Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral fat embolism

Summary The cerebral fat embolism is a potentially serious complication of fractures but clinical cases often go undiagnosed. Two cases of clinically diagnosed cerebral fat embolism are reported, and MR images of these patients are described. While brain CT revealed no abnormality, MR imaging showed relative low-intensity areas on T1-weighted images and high-intensity areas on T2-weighted images. In one patient follow-up MR showed nearly complete resolution of the abnormal signal. MR imaging appears to be valuable for detecting the lesions in these patients.     

Cerebral fat embolism studied with MRI and SPECT

Summary In a patient with fat embolism to the brain CT showed no abnormality. MRI performed after recovery from coma, when the patient had aphasia and quadriparesis, demonstrated multiple high signal abnormalities in the white matter on both T1- and T2-weighted images. HMPAO-SPECT showed left-sided hypoperfusion which resolved in parallel with clinical improvement 1 month later.     

脑脂肪栓塞的MRI及CT诊断

目的 总结脑脂肪栓塞(CFE)的临床及MRI及CT的影像特点。方法 分析3例急性CFE的临床表现、影像特点。结果 (1)3例均为长骨骨折，在外伤后或骨折固定、复位数小时后突发精神状态改变。(2)醒状昏迷是主要临床表现。(3)3例患者MRI能明确显示病灶，1例CT显示了病灶。(4)MRI、CT显示脑内病灶均呈基本对称性分布，为边缘模糊的点、片状长T1、长T2信号，CT呈低密度。病灶均累及脑干、分水岭区脑白质、基底节区、胼胝体压部。2例病灶累及小脑。(5)1例患者发病康复治疗3个月后MRI复查示脑内病灶完全消失。结论 急性脑脂肪栓塞的临床及MRI、CT影像改变具有特征性，MRI在病灶显示上优于CT。     

肺栓塞MR增强肺灌注成像与核素肺灌注显像对比实验研究

目的:比较MR及SPECT核素肺灌注显像诊断肺栓塞的价值。方法:24只大白兔建立肺栓塞模型,栓塞后6h采用3D-FLASH序列,从耳缘静脉注入Gd-DTPA行肺灌注扫描,应用Evaluation自动生成肺灌注曲线,在冠状位原始图像上两侧对称性选取正常与病变区肺实质的ROI测量时间-信号强度曲线。从耳缘静脉注入99Tcm-MAA111-148MBq0·3ml8体位显像。病理学检查:分别于栓塞后分批处死实验动物,光学显微镜下观察栓塞肺组织及正常肺组织的表现。统计学采用t检验和χ2检验。结果:成功建立20只兔肺栓塞模型,栓塞后6hMR增强肺灌注成像正常和栓塞区肺实质增强率分别为317·5%和45·1%;正常肺组织灌注曲线峰值明显,栓塞区灌注曲线低平或峰值延迟(t=11·52,P<0·01)。MR增强肺灌注成像对肺栓塞模型检测的敏感性为95%,特异性为85%;SPECT肺灌注显像敏感性100%,特异性65%,统计学分析二者检查结果差异不具有统计学意义(χ2=2·06,P>0·05)。病理显示:梗死区可见大量的纤维素渗出,肺间质增厚,动脉腔内可见红细胞和血栓形成,其周围白细胞浸润伴肺淤血,部分可见点状出血及肺淤血。结论:Gd-DTPAMR增强肺灌注成像诊断肺栓塞是可行的;MR诊断肺栓塞与SPECT具有较好的一致性。     

