Three-dimensional bone-free computed tomographic angiography of aneurysms near the skull base using a new bone-removal application.

Purpose: Bone elimination is needed for computed tomography angiography (CTA) because bone structures obscure aneurysms located at the skull base. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D)-CTA using an application for bone elimination.

Materials And Methods: A total of 27 patients with 32 angiographically confirmed aneurysms near the skull base were investigated.

Accurate diagnosis of peripheral small cell lung cancer with computed tomography.

Small lesions are frequently detected in the lung with computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. It is important to know the CT features of small-sized peripheral small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for early-stage diagnosis. We reviewed the CT findings of SCLC that presented as a solitary peripheral nodule without associated lymphadenopathy.

Tumor-liver contrast and subjective tumor conspicuity of respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence compared with T2*-weighted gradient recalled-echo sequence for ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic malignant tumors.

Purpose: To compare respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo (RTT2W-FSE) and gradient T2*-weighted recalled-echo (T2*W-GRE) images for visualization of malignant hepatic tumors using ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: Ferucarbotran-enhanced RTT2W-FSE and breath-hold long-TE 2D-fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) images as T2*W-GRE were used to evaluate 128 malignant hepatic tumors (77 metastases, 37 hepatocellular carcinomas, 14 other) in 62 patients. Tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC) was quantitatively compared using the paired Student's t-test, and the score of lesion conspicuity was qualitatively compared using Wilcoxon's signed rank test.

Reduced perfusion reserve in Leukoaraiosis demonstrated using acetazolamide challenge 123I-IMP SPECT.

Objective: We examined the relationship between the perfusion reserve as measured by acetazolamide (ACZ)-challenge N-isopropyl-I-123-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP)-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the degree of leukoaraiosis (LA) as estimated using magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: In 51 patients receiving IMP-SPECT with the resting state and ACZ challenge, the unaffected cerebral hemispheres were included in the present study. Mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the resting state and ACZ reactivity were acquired.

Contrast-enhanced multi-shot echo-planar FLAIR in the depiction of metastatic tumors of the brain: comparison with contrast-enhanced spin-echo T1-weighted imaging.

Background: The usefulness of fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences after administration of contrast medium (f-FLAIR (+)) has been shown in depicting brain tumors including metastases and meningeal carcinomatosis. Contrast-enhanced multi-shot echo-planar FLAIR (Ms-EPI-FLAIR (+)), comprising combined sequences of f-FLAIR (+) and Ms-EPI, may provide the advantages of f-FLAIR (+) along with rapid acquisition.

Purpose: To compare Ms-EPI-FLAIR (+) with post-contrast spin-echo T1-weighted imaging (SE-T1WI (+)) in the depiction of brain metastases.

Spontaneous regression of multiple lung metastases following regression of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial embolization. A case report.

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare phenomenon. Some reports have described cases of spontaneous regression of HCC, but there have been few cases with spontaneous regression of only metastatic lesions from HCC. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with multiple lung metastases from HCC that regressed spontaneously following regression of HCC after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).

CT features of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective: Our objective was to establish the CT features that are indicative of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Conclusion: A fluid collection seen on CT around the pancreaticojejunostomy site and in the pancreatic bed may be caused by pancreatic fistula in patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy. CT depiction of air bubbles in the fluid at these sites may strongly suggest the diagnosis of pancreatic fistula.

Venous Anatomy of the Sphenoparietal Sinus: Evaluation by MR Imaging.

The termination of the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) has been described as entering or being partially equivalent to the venous sinus coursing under the lesser sphenoid wing, which has classically been called the sphenoparietal sinus. However, the recent literature reports that the SMCV is not connected to the sphenoparietal sinus. In this study, the venous anatomy was evaluated to clarify the anatomy of the sphenoparietal sinus and the termination of the SMCV.

Visualization of anterior disc displacement in temporomandibular disorders on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with T2-weighted, proton density-weighted, and precontrast T1-weighted imaging.

Objective: To compare postcontrast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI+) with precontrast T1-weighted (T1WI-), T2-weighted (T2WI), and proton density-weighted imaging (ProWI) in depiction of the anterior disc displacement (ADD) in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Study Design: A total of 120 joints with TMD were included in this study. Qualitatively, Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

Balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery: correlation with stump pressure and 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation of stump pressure during balloon occlusion test and relative cerebral blood flow (relative CBF) as measured by 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) after test occlusion.

Material And Methods: Balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was performed in 25 patients. The count ratio of occluded hemisphere to non-occluded hemisphere was calculated on 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT.

Air trapping on computed tomography images of healthy individuals: effects of respiration and body mass index.

Aim: To evaluate the relationships of changes in the lung area during respiration and of individual body mass index (BMI) to air trapping on expiratory computed tomography (CT) in young non-smoking adults of either gender.

Methods: The volunteers were 10 women and 10 men (mean age 25.7 years) who were healthy lifelong non-smokers.

Diffusion changes in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation for brain tumors: possible prediction of treatment response.

Objective: Changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation (STI) were evaluated, and then the therapeutic efficacy of ADC measurement was assessed.

Methods: In 20 tumors, diffusion-weighted imaging within 1 week before and 2-4 weeks after STI was performed. The normalized ADC (nADC) was measured.

