Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) versus whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) for myeloma imaging and staging.

Myeloma-associated bone disease (MBD) develops in about 80-90% of patients and severely affects their quality of life, as it accounts for the majority of mortality and morbidity. Imaging in multiple myeloma (MM) and MBD is of utmost importance in order to detect bone and bone marrow lesions as well as extraosseous soft-tissue masses and complications before the initiation of treatment. It is required for determination of the stage of disease and aids in the assessment of treatment response.

Imaging characteristics of intravascular spherical contrast agents for grating-based x-ray dark-field imaging - effects of concentrations, spherical sizes and applied voltage.

This study investigates the x-ray scattering characteristics of microsphere particles in x-ray-grating-based interferometric imaging at different concentrations, bubble sizes and tube voltages (kV). Attenuation (ATI), dark-field (DFI) and phase-contrast (PCI) images were acquired. Signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios with water (CNR) and air as reference (CNR) were determined.

Injuries of the isolated larynx-hyoid complex in post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and post-mortem fine preparation (PMFP) - a comparison of 54 forensic cases.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy (ACC) of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) for fractures of the isolated larynx-hyoid complex (LHC) in comparison to post-mortem fine preparation (PMFP).

Methods: This monocentric prospective study enclosed 54 LHCs that were extracted during autopsy, fixed in formalin, and underwent a PMCT scan (64-row multidetector CT, helical pitch). Two radiologists independently analyzed the LHC scans for image quality (IQ) and fractures (4-point Likert scales).

Contrast-enhanced modified 3D T1-weighted TSE black-blood imaging can improve detection of infectious and neoplastic meningitis.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of a contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted-modified volumetric isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition sequence (T1-mVISTA) in comparison with a conventional 3D T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (T1-MP-RAGE) sequence for the detection of meningeal enhancement in patients with meningitis.

Methods: Thirty patients (infectious meningitis, n = 12; neoplastic meningitis, n = 18) and 45 matched controls were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. Sets of randomly selected T1-mVISTA and T1-MP-RAGE images (both with 0.

3D black-blood 3T-MRI for the diagnosis of abdominal large vessel vasculitis.

Objectives: To assess the value of a T1-3D black-blood turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence for the diagnosis of abdominal large vessel vasculitis (LVV).

Materials And Methods: The study included 20 patients with abdominal LVV and 17 controls, who underwent a 3T-MRI scan using a modified T1-3D volumetric isotropic TSE acquisition and a segmented T1-3D turbo field echo sequence (T1-mVISTA/T1-eTHRIVE). Two radiologists independently analyzed the aorta for concentric contrast enhancement, concentric wall thickening, image quality, and flow artifact intensity (CCE/CWT/IQ/FAI; 4-point scales).

Assessment of Disease Activity in Takayasu Arteritis: Potential Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.

Purpose:  To assess the diagnostic value of intima media thickness measurements and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the supraaortic arteries in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA).

Materials And Methods:  Patients with TA and involvement of the carotid and/or subclavian/axillary arteries underwent CEUS imaging in addition to B-mode and color duplex ultrasound. The maximum IMT (mIMT) was measured and high-resolution CEUS of the most prominently thickened vessel segment was performed.

Three-Dimensional High-Resolution Black-Blood Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis.

Objectives: Arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (A-AION) caused by inflammatory occlusion of the posterior ciliary arteries is the most common reason for irreversible vision loss in patients with giant cell arteritis. Atypical clinical presentation and negative funduscopy can delay systemic high-dose corticosteroid therapy to prevent impending permanent blindness and involvement of the contralateral eye.The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) high-resolution T1-weighted black-blood magnetic resonance imaging (T1-BB-MRI) for the detection of posterior ciliary artery involvement in patients with giant cell arteritis and funduscopic A-AION.

Clinical value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT and 3D-black-blood 3T-MRI for the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis and single-organ vasculitis of the aorta.

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical value of a 3D-T1w turbo-spin-echo (TSE) sequence and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) for the diagnosis of active large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and single-organ vasculitis (SOV) of the aorta.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with suspected vasculitis who underwent MRI and PET/CT were retrospectively evaluated. MRI was analyzed for concentric contrast enhancement and wall thickening, and flow artifact intensity (4-point-scales).

