Intracranial lesions: flow-related enhancement on MR images using time- of-flight effects

Many physico-anatomic variables and instrument parameters influence the relative magnetic resonance signal intensity of vascular channels. The interaction of these mechanisms is complex, but their composite effects can be accounted for by two main categories of flow phenomena: time-of-flight effects and spin-phase changes. Of these two mechanisms only the time-of-flight effect known as flow-related enhancement produces augmentation of intravascular signal. Flow-related enhancement can potentially provide positive contrast of diagnostic value in terms of anatomic depiction of vascular detail as well as physiologic characterization of blood flow. The authors have used a single-section, selectively irradiated, spin-echo pulse sequence to maximize flow-related enhancement within a variety of intracranial lesions, as a supplement to their regular imaging. The technique was found to be diagnostically useful in improving the conspicuity of vascular lesions, in determining vessel patency, in distinguishing flow void from calcification, and in obtaining semiquantitative information about flow dynamics.     

Facial nerve enhancement in MR imaging

The significance of facial nerve enhancement after IV gadolinium administration has not been determined. We evaluated the MR appearance of facial nerves (nonenhanced and enhanced) in patients without and with masses involving the temporal bone, internal auditory canal, or cerebellopontine angle. In patients without such masses, no facial nerve enhancement was seen. In the other group, four of 11 patients showed facial nerve enhancement and geniculate ganglion masses. Three of these four patients had neurofibromatosis; one had surgical verification of a facial nerve neurofibroma. Enhanced MR facilitates identification of abnormal facial nerves.     

Contrast enhancement in spinal MR imaging

We evaluated 44 patients with suspected spinal tumors or previous laminectomies with gadolinium-DTPA MR imaging in order to characterize the enhancement in normal, postoperative, and neoplastic intraspinal tissue. Using the signal intensity of CSF as an internal control, we calculated the percentage increase in signal intensity from pre- to postgadolinium studies. Tumors (astrocytoma, ependymoma, schwannoma) enhanced 70-350%; epidural scar, normal epidural venous plexus, and dorsal root ganglion enhanced up to 200%. Contrast enhancement does not per se distinguish neoplastic from normal tissue. Enhancement with gadolinium-DTPA appeared to increase the conspicuousness of intramedullary tumors but not intraosseous metastases. We believe that gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging is a valuable adjunct to routine MR imaging in the evaluation of intraspinal neoplastic processes and may be useful in delineating normal and postoperative structures in the spinal canal.     

心肌梗死延迟增强三维与二维MR成像对比研究

目的 比较屏气三维快速小角度激励序列(3D-FLASH)延迟增强扫描与多次屏气二维快速FLASH(2D-turboFLASH)延迟增强扫描的图像质量及量化梗死面积有无差异.方法 15例心肌梗死患者行单次屏气3D-FLASH及多次屏气2D-反转恢复快速FLASH(IR-turboFLASH)延迟增强检查,以2D序列为标准,比较两者测虽心肌梗死面积比值.同时比较3D图像与2D-原始图、2D-相位敏感重组图的对比噪声比(CNR)并进行视觉评分.采用配对t检验、随机区组设计的方差分析分别对心肌梗死面积及各图像CNR进行分析.结果 3D序列测量心肌梗死面积比值(31.28%)与2D测量结果(30.91%)间差异无统计学意义(t=-0.505,P=0.621),相关性好(r=0.990).2D-相位敏感重组图CNR较其他两者低(3D、2D-原始图及2D-相位敏感重组图CNR分别为43.43±20.67、34.10±14.29和7.59±2.59),且差异具有统计学意义(F=24.376,P<0.01).但视觉评分2D-相位敏感重组图显示正常心肌与梗死心肌对比度最好,而背景噪声最明显(3D组、2D-原始图组及2D-相位敏感图组图像总体质量评分分别为2.33、2.13和2.73,背景噪声分别为2.67、2.53和1.20).结论 屏气3D-FLASH延迟增强扫描量化心肌梗死面积准确性高,图像质量良好,适合临床运用.但受屏气及时间影响大,且需准确选择反转时间.     

