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<title>Chinese Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging RSS feed</title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/contents_list.asp?issue=201003</link>
<language>zh-cn</language>
<copyright>An RSS feed for Chinese Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging</copyright>
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<title><![CDATA[Ultra-high-field MR imaging: a spectacular vision of the brain]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.003</link>
<description><![CDATA[Recently, great progress has been made in the ultra-high-field strength MR including advances of radiofrequency (RF) and coil technology for in vivo imaging. Compared to the conventional field strength, ultra-high-field MR offers many advantages including: (1) Substantial increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be used to increase spatial resolution for detection of the microstructures. (2) Because of the prominent susceptibility effect at higher field strength, applications are introduced for the detection of subtle abnormal iron deposits, microbleeds, and small veins on T2* or susceptibility-weighted imaging. (3) With largely increase of T1 relaxation time at ultra-high-field strength, there is potential for obtaining higher image quality of ASL. (4) High spatial resolution secondary to the increased SNR will have benefit in fMRI and MRS and so on. However, at present, ultra-high-field MRI has also some limitations: (1) The image optimization and the total coverage can be limited with increased specific absorption rate (SAR) at higher field strength. (2) Regional RF B1 field inhomogeneity often produces regional signal variation. (3) Increased susceptibility effect also increases associated artifacts particularly at the level of skull base. This article is to discuss the preliminary experience of using 7T whole body human MR for brain applications at New York University Langone Medical Center.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[No significant change of brain myo-inositol is observed in euthymic bipolar patients after sodium valproate medication by in vivo proton MR spectroscopy]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.004</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To quantitatively measure the concentration of metabolites in both frontal and temporal lobes after sodium valproate medication in euthymic bipolar patients to determine if these were altered in any way from controls. Materials and Methods: We studied 9 adult patients with bipolar disorder and 11 healthy volunteers. All the patients took sodium valproate 1000 mg daily as a the sole medication. MR experiments were performed by using a Magnex 3 T scanner, and spectrometer control was provided by an SMIS console. The PRESS sequence was used to acquire proton MRS data with TE1=25 ms, TE2=25 ms, TR=3000 ms, and 128 scan averages. Three square voxels (2 cm×2 cm×2 cm) were placed in the cortex of frontal lobe, the cortex of temporal lobe, and external standard solution. After measuring T1 and T2 values of the metabolites in the brain and standard solution, accurate brain metabolite concentrations were obtained. Results: Similar spectra were found among healthy volunteers and the patients with bipolar disorder. Compared with the concentration of myo-inositol in volunteers, the patients had no signiﬁcantly lower levels of myo-inositol (P=0.77 in frontal lobe and P=0.67 in temporal lobe, student t test). Also, there were no significant differences for choline, total creatine and NAA between volunteer and patient groups. Conclusion: Sodium valproate administration does not significantly alter baseline concentrations of myo-inositol in euthymic bipolar patients. However, more subjects are necessary to reach a reasonable result in future studies.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[MRI features of brain metastasis of alveolar echinococcosis]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.005</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To investigate the MRI manifestations of brain metastasis of alveolar echinococcosis so as to gain more insights into the disease. Materials and Methods: Twenty cases of alveolar echinococcosis underwent MRI, CT, ultrasound and laboratory-related examinations and were confirmed by surgical pathology, all the data were analyzed. Results: All of 20 patients with brain metastatic alveolar echinococcosis had primary history of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Twelve of them had received surgical treatment, while 8 of them had undergone ultrasound-guided puncture treatment or biopsy. Four of 20 cases had single lesion (20%), 16 cases had multiple lesions (80%). There were pulmonary metastasis in 6 cases, kidney and adrenal gland metastasis in 3 cases. MRI features were as follows: There were round or irregular-shaped multiple aggregation of small vesicles-like changes, the cross section was honeycomb shape, T1WI and T2WI showed mainly low signals. The lesions were accompanied by obvious edema. 