[Magnetic resonance arthrography in chondral disease of the knee].

The clinical usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the knee in the depiction of meniscal, ligament and tendon lesions is well known. In contrast, the role MRI plays in the diagnosis of chondromalacia remains debated, the gold standard being arthroscopy. A new technique, i.

Quantitative MR imaging data in the evaluation of hepatic metastases during systemic chemotherapy.

To identify changes induced by chemotherapy in hepatic metastases, 34 patients with metastases underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before the start of systemic chemotherapy and monthly thereafter. The number, size, and morphologic patterns of the lesions and changes in quantitative parameters (signal-to-noise ratio [S/N]], contrast-to-noise ratio, and signal intensity ratio) were evaluated and correlated with response to treatment and prognosis. After treatment, seven patients showed a partial response, 18 had stable disease, and nine had progressive disease.

MR imaging of hepatic masses: diagnostic significance of wedge-shaped areas of increased signal intensity surrounding the lesion.

Objective: Wedge-shaped areas of increased signal intensity surrounding focal hepatic lesions on T2-weighted images have been described as an occasional finding in patients with hepatic metastases. We reviewed MR images of patients with benign and malignant focal hepatic lesions to determine the prevalence and diagnostic significance of this finding, and in particular to determine if these wedge-shaped areas are characteristic of cancer.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients with focal hepatic lesions (65 patients with metastases, 14 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and 42 patients with benign conditions) underwent MR imaging of the liver at 1.

[Turbo-Spin-Echo sequences in focal liver diseases].

Turbo Spin-Echo (Turbo SE) pulse sequences represent a new type of fast sequences characterized by a dramatic reduction in acquisition time with similar intrinsic contrast to that of conventional Spin-Echo (SE) pulse sequences. For a preliminary clinical comparison of turbo SE and SE sequences, a consecutive series of 25 patients with focal liver lesions was investigated by means of MRI at 1.0 T.

[Magnetic resonance versus traditional breast imaging in solid nodular diseases of the breast].

We report and compare the results obtained with conventional imaging (mammography and US) and MRI in the study of 46 solid nodular breast lesions verified with histologic, cytologic and/or instrumental follow-up examinations for 12-34 months. The variables we compared were relative to the identification, nature and size of the lesions. MRI, which was performed on the basis of previous mammographic and US findings, detected all the lesions but never modified the diagnosis of conventional imaging methods.

Inadequacy of ultrasonography for monitoring response to treatment of liver metastases.

Purpose: We prospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of ultrasonography (US) in monitoring the effect of medical treatment in patients with liver metastases, by comparing serial US assessment with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation and clinical outcome in a group of 41 patients with solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: Both examinations were performed in patients with metastatic liver disease at the start of a new treatment modality and monthly thereafter for 3 months; close monitoring was prolonged beyond the third month in cases in which there was disagreement between the two techniques and the clinical course was not conclusive.

Results: Planned follow-up was completed in 37 cases.

[Magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of lesions of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage. The experience with 49 patients with chronic pain at the wrist].

In order to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of MR Imaging in defining triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) lesions, 49 selected patients--21 with rheumatoid arthritis, 13 with traumatic injury and 15 with wrist fracture--presenting chronic wrist pain were examined with MR Imaging. The wrists of 12 healthy subjects were also studied as a control group. MR examinations were performed by means of a superconductive 1.

MRI appearances in amoebic granulomatous hepatitis: a case report.

Amoebiasis is a common cause of liver disease usually presenting as single large or multiple smaller abscesses. Cases with granulomatous hepatitis have rarely been described. We report the case of a 7-year-old girl with amoebic granulomatous hepatitis in which multiple liver abscesses were demonstrated by MRI.

MR imaging of ulcerative colitis.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to study 16 resected rectosigmoid specimens of patients treated with total colectomy for severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Six normal colon specimens were also studied as a control group. Moreover, a parallel study of the pelvis of 24 patients with a proven diagnosis of UC was performed with the same MR system.

Evaluation of the pulmonary artery by cine MRI.

Twenty-four patients whose mediastinal (12 patients) and lung (12 patients) neoplasms were eventually verified were evaluated with cine MRI in addition to conventional methods (plain radiography, CT, MRI, and endoscopy). Using a 1.0 T system and gradient echo (FLASH repetition time 250-350 ms, echo time 12, flip angle 25-60 degrees) multislice pulse sequence, cine MRI was performed combined with cardiac gating.

[A case of focal necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis in childhood].

Granulomatous hepatitis make up a group of conditions of various aetiologies. The diagnosis of granulomatous hepatitis is histologic, since the aspect of the granulomatous lesion is not always indicative of a specific disease. It is important to take into consideration for the aetiologic diagnosis a good response to a specific therapy or the execution of complementary examinations.

MR imaging of rheumatoid hand lesions: comparison with conventional radiology in 31 patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing MRI with conventional radiology (CR) findings and by correlating these findings with the clinical and serological profile of the disease. The hands of 31 patients (24 females, 7 males) affected by classical RA were studied using a Magnetom 1.0 T tomograph.

