磁共振弥散张量成像对正常大脑白质纤维束构象的初步研究

目的利用磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)研究正常成人脑内各部位各向异性程度及正常白质纤维束构象特征.方法对25名正常志愿者进行常规MR及DTI序列检查,重建FA图及三维彩色编码张量图.分别在半卵圆中心、基底节区和大脑脚层面测量主要白质束的FA值.结果DTI显示灰质与白质区各向异性存在显著差异,不同部位的白质纤维束各向异性程度亦不相同,且左右两侧基本对称,重建FA图和三维彩色编码张量图可显示白质内大部分主要的白质纤维束.结论DTI可清晰显示脑内白质纤维束的走行及分布,为了解脑功能与白质通路间关系提供了有力研究手段.     

正常成人大脑白质纤维磁共振弥散张量成像的定量研究

目的:运用弥散张量成像(DTI)定量研究正常成人脑白质不同解剖部位的各向异性特点.方法:对60名正常成人按年龄分成四组,均行DTI检查,分析其表面弥散系数(ADC)图及各向异性分数(FA)图的特点,并对不同解剖部位的脑白质进行ADC值及FA值的定量分析,通过统计学分析得出其弥散系数和各向异性特点.结果:不同年龄组间相同解剖部位脑白质ADC值及FA值的差异无统计学意义;不同解剖部位间FA值及ADC值的差异具有显著性.结论:DTI可清晰显示脑内白质的走行及方向,FA能准确定量分析正常成人不同部位脑白质纤维的各向异性程度.     

DTI对急性脑梗死白质纤维各向异性特征的初步研究

目的:利用磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)研究健康成人和急性缺血性脑梗死患者大脑白质纤维束各向异性特征。方法:对16例健康志愿者和17例急性脑梗死患者进行T1WI、T2WI、DWI及DTI检查;对DTI数据离线后处理,采用Volume-one 1.64和dTVII-R1软件处理,获得部分各向异性(FA)图及方向编码彩色(DEC)图。对健康志愿者分别在内囊、胼胝体以及半卵圆中心选择兴趣区测量主要白质纤维束的FA值。测量脑梗死患者的梗死区及健侧对应白质区的FA值。结果:FA图和DEC图可显示脑内主要的白质纤维束。正常组不同部位脑白质的FA值不同;大脑半球两侧白质的FA值差异无统计学意义。超急性期脑梗死区白质FA值与对侧相比,可轻度升高或降低;急性期梗死区白质FA值显著低于健侧,差异有统计学意义(t=10.987,P<0.01);急性期梗死区白质FA值下降率与发病时间存在相关关系(相关系数r=0.841,P<0.05)。结论:DTI可显示脑内白质纤维束的走行及分布。FA图及DEC图可以显示梗死区白质纤维束的方向与各向异性的改变程度。急性期脑梗死区FA值下降率随病程延长而增大,该指标可用于反映脑梗死的病程。     

脑高级别星形细胞瘤瘤周DTI参数的测定及分析

目的：应用弥散张量成像（DTI）技术探讨脑高级别星形细胞瘤瘤周弥散各向异性特点。方法：25例脑高级别星形细胞瘤术前行DTI扫描,测定瘤周脑实质区及对侧正常脑实质的平均弥散系数（MD）值及各向异性分数（FA）值。并通过弥散张量纤维束成像（DTT）观察病灶与白质纤维束的关系。结果：高级别星形细胞瘤瘤周MD值为1．610±0．23,高于对侧正常脑实质（P〈0．01）。FA值为0．236±0．06,低于对侧正常脑实质（P〈0．01）。结论：DTI能够准确反应脑星形细胞瘤瘤周各向异性特点,DTT能够较为准确显示病灶与白质纤维束的关系。     

急性兔脑缺血模型MR扩散张量成像的实验研究

目的探讨实验性急性兔脑缺血磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)改变。材料与方法建立兔急性脑缺血模型,常规行T2WI、DWI、DTI检查,测量比较缺血灶和正常对照侧的平均扩散系数(ADC)值、各向异性分数(FA)值,分析彩色FA图和脑白质纤维束示踪图。结果通过比较缺血灶与正常对照侧ADC值和FA值,两者的差别有统计学意义,且病灶侧明显减低。脑白质纤维束示踪图显示病灶白质束表现为缺失、断离、稀疏,邻近白质纤维束受压。结论DTI不仅可以准确评价急性期脑缺血的灰质、白质内水分子扩散各向异性改变的特点,并且脑白质纤维束示踪图可以清楚地显示出病灶远端神经束走向改变及其完整性。本实验通过研究兔急性脑缺血模型的DTI特点,为脑缺血性疾病的研究提供了可靠的动物模型和实验理论依据。     