MR增强肺灌注成像对肺动脉栓塞治疗疗效评价的可行性及准确性

目的 评价MR肺灌注成像(MRPP)对肺动脉栓塞治疗疗效的可行性及在随访中的作用.方法 60例可疑肺栓塞患者,将MRPP作为常规检查,其中27例同时进行了放射性核素肺通气-灌注显像扫描.将放射性核素肺通气-灌注显像与MRPP进行一致性检验,验证MRPP诊断肺栓塞的可行性.所有患者中有22例抗凝或溶栓治疗后3 d至1个月内进行了MRPP复查,通过分析治疗前后MRPP中肺实质的信号强度变化率(TROS),时间-峰值曲线以及肺动脉主干的相关参数(血流峰值、平均流速、单位时间内流量等),对MR增强肺灌注成像在肺动脉栓塞治疗疗效评价方面的可行性及准确性进行评估.获得的数据采用t检验、秩和检验进行统计学分析.结果 MRPP与放射性核素肺通气-灌注显像具有很好的一致性(以患者为研究对象时Kappa值为0.705,而肺叶、段及亚段的一致性分别为0.7632、0.8280、0.7344).两种方法比较,治疗前后MRPP肺实质强化率分别为(2.86±2.48)和(6.72±2.54)倍(t=3.370,P＜0.01),峰值时间分别为(13.98±5.60)和(12.33±3.63)s(t=3.930,P＜0.01),肺动脉干血流峰值分别为(60.39±15.17)和(69.93±13.22)cm/s(t=2.930,P=0.01),平均流速分别为(11.68±5.46)和(13.54±4.18)cm/s(t=2.380,P＜0.05),差异均有统计学意义,而单位时间内的流量分别为(80.57±24.87)和(85.48±11.81)ml/s,差异无统计学意义(t=0.860,P＞0.05).结论 MRPP与放射性核素肺通气-灌注显像具有很好的一致性.MRPP具有更高的空间分辨率和时间分辨率,并能够对肺血流进行半定量分析.对肺栓塞的诊断和治疗后的评估具有重要的临床意义.     

MR灌注成像在肺栓塞诊断中的应用

目的探讨MR二维快速扰相梯度回波序列（2DFSPGR）显示肺实质灌注的可能性,以及在实验性肺栓塞中的应用价值。方法11只在体犬肺栓塞模型在平静呼吸下行肺MR灌注扫描,定性及定量评价图像质量,与病理解剖对照分析肺灌注扫描诊断肺栓塞的敏感性。结果10只犬的MR图像质量为优良,可显示肺实质灌注情况,平均信号/噪声比（SNR）为67.4±18.0,对比度/噪声比（CNR）为40.9±14.2。正常灌注区的信号强度平均值为39.7±5.1,灌注不良区域信号强度平均值为15.6±2.1,灌注不良区域时间-强度曲线表现为峰值下降或曲线平直。结论MR肺灌注成像是诊断肺栓塞的可行方法。     

Role of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MR imaging for brain tumour characterisation

Purpose  This study was undertaken to correlate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and relative regional cerebral blood volume (rrCBV) to histological findings in a large series of patients with primary or secondary brain tumours to evaluate diffusion-weighted (DWI) and perfusionweighted (PWI) imaging in the characterisation of cerebral tumors. Materials and methods  Ninety-eight patients with cerebral tumours, 46 of which were primary (seven grade 0-I, nine low-grade gliomas, two gliomatosis cerebri, nine lymphomas and 19 high-grade gliomas) and 52 secondary, underwent conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging completed with DWI and dynamic contrast susceptibility PWI. Both ADC and rrCBV were calculated on a workstation by using Functool 2 software. Student’s t test was used to determine any statistically significant differences in the ADC and rrCBV values. Results  Seventeen of 98 tumours were cystic or necrotic (12/17 hypointense and 5/17 hyperintense on DWI); the ADC value of hyperintense cystic areas was 0.97±0.23×10⁻³ mm²/s. The ADC value of solid tumours varied between 0.64 and 3.5×10⁻³ mm²/s. The rrCBV value was 1.4 (σ 0.66) in low-grade gliomas; 1.22 (σ 0.25) in lymphomas; 4.5 (σ 0.85) in grade III gliomas; 3.18 (σ 1.26) in grade IV gliomas and 2.53 (σ 1.6) in metastases. Conclusions  DWI has an important role in the differential diagnosis of cystic cerebral masses but not in tumour characterisation. PWI is helpful in differentiating high-from low-grade gliomas and lymphomas from high-grade gliomas.      

Pulmonary fat embolism after pelvic and long bone fractures in a trauma patient

Fat embolism is a common complication of pelvic and long bone fractures. Macroscopic fat emboli in the pulmonary arteries on computed tomography have been reported postoperatively after fixation of long bone fractures for trauma, however the quantification of attenuation values of fat emboli have been infrequently reported in the literature. We present a case of pulmonary fat embolism in a 52-year-old female after acute bony trauma sustained during a motor vehicle accident. To the authors' knowledge however, pulmonary fat embolism has not been described on the initial trauma CT scan.     

