Investigative radiology
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Investigative radiology · Jan 2008
A preclinical study to investigate the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a possible role for gadolinium-based contrast media.
Several recent publications have suggested an association between the administration of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents and the occurrence of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), an acquired disorder marked by skin thickening and fibrosis occurring in patients with severe renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to establish a preclinical experimental setting to investigate the possible link between NSF and Gd-based contrast agents, and specifically the role of Gd and/or depletion of endogenous metal ions as possible triggers for NSF. ⋯ A preclinical experimental setting has been established where NSF-like lesions could be observed. The link between the application of Gd-based contrast media and the induction of NSF-like lesions was established. The data indicate that the observed skin lesions are related to the release of Gd and not to the depletion of endogenous ions. The investigations further suggest potential importance of the stability of Gd-based contrast agents.
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Investigative radiology · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyValue of diffusion-weighted imaging for the prediction of prostate cancer location at 3T using a phased-array coil: preliminary results.
To retrospectively evaluate the imaging quality of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for malignant and benign tissues in the peripheral zone (PZ) and transition zone (TZ), and evaluate whether T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) with DWI could improve the prediction of prostate cancer location when compared with T2WI at 3T using a phased-array coil. ⋯ DWI is a feasible technique that can be used for the differentiation of malignant and benign tissues in the PZ and TZ. Additionally, T2WI with DWI is superior to T2WI alone for the prediction of prostate cancer location.
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Investigative radiology · Oct 2007
Comparative StudyAssessment of morphological MRI for pulmonary changes in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients: comparison to thin-section CT and chest x-ray.
As pulmonary complications are life limiting in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), repeated chest imaging [chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT)] is needed for follow up. With the continuously rising life expectancy of CF patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a radiation-free imaging modality might become more and more attractive. The goal of this study was to prospectively assess the value of MRI for evaluation of morphologic pulmonary CF-changes in comparison to established imaging modalities. ⋯ Morphologic MRI of the lung in CF patients demonstrates comparable results to MDCT and chest x-ray. Because radiation exposure is an issue in CF patients, MRI might have the ability to be used as an appropriate alternative method for pulmonary imaging.
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Investigative radiology · Oct 2007
Comparative StudyAssessment of late gadolinium enhancement in nonischemic cardiomyopathy: comparison of a fast Phase-Sensitive Inversion Recovery Sequence (PSIR) and a conventional segmented 2D gradient echo recall (GRE) sequence--preliminary findings.
Reliable detection of myocardial scarring in nonischemic cardiomyopathy is time-consuming using techniques that require determination of optimal inversion time. Therefore we evaluated an inversion-time-insensitive approach using a fast phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) sequence to detect and quantify late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). ⋯ Fast PSIR sequences enable accurate detection and quantification of LGE in nonischemic cardiomyopathies. The examination time can be significantly shortened using the single-shot approach of the PSIR technique.
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Investigative radiology · Sep 2007
Comparative StudyFirst-pass whole-body magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using the blood-pool contrast medium gadofosveset trisodium: comparison to gadopentetate dimeglumine.
To evaluate gadofosveset trisodium for first-pass magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the setting of whole-body MRA (WB-MRA). ⋯ Gadofosveset trisodium serves well for first-pass imaging in WB-MRA.