Applying quantitative CMR parameters for detecting myocardial lesion in immune checkpoint inhibitors-associated myocarditis.

Purpose: Sparse researches evaluated the quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)-associated myocarditis. We aimed to apply quantitative CMR mappings and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent for detecting ICI-associated myocarditis.

Method: The retrospective study included patients with ICI-associated myocarditis and CMR examination from August 2018 to August 2021 in our hospital.

The prognostic value of global myocardium strain by CMR-feature tracking in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis.

Objectives: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication. Sparse published researches evaluated the prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) for ICI-associated myocarditis.

Methods: In the single-center retrospective study, 52 patients with ICI-associated myocarditis and CMR were included from August 2018 to July 2021.

Feasibility of compressed sensing technique for isotropic dynamic contrast-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To investigate whether an isotropic T1-weighted gradient echo (T1-GRE) sequence using a compressed sensing (CS) technique during liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can improve the image quality compared to that using a standard parallel imaging (PI) technique in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Forty-nine patients with single pathologically confirmed HCC were included in the prospective study, who underwent a 3.0 T MRI including the two T1-GRE sequences (CS and PI).

Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR findings in chemotherapy-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in colorectal liver metastases.

Background: We assessed the clinical presentations, biomarkers, and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI features that were associated with oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) to detect chemotherapy-associated SOS in a timely manner.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were included. Post-oxaliplatin heterogeneity in liver parenchyma was scored on a grading scale of 0 to 3.

Assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B using MR extracellular volume measurements: Comparison with serum fibrosis indices.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of liver extracellular volume (ECV) measurement by equilibrium MR in staging liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to compare its performance with serum fibrosis indices.

Materials And Methods: 91 CHB patients were included and underwent gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI with T1 mapping sequence before and 15-min after contrast. ECV, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4) were calculated and compared between fibrosis subgroups, and the correlations between the three indices and fibrosis stage or inflammatory activity were measured by Spearman correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Comparison of gadoxetic acid versus gadopentetate dimeglumine for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma at 1.5 T using the liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS v.2017).

Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v.2017 for the categorization of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with gadoxetic acid compared with gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Pre-TACE kurtosis of ADC derived from histogram analysis for diffusion-weighted imaging is the best independent predictor of prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of pre-TACE IVIM imaging based on histogram analysis for predicting prognosis in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five patients prospectively underwent 1.5T MRI 1 week before TACE.

T mapping on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging predicts recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

Purpose: Our purpose was to demonstrate the prognostic significance of T mapping on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging in prediction of recurrence of single HCC after hepatectomy.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and seven patients with single nodular HCC (≤3 cm) who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were included in the study. T mapping with syngo MapIt was obtained on a 1.

Role of MR in the differentiation of IgG4-related from non-IgG4-related hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor.

Background: Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is classified into 2 types based on IgG4 stain: IgG4-related and non-IgG4-related; the two types differ not only in their pathological characteristics, but also in the clinical features. This study aimed to investigate the MR character of hepatic IPT, and differentiate the IgG4-related IPT from the non-IgG4-related IPT.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with 27 histologically proven hepatic IPTs were retrospectively analyzed.

Diffusion kurtosis imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging in assessment of liver fibrosis stage and necroinflammatory activity.

Purpose: To investigate and compare the diagnostic value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in assessing and quantifying hepatic fibrosis.

Methods: Thirty rats were divided into the control group (n = 6) and the fibrosis experimental groups (n = 6 per group) with CCl administration for 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Liver fibrosis stage (S) and necroinflammatory activity grade (G) were histopathologically determined.

MR comparative study of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma in normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic livers.

Purpose: To compare MR imaging features of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) in normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic livers.

Methods: A total of 64 patients with 67 pathologically proven cHCC-CCs were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to the patients' liver condition: patients with normal liver (F0, group 1), fibrosis without cirrhosis (F1-3, group 2), and cirrhosis (F4, group 3).

Intrahepatic distant recurrence following complete radiofrequency ablation of small hepatocellular carcinoma: risk factors and early MRI evaluation.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is related to a high intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) rate, and the associations between IDR and relevant imaging features have not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine both clinical and imaging risk factors of IDR after complete RFA for HBV-related small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 3 cm).

Methods: Thirty-five patients (29 men and 6 women; mean age 60.

MR features of small hepatocellular carcinoma in normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic livers: a comparative study.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to compare MR imaging features of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (≤ 2 cm) in normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic liver.

Methods: A total of 215 patients with 235 pathologically proven sHCC were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to the patients' liver condition: patients with normal liver (F0, group 1), fibrosis without cirrhosis (F1-3, group 2), and cirrhosis (F4, group 3).

Usefulness of two-point Dixon fat-water separation technique in gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging.

