Such transcendence of an academic publication over disciplinary boundaries is immediately met with the challenge of application by a group that inherently lacks in-depth knowledge on the scientific method, the practice of evidence-based medicine, or the publication process as a structured and internationally synthesized process involving peer review and guided by ethical standards and norms. A modern-day example of this is the ongoing conflict between the sensitivity of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the legal standards for admissibility of evidence in litigation cases of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this review, we amalgamate the peer-reviewed research on DTI in mTBI with the court’s rationale underlying decisions to admit or exclude evidence of DTI abnormalities to support claims of brain injury. We found that the papers which are critical of the use of DTI in the courtroom reflect a primary misunderstanding about how diagnostic biomarkers differ legally from relevant and admissible evidence. The clinical use of DTI to identify white matter abnormalities in the brain at the chronic stage is a valid methodology both clinically as well as forensically, contributes data that may or may not corroborate the existence of white matter damage, and should be admitted into evidence in personal injury trials if supported by a clinician. We also delve into an aspect of science publication and peer review that can be manipulated by scientists and clinicians to publish an opinion piece and misrepresent it as an unbiased, evidence-based, systematic research article in court cases, the decisions of which establish precedence for future cases and have implications on future legislation that will impact the lives of every citizen and erode the integrity of science and medicine practitioners.

Non-invasive diffuse optical monitoring of cerebral physiology in an adult swine-model of impact traumatic brain injury

In this study, we used diffuse optics to address the need for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of cerebral physiology following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We combined frequency-domain and broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy with diffuse correlation spectroscopy to monitor cerebral oxygen metabolism, cerebral blood volume, and cerebral water content in an established adult swine-model of impact TBI. Cerebral physiology was monitored before and after TBI (up to 14 days post injury). Overall, our results suggest that non-invasive optical monitoring can assess cerebral physiologic impairments post-TBI, including an initial reduction in oxygen metabolism, development of cerebral hemorrhage/hematoma, and brain swelling.

Conventional MR Imaging in Trauma Management in Adults

MR imaging has been shown to have higher sensitivity than computed tomography (CT) for traumatic intracranial soft tissue injuries as well as most cases of intracranial hemorrhage, thus making it a significant adjunct to CT in the management of traumatic brain injury, mostly in the subacute to chronic phase, but may also be of use in the acute phase, when there are persistent neurologic symptoms unexplained by prior imaging.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Headache: 2022 Update

Headache is an ancient problem plaguing a large proportion of the population. At present, headache disorders rank third among the global causes of disability, accounting for over $78 billion per year in direct and indirect costs in the United States. Given the prevalence of headache and the wide range of possible etiologies, the goal of this document is to help clarify the most appropriate initial imaging guidelines for headache for eight clinical scenarios/variants, which range from acute onset, life-threatening etiologies to chronic benign scenarios. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Imaging of Head Trauma: Pearls and Pitfalls

Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality and significantly impacts the patients' quality of life and socioeconomic status. It can be classified into primary and secondary injuries. Primary injury occurs at the time of the initial head trauma, such as skull fracture, extra-axial hemorrhage, brain contusion, and diffuse axonal injury. Secondary injury develops later as complications such as diffuse cerebral edema, brain herniation, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This article describes the indication for imaging, imaging modalities, recommended imaging protocols, and imaging findings of primary and secondary injuries, including pitfalls of each pathology.

Neuroimaging of Headache: Indications and Controversies

Headache is a common presenting symptom in the ambulatory setting that often prompts imaging. The increased use and associated health care money spent in the setting of headache have raised questions about the cost-effectiveness of neuroimaging in this setting. Neuroimaging for headache in most cases is unlikely to reveal significant abnormality or impact patient management. In this article, reasons behind an observed increase in neuroimaging and its impact on health care expenditures are discussed. The typical imaging modalities available and various imaging guidelines for common clinical headache scenarios are presented, including recommendations from the American College of Radiology.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Imaging of Facial Trauma Following Primary Survey

Maxillofacial trauma patients comprise a significant subset of patients presenting to emergency departments. Before evaluating for facial trauma, an emergency or trauma physician must perform a primary survey to ensure patient stabilization. Following this primary survey, this document discusses the following clinical scenarios for facial trauma: tenderness to palpation or contusion or edema over frontal bone (suspected frontal bone injury); pain with upper jaw manipulation or pain overlying zygoma or zygomatic deformity or facial elongation or malocclusion or infraorbital nerve paresthesia (suspected midface injury); visible nasal deformity or palpable nasal deformity or tenderness to palpation of the nose or epistaxis (suspected nasal bone injury); and trismus or malocclusion or gingival hemorrhage or mucosal hemorrhage or loose teeth or fractured teeth or displaced teeth (suspected mandibular injury). The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Sinonasal Disease: 2021 Update

This article presents guidelines for initial imaging utilization in patients presenting with sinonasal disease, including acute rhinosinusitis without and with suspected orbital and intracranial complications, chronic rhinosinusitis, suspected invasive fungal sinusitis, suspected sinonasal mass, and suspected cerebrospinal fluid leak. CT and MRI are the primary imaging modalities used to evaluate patients with sinonasal disease. Given its detailed depiction of bony anatomy, CT can accurately demonstrate the presence of sinonasal disease, bony erosions, and anatomic variants, and is essential for surgical planning. Given its superior soft tissue contrast, MRI can accurately identify clinically suspected intracranial and intraorbital complications, delineate soft tissue extension of tumor and distinguish mass from obstructed secretions.The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Noise-immune Extreme Ensemble Learning for Early Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Early diagnosis is currently the most effective way of saving the life of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). However, it is rather difficult to detect this terrible disease at the early stage, due to the subtle and elusive symptomatic signals. Recent studies show that the ¹H-MRS (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) imaging technique can capture more information reflecting the early appearance of this disease than conventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques. 1H-MRS data, however, also presents more noises that can bring serious diagnosis bias. We hence proposed a noise-immune extreme ensemble learning technique for effectively leveraging 1H-MRS data for advancing the early diagnosis of NPSLE. Our main results are that 1) by developing generalized maximum correntropy criterion in the kernel extreme learning setting, many types of non-Gaussian noises can be distinguished, and 2) weighted recursive feature elimination, using maximal information coefficient to weight feature's importance, helps to further alleviate the bad impact of noises on the diagnosis performance. The proposed method is assessed on a publicly available dataset with 97.5% accuracy, 95.8% sensitivity, and 99.9% specificity, which well demonstrates its efficacy.

Computational Approaches for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Image Recognition

In recent years, there have been major advances in deep learning algorithms for image recognition in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Interest in this area has increased due to the potential for greater objectivity, reduced interpretation times and, ultimately, higher accuracy. Triage algorithms that can re-order radiological reading queues have been developed, using classification to prioritize exams with suspected critical findings. Localization models move a step further to capture more granular information such as the location and, in some cases, size and subtype, of intracranial hematomas that could aid in neurosurgical management decisions. In addition to the potential to improve the clinical management of TBI patients, the use of algorithms for the interpretation of medical images may play a transformative role in enabling the integration of medical images into precision medicine. Acute TBI is one practical example that can illustrate the application of deep learning to medical imaging. This review provides an overview of computational approaches that have been proposed for the detection and characterization of acute TBI imaging abnormalities, including intracranial hemorrhage, skull fractures, intracranial mass effect, and stroke.