磁共振弥散张量成像在脑高级别星形细胞瘤和转移瘤瘤周实质区的诊断价值

目的 探讨磁共振弥散张量成像(diffusion tensor imaging,DTI)在高级别星形细胞瘤和单发脑转移瘤诊断中的价值.方法 25例脑高级别星形细胞瘤和16例单发脑转移瘤,术前行DTI扫描,测定瘤周脑实质区及对侧正常脑实质的平均弥散系数(MD)值及各向异性分数(FA)值,并重建白质纤维示踪图,观察病灶与白质纤维束的关系.结果 高级别星形细胞瘤与脑转移瘤瘤周实质区的FA值分别为0.227±0.05、0.169±0.07,两者存在统计学差异(P＜0.05).DTI白质纤维示踪图可以较为准确地反映病灶与白质纤维束的关系.结论瘤周实质区FA值有助于高级别脑星形细胞瘤与转移瘤的鉴别.     

正常人颈髓不同节段磁共振扩散张量成像分析

目的 定量分析正常人颈髓不同节段弥散张量成像(diffusion tensor imaging,DTI)的参数值及其相关性.方法 使用单次激发自旋回波平面回波(single-shot spin echo echo-planar image,SS-SE-EPI)序列、12个扩散敏感梯度磁场方向、b值为0 s/mm2和500 s/mm2,对20例健康志愿者行颈髓DTI检查,测量颈髓各节段各向异性分数(fractional anisotropy,FA)值与表观扩散系数( apparent diffusion coefficient,ADC)值,同时感兴趣区(ROI)分别选择16 mm2和26 mm2.结果 纤维示踪图显示颈髓纤维束连续,粗细均匀;颈髓各节段FA值之间存在差异,C2/3椎间盘及C3椎体平面颈髓FA较余节段高(P<0.05);而各节段颈髓ADC值之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).ROI面积取值不同,所测得的颈髓DTI参数值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).颈髓FA值与ADC值之间呈负相关(P<0.05).结论 正常人颈髓不同节段FA值存在差异,ADC值无明显差异;ROI面积不同,所测得参数值无明显差异;颈髓FA值与ADC值呈负相关.     

MR扩散张量成像对脑肿瘤的初步应用研究

目的 :评价MR扩散张量成像在脑肿瘤中的应用价值。方法 :搜集经手术及病理证实的脑膜瘤和星形细胞瘤病例共 3 3例 ,行常规MRI、扩散张量成像 (DTI)检查。构建各向异性分数 (FA)图 ,并测量肿瘤及周围白质的FA值。结果 :正常白质纤维在FA图上表现为高信号。在肿瘤存在时 ,周围白质纤维可表现为受推压移位或浸润破坏 ,破坏后FA值降低 ,表现为低信号。这些表现在常规MRI上均未清楚显示。结论 :DTI可清楚显示肿瘤与周围白质纤维的解剖关系 ,指导临床制订手术方案。     

快速 DTI 在急性颈髓损伤的临床应用

目的：研究扩散张量成像(DTI)在急性颈髓损伤(CSCI)的成像特点,评估其临床应用价值。方法本组8例 CSCI 患者(发病72 h 内)均采用3.0T 磁共振仪进行快速颈髓 DTI 扫描,并在工作站进行扩散张量纤维束成像(DTT)。同时,在工作站分别测量并计算颈髓病变区及上下相对正常区的各向异性(FA)值和表观扩散系数(ADC)值,之后进行统计学组间配对 t 检验分析(SPSS 13.0)。结果急性 CSCI 以 C5~C6节段(占4/8)和 C4~C5节段(占3/8)多见,且快速 DTI 均获得了较好的图像质量。急性 CSCI 时病变区 FA 值和 ADC 值均明显低于相对正常区域数值(P <0.01),相应在 FA 图和 ADC 图均表现为低信号,而上下相对正常区 FA 值和 ADC 值间无明显区别;同时,DTT 有利于显示刀刺伤导致的颈髓纤维束断裂,颈髓闭合伤则主要表现为脊髓纤维束紊乱等。结论3.0T 快速 DTI 序列可以在2 min 扫描时间内获得临床较为满意的诊断图像,并通过 FA 值和 ADC 值更敏感地反映急性 CSCI 后髓鞘损伤导致的 FA 改变及细胞毒性水肿和血管源性水肿导致的水分子扩散的变化。     

