European journal of radiology
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Previous studies have detected abnormal iron deposition in the deep grey matter (DGM) of multiple sclerosis (MS). The regional specificity of the DGM iron deposition in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is still unclear. We compared the differences in the DGM iron concentration between MS and NMO patients. ⋯ We confirm the iron concentration in the DGM iron content of MS patients is more than NMO patients and healthy controls in the same age range. Furthermore, the disease duration was found to be a significant contributor to patients with MS.
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Coronary CT angiography has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease due to rapid technological developments, which are reflected in the improved spatial and temporal resolution of the images. High diagnostic accuracy has been achieved with 64- and more slice CT scanners and in selected patients, coronary CT angiography is regarded as a reliable alternative to invasive coronary angiography. Although the tremendous contributions of coronary CT angiography to cardiac imaging are acknowledged, appropriate use of cardiac CT as the first line technique by physicians has not been well established. ⋯ This review presents an overview of the applications of CT in cardiac imaging in terms of coronary calcium scoring and coronary CT angiography. Judicious use of both cardiac CT tools will be discussed with regard to their value in different patient risk groups with the aim of identifying the appropriate criteria for choosing a cardiac CT modality. An effective diagnostic pathway is finally recommended to physicians for appropriate selection of cardiac CT in clinical practice.
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Comparative Study
Diffusion weighted MR imaging in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis after administration of different gadolinium contrast agents: is it still reliable?
Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is an emerging technique for abdominal MR and usually performed before intravenous contrast injection. Recent studies performed in patients with normal liver function have shown that DWI can be performed after gadolinium administration. Aim of this study was to compare DWI before and after administration of different gadolinium compounds in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis. ⋯ There is no significant difference regarding DWI in patients with cirrhosis before and after contrast injection. Hence, it is reliable to run DWI after gadolinium either as an alternative for unsuccessful pre-contrast DWI or as a gap filler to spare time in EOB-Gadolinium-DTPA imaging.
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Comparative Study
Quantification of left and right ventricular function and myocardial mass: comparison of low-radiation dose 2nd generation dual-source CT and cardiac MRI.
To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of left and right ventricular function and myocardial mass measurements based on a dual-step, low radiation dose protocol with prospectively ECG-triggered 2nd generation dual-source CT (DSCT), using cardiac MRI (cMRI) as the reference standard. ⋯ Prospectively ECG-triggered, dual-step pulsing cardiac DSCT accurately quantifies left and right ventricular function and myocardial mass in comparison with cMRI with substantially lower radiation exposure than reported for traditional retrospective ECG-gating.
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Coronary atherosclerosis has traditionally been proposed to be associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric measures. However, clinical data regarding the independent value of visceral adipose tissue in addition to such traditional predictors remains obscure. ⋯ Both visceral adipose tissues strongly correlated with systemic inflammation beyond traditional cardiovascular risks and anthropometric measures, though only pericardial fat exerted independent role in coronary calcium deposit. Our data suggested that visceral adipose tissue may thus contribute to systemic inflammation and play an independent role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.