Cancer has become the leading cause of mortality in the urban area of China. Whole body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI), also known as virtual positron emission tomography, has gradually become accepted as an image tool in tumor localization, characterization, staging and monitoring response to therapy or tumor recurrence. Our article aimed to summarize the limited initial clinical use of WB-DWI in the referred area, and to analyze the most potential advantage of WB-DWI in therapeutic monitoring and tumor staging. WB-DWI as a highly sensitive, completely non-invasive, well-tolerated and low price technique has a promising furture in tumor assessment. Profound clinical study is necessary for its further application improvement.
China ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

The in vivo techniques for studying human body composition have built up an important field and are continuing to be developed. This review provides an overview of the present status of this field and describes the in vivo techniques used in mearsuring human body composition such as anthropometry, metabolites method, densitometry, dilution method, total body potassium, neutron activation analysis, bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual energy X ray absorptiometry and imaging method. The review also introduces the principle, method and value of these techniques.
Anthropometry ; methods ; Body Composition ; Densitometry ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Plethysmography, Impedance ; methods ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the reproducibility of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) technique in healthy volunteers under normal breathing with background body signal suppression.

METHODSWB-DWI was performed on 32 healthy volunteers twice within two-week period using short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence and built-in body coil. The volunteers were scanned across six stations continuously covering the entire body from the head to the feet under normal breathing. The bone apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and exponential ADC (eADC) of regions of interest (ROIs) were measured. We analyzed correlation of the results using paired-t-test to assess the reproducibility of the WB-DWI technique.

RESULTSWe were successful in collecting and analyzing data of 64 WB-DWI images. There was no significant difference in bone ADC and eADC of 824 ROIs between the paired observers and paired scans (P>0.05). Most of the images from all stations were of diagnostic quality.

CONCLUSIONThe measurements of bone ADC and eADC have good reproducibility. WB-DWI technique under normal breathing with background body signal suppression is adequate.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Respiration ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) in screening metastasis.

METHODSWB-DWI was performed in 24 patients diagnosed with various types of primary tumors. The three-dimensional maximum intensity projection reconstruction and black-and-white flip technique were used to observe metastatic lesions, and the results were compared with those of bone scintigraphy.

RESULTSBy WB-DWI scanning sequence at b = 800 s/mm2, all the bone lesions found by bone scintigraphy in the cohort were well identified, and other lesions of soft tissue and organs were also well demonstrated. Its screening capability was equivalent with bone scintigraphy in screening metastases in bones (P = 0.062).

CONCLUSIONWB-DWI was practicable with the parameter settings attempted in metastases screening.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Study on the pathogen and the pathogen-related disease require the information at both cellular and organism level. However, lack of appropriate high-quality antibodies and the difference between the experimental animal models make it difficult to analyze in vivo mechanism of pathogen-related diseases. For more reliable research on the infection and immune-response of pathogen-related diseases, accurate analysis is essential to provide spatiotemporal information of pathogens and immune activity to avoid false-positive or mis-interpretations. In this regards, we have developed a method for tracking Francisella tularensis in the animal model without using the specific antibodies for the F. tularensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dual reporter plasmid using GFP-Lux with putative bacterioferritin promoter (pBfr) was constructed and transformed to F. tularensis live vaccine strain to generate F. tularensis LVS (FtLVS)-GFP-Lux for both fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. For vaccination to F. tularensis infection, FtLVS and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from FtLVS were used. RESULTS: We visualized the bacterial replication of F. tularensis in the cells using fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging, and traced the spatio-temporal process of F. tularensis pathogenesis in mice. Vaccination with LPS purified from FtLVS greatly reduced the bacterial replication of FtLVS in animal model, and the effect of vaccination was also successfully monitored with in vivo imaging. CONCLUSION: We successfully established dual reporter labeled F. tularensis for cellular and whole body imaging. Our simple and integrated imaging analysis system would provide useful information for in vivo analysis of F. tularensis infection as well as in vitro experiments, which have not been fully explained yet with various technical problems.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Fluorescence ; Francisella tularensis* ; Francisella* ; Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline ; In Vitro Techniques ; Methods ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Plasmids ; Vaccination ; Whole Body Imaging

