Investigative radiology
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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.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2008
Feasibility of gadofosveset-enhanced steady-state magnetic resonance angiography of the peripheral vessels at 3 Tesla with Dixon fat saturation.
To investigate the feasibility and image quality of gadofosveset-enhanced steady-state peripheral MR-angiography using Dixon fat saturation in comparison to spectral fat saturation. ⋯ Two-point Dixon fat suppression for MR-angiography during the steady state after the administration of gadofosveset is feasible with superior image quality and more than 50% increase in CNR (fat/muscle) compared with spectral fat saturation without an additional time penalty.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2008
Comparative StudyContrast-enhanced whole-heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography at 3.0 T: comparison with steady-state free precession technique at 1.5 T.
To compare contrast-enhanced whole-heart coronary MR angiography (MRA) at 3.0 T and noncontrast steady-state free precession coronary MRA at 1.5 T in the same volunteers. ⋯ Contrast-enhanced whole-heart coronary MRA at 3.0 T demonstrated less acquisition time, higher CNR, and better depiction of coronary segments compared with steady-state free precession coronary MRA at 1.5 T. Patient studies are required to evaluate the clinical value of the technique.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2008
Comparative StudyDiffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the human calf: comparison between 1.5 T and 3.0 T-preliminary results.
To compare diffusion tensor-magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) of human calf muscles at 1.5 T and 3.0 T, and to measure a number of quantitative parameters to characterize diffusion anisotropy in organized muscle tissue using similar imaging parameters. ⋯ This study demonstrates useful parameters to perform DT-MRI at 1.5 T and 3.0 T. DT-MRI at 1.5 T and 3.0 T provide in vivo validation of quantitative structural analysis of human skeleletal muscle.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2008
Assessment and reproducibility of aortic atherosclerosis magnetic resonance imaging: impact of 3-Tesla field strength and parallel imaging.
To investigate image quality and interstudy reproducibility of aortic atherosclerosis imaging at 1.5 T, and to explore the impact of parallel imaging techniques at 3 T. ⋯ Black-blood MR imaging of aortic atherosclerosis is very reproducible. Parallel imaging at 3 T permits shorter scan time compared with conventional 1.5-T imaging with comparable measures of atherosclerosis extent.