Whole-body imaging of the musculoskeletal system: the value of MR imaging

In clinical practice various modalities are used for whole-body imaging of the musculoskeletal system, including radiography, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Multislice CT is far more sensitive than radiographs in the assessment of trabecular and cortical bone destruction and allows for evaluation of fracture risk. The introduction of combined PET-CT scanners has markedly increased diagnostic accuracy for the detection of skeletal metastases compared with PET alone. The unique soft-tissue contrast of MRI enables for precise assessment of bone marrow infiltration and adjacent soft tissue structures so that alterations within the bone marrow may be detected before osseous destruction becomes apparent in CT or metabolic changes occur on bone scintigraphy or PET scan. Improvements in hard- and software, including parallel image acquisition acceleration, have made high resolution whole-body MRI clinically feasible. Whole-body MRI has successfully been applied for bone marrow screening of metastasis and systemic primary bone malignancies, like multiple myeloma. Furthermore, it has recently been proposed for the assessment of systemic bone diseases predisposing for malignancy (e.g., multiple cartilaginous exostoses) and muscle disease (e.g., muscle dystrophy). The following article gives an overview on state-of-the-art whole-body imaging of the musculoskeletal system and highlights present and potential future applications, especially in the field of whole-body MRI.     

磁共振扩散加权成像在颅内表皮样囊肿中的诊断价值

目的：探讨磁共振扩散加权成像（DWI）在颅内表皮样囊肿中的诊断价值。方法：收集颅内表皮样囊肿病例16例，均行常规MRI和DWI检查，分析表皮样囊肿在T2WI、T1WI、增强扫描和DWI上的影像表现。结果：16例均呈长T2长T1信号，其中2例伴短T2间隔信号，增强扫描14例无强化，2例呈包膜和间隔强化。16例DWI上均呈明显高信号。结论：磁共振DWI在颅内表皮样囊肿中具有重要的诊断价值，可作为常规MRI的重要补充检查方法。     

MR扩散加权成像对Creutzfeldt-Jakob病的诊断意义

目的评价MR扩散加权像(DWI)对Creutzfeldt-Jakob病(CJD)的诊断价值。方法8例散发性CJD(4例确诊，3例临床很可能，1例临床可能)，比较其常规MRI及DWI检查结果。结果T1WI及LWI除4例显示脑萎缩外，未见异常信号；而8例DWI均异常，其中2例为单纯大脑皮层高信号改变，6例为大脑皮层合并尾状核、壳核高信号改变，5例呈对称性，3例呈非对称性；1例液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列成像显示大脑皮层呈稍高信号，但不如DWI明显。结论DWI显示的大脑皮层和(或)纹状体的高信号改变是CJD的特征之一，其诊断价值明显优于常规MRI，是早期诊断CJD的重要方法。     

外伤性跟腱撕裂的MRI诊断

目的：评价磁共振(MRI)对外伤性跟腱撕裂的诊断价值。方法：收集经删检查并由手术证实的外伤性跟腱撕裂患者10例，回顾、分析其MRI表现。结果：10例患者均诊断正确(敏感性100％，特异性100％)。其中完全性撕裂8例，不完全性撕裂2例；撕裂发生在跟腱中上段2例、跟腱中段7例、跟腱下段1例；MRI主要表现为肌腱增粗10例，肌腱内信号增高10例，宽径／前后径比值缩小8例，肌腱连续性中断9例，断端分离、肌腱缩短3例。跟腱周围软组织肿胀及积液9例。结论：MRI能够直接显示跟腱的形态及其内部结构．对跟腱撕裂的术前诊断具有很高的敏感件和特异性．     

脂肪栓塞综合征25例分析

目的：探讨脂肪栓塞综合征的发病机制、早期诊断指标及治疗措施。方法：分析25例脂肪栓塞综合征病人的临床表现及诊治过程。结果：本组中1例死亡、1例出现脑梗塞后遗症，其余均完全康复。中枢神经系统症状和呼吸系统症状的出现率最高，分别为88％和80％。结论：脂肪栓塞综合征的诊治中要重视氧饱和度及动脉氧分压监测，注意观察中枢神经系统症状和呼吸系统症状可早期诊断，纠正低氧血症为治疗的重点。     

