Three-dimensional bone-free computed tomographic angiography of aneurysms near the skull base using a new bone-removal application.

Purpose: Bone elimination is needed for computed tomography angiography (CTA) because bone structures obscure aneurysms located at the skull base. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D)-CTA using an application for bone elimination.

Materials And Methods: A total of 27 patients with 32 angiographically confirmed aneurysms near the skull base were investigated.

Accurate diagnosis of peripheral small cell lung cancer with computed tomography.

Small lesions are frequently detected in the lung with computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. It is important to know the CT features of small-sized peripheral small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for early-stage diagnosis. We reviewed the CT findings of SCLC that presented as a solitary peripheral nodule without associated lymphadenopathy.

Tumor-liver contrast and subjective tumor conspicuity of respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence compared with T2*-weighted gradient recalled-echo sequence for ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic malignant tumors.

Purpose: To compare respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo (RTT2W-FSE) and gradient T2*-weighted recalled-echo (T2*W-GRE) images for visualization of malignant hepatic tumors using ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: Ferucarbotran-enhanced RTT2W-FSE and breath-hold long-TE 2D-fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) images as T2*W-GRE were used to evaluate 128 malignant hepatic tumors (77 metastases, 37 hepatocellular carcinomas, 14 other) in 62 patients. Tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC) was quantitatively compared using the paired Student's t-test, and the score of lesion conspicuity was qualitatively compared using Wilcoxon's signed rank test.

Reduced perfusion reserve in Leukoaraiosis demonstrated using acetazolamide challenge 123I-IMP SPECT.

Objective: We examined the relationship between the perfusion reserve as measured by acetazolamide (ACZ)-challenge N-isopropyl-I-123-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP)-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the degree of leukoaraiosis (LA) as estimated using magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: In 51 patients receiving IMP-SPECT with the resting state and ACZ challenge, the unaffected cerebral hemispheres were included in the present study. Mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the resting state and ACZ reactivity were acquired.

Spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases following regression of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial embolization. A case report.

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare phenomenon. Some reports have described cases of spontaneous regression of HCC, but there have been few cases with spontaneous regression of only metastatic lesions from HCC. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with multiple lung metastases from HCC that regressed spontaneously following regression of HCC after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).

CT features of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective: Our objective was to establish the CT features that are indicative of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Conclusion: A fluid collection seen on CT around the pancreaticojejunostomy site and in the pancreatic bed may be caused by pancreatic fistula in patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy. CT depiction of air bubbles in the fluid at these sites may strongly suggest the diagnosis of pancreatic fistula.

Visualization of anterior disc displacement in temporomandibular disorders on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with T2-weighted, proton density-weighted, and precontrast T1-weighted imaging.

Objective: To compare postcontrast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI+) with precontrast T1-weighted (T1WI-), T2-weighted (T2WI), and proton density-weighted imaging (ProWI) in depiction of the anterior disc displacement (ADD) in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Study Design: A total of 120 joints with TMD were included in this study. Qualitatively, Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

Diffusion changes in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation for brain tumors: possible prediction of treatment response.

Objective: Changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation (STI) were evaluated, and then the therapeutic efficacy of ADC measurement was assessed.

Methods: In 20 tumors, diffusion-weighted imaging within 1 week before and 2-4 weeks after STI was performed. The normalized ADC (nADC) was measured.

Comparison of the MR findings on indirect MR arthrography in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Purpose: To compare indirect magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography findings in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Indirect MR arthrography results of 15 asymptomatic and 23 symptomatic rotator cuff tears were retrospectively reviewed, comparing the type and size of tears and amount of subacrominal-subdeltoid bursal fluid.

Results: There were 14 partial-thickness tears and one full-thickness tear in the asymptomatic group, with 4 small and 11 medium tears.

Visualization of lymphatic basin from the tumor using magnetic resonance lymphography with superparamagnetic iron oxide in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) lymphography with submucosal injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) for imaging lymphatic pathways from thoracic esophageal cancer.

Methods: In 24 patients with esophageal cancer, SPIO was injected into the submucosal layer of the peritumoral region endoscopically and MR lymphography was conducted. In study 1, fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition using a steady-state (FSPGR) sequence was performed from the neck to the upper abdomen before and at 20, 40, and 60 minutes after injection in 10 patients.

Comparison of 201Tl-chloride SPECT with 99mtc-MIBI SPECT in the depiction of malignant head and neck tumors.

Objective: Comparison of 201Tl chloride SPECT (TI-SPECT) with 99mTc-MIBI SPECT (MIBI-SPECT) in the depiction of malignant head and neck tumors was prospectively studied.

Methods: Forty-one patients with various tumors of the head and neck were included in this prospective study. Histologically, 36 patients had squamous cell carcinomas, 3 undifferentiated carcinomas, 1 transitional cell carcinoma, and 1 MALT lymphoma.

123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine single-photon emission computerized tomography in brain tumors - a preliminary study.

Objective: (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) has been developed as a functional analog of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The success of MIBG as an imaging agent for neural crest tumors is derived from its chemical similarities to norepinephrine. The present study aimed to explore a potential of (123)I-MIBG to differentiate embryonal tumors from other types of brain tumors.

[Three-dimensional surface anatomical scanning with 3D-FSPGR: anatomical conformity with surgical findings].

