La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Sep 1996
Comparative Study Clinical Trial[T2-dependent sequences in the study of hepatic focal lesions: comparison of the conventional spin echo sequence and the 0.5 T fast spin echo].
T2-weighted spin echo MR images are widely used in the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. The main pitfall of this technique is its relatively long acquisition time. Fast spin echo sequences can provide the same contrast as conventional T2-weighted SE images in a shorter scanning time. ⋯ In the qualitative analysis, CSE sequences were superior to FSE for overall image quality in 50% of cases, for lesion conspicuity in 41.5% of cases and for internal features and the absence of artifacts in 46% of cases, FSE sequences had a higher detection rate in 17% of cases, even though both types of sequences underestimated the number of lesions in 29% of cases, as compared with the gold standard. To conclude, FSE sequences were inferior to CSE for image quality, lesion conspicuity, internal features and the absence of artifacts. FSE sequences were superior in the detection and characterization of fluid and nearly fluid lesions.
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La Radiologia medica · Sep 1996
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial[Fast spin echo imaging of vertebral metastasis: comparison of fat suppression techniques (FSE-CHESS, STIR-FSE)].
To investigate the capabilities of fast spin echo (FSE) sequences in diagnosing spinal metastases and to compare two fat-suppression techniques: CHESS (chemical shift selective saturation) and STIR (short T1 inversion recovery). Fat suppression is recommended with FSE sequences because on them, different from conventional spin echo (SE) sequences, fat has high signal intensity in both T1 and T2 weighting, masking such high-signal bone lesions as metastases. ⋯ Both STIR-FSE and FSE-CHESS sequences are rapid and useful techniques to obtain fat saturation in FSE images. CHESS saturation is selective on fat signal, while STIR suppresses the signal of all the substances with the same short T1 as fat.
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La Radiologia medica · Sep 1996
Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Magnetic resonance assessment of knee joint hyaline cartilage according to age, sex, and body weight].
To study the MR appearance of knee joint hyaline cartilage, 120 subjects were examined with MRI of the knee. Axial SE proton-density (PD) and T2, GE T1 and GE-MTC sequences were used, as well as coronal SE T1 and sagittal SE PD and T2 sequences. At the patellar and femorotibial cartilages the following variables were investigated: thickness, surface, signal intensity and visibility. ⋯ No statistically significant correlation was found between cartilage thickness, surface, signal intensity and visibility and age, sex, and body weight. The GE sequence was the best tool to study cartilage thickness and signal intensity, while the SE T2 sequence was the most accurate one to depict the articular surface and, together with the PD SE sequence, to visualize the trilaminar structure. Our study suggests that articular cartilage surface, thickness, and signal intensity can be studied accurately with SE PD and T2 sequences, combined with a GE T1 sequence.
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 1996
[Thoracic radiography and high resolution computerized tomography in the diagnosis of pulmonary disorders caused by amiodarone].
To assess the radiographic patterns of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity, the chest films (32) and HRCT scans (16) were reviewed of 14 patients into amiodarone protocols for 3 months to 6.5 years (average: 40.5 months). All patients were symptomatic and presented with shortness of breath, a general malaise, a fever. The radiographic findings included: intersurface signs, defined as irregular interfaces between parenchyma, bronchi, vessels and visceral pleura, indicating interstitial abnormalities (HRCT: 8 = 50%); septal thickening (Kerley's lines) (chest film: 32 = 100%; HRCT: 6 = 37%); reticular opacities (chest film: 24 = 75%; HRCT: 6 = 37%); peribronchial cuffing (chest film: 2 = 6%; HRCT: 0); interstitial nodules (chest film: 12 = 37%; HRCT: 4 = 25%); alveolar nodules (chest film: 16 = 50%; HRCT: 12 = 75%); consolidations (chest film: 20 = 62%; HRCT: 12 = 75%); parenchymal masses (chest film: 2 = 6%; HRCT: 2 = 12%); fibrosis (chest film: 24 = 75%; HRCT: 16 = 100%); reduced lung volume (chest film: 14 = 43%; HRCT: 4 = 25%); pleural effusion and/or thickening (chest film: 4 = 12%; HRCT: 4 = 25%). ⋯ Amiodarone discontinuation and corticosteroids administration improved the radiographic patterns in 2 patients and attenuated the symptoms, with disappearance of alveolar nodules, in 11 patients. In contrast, clinical symptoms progressed and the radiographic pattern worsened in one patient. Both chest films (Kerley's lines, reticular, interstitial and alveolar opacities without cuffing and pleural effusion or clear fibrosis) and HRCT (fibrosis associated with alveolar opacities) showed sufficiently typical patterns of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity, especially when associated with pleural thickening.
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La Radiologia medica · Jul 1996
[Pulmonary thromboembolism and diagnostic imaging: integration of techniques and methods].
Thromboembolism is presently the third most frequent cardiovascular disease, with an incidence of deep venous thrombosis of 800,000 cases a year in the USA. The clinical diagnosis of the condition is difficult and noninvasive procedures are poorly reliable, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis appropriate in the patient with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Color-Doppler US is now replacing phlebography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. ⋯ In 198 patients in whom no caval filter was implanted, pulmonary embolism did not recur. At present, the role of the radiologist is markedly changing, especially in the management of this condition. On the one hand, radiologists must diagnose thromboembolism as a whole and not only its pulmonary evidence; on the other hand, they play a major operational and interventional role in the treatment of thromboembolism patients.