Objective:To evaluate image quality and diagnostic performance of silent MR angiography (MRA) and discuss the feasibility of silent MRA in diagnosing intracranial aneurysms.Methods:Twenty seven patients suspected with cerebrovascular disorders and 30 intracranial aneurysms in Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, were enrolled prospectively in this study from December 2015 to December 2018. Silent and time of flight (TOF) MRA were performed on the same day prior to CTA examination. The corresponding MRA images were independently and blindly evaluated by two experienced neuroradiologists in the aspects of signal homogeneity, lesion conspicuity, venous signal/artifact and diagnostic confidence (4-point scale). The aneurysms were divided into tiny (≤ 3 mm) and non-tinyaneurysm groups(> 3 mm) according to the measured diameters of aneurysms. The differences in image quality ratings between silent MRA and TOF MRA were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to test the consistency of measurements between MRAs (silent MRA, TOF MRA) and CTA.Results:CTA revealed 32 intracranial aneurysms. For silent MRA and TOF MRA, the scores of signal homogeneity were 3.38±0.49 and 3.00±0.62, andthe scores of venous signal/artifact were 3.77±0.42 and 2.65±0.48.Significant differences were found between the two MRAs in these aspects ( Z=-2.21, P=0.02; Z=-5.69, P=0.01). The scores of lesion conspicuity were 3.19±0.56 and 3.15±0.46, and the scores of diagnostic confidence were 3.27±0.44 and 3.12±0.51.There were no significant differences found in these aspects ( P>0.05).The ICC coefficient was excellentfor silent MRA (0.94, 95%CI 0.82- 0.98)and was good for TOF MRA (0.72, 95%CI 0.30-0.91) in tiny aneurysm group. The ICC coefficient was excellent (silent MRA, 0.98, 95%CI 0.95-0.99; TOF MRA, 0.95, 95%CI 0.87-0.98) for both MRA in non-tiny aneurysm group. Conclusions:Compared with TOF MRA, silent MRA could achieve higher image quality and higher diagnostic confidence, and higher consistency with CTA. Silent MRA can be a promising non-contrast-enhanced alternative MRA technique in clinical setting.

Objective To explore the value of single source dual energy CT for quantitative measurement of liver fat fraction in the rabbit model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups.Six rabbits were fed with standard chow as a control group for 3 weeks.TwentyGfour rabbits were divided into four groups and fed with highGfat, highGcholesterol diet to reach different stage of NAFLD model for 1 ,3 ,4 and 8 weeks respectively before dualGenergy CT scanning.1 40 keV polychromatic CT values (QC),70 keV monochromatic CT values (Mono 70 keV),slope,effective atomic number (EffectiveGZ)and fat concentration based on dualGenergy CT fat decomposition (Fat/Water)were measured.Liver samples were obtained to measure the fat fraction and staged according to Burnt staging system.Correlations between different CT indexes and fat fraction were analyzed.ROC was used to evaluate the diagnosis efficacy of different parameters.Results Correlation between fat concentration based on dualGenergy CT fat decomposition and fat fraction (r＝0.936)was better than that between 140 keV polychromatic CT values (r＝－0.838)and 70 keV monochromatic CT values (r＝－0.906),as well as effective atomic number (r＝－0.858)and slope (r＝0.863).In terms of diagnostic performance of material decomposition fat imaging,the values of area under the curve were 0.944 (stage 0 vs.stage 1 or more severe),0.995 (stage 1 or less severe vs.stage 2 or more severe)and 1 (stage 2 or less severe vs.stage 3)with optimal cutoff values of 59.310,99.5 17 and 22 3.02 3 mg/cm3 ,respectively.Conclusion The dualGenergy CT can quantitatively measure liver fat concentration as a noninvasive surrogate bioGmarker in the rabbit model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.DualGenergy CT derived material decomposition fat images can provide more diagnostic information at the early stage of NAFLD.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathologic features of intestinal polypoid lymphoma (PL) in children. Methods The clinicopathologic data of 15 cases of pediatric intestinal PL in Jiangxi Provincial Children 's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Immuohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUMl and ERCC1, then EB virus (EBV)-encoded RNA (EBER) status was tested by using in situ hybridization. Results Amongst 15 cases studied, 13 cases were Burkitt lymphoma (BL), 1 case was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 1 case was between DLBCL and BL (DLBCL/BL). The positive rate of CD10, bcl-6, bcl-2, MUMl, ERCC1 and EBER were 100.0%(13/13), 92.3%(12/13), 0, 7.7 % (1/13), 15.4 % (2/13), 53.8 % (7/13), respectively in 13 BL cases. The clinical stage of 13 patients with BL: 11 cases (84.6 %) Ⅱ stage, 1 case (7.7 %) Ⅲ stage, 1 case (7.7 %) Ⅳstage. The clinical stage of DLBCL and BL/DLBCL: Ⅱstage. 14 cases of PL had survival time without tumors, 24-120 months follow-up, and 1 BL patient inⅣstage without chemotherapy died after 2 months. Conclusion BL is a major subtype of intestinal PL in children, which shows a low clinical stage and a good prognosis.

