Objective To preliminarily compare accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and T2WI in assessing stiffness of tissue.Methods Agar gel phantoms of 23 different concentrations ranging from 0.8％-3.0％ were produced.All the phantoms were examined with MRE and T2 map scanning respectively.After the raw images were processed by using local wavelength estimation (LEF),shear modulus of scan slice was measured,and T2 value of the same slice was measured with GE ADW4.3 workstation.Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between shear modulus and agar concentration,as well as T2 value and concentration.Rank sum test was used to compare the correlation coefficients of them.Results All the shear modulus and T2 values of the phantoms were successfully obtained,which were (49.1 ± 23.5) kPa and (57.8 ± 21.8) ms respectively.Shear modulus was positively correlated with concentration of agar gel(r1 =0.985,r1 2 =0.970,P ＜ 0.01),while T2 value was negatively correlated with concentration of agar gel (r2 =-0.901,r22 =0.812,P ＜ 0.01).The differences of these two correlation coefficients were statistically significant (Z =5.459,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion MRE is more accurate to reflect stiffness of tissues relative to T2WI,and shows great clinical prospect.

China ; Computer Communication Networks ; economics ; Hospital Information Systems ; economics ; standards ; Radiology Information Systems ; economics ; standards

Objective To investigate the applicative value in stages of pre-infarction period using dynamic perfusion CT. Methods Dynamic perfusion CT was performed in 32 cases of cerebral hypoperfusion. The ratios of side-to-side were measured at hypoperfusion areas in the regional cerebral ischemia. The stages of pre-infarction period were made as the following: (Ⅰ 1) TTP was delayed, MTT, rCBF and rCBV were normal; (Ⅰ 2) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF was normal, and rCBV was normal or slightly increased; (Ⅱ 1) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF was decreased, and rCBV was normal or slightly decreased; (Ⅱ 2) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF and rCBV were decreased. Results There were 4 cases in stage Ⅰ 1. Regional hypoperfusion was revealed only by TTP map. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 1.00, 1.00, 1.00, and 1.30, respectively. In stage Ⅰ 2, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were found in all 13 cases. The rCBF and rCBV maps appeared normal in 8 cases. Another 5 cases showed normal rCBF and slightly increased rCBV areas. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 1.00, 1.03, 1.38, and 1.30, respectively. In stage Ⅱ 1, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were revealed in all 8 cases. The depiction of decreased rCBF was also found in 8 cases. The areas of decreased rCBV were showed in 5 cases, and normal rCBV maps were revealed in 3. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 0.56, 0.94, 1.49, and 1.47, respectively. In stage Ⅱ 2, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were revealed in all 4 cases, in whom depiction of decreased rCBF and rCBV was also found. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 0.42, 0.59, 1.57, and 1.55, respectively. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging and its parameters' analysis may play an increasing role to delineate the depiction of cerebral hypoperfusion in pre-infarction period. Analyzing the relationship of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP is very helpful to know the status of the capillary vessels in regional cerebral hypoperfusion area and to provide functional information with our stages of pre-infarction period.

Objective To intruduce a method of making cerebral perfusion mapping and measurement using dynamic CT with a personal computer. Methods We generated the cerebral perfusion mapping and measurement from a series dynamic CT images with a personal computer. The theoretic basis of our technique is central volume principle. The application software was made using visual C++ language with Windows 98 platform. Results This method was applied to a case of transient ischemic attack (TIA). The cerebral perfusion mapping contributed to display the abnormal area of ischemia, which showed as normal imaging appearances in routine CT and MR images. Conclusion Personal computer aided mapping and measurement of cerebral perfusion with dynamic CT is a simple and accessible technique for delineating the hemodynamic response, including abnormal regional cerebral blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and time to peak in cases of hyperacute ischemic stroke which was viewed as normal imaging findings in routine CT and MR examination. This method is more suitable to examine emergency cases than MR perfusion imaging and may be used in any facility where CT scanner and personal computer are available.

Objective To delineate the MR imaging features of intramedullary subependymoma. Methods The MR imaging features of 4 cases of pathologically proved intramedullary subependymomas were analyzed retrospectively and correlated with operative reports, and the differential diagnosis was discussed. Results MR appearances of intramedullary subependymoma were as follows: (1) Intramedullary subependymoma often involved the cervical region or the extensive portions of the cervical and thoracic cord in 3 out of 4 cases, mainly affected adults, and was eccentric within the spinal cord. The tumor was in the thoracic-lumbar cord in 1 case. (2) They were heterogeneously hypointense relative to the normal spinal cord on T 1-weighted images and hyperintense on T 2-weighted images, occasionally with hemorrhagic foci (2 cases). (3) No enhancement or minimal enhancement was revealed on T 1-weighted images following Gd-DTPA administration (3 out of 4). Conclusion Intramedullary subependymoma are best delineated by MR imaging. The diagnosis of intramedullary subependymoma should be considered when above findings are confronted.

