Diagnostic Role and Feasibility of F-FDG PET for Assessing Takayasu Arteritis: Diagnostic Efficacy of Quantifying F-FDG Uptake.

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is classified as large-vessel vasculitis caused by inflammation. It is often difficult to identify on clinical examination, and F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG PET) plays an indispensable role in diagnosing TAK by detecting the location and grade of the inflammatory lesions. The clinical utility of F-FDG PET has been established by clinical evidence, and F-FDG PET was added to the Japanese national health insurance listing in April 2018.

Quantitative analysis of ovarian cysts and tumors by using T2 star mapping.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of T2 star (T2*) mapping in diagnosing ovarian cysts/ tumors.

Methods: Pelvic magnetic resonance examinations including T2*WI were performed before surgery in 35 patients. The region of interest, consisted of a 10 mm diameter circle, was set as much as possible inside ovarian tumors/cysts to measure T2*values, and mean T2* values were compared in ovarian cyst/tumor types, retrospectively.

Computed diffusion-weighted imaging for differentiating synovial proliferation from joint effusion in hand arthritis.

The objective of this study is to investigate computed DWI (cDWI) as an alternative method to contrast-enhanced MRI in comparison with directory measured DWI (mDWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for differentiating synovial proliferation from joint effusion. Nine patients suspected with RA (5 women) were included in this study. A radiologist identified region of interest (ROI) based on STIR, and evaluated using a 5-point grading scale of 0 (fluid) to 4 (synovial proliferation) according to the degree of contrast enhancement within the ROI.

The intracanalicular segment of the hypoglossal nerve: An anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Few studies have documented the morphology of the intracanalicular segment of the hypoglossal nerve (CSHN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the CSHN using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In total, 95 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI.

Possible cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the middle fossa floor and pterional diploe: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Purpose: There has not been a study documenting the distribution of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways in the anterolateral base of the middle fossa (ALB) and diploe of the pterional region (Pt). The present study aimed to delineate these pathways using magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Thin-sliced, axial, and coronal T2-weighted sequences were performed for a total of 358 outpatients, including 20 pediatric patients.

Transplantation of Aggregates of Autologous Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Cartilage Defects in the Femoral Condyle and the Femoral Groove in Microminipigs.

Background: Previous work has demonstrated that patients with cartilage defects of the knee benefit from arthroscopic transplantation of autologous synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in terms of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), qualitative histologic findings, and Lysholm score. However, the effectiveness was limited by the number of cells obtained, so large-sized defects (>500 mm) were not investigated. The use of MSC aggregates may enable treatment of larger defects by increasing the number of MSCs adhering to the cartilage defect.

Diploic veins of the cranial base: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The anatomy and distribution of the diploic veins (DVs) of the cranial base have not been fully documented. The aim of this study was to characterize these veins using contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: In total, 95 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI.

Progressive Site-Directed Therapy for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Localization of the Progressive Site as a Prognostic Factor.

Purpose: Locoregional therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer has generated great interest. However, its benefit for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has not been fully demonstrated. Our objective was to evaluate the treatment outcome of progressive site-directed therapy (PSDT) for oligoprogressive CRPC (OP-CRPC).

Quantitative Assessment of Bone Metastasis in Prostate Cancer Using Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) for characterizing bone lesions in prostate cancer and to discriminate viable progressive osteoblastic bone metastasis from nonviable bone metastases with treatment-induced sclerosis during the treatment course.

Materials And Methods: This institutional review board-approved prospective study included 96 consecutive prostate cancer patients who underwent whole-body MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging at the time of staging at diagnosis or starting a new line of anticancer treatment. Additional synthetic MRI of the lumbosacral spine, pelvis, and proximal femurs was performed.

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma of the jaw: CT and MR imaging findings.

Objectives: Desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA) is one of the rare pathological variants of ameloblastoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate CT and MR imaging findings of DA.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated six DA cases that were gathered from four different hospitals and confirmed histopathologically with resected specimens.

Does the prone sleeping position affect the intracranial dural venous flow?

Purpose: There are few studies documenting the effect of posture on intracranial dural venous flow. The aim of the present study was to explore alterations caused by the prone position using magnetic resonance (MR) venography.

