Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
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Magentic Resonance/positron emission tomography (PET) has been introduced recently for imaging of clinical patients. This hybrid imaging technology combines the inherent strengths of MRI with its high soft-tissue contrast and biological sequences with the inherent strengths of PET, enabling imaging of metabolism with a high sensitivity. In this article, we describe the initial experience of MR/PET in a clinical cancer center along with a review of the literature. ⋯ In the pediatric population, MR/PET can decrease the lifetime radiation dose. MR/PET protocols tailored to different types of malignancies need to be developed. After the initial exploration phase, large multicenter trials are warranted to determine clinical indications for this exciting hybrid imaging technology and thereby opening new horizons in molecular imaging.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyReliability of two-dimensional and three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI in elderly populations: comparison with 15O-water positron emission tomography.
To investigate the reliability and accuracy of two pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) sequences, using two-dimensional (2D) gradient-echo echo planar imaging (EPI) and 3D gradient and spin echo (GRASE) as the readout, respectively. ⋯ The 3D GRASE pCASL offers better repeatability than 2D EPI pCASL, thereby may provide a reliable imaging marker for the evaluation of disease progression and treatment effects in MCI and early AD subjects.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Apr 2014
Dynamic gadoxetate-enhanced MRI for the assessment of total and segmental liver function and volume in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
To evaluate dynamic hepatocyte-specific contrast-enhanced MRI (DHCE-MRI) for the assessment of global and segmental liver volume and function in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and to explore the heterogeneous distribution of liver function in this patient group. ⋯ The study demonstrates a new method to quantify total and segmental liver function using DHCE-MRI in patients with PSC.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Apr 2014
Liver dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for staging liver fibrosis in a piglet model.
To determine whether dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) could monitor progression of liver fibrosis in a piglet model, and which DCE-MRI parameter is most accurate for staging this disease. ⋯ DCE-MRI has the potential to dynamically stage progression of liver fibrosis.
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Spin-echo-based acquisitions are the workhorse of clinical MRI because they provide a variety of useful image contrasts and are resistant to image artifacts from radio-frequency or static field inhomogeneity. Three-dimensional (3D) acquisitions provide datasets that can be retrospectively reformatted for viewing in freely selectable orientations, and are thus advantageous for evaluating the complex anatomy associated with many clinical applications of MRI. ⋯ Through specific design strategies and optimization, including short non-spatially selective radio-frequency pulses to significantly shorten the echo spacing and variable flip angles for the refocusing radio-frequency pulses to suppress blurring or considerably lengthen the useable duration of the spin-echo train, these techniques permit single-slab 3D imaging of sizeable volumes in clinically acceptable acquisition times. These optimized fast/turbo spin-echo pulse sequences provide a robust and flexible approach for 3D spin-echo-based imaging with a broad range of clinical applications.