Objective To investigate the utilization of liver enhancement in hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI for liver function evaluation.Methods Fifty-five patients who received enhanced MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA were retrospectively analyzed.Images were obtained before injection and in hepatobiliary phase (5,10,and 20 minutes after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection).The patients were assigned into two subgroups according to individual liver function (n =35 in Group 1:normal liver and Child-Pugh class A; n =20 in Group 2:Child-Pugh class B and C).The relative liver enhancement (RE) was calculated at different time point.The general data (age,sex) and relevant laboratory results were recorded.Independent sample t-test was conducted to compare the RE between two groups at different time point.ROC curve was used to determine the best time point and RE threshold that can reflect the differences between two groups.Univariate analyses was performed to analyze the relationship between RE at the best time point and laboratory results.Multivariate analyses was performed to screen the independent influencing factor for RE at the best time point.Results The differences of RE between two groups were statistically significant at all time points (P ＜ 0.0001).10 minutes was the best time point for detecting the differences of liver function between two groups.When an RE cutoff value (＞ 1.52) was applied,normal or Child-Pugh class A could be predicted with sensitivity of 74.3％ and specificity of 90％.RE at the best time point was significantly related with total serum bilirubin level (TBil),serum albumin level (Alb) and prothrombin time (PT).And TBil was an independent influencing factor.Conclusion RE can be used to evaluate the liver function,and 10 minutes is the best time point that can be used to differentiate patients with normal or mild liver damage from those with moderate or severe liver damage.

Objective To evaluate the effect of liver function on liver enhancement in hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI.Methods Sixty-seven patients who suffered from cirrhosis and received enhanced MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA were retrospectively analyzed,and divided into three subgroups according to ChildPugh score(45 patients in group A,20 in group B,5 in group C).All the individuals of both groups had MRI before injection,and hepatobiliary phase images were obtained at 5,10,and 20 minutes after bolus administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA.The relative enhancement(RE) was calculated by dividing the signal intensity of liver(SI) at t min after injection(SIt) by precontrast SI(SI0).The total serum bilirubin level(TB),serum albumin level(Alb) and prothrombin time(PT) were recorded.The one-way ANOVA was used to compare the RE among three groups at 5,10 and 20 minutes.SNK was used for further pairwise comparison.The effect of liver function on RE was assessed with the generalized linear model.Pearson correlation coefficients were measured between each biochemical test result(TB,Alb,PT) and RE at different time points.Results The RE at 5,10 and 20 minutes were 1.59±0.20,1.65±0.22,1.69±0.25 of group A; 1.47± 0.14,1.48±0.18,1.50±0.22 of group B,1.35±0.07,1.27±0.06,1.26±0.06 of group C.There were statistically significant differences of RE among groups at 5,10 and 20 minutes(F=5.854,11.207,9.666,P＜0.01).Statistically pairwise comparison differences of RE were found between group A and C at 5,10 and 20 minutes(P＜0.01),between B and C at 10 and 20 minutes(P＜0.05),between A and B at 10 minutes(P＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences of TB,Alb and PT among groups(P＜0.01).RE at 10 and 20 minutes had moderate negative correlation with TB(r=-0.483,-0.500; P＜0.01),low negative correlation with PT(r=-0.326,-0.351;P＜0.01) and weak positive correlation with Alb(r=0.290,0.292;P＜0.05).Conclusions There are differences of RE among patients with different liver function,and the RE is associated with TB,Alb and PT.Thus,it may allow us to estimate the liver function.

Purpose To investigate the value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in evaluating renal function in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.Materials and Methods Fifteen patients with RCC undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were studied prospectively.The patients were performed ASL scan one week before and three months after operation.The correlation between renal blood flow (RBF) value measured by ASL and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured by radionuclide method in the renal cortex of healthy side was analyzed.The RBF values in the kidney of affected side or healthy side were measured,the difference of which between before operation and three months after operation was compared.Results The RBF value and GFR data in the renal cortex of healthy side had positive correlation (r=0.638,P＜0.05).In the affected side of kidney,the RBF value of remaining renal tissue [(291.5 ± 37.3) ml/(100g·min)] compared with that of preoperative renal tissue [(237.8 ± 46.2) ml/(100g·min)]increased about 53.7 ml/(100g · min) (P＜0.05).In the healthy side of kidney,the RBF value of renal tissue [(241.1 ± 50.3) ml/(100 g · min)] compared with that of preoperative renal tissue [(290.4 ± 51.8) ml/(100 g·min)] decreased about 49.3 ml/(100 g·min) (P＜0.05).Conclusion ASL can be used to evaluate renal function,and it is valuable to evaluate renal perfusion function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of RCC.

