Thin-slice elbow MRI with deep learning reconstruction: Superior diagnostic performance of elbow ligament pathologies.

Purpose: With the slice thickness routinely used in elbow MRI, small or subtle lesions may be overlooked or misinterpreted as insignificant. To compare 1 mm slice thickness MRI (1 mm MRI) with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) to 3 mm slice thickness MRI (3 mm MRI) without/with DLR, and 1 mm MRI without DLR regarding image quality and diagnostic performance for elbow tendons and ligaments.

Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients between February 2021 and January 2022, who underwent 3 T elbow MRI, including T2-weighted fat-saturated coronal 3 mm and 1 mm MRI without/with DLR.

Sarcopenia prediction using shear-wave elastography, grayscale ultrasonography, and clinical information with machine learning fusion techniques: feature-level fusion vs. score-level fusion.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a sarcopenia prediction model by fusing numerical features from shear-wave elastography (SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) examinations, using the rectus femoris muscle (RF) and categorical/numerical features related to clinical information. Both cohorts (development, 70 healthy subjects; evaluation, 81 patients) underwent ultrasonography (SWE and GSU) and computed tomography. Sarcopenia was determined using skeletal muscle index calculated from the computed tomography.

Impact of deep learning-based reconstruction and anti-peristaltic agent on the image quality and diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance enterography comparing single breath-hold single-shot fast spin echo with and without anti-peristaltic agent.

Background: While anti-peristaltic agents are beneficial for high quality magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), their use is constrained by potential side effects and increased examination complexity. We explored the potential of deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) to compensate for the absence of anti-peristaltic agent, improve image quality and reduce artifact. This study aimed to evaluate the need for an anti-peristaltic agent in single breath-hold single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) MRE and compare the image quality and artifacts between conventional reconstruction (CR) and DLR.

Ultrasound findings of subpial hemorrhage in neonates.

Purpose: Subpial hemorrhage (SPH) is a subtype of intracranial hemorrhage characterized by damage to the adjacent brain parenchyma. The aim of this study was to describe the sonographic features of SPH in neonates.

Methods: The cranial ultrasound (US) findings of neonates with SPH confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed retrospectively.

Comparison of deep learning-based reconstruction of PROPELLER Shoulder MRI with conventional reconstruction.

Objective: To compare the image quality and agreement among conventional and accelerated periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) MRI with both conventional reconstruction (CR) and deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) methods for evaluation of shoulder.

Materials And Methods: We included patients who underwent conventional (acquisition time, 8 min) and accelerated (acquisition time, 4 min and 24 s; 45% reduction) PROPELLER shoulder MRI using both CR and DLR methods between February 2021 and February 2022 on a 3 T MRI system. Quantitative evaluation was performed by calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Comparison of shear wave elastography with gray-scale USG and CT for quantitative evaluation of rectus femoris muscle.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the measurement of shear wave elastography (SWE) and gray scale ultrasonography (GSU) and CT attenuation of mid-rectus femoris (RF) muscle in healthy adults.

Methods: This prospective study included 70 participants with a healthy body mass index (<25 kg/m ) between June 2019 and January 2020. Echo intensity (EI) grading of RF on GSU was performed.

Shear-wave elastography evaluation of thenar muscle in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the thenar muscle as an adjunct diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Ninety-two wrists with CTS and 30 control wrists without CTS underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of thenar muscle and median nerve including shear-wave elastography. Cross sectional area (CSA) of medial nerve and SWV of thenar muscle and median nerve were evaluated.

Comparing the clinical application of strain elastography and shear wave elastography for the evaluation of lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of gray-scale ultrasound (GSU), strain elastography (SE), and shear wave elastography (SWE) for lateral epicondylitis (LE).

Methods: From November 2018 to March 2021, 87 common extensor tendons (CETs) of 70 patients were evaluated using elbow ultrasound. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with LE and those without lateral elbow pain.

Usefulness of Hounsfield Units and the Serum Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor vascularity and immune disturbances are hallmarks of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal effect of tumor vascularity, assessed by the tumor-to-aorta ratio (TAR) of Hounsfield units (HU) on computed tomography (CT), and host immunity, represented by the serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) from peripheral, complete blood cell counts and its impact on patient survival.

Can Bone Erosion in Axial Spondyloarthropathy be Detected by Ultrashort Echo Time Imaging? A Comparison With Computed Tomography in the Sacroiliac Joint.

Background: Structural lesion evaluation in axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) can improve accuracy of diagnosis. However, structural lesions (bone erosions) are difficult to be assessed using conventional MRI compared to computed tomography (CT).

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrashort echo time (UTE) for detecting bone erosion in axial SpA compared to T1WI and three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D DESS) imaging using CT as the reference standard.

Deep learning based sarcopenia prediction from shear-wave ultrasonographic elastography and gray scale ultrasonography of rectus femoris muscle.