Objective To investigate variation in the carotid bifurcation geometry of adults of different age by MR angiography images combining image post-processing technique. Methods Images of the carotid bifurcations of 27 young adults (≤40 years old) and 30 older subjects ( >40 years old) were acquired via contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Three dimensional (3D) geometries of the bifurcations were reconstructed and geometric parameters were measured by post-processing technique. Results The geometric parameters of the young versus older groups were as follows: bifurcation angle (70.268°± 16.050° versus 58.857°±13.294°), ICA angle (36.893°±11.837° versus 30.275°± 9.533°), ICA planarity (6.453°±5.009° versus 6.263°±4.250°),CCA tortuosity (0.023°0.011 versus 0.014± 0.005), ICA tortuosity (0.070±0.042 versus 0.046±0.022), ICA/CCA diameter ratio (0.693± 0.132 versus 0.728±0.106), ECA/CCA diameter ratio (0.750±0.123 versus 0.809±0.122), ECA/ ICA diameter ratio (1.103±0.201 versus 1.127±0.195), bifurcation area ratio (1.057±0.281 versus 1.291±0.252). There was significant statistical difference between young group and older group in bifurcation angle, ICA angle, CCA tortuosity, ICA tortuosity, ECA/CCA and bifurcation area ratio (F= 17.16,11.74,23.02,13.38,6.54,22.80,respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions MR angiography images combined with image post-processing technique can reconstruct 3D carotid bifurcation geometry and measure the geometric parameters of carotid bifurcation in vivo individually. It provides a new and convenient method to investigate the relationship of vascular geometry and flow condition with atherosclerotic pathological changes.

Objective To apply a non-invasive and feasible method for the quantification of local wall shear stress (WSS) in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. Methods The fight common carotid artery of a young healthy male volunteer was examined using cine phase-contrast MR sequence. The cross- sectional area, average flow velocity, maximum velocity and flow rate were obtained. Three dimensional paraboloid model was applied to measure WSS value at common carotid artery. Results The mean/peak WSS was (0.75±0.41)N/m2 for the common carotid artery; The mean (range) velocity was (23.4± 12.0) cm/s; The mean (range) luminal vessel area was (32.2±2.9) mm2; The blood flow rate was (7.8±4. 6) ml/s; Conclusion WSS's magnitude, distribution and changes can be determined by MR imaging combining with the three-dimensional paraboloid method.

Objective 　To evaluate the clinical measurement of cerebral perfusion by dynamic CT. Methods　 Thirteen normal adults were examined by dynamic CT for the measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Another dynamic CT scans with the measurement of CBF were performed separately to rule out cerebral ischemia in 5 cases and secondary Parkinson disease in 2. Results　 Normal cerebral cortical perfusion was measured at 59.3～96.8 ml*min-1*100g-1 with the　mean value 76.2 ml*min-1*100g-1. Normal white matter perfusion was measured at 27.1～43.1 ml*min-1*100g-1 with the mean value 33.9 ml*min-1*100g-1. In 5 cases of suspending cerebral ischemia, one showed increase of CBF and 4 presented decrease of CBF. In 2 cases of suspending secondary Parkinson disease, one appeared decrease of CBF and other one was normal. Conclusion　 Dynamic CT scan with the measurement of CBF can demonstrate the hemodynamic status of normal brain and pathological lesion. Combined with routine CT scan, measurement of cerebral perfusion by dynamic CT is an ideal method to show the morphological and functional changes of brain tissue simultaneously.

Objective To study the imaging characters of spinal teratomas.Methods 10 cases of spinal teratomas were analyzed with clinical and radiography. 8 cases intramedullary, 2 cases extramedullary. 10 cases had MR examination. Results The location of spinal teratomas in 5 cases was in lumbar, 3 cases in thorax, 1 case in thoracolumbar, 1 case in cervical. 7 cases were multicyst type, 3 cases were singlecyst type. 10 cases of MR image showed mix signal intensity. The contrast enhancement T 1WI with fat saturation presented disappear fat signal of spinal teratomas. The teratomas heterogeneous enhancement was found in 10 cases with MR examination. 3 cases lumbosacral area of spinal teratomas united tethercord. Conclusion Neuroradiological features of spinal teratomas has specific manifestation. The T 1WI fat saturation scan is a availability nicety method for spinal teratomas.