AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2009
Three-dimensional phase-sensitive inversion-recovery turbo FLASH sequence for the evaluation of left ventricular myocardial scar.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new free-breathing 3D phase-sensitive inversion-recovery (PSIR) turbo FLASH pulse sequence for the detection of left ventricular myocardial scar. ⋯ Free-breathing 3D PSIR turbo FLASH imaging is a promising technique for the assessment of left ventricular scar particularly for scar quantification and the detection of small nonischemic scars in the myocardium.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2009
Evaluation of the C1-C2 articulation on MDCT in healthy children and young adults.
We aimed to establish normal values on MDCT images for the atlantoaxial relationships including the atlantoaxial interval and lateral atlantodens interval (ADI) that could be used to detect atlantoaxial ligamentous injuries in adults and children. ⋯ We propose that the obtained normal values be considered as the upper limits of the normal range for the atlantoaxial interval in adult and pediatric populations on MDCT images.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2009
Color Doppler imaging evaluation of proximal vertebral artery stenosis.
The sonographic diagnostic criteria for vertebral artery stenosis have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess hemodynamic parameters at color Doppler imaging and to determine, with digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard, the optimal thresholds for evaluation of proximal vertebral artery stenosis. ⋯ Color Doppler imaging is a reliable method for evaluation of vertebral artery stenosis. The results derived from this study can be used as a reference for establishing sonographic criteria for proximal vertebral artery stenosis.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2009
Normal dynamic MRI enhancement patterns of the upper abdominal organs: gadoxetic acid compared with gadobutrol.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether, at dynamic MRI of the upper abdominal organs, contrast enhancement with gadoxetic acid, a hepatobiliary contrast agent, is comparable with that achieved with an extracellular contrast agent. ⋯ Early dynamic MRI of the upper abdominal organs, especially the spleen, pancreas, and kidney, benefits from the higher gadolinium concentration of gadobutrol than in the organ-specific contrast agent gadoxetic acid. Higher protein binding resulting in increased relaxivity of gadoxetic acid compensates for the low gadolinium concentration in the abdominal aorta.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2009
In vivo imaging of the aneurysm wall with MRI and a macrophage-specific contrast agent.
Because of their capability of secreting proteinases, macrophages play a central role in the growth and rupture of aneurysms. Noninvasive imaging of macrophages therefore may yield valuable information about the pathogenesis of aneurysm disease. We studied uptake of the macrophage-specific contrast agent ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) in the walls of aneurysms and normal-sized aortas. ⋯ USPIO uptake is limited or absent in the wall of normal-sized aortas and most aneurysms. However, individual abdominal aortic aneurysms exhibit high levels of USPIO uptake, indicative of extensive macrophage infiltration in the aneurysm wall. Future research should focus on the predictive value of USPIO uptake for growth and rupture of aneurysms.