We aim to evaluate the performance of a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) in predicting the presence or absence of sarcopenia using shear-wave elastography (SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) of rectus femoris muscle as an imaging biomarker. This retrospective study included 160 pair sets of GSU and SWE images (n = 160) from December 2018 and July 2019. Two radiologists scored the echogenicity of muscle on GSU (4-point score).

The Pattern of Use, Effectiveness, and Safety of Gadoteric Acid (Clariscan) in Patients Undergoing Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

Objective: Contrast-enhanced MR (CE-MR) imaging is often required to improve lesion detection and characterization and to increase diagnostic confidence. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness, as well as the use pattern, of the macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent Clariscan in real-world clinical practice in Korea.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients undergoing CE-MR as part of routine clinical care at 6 university hospitals in Korea.

Image Quality and Diagnostic Performance of Accelerated Shoulder MRI With Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction.

Shoulder MRI using standard multiplanar sequences requires long scan times. Accelerated sequences have tradeoffs in noise and resolution. Deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) may allow reduced scan time with preserved image quality.

Clinical Assessments and MRI Findings Suggesting Early Surgical Treatment for Patients with Medial Epicondylitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the MRI findings and clinical factors that are characteristic of patients who ultimately undergo surgery for medial epicondylitis.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients who were diagnosed with medial epicondylitis and underwent an elbow MRI between March 2010 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. The patients' demographic information, clinical data, and MRI findings were evaluated.

Clinical applicability of shear wave elastography for the evaluation of medial epicondylitis.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of shear wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing medial epicondylitis and to compare the diagnostic performance of SWE with that of grey-scale ultrasound (GSU) and strain elastography (SE).

Methods: GSU, SE, and SWE were performed on 61 elbows of 54 patients from March 2018 to April 2019. An experienced radiologist evaluated the GSU findings (swelling, cortical irregularity, hypoechogenicity, calcification, and tear), colour Doppler findings (hyperaemia), SE findings (strain ratio [SR]), and SWE findings (stiffness and shear wave velocity [SWV]).

Comparison of the Diagnostic Performance of Strain Elastography and Shear Wave Elastography for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance between strain elastography and shear wave elastography (SWE) for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: Between July 2018 and June 2019, 66 consecutive patients with 95 imaged wrists underwent wrist ultrasound, including grayscale ultrasound, strain elastography, and SWE, because of the suspicion of CTS. During wrist ultrasound, the cross-sectional area (CSA), strain ratio, elasticity, and shear wave velocity of each median nerve were measured at the proximal carpal bone level (scaphoid to pisiform).

Accelerated metallic artifact reduction imaging using spectral bin modulation of multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination selective imaging.

Objectives: To assess the clinical utility of a prototype sequence for metal artifact reduction, the multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination selective (MAVRIC-SL) at 3 T. This sequence allows a surgical prosthesis-dependent reduction in the number of spectral bins. We compared the prototype MAVRIC SL to the conventional two-dimensional fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences and MAVRIC SL images acquired with all spectral bins to those acquired with the optimized number of spectral bins.

The Utility of Modified Dixon Turbo Spin Echo Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in Assessing Rotator Cuff Disorder and Evaluating the Rotator Cuff Muscles.

Rationale And Objectives: To compare the diagnostic ability of modified Dixon (mDixon) turbo spin echo (TSE) T1-weighted (T1W) shoulder magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) with that of conventional shoulder MRA, and evaluate the feasibility of mDixon TSE in-phase (IP) images in measuring the fat fraction and size of rotator cuff muscles.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 57 patients who underwent 3T shoulder MRA examinations with conventional and mDixon TSE T1W images (mean age: 56.7 years; range: 20-78 years).

Ultrasound Features and Rate of Upgrade to Malignancy in Atypical Apocrine Lesions of the Breast.

Objectives: To evaluate the ultrasound (US) features and rate of upgrade to malignancy in atypical apocrine lesions (AALs) of the breast, diagnosed on percutaneous needle biopsy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 17 AALs diagnosed by needle biopsy in 15 patients. For 16 of the 17 AALs, subsequent surgical excision (n = 14) or 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy (n = 2) was performed.

Intraobserver and interobserver reliability in sonographic size measurements of gallbladder polyps.

Objectives: To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of gallbladder polyp measurements using transabdominal US and the factors that affect reliability.

Methods: From November 2017 to February 2018, two radiologists measured the maximum diameter of 91 gallbladder polyps using transabdominal US. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were determined using 95% Bland-Altman limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Fast isotropic volumetric magnetic resonance imaging of the ankle: Acceleration of the three-dimensional fast spin echo sequence using compressed sensing combined with parallel imaging.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional fast spin echo (3D-FSE) imaging with compressed sensing (CS) and parallel imaging (PI) compared to 3D-FSE imaging with only PI in evaluating ankle joint pathologies.

Materials And Methods: Twenty consecutive patients underwent ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including acquisition of image sets of 2D-FSE sequences, and 3D-FSE sequences without and with CS, between June 2016 and November 2017. Three MR image sets were independently rated by two radiologists for the presence/absence of ankle pathology.