Investigative radiology
-
Investigative radiology · Mar 2006
Gadocoletic acid trisodium salt (b22956/1): a new blood pool magnetic resonance contrast agent with application in coronary angiography.
Inversion recovery, three-dimensional, gradient-recalled echo magnetic resonance coronary angiography (IR-3D-GRE-MRCA), performed after administration of an intravascular T1-relaxing agent with prolonged permanence in the blood, is one of the most promising approaches to noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the coronaries. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the physicochemical properties in solution, pharmacokinetics, elimination from the body, protein binding, and signal enhancement characteristics of gadocoletic acid trisodium salt (B22956/1), a candidate gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent for coronary angiography. ⋯ On the basis of the pharmacokinetic profile and imaging characteristics, gadocoletic acid trisodium salt shows promise as a MR contrast agent for coronary angiography.
-
Investigative radiology · Feb 2006
Comparative StudyT1-weighted imaging of the brain at 3 tesla using a 2-dimensional spoiled gradient echo technique.
The objective of this study was to evaluate a 2-dimensional spoiled gradient echo (GRE) imaging approach using a very short in-phase TE for routine T1-weighted imaging of the brain at 3 T. ⋯ High-quality, thin-section (3-mm) T1-weighted imaging can be readily performed at 3 T using a short TE 2-D GRE technique. This approach offers superior SNR and CNR with reduced motion artifacts and scan time as compared with imaging at 1.5 T and is advocated for routine brain imaging at 3 T. It is robust (used in over 1500 patients to date) and does not experience significant specific absorption ratio limitations, poor tissue contrast, or accentuated motion artifacts like encountered with spin echo T1-weighted imaging at 3 T.
-
Three-tesla magnetic resonance (MR) imaging represents one of the major forefronts of diagnostic neuroradiology today. Heat deposition, changes in T1 relaxation rates, susceptibility differences, and greater inherent sensitivity to motion artifacts represent challenges to clinical implementation. ⋯ Current-generation 3 T MR units already provide markedly improved imaging of the brain as compared with 1.5 T units. This is illustrated in the article that follows, together with many of the advanced techniques now available and in the pipeline to deal with the difficulties inherent at 3 T.
-
Investigative radiology · Dec 2005
Comparative Study Controlled Clinical TrialHigh-resolution whole-body magnetic resonance image tumor staging with the use of parallel imaging versus dual-modality positron emission tomography-computed tomography: experience on a 32-channel system.
The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy in staging of various malignant tumors with whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) using parallel imaging (PAT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). ⋯ WB-MRI and PET-CT are reliable imaging modalities for tumor staging. WB-MRI is highly sensitive in detecting distant metastases; PET-CT is superior in lymph node staging. PAT makes high-resolution WB-MRI feasible within less than 1 hour.
-
Investigative radiology · Oct 2005
Evaluation of testicular viability by power Doppler ultrasonography in experimentally induced acute testicular torsion.
We sought to determine whether torsed testis viability can be evaluated by ultrasonography (US) including power Doppler US in an experimental model of acute testicular torsion. ⋯ Preoperative US including power Doppler examination can predict testicular viability in testicular torsion. Echogenicity of nonviable testes was found to be hypoechoic and inhomogeneous. Power Doppler examination showed no or intermittent peripheral blood flow in nonviable testes.