Objectives To explore the value of Silenz MRA in the follow-up assessment of intracranial aneurysms embolization. Methods Fifteen patients underwent coiled embolization were prospectively collected. Silenz and time of flight MRA (TOF MRA) were performed on the same day as DSA examination. Two neuro-radiologists scored the structures of peripheral vascular with a 4-score grading system and evaluate embolism status (two-grade montreal scale). The scores of vascular structures were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Weighted Kappa statistics was used to assess the inter-observer agreement on each MRA scoring, the inter-modality agreement between MRA and DSA, the inter-modality agreement between the MRA methods. Results There were 11 cases with complete occlusion, 4 cases with residual aneurysm revealed by DSA. For depiction, Silenz MRA was significantly better than TOF MRA [(3.50 ± 0.62) vs. (3.00 ± 0.63), Z=-3.12, P=0.002]. Inter-modality agreement of Silenz MRA and DSA was excellent (Kappa=0.82), while the agreement of TOF MRA and DSA was moderate(Kappa=0.60). Inter-modality agreement between Silenz MRA and TOF MRA was good (Kappa=0.76). Conclusions Silenz MRA is superior to TOF MRA for depiction of vascular structures and evaluation of embolism status, which is highly related with DSA. It has the value in the postoperative follow-up evaluation.

Objective To compare the efficacy of spectral CT imaging and 64 slice CT in assessment of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque.Methods Thirty-eight patients with carotid plaque were detected retrospectively in this study (plaque,n=46) by using spectral CT.The composition of atherosclerotic plaque was measured by iodine-based images,lipid-based images with spectral CT imaging.Intraplaque hemorrhae,lipid components were also evaluated on spectral CT imaging and compared with pathology and specimen.Statistical comparison was performed with the Kappa value,independent-sample t test and exact test.Results The degree of carotid artery stenosis was (63.3 ±3.1)％ on spectral CT imaging whereas (61.6 ± 3.8) ％ on 64 slice CT.Two imaging modalities were in good consistency in evaluation of the degree of stenosis (Kappa=0.993,P＜0.01).There was no statistical difference in detecting fibrous cap rupture on spectral CT imaging and 64 slice CT (12 plaques vs 11 plaques,respectively,P＞0.05).Furthermore,spectral CT imaging showed 11 plaques within intraplaque hemorrhage,however,no case was found on 64 slice CT (P＜0.05).The plaque iodine concentration were (6.365 ± 1.937) and (1.573 ±0.776) mg/cm3 with or without internal hemorrhage(t=16.39,P＜0.05).Spectral CT imaging showed 9 plaques within intraplaque liquid whereas only 2 plaques showed intraplaque liquid on 64 slice CT (P＜0.05).Twenty-eight plaques within calcification in the plaque were found on spectrl CT imaging and 27 on 64 slice CT(P＞0.05).Conclusion Spectral CT imaging is a reliable tool in detecting intraplaque hemor-rhage and liquid component.

