Quantification of left ventricular function and mass in heart transplant recipients using dual-source CT and MRI: initial clinical experience

The purpose of this study was to compare LV function and mass quantification derived from cardiac dual-source CT (DSCT) exams with those obtained by MRI in heart transplant recipients. Twelve heart transplant recipients who underwent cardiac DSCT and MRI examination were included. Double-oblique short-axis 8-mm slice thickness images were evaluated. Left ventricular ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output and myocardial mass were manually assessed for each patient by two blinded readers. A systematic overestimation of all left ventricular volumes by DSCT when compared with MRI was observed. Mean difference was 16.58 +/- 18.61 ml for EDV, 4.9 4 +/- 6.84 ml for ESV, 11.64 +/- 13.58 ml for SV and 5.73 +/- 1.14 l/min for CO. Slightly lower values for left ventricular ejection fraction with DSCT compared with MRI were observed (mean difference 0.34 +/- 3.18%, p = 0.754). Correlation between DSCT and MRI for left ventricular mass was excellent (rho = 0.972). Bland and Altman plots and CCC indicated good agreement between DSCT and MRI left ventricular function and mass measurements. The interobserver correlation was good. In conclusion, DSCT accurately estimates left ventricular ejection fraction, volumes and mass in heart transplant recipients.     

双源CT与3.0T MRI比较评估不同时相的左心房容积和功能

目的 与3.0 T MRI比较,探讨双源CT(DSCT)评估心动周期中不同时相左心房容积和功能的能力.方法 回顾性分析行冠状动脉CTA检查的49例患者,同一天完成DSCT和MR检查,并获得DSCT容积数据及左心房垂直长轴和左心室短轴快速稳态平衡进动序列(FIESTA)电影图像.分析左心房不同时相容积并计算左心房功能指标,所有的左心房功能指标都经体表面积校正.通过线性相关和Bland-Altman分析评估DSCT和MR电影(CMR)两种检查方法间的相关性和一致性.结果 DSCT与CMR测量的体表面积校正参数分别为:最大左心房容积(LAVmax):(47.4±11.1)和(46.2±9.7)ml/m2;最小左心房容积(LAVmin):(22.2±6.9)和(21.3±5.8) ml/m2;P波对应的左心房容积(LAVp):(34.8±8.8)和(33.6±7.8) ml/m2;左心房存储容积(LARV):(24.0±5.7)和(21.5±5.0) ml/m2;左心房被动收缩容积(LAPV):(11.6±3.9)和(10.9±3.9)ml/m2;左心房主动收缩容积(LAAV):(12.4±3.9)和(10.7±3.6) ml/m2;左心房管道容积(LACV):(22.6±8.4)和(21.0±6.4)ml/m2;左心房射血分数(LAEF):(52.8±7.4)％和(54.5±6.3)％;DSCT与CMR测值之间的相关性分别为:0.89、0.90、0.90、0.80、0.82、0.80、0.76和0.78(P值均＜0.01).但DSCT高估了校正后的LAVmax、LAVmin、LAVp、LARV、LAPV、LAAV和LACV,其高估的偏差分别为1.2、0.9、1.1、0.3、0.1、0.2和0.4 ml/m2.与CMR相比,DSCT稍微低估了LAEF约0.6％.对左心房功能指标的测量,DSCT操作者间的差异低于CMR操作者间的差异(P＜0.05).结论 DSCT对心动周期内不同时相左心房的容积和功能的评估较准确、重复性较强,可为临床提供冠状动脉以外的信息.     

Mediastinal and heart wall invasion by actinomycosis: CT and MRI appearances

Widespread use of antibiotics facilitates the development of some uncommon chronic infections such as actinomycosis. The clinical and radiographic findings overlap those of other inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. With a review of the literature, we report the CT and MRI findings in a case of thoracic actinomycosis, presenting with right ventricular failure caused by heart involvement. CT was helpful in identifying the mediastinal extent of the disease and in demonstrating the absence of pulmonary involvement. MRI, however, offered complementary information, especially in assessing heart involvement without the need for intravenous contrast media. On T2-weighted images the mediastinal process was noted to be of relatively low signal intensity, possibly indicating its benign nature. The association with heart involvement was suggestive of thoracic actinomycosis. Correspondence to: C. Fisch     

