Investigative radiology
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Investigative radiology · Nov 2008
Three-dimensional ultrashort echo time imaging of solid polymers on a 3-Tesla whole-body MRI scanner.
With the introduction of ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences solid polymeric materials might become visible on clinical whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) scanners. The aim of this study was to characterize solid polymeric materials typically used for instruments in magnetic resonance guided interventions and implants. Relaxation behavior and signal yield were evaluated on a 3-Tesla whole-body MR unit. ⋯ A variety of solid polymers can be visualized by means of clinical whole-body MR scanners and 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences. The investigated polymers differ substantially in signal yield, signal-decay, and spin-lattice relaxation time. The knowledge of the signal behavior of solid polymers on whole-body clinical MR scanners may help to select suitable polymeric materials for instruments and implants which are visible using UTE sequences.
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Investigative radiology · Oct 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIntra-individual crossover comparison of gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the supraaortic vessels at 3 Tesla.
To compare gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) and gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the supraaortic vessels at 3 Tesla. ⋯ Significantly improved image quality and contrast enhancement is achieved at 3T with 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-BOPTA compared with 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA.
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Investigative radiology · Oct 2008
Comparative StudyComputed tomography, positron emission tomography, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for staging of limited pleural mesothelioma: initial results.
To evaluate and compare the role of computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), PET/CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the correct staging of patients with limited malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). ⋯ PET/CT makes it possible to stage patients with limited MPM with high accuracy and low interobserver variability.
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Investigative radiology · Oct 2008
Evaluation of ovarian tumors by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at three Tesla.
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of acquiring in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of ovarian lesions at a magnetic field strength of 3 Tesla (T). The goal was to provide potentially diagnostic biochemical information that may aid in the characterization of ovarian neoplasms detected during clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanning. ⋯ Spectroscopy of ovarian masses can be recorded at 3.0 T with acceptable spectral quality and good signal-to-noise ratio. There are stringent technical considerations to be considered in obtaining good spectral quality. Further experience with a larger and more biologically variable range of tumors needs to be undertaken to determine the final clinical utility of this technique, but initial results from this small cohort are promising.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2008
In vivo biochemical 7.0 Tesla magnetic resonance: preliminary results of dGEMRIC, zonal T2, and T2* mapping of articular cartilage.
Ultra-high-field whole-body systems (7.0 T) have a high potential for future human in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In musculoskeletal MRI, biochemical imaging of articular cartilage may benefit, in particular. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) and T2 mapping have shown potential at 3.0 T. Although dGEMRIC, allows the determination of the glycosaminoglycan content of articular cartilage, T2 mapping is a promising tool for the evaluation of water and collagen content. In addition, the evaluation of zonal variation, based on tissue anisotropy, provides an indicator of the nature of cartilage ie, hyaline or hyaline-like articular cartilage.Thus, the aim of our study was to show the feasibility of in vivo dGEMRIC, and T2 and T2* relaxation measurements, at 7.0 T MRI; and to evaluate the potential of T2 and T2* measurements in an initial patient study after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) in the knee. ⋯ In vivo T1 dGEMRIC assessment in healthy cartilage, and T2 and T2* mapping in healthy and reparative articular cartilage, seems to be possible at 7.0 T MRI. For T2 and T2*, zonal variation of articular cartilage could also be evaluated at 7.0 T. This zonal assessment of deep and superficial cartilage aspects shows promising results for the differentiation of healthy and affected articular cartilage. In future studies, optimized protocol selection, and sophisticated coil technology, together with increased signal at ultra-high-field MRI, may lead to advanced biochemical cartilage imaging.