European journal of radiology
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Comparative Study
Efficiency of unenhanced MRI in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: comparison with Alvarado scoring system and histopathological results.
The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and compare with Alvarado scores and histopathological results. ⋯ MRI is a valuable technique for detecting acute appendicitis even in the cases with low Alvarado scores. To increase the diagnostic accuracy and preventing unnecessary laparotomies for suspected appendicitis, shorter and cheaper unenhanced basic MRI may be performed.
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Tumor grading is very important both in treatment decision and evaluation of prognosis. While tissue samples are obtained as part of most therapeutic approaches, factors that may result in inaccurate grading due to sampling error (namely, heterogeneity in tissue sampling, as well as tumor-grade heterogeneity within the same tumor specimen), have led to a desire to use imaging better to ascertain tumor grade. The purpose in our study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), area under the curve (AUC), and accuracy of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI), proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) or both in grading primary cerebral gliomas. ⋯ Combining DWI and MRSI increases the accuracy of preoperative imaging in the determination of glioma grade. MRSI had superior diagnostic performance in predicting glioma grade compared with DWI alone. The predictive values are helpful in the clinical decision-making process to evaluate the histologic grade of tumors, and provide a means of guiding treatment.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of peritoneal tumor imaging using conventional MR imaging and diffusion-weighted MR imaging with different b values.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of DW MRI with two different b values in identifying peritoneal tumors in oncology patients. ⋯ DWI with a high b value provides complementary information that can improve the detection of peritoneal tumors when combined with conventional MRI. We recommend combined MRI and DWI with a high b value for increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of the preoperative detection of peritoneal tumors.
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Calcifications adjacent to the vessel lumen often limit the assessment of stenoses at the carotid bifurcation in 3D multi intensity projection images (3D-MIP) using conventional single energy CT. Aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of 3D-MIP images after subtraction of bone and calcified plaques (PBS) using dual energy CT for the assessment of carotid bifurcation stenoses. ⋯ PBS facilitated the evaluation of grade of the stenosis in all cases. Nevertheless, after PBS stenoses were overrated in 3D-MIP in comparison to DSA and axMPR. Moreover, plaque morphology, as an independent risk factor for stroke, can be evaluated even in calcified plaques after PBS. Therefore dual energy CTA with plaque subtraction has the potential to identify patients with vulnerable plaques better than conventional CTA.
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To predict the MR appearance of retained surgical textiles in the acute setting by using an in vitro phantom and body MR imaging protocols. ⋯ We describe the in vitro MR appearance of retained surgical sponges in order to simulate their appearance in the acute setting prior to the mass-like foreign body reaction which may occur in the chronic phase.