Aim: To compare differences between volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) using two-point Dixon fat-water separation (Dixon-VIBE) and chemically selective fat saturation (FS-VIBE) with magnetic resonance imaging examination.

Methods: Forty-nine patients were included, who were scanned with two VIBE sequences (Dixon-VIBE and FS-VIBE) in hepatobiliary phase after gadoxetic acid administration. Subjective evaluations including sharpness of tumor, sharpness of vessels, strength and homogeneity of fat suppression, and artifacts that were scored using a 4-point scale.

MR imaging of primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm and metastatic hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: a comparative study.

Purpose: To investigate MR characteristics in differentiating primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PHNEN) from metastatic hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (MHNEN).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine patients with histopathologically proven liver neuroendocrine neoplasm were retrospectively analyzed. The morphological and MR signal features on T1, T2-weighted, dynamic-enhanced, and diffusion-weighted imaging were evaluated and compared between the PHNEN group (n = 12) and the MHNEN group (n = 27).

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MR imaging in differentiation of lung cancer from obstructive lung consolidation: comparison and correlation with pharmacokinetic analysis from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Objectives: To test whether parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) can be used to distinguish lung cancer from obstructive pulmonary consolidation by comparing them with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)-derived parameters and to evaluate the correlation between these quantitative parameters.

Methods: A total of 31 lung cancer patients, confirmed by pathology and obstructive consolidations confirmed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT), were recruited. All of them were assessed with structural MRI and IVIM and 17 of them underwent additional DCE-MRI examinations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma 20 mm or smaller in cirrhosis patients: early magnetic resonance enhancement by gadoxetic acid compared with gadopentetate dimeglumine.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in enhancement pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 20 mm or smaller and enhancement effects of hepatic vessels on early dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained with gadoxetic acid and gadopentetate dimeglumine in the same patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: We reviewed MR images using gadoxetic acid and gadopentetate dimeglumine in the same 34 patients with 42 histologically confirmed HCCs (median diameter, 14.5 mm).

Increased ratio of glutamate/glutamine to creatine in the right hippocampus contributes to depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate whether the glutamatergic system in the hippocampus is correlated with depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Fifty patients with epilepsy were recruited and divided into three groups on the basis of their Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores. Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) was carried out.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma: MR imaging findings including preliminary observation on diffusion-weighted imaging.

Purpose: To investigate MR imaging findings of primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PHNEC) including preliminary observations on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Materials And Methods: MR images of eight patients with pathologically confirmed PHNEC were retrospectively analyzed. The morphological characteristics and dynamic enhancement patterns were evaluated.

Decreased serum hepcidin concentration correlates with brain iron deposition in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.

Purpose: Excessive brain iron accumulation contributes to cognitive impairments in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. Hepcidin, a liver-produced, 25-aminoacid peptide, is the major regulator of systemic iron metabolism.

Three-dimensional whole-liver perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas and colorectal hepatic metastases.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) whole-liver perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with parallel imaging, a novel imaging method to characterize tumor vascularization in vivo, has recently been applied to comprehensively image perfusion changes in large tumors. Coupled with new perfusion software, this technique enables motion correction, registration, and evaluation of perfusion MR parameters. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of 3D whole-liver perfusion MR, for imaging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal hepatic metastases (CRHM).

T2* MRI of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and cognitive correlates in vivo.

Purpose: To evaluate regional brain iron deposition in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients using T2*-weighted gradient-echo imaging and to explore the relationship between T2* MR changes and cognitive performance.

Materials And Methods: Forty hepatitis-B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients and 22 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Of the patients, twenty eight patients were diagnosed with MHE.

Using a 2D multibreath-hold susceptibility-weighted imaging to visualize intratumoral hemorrhage of hepatocellular carcinoma at 3T MRI: correlation with pathology.

Purpose: To assess the value of 2D multibreath-hold susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for visualizing intratumoral hemorrhage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and correlate with pathological results.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-eight patients with 65 HCCs underwent T1-, T2-, T2-weighted imaging and SWI. The ability to detect intratumoral hemorrhage for each imaging technique was evaluated.

Disease duration and arcuate fasciculus abnormalities correlate with psychoticism in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: We sought to investigate the relationship between interictal personality changes and white matter abnormalities in epilepsy patients.

Methods: A total of 65 individuals with epilepsy and 40 demographically matched controls were evaluated by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) on 3T. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of fibers were acquired.

Contribution of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic liver.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for the characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dysplastic nodule (DN) in cirrhotic liver, compared with contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI).

Methods: A total of 54 patients with 40 HCC and 19 DN lesions were included in our study, and all lesions were histopathologically confirmed. All lesions were evaluated with CE-MRI, and breath-hold DWI was performed with b = 500 s/mm.