Compressed SENSE accelerated 3D single-breath-hold late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance with isotropic resolution: clinical evaluation.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical application of Compressed SENSE accelerated single-breath-hold LGE with 3D isotropic resolution compared to conventional LGE imaging acquired in multiple breath-holds.

Material & Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study including 105 examinations of 101 patients (48.2 ± 16.

Differentiation of Intracerebral Tumor Entities with Quantitative Contrast Attenuation and Iodine Mapping in Dual-Layer Computed Tomography.

Purpose: To investigate if quantitative contrast enhancement and iodine mapping of common brain tumor (BT) entities may correctly differentiate between tumor etiologies in standardized stereotactic CT protocols. Material and Methods: A retrospective monocentric study of 139 consecutive standardized dual-layer dual-energy CT (dlDECT) scans conducted prior to the stereotactic needle biopsy of untreated primary brain tumor lesions. Attenuation of contrast-enhancing BT was derived from polyenergetic images as well as spectral iodine density maps (IDM) and their contrast-to-noise-ratios (CNR) were determined using ROI measures in contrast-enhancing BT and healthy contralateral white matter.

Prediction of anemia on enhanced computed tomography of the thorax using virtual non-contrast reconstructions.

To determine if anemia can be predicted on enhanced computed tomography (CT) examinations of the thorax using virtual non-contrast (VNC) images, in order to support clinicians especially in diagnosing primary asymptomatic patients in daily routine.In this monocentric study, 100 consecutive patients (50 with proven anemia), who underwent a contrast-enhanced CT examination of the thorax due to various indications were included. Attenuation was measured in the descending thoracic aorta, the intraventricular septum, and the left ventricle cavity both in the conventional contrast-enhanced and in the VNC images.

Clinical application of free-breathing 3D whole heart late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance with high isotropic spatial resolution using Compressed SENSE.

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) represents the gold standard for assessment of myocardial viability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical potential of Compressed SENSE (factor 5) accelerated free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) whole heart LGE with high isotropic spatial resolution (1.4 mm acquired voxel size) compared to standard breath-hold LGE imaging.

Relaxation-Enhanced Angiography Without Contrast and Triggering (REACT) for Fast Imaging of Extracranial Arteries in Acute Ischemic Stroke at 3 T.

Purpose: To evaluate a novel flow-independent 3D isotropic REACT sequence compared with CE-MRA for the imaging of extracranial arteries in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 35 patients who underwent a stroke protocol at 3 T including REACT (fixed scan time: 2:46 min) and CE-MRA of the extracranial arteries. Three radiologists evaluated scans regarding vessel delineation, signal, and contrast and assessed overall image noise and artifacts using 5-point scales (5: excellent delineation/no artifacts).

Comparison of a novel Compressed SENSE accelerated 3D modified relaxation-enhanced angiography without contrast and triggering with CE-MRA in imaging of the thoracic aorta.

To compare a novel Compressed SENSE accelerated ECG- and respiratory-triggered flow-independent 3D isotropic Relaxation-Enhanced Angiography without Contrast and Triggering (modified REACT) with standard non-ECG-triggered 3D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) for imaging of the thoracic aorta in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) or other aortic diseases using manual and semiautomatic measurement approaches. This retrospective, single-center analysis of 30 patients (June-December 2018) was conducted by two radiologists, who independently measured aortic diameters on modified REACT and CE-MRA using manual (Multiplanar-Reconstruction) and semiautomatic (Advanced Vessel Analysis) measurement tools on seven levels (inner edge): Aortic annulus and sinus, sinotubular junction, mid- and high-ascending aorta, aortic isthmus, and descending aorta. Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to evaluate differences between the mean values of aortic width and ICCs were calculated to assess interobserver agreement.

Intra-individual variance of bilateral femoro-tibial leg rotation: a CT study of 105 healthy subjects.

Purpose: In cases of suspected rotational deformity of the lower limb, in particular in post-traumatic malalignment following closed nailing, there is a lack of adequate reference values. Available publications on leg rotation have either small sample sizes or do not include bilateral or whole leg rotation of healthy legs. This study aimed to determine side-specific reference values of lower limb rotation in a large healthy sample.

Metastatic pulmonary calcification: First report of pulmonary calcium suppression using dual-energy CT.