MRI三维技术在冠心病左心室瘢痕评估中的应用价值

目的 评价自由呼吸膈肌导航三维相位敏感反转恢复( PSIR)磁矩预准备快速小角度激发( Turbo-FLASH)序列在心脏MRI评估冠心病左心室瘢痕中的应用价值.方法 23例临床有明确心肌梗死的患者,静脉注射钆对比剂,10～15 min后,先行二维PSIR Turbo-FLASH序列成像.随后,立即行三维PSIR Turbo-FLASH序列自由呼吸下成像.由2名医师独立对MRI总体质量进行等级评分.再按照美国心脏学会17节段法,对左心室钆对比剂延迟强化(LGE)的面积和类型进行半定量分析,对LGE的体积进行定量评估.两种方法变量间的比较采用配对t检验或秩和检验,Pearson相关和线性回归模型评价两者之间的相关性和依存关系.结果 23例心肌梗死患者的二维和三维图像,总体质量分别为(2.57±0.59)和(2.39±0.66)分(Z=-0.93,P=0.35);瘢痕的面积积分分别为(24.48±10.83)和(29.00±11.56)分(Z=- 1.41,P=0.16);类型分别为(16.78 ±6.51)和( 18.87 ±6.76)分(Z=-1.17,P=0.24);差异均无统计学意义.三维比二维LGE体积定量更大:二维和三维分别为(23.46±10.61)和(31.65±13.86) cm3(t=-2.25,P=0.03).进一步分析显示延迟强化体积定量二维和三维之间呈现出良好的相关性(r =0.940,P＜0.01)和依存性(y=2.851+1.228x,R2=0.883).结论 自由呼吸下三维PSIR Turbo-FLASH序列对比剂延迟增强成像比常规二维序列能够更准确地显示心肌梗死后瘢痕,是更加有效检测心肌活性的新技术.     

Musculoskeletal haemangiomas: comparison of MRI with CT

MRI and CT findings were reviewed from 11 patients with musculoskeletal haemangiomas. With MRI, morphological characteristics and extent of haemangiomas were optimally demonstrated on T₂-weighted spin echo scans. High-resolution contrast-enhanced CT provided equivalent information regarding lesional characteristics and extent for small, localized haemangiomas. In CT evaluation of the extent of large haemangiomas, the radiation dose, transaxial scan plane, amount of intravenous contrast medium required and the necessity for correct timing of post-contrast scans became limiting factors. For such lesions, particularly those extending into the trunk, MRI supplemented by a plain radiograph is the optimum method of evaluation.     

Preoperative detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of combined contrast-enhanced MR imaging and combined CT during arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography

The aim of this study was to compare Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR images, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, vs combined CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA), in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Twenty-four patients with 38 nodular HCCs (5–60 mm, mean 23.0 mm) were retrospectively analyzed. Image reviews were conducted on a liver segment-by-segment basis. A total of 192 segments, including 36 segments with 38 HCC, were reviewed independently by three radiologists. Each radiologist read four sets of images (set 1, unenhanced and Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images; set 2, unenhanced and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 3, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 4, combined CTAP and CTHA). To minimize any possible learning bias, the reviewing order was randomized and the reviewing procedure was performed in four sessions at 2-week intervals. The diagnostic accuracy (A_z values) for HCCs of combined CTAP and CTHA, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, and SPIO-enhanced MR images for all observers were 0.934, 0.963, 0.878, and 0.869, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of combined CTAP and CTHA and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images or SPIO-enhanced MR images (p<0.005). The mean specificity of combined CTAP and CTHA (93%) and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images (95%) was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images (87%) or SPIO-enhanced MR images (88%; p<0.05). Combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images may obviate the need for more invasive combined CTAP and CTHA for the preoperative evaluation of patients with HCC.     

Intracranial tuberculoma: CT and MRI

The appearances of intracranial tuberculoma on CT and MRI are described. Eight patients (6 males and 2 females) with intracranial tuberculomas studied over the past 4 years are presented. Four patients had AIDS and among the four non-AIDS patients 1 had undergone hepatic transplantation. All the cases were studied with CT and 6 underwent MRI. Five lesions were infratentorial, and 2 patients had double lesions. In 2 patients obstructive triventricular hydrocephalus was present. No patient had meningeal involvement. The stage of evolution was cerebritis in 1 case, incipient tuberculoma in 3 cases, mature tuberculoma in 1 case and tuberculous abscess in 5 cases. Diagnosis of intracranial tuberculoma was determined histologically in 5 patients and by good response to specific therapy in the remaining patients. Although CT allows differentiation between incipient and mature tuberculoma, MRI allows a better determination of the evolutonary stage. In most cases combined CT and MRI examinations provide an accurate diagnosis of intracranial tuberculoma.Correspondence to: N. Bargallo     

Proton MRI appearance of cystic fibrosis: Comparison to CT

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent inherited disorder leading to premature death in the Caucasian population. As life expectancy is limited by pulmonary complications, repeated imaging [chest X-ray, multislice high-resolution computed tomography (MS-HRCT)] is required in the follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung parenchyma is a promising new diagnostic tool. Its value for imaging lung changes caused by CF compared with CT is demonstrated. MRI performs well when compared with CT, which serves as the gold standard. Its lack in spatial resolution is obvious, but advantages in contrast and functional assessment compensate for this limitation. Thus, MRI is a reasonable alternative for imaging the CF lung and should be introduced as a radiation-free modality for follow-up studies in CF patients. For further evaluation of the impact of MRI, systematic studies comparing MRI and conventional imaging modalities are necessary. Furthermore, the value of the additional functional MRI (fMRI) information has to be studied, and a scoring system for the morphological and functional aspect of MRI has to be established. This work was supported by the “Forschungsgemeinschaft Mukoviszidose” (S06/04).     