Background: Whole body scan using 131-iodine is performed to detect local recurrence or metastasis after thyroidectorny in differenciated thyroid cancer patients. The sensitivity of this procedure is related to the dose of radiopharmaceutical administered. It was reported that 131I posttreatment whole body scan demonstrate foci of tracer uptake not previously observed in diagnostic scan in 10~30% of cases. Posttreatment scans were most likely to reveal new foci in young patients(<45) and patients who had previously received radioactive iodine therapy. Method: We observed the frequency of discordant posttreatment scans and analysed the clicnical significance in 33 differenciated thyroid cancer patients who were admitted for radioiodine ablation from June, 1995 to April, 1996. Results: In 7 cases(21.2%), post treatment scan demonstrated cme or more foci of uptake and revealed less sites of uptake than diagnostic scan in 3 cases(9.1%). In one case with elevated thyroglobulin level and negative diagnostic scan, post treatment scan revealed new uptake sites with thyroid bed and cervical 1ymph node. The sites of discordant uptake were cervical lymph nodes in 4 cases and rnediastinal lymph node in one case, lung in one case, thyroid bed and cervical lymph nodes in one case, 3 cases of 7 pts(43%), demonstrated ane or more foci of uptake in post treatment scan, had history of previous radioiodine treatent. Conclusion: Post treatment scan confirmed uptake into remnant and metaststic tissues identified on the corresponding low dose diagnostic scans. Scanning after high dose radioiodine treatment frequently demonstrated one or more foci of uptake, especially in patients with previous radioiodine treatment, which were not visualized on the diagnostic low dose scan. Treatment scan may be useful for detection of remnant tissue or metastatic lesion in patients with elevated thyroglobulin and negative diagnostic scan.
Humans ; Iodine ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Methods ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Whole Body Imaging

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively compared whole-body multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and 3.0T magnetic resonance (MR) images with autopsy findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cadavers were subjected to whole-body, 16-channel MDCT and 3.0T MR imaging within two hours before an autopsy. A radiologist classified the MDCT and 3.0T MRI findings into major and minor findings, which were compared with autopsy findings. RESULTS: Most of the imaging findings, pertaining to head and neck, heart and vascular, chest, abdomen, spine, and musculoskeletal lesions, corresponded to autopsy findings. The causes of death that were determined on the bases of MDCT and 3.0T MRI findings were consistent with the autopsy findings in four of five cases. CT was useful in diagnosing fatal hemorrhage and pneumothorax, as well as determining the shapes and characteristics of the fractures and the direction of external force. MRI was effective in evaluating and tracing the route of a metallic object, soft tissue lesions, chronicity of hemorrhage, and bone bruises. CONCLUSION: A postmortem MDCT combined with MRI is a potentially powerful tool, providing noninvasive and objective measurements for forensic investigations.
Adult ; Aged ; Autopsy/*methods ; Cadaver ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; *Whole Body Imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical impact of body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) on the diagnosis and preoperative N staging of cervical cancer.

METHODSTwenty-four patients (mean age 37.9 years old) with proved cervical cancer by cervical biopsy and 24 female patients with other suspected pelvic abnormalities received preoperative body DWI scan. Results of body DWI were compared with pathological findings. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal cervix and different pathological types of cervical cancer were compared. ADC value of normal or inflammatory lymph nodes was also compared with that of metastatic ones. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThere were 5 adenocarcinomas and 19 epitheliomas showed with biopsy results, and DWI showed 21 cervical lesions out of them (87.5%). ADC values of the normal cervix (n = 24), epithelioma (n = 19), and adenocarcinoma (n = 5) were (1.73 +/- 0.31) x 10(-3), (0.88 +/- 0.22) x 10(-3), and (1.08 +/- 0.12) x 10(-3) mm2/s, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in ADC value between normal cervical tissue and either tumor tissues (both P < 0.01). In patients had lymphadenectomy (n = 24), totally 67 lymph nodes including 16 metastatic lymph nodes were pathologically analyzed, and DWI showed 66 (98.5%) out of them. ADC values of normal/inflammatory and metastatic lymph nodes were (1.07 +/- 0.16) x 10(-3) and (0.77 +/- 0.13) x 10(-3) mm2/s (P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ADC value of metastatic lymph node showed that area under curve was 0.961.