脑室旁白质软化症患儿脑性视觉损伤的fMRI 和DTI研究

目的:探讨联合应用fMRI和DTI评价PVL患儿的脑性视觉损伤的价值.材料和方法:选取24名PVL患儿及24名无窒息史的健康儿童志愿者进行镇静的状态下fMRI及DTI检查,视觉刺激采用2HZ闪烁光,fMRI数据采用SPM2软件进行后处理(ROI),计算患儿组与对照组的激活像素数目.DTI数据采用MedINRIA软件进行后处理,根据矢量元素和部分各向异性值(FA值)生成彩色弥散张量图(DTI图),计算患儿与对照组视觉相关主要白质纤维束的FA值.将视觉激活图与彩色弥散张量图融合.结果:正常对照组的激活区位于初级视觉皮层,PVL患儿的激活区部分移位.PVL患儿枕叶平均激活像素数目较正常对照显著减少,视觉相关主要白质纤维束FA值较正常对照显著降低.PVL患儿视觉区激活像素数目与视觉相关主要白质纤维束FA值呈正相关.结论:联合应用BOLD-fMRI和DTI在评价缺氧缺血性脑损伤后视觉功能变化方面有较高的应用价值.     

DSA功能性参数的提取与利用

本文介绍了在临床实际中利用功能性参数，对冠状动脉ＤＳＡ心肌血流灌注成像、冠状动脉血流量测定、左心室功能测定、肺动脉高压程度的评价等项目研究结果。重点讨论了提取ＤＳＡ功能性参数的一般方法，认为功能性参数在现代影像诊断学中的作用是对疾病做出程度、定量、动态及功能诊断。     

Current Status of Optical Imaging for Evaluating Lymph Nodes and Lymphatic System

Optical imaging techniques use visual and near infrared rays. Despite their considerably poor penetration depth, they are widely used due to their safe and intuitive properties and potential for intraoperative usage. Optical imaging techniques have been actively investigated for clinical imaging of lymph nodes and lymphatic system. This article summarizes a variety of optical tracers and techniques used for lymph node and lymphatic imaging, and reviews their clinical applications. Emerging new optical imaging techniques and their potential are also described.     

Fast imaging of phosphocreatine in the normal human myocardium using a three-dimensional RARE pulse sequence at 4 Tesla

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of a three-dimensional rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) pulse sequence for direct acquisition of phosphocreatine (PCr) images of the human myocardium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A short elliptical birdcage radiofrequency (RF) body coil was constructed to produce a uniform flip angle throughout the chest cavity. In vivo images using a spectrally-selective RARE sequence with a spatial resolution of 1.2 cm x 1.2 cm x 2.5 cm (4 cm(3)) were acquired in nine minutes and 40 seconds. RESULTS: Scans of phantoms demonstrated excellent spectral selectivity. The signal-to-noise ratio in the myocardium ranged from 12.6 in the anterior wall to 5.3 in the mid septum. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that PCr data can be acquired using a three-dimensional RARE sequence with greater spatial and temporal resolution than spectroscopic techniques.     

Molecular imaging of the lungs

An emerging suite of new imaging techniques offer the ability to monitor and quantify molecular and cellular processes in the lungs noninvasively. These techniques take advantage of dramatic advances in both imaging technology as well as molecular and cell biology. Molecular imaging is being used with increasing regularity in research protocols, and forms of molecular imaging have found their way into the patient care setting (eg, positron emission tomography imaging in cancer). Such techniques will afford the basic scientist as well as the clinician an unprecedented opportunity for in vivo study of the lung biology that drives normal pulmonary physiology as well as pathophysiology.     

Dynamic bioluminescence imaging for quantitative tumour burden assessment using IV or IP administration of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-luciferin: effect on intensity,time kinetics and repeatability of photon emission

Introduction In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a promising technique for non-invasive tumour imaging. d-luciferin can be administrated intraperitonealy or intravenously. This will influence its availability and, therefore, the bioluminescent signal. The aim of this study is to compare the repeatability of BLI measurement after IV versus IP administration of d-luciferin and assess the correlation between photon emission and histological cell count both in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methods Fluc-positive R1M cells were subcutaneously inoculated in nu/nu mice. Dynamic BLI was performed after IV or IP administration of d-luciferin. Maximal photon emission (PE_max) was calculated. For repeatability assessment, every acquisition was repeated after 4 h and analysed using Bland–Altman method. A second group of animals was serially imaged, alternating IV and IP administration up to 21 days. When mice were killed, PE_max after IV administration was correlated with histological cell number. Results The coefficients of repeatability were 80.2% (IV) versus 95.0% (IP). Time-to-peak is shorter, and its variance lower for IV (p < 0.0001). PE_max was 5.6 times higher for IV. A trend was observed towards lower photon emission per cell in larger tumours. Conclusion IV administration offers better repeatability and better sensitivity when compared to IP. In larger tumours, multiple factors may contribute to underestimation of tumour burden. It might, therefore, be beneficial to test novel therapeutics on small tumours to enable an accurate evaluation of tumour burden. Marleen Keyaerts is a Ph. D. fellow of the Research Foundation—Flanders (Belgium; FWO).     