Screening applications for MRI in the detection of upper abdominal disease: comparative study of non-contrast-enhanced single-shot MRI and contrast-enhanced helical CT

Purpose: To compare the value of ’push-button' singe-shot non-contrast-enhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced helical CT for detection of upper abdominal disease. Methods: In 120 patients, images obtained with non contrast-enhanced single-shot MRI (T2: double echo HASTE, and T1: turbo FLASH) and contrast-enhanced helical CT were compared. Lesions or abnormalities were divided in 8 anatomical categories (1: liver; 2: pancreatobiliary; 3: kidney/adrenal gland; 4: retroperitoneum; 5: vascular; 6: spleen; 7: gastrointestinal tract and peritoneum; 8: base of thorax) and classified as follows: 2: seen at MRI only; 1: better seen at MRI; 0: no difference; −1: better seen at CT; −2: seen at CT only. Also recorded were the 'door-to-door’ examination times. Results: Of a total of 629 abnormalities, 594 were detected at MRI (94 %) and 536 at CT (85 %). CT offered better results in two categories only: retroperitoneum (mean score: −0.68) and vascular (mean score −0.87). Mean examination times were 19 min for CT and 14.8 min for MRI. Conclusion: Unenhanced single-shot MRI is a valuable first step of a comprehensive upper abdominal MR exam and may even be the final step in many patients. Received: 3 April 1998; Revision received: 13 July 1998; Accepted: 18 August 1998     

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation: MRI and CT

CT and MRI were employed to help characterize an atlanto-occipital dislocation injury, providing useful information for planning surgical stabilization and directing rehabilitation. Received: 18 June 1999/Accepted: 8 March 2000     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: MRI and CT assessment

Precise assessment of the extent of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) represents the basic step towards optimal treatment. We compared the capacity of CT and MRI in assessing the extent of NPC in 67 patients. MRI was superior to CT in demonstrating lesions in the retropharyngeal node, skull base, intracranial area, carotid space, longus colli muscle and levator palatini muscle. Of 25 cases in which retropharyngeal adenopathy was recognised only on MRI, seven had been reported as showing oropharyngeal involvement and 18 as primary extension to the carotid space on CT. MRI showed skull-base involvement in 40 patients compared with 27 on CT and intracranial involvement in 38 patients versus 24 on CT. There was not a single case in which skull base invasion was seen on CT but not on MRI. MRI enabled improved recognition of tumour infiltration of longus colli muscles (34 cases compared with 15 on CT). It allowed us to clarify 12 questionable sinonasal opacities on CT. Overall, T-staging was changed in 18 of 67 patients (26.9 %), including upstaging in 15 cases and downstaging in 3 cases, after comparing CT with MRI. The nodel status was changed from negative on CT to positive on MRI in 4 of 67 patients (6 %). We believe that MRI allows more accurate evaluation of the extent of NPC than CT and should be the primary mode of investigation. Received: 18 November 1996 Accepted: 22 January 1997     

Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: CT and MRI

We report the MRI and CT findings of an intracranial meningeal melanocytoma (IMM) arising from Meckel's cave and review the imaging characteristics of IMM. On CT, IMM constantly appear as well-circumscribed, isodense to slightly dense, extra-axial tumours with homogeneous contrast enhancement. This appearance is nonspecific and similar to that of meningiomas or small neuromas. On MRI, the signal of IMM is strongly related to the amount of melanin pigment: the more melanin, the more shortening of T1 and T2 relaxation times. Only when it shows as a homogeneous mass, bright on T1 and dark on T2 weighting, can a specific diagnosis of a melanin-containing tumour be made. However, this still cannot provide a distinction between IMM and malignant meningeal melanoma. Received: 31 January 1997 Accepted: 17 February 1997     

Periodontoid pseudotumor: CT and MRI imaging

Periodontoid pseudotumor (PP) can be a severe and disabling disease. This disease process typically presents in elderly patients with a longstanding history of myelopathy. We reviewed four cases of PP in order to summarize the clinical and imaging features.     