Objective To assess the value of arterial spin labeling(ASL) MRI in the staging of early renal allograft function. Methods Sixty two renal allograft recipients (2 to 4 weeks after kidney transplantation) and 20 age match volunteers were included in this study. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and ASL MRI which was performed in the oblique-sagittal plane. Recipients were divided into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), recipients with good allograft function (eGFR≥60 ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2,n=37) and recipients with impaired allograft function (eGFR<60 ml · min - 1 · 1.73 m - 2,n=25). Renal blood flow (RBF) was measured and an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to confirm the reproducibility of the measured results from two doctors. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni were used to compare the different cortical RBF among three groups. Correlation of RBF with eGFR was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of using cortical RBF to discriminate allografts with impaired function from good function. Results RBF values showed good reproducibility between doctors with an ICC larger than 0.90 in different group. Mean cortical RBF were (390 ± 61),(290 ± 69),(201 ± 86) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1 for healthy controls, recipients with good and impaired allograft function, respectively(F=37.313,P<0.01). RBF exhibited a significant correlation with renal function as determined by eGFR for recipients (r=0.60,P<0.01). Mean cortical RBF showed a high area under the ROC curve (0.773) to discriminate renal allografts with different function, with a sensitivity of 56.0% (14/25) and a specificity of 89.2% (33/37). Conclusion ASL MRI can assess the early renal allografts perfusion, and provide valuable information in the staging of renal function. It could be a useful method for evaluating renal function noninvasively.

Objective:To investigate the value of renal glucose threshold and related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:According to the cut-off point of normal renal glucose threshold(RT G 8.9-10 mmol/L), 107 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of our hospital were divided into three groups: high RT G group(RT G>10 mmol/L), medium RT G group(8.9 mmol/L≤RT G≤10 mmol/L), and low RT G group(RT G<8.9 mmol/L). The clinical data and biochemical characteristics of each group were collected and analyzed. Results:The proportions of patients with high, medium, and low RT G of type 2 diabetes mellitus were 56%, 29%, and 15%, respectively. There were significant differences in RT G value, age, course of disease, body mass index(BMI), fasting plasma glucose(FPG), HbA 1C, total cholesterol(TC), serum creatinine, mean blood glucose(MBG), and 24-hour urine glucose between high and medium RT G groups. RT G, gender, BMI, FPG, HbA 1C, TC, and MBG in patients with high RT G group were different from those in low RT G group. Only RT G revealed a difference between medium and low RT G groups. Correlation analysis showed that RT G was positively correlated with gender, age, BMI, HbA 1C, TC, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C). Regression analysis showed that BMI, HbA 1C, and LDL-C were the related factors affecting the RT G of patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion:There is a larger proportion of patients with high RT G in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Their BMI, HbA 1C, and LDL-C are associated with RT G in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives To investigate the ability of T1 mapping and intravoxel incoherent motion imaging (IVIM) parameters for evaluating renal allografts at the early stage after renal transplantation. Methods This prospective study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Sixty two recipients 2 to 4 weeks after kidney transplantation and 20 healthy volunteers (control group) underwent routine MRI, T1 mapping, and IVIM imaging (11 b values, 0 to 700 s/mm2). Recipients were divided into two groups base on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR):37 recipients with good allograft function (eGFR≥60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2) and 25 recipients with impaired allograft function (eGFR<60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2). The ADC, true diffusion coefficient (ADCslow), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (ADCfast), perfusion fraction (f) and T1 values were measured on both cortex and medulla. Differences among groups were compared using the one-way analysis of variance. Correlations between eGFR and the parameters in renal allografts were assessed by using Pearson correlation analysis. ROC was performed to assess the diagnostic utilities of using these parameters to discriminate allografts with impaired function from good function. Results Excepting for cortical T1, ADCfast and medullary T1, f values, allografts with good function showed no differences in other parameters compared with healthy control. Excepting for medullary T1 and ADCfast,the other values showed significantly differences in allografts with impaired function compared to allografts with good function (all P<0.05). Excepting for medullary f and ADCfast values, allografts with impaired function showed significantly differences in the parameters compared with good function group(all P<0.05). In renal allografts, excepting for medullary T1, ADCfast, and f values, cortical T1 exhibited a negative correlation with renal function, and there was a significant positive correlation between eGFR and other parameters. Cortical T1 value showed high sensitivity(91.9%) to discriminate renal allografts with different function, with the threshold of 17.36 × 102 ms, and ADC value showed high specificity(96.0%)with the threshold of 1.98 × 10-3 mm2/s. Conclusion T1 mapping and IVIM technique may be useful for detecting renal allograft dysfunction, and be a reliable imaging for evaluating and monitoring allograft function.