Methods: A total of eight patients (five men and three women) underwent non-contrast MR venography in both supine and prone positions.

Usefulness of the inchworm sign on DWI for predicting pT1 bladder cancer progression.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of the presence or absence of an "inchworm sign" on DWI for the recurrence and progression of T1 bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 91 patients with pT1 urothelial carcinoma who underwent DWI prior to transurethral resection between 2007 and 2016. DWI of the dominant tumors was scrutinized for inchworm signs at b = 1000 s/mm.

Vertebral artery segment at the suboccipital dural penetration site: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The morphology of the vertebral artery (VA) segment at the suboccipital dural penetration site has little been explored with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the structure using MRI.

Methods: In total, 94 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes involving the atlas, axis, occipital bone, and V3 and V4 segments of the VA.

An undescribed venous pathway intervening between the olfactory fossa and nasal vestibule.

Purpose: A curvilinear pathway intervening between the olfactory fossa and nasal vestibule has not been well documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine its structure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: In total, 84 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI.

Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for discrimination of synovial proliferation in the hand arthritis: A prospective proof-of-concept study.

Background: Postcontrast-enhanced MRI is currently the reference standard for synovial proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the technique is somewhat invasive due to the use of gadolinium contrast agents, which may cause severe adverse/side effects. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) simultaneously permits quantification of perfusion as well as diffusion using a single imaging scan.

Visualization of the supraorbital notch/foramen using magnetic resonance imaging.

The supraorbital notch/foramen involving the segment of the supraorbital nerve (SON) and the supraorbital artery (SOA) has little been explored with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, we explored these structures using MRI. A total of 90 patients underwent thin-sliced contrast MRI.

The diaphragma sellae, diaphragm opening, and subdiaphragmatic cistern: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the detailed morphology of the diaphragma sellae (DS), diaphragm opening (DO) or stoma, and subdiaphragmatic cistern (SDC) using neuroimages. The aim of the present study was to characterize these structures using magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Thin-sliced, sagittal and coronal T2-weighted imaging was performed for a total of 84 outpatients.

Interdural high signal on CISS sequence: an alternative CSF pathway?

Purpose: The falx cerebri, falx cerebelli, and tentorial notch exhibit a peculiar morphology with a two-layered, dural leaf that protrudes into the cranial cavity with a free edge. However, there are few studies exploring this morphology using neuroimaging techniques. The present study aimed to explore these dural structures using magnetic resonance imaging.

Volume change in infrapatellar fat pad is associated not with obesity but with cartilage degeneration.

Infrapatellar fat pad has been implicated in knee osteoarthritis. We examined whether infrapatellar fat pad volume is associated with quantitative cartilage changes using magnetic resonance imaging T1ρ mapping. Fifty-eight knees of knee pain patients (19 men, 39 women, mean age 57.

Venous channels of the falx cerebri in adult Japanese population: delineation using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: Few studies have characterized the venous channels of the falx cerebri under physiological conditions. The present study aimed to explore the falx cerebri using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 91 patients (41 men and 50 women) with an intact falx cerebri and relevant dural sinuses underwent contrast MRI.

Visualization of the vidian canal and nerve using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Purpose: Few studies have investigated the vidian nerve (VN) and vidian canal (VC) with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The present study aimed to characterize the VC and VN using MRI.

Materials And Methods: A total of 91 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI.

The trigeminal root: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The trigeminal root is a remarkable structure that can be an original site of trigeminal neuralgia. However, few studies have explored the detailed anatomy of it with neuroimages. The aim of the present study was to characterize the trigeminal root using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

DEVELOPMENT OF RADIATION DOSE CALCULATION SOFTWARE USING THE SIZE-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATE.

We aimed to develop a software for facilitating absorbed dose per pixel (pixel dose) calculation using a size-specific dose estimate (SSDE). We calculated the pixel dose at nine equal points inserted into the radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeter (RPLD) and compared the pixel dose with the measured doses using RPLD. With this method, the relative errors of average pixel dose was -0.

Dorsal extensions of the fastigium cerebelli: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Purpose: The fastigium cerebelli is an important topographical landmark for neurosurgeons and radiologists. However, few studies have characterized the morphology of the fastigium cerebelli. We aimed to investigate the fastigium cerebelli using postmortem specimens and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vivo.