Acrylic Skull Windows Allow Brain Ultrasounds, Reducing Radiation from Scans
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Some neurosurgeons are testing skull prostheses with acrylic windows that allow ultrasound imaging of patients' brains. This may reduce radiation from CT/MRI scans.
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Tucker Marr, 27, received a prosthetic skull piece with an acrylic window after a brain injury. His neurosurgeon can now easily visualize his brain with ultrasound.
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Advocates say the windows allow quick, low-cost brain imaging in the doctor's office. Critics argue the ultrasound quality is not as good as CT/MRI.
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Dr. Mark Luciano found no increased infection risk in patients with the acrylic windows over one year. But more long-term safety data is needed.
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At USC, Dr. Charles Liu is using the windows for ultrasound-based functional brain imaging, hoping to gain insights into brain activity during tasks.
