Respiratory gated multidetector computed tomography: Applicable for diagnostic abdominal imaging?

Purpose: To evaluate the ability and accuracy of a respiratory gated technique used with contrast enhanced MDCT of the upper abdomen with focus on diagnostic image quality and depiction of organs and major vessels. Materials and methods: Forty-five adult patients who were referred to our institution for follow-up dynamic contrast enhanced abdominal CT imaging were included in this study. Respiratory gated CT scans were performed with the use of a dedicated hardware. A multiphasic CT scan was performed for each patient Respiratory gated images were obtained between early arterial and portal venous phases during free breathing. Images of respiratory gated (RG) and breathhold (BH) phases were compared qualitatively and quantitatively by two radiologists. Definitive statistical methods were used for evaluating the scoring data, while Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison. Statistical significance was accepted for p values <0.05. Results: Statistical significant difference was found for comparison of scores regarding luminal opacification and contoural integrity of intrahepatic vascular structures with scores of RG scans rated poor to moderate (e.g. 2.86 +/- 1.07 for luminal opacification of intrahepatic portal veins as well as border detectability) in comparison to scores of BH scans rated good to excellent (e.g. 1.37 +/- 1.31 for lumina] opacification, 1.35 +/- 1.28 for border detectability of intrahepatic portal veins, p < 0.001). Furthermore, statistical significant differences were found for general image noise levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Further technical advances of RG technique could enable routine use of this technique for selected patient groups. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Diagn Interv Radiol 2007; 13:125–128 © Turkish Society of Radiology 2007 NEURORADIOLOGY

edema in a patient with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome using diffusion-weighted MR

Dual-Echo Tfe Mri for the Assessment of Myocardial Iron Overload In Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients

PURPOSE Cardiac failure due to myocardial iron overload is the most common cause of death in beta-thalassemia patients. Multi/two echo times-turbo field echo (TE-TFE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard technique in the evaluation of myocardial iron accumulation. However, multi TE-TFE technique is not available in all scanners. The aim of our study was to show the role of black blood dual-echo cardiac triggered TFE in the assessment of myocardial iron overload. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen beta-thalassemia major patients (10 males) with a mean age of 19 years who were receiving parenteral deferoxamine and oral deferiprone treatment were included in this study. Baseline measurement of myocardial T2(star) values were 0.05). CONCLUSION Cardiac MRI with dual TE-TFE technique can be used to determine myocardial iron accumulation and response to the chelation treatment.WoSScopu

Acoustic noise reduction in MRI using Silent Scan: an initial experience

Acoustic noise during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the main source for patient discomfort and leads to verbal communication problems, difficulties in sedation, and hearing impairment. Silent Scan technology uses less changes in gradient excitation levels, which is directly related to noise levels. Here, we report our preliminary experience with this technique in neuroimaging with regard to subjective and objective noise levels and image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten patients underwent routine brain MRI with 3 Tesla MR750w system and 12-channel head coil. T1-weighted gradient echo (BRAVO) and Silenz pulse sequence (TE=0, 3D radial center-out k-space filling and data sampling with relatively small gradient steps) were performed. Patients rated subjective sound impression for both sequences on a 6-poin