彩色多普勒和磁共振对健康人颅内动脉影像学的比较研究

目的通过彩色多普勒和磁共振血管成像对健康人颅内动脉的检测,初步确定其操作规范及衡量标准。方法正常人200例,按照检查方法分为彩色多普勒血流显像(ColourDopplerFlowImaging,CDFI)组及磁共振血管成像(MagneticReso-nanceAngiography,MRA)组。CDFI组观察大脑中动脉(MiddleCerebralArtery,MCA)、椎动脉(VertebralArtery,VA)各段的血流动力学改变和相应点的血流束内径。MRA组检测相应血管对应部位的血管内径。结果同一条血管不同位置的血流速率有差异(P<0.05);同名血管相应位置的血流速率左侧略高于右侧,女组高于男组,但无统计学意义(P>0.05)。按年龄分组,相邻组间无显著性差异,相隔组间有显著性差异。CDFI所测血流束内径较MRA所测血管内径值偏高,且P<0.05,差异有显著性。结论a)应用CDFI能显示MCA,VA走行,可检测血管的血流动力学的改变。b)要提高临床脑血管疾病诊断的准确性,必须有规范的临床操作和可靠的检测指标。c)对血管内径的测量MRA更佳。     

Conventional MRA and contrast- enhanced MRA of extracranial vessel segments

Summary The introduction of fast gradient systems allows a reliable visualization of the extracranial carotid vessels by the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) which meanwhile is implemented into clinical routine. By the mainly applied time-of-flight (TOF) technique, vessels can be imaged without contrast agent (CA). Due to the application of ultra-fast gradient-echo-sequences, the first-pass evaluation of an intravenous bolus-injection of Gadolinium in the carotids from the aortic arch up to the skull base can be performed in less than 30 s. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are discussed. For a qualitatively optimal contrast enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) timing parameters like injection delay, flow rate and the adjustment of sequence parameters have to be considered in relation to the fast venous return from the sinus to the jugular veins. First, the optimal time point of the data acquisition have been determined at a model and with a computer simulation in reference to the presence of CA in the arteries. As a result, 90 % of the contrast contribution is defined by 16 % of the symmetrically acquired central k-space lines. A measuring protocol for clinical use was obtained by a gradual variation of spacial resolution, measuring time and CA-injection parameters and was proved in normal volunteers and patients. An exact determination of the bolus-arrival-time by means of a test-bolus injection was acquired. The best qualitative results were achieved by a double-dose injection at 2 ml/s injection rate. The temporal reserves of ultra-fast sequences should be invested in the improvement of the spatial resolution. To date, further investigations related to the problem of optimal CA-application may improve the potentials of CE-MRA procedures.      

Long‐standing ulcerative colitis complicated by right subclavian artery occlusion and upper limbs arteriolitis with digital ischemia

A 48‐year‐old male patient with long‐standing ulcerative colitis since February 2001 which was diagnosed by endoscopy, developed acute digital ischemia affecting both hands with fixed colour changes in the left index finger which was followed shortly by digital ulceration. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of both upper limbs showed evidence of vasculitis affecting digital arterioles on both sided and right subclavian occlusion. The patient received pulse methylprednisolone followed by cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, the latter continuing on a monthly basis for 6 months with appreciable improvement and remission of the vasculitic process; follow‐up MRA showed reperfusion of the previously occluded subcalvian artery. To the authors’ knowledge vasculitis complicating the course of ulcerative colitis is a rare association and is only sporadically reported in the literature. This rare entity should be diagnosed early and aggressively treated; MRA is a very promising diagnostic tool that is suitable for both diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with this rare entity.     

Two-dimensional coronary MRA: limitations and artifacts

Our purpose was to assess image quality and interpretation problems of two-dimensional (2D) coronary MR angiograms. The coronary arteries of 27 subjects (12 normal volunteers and 15 patients) were evaluated with 2D coronary MR angiography (MRA). Coronary MRA was performed with a fat-suppressed electrocardiographically gated breath-hold gradient-echo sequence with k-space segmentation using a 1.5-T imager. Image quality throughout the study was occasionally degraded by: image ghosting (22%), ringing (19%), and/or blurring (22%) and incomplete fat-suppression (19%). Intermittent difficulties with breathholding were encountered in 44% of subjects. When limiting the analysis to those images with optimal image quality, interpretative difficulties were sometimes found: misregistration due to inconsistent breathholding (37%); difficulty in distinguishing veins from arteries (37%); obscured anatomy due to overlapping structures (26%); and poor visualization of portions of the left main coronary artery (59%). Two-dimensional coronary MRA studies have image quality and interpretive problems which need to be understood and addressed before routine clinical scanning is initiated.Correspondence to: A. J. Duerinckx     

脑血管畸形的CT、MRI及MRA诊断(附16例报告)

目的　探讨CT、MRI及MRA在脑血管畸形中的诊断价值。方法　搜集经血管造影和手术病理证实的脑血管畸形16例,包括动静脉畸形(AVM)12例,海绵状血管瘤4例。所有病例均行CT、MRI平扫及MRA检查,MRA采用3D-TOF法。结果　AVM的CT平扫主要表现为低、等或高混杂密度,部分伴钙化,合并急性出血者呈高密度。MRI扫描T     

Pulmonary magnetic resonance angiography

In the past few years magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the pulmonary vasculature has advanced from a research tool to a clinically relevant imaging modality. Early 2D phase-contrast and time-of-flight (TOF) sequences without the use of contrast agents were time-consuming and limited by considerable imaging and motion artifacts. Since the introduction of MR scanners with stronger gradients (> 20 mT/m) and contrast-enhanced techniques, imaging of the pulmonary vasculature with adequate spatial resolution within a single breathhold is now possible. In the detection of pulmonary embolism in the lobar or segmental arteries, contrast-enhanced MRA is now on the verge of being considered an established modality, possibly competing with conventional pulmonary angiography and contrast-enhanced helical CT. In the future, utilization of phased-array torso coils, the application of navigator pulse sequences, and 3D time-resolved ultrafast MRA will overcome the final limitations of current techniques. Blood-pool MR contrast agents may provide a “one-stop-shopping” approach to the investigation of lower extremity veins and pulmonary arteries in venous thromboembolism.     

Glomus vagale presenting as a supraclavicular mass: Magnetic resonance imaging findings

Glomus vagale are rare vascular tumours of the paraganglion cells of the vagus nerve, and they usually occur in the carotid space. Tumours can be familial, multicentric, malignant but rarely hormonally active. A rare case is reported of glomus vagale presenting as a supraclavicular mass.     

椎基底动脉供血不足临床诊断方法的对比研究

目的分析、探讨TCD、CDFI和椎动脉核磁共振血管造影(MRA)对椎基底动脉供血不足(VBI)的诊断价值和意义。方法共30例患者,男16例,女14例,年龄41岁￣72岁,平均年龄53.89±9.27岁。符合椎基底动脉供血不足诊断标准,分别进行椎动脉MRA、TCD和椎动脉超声等检查。结果30例患者中椎动脉MRA异常18例(60.0%),TCD异常23例(76.7%),椎动脉B超异常17例(56.7%)。结论椎动脉MRA、TCD和椎动脉超声3种方法合用,有助于全面客观诊断椎基动脉供血不足。