MR findings of uterine PEComa in patients with tuberous sclerosis: report of two cases.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder, is characterized by the presence of benign congenital tumors in multiple organs. Neoplasms with perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation (PEComas), including angiomyolipoma (AML) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), can occur in association with TSC. This report describes two cases of uterine PEComas presenting characteristic MR imaging features reflecting pathological findings.

[Evaluation of Appropriate Readout Sequence for Renal MRI Perfusion Using ASTAR (ASL) Technique].

The aim of this study was to compare true-steady state free precession (True-SSFP) with fast field echo (FFE) as readout imaging sequences for renal arterial spin labeling (ASL), and to optimize the imaging condition. Renal ASL perfusion images were acquired using signal targeting with alternated radio frequency using asymmetric inversion slab (ASTAR) technique with respiratory triggering at 3T MRI system, using either 3D True-SSFP or FFE as the readout sequence. Inversion time (TI) varied from 800 to 2400 ms.

Feasibility of Computed Diffusion Weighted Imaging and Optimization of b-value in Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of computed diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in cervical cancer and investigate the optimal b-value using computed DWI.

Methods: The present retrospective study involved 85 patients with cervical cancer in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB, IIA or IIB. DWI was obtained with b-values of 0, 100, 500 and 1000 s/mm.

Uterine peristalsis and junctional zone: correlation with age and postmenopausal status.

Background Although age-related change of junctional zone (JZ) of the uterus has been known, there has been no previous systematic study of age-related changes of uterine peristalsis that is observed as the wave conduction of the thickest or darkest area within the JZ. Purpose To examine the age-related changes of uterine peristalsis in pre and postmenopausal women using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to determine the correlation between peristalsis and JZ on T2-weighted (T2W) imaging. Material and Methods Cine MRI analysis was performed in 64 premenopausal volunteers and in 43 postmenopausal women.

Placental function assessed visually using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: To investigate a simple visual assessment method of placental function using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study of fetal MRI in 48 singleton pregnant women for whom placentas had undergone clinical pathological examinations. Two readers independently assessed the placentas using the HASTE scoring system, particularly emphasizing the visualization of the regular two-tone pattern inside and signal intensity (SI) of placental parenchyma referring to SI of the fetal kidney and liver.

Optimization of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the renal artery with three-dimensional balanced steady-state free-precession and time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (time-SLIP) at 3T MRI, in relation to age and blood velocity.

Purpose: To determine the optimal inversion time (TI) value of three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free-precession time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (time-SLIP) technique for visualization of the renal artery at 3T MRI, and to assess whether the optimal TI is affected by the subject's age and blood velocity.

Materials And Methods: Forty-two healthy volunteers (range 20-67 years) were enrolled in the study and subjected to non-contrast-enhanced renal MR angiography. Five different TI values (1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, and 2000 ms) were selected for evaluation.

MR appearance of normal uterine endometrium considering menstrual cycle: differentiation with benign and malignant endometrial lesions.

Background The thickness and signal intensity (SI) of normal uterine endometrium on T2-weighted (T2W) imaging changes depend on the menstrual cycle phase. Cases of normal endometrium that appear similar to endometrial lesions sometimes occur, and may result in misdiagnosis. Purpose To investigate normal endometrial appearance in luteal phase (LP) compared to that in follicular phase (FP), and to differentiate these appearances with those of endometrial lesions.

Evaluation of uterine peristalsis using cine MRI on the coronal plane in comparison with the sagittal plane.

Background: Uterine peristalsis is supposed to be closely related to the early stages of reproduction. Sperms are preferentially transported from the uterine cervix to the side of the tube with the dominant follicle. However, with respect to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), uterine peristalsis has only been evaluated at the sagittal plane of cine MRI.

MR imaging-based evaluation of morphological changes in the uterus and ovaries of patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for cervical cancer.

Objective: We used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and hormonal levels to evaluate the influence of chemotherapy for cervical cancer on female pelvic reproductive organs.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 16 pre- and 11 postmenopausal patients with cervical cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radical surgery. We evaluated morphological changes in the uterus and ovaries by MR imaging both quantitatively and qualitatively, measuring the volume of the uterine body and bilateral ovaries, endometrial thickness, and signal intensity of the myometrium and bilateral ovaries and assessing visibility of the junctional zone and bilateral ovarian follicles.

Assessment of the early predictive power of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging parameters during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for uterine cervical cancer.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate 3 types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in parallel for the early prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) effectiveness in cervical cancer-tumor volume parameters, diffusion parameters, and perfusion parameters.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated 13 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB to IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent 3 serial MRI studies, that is, pretreatment, post-first course NACT, and post-second course NACT followed by radical hysterectomy. We obtained tumor volume parameters, diffusion parameters, and dynamic contrast material-enhanced perfusion parameters quantitatively from pretreatment MRI and post-first course MRI.

Decidualized adenomyosis during pregnancy and post delivery: three cases of magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Adenomyosis is a common gynecologic disease. Pregnancy with adenomyosis is on the increase due to a tendency of delay with first pregnancies and various infertility treatments involved in the process. We encountered decidualized adenomyosis in three patients during pregnancy, who were suspected by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and were followed monitored post delivery.