Molecular imaging programs in the United States: results of a national survey

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify and describe the characteristics of molecular imaging (MI) programs in the United States and to determine the factors considered critical for their future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a validated survey was sent to members of the Society of Chairmen in Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) in the United States, and 26 variables were studied. RESULTS: The response rate was 40.3%; 67.9% of the departments surveyed have an MI program. The main focus of 47.4% of departments is oncology. The number of radiologists working for the department was the only variable found to be significantly positively correlated with (1) number of researchers in the MI program, (2) number of MI modalities available, (3) total number of grants, and (4) having ongoing MI clinical trials. These four variables plus the number of federal grants and the space used by MI programs were independent of the geographical region, hospital size (number of beds), and department size (number of radiological examinations per year). All the MI programs received grants during 2005. Only 16.1% have no alliances with industry. Among all the departments, 82% identified staff training and recruitment as the keys for success; 78.57% considered oncology the most important future application of MI and cancer management the hospital service most affected by MI. CONCLUSION: MI programs are starting to be more widespread throughout the United States, and the trend is for more academic radiology departments to become engaged in MI activities; their development is independent of department characteristics. Radiology departments strongly agreed about the key components for success of MI initiatives and the areas that will be most affected by MI applications.     

Phase insensitive preparation of single-shot RARE: Application to diffusion imaging in humans

Although RARE and GRASE can produce single-shot images of excellent quality, their utility has been restricted because preparation of the magnetization with interesting contrast before imaging can cause severe artifacts. These artifacts relate to the strong sensitivity of multiple spin echo sequences to the phase of the prepared magnetization. Modifications of the RARE sequence to eliminate these artifacts are discussed, and an approach that eliminates the artifact producing signals from the very first echo is presented. The approach is applied to diffusion imaging of the human brain in normal volunteers and one patient.     

Head and neck imaging: the role of CT and MRI

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become indispensable tools for the evaluation of conditions involving the head and neck. Complex anatomic structures and regions, such as the orbit, skull base, paranasal sinuses, deep spaces of the neck, larynx, and lymph nodes, require that the radiologist be familiar with the imaging modalities available and their appropriate applications. The purpose of this article is to review the techniques of CT and MRI and the roles they play in clinical practice, including head and neck disorders.     

A Velocity k-Space Analysis of Flow Effects in Echo-Planar and Spiral Imaging

A velocity k-space formalism facilitates the analysis of flow effects for imaging sequences involving time-varying gradients such as echo-planar and spiral. For each sequence, the velocity k-space trajectory can be represented by k_v (k)_r; that is, its velocity-frequency (k_r) position as a function of spatial-frequency (k_r) position. In an echo-planar sequence, k_r is discontinuous and asymmetric. However, in a spiral sequence, k_r is smoothly varying, circularly symmetric, and small near the k_r origin. To compare the effects of these trajectory differences, simulated images were generated by computing the k-space values for an in-plane vessel with parabolic flow. Whereas the resulting echo-planar images demonstrate distortions and ghosting that depend on the vessel orientation, the spiral images exhibit minimal artifacts.     

CAIPIRINHA-Dixon-TWIST (CDT)-volume-interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) for dynamic liver imaging: Comparison of gadoterate meglumine,gadobutrol and gadoxetic acid

Purpose

CAIPIRINHA-Dixon-TWIST (CDT)-VIBE is a robust method for abdominal magnetic resonance imaging providing both high spatial and high temporal resolution. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of different gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) on image quality (IQ) with CDT-VIBE.

Materials and methods

In this IRB-approved, retrospective, inter-individual comparison study, 86 patients scanned at 3T were included. Within 28 s, 14 high-resolution 3D datasets were acquired using CDT-VIBE. 37 patients received 0.1 mmol/kg gadoterate meglumine, 28 patients 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol, and 19 patients 0.1 mL/kg gadoxetic acid. Two blinded, board-certified radiologists assessed the image quality on a 5 point scale, as well as the number of hepatic arterial dominant (HAD) phases.

Results

Regardless of the GBCA utilized, CDT-VIBE resulted in good IQ in terms of best IQ achieved among all 14 datasets (gadobutrol 4.3, gadoterate meglumine 3.9, gadoxetic acid 3.7). With respect to worst IQ, the three groups showed statistically significant differences with gadobutrol receiving the highest rating (3.6) and gadoxetic acid the lowest (2.4) (gadoterate meglumine 3.0; 0.0014 < p < 0.0485). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean number of acquired HAD phases (gadobutrol 3.4, gadoterate meglumine 3.9, gadoxetic acid 3.1; 0.18 < p < 0.57).

Conclusion

Different gadolinium-based contrast agents can be utilized for dynamic liver imaging with CDT-VIBE resulting in good image quality.