脑白质疏松症的MR扩散加权成像及波谱研究

目的通过MR扩散加权成像(DWI)及MR波谱(MRS)分析脑白质疏松症(LA)的表观扩散值(ADC)和不同代谢产物比值的变化,探讨LA中脑白质缺血过程中出现的病理、生化改变与MR功能成像改变之间的关系。方法30例经常规MRI检查诊断为LA患者,及30例年龄相匹配的正常脑白质表现的患者作为对照组,进行DWI检查,分析病变不同区域ADC值的变化,同时对LA患者进行MRS分析N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)/肌酸(Cr)、胆碱复合物(Cho)/肌酸(Cr)比值的变化,比较不同位置和不同程度病变在ADC值和代谢变化中的差异。结果LA患者病灶区(双侧侧脑室枕角、体部旁脑白质)ADC值升高与对照组差异有显著的统计学意义(P<0.01),相应病灶区的NAA/Cr均值明显降低,Cho/Cr均值升高,与正常白质比较差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.01),而枕角的NAA/Cr均值低于体部,差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论磁共振功能成像能够反映脑白质疏松症发展中的微观结构变化和局部代谢的异常。     

Thickened fatty filum terminale: MR imaging

Summary MR images of four patients with a thickened filum terminale showing a fat signal are presented. There were no related symptoms and no evidence of tethering. The thickened fatty filum terminale seemed to be a developmental anomaly and without clinical significance. As the incidence of this anomaly was 0.24% in our series, knowledge of its possible presence of this anomaly is important for routine reviews of MR image.     

MR perfusion imaging in proliferative angiopathy

Seizures, which may be the main expression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVM) can be difficult to control medically. Our goal was to use perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in correlation with clinical data to detect abnormal areas of the cerebrum related to a particular type of CAVM (proliferative angiopathy) and to study the pathophysiology. We use PWI, with a bolus injection of contrast medium, to investigate seven patients with proliferative angiopathy and fits producing language disturbance. Perfusion parameters were calculated using the first-pass moment theory. Five patients had perimalformative and/or contralateral abnormal areas with relative hyperperfusion (cerebral blood volume +20.7±16.2%, blood flow 92.5±68.8 ml/min/100 g). Areas of hypoperfusion and venous congestion were detected in two patients. One patient who underwent MRI after a severe focal deficit had no significant haemodynamic abnormality.     

MR imaging and angiography of cerebral venous angiomas associated with brain tumors

Summary Cervical spinal cord lesions in the anterior spinal artery syndrome were delineated on magnetic resonance images (MRI) in four patients. The lesion was always seen anteriorly in the cervical cord. On T2-weighted images, the lesions appeared hyperintense relative to the normal spinal cord, while on T1-weighted images, two chronic lesions appeared hypointense, with local atrophy of the cord. In one case, repeated T1-weighted images showed no signal abnormality 4 days after the ictus, but the lesion became hypointense 18 days later, when contrast enhancement was also recognized after injection of Gd-DTPA; this sequence of intensity changes was similar to that of cerebral infarction. The extent of the lesion seen MRI correlated closely with neurological findings in all cases. Although the findings may not be specific, MRI is now the modality of choice for confirming the diagnosis in patients suspected of having an anterior spinal artery syndrome.     