Relapses in three patients with Takayasu arteritis under tocilizumab treatment detected by contrast enhanced ultrasound.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare large vessel vasculitis, affecting the aorta and its major branches, typically in young women. In this case report, we present three cases of young women of Caucasian descent who experienced relapses while under treatment with the monoclonal humanized antibody to the interleukin 6 receptor, tocilizumab. Active vasculitic lesions of the supraaortic (common carotid and axillary) arteries were detected and characterized via high resolution contrast enhanced ultrasound.

Multiple Sclerosis: Improved Detection of Active Cerebral Lesions With 3-Dimensional T1 Black-Blood Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared With Conventional 3-Dimensional T1 GRE Imaging.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a modified high-resolution whole-brain three-dimensional T1-weighted black-blood sequence (T1-weighted modified volumetric isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition [T1-mVISTA]) in comparison to a standard three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MP-RAGE) sequence for detection of contrast-enhancing cerebral lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 22 patients (8 men; aged 31.0 ± 9.

Evolution of patency rates of self-expandable bare metal stents for endovascular treatment of femoro-popliteal arterial occlusive disease: Does stent design matter?

Objective: To analyse the patency rates of femoro-popliteal stenting with different self-expandable Nitinol stent-designs.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-two patients (142 (64%) male; age 72.4 ± 11.

Safety and efficiency of femoral artery access closure with a novel biodegradable closure device: a prospective single-centre pilot study.

Objectives: Vascular closure devices can accelerate haemostasis after arteriotomy, but induce scarring. The aim of the study was to prospectively analyse the feasibility of a novel biodegradable arterial closure device (CD).

Methods: Two hundred fifty-five patients (183 male; age 36-98 years) with an access vessel diameter >3 mm received the biodegradable CD after endovascular therapy.

Typical exposure parameters, organ doses and effective doses for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: Comparison of Monte Carlo simulations and direct measurements with an anthropomorphic phantom.

Objectives: Radiation exposure of patients during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures ranks in the upper sector of medical exposure. Thus, estimation of radiation doses achieved during EVAR is of great importance.

Material And Methods: Organ doses (OD) and effective doses (ED) administered to 17 patients receiving EVAR were determined (1) from the exposure parameters by performing Monte Carlo simulations in mathematical phantoms and (2) by measurements with thermoluminescent dosimeters in a physical anthropomorphic phantom.

Treatment of male varicoceles by transcatheter polidocanol foam sclerotherapy: evaluation of clinical success, complications, and patients' satisfaction with regard to alternative techniques.

Objectives: We report our experience with polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with no additional coils, evaluating clinical success, patients' satisfaction, and complications.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 141 patients with 146 varicoceles (mean age: 29.3 years; range: 13 - 60 years) who underwent foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol 2% (range: 2 - 12 ml) in an outpatient setting between January 2007 and December 2013.

Three-dimensional black-blood T1-weighted turbo spin-echo techniques for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: a pilot study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel 3-dimensional turbo spin-echo technique with isotropic resolution for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) and sonography.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen patients (8 males, 17-93 years) with proven DVT in duplex ultrasound (n = 11) or with pulmonary embolism and suspected to have DVT (n = 2) were consecutively imaged at 3.0 T with 1.

Complications of transbrachial arterial access for peripheral endovascular interventions.

Purpose: To prospectively assess current limitations and complication rates of the transbrachial access technique for endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular pathologies.

Methods: In total, 150 patients (112 men; mean age 66.3 ± 10.

Reduction of CT beam hardening artefacts of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer by variation of the tantalum content: evaluation in a standardized aortic endoleak phantom.

Objectives: Our aim was to develop an aortic stent graft phantom to simulate endoleak treatment and to find a tantalum content (TC) of ethylene-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer that causes fewer computed tomography (CT) beam hardening artefacts, but still allows for fluoroscopic visualization.

Methods: Ethylene-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer specimens of different TC (10-50 %, and 100 %) were injected in an aortic phantom bearing a stent graft and endoleak cavities with simulated re-perfusion. Fluoroscopic visibility of the ethylene-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer specimens was analyzed.