Efficient high-frequency body coil for high-field MRI.

The use of body coils is favored for homogeneous excitation, and such coils are often paired with surface coils or arrays for sensitive reception in many MRI applications. While the body coil's physical size and resultant electrical length make this circuit difficult to design for any field strength, recent efforts to build efficient body coils for applications at 3T and above have been especially challenging. To meet this challenge, we developed an efficient new transverse electromagnetic (TEM) body coil and demonstrated its use in human studies at field strengths up to 4 T. Head, body, and breast images were acquired within peak power constraints of <8 kW. Bench studies indicate that these body coils are feasible to 8 T. RF shimming was used to remove a high-field-related cardiac imaging artifact in these preliminary studies. P41RR13230     

In vivo quantification of fluorescent molecular markers in real-time: A review to evaluate the performance of five existing methods

With the advent of molecular-targeted fluorescent markers, there is a renewed interest in fluorescence quantification methods that are based on continuous wave excitation and multi-spectral image acquisition. However, little is known about their in vivo quantification performance. We reviewed the performance of five selected methods by analytically describing these and varying input parameters of irradiance, excitation geometry, collection efficiency, autofluorescence, melanin content, blood volume, blood oxygenation and tissue scattering using optical properties representing those for human skin. We identified one method that corrects for variations in all parameters. This requires image acquisition before and after marker administration, under identical geometry. Hence, it is suited for applications where the site of interest can be relocated (e.g. anaesthetized animals and dermatology). For applications where relocation is not possible, we identified a second method where the uncertainty in the fluorescence signal was ±20%. Hence, use of these methods can substantially aid in vivo fluorescence quantification compared to use of the raw fluorescence signal, as this changed by more than 3 orders of magnitude. Since these methods can be computed in real-time, they are of particular interest for applications where direct feedback is critical, as diagnostic screening or image-guided surgery.     

Feasibility of establishing cerebral ischemia models by using aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery of piglets Imaging assessment

BACKGROUND: The cerebral ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion animal models are used to simulate the human cerebrovascular diseases is one of the popular topics of neurological science recently. To study the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and to establish the ideal animal model that is the most similar to the human cerebral ischemia, are the topics that the people generally cared about. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery on the establishment of cerebral ischemia models by using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). DESIGN: Repetitive measure animal experiment. SETTING: Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Animal Laboratory (Provincial Laboratory), Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian Univeristy from January to May 2006. A total of 14 domestic piglets, of 6 months old, weighing 12–15 kg, of either gender, were selected from Animal Experimental Center, Dalian University. Multistar T.O.P digital subtraction angiography machine was provided by Siemens Company, German. METHODS: Aerocyst-blocking bilateral ascending pharyngeal artery was used to establish cerebral ischemia models. And then, Multistar T.O.P. DSA was used for imaging of cerebral vessels before blocking, during blocking and at 0.5 and 2 hours after ischemia perfusion. GE Signa 1.5 T supraconduction magnetic resonance imaging was used for DWI examination; in addition, PWI was used based on focal sites and areas. Otherwise, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect signal changes of T1WI and T2WI in ischemic areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analytic results of DSA, DWI, PWI and MRI. RESULTS: All 14 experimental piglets were involved in the final analysis. ① DSA: The blood flow of bilateral ascending pharyngeal arteries and its branch were blocked at blocking phase, which restored 0.5 and 2 hours after reperfusion. ② DWI and PWI: There were no observable abnormalities in PWI and DWI at pre-blocking. Abnormal increased signals were found on both DWI and PWI at during and post-blocking. There were reduction in ADC and rCBF and delay in rTTP at all time points except pre-blocking. ③ MRI: There were no abnormal signals observable at any time of pre- and post-blocking in T1WI and T2WI. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to establish this kind of animal experimental models, and it can simulate the ischemic state; meanwhile, the existence and extent can be showed directly by DSA, DWI, and PWI.     

18氟-氟化脱氧葡萄糖在下咽部肿瘤诊断中的作用

目的：研究^18氟—氟化脱氧葡萄糖(^18F-FDG)在下咽部肿瘤诊断中的作用。方法：20例下咽部肿瘤患者均接受^18F-FDG检查及CT、全组内镜(食管、咽喉、气管镜)检查。结果：20例下咽部肿瘤患者^18F-FDG检查结果显示：2例阴性；18例肿瘤原发部位有同位素浓集，其中5例伴异位同位素浓集。对此5例患者进一步临床、病理检查证实：1例食管部占位，2例肺部病变，2例为良性改变。^18F-FDG检查结果显示的病变范围与CT、内镜检查相符。结论：^18F-FDG检查可以提高下咽部肿瘤、尤其是隐匿的并发肿瘤诊断的准确性，明确病变范围，为临床治疗提供依据；同时又是一个简单、易行的下咽部肿瘤的随访检查手段。     