Three-dimensional imaging with MRI is a useful method for neurosurgical simulations. As in our previous study, we have constructed three-dimensional surface anatomical scanning (3D-SAS) from the data of contrast enhanced 3D fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (3D-FSPGR) sequence. Using this technique, it is possible to generate 3D images from the data of only one acquisition, without using the fusion function.

Comparison of technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime single-photon emission tomograph with stump pressure during the balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery.

Background And Purpose: Measuring blood pressure (stump pressure) in the distal internal carotid artery during occlusion of the internal carotid artery is reportedly a reliable safety index with which to predict ischemia following permanent occlusion of the internal carotid artery. We compared the stump pressure during occlusion of the internal carotid artery with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) using technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent the balloon occlusion test.

Evaluating benign and malignant musculoskeletal lesions with radionuclide angiography and SPECT using Tc-99m MIBI.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of radionuclide angiography and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using Tc-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) for analyzing musculoskeletal lesions.

Materials And Methods: Radionuclide angiography and SPECT using Tc-99m MIBI were performed in 36 patients with various soft tissue and bone pathologies (18 benign and 18 malignant lesions). The ratio of the counts of the lesion to that of the contralateral normal area was calculated from the region of interest drawn on the MIBI scan.

Motor denervation of tumors of the head and neck: changes in MR appearance.

Purpose: We reviewed the MR appearance of motor denervation of the third (mandibular) division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) and of the hypoglossal nerve.

Method: Six cases of tumor of the head and neck with motor denervation were retrospectively evaluated. These comprised two patients with V3 denervation, three patients with hypoglossal nerve denervation, and one patient with both V3 and hypoglossal denervation.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapeutic efficacy in the head and neck tumors.

Purpose: The purpose to this study is to identify correlations between pathology and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess the utility of this technique in the evaluation of radiation response for head and neck cancer.

Materials And Methods: MRI was prospectively performed after radiotherapy in 27 patients with various head and neck tumors. After bolus injection of contrast material, a dynamic study was performed using a spoiled gradient-recalled imaging sequence.

Efficacy and safety of hepatic artery infusion catheter placement without fixation in the right gastroepiploic artery.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of placing the tip of an infusion catheter in the right gastroepiploic artery via the femoral route and whether coil placement in the gastroduodenal artery and around the infusion catheter tip should be performed to avoid gastroduodenal toxicity and catheter dislocation.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-eight patients (25 women and 53 men; age, 38-79 years; mean, 63 years) underwent implantation of a 5-F chemotherapeutic infusion catheter via the femoral artery, positioned so that the tip was in the right gastroepiploic artery and a side hole was in the common hepatic artery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A included patients with coil placement in the gastroduodenal artery and around the infusion catheter tip and group B included patients without coil placement.

Craniocervical junction venous anatomy around the suboccipital cavernous sinus: evaluation by MR imaging.

The present study evaluated the venous anatomy of the craniocervical junction, focusing on the suboccipital cavernous sinus (SCS), a vertebral venous plexus surrounding the horizontal portion of the vertebral artery at the skull base. MR imaging was reviewed to clarify the venous anatomy of the SCS in 33 patients. Multiplanar reconstruction MR images were obtained using contrast-enhanced three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (3-D fast SPGR) with fat suppression.

Thallium-201 SPECT in the evaluation of early effects on brain tumors treated with stereotactic irradiation.

Purpose: To determine whether thallium-201 SPECT can predict response to stereotactic irradiation (STI) earlier than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the change in tumor size measured by MRI was compared with the change in tumor activity measured by Tl-201 SPECT before and after STI.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one tumors in 16 patients with intracranial tumors were treated by STI. Tl-201 SPECT was performed within 1 week before the beginning of STI and within 1 week after the end of STI in all patients.

Hepatic infarction following selective hepatic artery embolization with microcoils for iatrogenic biliary hemorrhage.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relation of collateral filling to ischemic or infarcted liver following selective embolization of hepatic artery with microcoils in patients with iatrogenic hemobilia. Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and post-embolization angiograms in eight patients (mean age of 66 years) studied over the last 7 years. Hemobilia occurred after percutaneous biliary drainage (n = 5) and percutaneous hepatic biopsy (n = 3).

Image fusion of thallium-201 SPECT and MR imaging for the assessment of recurrent head and neck tumors following flap reconstructive surgery.

The aim of this study was to assess the value of fused MR and Tl-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images in the diagnosis of recurrent head and neck tumors in patients after flap reconstruction surgery. Twenty-four patients after resection of primary head and neck tumors with flap reconstruction were suspected of having recurrent tumor by follow-up MR examination. Both MR examination and Tl-201 SPECT were prospectively performed to produce fused images.

Angiography of hepatic vascular malformations associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Purpose: To describe the angiographic features of hepatic involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), particularly the presence of portovenous shunts.

Methods: We reviewed the angiographic findings of seven patients with HHT. The patients comprised three women and four men with a mean age of 51 years.

[A case of astrocytoma with extracranial extension after malignant transformation].

A case of astrocytoma with extracranial extension after malignant transformation is presented. The patient was a 58-year-old female who suffered from headache. The initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a slightly hyperintense tumor on T 2-weighted images in the tip of the left temporal lobe, and no contrast enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T 1-weighted images(Gd-T 1 WI).

Ischemic lesions related to cerebral angiography: Evaluation by diffusion weighted MR imaging.

We examined the incidence of ischemic lesions occurring after cerebral angiography by means of diffusion weighted MR imaging (DWI). Fifty patients were included in this study. Balloon occlusion tests of the internal carotid artery were performed in 9 of the 50 patients.