MR physics of body MR imaging

This article reviews the major challenges of body imaging, describes the problems that arise from motion, and the many attempts at reducing this problem. Fast imaging sequences and approaches to reducing the data acquired without sacrificing image quality are described.     

MR并行采集技术及其在心脏MR检查中的应用

一、概述 传统的MRI主要依靠在K空间中梯度场来进行相位方向编码,为了提高MR成像速度,需要相应增加梯度场的强度和切换率,甚至采用双梯度技术,梯度场强高达80 mT/m,切换率200 T·m-1·s-1,并应用了快速成像序列,如回波平面成像(EPI)、快速小角度激发成像(FLASH)等,但仍不能满足运动器官如心脏快速成像的需要.     

脑膜瘤的磁共振成像和质子磁共振波谱

探讨磁共振成像（ ＭＲＩ） 和质子磁共振波谱（１ Ｈ ＭＲＳ） 对脑膜瘤的诊断价值。材料和方法：３６４ 例行常规ＭＲＩ 检查, 其中１５ 例加做１ ＨＭＲＳ, 行肿瘤实质与健侧对应部位对照研究。结果： ＭＲＩ 平扫示： Ｔ１ ＷＩ５８ ．０ ％（２１１／３６４） 表现为等信号,３２ ．７ ％ （１１９／３４７） 为略低信号,９ ．３ ％ （３４／３６４） 为混合信号。Ｔ２ ＷＩ４０ ．１ ％ （１３９／３４７） 表现为等信号,４２ ．７ ％ （１４８／３４７） 表现为高信号,９ ．５ ％ （３３／３４７） 为略低信号,７ ．８ ％ （２７／３４７） 为混合信号。注射Ｇｄ － ＤＴＰＡ 后３３７ 例肿瘤实质部分均有不同程度的强化。６５ ．９ ％ （２２２／３３７） 出现“脑膜尾征”。５５ ．５ ％ （２０２／３６４）可见不同程度的水肿。１５ 例１ Ｈ ＭＲＳ 均表现为明显增高的胆碱（Ｃｈｏ） 峰,无氮乙酰门冬氨酸（ＮＡＡ） 峰,Ｃｈｏ／Ｃｒ（ 肌酸） 比值升高,ＮＡＡ／Ｃｒ 及ＮＡＡ／Ｃｈｏ 比值降低。４ 例出现乳酸峰（Ｌａｃ） 。结论：ＭＲＩ 平扫＋ 增强是诊断脑膜瘤的最主要方法,１ Ｈ ＭＲＳ 可作为很重要的补充。     

胰腺MRI、MRS和MRCP检查与正常表现

MR检查已成为临床上评价胰腺疾病的常用手段.了解不同MR脉冲序列上正常胰腺的影像表现是合理应用扫描序列和识别病变的前提.介绍了胰腺MRI、磁共振波谱和磁共振胆胰管成像检查技术,描述了正常胰腺影像解剖以及不同脉冲序列上胰腺MRI信号变化情况.     

MR imaging and MR arthrography of paraglenoid labral cysts

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the pathophysiology of paraglenoid labral cysts on the basis of MR imaging, MR arthrography, and cyst aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2211 MR imaging examinations, 51 (2.3%) cysts in 46 patients were identified. MR arthrography (n = 5), cystography (n = 1), arthroscopy (n = 17), percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 4), and medical records were also reviewed (n = 46). RESULTS: On MR imaging and arthrography, cysts were best viewed on T2-weighted images. Mean cyst diameter and volume were 2.2 cm and 2.8 cm3, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of cysts were located adjacent to the posterior labrum. On MR imaging and arthroscopy, a labral tear was identified in 27 (53%) and 15 (88%) patients, respectively. Eight cysts that caused compression neuropathy were large (mean size, 3.1 cm; p = 0.04) and located next to the posterior or inferior labrum. In four of five patients, MR arthrograms showed no intraarticular contrast material in the cyst. Cystograms showed no communication with the glenohumeral joint space, and cyst aspiration resulted in temporary symptom relief; however, cysts recurred in three of four patients. CONCLUSION: Most paralabral cysts are associated with labral tears. Paralabral cysts may be difficult to identify on MR arthrography unless a T2-weighted sequence is performed. Direct communication between a cyst and joint space rarely occurs. A posterior or inferior cyst may cause compression neuropathy of the suprascapular or axillary nerve, respectively. Cyst aspiration may result in temporary relief of symptoms, but an untreated labral tear should be suspected if cysts recur.     

