The pulmonary artery acceleration time determined with the MR-RACE-technique: comparison to pulmonary artery mean pressure in 12 patients.

The goal of our study was to evaluate a rapid noninvasive MR technique for quantification of the pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT) and other parameters of pulmonary hemodynamics and to correlate with pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP). The PAT known as "time-to-peak" out of Doppler echocardiographic measurements normally shows significant inverse correlation with mPAP. With the MR-RACE-Technique (RACE: Real time ACquisition and Evaluation of motion) blood velocity measurements can be obtained with a total acquisition time of a few seconds.

3D TOF MR angiography of cerebral arteriovenous malformations after radiosurgery.

To investigate the potential of three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (MRA) to complement SE imaging, 18 patients with intracerebral arteriovenous malformations were prospectively followed after undergoing radiosurgery. Vessel occlusion after stereotaxic single high dose radiotherapy develops slowly. The MRA detected signs of nidus obliteration earlier and with a higher sensitivity than did SE imaging.

[MR angiography. Its use in pulmonary and mediastinal space-occupying lesions].

MR angiography (MRA) proved to be promising combined to MR imaging (MRI) in the assessment of intrathoracic masses. Sequential FLASH 2D angiograms were acquired in breath-hold technique using the following parameters: TR = 30 ms, TE = 10 ms, FA = 30 degrees. Section thickness was 5 mm with 1 mm overlap between sequential sections.

[Measurement of the blood flow velocity in the pulmonary arteries using the magnetic resonance technique].

MR blood velocity measurements were performed by the RACE technique in a plane perpendicular to the flow of the pulmonary arteries. MR findings were correlated with those of perfusion scintigraphy, Doppler US and right heart catheter (thermodilution). The ratio of MR blood flow measurements of right and left pulmonary arteries correlated well with the results of perfusion scintigraphy (RPA to LPA) and Doppler.

[Primary carcinoid of the choledochus].

The differential diagnosis of obstructive disease processes of the common bile duct can be very difficult even when sonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and angiography are applied. In most cases, morphological changes are due to stones or carcinoma. We report on a case of a carcinoid tumor located in the intrapancreatic part of the common bile duct.

[Evaluation of intrapulmonary round foci using thin-layer computed tomography].

100 patients with 122 round pulmonary lesions were examined preoperatively by CT, using either 8 mm or 2 mm sections. The most important findings were: radial extensions were seen on the fine sections in 95% of primary bronchial carcinomas (48 cases), in 60% of lung metastases (31 cases) and in 70% of chronic inflammatory lesions (24 cases), but they were not seen in benign tumours or hamartomas. Similar findings were observed for perifocal consolidation.

[Differential computed tomographic diagnosis of cavity-forming space-occupying lesions of the lung].

One hundred cavitating pulmonary foci were examined by CT; the appearances have been analysed and compared with the histological findings. Three types of disease have been characterised: bronchial carcinomas, lung metastases and benign lesions. Compared with benign lesions, malignant disease shows a significantly higher incidence of cystic or multiple cavities: thick cavity walls; radiation of tumour tissue; enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes; ipsilateral displacement of the mediastinum; intrapulmonary satellite foci and infiltration of the thoracic wall.

[Thin-section computerized tomography of the skull base].

High-resolution CT images of the skull base are depicted and anatomical structures are described. A large variety of osseous and soft tissue structures can be differentiated in the temporal bone, nasopharynx and orbita. Knowledge of the anatomical structures is essential for the recognition of pathological changes and also plays an essential role for the radiologist involved in diagnosis.

[Computerized tomography aspect of empyema necessitatis].

In two case reports the development of an empyema necessitatis in the course of long-standing tuberculosis and after pneumonectomy because of lung carcinoma is presented. The computer tomographic aspect and the differential diagnosis are discussed.

[Cystic craniopharyngiomas: computed tomography in the pretherapeutic evaluation and control of treatment results following intracystic contact irradiation].

A report is given on the treatment planning by computed tomography and monitoring in 37 cases of preponderantly cystic craniopharyngiomas with different solid tumor parts. Colloidal yttrium 90 silicate was used for the intracystic contact irradiation. Two pretherapeutic forms of the solid tumor parts were found in CT examination which correlated with different courses: 1.

[Axial myopia--computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography findings].

The case of a 44-year-old women suffering from amblyopia of the left eye with unilateral proptosis caused by axial (progressive) myopia is presented. The clinical and radiological findings were discussed in reference to the literature. The diagnosis was established by ruling out neoplastic, inflammatory or endocrine causes for the exophthalmos.

[Intracranial manifestation of lymphomatoid granulomatosis (Liebow's disease)].

An intracranial manifestation of lymphomatoid granulomatosis occurs in 20% of patients. In the case of a 56-year-old patient it is shown that a relative long period can pass from the first neurological symptoms to histological diagnosis by stereotactic brain puncture. Over 15 months, follow-up studies were performed using computed tomography and magnetic resonance.

[Primary and secondary chest wall tumors--new imaging procedures].

For the diagnostic evaluation of chest wall tumours computed tomography, bone scintigraphy, sonography and magnetic resonance tomography as additional imaging methods are available. CT has the greatest clinical relevance; the most important advantage of CT is the exact topographic localization of the process and the evaluation of the soft tissue extension. A tumour specific diagnosis can only be expected on rare occasions.

[Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm and spurious aneurysm of the splenic artery--diagnosis by angio-CT and ultrasound].

Pseudoaneurysm of the pancreas is a severe complication secondary to pancreatitis. The splenic artery is most often involved, followed by the pancreaticoduodenal vessels and the gastroduodenal artery. Selective arteriography is considered the method of choice in preoperative diagnosis.

[The significance of computer tomography in the diagnosis, planning, therapy planning and control of the therapy of malignant lymphomas].

Staging of malignant lymphomas is significantly improved by computed tomography. This method not only visualizes enlarged lymph nodes, but also enables the assessment of organs which could also be affected within the overall underlying disease. Accuracy of diagnosis of computed tomography is between 80 and 95%, depending upon the examined area.

[Angio-CT: an improvement in the diagnosis of malignant liver diseases].

Dynamic contrast studies of the liver make it possible to evaluate the vascularity of liver metastases. Up to the present, the examination has only been carried out in single planes, whereas studies of the whole of the liver during one examination have not yet been published. This can be obtained by performing sequential CT (angio-CT), using special software.