BACKGROUNDThere are relatively few reports focusing on clinical and multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging findings of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC). Our study aimed to characterize the clinical and MSCT imaging features of MTSCC.

METHODSThe imaging findings in 17 patients with MTSCC by MSCT were retrospectively studied. MSCT was undertaken to investigate tumor location, size, density, cystic or solid appearance, calcification, capsule sign, enhancement pattern, and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis.

RESULTSTumors (mean diameter, (3.9 ± 1.7) cm) were solitary (17/17), solid (16/17) with cystic components (5/17), had no calcifications (14/17), had a poorly defined margin (14/17), were centered in the medulla (15/17), compressed the renal pelvis (7/17), and neither lymph node nor distant metastasis was found. The attenuation of MTSCC tumors was equal to that of the renal cortex or medulla on unenhanced CT (32.3 ± 2.6, 36.3 ± 4.6, 33.2 ± 3.9, respectively, P > 0.05), while tumor enhancement after administration of a contrast agent was lower than that of normal renal cortex and medulla during all phases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMTSCC tends to be a solitary, isodense mass with poorly defined margin arising from the renal medulla with enhancement less than the cortex and medulla during all phases.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Objective To investigate the differential diagnostic features of subtpes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using CT scan.Methods The CT appearances of 53 RCCs,including 28 clear cell RCCs (CCRCC),6 Xp11.2 /TFE RCCs (Xp11.2 /TFE RCC),7 collecting ducts RCCs (CDC),12 chromophobe RCCs (CRCC),were retrospectively analyzed and compared with finding of pathology.Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) was conducted in each case after intravenous administration of contrast agent,and the data was analyzed by AVONA and LSD text.Results On unenhanced and enhanced CT,most CCRCCs and CDCs showed heterogeneous density (23/28,6/7),with necrosis (21/28,6/7),and most Xp11.2/TFE RCCs,CRCCs showed homogeneous density(5/6,8/12).Most CCRCCs,Xp11.2/TFE RCCs and CRCCs had clearly boundaries with well demonstrated at enhanced CT delayed phase (25/28,6/6,10/12),CDCs had unclearly boundaries (6/7),and most CCRCCs had lymph node or other metastasis (19/28).A phenomenon of quick staining and quick fainting was observed in CCRCCs.Xp11.2/TFE RCCs,CDCs,CRCCs showed delayed enhancement.On unenhanced CT,the Xp11.2/TFE RCC attenuation was greater than CCRCC,CDC,CRCC and normal renal cortex (53.7±4.1 vs 45.8±3.6 vs 41.4±2.4 vs 47.7±3.6 vs 41.5±5.1,F=5.458,P＜0.01,respectively).The enhancement degree was highest for CCRCCs,lowest for CDCs,and intermediate for Xp1 1.2/TFE RCCs and CRCCs.The enhancement degree of Xp1 1.2/TFE RCC was higher than that of the CDC and CRCC (P＜ 0.01).The enhancement degree of Xp11.2/TFE RCC and CRCC were higher than that of the normal renal medulla at cortical and medullary phases (P＜0.01),but lower than that of the renal medulla on delayed phase (P＜0.01).The enhancement degree of CDC were lower than that of the normal renal cortex and medulla on cortical,medullary and delayed phases (P＜0.05).Conclusions CT could distinctly show imaging features of CCRCC,Xp1 1.2/TFE RCC,CDC and CRCC,which were related to their pathological characteristics,and these features were helpful in predicting a specific subtype of RCC.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of computed tomography,X ray enterography and digestive endoscopy for intestinal Crohn's disease in active and chronic phase.Methods The clinical data of 39 patients with Crohn's disease who were admitted to the Subei People's Hospital from June 2008 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into the active phase group (28 patients) and the chronic phase group (11 patients).The results of computed tomography,X ray enterography and digestive endoscopy of the 2 groups were compared.The accuracy of the 3 diagnostic methods was assessed by consulting the operative findings.The enumeration data were analyzed using the chi-square test.Results The incidences of intestinal wall stratification,intesitnal edema strap,severe enhancement,ulcers,intestinal stenosis,intestinal fistula,phlegmon,swollen lymph nodes and comb sign in patients with active phase of Crohn's disease were significantly higher than those with chronic phase of Crohn's disease (x2 =10.700,3.954,22.025,7.661,10.700,7.661,6.810,7.661,4.592,P＜0.05).The incidences of intestinal wall thickening,intramural fat,mild enhancement,unenhancement,inflammatory polyps,abscesses and inflammatory masses in patients with chronic phase of Crohn's disease were significantly higher than those with active phase of Chrohn's disease (x2=17.475,11.345,18.050,5.366,22.856,12.662,5.846,P ＜ 0.05).Computed tomography was effective in detecting intestinal wall thickening and extraintestinal complications of Crohn's disease,but it was difficult in demonstrating ulcers and inflammatory polyps.X ray enterography and digestive endoscopy were effective in detecting ulcers and inflammatory polyps,but they were difficult in detecting intestinal wall thickening and extraintestinal complications of Crohn's disease.Conclusion Computed tomography combined with X ray enterography and digestive endoscopy is helpful in demonstrating the presentations of Crohn's disease in active and chronic phase.