[Cine-MR in the assessment of the cardiovascular structures in extensive mediastinal pathology].

The authors report their experience with cine-MRI in evaluating the infiltration of the main cardiovascular structures by expansive mediastinal masses. Twenty-four patients with proven lung (12 cases) and mediastinal (12 cases) cancers, previously selected with CT, underwent MRI examination of the chest. A superconductive 1.

MR imaging in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is usually made on the basis of clinical and electrophysiologic data. Other tests, however, such as ultrasound and CT, have enabled us to acquire additional information regarding the anatomical definition of the structures inside the carpal tunnel. The superior quality of MRIs soft-tissue definition led us to employ it in cases of median nerve compression at the wrist in order to determine its true diagnostic value.

[Dynamic imaging with magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of breast disease].

MR imaging was employed for the identification and tissue characterization of nodular lesions in the breast. The study had poor outcome, but the clinical introduction of a paramagnetic contrast medium, Gd-DTPA, allowed better results to be obtained. This study was aimed at evaluating the possibilities of Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI in differentiating benign from malignant breast nodules and in staging cancer.

[Magnetic resonance in the tunnel carpal syndrome. Possibilities and perspectives of an etiopathogenetic study].

Thirty-four selected patients were evaluated in order to define MRI capabilities in the preoperative evaluation and characterization of the pathogenetic patterns of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). MRI examinations were performed by means of a superconductive unit (1.0 T, Magnetom): SE T1 (500/17) and T2 (2000/90) axial images of the carpal region were obtained with a round surface coil.

[Psychologic reactions of patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. Preliminary study].

MR imaging, like other imaging techniques, can cause emotional and psychological reactions in the patients. Although reversible, these reactions sometimes lead the patient to absolutely refuse the examination or to make it impossible to carry it through. To investigate the patients' emotional distress, a study group of 28 subjects was examined.

[Magnetic resonance of the rheumatoid hand].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate MRI diagnostic accuracy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to compare MRI and radiological findings and to correlate these findings with the clinical and serological profile of the disease. The hands of 24 patients (20 females, 4 males) affected with typical RA (ARA criteria) were studied using a tomograph Magnetom 1.0 T Siemens.

[Magnetic resonance in the staging of bladder neoplasms: results of the use of JKA1, a ferrous contrast solution].

The authors report the results of the staging of urinary bladder cancers by means of MRI using a new ferrous contrastographic solution called JKA1. Eighteen patients with proved bladder neoplasms were examined by means of MRI: the bladder was filled with physiological solution first, and then with JKA1. Six patients were studied also after filling their bladders with Gd-DTPA solution (1:50).

[Radiological study of the thorax. Evaluation of efficacy-efficiency of a large-field image intensifier in mass screening].

Chest X-ray is the most frequent examination in radiology and accounts for a considerable portion of total population radiation exposure, mostly in screening programs. The ideal radiographic system is the one providing the best image quality together with the lowest dose to the patient, at a low cost. In this paper the authors analyze the potentials of a new chest X-ray examination unit equipped with a large-screen image intensifier (TS 57-Siemens).

[Radio-urodynamic evaluation of stress urinary incontinence in women].

This work is aimed at demonstrating the validity of conventional radiological procedures, correlated with urodynamics, in the study of female urinary stress incontinence. In a study population of 110 patients with a clinical-urodynamic diagnosis of stress incontinence, radiological evaluation was performed by means of retrograde cystography, bead chain cystourethrography, and voiding cystourethrography. Radiographic findings were correlated with urodynamic data, and in particular with urethral pressure profile (functional length of the urethra, maximum closing pressure, maximum urethral pressure).

[Nodular pulmonary lesions. Evaluation of the significance of the radiographic semeiotics correlated with the results of transbronchial fiberscopic pulmonary biopsy and transparietal needle aspiration].

The results obtained in 148 patients affected by nodular lung lesions have been evaluated. Transbronchial pulmonary biopsies (TBPB) and/or transthoracic fine needle biopsies (NB) have been performed. Diagnostic yield of the performed procedures was 61.

[Clinical, radiological and ultrasonic correlations in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Observations concerning 75 patients on dialysis].

The results of a US study on parathyroid glands, performed in 75 hemodialysed patients are reported. The correlation between morphological features of the glands, biochemical and radiological pattern of secondary hyperparathyroidism is stressed. The results show a significant link between gland volume and hematic level of PTH: less interesting appears the correlation with radiological pattern of uremic osteodystrophy.

[Sonographic structural and morphological features of the parathyroid glands in patients on dialysis. Observations concerning 75 patients].

The results of US study concerning parathyroid glands performed in 75 uremic patients on regular haemodialysis, examined by echography, are reported. The purpose of this research is the identification of the glands and the analysis of their sonographic features. The results show that parathyroids mostly have round shape and regular outlines, usually hypoechoic structure.