Investigative radiology
-
Investigative radiology · Feb 2010
Gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating small hepatocellular carcinomas (< or =2 cm in diameter) from arterial enhancing pseudolesions: special emphasis on hepatobiliary phase imaging.
To determine the characteristic enhancing features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and arterial-enhancing pseudolesion (AEP) on gadoxetic acid (Primovist)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess its performance compared with that of multirow detector computed tomography (MDCT) for differentiating small HCC (< or =2 cm in diameter) from AEP in cirrhotic liver. ⋯ HCCs and AEPs show different enhancing features on the delayed dynamic and hepatobiliary phases of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI may, therefore, help to differentiate between HCC and AEP.
-
Investigative radiology · Jan 2010
Minimization of MR contrast weightings for the comprehensive evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic disease.
Multicontrast, high-resolution carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been validated with histology to quantify atherosclerotic plaque morphology and composition. For evaluating the lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) and fibrous cap, both of which are key elements in determining plaque stability, the combined pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted (T1W) sequences have been recently shown to have a higher reproducibility than other contrast weightings. In this study, we sought to determine whether contrast weightings beyond T1W (pre- and postcontrast) are necessary for comprehensive, quantitative, carotid plaque interpretation. ⋯ Comprehensive, quantitative carotid plaque interpretation can be performed with T1W, CE-T1W, and TOF sequences. Elimination of PD and T2W sequences from the carotid MRI protocol may result in a substantial reduction in scan time. The ability to perform plaque interpretation on images acquired within a clinically acceptable scan time may broaden the research utility of carotid MRI and increase translatability to clinical applications.
-
Investigative radiology · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyFlow targeted 3D steady-state free-precession coronary MR angiography: comparison of three different imaging approaches.
To compare 3 different flow targeted magnetization preparation strategies for coronary MR angiography (cMRA), which allow selective visualization of the vessel lumen. ⋯ Three flow targeted cMRA approaches are presented, which provide selective visualization of the coronary vessel lumen and in addition blood flow information without the need of contrast agent administration. Inflow SSFP yielded highest SNR, CNR and vessel sharpness and may prove useful as a fast and efficient approach for assessing proximal and mid vessel coronary blood flow, whereas requiring less planning skills than projection SSFP or LoReIn SSFP.
-
Investigative radiology · Dec 2009
High-resolution steady state magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid arteries: are intravascular agents necessary?: feasibility and preliminary experience with gadobenate dimeglumine.
To prospectively evaluate the potential of gadobenate dimeglumine for high-resolution steady-state (SS) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) of the carotid arteries as an adjunct to conventional first-pass (FP) MRA, with computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as reference. ⋯ SS imaging of the carotid arteries is feasible with gadobenate dimeglumine. The increased spatial resolution attainable allows improved evaluation of stenoses and plaque irregularity, yielding comparable diagnostic performance to that of CTA and DSA.
-
Investigative radiology · Dec 2009
Increased ablation zones using a cryo-based internally cooled bipolar RF applicator in ex vivo bovine liver.
To evaluate the feasibility of ex vivo ablation implementing a cryo-based internally cooled bipolar radiofrequency (RF) applicator and to determine the influence of power and gas pressure on the size and shape of the resulting ablation zones. ⋯ The results of this initial ex vivo study show that the combined cryo RF ablation device allows for large ablation volumes using a single needle, which is superior to RF ablation alone.