'Alveolar echinococcosis' embolus in hepatic vein and portal vein were found in 4 cases. Conclusion: Brain is one of the most vulnerable organs of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MRI manifestations such as honeycomb-shaped small vesicles and T1WI, T2WI low signals is the valuable characteristics of brain metastasis of alveolar echinococcosis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Diffusion tensor MR imaging of cervical spinal cord: cervical spondylosis-related changes]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.006</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To investigate the capacity of diffusion tensor MR imaging in the spondylosis-related changes of the cervical spinal cord. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with cervical spondylosis were examined with routine MRI and DTI on SIEMENS Sonata 1.5T MR scanner using single shot echo planar imaging (SE-EPI) sequences. The images of cervical spinal cord were obtained. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured on a sagittal section according to whether there were high signal on T2-weighted images or not. Results: All 31 cervical spondylosis cases completed the examinations without obvious artifacts on the diffusion tensor images. The average ADC and FA values of high signal lesions on conventional T2-weighted images (9 cases) were 1183.44±121.96×10-6 mm2/s and 432.56±59.97×10-3 (P<0.01, vs normal cervical spinal cord). The average ADC and FA values of normal signal on T2-weighted images (15 of 22 cases) were 1055.07±80.61×10-6 mm2/s and 501.87±41.09×10-3 (P<0.01, vs normal cervical spinal cord), 7 of 22 cases showed no signiﬁcant difference compared with normal cervical spinal cord. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of T2-weighted images and DTI were 29.0% and 67.7%, 71.0% and 22.6%, 27.3% and 72.7%, 75.9% and 24.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Diffusion tensor imaging is a reliable tool in demonstrating the early spondylosis-related changes of the cervical spinal cord compared with conventional T2-weighted images. It can provide useful information for chronic injury and regeneration of the cervical spinal cord.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[MRI, SPECT and 2D echocardiography in assessing  cardiac function of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.007</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To compare two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), SPECT and MRI for evaluation of cardiac function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Materials and Methods: Cardiac MRI, gated SPECT and 2DE were performed in 42 IDCM patients. NYHA functional classiﬁcation: 11 cases of class I-II, 16 cases of class III, 15 cases of class IV. Left ventricular (LV) function and volumes were measured using Simspon for 2DE, QGS software for gated SPECT, and ARGUS auto-quantitative program for MRI. Results: The correlation between MRI and gated SPECT (r≥0.9, P≤0.001), 2DE (r=0.699-0.878, P≤0.001) was good for the assessment of LVEF, EDV and ESV. There was signiﬁcant difference between MRI and SPECT, 2DE in the estimation of LV volume, but EDV and ESV were underestimated by SPECT and 2DE. Comparing with MRI, the EF was underestimated by 2DE, but not by SPECT. MRI with NYHA classification: ESV, SV, EF, PER, PFR, EDD and ESD of class III/IV compared with class I-II had signiﬁcance; 2DE with NYHA classiﬁcation: ESV and EF of class III/IV compared with class I-II had significance, EDD and ESD IV compared with class I-II had signiﬁcance; SPECT with NYHA classiﬁcation: ESV and EF of class III/IV compared with class I-II had signiﬁcance. Conclusion: Gated SPECT and 2DE correlate well for the assessment of LV function and volumes. However, both 2DE and SPECT underestimated LV volumes. Comparing with 2DE or SPECT, MRI can provide  more information about LV function and volumes. These three methods have good correlation with the NYHA functional classiﬁcation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Preoperative evaluation of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma with enhanced MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.008</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To study enhanced MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) ﬁndings of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma and evaluate the preoperative evaluation value of MRI and MRCP. Materials and Methods: Enhanced MRI and MRCP findings in 30 patients with hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma proved pathologically were retrospectively analyzed, the preoperative evaluations and operative results were compared. Results: All patients were found to have soft tissue mass at porta hepatis with delayed enhancement in MRI, and intrahepatic biliary duct dilation was seen. Enhanced MRI and MRCP could ﬁnd inﬁltrated bile duct and blood vessels objectively, metastatic tumor also could be seen availably. The sensitivity, speciﬁcity and accuracy of preoperative evaluation in all patients were 82.4%, 84.6% and 83.3% respectively. Conclusion: Enhanced MRI and MRCP were valid method in the preoperative evaluation of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Preliminary study of dynamic MR imaging in evaluation of female pelvic organ prolapse]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.009</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To assess the clinical value of dynamic MRI in diagnosis of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with clinically diagnosed POP underwent dynamic mid-sagittal plane pelvic MRI using single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) sequence during Valsalva maneuver. MRI diagnosis and measurement were made according to HMO classiﬁcation system. Of them, twenty-two patients were obtained the same MRI and clinical evaluation again after the pelvic-floor-repair surgery. Therefore, all together 46 MRI examinations were compared with the clinical evaluation statistically. Results: In 46 dynamic pelvic MRI exams, 43 MRI exams had good consistency with the clinical evaluation analyzed by Kappa test (κ=0.862). Dynamic MRI measurements had good correlation with clinical measurements in the anterior and apical compartments estimated by Spearman rank (r=0.650, r=0.520, respectively), and poor correlation with clinical measurements in the posterior compartment (r=0.290). Conclusion: Dynamic MRI examination may evaluate the pelvic organ prolapse comprehensively.  It’s an effective method to assess the pelvic ﬂoor dysfunction clinically.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[In vivo semiquantitative evaluation of liver fat content in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver rat models: comparison between dual-echo T1-weighted imaging and 1H-MR spectroscopy with correlation of histopathology]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.010</link>
<description><![CDATA[Objective: To investigate the values of 1H-MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and gradient-echo T1-weighted MR imaging (in-phase and opposed-phase) in quantifying liver fat content (LFC) in rat models of both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Materials and Methods: Total 120 healthy Sprague-Dawle male rats were randomly divided into control group, fatty liver group, alcoholic fatty liver group, and mixed models group. At the baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th week, at least 6 or more rats were selected to receive dual-echo T1W imaging and 1H-MRS of the liver. Fat indexes (FI) for dual-echo T1W imaging and relative lipid content (RLC) of 1H-MRS were measured and compared to pathological grades of fatty liver. Results: Both FI of dual-echo T1W and RLC of 1H-MRS were correlated linearly with the histopathological grading (P<0.01, r=0.54–0.96). RLC (r=0.89-0.96) showed much closer correlation with histopathology than FI (r=0.54–0.85) in all the experimental rat models. For FI, the differences between the normal and mild, mild and moderate steatosis were not significant (P>0.05), while RLC demonstrated signiﬁcant differences between the normal and each grade of steatosis (P<0.01). For ALD, RLC and FI have the similar values as to fatty liver content (rRLC=0.886, rFI=0.854), whereas RLC was superior to FI for NAFLD (rRLC=0.95–0.96, rFI=0.54-0.65). Conclusion: In vivo 1H-MRS and dual-echo T1W can quantitatively evaluate both NAFLD and ALD in rat models. 1H-MRS is more accurate and reliable for discrimination mild fatty liver and in NAFLD.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[syngo NATIVE non-enhanced MR angiography]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.011</link>
<description><![CDATA[syngo NATIVE is the non-enhanced MR angiography package released by Siemens MR. syngo NATIVE includes two different technologies: syngo NATIVE TrueFISP and syngo NATIVE SPACE, which are optimized for the abdominal and peripheral arteries imaging correspondingly. The aim of this article is to present the principle and clinical measurement key features of the two technologies.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Brief overview about the principles of susceptibility weighted imaging]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.014</link>
<description><![CDATA[Susceptibility-weighted imaging is a high-spatial-resolution 3D MR imaging technique that is different from spin density, T1-, or T2-weighted imaging. SWI combines magnitude and phase images from the high-resolution, fully velocity compensated 3D gradient echo sequence based on the T2* weighted gradient echo sequence. It is particularly useful for detecting intravascular venous deoxygenated blood as well as extravascular blood products, it is superior to conventional gradient echo sequence in showing small cerebral veins or hemorrhage. In this article, we present a review focus on the principles and postprocessing techniques of susceptibility weighted imaging.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Development of susceptibility weighted imaging in clinical application]]></title>
<link>http://med-sci.cn/cgzcx/en/en_articlexml.asp?doi=10.3969/j.issn.1674-8034.2010.03.015</link>
<description><![CDATA[Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is extremely sensitive in discovering venous blood, blood constituents such as metabolites after bleeding, iron and calcification, et al. It has been generally applied in diagnosing such as hemorrhage process, abnormal venous blood, brain neoplasm, and quantitative analysis in iron contents. This article reviewed the literatures that SWI sequence’s clinical application in cerebrovascular disease, cerebral trauma, brain tumor, neural degeneration diseases, demyelinating lesions and the body. Meanwhile, it also put forward the advantages and disadvantages of SWI technology.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat,20 Mar 2010 00:00:00  GMT</pubDate>
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