Objective To investigate the prompt value of abnormal vaginal morphology on diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse . Methods Forty eight pelvic organ prolapse female patients diagnosed by pelvic organ prolapse quantification were enrolled in the pelvic organ prolapse group and 51 normal female volunteers were enrolled in the control group in this study. Pelvic MRI T2WI were performed in all cases. The vaginal shape were evaluated according to Delancey Ⅱ level on the transverse images, which were divided into two categories:normal morphology (H-shaped) and abnormal morphology(non H-shaped). The vaginal shape distribution of different prolapse degree(0,Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳstage) and types(anterior,middle, posterior pelvic prolapse) were recorded. Chi-square test was used to analyse distribution difference of vaginal shape between the two groups. The ROC curve was used to analyse the diagnostic efficiency of abnormal vaginal morphology for diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse. Results In the control group, there were 40 cases with normal vaginal morphology and 11 cases with abnormal morphology mainly including W-shaped and U-shaped abnormal morphology. In the prolapse group, there were 5 cases with normal vaginal morphology and 43 cases with abnormal morphologymainly including U-shaped (13 cases), W-shaped (26 cases) and O-shaped(4 cases) abnormal morphology. There was significant difference between the two groups(c2=46.137,P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.800. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal vaginal shape for diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse were 89.6% and 78.4%respectively.The distribution of vaginal morphology in different degrees and types of prolapse were different:vaginal morphology of 0 stage prolapse showed H-typed mainly (40/51, 78.4%), Ⅰ stage prolapse showed W-shaped (16/28 57.1%), Ⅱ,Ⅲ stage prolapse all showed non H-shaped (20/20, 100%), Ⅱstage mainly showed W-shaped (9/14), Ⅲ stage mainly showed O-shaped (3/6). Anterior pelvic organ prolapse were manifested mainly with W-shaped vaginal morphology (4/9) and middle pelvic organ prolapse mainly showed O-shaped vaginal morphology (4/7). Conclusions The abnormal vaginal morphology has the prompt value on diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse.Moreover, the different shape probably indicates the different degrees and types of pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the liver T1rho values for detecting fibrosis, and the potential impact of fatty liver on T1rho measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 18 healthy subjects, 18 patients with fatty liver, and 18 patients with liver fibrosis, who underwent T1rho MRI and mDIXON collections. Liver T1rho, proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and T2* values were measured and compared among the three groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the T1rho values for detecting liver fibrosis. Liver T1rho values were correlated with PDFF, T2* values and clinical data. RESULTS: Liver T1rho and PDFF values were significantly different (p < 0.001), whereas the T2* (p = 0.766) values were similar, among the three groups. Mean liver T1rho values in the fibrotic group (52.6 ± 6.8 ms) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (44.9 ± 2.8 ms, p < 0.001) and fatty liver group (45.0 ± 3.5 ms, p < 0.001). Mean liver T1rho values were similar between healthy subjects and fatty liver group (p = 0.999). PDFF values in the fatty liver group (16.07 ± 10.59%) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (1.43 ± 1.36%, p < 0.001) and fibrosis group (1.07 ± 1.06%, p < 0.001). PDFF values were similar in healthy subjects and fibrosis group (p = 0.984). Mean T1rho values performed well to detect fibrosis at a threshold of 49.5 ms (area under the ROC curve, 0.855), had a moderate correlation with liver stiffness (r = 0.671, p = 0.012), and no correlation with PDFF, T2* values, subject age, or body mass index (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: T1rho MRI is useful for noninvasive detection of liver fibrosis, and may not be affected with the presence of fatty liver.
Body Mass Index ; Fatty Liver* ; Fibrosis ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prospective Studies* ; Protons ; ROC Curve

