Since MR angiography (MR) can demonstrate the whole brain arterial system without introduction of contrast medium, it is very useful in screening for aneurysm, AVM and vascular occlusion in outpatients.
There are two methods in MRA-subtraction and non-subtraction methods (time of flight, TOF).
The magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) technique can demonstrate smaller vessels and slower blood flow than any conventional TOF-MRA.
Compared with the subtraction MRA, the MTC-TOF-MRA demonstrates smaller vessels clearly in a shorter time. By Gd-enhancement, the image of the arterial system can be also improved on the MTC method.

In Kampo medicine, a tongue examination, whereby the shape and color of the tongue is observed, is thought to reveal the constitution and condition of the patient. In Japan, numerous books on this tongue examination have been published. However, tongue findings are expressed differently in these books, and a standard description for such findings has yet to be established. A standard description would be useful when examining the tongue, and when educating students of Kampo medicine. We therefore compared how tongue colors and shapes were expressed in the Japanese literature on tongue examinations (12 publications).
Using these results, we have arrived at a standardized description for tongue findings in accordance with Kampo specialists of tongue diagnoses at many facilities. In the process, we focused on easily recognizable findings that can be noted with short clinical examination times, and that can also be understood by beginners.