Acta radiologica
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The estimation of emphysematous changes is very sensitive to computed tomography (CT) threshold level. In clinical practice, the predetermined threshold is usually set at -950 Hounsfield units (HU) for the detection of low attenuation volume (LAV). However, threshold levels that are tightly connected to pulmonary function abnormalities have not been determined. ⋯ LAV% dramatically changed according to the threshold level on both inspiratory and expiratory images, indicating that LAV% is dependent on the attenuation threshold level in patients with COPD. The threshold linking LAV% to airflow limitation was higher on expiratory than on inspiratory images.
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The atlanto-dental interval measurement in the cervical spine in young adults has been reported on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), but has not been systematically assessed in all ages. ⋯ ADI measurements on MDCT linearly decrease with increasing age, and these are not affected by gender in adult patients. Different reference values might be used at different ages when diagnosing atlantoaxial anterior dislocation or subluxation.
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Histopathological studies have shown significant differences in plaque components and surface conditions between upstream and downstream of the stenosis. It can be deduced that the flow status near the plaques is different from the flow status at the upstream side, stenosis center, or downstream side of the plaque. ⋯ Velocity, WSS, pressure, and relative ratio of these parameters have certain trends in distribution around the plaques in the carotid arteries.
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Comparative Study
MRI of the lumbar spine: comparison of 3D isotropic turbo spin-echo SPACE sequence versus conventional 2D sequences at 3.0 T.
Three-dimensional (3D) fast spin-echo sequence with variable flip-angle refocusing pulse allows retrospective alignments of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in any desired plane. ⋯ Isotropic 3D T2W TSE-SPACE at 3.0 T was comparable to 2D T2W TSE for detecting foraminal stenosis, central spinal stenosis, and nerve compression with better inter-observer agreements and symptom correlation.
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Diffusion-weighted MRI compared to FDG PET/CT for assessment of early treatment response in lymphoma.
18F fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) is a well-recognized diagnostic tool used for staging and monitoring of therapy response for lymphomas. During the past decade diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being included in the assessment of tumor response for various cancers. ⋯ There was no significant correlation between ΔSUVmax and ΔADC. Thus, our data do not support that FDG PET/CT can be replaced by early DW MRI for response evaluation in lymphoma patients.