Thin-slice elbow MRI with deep learning reconstruction: Superior diagnostic performance of elbow ligament pathologies.

Purpose: With the slice thickness routinely used in elbow MRI, small or subtle lesions may be overlooked or misinterpreted as insignificant. To compare 1 mm slice thickness MRI (1 mm MRI) with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) to 3 mm slice thickness MRI (3 mm MRI) without/with DLR, and 1 mm MRI without DLR regarding image quality and diagnostic performance for elbow tendons and ligaments.

Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients between February 2021 and January 2022, who underwent 3 T elbow MRI, including T2-weighted fat-saturated coronal 3 mm and 1 mm MRI without/with DLR.

Sarcopenia prediction using shear-wave elastography, grayscale ultrasonography, and clinical information with machine learning fusion techniques: feature-level fusion vs. score-level fusion.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a sarcopenia prediction model by fusing numerical features from shear-wave elastography (SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) examinations, using the rectus femoris muscle (RF) and categorical/numerical features related to clinical information. Both cohorts (development, 70 healthy subjects; evaluation, 81 patients) underwent ultrasonography (SWE and GSU) and computed tomography. Sarcopenia was determined using skeletal muscle index calculated from the computed tomography.

Impact of deep learning-based reconstruction and anti-peristaltic agent on the image quality and diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance enterography comparing single breath-hold single-shot fast spin echo with and without anti-peristaltic agent.

Background: While anti-peristaltic agents are beneficial for high quality magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), their use is constrained by potential side effects and increased examination complexity. We explored the potential of deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) to compensate for the absence of anti-peristaltic agent, improve image quality and reduce artifact. This study aimed to evaluate the need for an anti-peristaltic agent in single breath-hold single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) MRE and compare the image quality and artifacts between conventional reconstruction (CR) and DLR.

Comparison of deep learning-based reconstruction of PROPELLER Shoulder MRI with conventional reconstruction.

Objective: To compare the image quality and agreement among conventional and accelerated periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) MRI with both conventional reconstruction (CR) and deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) methods for evaluation of shoulder.

Materials And Methods: We included patients who underwent conventional (acquisition time, 8 min) and accelerated (acquisition time, 4 min and 24 s; 45% reduction) PROPELLER shoulder MRI using both CR and DLR methods between February 2021 and February 2022 on a 3 T MRI system. Quantitative evaluation was performed by calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

The Efficacy of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on functional performance, exercise-related oxygen saturation, and health-related quality of life among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A total of 25 patients with IPF (13 in the PR group and 12 in the non-PR group) were enrolled between August 2019 and October 2021 at Haeundae-Paik Hospital in the Republic of Korea. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), six-minute walk test (6MWT), pulmonary function test (PFT), Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), muscle strength test, and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed in each group at baseline and after eight weeks of PR.

Comparison of shear wave elastography with gray-scale USG and CT for quantitative evaluation of rectus femoris muscle.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the measurement of shear wave elastography (SWE) and gray scale ultrasonography (GSU) and CT attenuation of mid-rectus femoris (RF) muscle in healthy adults.

Methods: This prospective study included 70 participants with a healthy body mass index (<25 kg/m ) between June 2019 and January 2020. Echo intensity (EI) grading of RF on GSU was performed.

Shear-wave elastography evaluation of thenar muscle in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the thenar muscle as an adjunct diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Ninety-two wrists with CTS and 30 control wrists without CTS underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of thenar muscle and median nerve including shear-wave elastography. Cross sectional area (CSA) of medial nerve and SWV of thenar muscle and median nerve were evaluated.

Comparing the clinical application of strain elastography and shear wave elastography for the evaluation of lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of gray-scale ultrasound (GSU), strain elastography (SE), and shear wave elastography (SWE) for lateral epicondylitis (LE).

Methods: From November 2018 to March 2021, 87 common extensor tendons (CETs) of 70 patients were evaluated using elbow ultrasound. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with LE and those without lateral elbow pain.

Deep learning based sarcopenia prediction from shear-wave ultrasonographic elastography and gray scale ultrasonography of rectus femoris muscle.

We aim to evaluate the performance of a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) in predicting the presence or absence of sarcopenia using shear-wave elastography (SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) of rectus femoris muscle as an imaging biomarker. This retrospective study included 160 pair sets of GSU and SWE images (n = 160) from December 2018 and July 2019. Two radiologists scored the echogenicity of muscle on GSU (4-point score).

Image Quality and Diagnostic Performance of Accelerated Shoulder MRI With Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction.

Shoulder MRI using standard multiplanar sequences requires long scan times. Accelerated sequences have tradeoffs in noise and resolution. Deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) may allow reduced scan time with preserved image quality.

Clinical Assessments and MRI Findings Suggesting Early Surgical Treatment for Patients with Medial Epicondylitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the MRI findings and clinical factors that are characteristic of patients who ultimately undergo surgery for medial epicondylitis.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients who were diagnosed with medial epicondylitis and underwent an elbow MRI between March 2010 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The patients' demographic information, clinical data, and MRI findings were evaluated.

Clinical applicability of shear wave elastography for the evaluation of medial epicondylitis.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of shear wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing medial epicondylitis and to compare the diagnostic performance of SWE with that of grey-scale ultrasound (GSU) and strain elastography (SE).

Methods: GSU, SE, and SWE were performed on 61 elbows of 54 patients from March 2018 to April 2019. An experienced radiologist evaluated the GSU findings (swelling, cortical irregularity, hypoechogenicity, calcification, and tear), colour Doppler findings (hyperaemia), SE findings (strain ratio [SR]), and SWE findings (stiffness and shear wave velocity [SWV]).

