Optimized and combined T1 and B1 mapping technique for fast and accurate T1 quantification in contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI.

Fast T(1) mapping techniques are a valuable means of quantitatively assessing the distribution and dynamics of intravenously or orally applied paramagnetic contrast agents (CAs) by noninvasive imaging. In this study a fast T(1) mapping technique based on the variable flip angle (VFA) approach was optimized for accurate T(1) quantification in abdominal contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI. Optimization methods were developed to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and ensure effective RF and gradient spoiling, as well as a steady state, for a defined T(1) range of 100-800 ms and a limited acquisition time. We corrected B(1) field inhomogeneities by performing an additional measurement using an optimized fast B(1) mapping technique. High-precision in vitro and abdominal in vivo T(1) maps were successfully generated at a voxel size of 2.8 x 2.8 x 15 mm(3) and a temporal resolution of 2.3 s per T(1) map on 1.5T and 3T MRI systems. The application of the proposed fast T(1) mapping technique in abdominal CE-MRI enables noninvasive quantification of abdominal tissue perfusion and vascular permeability, and offers the possibility of quantitatively assessing dilution, distribution, and mixing processes of labeled solutions or drugs in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Assessment of myocardial viability in rats: Evaluation of a new method using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and Gd-DOTA at high magnetic field.

The aim of this study was to detect salvageable peri-infarction myocardium by MRI in rats after infarction, using with a double contrast agent (CA) protocol at 7 Tesla. Intravascular superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and an extracellular paramagnetic CA (Gd-DOTA) were used to characterize the peri-infarction zone, which may recover function after reperfusion occurs. Infarcted areas measured from T1-weighted (T1-w) images post Gd-DOTA administration were overestimated compared to histological TTC staining (52% +/- 3% of LV surface area vs. 40% +/- 3%, P=0.03) or to T2-w images post SPIO administration (41% +/- 4%, P=0.04), whereas areas measured from T2-w images post SPIO administration were not significantly different from those measured histologically (P=0.7). Viable and nonviable myocardium portions of ischemically injured myocardium were enhanced after diffusive Gd-DOTA injection. The subsequent injection of vascular SPIO nanoparticles enables the discrimination of viable peri-infarction regions by specifically altering the signal of the still-vascularized myocardium.     

乳腺癌99mTc-MIBI影像与P-糖蛋白表达的相关性

为了探讨活体乳腺恶性肿瘤对99mTc-甲氧基异丁基异腈(99mTc-MIBI)的摄取和肿瘤细胞P-糖蛋白(P-glyco-protein,P-gp)表达间的关系。2003年10月~2005年12月对40例未经治疗的乳腺癌患者进行99mTc-MIBI早期(10min)与延迟(120min)平面显像,计算其外排率(WOR)。显像后1周内进行手术治疗或化疗,术后应用免疫组化方法检测肿瘤标本P-gp表达,结果进行统计学计算。结果:WOR在P-gp阳性者为(12.8±8.2)%,高于P-gp阴性者(1.2±6.2)%,差异有统计学意义,t=3.42,P=0.01;WOR与肿瘤大小成正相关。初步研究结果显示,乳腺恶性肿瘤对99mTc-MIBI的摄取与P-gp表达呈明显负相关,即肿瘤细胞高度表达P-gp时,99mTc-MIBI摄取较低,99mTc-MIBI显像和肿瘤细胞P-gp表达相关性好,可成为体内无创检测肿瘤组织P-gp表达及耐药性的重要手段。     

In vivo detection of single cells by MRI.

The use of high-relaxivity, intracellular contrast agents has enabled MRI monitoring of cell migration through and homing to various tissues, such as brain, spinal cord, heart, and muscle. Here it is shown that MRI can detect single cells in vivo, homing to tissue, following cell labeling and transplantation. Primary mouse hepatocytes were double-labeled with green fluorescent 1.63-microm iron oxide particles and red fluorescent endosomal labeling dye, and injected into the spleens of recipient mice. This is a common hepatocyte transplantation paradigm in rodents whereby hepatocytes migrate from the spleen to the liver as single cells. One month later the animals underwent in vivo MRI and punctuated, dark contrast regions were detected scattered through the livers. MRI of perfused, fixed samples and labeled hepatocyte phantoms in combination with histological evaluation confirmed the presence of dispersed single hepatocytes grafted into the livers. Appropriate controls were used to determine whether the observed contrast could have been due to dead cells or free particles, and the results confirmed that the contrast was due to disperse, single cells. Detecting single cells in vivo opens the door to a number of experiments, such as monitoring rare cellular events, assessing the kinetics of stem cell homing, and achieving early detection of metastases.     

原位杂交与免疫组化技术在HPV检测中的应用

目的：对两种HPV检测技术DNA原位杂交和免疫组化染色方法进行对比观察。方法：选取本院外阴尖锐湿疣病例95例，组织经固定、脱水、石蜡包埋、切片，分别采用原位杂交和免疫组化技术进行检测。结果：HPV—DNA阳性率为94．7％(90／95)，阳性反应由鳞状上皮表层的空泡细胞核内延伸至棘层中下部近基底层的细胞核内；HPV—Ag阳性率为63．1％(60／95)，阳性反应主要位于鳞状上皮表层的空泡细胞核内及角质层内。个别阳性细胞可在棘层出现。结论：原位杂交技术在敏感度、阳性率及阳性强度、背景染色等方面均优于免疫组化方法，为尖锐湿疣的确诊及临床治疗提供更准确、可靠的依据。     

球后溃疡的X线诊断体会

目的 :探讨球后溃疡的 X线诊断。方法 :对 34例球后溃疡的 X线表现作出分析。结果 :经过 34例比较典型的球后溃疡的 X线诊断 ,体会到在进行气钡双重造影时 ,适当的体位能较好地显示病灶部位。而龛影和局部肠管狭窄为球后溃疡的主要X线表现 ,另外还表现为黏膜改变和局部激惹     

结肠CT扫描技术初探

目的 :通过分析比较结肠扫描不同充填剂与不同体位的方法 ,探讨出最佳充填剂与最佳体位以提高结肠 CT扫描质量。方法 :分别对 4 0例结肠 CT扫描病人采用不同的充填剂 ,与不同的体位 ,评价不同的充填剂与不同体位的优缺点。结果 :水作为充填剂组病灶显示情况明显优于泛影萄胺组且伪影少 ,选择不同体位组图像质量也明显优于常规体位组。结论 :结肠 CT扫描时应首选水作为充填剂 ,根据病变不同选择不同的体位 ,有利于图像质量的提高     

Notes on the use of low magnification telescopes in low vision care

Several areas related to the use of telescopes in low vision are reviewed. These include: contrast sensitivity function; eccentric viewing through a telescope; field of view; telescope used in reverse; and IOL-spectacle lens telescopic systems. Experimental data are included to support selected clinical observations routinely made by low vision clinicians.     

Retrograde air insufflation in MRI: A technical note

Retrograde air insufflation was employed to distend the colon and the ileum in 18 patients and five volunteers for magnetic resonance examination. Good and moderate marking of the ileum was obtained in 18 cases. The colon was nearly completely distended in every case. Intraluminal tumor, mural thickening, and extraluminal lesion were outlined by intraluminal air and surrounding air-distended bowel. This study shows that retrograde air insufflation is a useful method to mark the colon and most parts of the ileum.     

Contrast agents in functional MR imaging

Contrast agents have greatly expanded the role of MR imaging (MRI) to allow assessment of physiologic, or “functional,” parameters. Although activation mapping generally does not require contrast agents, other forms of functional MRI, including mapping of cerebral hemodynamics (eg, perfusion imaging), are best done with the use of contrast agents. Serial echo planar images are obtained after bolus injection of lanthanide chelates. Application of susceptibility contrast physics and standard tracer kinetic principles permits generation of relative cerebral blood volume maps. Deconvolution of cerebral blood flow and mean transit time parameters is also possible within technical limitations. By using diffusion and perfusion pulse sequences, an imaging correlate to the ischemic penumbra can be identified. Functional MRI perfusion imaging of intraaxial tumors is analogous to positron emission tomography for delineation of metabolic activity, yet may be even more sensitive to neovascularity and possesses improved image quality. Clinical applications include biopsy site selection and postirradiation follow-up. Further improvements in data analysis and map generation techniques may improve diagnostic accuracy and utility.