European journal of radiology
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The assessment of human peripheral nerves and skeletal muscles by means of diffusion tensor imaging and tractograpy has been a recent area of research. These techniques have been successfully applied in both volunteers and patients, providing non-invasively, quantitative microstructural parameters (mainly mean fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient) and offering a three-dimensional visualization tool of nerves and muscles fibers. ⋯ In this article, we will first summarize the current state of DTI and tractography in the evaluation of peripheral nerves and skeletal muscles as well as their potential future clinical applications. Then, we will address important technical considerations, which understanding is necessary to appropriately apply DTI and tractograhy, and in order to understand the current limitations of these innovative and promising techniques.
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MRI of the kidney currently makes the transition from depiction of morphology to assessment of function. Functional renal imaging methods provide information on diffusion and perfusion on a microstructural level. This review article presents the current status of functional renal imaging with focus on DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging) and DCE-MRI (dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI), as well as BOLD (blood-oxygenation level dependent) MRI, DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) and arterial spin labeling (ASL). Technical background of these techniques is explained and clinical assessment of renal function, parenchymal disease, transplant function and solid masses is discussed.
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It has recently been reported that intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator improves the clinical outcome after acute stroke. Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging method used to determine the indication for thrombolysis. However, detection of early ischemic change often results in an increase in local radiation exposure. Therefore, the effects of decreased matrix size and use of a noise reduction filter were evaluated. ⋯ This study was performed to determine whether the converted matrix size and use of imaging filters could improve the detectability of early ischemic change on CT images in acute stroke. To reduce the dose of radiation exposure for patients, it was effective to use an optimal noise reduction filter and reasonable matrix size. In particular, changing the matrix size to 256×256 was the most effective for detection of early ischemic change in examinations using clinical images.
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Evaluate the use of MDCT with 3D CT angiography (CTA) and CT portal venography (CTPV) reconstruction for the diagnosis of small bowel volvulus (SBV). ⋯ Multiphasic MDCT with CTA/CTPV reconstruction can play an important role in the diagnosis of SBV. The location, direction and degree of SBV can all be defined preoperatively using this method.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) for the diagnosis of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) by analyzing morphology and diameter of superior mesenteric artery (SMA). We assessed whether MDCT was as useful as angiography for the diagnosis of NOMI. ⋯ Angiography has been recognized essential for the diagnosis of NOMI. This study shows the possibility of MDCT to be an equivalently useful modality compared to angiography for the diagnosis of NOMI by interpreting morphologic appearance and diameter of SMA. Introduction of MDCT in the decision tree of NOMI treatment may bring the benefit of prompt diagnosis and subsequent early and efficient initiation of therapy, which may improve the mortality.