Non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction: CT findings predicting outcome of conservative treatment.

Objectives: To clarify CT findings that predict outcome of conservative treatment in patients with non-strangulated adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO).

Methods: Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT studies in 189 patients with adhesive SBO who had initial conservative treatment were reviewed. The CT findings included transition zone, beak signs, maximum bowel diameter, bowel diameter ratio, decreased bowel wall enhancement, increased unenhanced bowel wall attenuation, anterior parietal adhesion, bowel wall thickening, closed-loop obstruction, small bowel feces sign, whirl sign, mesenteric haziness, mesenteric, peritoneal fluid, and submucosal edema.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Performance of Strain Elastography and Shear Wave Elastography for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance between strain elastography and shear wave elastography (SWE) for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Between July 2018 and June 2019, 66 consecutive patients with 95 imaged wrists underwent wrist ultrasound, including grayscale ultrasound, strain elastography, and SWE, because of the suspicion of CTS. During wrist ultrasound, the cross-sectional area (CSA), strain ratio, elasticity, and shear wave velocity of each median nerve were measured at the proximal carpal bone level (scaphoid to pisiform).

Fast isotropic volumetric magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle: Acceleration of the three-dimensional fast spin echo sequence using compressed sensing combined with parallel imaging.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional fast spin echo (3D-FSE) imaging with compressed sensing (CS) and parallel imaging (PI) compared to 3D-FSE imaging with only PI in evaluating ankle joint pathologies.

Materials And Methods: Twenty consecutive patients underwent ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including acquisition of image sets of 2D-FSE sequences, and 3D-FSE sequences without and with CS, between June 2016 and November 2017. Three MR image sets were independently rated by two radiologists for the presence/absence of ankle pathology.

Comparison of T2* mapping between regular echo time and ultrashort echo time with 3D cones at 3 tesla for knee meniscus.

The objectives of this study were to compare the ultrashort T2* relaxation time with the T2* relaxation time using the 3 dimensional (3D) cones sequence in 3 groups of patients with normal, degenerated, and torn knee menisci, and to demonstrate the additional effect of the ultrashort echo time (UTE) signal intensity.Following institutional review board approval, 42 knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 42 patients who presented with knee pain and underwent knee MRIs, with the 3D Cones of UTE sequence (minimum TEs: 32 μs) and a 3T MRI scanner (Discovery 750, GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI), were analyzed. The enrolled patients were classified into 3 subgroups:normal meniscus on conventional MRI, with no positive meniscus-related physical examination in medical records;meniscal degeneration with signal changes on conventional MRI; andmeniscal tear.

Double-inversion recovery with synthetic magnetic resonance: a pilot study for assessing synovitis of the knee joint compared to contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: To investigate the agreement between double-inversion recovery (DIR) with synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and T1-weighted contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI for the assessment of knee synovitis.

Methods: T1-weighted CE-MRI and synthetic MRI of 30 patients were compared. Synthetic DIR image reconstruction was performed with two inversion times (280-330 ms and 2800-2900 ms).

Clinical Application of Real-Time Sonoelastography for Evaluation of Medial Epicondylitis: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of real-time sonoelastography (RSE) in medial epicondylitis by comparing clinically diagnosed patients and patients without medial elbow pain. From July 2016 to December 2017, gray-scale sonographic findings (swelling, cortical irregularity, hypo-echogenicity, calcification and tear), color Doppler findings (hyperemia) and sonoelastographic findings (elastographic grade on a 3-point visual scale and strain ratio from two regions of interest) for 63 elbows of 56 patients were compared. Twenty-four patients with 29 imaged elbows were clinically diagnosed with medial epicondylitis, and 32 patients with 34 imaged elbows had no medial elbow pain.

Clinical Feasibility of Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Internal Derangements of the Knee.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to conventional MRI for the diagnosis of internal derangements of the knee at 3T.

Materials And Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval, image sets of conventional and synthetic MRI in 39 patients were included. Two musculoskeletal radiologists compared the image sets and qualitatively analyzed the images.

Response evaluation of giant-cell tumor of bone treated by denosumab: Histogram and texture analysis of CT images.

Background: This study aimed to compare computed tomography (CT) features, including tumor size and textural and histogram measurements, of giant-cell tumors of bone (GCTBs) before and after denosumab treatment and determine their applicability in monitoring GCTB response to denosumab treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included eight patients (male, 3; female, 5; mean age, 33.4 years) diagnosed with GCTB, who had received treatment by denosumab and had undergone pre- and post-treatment non-contrast CT between January 2010 and December 2016.

MRI of the anterior talofibular ligament, talar cartilage and os subfibulare: Comparison of isotropic resolution 3D and conventional 2D T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences at 3.0 T.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) magnetic resonance (MR) sequence compared with two-dimensional (2D) sequence for diagnosing anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) tears, chondral lesion of the talus (CLT) and os subfibulare/avulsion fracture of the distal fibula (OSF).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five patients were included, who had undergone ankle MRI with 3D T2-weighted FSE and 2D T2-weighted FSE sequences, as well as subsequent ankle arthroscopy, between November 2013 and July 2014. Each MR imaging sequence was independently scored by two readers retrospectively for the presence of ATFL tears, CLT and OSF.

Topographical and sex variations in the T2 relaxation times of articular cartilage in the ankle joints of healthy young adults using 3.0T MRI.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate topographical and sex variations in the T2 relaxation values of tibiotalar cartilage (TTC) of healthy young adults.

Materials And Methods: Sagittal 8-echo multiecho spin-echo T2 maps of TTC were acquired using a 3.0T MR in 25 male and 25 female healthy young adult participants.