Objective To analyze the thickness of cornea and corneal epithelium in healthy subjects by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods Totally 100 healthy subjects aged between 20 and 30 years were analyzed by OCTA technique.Using AngioVue OCTA system of retinal imaging mode,and using SSADA algorithm for imaging,the cornea and the corneal epithelium in the central corneal diameter range of 9 mm were measured.The differences of corneal and corneal epithelial thickness in different gender regions were compared.Results In the male and female group,the corneal central total thickness were (559.92 ±33.26) μm and(540.06 ±31.63)μm,and the corneal epithelial thickness were(57.78 ±4.88) μm and(56.88 ±4.57) μm,The total central corneal thickness and central corneal epithelial thickness of the male were greater than those of the female,the difference was statistically significant (t =3.06,2.10;all P ＜ 0.05).The cornea of male was the thickest at S5,S7 and SN9,there were significant differences at S5 and S7 compared with female (t =2.93,2.83;all P ＜ 0.05);The female cornea was the thickest at S5,SN7 and SN9,and the difference was significant at S5 compared with male.The cornea of male subjects was the thinnest at IT,which was statistically significant only at IT5 compared with female subjects in the same area (t =2.02,P ＜ 0.05);The cornea of female subjects was the thinnest at T5,IT7 and T9,which was statistically significant only at T5 and T9 compared with male subjects in the same region (t =2.63,2.20;all P ＜ 0.05);There was significant difference in corneal thickness between male and female at ST (t =3.1 1,2.79,2.33;all P ＜ 0.05).The corneal epithelium was the thickest at IT5,I7,and I9,and the lowest at S5,S7 and S9,and there was no significant difference compared with female in the same region (all P ＞ 0.05).The corneal epithelium of female at the IT5,T7,N9 were the thickest,SN5,S7,S9 were the thinnest;Except for M2 and SN5,there was no significant differences in corneal epithelium between male and female groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Corneal central epithelium accounted for the largest percentage of total corneal thickness,and gradually decreased from inside to outside.Conclusion OCTA can be used to measure the thickness of corneal and corneal epithelial regions.

Objective To explore the correlationships between microperfusion diffusion indexes derived from intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM)and perfusion values measured by arterial spin labeling (ASL)in renal allograft. Methods A total of 76 renal allograft recipients and 26 age-matched volunteers (group 0)were included in this prospective study. All subjects were underwent conventional MRI, IVIM and ASL MRI which were performed in the oblique-sagittal plane. Seventy-six recipients were divided into two groups based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR):recipients with good allograft function(group 1, eGFR≥ 60 ml · min-1 · 1.73m-2,n=44)and recipients with impaired allograft function(group 2, eGFR<60 ml · min-1 · 1.73m-2,n=32). Three IVIM indexes values, including true diffusion coefficient(ADCslow), pseudo-diffusion coef fi cient(ADCfast), perfusion fraction(PF), and one ASL index value of renal cortex(renal blood flow, RBF)were measured. One-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference were used to compare the different of each cortical index values among three groups. Correlations between the ADCslow, ADCfast, PF, RBF and eGFR as well as the correlation among the indexes were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results For cortical ADCslow, ADCfast, PF and RBF values, allografts with good function and impaired function showed significantly differences compared healthy controls(all P<0.01). In allografts with good function, cortical ADCslow,ADCfast,PF showed no significantly differences compared with controls(all P>0.05), but RBF value was significantly lower(P<0.05). The ADCslow, ADCfast, PF and RBF values of renal cortex were significantly lower in allografts with impaired function compared to allografts with good function(all P<0.01). In renal allografts, there were significant positive correlations between cortical ADCslow, ADCfast, PF, RBF value and eGFR(r values were 0.604, 0.552, 0.579 and 0.673, all P<0.01). Cortical ADCfast and PF value exhibited a significant correlation with RBF for recipients(r values were 0.501 and 0.423, all P<0.01). Conclusion Cortical ADCfast and PF values derived from IVIM and RBF measured by ASL show a significant positive correlation in renal allografts.