European radiology
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Assessment of vascular proliferation as an important grading criterion has been employed in both the histologic and the radiologic characterization of gliomas with encouraging results. Perfusion in gliomas can be measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). The goal of this study was to develop a model for simultaneously quantifying the fractional volumes of different tissue compartments of gliomas by dMRI. ⋯ Using cerebral blood volume (CBV), dMRI grading showed a correspondence with WHO grading in 83% of the cases (20/24 gliomas WHO grades II-IV). The use of interstitial volume maps can also be helpful, for instance, in differentiating gliomas from other brain tumors. As a supplement to conventional MRI, dynamic MR techniques thus provide a useful tool for improving in vivo glioma characterization.
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Comparative Study
Diuretic-enhanced gadolinium excretory MR urography: comparison of conventional gradient-echo sequences and echo-planar imaging.
The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of different gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted gradient-echo techniques in excretory MR urography. In 74 urologic patients, excretory MR urography was performed using various T1-weighted gradient-echo (GRE) sequences after injection of gadolinium-DTPA and low-dose furosemide. The examinations included conventional GRE sequences and echo-planar imaging (GRE EPI), both obtained with 3D data sets and 2D projection images. ⋯ In projection MR urography, the entire pelvicaliceal system was imaged by acquisition of a fast single-slice sequence and the conventional 2D GRE technique provided superior morphological accuracy than 2D GRE EPI projection images (p < 0.0003). Fast 3D GRE EPI sequences improve the clinical practicability of excretory MR urography especially in old or critically ill patients unable to suspend breathing for more than 20 s. Conventional GRE sequences are superior to EPI in high-resolution detail MR urograms and in projection imaging.
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Case Reports
Blunt traumatic rupture of a mainstem bronchus: spiral CT demonstration of the "fallen lung" sign.
Tracheo-bronchial injuries occur in less than 1 % of blunt chest trauma patients. Indirect signs, such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and/or subcutaneous emphysema, are revealed on admission plain films and chest CT survey. In most instances, however, tracheobronchoscopy is mandatory in assessing the definite diagnosis of tracheo-bronchial lesion. Occasionally, an abnormal course of a mainstem bronchus or a "fallen lung" sign, featuring a collapsed lung in a dependent position, hanging on the hilum only by its vascular attachments, may allow for CT diagnosis of a blunt traumatic bronchial injury.
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Case Reports
Blunt traumatic rupture of the pericardium with cardiac herniation: two cases diagnosed using computed tomography.
Traumatic ruptures of the pericardium with cardiac herniation are infrequent, and their radiological pattern little familiar, so that they are often missed preoperatively. Few reports have emphasised the use of a CT scan as a tool for diagnosis and CT scan signs have not been well documented. ⋯ We describe the presence of an empty pericardial sac on CT slices which allowed us to diagnose the cardiac herniation. These observations demonstrate that CT scans can contribute to the diagnosis of pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation.