The protein and contrast agent-specific influence of pathological plasma-protein concentration levels on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the protein-specific response of r1 and r2 relaxivities of commercially available gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents to variation of plasma-protein concentrations.

Materials And Methods: In this in vitro study, contrast agent (gadofosveset trisodium, gadoxetate disodium, gadobutrol, and gadoterate meglumine) dilution series (0-2.5 mmol Gd/L) were prepared with plasma-protein (human serum albumin [HSA] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]) concentrations at physiological (42 and 10 g/L HSA and IgG, respectively, Normal) and at 3 pathological levels with HSA/IgG concentrations of 10/10 (solution Alb low), 42/50 (IgG mild), and 42/70 (IgG severe) g/L.

How accurate is unenhanced multidetector-row CT (MDCT) for localization of renal calculi?

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between unenhanced MDCT and intraoperative findings with regard to the exact anatomical location of renal calculi.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Fifty-nine patients who underwent unenhanced MDCT for suspected urinary stone disease, and who underwent subsequent flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS) as treatment of nephrolithiasis were included in this retrospective study. All MDCT data sets were independently reviewed by three observers with different degrees of experience in reading CT.