Combining spin echoes with gradient echoes in the context of the global coherent free precession pulse sequence.

To extend the signal longevity of magnetically excited spins in flowing fluids while in a state of global coherent free precession (GCFP), a refocusing radiofrequency (RF) pulse and bipolar gradient waveforms were combined with the GCFP sequence. The data demonstrate that RF refocusing in the presence of flowing blood is possible, but the improvement in signal amplitude depends on the static magnetic field homogeneity along the direction of motion and the displacement of the spins between the excitation and the RF refocusing pulse, as well as displacement during subsequent RF refocusing pulses. The least amount of phase dispersion and thus the longest lasting signal is obtained with the shortest echo spacing where only one line of data is recorded between two RF refocusing pulses. This approach was successfully used in a phantom and in vivo to image fast and slow blood flow. Depending on the experimental conditions, signal persistence is improved significantly compared to playing the same sequence without RF refocusing, but the improvement is limited by the product of blood flow velocity and the time between RF refocusing pulses.     

心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响

目的 探讨心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量的影响。方法 80例健康体检者行16层螺旋CT回顾性心电门控条件下冠状动脉造影。结果 每位患者的4条冠状动脉分支(左冠状动脉主干、左前降支、左回旋支、右冠状动脉)分别用于图像质量分析。心率≤60次／min者，有82．1％(46／56支)的图像可用于诊断；心率61～70次／min者，有63．4％(104／164支)的图像可用于诊断；心率71～80次/min者，有41．20h，(28／68支)的图像可用于诊断；心率80次／min以上者有31．2％(10／32支)的图像可用于诊断。左冠状动脉前降支在60％～70％的重建相位窗时图像质量最佳，左冠状动脉回旋支在50％～60％时最佳，右冠状动脉重建相位窗为50％～70％较满意。结论心率及重建相位窗对多层螺旋CT冠状动脉造影图像质量有重要影响作用。     

Non-invasive estimation of the diastolic elastic and viscoelastic properties of the left ventricle

The present study applies a non-invasive method to the quantitative evaluation of left ventricular stiffness in normal subjects and in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We have studied 20 patients with IHD and 25 healthy subjects. The third heart sound (S3) was detectable in all patients. We have correlated the energy spectrum of S3, divided into 15 Hz bands, with a series of echocardiographic parameters. The existence of a significant correlation between the spectrum energy and the diameter and thickness of the left ventricle at the moment of S3 allowed us to explore the possibility of interpreting the origin of S3 based on a mathematical model. Our hypothesis has been that, once the left ventricle starts vibrating, it behaves as a simple physical model composed of a mass and an elastic element. To this purely elastic model one can add a factor accounting for viscosity, with a damping effect, to obtain a more complex viscoelastic model. The stiffness coefficient 'k' was computed in both models from the peak frequency of S3 and the left ventricular mass at the moment of S3. Furthermore, in the viscoelastic model, the damping element 'c' was also computed. Both parameters--k and c--were significantly increased in the group with IHD compared with the control group. Although a simplification of the vibrating system, these models make it possible to obtain non-invasively information on the characteristics of the left ventricle through the combined use of echocardiography and spectral analysis of S3.     

彩超、增强磁共振动脉造影对颅外颈动脉狭窄的术前评估

目的 评价彩超、增强磁共振动脉造影(CEMRA)对颅外颈动脉狭窄的术前评估价值。方法 回顾分析了93例因颅外颈动脉狭窄而接受介入治疗患者的术前彩超、CEMRA检查结果。结果 超声检查可判断狭窄性质和狭窄程度，CEMRA能显示颈动脉全程，显示多发狭窄。但两者对狭窄程度都有过高评估的倾向，对斑块溃疡难以显示。结论 就目前彩超和磁共振机器的性能，尚无法替代DSA检查。必须有机地结合彩超、CEMRA和DSA检查，以多侧面、全方位地了解狭窄的颈动脉，制定合理的治疗方案。     

左心室造影功能成像的临床应用

为探讨左心室造影功能成像的价值与限度，我们选择冠脉及左心室造影者38例行左室功能成像，观察左室壁运动情况并与节段法室壁运动定量分析比较。结果示左室收缩正常18例，其各节段EF值平均39％，节段性收缩减弱7例，无收缩3例，矛盾收缩4例，普遍性收缩减弱6例，病变节段的EF值平均5～19％，明显低于正常者（P＜0．01）。结论：左室功能成像效果直观且客观，可作为室壁运动定量分析的一个重要补充。     

Value of spiral CT in hemodynamically stable patients following blunt chest trauma