MR扩散加权成像在眼眶良恶性肿块鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 分析眶内良恶性肿块的扩散加权成像(DWI)特征,评价表观扩散系数(ADC)值对其诊断价值.方法 对77例眶内肿块进行常规MRI及DWI,其中良性肿块55例,恶性肿块22例.扩散敏感系数(b)值=0、1000 s/mm2,测量病变对侧颞叶脑白质感兴趣区DWI信号,获得相应的肿块区ADC(ADCM)值、病变对侧颞叶脑白质ADC(ADCw)值,计算二者比值(ADCR).以不同ADCM值及ADCR作为临界点区分眶内良恶性肿块绘制出受试者工作特征曲线(ROC).结果 眶内良性肿块ADCM值及ADCR分别为(1.56±0.75)×10-3mm2/s、1.85±0.91;恶性肿块ADCM值及ADCR分别为(1.09±0.42)×10-3mm2/s、1.28±0.53;良性肿块ADCM值及ADCR显著高于恶性肿块(t值分别为2.803、2.735,P值均＜0.01).以不同ADCM值、ADCR作为临界点判断眶内良恶性肿块绘制ROC,曲线下面积均为0.71±0.07.以ADCM值为1.05×10-3mm2/s作为判断眶内良恶性肿块的决定值,灵敏度、特异度和准确率分别为59.1%(13/22)、78.2%(43/55)和72.7%(56/77);以ADCR为1.24作为决定值,灵敏度、特异度和准确率分别为59.1%(13/22)、76.4%(42/55)和71.4%(55/77).结论 DWI可揭示眼眶肿块的扩散特征,ADC值对于良恶性肿块的鉴别诊断具有辅助诊断价值.     

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of epidural spinal lesions

Introduction Epidural spinal cord compression is one of the most critical emergency conditions requiring medical attention and requires prompt and adequate treatment. The aim of our study was to assess the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis and differentiation of epidural spinal lesions. Methods Three patients with epidural lymphoma, two with sarcoma and three with epidural metastatic disease were imaged on a 1.5T MRI unit. DWI was performed using navigated, interleaved, multi-shot echo planar imaging (IEPI). Three region of interest (ROI)-measurements were obtained on corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and the mean ADC value was used for further analysis. The cellularity of tumors was determined as the N/C ratio (nucleus/cytoplasma ratio) from histological samples. The ADC values and N/C ratios of lesions were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The mean ADC of the lymphomas was 0.66 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, that of the sarcomas was 0.85 × 10⁻³ mm²/s and the ADC of the metastatic lesions was 1.05 × 10⁻³ mm²/s; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Mean N/C ratios in the lymphoma, sarcomas and metastases were 4:1, 2:1, and 2.6:1, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.025). Conclusion Although not statistically significant due to the small patient sample, our results clearly show a tendency toward decreased diffusivity in neoplastic lesions with higher cellularity. The data from our study suggest that DWI is a feasible and potentially useful technique for the evaluation of epidural lesions that cause spinal cord compression on a per-patient basis.     

MR扩散成像确定乳腺癌范围的研究

目的探讨利用MR扩散成像（DWI）和表观扩散系数（ADC）测定确定乳腺癌范围的可行性。方法测定57例59个乳腺癌在扩散敏感因子（b）值分别取500（b=500s·mm^-2组）和1000（b=1000s·mm^-2组）时的ADC值，根据设定的ADC值测量不同b值时的肿瘤范围；比较动态增强和DWI测量病灶大小的异同。以2条径线作为比较参照：病灶最大径、过最大径线中点并与之垂直的径线。所有测量结果与病理对照。结果（1）59个病灶包括浸润性导管癌48个，导管原位癌伴微浸润6个，黏液腺癌3个，髓样癌2个。（2）小于设定ADC值的异常区域作为扩散所测病灶大小。则b值为500和1000s·mm^-2时2组结果与病理检查肿瘤范围比较。范围一致组b=500s·mm^-2组略高于b=1000s·mm^-2组，但差异无统计学意义（χ^2=0．160，P=0．689）；过度诊断2组一致（2个）；假阴性b=500s·mm^-2组略低于b=1000s·mm^-2组（χ^2=0．172，P=0．679）。2组均诊断错误14个，分别是过度诊断2个，假阴性12个。8个病灶2组表现不一致，5个在b值为500s·mm^-2时诊断正确的病灶中，3个是导管原位癌伴微浸润。（3）以4min时测定的大小作为动态增强显示病灶的测定点，与同一层面DWI上显示的异常区域大小进行比较。两者符合47个（80％）；增强径线测定较小而DWI测定符合8个，其中3个为黏液腺癌，5个为浸润性导管癌3级。结论MR DWI和ADC测定可以对乳腺癌范围进行评价。对某些特定病理类型乳腺癌范围的测量，DWI有其优势。