Clinical imaging
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This paper demonstrates usual and unusual findings on MR imaging (MRI) including fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion- and perfusion-weighted image and MR angiography (MRA) in 30 patients with sickle cell cerebrovascular disease. This paper also illustrates the underlying pathophysiology of sickle cell cerebrovascular disease by using the cases with usual and unusual MR findings, including long-time follow-up cases during transfusion therapy. MRI and MRA are useful in defining the basis for stroke and assessing the effects of chronic transfusion therapy.
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Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Neurologic manifestations occur usually as a part of the spectrum of the systemic disease. ⋯ All patients had neurological symptoms and were evaluated with MRI revealing a wide spectrum of findings: periventricular and white matter lesions, multiple or solitary supra- and infratentorial brain lesions, leptomeningeal enhancement, involvement of brain nerves and intramedullar lesions. These findings are not specific for sarcoidosis and must be considered with the clinical course of the patient in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
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Patients with Baastrup disease may experience pain owing to irritation of the periosteum or adventitial bursae between abutting spinous processes. We are not aware of any reports in the literature that describe stress fractures of the spinous fractures in patients with Baastrup disease. In this case report, we present two cases of spinous process fractures in lumbar vertebrae associated with Baastrup disease and describe their appearance with conventional radiography, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
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A total of 20 patients with centrally embolized Port-A catheter fragments underwent the percutaneous retrieval procedures at our hospital. The causes of the dislodgement of these catheters included bad connection between the port and catheter, angulation or distortion at the anastomosis site, severing the catheter during insertion and removal of the catheter, improper catheter position and fatigue of the catheter. ⋯ The percutaneous retrieval procedures were successful in all centrally embolized fragments. Of 20 successful retrievals, 16 were performed will loop snare catheters and 4 with Dormia basket retrievers.
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Whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) scanners at high field strengths (> or =3 T) have been introduced in expectation of a larger signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which would decrease the length of scan time or improve the spatial resolution. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the high field MR imaging are discussed. Although the building of the radio frequency (RF) coil, safety and the specific absorption rate (SAR) are issues, the application of high field MR imaging is promising. The optimization of all parameters including injection rate of Gd-DTPA is necessary for high field MR imaging to obtain maximal results; however, we hope that high field MR imaging can be used in routine clinical applications in the future.