Comparison of the MR findings on indirect MR arthrography in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Purpose: To compare indirect magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography findings in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Indirect MR arthrography results of 15 asymptomatic and 23 symptomatic rotator cuff tears were retrospectively reviewed, comparing the type and size of tears and amount of subacrominal-subdeltoid bursal fluid.

Results: There were 14 partial-thickness tears and one full-thickness tear in the asymptomatic group, with 4 small and 11 medium tears.

Postoperative three-dimensional CT angiography after cerebral aneurysm clipping with titanium clips: detection with single detector CT. Comparison with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography.

Aim: To assess the significance of three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) in detecting remnant necks after cerebral aneurysm clipping.

Materials And Methods: A total of 59 patients (77 aneurysms) underwent surgery using titanium clips. Two blinded observers independently evaluated the presence of neck remnants on shaded-surface display (SSD) imaging, volume rendered (VR) imaging, and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA).

Visualization of lymphatic basin from the tumor using magnetic resonance lymphography with superparamagnetic iron oxide in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) lymphography with submucosal injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) for imaging lymphatic pathways from thoracic esophageal cancer.

Methods: In 24 patients with esophageal cancer, SPIO was injected into the submucosal layer of the peritumoral region endoscopically and MR lymphography was conducted. In study 1, fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition using a steady-state (FSPGR) sequence was performed from the neck to the upper abdomen before and at 20, 40, and 60 minutes after injection in 10 patients.

Comparison of 201Tl-chloride SPECT with 99mtc-MIBI SPECT in the depiction of malignant head and neck tumors.

Objective: Comparison of 201Tl chloride SPECT (TI-SPECT) with 99mTc-MIBI SPECT (MIBI-SPECT) in the depiction of malignant head and neck tumors was prospectively studied.

Methods: Forty-one patients with various tumors of the head and neck were included in this prospective study. Histologically, 36 patients had squamous cell carcinomas, 3 undifferentiated carcinomas, 1 transitional cell carcinoma, and 1 MALT lymphoma.

Carotid-cavernous fistula associated with an intracranial lesion caused by cortical venous reflux.

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 20 patients with carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF; 3 direct CCFs and 17 indirect CCFs) were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate venous drainage patterns that may cause intracerebral haemorrhage or venous congestion of the brain parenchyma. We evaluated the relationship between cortical venous reflux and abnormal signal intensity of the brain parenchyma on MRI. Cortical venous reflux was identified on DSA in 12 of 20 patients (60.

123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine single-photon emission computerized tomography in brain tumors - a preliminary study.

Objective: (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) has been developed as a functional analog of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The success of MIBG as an imaging agent for neural crest tumors is derived from its chemical similarities to norepinephrine. The present study aimed to explore a potential of (123)I-MIBG to differentiate embryonal tumors from other types of brain tumors.

[Three-dimensional surface anatomical scanning with 3D-FSPGR: anatomical conformity with surgical findings].

Three-dimensional imaging with MRI is a useful method for neurosurgical simulations. As in our previous study, we have constructed three-dimensional surface anatomical scanning (3D-SAS) from the data of contrast enhanced 3D fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (3D-FSPGR) sequence. Using this technique, it is possible to generate 3D images from the data of only one acquisition, without using the fusion function.

Comparison of technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime single-photon emission tomograph with stump pressure during the balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery.

Background And Purpose: Measuring blood pressure (stump pressure) in the distal internal carotid artery during occlusion of the internal carotid artery is reportedly a reliable safety index with which to predict ischemia following permanent occlusion of the internal carotid artery. We compared the stump pressure during occlusion of the internal carotid artery with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) using technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent the balloon occlusion test.

Evaluating benign and malignant musculoskeletal lesions with radionuclide angiography and SPECT using Tc-99m MIBI.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of radionuclide angiography and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using Tc-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) for analyzing musculoskeletal lesions.

Materials And Methods: Radionuclide angiography and SPECT using Tc-99m MIBI were performed in 36 patients with various soft tissue and bone pathologies (18 benign and 18 malignant lesions). The ratio of the counts of the lesion to that of the contralateral normal area was calculated from the region of interest drawn on the MIBI scan.

Motor denervation of tumors of the head and neck: changes in MR appearance.

Purpose: We reviewed the MR appearance of motor denervation of the third (mandibular) division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) and of the hypoglossal nerve.

Method: Six cases of tumor of the head and neck with motor denervation were retrospectively evaluated. These comprised two patients with V3 denervation, three patients with hypoglossal nerve denervation, and one patient with both V3 and hypoglossal denervation.

Successful treatment of a ruptured infected aneurysm of the lumbar artery with transcatheter embolization.

We report a patient who had an infected aneurysm of the lumbar artery caused by prolonged psoas abscess-forming spondylitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and who was treated successfully with transcatheter arterial embolization. This case suggests that an infected aneurysm can be treated successfully by transcatheter arterial embolization in emergent situations (active bleeding or septicemia) even if surgery is contraindicated.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapeutic efficacy in the head and neck tumors.

Purpose: The purpose to this study is to identify correlations between pathology and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess the utility of this technique in the evaluation of radiation response for head and neck cancer.

Materials And Methods: MRI was prospectively performed after radiotherapy in 27 patients with various head and neck tumors. After bolus injection of contrast material, a dynamic study was performed using a spoiled gradient-recalled imaging sequence.