Assessment of Vertebral Bone Marrow Perfusion, Fat/Water Content, and Trabecular Bone Changes Using Multimodal MRI and Micro-CT in a Rat Model of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Disturbances in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis resulting from chronic kidney disease (CKD) may lead to atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, potentially altering bone marrow perfusion. Our study aimed to investigate vertebral bone marrow perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI with a pharmacokinetic model. We also measured possible changes in water and fat content and bony trabeculae using T2* quantification, MR spectroscopy (MRS), and microcomputed tomography (μCT).

Integrating VAI-Assisted Quantified CXRs and Multimodal Data to Assess the Risk of Mortality.

To address the unmet need for a widely available examination for mortality prediction, this study developed a foundation visual artificial intelligence (VAI) to enhance mortality risk stratification using chest X-rays (CXRs). The VAI employed deep learning to extract CXR features and a Cox proportional hazard model to generate a hazard score ("CXR-risk"). We retrospectively collected CXRs from patients visited outpatient department and physical examination center.

Added value of 18Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/MRI for evaluation of failed back surgery syndrome: comparison with non-contrast MRI.

Objectives: Given increasing research suggesting the utility of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in identifying the pain generator of low back pain, our study aims to assess its effectiveness in evaluating the source of pain in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) by comparing the performance of fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/MRI with conventional MRI.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with FBSS who underwent F-FDG PET and MRI of the lumbar vertebrae and lower extremities for undetermined sources of pain. We assessed 1) The diagnostic reliability and efficacy of MRI and F-FDG PET/MRI according to correct differential diagnosis, affected level, and affected side of the pain source compared to the findings of selective root or peripheral nerve block or revision lumbar spine surgery; and 2) The association between standardized uptake value (SUV) and standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) threshold and accuracy of the suspected pathology on F-FDG PET/MRI.

Efficacy and reliability of three-dimensional fusion guidance for fluoroscopic navigation in transarterial embolization for refractory musculoskeletal pain.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of three-dimensional (3D) fusion guidance in roadmapping for fluoroscopic navigation during trans-arterial embolization for refractory musculoskeletal pain (TAE-MSK pain) in the extremities.

Methods: The included research patients were divided into two groups: group A-TAE-MSK pain performed without the use of 3D fusion guidance; group B-TAE-MSK pain performed with the use of 3D fusion guidance for fluoroscopic navigation. We compared the procedure time, radiation dose, visual analogue scale for pain scores, and adverse effects (before and 3 months after TAE-MSK pain) among the two groups.

Usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography-reformatted epidurography in percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis: A pilot study.

Background: Conventional epidurography (CE) is thought to have insufficient usefulness on percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA). We aimed to evaluate the association between the outcome of PEA and cone-beam computed tomography-reformatted epidurography (CBCT-RE).

Methods: After ethics board approval and written informed consent were obtained, we performed 30 PEA in 26 participants, and evaluated their post-PEA image findings.

Value of CT in targeted CT-guided epidural blood patching: Predictors for successful epidural punctures.

Background And Purpose: Differentiating epidural from intrathecal punctures before computed tomography (CT)-guided epidural blood patching (EBP) is subjective, relying on operator experience. This study aimed to investigate CT findings for epidural and intrathecal punctures and identify reliable predictors for successful epidural punctures before targeted CT-guided EBP.

Materials And Methods: We included 65 patients with low-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-pressure headache receiving targeted CT-guided EBP between January 2021 and October 2022 in this retrospective study.

The Value of F-FDG PET/MRI in Detecting Lumbar Radiculopathy for Selective Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy: a Case Report.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most popular imaging modality for investigating intervertebral disc herniation. However, it has a high chance for identifying incidental findings that are morphologically or structurally abnormal but not responsible for patients' symptoms. Although a previous study suggested that F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) may help identify neuroinflammation in lumbar radiculopathy, there is currently no direct evidence obtained from surgery.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation-based closed-loop modality for activity of daily living gain in spinal cord injury: a retrospective study using propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-based closed-loop (TBCL) modality was seldom recommended for functional restoring following spinal cord injury (SCI), several studies recently came to a positive suggestion.

Aim: To explore the independent factors which influence activity of daily living (ADL) gain, and systematically investigate the efficacy of TBCL for ADL gain.

Design: A retrospective observational study.

Risk Factors Associated with Cartilage Defects after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Military Draftees.

This study aimed to evaluate the different clinical results and factors associated with cartilage defects in military draftees who underwent different treatments after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Overall, 105 patients who had sustained ACL rupture were military draftees who underwent a conscription examination for physical status assessment from January 2012 to December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups: conservative treatment after ACL rupture, status post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but graft rupture, and status post-ACLR with graft intact.

The Role of Power Doppler Ultrasonography in Caudal Epidural Injection.

