Assessment of diffusion-weighted imaging for characterizing focal liver lesions.

In 150 patients, 153 hepatic lesions (39 metastases, 27 hemangiomas, 26 hepatocellular carcinomas, 25 cysts, 15 adenomas, 8 focal nodular hyperplasias, 5 abscesses, 4 hamartomas, and 4 cholangiocarcinomas) were evaluated during a 24-month period. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of benign lesions (1.994×10(-3) mm(2) s(-1)) were significantly higher than ADC values of malignant lesions (1.

Imaging of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs; linking anatomy, pathology and imaging.

Low back pain is a common medical condition that has significant implications for healthcare providers and the UK economy. Low back pain can be classified as 'specific' in which an underlying pathophysiological mechanism is identified (eg, herniated intervertebral disc). Advanced imaging should be performed in this situation and in those patients in whom systemic disease is strongly suspected.

Radiological appearances of gynaecological emergencies.

Background: The role of various gynaecological imaging modalities is vital in aiding clinicians to diagnose acute gynaecological disease, and can help to direct medical and surgical treatment where appropriate. It is important to interpret the imaging findings in the context of the clinical signs and patient's pregnancy status.

Methods: Ultrasound and Doppler are readily available in the emergency department, and demonstrate features of haemorrhagic follicular cysts, ovarian cyst rupture, endometriotic cysts and pyosalpinx.

Eicosapentaenoic acid confers neuroprotection in the amyloid-beta challenged aged hippocampus.

Among the changes that occur in the hippocampus with age, is a deficit in long-term potentiation (LTP). This impairment is associated with inflammatory changes, which are typified by increased concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Activated microglia are the most likely cell source of IL-1beta, but data demonstrating an age-related increase in microglial activation is equivocal.