CONCLUSIONSADC value in cervical carcinoma is lower than that in normal cervix, and ADC may have predictive value in subtype discrimination. ADC value may improve the preoperative characterization of lymph node metastasis. And at least abdominal and pelvic DWI scan is suggested for N staging evaluation in such patients.

Adult ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Preoperative Care ; ROC Curve ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of bone marrow of normal adult man on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI).

METHODSFifteen healthy volunteers and thirty-eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or normal prostate were enrolled in this study, with age range 28-82 years old (mean 55.26 +/- 18.05 years). All people were examined with large field DWI on a 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner, which ranges from the top of head to the lower limb. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the DWI and ADC of lumber vertebra at renal hilum level, left ilium and superior segment of left femur were measured. The measured SNR and ADC value of the above sites were compared by one way analysis of variance and their correlations with age were investigated by Pearson's correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe SNR of lumber vertebra, left ilium and left femur showed no significant difference (F= 0.271, P = 0.763). The SNR of lumber vertebra (r = 0.309, P = 0.024) and left ilium (r = 0.359, P = 0.008) showed positive correlation with age, while the SNR of left femur showed no correlation with age (r = -0.163, P = 0.283). The ADC of lumber vertebra [(0.617 +/- 0.177) x 10(-3) mm2/s] was significantly higher than that of left ilium [(0.404 +/- 0.112) x 10(-3) mm2/s, P < 0.001] and left femur [(0.362 +/- 0.092) x 10(-3) mm2/s, P < 0.001], while the ADC of left ilium and left femur had no significant difference. The ADC of lumber vertebra, left ilium and left femur showed no correlation with age.

CONCLUSIONUnderstanding of age-related changes of normal adult bone marrow on DWI is very important to differentiate the normal bone marrow and abnormal lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; physiology ; Bone Marrow ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the normal appearance of large field diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) on 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODSTwenty healthy volunteers and thirty patients with benign prostate hyperplasia were included in this study. All patients were examined with large field DWI on 3.0T MRI. Normal tissue appearance was analyzed and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of normal tissue with high signal intensity was measured. The ADC values of bilateral symmetrical tissue were also compared. The ADC values of intervertebral disks of healthy people younger than 50 years and exceeding 50 years were compared.

RESULTSSalivary gland, spleen, kidney, gallbladder, bladder, prostate, seminal vesicle, testis, intervertebral disk, liquid in articular cavity and lymph node showed high signal intensity on large field DWI, while lung, liver and bone showed hypo-signal intensity. The mean ADC values of partial hyperintensity tissue were as followed: parotid gland (1.088 +/- 0.114) x 10(-3) mm2/S, submaxillary gland (1.309 +/- 0.189) x 10(-3) mm2/s, kidney (1.909 +/- 0.143) x 10(-3) mm2/s, seminal vesicle (1.669 +/- 0.168) x 10(-3) mm2/s, testis (1.028 +/- 0.075) x 10(-3) mm2/s, spleen (0.963 +/- 0.108) x 10(-3) mm2/s, bladder (2.898 +/- 0.267) x 10(-3) mm2/s, prostate (1.448 +/- 0.132) x 10(-3) mm2/s, intervertebral disks (1.360 +/- 0.140) x 10(-3) mm2/s. No statistical significance was found between the ADC values of bilateral symmetrical tissues. The difference of ADC values of intervertebral disks of healthy people younger than 50 years [(1.372 +/- 0.142) x 10(-3) mm2/s] and exceeding 50 years [(1.344 +/- 0.134) x 10(-3) mm2/s] showed statistical significance (P = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONUnderstanding the high signal intensity of normal tissue on large field DWI may help to differentiate the normal tissues and abnormal ones.

Adult ; Aged ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Whole Body Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods