The spine-brain axis: is spinal anatomy associated with brain volume?

First small sample studies indicate that disturbances of spinal morphology may impair craniospinal flow of cerebrospinal fluid and result in neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of cervical spinal canal width and scoliosis with grey matter, white matter, ventricular and white matter hyperintensity volumes of the brain in a large study sample. Four hundred participants underwent whole-body 3 T magnetic resonance imaging.

Golden-angle radial sparse parallel (GRASP) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for endoleak evaluation after endovascular repair of the aorta: a prospective comparison to conventional time-resolved MRA.

Background: Time-resolved angiography with interleaved stochastic trajectories (TWIST) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may obscure smaller vessels and is highly susceptibility to motion artifacts, potentially reducing endoleak detection accuracy after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). The novel golden-angle radial sparse parallel (GRASP) sequence enhances spatial and temporal resolution with continuous, motion-robust datasets, showing promise for accurate endoleak detection post-EVAR. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of contrast-enhanced compressed-sensing radial GRASP-volume interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequence with standard contrast-enhanced dynamic TWIST-VIBE sequence in patients with inconclusive computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings regarding endoleak after EVAR.

Dynamic Radial MR Imaging for Endoleak Surveillance after Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Inconclusive CT Angiography: A Prospective Study.

: To assess free-breathing, dynamic radial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for detecting endoleaks post-endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in cases with inconclusive computed tomography angiography (CTA). : This prospective single-center study included 17 participants (mean age, 70 ± 9 years; 13 males) who underwent dynamic radial MRI (Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel-Volumetric Interpolated BrEath-hold, GRASP-VIBE) after inconclusive multiphasic CT for the presence of endoleaks during the follow-up of EVAR-treated abdominal aortic aneurysms. CT and MRI datasets were independently assessed by two radiologists for image quality, diagnostic confidence, and the presence/type of endoleak.

Differentiation of Hamartomas and Malignant Lung Tumors in Single-Phased Dual-Energy Computed Tomography.

This study investigated the efficacy of single-phase dual-energy CT (DECT) in differentiating pulmonary hamartomas from malignant lung lesions using virtual non-contrast (VNC), iodine, and fat quantification. Forty-six patients with 47 pulmonary lesions (mean age: 65.2 ± 12.

Strong Association of Depression and Anxiety With the Presence of Back Pain While Impact of Spinal Imaging Findings is Limited: Analysis of an MRI Cohort Study.

Development of back pain is multifactorial, and it is not well understood which factors are the main drivers of the disease. We therefore applied a machine-learning approach to an existing large cohort study data set and sought to identify and rank the most important contributors to the presence of back pain amongst the documented parameters of the cohort. Data from 399 participants in the KORA-MRI (Cooperative health research in the region Augsburg-magnetic resonance imaging) (Cooperative Health Research in the Region Augsburg) study was analyzed.

2D versus 3D MRI of osteoarthritis in clinical practice and research.

Accurately detecting and characterizing articular cartilage defects is critical in assessing patients with osteoarthritis. While radiography is the first-line imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate for the noninvasive assessment of articular cartilage. Multiple semiquantitative grading systems for cartilage lesions in MRI were developed.

Associations of myosteatosis with disc degeneration: A 3T magnetic resonance imaging study in individuals with impaired glycaemia.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) may be linked to dysregulations of skeletal muscle glucose metabolism and fatty alterations of muscle composition (Myosteatosis). Our aim was to evaluate the different associations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based paravertebral myosteatosis with lumbar disc degeneration in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism and normoglycaemic controls.

Methods: In total, 304 individuals (mean age: 56.

Lack of correlation between hip osteoarthritis and anatomical spinopelvic parameters obtained in supine position on MRI.

Purpose: Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is known to have a multifactorial pathogenesis. Recent studies suggest that spinopelvic alignment may represent an important additional pathogenic abnormality resulting in HOA. This study aims to assess the correlation between spinopelvic parameters (pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL)) obtained in the supine position on MRI and HOA, lateral center edge (LCE) angle, and patient reported back pain.

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Ultra-Fast Superresolution MRI: 10-Fold Accelerated Musculoskeletal Turbo Spin Echo MRI Within Reach.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the keystone of modern musculoskeletal imaging; however, long pulse sequence acquisition times may restrict patient tolerability and access. Advances in MRI scanners, coil technology, and innovative pulse sequence acceleration methods enable 4-fold turbo spin echo pulse sequence acceleration in clinical practice; however, at this speed, conventional image reconstruction approaches the signal-to-noise limits of temporal, spatial, and contrast resolution. Novel deep learning image reconstruction methods can minimize signal-to-noise interdependencies to better advantage than conventional image reconstruction, leading to unparalleled gains in image speed and quality when combined with parallel imaging and simultaneous multislice acquisition.

Association of lumbar vertebral bone marrow and paraspinal muscle fat composition with intervertebral disc degeneration: 3T quantitative MRI findings from the population-based KORA study.

Objective: To assess the association of lumbar bone marrow adipose tissue fat fraction (BMAT-FF) and paraspinal muscle proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and their interplay with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study based on a prospective population-based cohort, BMAT-FF and PDFF of asymptomatic individuals were calculated based on 3T-MRI dual-echo and multi-echo Dixon VIBE sequences. IVDD was assessed at motion segments L1 to L5 and dichotomized based on Pfirrmann grade ≥ 4 and/or presence of other severe degenerative changes or spinal abnormalities at least at one segment.

Effect of acquisition techniques, latest kernels, and advanced monoenergetic post-processing for stent visualization with third-generation dual-source CT.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the effect of tube voltage, current kernels, and monoenergetic post-processing on stent visualization. METHODS A 6 mm chrome-cobalt peripheral stent was placed in a dedicated phantom and scanned with the available tube voltage settings of a third-generation dual-source scanner in single-energy (SE) and dual-energy (DE) mode. Images were reconstructed using the latest convolution kernels and monoenergetic reconstructions (40-190 keV) for DE.

Assessing the Accuracy of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Segmentation Algorithm for the Thoracic Aorta in Computed Tomography Applications.

The aim was to evaluate the accuracy of a prototypical artificial intelligence-based algorithm for automated segmentation and diameter measurement of the thoracic aorta (TA) using CT. One hundred twenty-two patients who underwent dual-source CT were retrospectively included. Ninety-three of these patients had been administered intravenous iodinated contrast.

Differentiation of adrenal adenomas from adrenal metastases in single-phased staging dual-energy CT and radiomics.

PURPOSE Differentiation of incidental adrenal lesions remains a challenge in diagnostic imaging, especially on single-phase portal venous computed tomography (CT) in the oncological setting. The aim of the study was to explore the ability of dual-energy CT (DECT)-based iodine quantification and virtual non-contrast (VNC) imaging and advanced radiomic analysis of DECT for differentiation of adrenal adenomas from metastases. METHODS A total of 46 patients with 49 adrenal lesions underwent clinically indicated staging DECT and magnetic resonance imaging.

Low-Dose CT for Renal Calculi Detection Using Spectral Shaping of High Tube Voltage.

Purpose: To investigate reduction of radiation exposure in unenhanced CT in suspicion of renal calculi using a tin-filtered high tube voltage protocol compared to a standard low-dose protocol without spectral shaping.

Materials And Methods: A phantom study using 7 human renal calculi was performed to test both protocols. 120 consecutive unenhanced CT examinations performed due to suspicion of renal calculi were included in this retrospective, monocentric study.

Automated Morphometric Analysis of the Hip Joint on MRI from the German National Cohort Study.

Purpose: To develop and validate an automated morphometric analysis framework for the quantitative analysis of geometric hip joint parameters in MR images from the German National Cohort (GNC) study.

Materials And Methods: A secondary analysis on 40 participants (mean age, 51 years; age range, 30-67 years; 25 women) from the prospective GNC MRI study (2015-2016) was performed. Based on a proton density-weighted three-dimensional fast spin-echo sequence, a morphometric analysis approach was developed, including deep learning-based landmark localization, bone segmentation of the femora and pelvis, and a shape model for annotation transfer.

Quantification of liver and muscular fat using contrast-enhanced Dual Source Dual Energy Computed Tomography compared to an established multi-echo Dixon MRI sequence.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of liver fat quantification in contrast-enhanced dual source dual energy computed tomography (DECT) using multi-echo Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as reference standard.

Method: Patients who underwent MRI of the liver including a multi-echo Dixon sequence for estimation of proton density fat fraction in 2017 as well as contrast-enhanced DECT imaging of the abdomen were included in this retrospective, monocentric IRB approved study. Furthermore, patients with a hepatic fat amount >5% who were examined in 2018 with MRI and DECT were included.

The throwing shoulder in youth elite handball: adaptions of inferior but not anterior capsule thickness differ between the two sexes.

The aim was to investigate side-to-side and sex differences of anterior and inferior capsule thickness (ACT, ICT) between the throwing and non-throwing shoulder (TS, NTS) in youth elite handball players. 125 youth female and male elite handball players (14.1±0.

Correlation between thoracolumbar disc degeneration and anatomical spinopelvic parameters in supine position on MRI.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the correlation between spinopelvic parameters in supine position (pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL)), disc degeneration and herniation of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as cardiovascular risk factors and back pain in a southern German cohort from the general population.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, case-control study drawn from a prospective cohort of the "Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg/Kooperative Gesundheitsforschung in der Region Augsburg" study (KORA). In total, 374 participants (mean age 56.

Association between cardiovascular risk factors and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine in the general population: results from the KORA MRI Study.

Background: Little is known about the associations between cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and disc degeneration (DD).

Purpose: To evaluate the potential association between CRFs and intervertebral DD in a population-based sample.

Methods: A total of 400 participants from the community-based KORA-study were assessed in terms of CRFs, specifically obesity, hypertension, diabetes, elevated LDL-c, low HDL-c, elevated triglycerides, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

Differences Between CT-Perfusion and Biphasic Contrast-enhanced CT for Detection and Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Potential Explanations for Discrepant Cases.

Aim: To compare the diagnostic value of liver perfusion computed tomography (PCT) and biphasic contrast-enhanced CT (bpCECT) for detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to identify potential causes for inter-modal discrepancies.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, 162 cases with a total of 325 HCC-typical lesions were evaluated using both PCT and bpCECT (mean time between examinations=15 days, range=0-13 days). HCC diagnosis was performed by multi-modality imaging including lesion growth at follow-up.

Diagnostic Performance of Different Simulated Low-Dose Levels in Patients with Suspected Cervical Abscess Using a Third-Generation Dual-Source CT Scanner.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dose reduction on diagnostic accuracy and image quality of cervical computed tomography (CT) in patients with suspected cervical abscess. Forty-eight patients (mean age 45.5 years) received a CT for suspected cervical abscess.

Effects of radiation dose reduction on diagnostic performance of 3rd generation Dual Source CT pulmonary angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of radiation dose reduction on diagnostic accuracy and image quality of pulmonary angiography CT (CTPA) in adults with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).

Material & Methods: 52 consecutive patients received CTPA for suspected PE. Realistic low-Dose CT simulations were generated using an offline software (ReconCT, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany), as either filter back projections (FBP) or iterative reconstruction as ADMIRE (strength 3 or 5) with 25 %, 50 % and 75 % of the original dose.