Acta radiologica
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Whole-body magnetic resonance angiography (WB-MRA) is a noninvasive method for diagnosing the systemic distribution of atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the feasibility and diagnostic performance of WB-MRA, but no studies have investigated patient acceptance of this imaging method. ⋯ Patient acceptance of WB-MRA is superior to that of DSA in patients with PAD, with the majority of patients preferring WB-MRA.
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Increased levels of lactate are observed by (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in rat brains after stroke. However, it is not known whether the changes in lactate levels are predictive of the degree of neuronal damage. ⋯ Up to 24 hours after reperfusion, (Lac+Lip)/Cr was strongly negatively correlated with NAA/Cr, and was a good predictor of neuronal damage at 7 days; however, it was not predictive of final infarct volume at 4 weeks.
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. When PE is fatal, right ventricular failure usually occurs within the first few hours, so right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) should be diagnosed rapidly to identify patients who could benefit from fibrinolytic therapy. ⋯ PA obstructive index of more than 50% and RV/LV ratio >1.5 are useful diagnostic criteria for severe PE and poor patient outcome.
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Age- and sex-related changes of metabolites in healthy adult brains have been examined with different (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods in varying populations, and with differing results. A long repetition time and short echo time technique reduces quantification errors due to T(1) and T(2) relaxation effects and makes it possible to measure metabolites with short T(2) relaxation times. ⋯ The concentrations of several metabolites in cerebral supraventricular white matter are age dependent on (1)H MRS, even in young and middle-aged people, and age dependency can be nonlinear. Each (1)H MRS study of the brain should therefore take age into account, whereas sex does not appear to be so important. The use of macromolecule and lipid evaluations is compromised by less successful quantification and large variations in healthy people.
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Review Case Reports
Cardiac tamponade after malignant superior vena cava stenting: Two case reports and brief review of the literature.
Percutaneous stenting of the superior vena cava (SVC) is usually recommended as a palliative procedure for malignant SVC obstruction with low reported morbidity. Complications are uncommon and usually of minor consequence. We report two unusual cases of cardiac tamponade following SVC stenting in patients with malignant SVC syndrome. Echocardiography allows rapid diagnosis and guides pericardial drainage in the interventional radiology suite.