CT与MRI对胰岛素瘤定位诊断的比较研究

目的:比较CT与MRI对于胰岛素瘤定位诊断的临床价值.资料和方法:2006-09～2009-12临床疑诊胰岛素瘤患者共28名,均接受CT和MRI检查.以手术病理及临床定性诊断为对照标准,对比分析两种检查方式对胰岛素瘤的定位诊断效能.结果:19名患者经手术病理证实胰岛素瘤19例,其中CT检出12例,MRI检出16例.9名临床定性诊断除外胰岛素瘤的患者CT和MRI检查均为阴性.CT对胰岛素瘤术前定位诊断的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为63.2%(12/19)、100%(9/9)、100%(12/12)及56.3%(9/16),MRI上述数值分别为84.2%(16/19)、100%(9/9)、100%(16/16)及75%(9/12).两种检查方法对胰岛素瘤定位诊断敏感度、阴性预测值间的差异无统计学意义(P=0.1336,P=0.4343).结论:CT和MRI对胰岛素瘤定位诊断的价值无明显差异.     

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with CT and MRI appearance of meningioma

We describe a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) in a young girl whose frontal lobe location, solid structure, dural tail and MRI signal characteristics led to a preoperative diagnosis of meningioma. PXA should be considered in differential diagnosis of tumours affecting young patients with neuroradiological characteristics suggestive of meningioma. Received: 4 July 1997 Accepted: 12 May 1998     

合并左心室受累的致心律不齐性右室型心肌病的组织学和MRI表现

目的：探讨终末期致心律不齐性右室型心肌病（ARVC）组织学特点和MRI特征。方法9例患者接受心脏移植，移植后离体心脏行组织病理学检查。7例移植前行MR扫描。结果：病理学检查显示所有心脏双室受累，右心室腔显著扩张7例，大致正常2例。右心室壁均显示严重透壁性肌肉丧失，其中3例几乎完全被脂肪组织替代，6例几乎完全被纤维脂肪组织替代。左心室中重度扩张8例、轻度扩张1例。左心室游离壁受累者7例，室间隔和左心室游离壁同时受累者2例。5例以脂肪细胞浸润为主伴小灶性纤维化；4例以弥漫性纤维化为主，伴灶性脂肪细胞浸润。7例MRI显示左心室射血分数平均（21．66±7．05）％，左心室轻度扩张3例，中度扩张2例，高度扩张2例。右心室腔明显扩大、壁薄者5例，其中3例可见线状高信号脂肪浸润；其余2例右心室形态、大小及信号均无明显异常，仅突出地表现为左心室受累。2例显示心外膜下脂肪信号浸润，选择性累及左心室，心尖和侧、后壁；3例左心室节段性变薄伴运动功能丧失分别累及室间隔、心尖和侧后壁；4例左心室游离壁变薄，厚度不足5mm。5例心肌灌注延迟显像均表现为不同程度的增强，左心室侧后壁强化者4例，其中透壁性和心外膜下各2例；室间隔肌壁间强化者2例；左心室心尖部强化者2例，灶性和透壁性各1例。4例患者右心室壁亦可见透壁性增强，其中累及右心室游离壁者2例，累及右心室心尖和后壁各1例。结论：ARVC合并左心室受累是该组患者的特点，MRI不仅能够准确地反映ARVC继发性的心室扩张及室壁运动的节段性变化，而且能检出心室壁的脂肪浸润以及纤维化等，因此能够在一定程度上反映生理状态下心脏组织学特征。     

An unusual cervical chordoma: CT and MRI

We report CT and MRI findings of an unusual cervical chordoma. CT showed only minimal bony destruction with a lobulated prevertebral mass. Sagittal MRI, however, clearly demonstrated a lesion involving the body of C2 extending prevertebrally and into the spinal canal.     

利用双源CT和MRI量化评估心脏移植接受者左室功能和心肌质量的临床初探

本研究的目的是对双源CT和MRI评价所得的心脏移植接受者的左室功能和心肌质量进行对比。对12例接受心脏移植的病人分别行双源CT和MRI检查。对受试者行     

CT and MRI of microcephalia vera

CT and MRI findings in three patients, two of them siblings, with microcephalia vera are presented. In this rare entity, a very small brain with an extremely thin, smooth cortex and increased surrounding cerebrospinal fluid are observed. Received: 22 March 1997 Accepted: 14 October 1997     

Laryngeal amyloidosis with laryngocele: MRI and CT

A case of laryngeal amyloidosis associated with a laryngocele is reported. Preoperative CT showed diffuse thickening of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds and false vocal cords with well-defined calcific foci. MRI revealed contrast enhancement and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Received: 7 February 1997 Accepted: 14 October 1997