: Although the ultrasound-guided technique is used in caudal epidural injections, severe complications can happen if ultrasound cannot identify the occurrence of intravascular injection. To determine intraepidural and intravascular injection during caudal epidural injections, we used power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) when injecting medications into the epidural space. : This is a retrospective study that enrolled a total of 277 patients with refractory low back pain or degenerative disc from January 2019 to December 2019.

Case Report: Nerve Root Entrapment Due to Epidural Fibrosis in a Patient With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Value of 2-F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a highly prevalent condition in patients after spine surgery. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of epidural fibrosis, it is sometimes difficult to determine if epidural fibrosis contributes to radiculopathy. Herein, we share our experience in locating radiculopathy lesions using simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI.

Combination therapy of sorafenib and drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with and without hepatic arteriovenous shunt.

Background: To compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with sorafenib and drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without hepatic arteriovenous shunt (HAVS).

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study enrolled 59 advanced HCC patients treated with combination therapy, of whom 33 (55.9%) patients had HAVS.

Detection of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Using an Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Chest X-Ray.

Background: Assessment of left ventricular systolic dysfunction provides essential information related to the prognosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to develop a deep-learning model to identify left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% via chest X-ray (CXR [CXR-EF≤35%]) features and investigate the performance and clinical implications.

Methods: This study collected 90,547 CXRs with the corresponding LVEF according to transthoracic echocardiography from the outpatient department in an academic medical center.

MRI contributes to accurate and early diagnosis of non-radiographic HLA-B27 negative axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthropathies (nr-axSpA) are diagnosed by the absence of radiographic sacroiliitis and the presence of bone marrow edema (BME) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to the classification criteria of the international Assessment of Spondyloarthritis Society (ASAS), structural changes to sacroiliac joints (SIJs) on MRI cannot be used as criteria in the absence of BME. However, less than half the Asian patients with clinically active axSpA show BME.

Fried egg sign: A typical ultrasonography feature of neurolymphomatosis.

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare condition caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukemia. We present a case of NL and describe ultrasound features, including the "fried egg sign" in which there is a clear demarcation between an avascular echogenic core and a hypoechoic vascularized peripheral zone that may help to distinguish NL from primary nerve sheath tumors.

Efficacy and Safety of Supplemental Transarterial Chemoembolization Through Extrahepatic Collateral Arteries with Drug-eluting Beads: Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of supplement transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with drug-eluting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) through extrahepatic collateral (EHC) arteries for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, 61 unresectable HCC patients with treatment-naïve EHC blood supplies who received TACE from January 2016 to March 2019 were enrolled; of these patients, 42 (68.9%) received DEB-TACE, and 19 (31.

Publisher Correction: Reservoir characteristics and logging evaluation of gas - bearing mudstone in the south of North China Plain.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Acute ischemic stroke induces magnetic resonance susceptibility signs dominated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation.

Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke induces deoxyhemoglobin accumulation around the ischemic region while activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling and the subsequent release of nitric oxide (NO). Because deoxyhemoglobin is a natural NO spin trap, its interplay with NO could be prominent during acute stroke. Its interaction with NO has been shown to induce overt paramagnetic signals in vitro; our goal was to investigate whether this interplay can be detected using MRI.

The impact of edema and fiber crossing on diffusion MRI metrics assessed in an ex vivo nerve phantom: Multi-tensor model vs. diffusion orientation distribution function.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been employed for over 2 decades to noninvasively quantify central nervous system diseases/injuries. However, DTI is an inadequate simplification of diffusion modeling in the presence of coexisting inflammation, edema and crossing nerve fibers. We employed a tissue phantom using fixed mouse trigeminal nerves coated with various amounts of agarose gel to mimic crossing fibers in the presence of vasogenic edema.

Post-operative assessment in patients after liver transplantation: imaging parameters associated with 1-year graft failure.

Purpose: To identify post-liver transplant CT findings which predict graft failure within 1 year.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the CT scans of 202 adult liver transplants performed in our institution who underwent CT within 3 months after transplantation. We recorded CT findings of liver perfusion defect (LPD), parenchymal homogeneity, and the diameters and attenuations of the hepatic vessels.

Time to peak enhancement of malignant hypervascular hepatic tumors versus that of the aorta evaluating by test bolus sequence of magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between time to peak enhancement (TPE) of malignant hypervascular hepatic tumors and that of the aorta.

Method: Sixty patients with malignant hypervascular hepatic tumors (48 with hepatocellular carcinoma and 12 with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor) who received abdominal MRI with test bolus sequence between January 2015 and May 2019 were enrolled. The test bolus images were monitored every 3 s after the injection of 2 mL gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) and 10 mL saline flush, to evaluate the TPE of the tumors and aorta.

Median Nerve Injury in Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection and Corticosteroid Injections for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Purpose:  Permanent nerve damage after corticosteroid injection has been suggested when symptoms of median nerve injury (MNI) are irreversible. We assess the outcomes of MNI and their association with ultrasonography (US)-guided hydrodissection and the following corticosteroid injection for symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods:  US-guided hydrodissection and the following corticosteroid injections were administered to 126 CTS patients.