Academic radiology
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Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the pelvis at 3T is prone to artifacts that diminish the image quality. Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (RS-EPI) is a new DWI technique that can reduce the artifacts associated with standard single-shot echo-planar imaging (SS-EPI) DWI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and image quality of RS-EPI in pelvic DWI compared to SS-EPI on a 3T imaging system. ⋯ RS-EPI DWI images showed improved image quality compared to SS-EPI technique at 3T. RS-EPI is a feasible technique in the pelvis for producing high-resolution DWI.
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Chest radiographs are recommended for prevention and detection of pneumoconiosis. In 2011, the International Labour Office (ILO) released a revision of the International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses that included a digitized standard images set. The present study compared results of classifications of digital chest images performed using the new ILO 2011 digitized standard images to classification approaches used in the past. ⋯ These findings validate the use of the ILO digitized standard images for classification of small pneumoconiotic opacities. When digital chest radiographs are obtained and displayed appropriately, results of pneumoconiosis classifications using the 2011 ILO digitized standards are comparable to film-based ILO classifications and to classifications using earlier research standards.
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The combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain with multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) has been proposed as a possible diagnostic tool. Goal of this investigation was to identify potential functional connectivity (FC) differences in the salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN) between fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and controls (HC) and to evaluate the diagnostic applicability of derived pattern classification approaches. ⋯ Observed accuracies are not sufficient to reliably differentiate between FMS and RA for diagnostic purposes. However, some indirect evidence in support of the feasibility of this approach is provided. This exploratory analysis constitutes a fundamental model optimization effort to be based on in further investigations.
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Cervical disc degeneration can result in nerve root compression and severe symptoms that significantly impair the patient's quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate multiple diffusion metrics changes in the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of cervical nerve roots and their relationship with the clinical severity of patients with cervical disc herniation. ⋯ DTI can potentially be used to assess microstructural abnormalities in the cervical nerve roots in patients with disc herniation.
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The technology behind positron emission tomography (PET) and the most widely used tracer, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG), were both conceived in the 1970s, but the latest decade has witnessed a rapid emergence of FDG-PET as an effective imaging technique. This is not least due to the emergence of hybrid scanners combining PET with computed tomography (PET/CT). Molecular imaging has enormous potential for advancing biological research and patient care, and FDG-PET/CT is currently the most widely used technology in this domain. In this review, we discuss contemporary applications of FDG-PET and FDG-PET/CT as well as novel developments in quantification and potential future indications including the emerging new modality PET/magnetic resonance imaging.