磁共振高压注射器在磁共振血管成像中的应用

对比增强磁共振血管成像效果依赖于磁共振高压注射器的使用。高压注射器能精确有效地控制对比剂的流速、注射时间 ,从而明显提高对比增强磁共振血管成像 (CEMRA)的图像质量及诊断正确性。本文探讨磁共振高压注射器在磁共振血管成像中的应用价值 ,并对其在使用过程中的要点和注意事项进行讨论分析。1　材料与方法1.1　病例来源　收集 2 0 0 1-10～ 2 0 0 2 -0 8在我院行磁共振血管成像检查的病人 3 8例 ,男 2 0例 ,女 18例。年龄 18～ 65岁 ,平均 3 6岁。全为血管性疾病或疑有血管性疾病的病人。1.2　设备与材料　美国GESigna 1.5T超导型…     

Prospective evaluation of pancreatic tumors: accuracy of MR imaging with MR cholangiopancreatography and MR angiography

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and MR angiography in patients suspected of having pancreatic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients suspected of having pancreatic tumors underwent MR imaging (unenhanced and contrast material-enhanced MR, MRCP, and contrast-enhanced MR angiography). Two blinded readers prospectively analyzed the images by consensus, and results were correlated with surgery, biopsy, or follow-up findings. Results were tabulated in two-by-two tables. RESULTS: MR assessment of pancreatic lesion status (differentiation of benign vs malignant) resulted in 60 correct diagnoses (accuracy, 91%), and six (10%) false diagnoses. Among histologically proved malignant tumors, MR imaging yielded correct diagnoses in 42 of 44 patients (sensitivity, 95%; 95% CI: 85%, 99%), whereas 18 of 22 patients with benign findings were classified correctly. At MR imaging, findings in four patients with chronic pancreatitis were wrongly categorized as malignant tumors (specificity, 82%; 95% CI: 60%, 95%), and in one patient, a distal common bile duct carcinoma was not detected. In no patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was this tumor misdiagnosed as benign. In patients with malignant tumors who underwent resection, local-regional tumor growth and vascular infiltration were accurately classified in 89% and 94%, respectively. MR imaging depicted histologically proved synchronous hepatic metastases in 82%. The positive and negative predictive values for cancer nonresectability were 90% and 83%, respectively, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 85%, 69%, and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging with MRCP and MR angiography offers potential as a noninvasive tool for assessment of patients suspected of having pancreatic tumors.     

MR imaging,MR angiography,and MR spectroscopy of the brain in eclampsia.

PURPOSETo compare the MR imaging and MR angiographic changes with in vivo proton MR spectroscopic findings and to determine the spectral differences between edema and ischemia in patients with eclampsia.METHODSSpin-echo MR imaging, MR angiography, and single-voxel proton MR spectroscopy were performed in 10 patients with eclampsia. MR studies were obtained within 3 to 5 days of diagnosis and repeated after 2 weeks with identical parameters.RESULTSMultifocal subcortical/cortical hyperintensities were noted in all 10 patients on T2-weighted images; in two patients, hyperintensities were seen in both cerebral hemispheres. In nine patients, MR angiograms showed narrowing of the major vessels constituting the circle of Willis that resolved after 2 weeks. In one patient with subtle imaging changes, MR angiography showed mild bilateral narrowing of the proximal middle and posterior cerebral arteries that did not change after 2 weeks, whereas imaging abnormalities worsened. Findings at single-voxel MR spectroscopy of the reversible T2 hyperintense lesions were significantly different from findings in the control group for N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine ratios. One patient with mild abnormalities at MR imaging and MR angiography had lactate and decreased creatine and NAA, and on a follow-up study had a further decrease of NAA and creatine as well as a decrease in lactate.CONCLUSIONIn vivo proton MR spectroscopy may help to differentiate cerebral edema from ischemia in patients with eclampsia and thus may help to determine the prognosis for these patients.     