心肌梗死延迟增强三维与二维MR成像对比研究

Objective To prospectively evaluate the correlation between a single breath-hold three-dimensional (3 D) and several breath-hold two-dimensional (2D) delayed enhancement MR imaging sequences in the assessment of myocardial infarction size and the differences on image quality. Methods Fifteen patients with myocardial infarction underwent MR scan by using a single breath-hold 3D inversion-recovery fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence and several breath-hold 2D turbo-FLASH as the reference standard. Paired-samples t test was used to compare the ratio of the infarction areas in two sequences. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) on 3D,2D magnitude-reconstructed and 2D phase-sensitive (PS) images. P value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. Meanwhile subjective visual evaluation was also performed to compare the image quality. Results The infarction ratio determined by 3D MR imaging 31.28% was no significant difference with that of 2D MR imaging 30.91% and had a good correlation (t = -0.505,P =0.621,r =0.990). The CNR was significantly higher in 3D and 2D magnitude-reconstructed groups than in 2D-PS group (3D and 2D magnitude-reconstructed images, 2D P5 image, 43.43±20.67 and 34.10±14.29, 7.59±2.59, respectively) (F = 24.376, P < 0.01). However, the contrast between normal and infracted myocardium was the highest in 2D-PS group with subjective visual evaluation (scores of 3D, 2D magnitude-reconstructed and 2D-PS images, 2.33, 2.13 and 2.73, respectively). On the other hand, the background noise on 2D-PS images was the highest in 3 groups (scores of 3 D, 2 D magnitude-reconstructed and 2 D-PS images, 2.67, 2.53 and 1.20, respectively). Conclusion The myocardial infarction ratio obtained with 3D MR imaging sequence is accurate, and the image quality is good.     

MR perfusion and delayed enhancement imaging in the heart

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is rapidly emerging as an exciting and important technique for the investigation of congenital and acquired heart disease. This article focuses in particular on recent developments in the field of adenosine stress myocardial perfusion as well as addressing the many applications of 'delayed enhancement' imaging.     

Acoustic neuromas: Gd-DTPA enhancement in MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations were performed in ten patients with 12 acoustic neuromas before and after intravenous administration of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). The degree of enhancement was greatest with the inversion recovery sequence 1,500/500/44 (repetition time [TR]/inversion time/echo delay time [TE]), followed by spin-echo (SE) 544/44 (TR/TE) sequences, then by SE 1,500/44 and SE 1,500/80 sequences. After enhancement there was a 50% reduction for measured T1 values, 33% for T2, and no significant change for proton density. There were no toxic effects on patients. Enhanced CT scans failed to demonstrate lesions in six of 12 cases. Air-CT technique improved sensitivity in four of five cases. Enhanced MR imaging added significant clinical information in two small intracanalicular tumors and in one recurrent tumor.     

Multiple sclerosis: gadolinium enhancement in MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) images--both nonenhanced and enhanced with gadolinium DTPA/dimeglumine (Gd)--were compared with high-iodine (88.1 g I) computed tomographic (HICT) scans in demonstrating lesions in 15 patients known to have multiple sclerosis (MS). T1-weighted, mixed (T1, proton density, and T2), and T2-weighted MR pulse sequences were used. More than 20 lesions in each of 14 patients were demonstrated by pre-Gd mixed images and T2WI. Nine patients had clinical symptoms of active disease. Gd-enhanced T1WI showed at least one lesion that appeared to correspond with newly reported symptoms or signs. In addition, three clinically stable patients showed enhancement. Enhancement was best seen on 3-minute T1WI. HICT scans showed enhancement in four of the nine patients with active disease and in none of five clinically stable patients. Gd-enhanced MR imaging appears to be more sensitive than HICT in the detection of the transient abnormalities of the blood-brain barrier that occur in patients with active MS and appears capable of distinguishing active lesions that may correspond to the anatomic regions responsible for abnormal clinical findings.     

Ductal enhancement on MR imaging of the breast

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and positive predictive value of ductal enhancement among MR imaging-detected breast lesions that had biopsy and to assess the histologic findings associated with ductal enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of 427 nonpalpable, mammographically occult lesions that had MR imaging-guided needle localization and surgical biopsy. Lesions were reviewed by one radiologist who was unaware of the histologic outcomes and were classified according to a standardized lexicon. MR imaging and histologic findings of ductal enhancing lesions were reviewed. RESULTS: Ductal enhancement accounted for 88 (21%) of 427 lesions and 88 (59%) of 150 nonmass lesions. Histologic finding in these 88 lesions were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 18 (20%); infiltrating carcinoma in five (6%), including three with DCIS; lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) in nine (10%); atypical ductal hyperplasia in eight (9%); and benign in 48 (55%). Among the 48 benign lesions, the dominant histologic findings were fibrocystic change (n = 16); ductal hyperplasia (n = 8); fibrosis (n = 8); postbiopsy change (n = 5); benign breast tissue (n = 3); sclerosing adenosis (n = 2); and single cases of fibroadenoma, fibroadenomatoid change, lymph node, mastitis, papilloma, and radial scar. Factors associated with a trend toward a higher frequency of carcinoma included clumped enhancement (p = 0.05) and synchronous ipsilateral cancer (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Ductal enhancement accounted for 21% of MR imaging-detected lesions that had biopsy and had a positive predictive value of 26%. Differential diagnosis of ductal enhancement includes carcinoma (usually DCIS); atypical ductal hyperplasia; LCIS; and benign findings such as fibrocystic change, ductal hyperplasia, and fibrosis.     