Introduction: Features of spiral CT (SCT) — fast scanning, dynamic injection of contrast allowing optimal vessel opacification, and supplemental multiplanar imaging — promises to provide increased accuracy in the diagnosis of acute and non acute thoracic vascular disease. Recent work demonstrating the cost effective triage of hemodynamically stable patients after blunt chest trauma for angiography based on dynamic CT findings has prompted an investigation into the accuracy of SCT in this clinical setting. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients seen in the emergency department over the period of one year for aortic, thoracic, or blunt chest trauma evaluation was performed (74 patients) and all SCT scans available were reviewed and data reformatted for optimal delineation of pathology using maximum intensity projection and multiplanar reformation. The accuracy and predictive positive and negative values of SCT were calculated with respect to angiography, surgical, and/or clinical follow up evaluation. Results: Twenty three (31%) patients went directly to angiography owing to mediastinal widening on chest film and hemodynamic instability, of which four were positive and required emergent surgery. Seven hemodynamically stable patients (9%) had noncontrast SCT owing to mediastinal widening on chest film, all of which had angiography with none having great vessel trauma. Fourty four hemodynamically stable patients (60%) had contrast enhanced SCT (ceSCT), of which five (11%) were abnormal and underwent angiography, four of these were positive for aortic damage, one for a subclavian artery laceration. Of the remaining 39 patients who had normal ceSCT; five had angiography, all of which were normal. Of the remaining 34 patients that had normal ceSCT none had adverse outcome on clinical follow-up, minimum of 12 months. Conclusion: The predictive positive value for aortic trauma of ceSCT in blunt trauma is 80%, with a predictive negative value of 100%, indicating that it is feasible for SCT to be a first line exam in blunt chest trauma in the future.     

Hepatocelular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus in Portal Vein:Finding in Ultrasonography,Computed Tomography,Angiography and Chemoembolization

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CT angiography in carotid stenosis

Purpose: Prospective evaluation of the accuracy of CT angiography (CTA) with different postprocessing for extracranial carotid artery in comparison with DSA. Method: one hundred patients were studied with standarized CTA. For postprocessing, MPR, MIP, and 3D reconstruction based on segmentation with upper and lower threshold were used. Intravascular density profiles were considered. All CTA studies were correlated with intra-arterial angiography. The degree and classification of stenoses was determined using the guidelines established by the NASCET collaborators. Results: Measurement of stenosis was possible by MPR in 82.5 %, by MIP in 85 %, and 3D in 100 %. Correct classification was found in 65.5 % for MPR, 66 % for MIP and 88.5 % for 3D. The sensitivity for severe stenoses was 74 % for MPR, 82 % for MIP, and 93 % for 3D. The specificity of these methods was 98 %, 96 %, and 97 %, respectively. All carotid occlusions were correctly identified, no carotid artery was wrongly classified as occluded. Conclusions: CT angiography allows reliable examinations in carotid artery stenoses and occlusions. 3D reconstruction based on threshold segmentation is superior to MPR and MIP. In some circumstances, e.g., carotid occlusion, further investigation by invasive procedures is not necessary.      

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the circle of Willis: a prospective comparison with conventional angiography in 54 subjects

We prospectively correlated the findings of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with those of transfemoral four-vessel angiography in 54 patients to investigate the direction of flow within the circle of Willis. Our primary goal was to assess the direction of flow using the size of the vessel and signal intensity, without saturation techniques. Analysis of the circle of Willis, especially the communicating arteries, was performed double-blind by two groups of two radiologists. Three types of arteries were identified: high flow or cross-cerebral circulation, patent and nonvisualised arteries. Cerebral angiography was the standard for comparison between the two methods. MRA did not reveal any arteries invisible on angiography, thus providing a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of MRA was 89.2% for the anterior and 81.3% for the posterior communicating arteries, and 100% for the anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries. MRA was shown to be a useful technique for the assessment of patency of the circle of Willis.     

Spontaneous subcapsular hepatic hemorrhage associated with pregnancy: Report of a case

We report herein a case of spontaneous subcapsular hepatic hemorrhage which occurred in a 33-year-old woman 1 day after she had been delivered of her second child by cesarean section following an uneventful pregnancy. She complained of right upper quadrant pain on the 1st postoperative day, and computed tomography (CT) showed subcapsular low-density masses in both liver lobes, while extravasation was demonstrated by CO₂ intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA). The hemorrhage was successfully controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). However, on the 3rd day after TAE, an exploratory laparotomy was performed to establish an exact diagnosis to explain the persistent abdominal pain and abnormal liver function tests. Subcapsular hematomas in both lobes were confirmed and no visible laceration was present. The patient recovered gradually by spontaneous absorption of the hematomas and was discharged on the 22nd postoperative day. Spontaneous hepatic hemorrhage associated with pregnancy is a very rare complication, and establishing a correct diagnosis and initiating appropriate therapy are essential for this life-threatening disease.