Metastatic pulmonary calcification is an underdiagnosed metabolic lung disease characterized by diffuse calcium deposition in the lungs, often associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal failure. A 31-year-old man with chronic renal failure initially presented with diffuse pain symptoms, deterioration of general condition, and respiratory insufficiency. Noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest was performed using a spectral-detector-based dual-energy CT.

Semiautomated Renal Cortex Volumetry in Multislice Computed Tomography: Effect of Slice Thickness and Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of slice thickness, iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm, and kernel selection on measurement accuracy and interobserver variability for semiautomated renal cortex volumetry (RCV) with multislice computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Ten patients (62.4 ± 17.

Correction to: Imaging of the pulmonary vasculature in congenital heart disease without gadolinium contrast: Intraindividual comparison of a novel Compressed SENSE accelerated 3D modified REACT with 4D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography.

The original publication of this article [1], contained graphical errors in Figs. 1 and 2. This does not impact the display of the mean differences of the Bland-Altman plots.

Imaging of the pulmonary vasculature in congenital heart disease without gadolinium contrast: Intraindividual comparison of a novel Compressed SENSE accelerated 3D modified REACT with 4D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography.

Background: Patients with Congenital heart disease (CHD) require repetitive imaging of the pulmonary vasculature throughout their life. In this study, we compared a novel Compressed SENSE accelerated (factor 9) electrocardiogram (ECG)- and respiratory-triggered 3D modified Relaxation-Enhanced Angiography without Contrast and Triggering (modified REACT-non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (modified REACT-non-CE-MRA)) with standard non-ECG-triggered time-resolved 4D CE-MRA for imaging of the pulmonary arteries and veins in patients with CHD.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of 25 patients (June 2018-April 2019) with known or suspected CHD was independently conducted by two radiologists executing measurements on modified REACT-non-CE-MRA and 4D CE-MRA on seven dedicated points (inner edge): Main pulmonary artery (MPA), right and left pulmonary artery, right superior and inferior pulmonary vein, left superior (LSPV) and inferior pulmonary vein.

Venous-phase chest CT with reduced contrast medium dose: Utilization of spectral low keV monoenergetic images improves image quality.

Purpose: Intravenous contrast administration is crucial in many CT examinations but also poses a potential risk to the patient. Monoenergetic images (MonoE) of dual-energy CT systems can virtually increase iodine attenuation and might improve image quality (IQ) if contrast dose is reduced. In this study, we investigated the influence of MonoE on lymph node (LN) delineation and IQ in chest CT examinations with significantly reduced contrast dose (50 %) of a novel dual-layer CT (DLCT).

Computed tomography pulmonary angiograms using a novel dual-layer spectral detector: Adjusted window settings are essential for diagnostic image quality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine optimal window settings for conventional polyenergetic and virtual monoenergetic images derived from computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) examinations of a novel dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography system (DLCT).

Methods: Monoenergetic (40 keV) and polyenergetic images of 50 CTPA examinations were calculated and the best individual window width and level (W/L) values were manually assessed. Optimized values were obtained afterwards based on regression analysis.

Incremental value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking derived atrial and ventricular strain parameters in a comprehensive approach for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis.

Purpose/introduction: This study aims to evaluate the incremental diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (FT) derived atrial and ventricular strain-analysis in patients with acute myocarditis (myocarditis) as an additional tool to established Lake-Louise criteria (LLC).

Material And Methods: A total of 86 patients with clinically proven myocarditis and 30 healthy controls underwent a comprehensive CMR protocol. In addition to established LLC, FT derived strain parameters from the left (LA) and right atrium (RA) as well as the left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were assessed.

Thoracic-abdominal imaging with a novel dual-layer spectral detector CT: intra-individual comparison of image quality and radiation dose with 128-row single-energy acquisition.

Background: A novel, multi-energy, dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) is commercially available now with the vendor's claim that it yields the same or better quality of polychromatic, conventional CT images like modern single-energy CT scanners without any radiation dose penalty.

Purpose: To intra-individually compare the quality of conventional polychromatic CT images acquired with a dual-layer spectral detector (SDCT) and the latest generation 128-row single-energy-detector (CT128) from the same manufacturer.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients underwent portal-venous phase, thoracic-abdominal CT scans with the SDCT and prior CT128 imaging.

Virtual Monoenergetic Images From a Novel Dual-Layer Spectral Detector Computed Tomography Scanner in Portal Venous Phase: Adjusted Window Settings Depending on Assessment Focus Are Essential for Image Interpretation.