MR imaging of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome with leptomeningeal enhancement

We describe a 28-year-old man with presumed VKH syndrome, whose presenting symptoms were bilateral impaired vision and headaches. Orbital MR imaging findings included bilateral choroidal and retrobulbar contrast enhancement, while brain findings included white matter abnormalities on FLAIR and leptomeningeal enhancement. Pachymeningeal enhancement has been described previously; herein, we report a patient with VKH syndrome presenting solely with leptomeningeal enhancement. Thus, MR imaging may detect early CNS involvement by VKH disease before the onset of neurologic symptoms.     

MR delayed enhancement imaging findings in suspected acute myocarditis

The purpose of the study was to prospectively assess the clinical impact of routinely performed delayed enhancement imaging in suspected acute myocarditis. A two-centre prospective study was performed in patients with suspected acute myocarditis. The protocol included horizontal long axis, vertical long axis and short axis ciné MR and delayed enhancement imaging after Gd-DTPA infusion (0.2 mmol/kg). Sixty consecutive patients were enrolled (aged 49.4?±?17.8 years). MRI demonstrated delayed enhancement sparing the subendocardicardial layer in 51.6% of patients, concordant with the diagnosis of acute myocarditis; 16.7% of patients exhibited delayed enhancement involving the subendocardial layer with irregular margins, concordant with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction; 31.7% of patients had delayed enhancement imaging that was considered normal. Routine imaging to identify delayed enhancement provided crucial information in suspected acute myocarditis by reinforcing the diagnosis in 51.6% of patients and correcting a misdiagnosed acute myocardial infarction in 16.7% of patients.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

目的 探讨眼脉络膜血管瘤的常规及动态增强MRI表现.方法 回顾性分析30例(31只眼共32个病灶)经临床、眼底相及荧光血管造影确诊的脉络膜血管瘤的MRI资料,其中行平扫和常规增强扫描30例,行动态增强扫描26例,观察各个序列MRI表现,计算动态增强曲线参数.结果 32个脉络膜血管瘤病灶中,位于视乳头颞侧26个病灶,呈梭形28个病灶;与玻璃体信号相比,T1WI呈等信号23个病灶,T2研呈等信号31个病灶;增强后明显强化32个病灶,强化均匀31个病灶,不均匀1个病灶,伴视网膜脱离18只眼;动态增强扫描出现填充征12个病灶,时间-信号曲线呈速升缓降型28个病灶,峰值时问为(91.00±25.27)s,上升斜率为3.03±1.13,流出率中位数为17.06%,强化率为2.87±0.79.结论 脉络膜血管瘤MRI现病灶形态、信号及动态增强具有一定特点,能为临床诊断和治疗方案制定提供重要信息.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.     

脉络膜血管瘤的MRI表现及动态增强研究

Objective To characterize the regular and the dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in choroidal hemangioma.Methods MR imaging findings of 30 cases (31eyes, 32 lesions) with choroidal hemangioma confirmed by follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, postcontrasted T1-weighted imaging was performed in 30 patients and dynamic contrast enhancement scanning was performed in 26 cases.MRI findings and the time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement were analyzed.Results Among the 32 choroidal hemangiomas, 26 of them were at the temporal side of optic disc and 28 lesions were fusiform.Before enhancement, 23 lesions showed isointense T1-weighted signal and 31 lesions were isointense on T2-weighted imaging.All the lesions showed strong enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, including 31 homogenously enhanced lesions and one heterogeneously enhanced lesion.Retinal detachments were found in 18 eyes.Fill-in sign were observed in 12 lesions during dynamic contrast enhancement.The time-intensity curve of dynamic contrast enhancement in 28 lesions suggested a pattern with rapid enhancement and slow washout, time to peak (91.00±25.27) s, slope ratio 3.03±1.13, the median of washout ratio 17.06%, enhancement ratio 2.87±0.79.Conclusion MRI showed a few features of the location, shape, signal characteristics, and enhancement pattern in choroidal hemangioma, which may contribut to diagnosis and treatment plan of this disease.