MR imaging of the knee: Improvement of signal and contrast efficiency of T1-weighted turbo spin echo sequences by applying a driven equilibrium (DRIVE) pulse.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a driven equilibrium (DRIVE) pulse incorporated in a standard T1-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence as used in our routine MRI protocol for examination of pathologies of the knee. Sixteen consecutive patients with knee disorders were examined using the routine MRI protocol, including T1-weighted TSE-sequences with and without a DRIVE pulse. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of anatomical structures and pathologies were calculated and compared for both sequences.

Intracranial aneurysms and dolichoectasia in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Intracranial saccular aneurysms (ICA) are a known extrarenal manifestation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In order to facilitate the definition of subgroups who are at risk for ICA and to determine the prevalence of ICA in these subgroups we studied ADPKD patients with a positive family history for a cerebral event, including cerebral stroke (group I) and intracranial bleeding or known ICA (group II).

Methods: Within an enrolment period of 21 months, 43 ADPKD patients from our outpatient clinic and hospital were examined with cerebral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).