Objective: We aimed to determine optimal window settings for conventional polyenergetic (PolyE) and virtual monoenergetic images (MonoE) derived from abdominal portal venous phase computed tomography (CT) examinations on a novel dual-layer spectral-detector CT (SDCT).

Methods: From 50 patients, SDCT data sets MonoE at 40 kiloelectron volt as well as PolyE were reconstructed and best individual window width and level values manually were assessed separately for evaluation of abdominal arteries as well as for liver lesions. Via regression analysis, optimized individual values were mathematically calculated.

Utilization of virtual mono-energetic images (MonoE) derived from a dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) for the assessment of abdominal arteries in venous contrast phase scans.

Objectives: To investigate the utilization of virtual mono-energetic images (MonoE) at low kiloelectron volt (keV) levels derived from a dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) for the assessment of abdominal arteries in venous contrast phase scans using arterial phase imaging as an internal reference standard.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 patients who received arterial and venous phase imaging of the abdomen on a SDCT system were included in this study. Absolute attenuation, noise, signal- and contrast to noise ratios (SNR; CNR) as well as arterial diameters in defined landmarks were assessed.

Fourth update on CT angiography of coronary stents: in vitro evaluation of 24 novel stent types.

Background Non-invasive evaluation of coronary stent patency by coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) remains challenging. Multiple studies showed that CT technology but also individual stent design strongly influence the assessability of coronary stents by cCTA. Purpose To expand the available data on cCTA characteristics of coronary stents by 24 novel types to help interpreting examinations of patients after stent placement and selecting which stents are suitable for assessment by cCTA.

Safety and Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain at 1.5 Tesla in Patients with Temporary Transmyocardial Pacing Leads.

Background: Temporary transmyocardial pacing leads (TTPLs) represent an absolute contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of MRI at 1.5 Tesla (T) using a transmit/receive (T/R) head coil in patients with TTPL.

Intra-individual comparison between abdominal virtual mono-energetic spectral and conventional images using a novel spectral detector CT.

Objectives: To quantitatively and qualitatively assess abdominal arterial and venous phase contrast-enhanced spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) virtual mono-energetic (MonoE) datasets in comparison to conventional CT reconstructions provided by the same system.

Materials And Methods: Conventional and MonoE images at 40-120 kilo-electron volt (keV) levels with a 10 keV increment as well as 160 and 200 keV were reconstructed in abdominal SDCT datasets of 55 patients. Attenuation, image noise, and contrast- / signal-to-noise ratios (CNR, SNR) of vessels and solid organs were compared between MonoE and conventional reconstructions.

Poly-energetic and virtual mono-energetic images from a novel dual-layer spectral detector CT: optimization of window settings is crucial to improve subjective image quality in abdominal CT angiographies.

Purpose: We aimed to determine optimal window settings for poly-energetic (PolyE) and virtual mono-energetic images (MonoE) derived from abdominal angiographic studies on a novel dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) system.

Methods: From 50 patients, SDCT datasets PolyE and MonoE at 70 and 40 keV levels were reconstructed and best individual window width and level (BI-W/L) manually assessed. Through regression analysis, the so-called optimized individual (OI-W/L) values were obtained.

Image quality evaluation of dual-layer spectral detector CT of the chest and comparison with conventional CT imaging.

Objectives: To evaluate image quality parameters of virtual mono-energetic (MonoE) and conventional (CR) imaging derived from a dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT) in oncological follow-up venous phase imaging of the chest and comparison with conventional multi-detector CT (CR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: A total of 55 patients who had oncologic staging with conventional CT and DLCT of the chest in venous phase were included in this study. Established image quality parameters were derived from all datasets in defined thoracic landmarks.

Cerebral white matter lesion burden is associated with the degree of aortic valve calcification and predicts peri-procedural cerebrovascular events in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Objectives: To investigate the impact of aortic valve calcification and brain morphology on acute peri-procedural cerebrovascular events (CVEs) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Aortic valve calcification and stenosis can be assessed with echocardiography. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicts and quantifies morphological signs of hypoperfusion and vascular embolism, which is of special interest in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Feature-tracking myocardial strain analysis in acute myocarditis: diagnostic value and association with myocardial oedema.

Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking (FT) myocardial strain analysis in patients with suspected acute myocarditis and its association with myocardial oedema.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with suspected acute myocarditis and 35 control subjects underwent CMR. FT CMR analysis of systolic longitudinal (LS), circumferential (CS) and radial strain (RS) was performed.