Use of MR imaging in an outpatient MR center

Indications for MR examinations and patient characteristics are evaluated for 4561 MR examinations performed at a freestanding outpatient MR imaging center between May 1984 and June 1986. Hospitalized patients accounted for less than 3% of the case load. Examinations of the head and spine accounted for 60% and 31% of the work load, respectively. Patients 65 years or older made up 15% of the case load during 1984 and 1985 and 21% in 1986. Referrals from neurologists, internists, and neurosurgeons accounted for 56%, 11% and 9% of patients, respectively. The percentage of patients who had CT, myelography, and other imaging procedures performed before referral for MR imaging declined significantly between 1984 and 1986. Indications for examination were mostly neoplastic diseases; degenerative diseases of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis; other disorders of the CNS; and disk diseases. Approximately 40% of all examinations were interpreted as normal. The number of patients referred for degenerative intervertebral disk disorders increased substantially between 1984 and 1985. This study documents the increasing acceptance of MR imaging as an important primary imaging technique for a variety of conditions, particularly those of the brain and spine.     

MR and MR angiography characterization of soft tissue vascular malformations

Hemangioma is an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels that may occur in any vascularized tissue. Different classifications separate vascular lesions of soft tissues into hemangiomas and vascular malformations on the basis of their natural history, location, cellular turnover, and histology. Soft-tissue vascular malformations are relatively common. These lesions can be categorized on MR imaging because of their typical appearance as multiple lobules with fat overgrowth and serpentine channels, depending on the vascular flow. The combination of conventional MR and MR angiography (MRA) enable the differentiation between low-flow and high-flow vascular malformations and allows a noninvasive diagnostic strategy. This article reviews the MR and MRA imaging characteristics of soft-tissue hemangiomas to provide a helpful guide for radiologists to perform a more specific diagnosis and better management of these anomalies.     

MR enteroclysis

MR enteroclysis provides adequate image quality and sufficient distention of the entire small bowel. The functional information provided by MR enteroclysis equals that provided by conventional enteroclysis, which implies the ability reliably to depict even low-grade SBO. The inherent advantages of enteroclysis over conventional enteroclysis are the potential to detect extraluminal pathologic conditions and the ability to provide detailed information about the wall of the small bowel and the entire abdomen. Unlike conventional enteroclysis, MR enteroclysis does not have problems with overlapping bowel loops. MR enteroclysis has the potential to be an excellent diagnostic method for examinations of small bowel disease because of the functional information, the soft tissue contrast, and multiplanar imaging capabilities.     

MR cholangiopancreatography

In summary, over the past decade, MRCP has evolved not only as a feasible means of noninvasively evaluating the pancreaticobiliary tract but also as a technique with documented clinical utility. With the evolution of MRCP, there has been, by necessity, an evolution of ERCP. In fact, at some institutions MRCP has replaced diagnostic ERCP such that ERCP is reserved primarily for therapeutic interventions. When MRCP is performed in conjunction with abdominal MR and MRA, a comprehensive examination results that permits evaluation of the solid organs and vessels of the abdomen as well as the ductal systems.     

Subtraction MR Venography Acquired from Time-Resolved Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography: Comparison with Phase-Contrast MR Venography and Single-Phase Contrast-Enhanced MR Venography

ObjectiveTo evaluate the image characteristics of subtraction magnetic resonance venography (SMRV) from time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography (TRMRA) compared with phase-contrast MR venography (PCMRV) and single-phase contrast-enhanced MR venography (CEMRV).ResultsSingle-phase contrast-enhanced MR venography showed better image quality (median score 4 in both reviewers) than did the other two MRVs (p < 0.001), whereas SMRV (median score 3 in both reviewers) and PCMRV (median score 3 in both reviewers) had similar image quality (p ≥ 0.951). SMRV (median score 0 in both reviewers) suppressed arterial signal better than did the other MRVs (median score 1 in CEMRV, median score 2 in PCMRV, both reviewers) (p < 0.001). The dural sinus score of SMRV (median and interquartile range [IQR] 48, 43-50 for reviewer 1, 47, 43-49 for reviewer 2) was significantly higher than for PCMRV (median and IQR 31, 25-34 for reviewer 1, 30, 23-32 for reviewer 2) (p < 0.01) and did not differ from that of CEMRV (median and IQR 50, 47-52 for reviewer 1, 49, 45-51 for reviewer 2) (p = 0.146 in reviewer 1 and 0.123 in reviewer 2). The SNR and CNR of SMRV (median and IQR 104.5, 83.1-121.2 and 104.1, 74.9-120.5, respectively) were between those of CEMRV (median and IQR 150.3, 111-182.6 and 148.4, 108-178.2) and PCMRV (median and IQR 59.4, 49.2-74.9 and 53.6, 43.8-69.2).ConclusionSubtraction magnetic resonance venography is a promising MRV method, with acceptable image quality and good arterial suppression.