Acta radiologica
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Background Following convection from blood capillaries, plasma proteins are transported to loco-regional lymph nodes in two stages: first, uptake into peripheral lymphatics, and second, transport to nodes. Purpose To introduce a new parameter of lymphatic function that quantifies stage 2 - lymphatic drainage efficiency (LDE). Material and Methods Percentage injected activity (IIQ) in ilio-inguinal nodes 150 min following subcutaneous foot web-space injection of Tc-99 m-nanocolloid was measured in 102 patients undergoing lymphoscintigraphy using a method in which a standard is placed by image guidance over the nodes. ⋯ LDE was lower in limbs displaying skin diversion and/or delay. Conclusion LDE is a new quantitative index that has potential value in clinical research but requires further clinical evaluation. Abnormal quantitative indices indicate that limbs unilaterally normal on lymphoscintigraphy are not functionally normal.
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Background Patient acceptance is an important factor when implementing imaging methods in clinical practice in line with availability, diagnostic accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Purpose To investigate patient experience and acceptance regarding18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 11 C-choline-PET/CT, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI), and 99mTc-hydroxymethane diphosphonate (HDP) single photon emission/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). Material and Methods One hundred and forty-nine patients with prostate cancer filled in a questionnaire regarding their experience of the imaging procedures they had been undergoing as part of a diagnostic accuracy study. ⋯ Overall, the patients were willing to repeat the four imaging methods and NaF-PET/CT was the method most preferred in both groups. Conclusion Four imaging procedures were evaluated from the perspective of a selected group of prostate cancer patients. NaF-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, WB-MRI, and bone SPECT/CT are well accepted imaging methods, and most patients prefer NaF-PET/CT.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of automated volumetry of the hippocampus using NeuroQuant® and visual assessment of the medial temporal lobe in Alzheimer's disease.
Background Different clinically feasible methods for evaluation of medial temporal lobe atrophy exists and are useful in diagnostic work-up of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Purpose To compare the diagnostic properties of two clinically available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based methods-an automated volumetric software, NeuroQuant® (NQ) (evaluation of hippocampus volume) and the Scheltens scale (visual evaluation of medial temporal lobe atrophy [MTA])-in patients with AD dementia, and subjective and mild cognitive impairment (non-dementia). Material and Methods MRIs from 56 patients (31 AD, 25 non-dementia) were assessed with both methods. ⋯ Results High correlations were found between the two MRI assessments for the total hippocampal volume measured with NQ and mean MTA score (-0.753, P < 0.001), for the right (-0.767, P < 0.001), and for the left (-0.675, P < 0.001) sides. The NQ total measure yielded somewhat higher AUC (0.88, "good") compared to the MTA mean measure (0.80, "good") in the comparison of patients with AD and non-dementia, but the accuracy was in favor of the MTA scale. Conclusion The two methods correlated highly and both methods reached equally "good" power.
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Background Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) are reliable imaging modalities for brain tumors. However, the role of DWI and SWI in the diagnosis of common lateral ventricular tumors has not been systematically evaluated. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic performance of DWI and SWI in common lateral ventricular tumors. ⋯ The combination of the rADC ratio with the ITSS showed no significant difference, except in discriminating between meningiomas and high-grade glioma-ependymomas. Conclusion The rADC ratios and ITSS may be useful for differentiating common lateral ventricular tumors. The diagnostic performance may be improved with the use of the rADC ratios and ITSS scores.
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Background Gadoxetic acid is being widely used for detection and characterization of hepatic nodules. However, there are no data regarding intra-individual comparison of imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on dynamic computed tomography (CT), gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-DTPA-MRI), and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (Gd-EOB-MRI). Purpose To evaluate typical imaging features of HCC and capsule appearance with dynamic CT, Gd-DTPA-MRI, and Gd-EOB-MRI. ⋯ TLCR of Gd-EOB-MRI was lower than CT on PVP ( P = 0.004) and was lower than Gd-DTPA-MRI on DP/TP ( P = 0.001). Conclusion Arterial phase hyperenhancement and washout appearance of HCC were well demonstrated in Gd-EOB-MRI. The detection of capsule appearance using Gd-EOB-MRI was not inferior to Gd-DTPA-MRI or CT.