兔眼眶植入羟基磷灰石义眼台血管化的MRI评价

目的用MRI研究兔眼眶内植入羟基磷灰石（hydroxyapatite，HA）义眼台血管化过程，探讨义眼台血管化MRI表现和特点。方法12只新西兰白兔眼眶内植入直径12mmHA义眼台，于术后第2、3、4、5、6周对所有手术兔行双眼MR平扫及钆喷替酸葡甲胺（Gd-DTPA）增强扫描，计算义眼台强化区体积与义眼台体积比值（VE／VHA），对结果用单因素方差分析。并于第2、4周采用随机数字法抽取2只，第6周对剩余动物义眼台行组织病理学检查。结果术后第2、3、4、5、6周VE／VHA值分别为0．570±0．055；0．787±0．036；0．995±0．014；1．000±0．000；1．000±0．000。第2、3、4周VE／VHA值逐渐增加，均数间比较差异有统计学意义（F=233．094，P=0），第4、5、6周均数间比较差异无统计学意义（F=0．686，P=0．520）。术后2周病理显示义眼台周边有纤维血管生长，第4、6周整个义眼台完全血管化。结论MRI可直观、准确地评价义眼台血管化的程度和范围。     

ENDOSCOPIC MICROVASCULAR ARCHITECTURE OF THE PORTAL HYPERTENSIVE GASTRIC MUCOSA ON NARROW BAND IMAGING

Background: We evaluated the endoscopic microvascular architecture of the gastric mucosa in portal hypertension patients using the prototype of narrow band imaging (NBI). Material and Methods: The study included 103 Helicobacter pylori‐negative patients with chronic liver disease (22 without portal hypertension (group 1), 81 with portal hypertension (group 2)). Results: (i) Abnormality of collecting venules, reddening mucosa, red spots, a mosaic‐like pattern, and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) were observed on the gastric mucosa, and an obscure change in collecting venules (73% vs 14%; P < 0.001), reddening mucosa (49% vs 5%; P < 0.001), red spots (36% vs 5%; P < 0.01) and a mosaic‐like pattern (40% vs 5%; P < 0.01) were more frequently observed in group 2 than in group 1. (ii) On magnifying endoscopy with NBI, the mucosa with an obscure change in collecting venules was demonstrated as dilation of the capillaries surrounding the gastric pits in various degrees, and reddening mucosa was observed as extended and swollen gastric pits and various degrees of dilated and convoluted capillaries surrounding the gastric pits. Red spots were demonstrated as extended and swollen gastric pits, dilated and convoluted capillaries surrounding the gastric pits, and intramucosal hemorrhage around these capillaries. GAVE was recognized as partial and marked dilatation of the capillaries surrounding the gastric pits. Conclusion: Abnormality of collecting venules, swelling of gastric pits, dilatation of capillaries surrounding the gastric pits, intramucosal hemorrhage around capillaries, and partial and marked dilatation of the capillaries were observed on the gastric mucosa in portal hypertension patients.     

动态对比增强灌注磁共振成像在颅脑肿瘤的应用

动态对比增强灌注磁共振(MR)成像能提供非侵袭、生理状态下的脑组织微循环血供图，通过计算正常脑组织及肿瘤组织的局部血容量，评估肿瘤组织的血供状态；并有助于评估胶质瘤病理学级别的高低，确定肿瘤穿刺活检的部位，以及对胶质瘤、单发脑转移瘤、淋巴瘤和其他脑肿瘤切除放疗后复发与放射性坏死的诊断和鉴别诊断等；但在颅内脑外肿瘤及伴有血脑屏障严重破坏的脑肿瘤诊断仍存在一定的不足。     

脑缺血疾患颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查

目的 :探讨二维彩色多普勒超声及彩色血管三维超声在颈动脉疾病的诊断价值。材料方法 :疑为缺血性脑卒中患者 80例 ,行颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查 ,其中 2 8例同时做彩色血管三维超声成像 ,5 5例经临床、CT、MRI证实为脑梗死。结果 :①本组 5 5例脑梗死 ,彩色多普勒超声发现 4 9例颈动脉粥样硬化斑。②有脑梗死的彩色血管三维血流图呈“串珠”状 ,而非脑梗死的彩色血管三维血流图呈连续“圆锥”状。结论 :彩色多普勒超声诊断颈动脉粥样硬化有良好的价值 ,三维彩超是二维彩色多普勒超声的有益补充。     

CT、MRI对肾上腺病变的诊断分析

目的:分析探讨CT、MRI诊断对肾上腺病变的作用与价值。方法:MarconiMX8000 4层螺旋CT机,增强造影剂使用非离子型制剂,常规扫描及增强。应用西门子MAGNETOM1.5T磁共振机,增强造影剂使用Gd-DTPA制剂,常规T1WI、T2WI、脂肪抑制、化学位移同反相位及增强。对25例经手术及病理资料诊断证实的肾上腺病变进行CT、MRI诊断回顾性分析。结果:可清楚显示肾上腺病变的侧别、数目、大小、范围及可能的性质。结论:CT是肾上腺病变最佳影像检查方法,MRI具有重要辅助及补充诊断价值。