Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
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The principles of contrast mechanisms and fast pulse sequences underlying neurological and neuroradiological application of MRI are introduced in this part of a two-part review. In particular, the relaxation time constants T(1), T(2), and T(2) (*) are introduced, along with pulse sequences harnessing their contrast, spin-echo, fast spin echo (FSE), inversion recovery (IR), gradient recalled echo (GRE), and echo planar imaging (EPI). The use of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast is discussed in both T(1)- and T(2) (*)-weighted sequences. ⋯ T(2) (*) sensitivity is discussed as both a source of artifact as well as a contrast mechanism (perfusion imaging with contrast agents, susceptibility weighted imaging [SWI], and blood oxygenation level dependent [BOLD] imaging). Finally, the contrast mechanism of diffusion is introduced, as well as the concept of anisotropy. From these principles, the other part of this two-part review draws upon the pulse sequences and contrast mechanisms to design disease and indication-specific protocols for state-of-the-art clinical use.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Oct 2007
Range of ventricular dimensions and function by steady-state free precession cine MRI in repaired tetralogy of Fallot: right ventricular outflow tract patch vs. conduit repair.
To characterize the range of biventricular size and function evaluated by steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine magnetic resonance (MR) in a large cohort of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and to compare these measurements in those with a right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) patch vs. a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit. ⋯ This study provides the range and distribution of biventricular size and function, and PR measured by MRI in a large contemporary cohort of patients with repaired TOF, and demonstrates important variations in RV mechanics between patients repaired with a RVOT patch and those with an RV-PA conduit.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Oct 2007
Interleaved water and fat imaging and applications to lipid quantitation using the gradient reversal technique.
To implement and evaluate the gradient reversal-based chemical shift imaging technique to obtain qualitative and quantitative spatially-registered fat and water images with high imaging efficiency at very high field. ⋯ The proposed MRI technique permits interleaved water and fat imaging, with which spectrally well-separated water and fat images at the identical slice locations could be obtained in a single acquisition without increasing scan time. The technique could be used for in vivo quantitative mapping of lipid content and applied to investigations using small animal experiment models.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Oct 2007
Comparative StudySTIR turbo SE MR imaging vs. coregistered FDG-PET/CT: quantitative and qualitative assessment of N-stage in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
To conduct a prospective comparison of the accuracy of short inversion time (TI) inversion-recovery (STIR) turbo spin-echo (SE) imaging and coregistered 2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT) (coregistered FDG-PET/CT) to assess the N-stage in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. ⋯ STIR turbo SE imaging is at least as valid as coregistered FDG-PET/CT for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the N-stage for NSCLC patients.
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J Magn Reson Imaging · Oct 2007
Whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging: technical improvement and preliminary results.
To optimize the free-breathing whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) protocol by using the short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (STIR-DWEPI) sequence and the built-in body coil. Additionally, to evaluate the feasibility of tumor screening using high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) maximum intensity projection (MIP) images. ⋯ Stable and high-resolution WB-DWI is feasible using the technical improvements described in this study. WB-DWI might have important clinical value for the detection of primary and metastatic malignancies within the whole body. The potential for diagnosis and therapeutic assessment of tumors should be further assessed in a larger patient cohort.