Objective To investigate clinical,endoscopic and CT characteristics in Crohn's disease (CD),intestinal tuberculosis(ITB) and primary small intestinal lymphoma (PSIL).Methods In this study,39 cases of CD,24 cases of ITB and 23 cases of PSIL were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical and CT data were collected in all patients,23 CD cases,20 ITB cases and 20 PSIL cases underwent endoscopic exam.Chi-square tests or analysis of variance were used to evaluate and differentiate characteristics.Results Diarrhea,perianal disease,intestinal obstruction occurred significantly more in CD than in ITB and PSIL (x2 =10.134,6.769,8.000,P ＜ 0.05).Febrility,night sweating,pulmonary tuberculosis and ascites occurred more in ITB than in CD and PSIL (x2 =25.696,19.194,35.133,P ＜0.05).Abdominal mass,hematochezia and enterobrosis occurred more in PSIL than in CD and ITB (x2 =19.562,17.708,12.647,P＜0.05).Longitudinal ulcer,cobblestone sign were found more in CD than in ITB and PSIL(x2 =6.283,11.592,P ＜ 0.05).Transverse ulcer and rodent ulcer were found more in ITB than in CD and PSIL(x2 =15.633,19.686,P ＜ 0.05),but lump eminentia were found more in PSIL than in CD and ITB(x2 =26.120,P ＜0.05).Layering thickening,mural gas,fat,edema,enteric cavity stenosis,abscess were discovered more in CD than in ITB and PSIL (x2 =17.472,10.346,7.773,6.867,16.325,10.994,P＜0.05),single layer thickening and hollow lymph nodes were discovered more in ITB than in CD and PSIL(x2 =17.997,12.475,P ＜ 0.05).Multi segmental lesions was discovered more in CD and ITB than in PSIL (x2 =28.460,P ＜ 0.05),while single segmental lesions,mural single eccentric layer thickening and intussusceptions were discovered more in PSIL than in CD and PSIL (x2 =28.460,P ＜0.05).The intestinal wall thickening and lymph nodes enlargement in ITB and PSIL were higher than the CD (F =8.661,7.166,P ＜ 0.05),while the intestinal wall enhancement at CT imaging in PSIL was lower than CD and ITB (F =10.179,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Comprehensive analysis made on clinical,endoscopic and CT features of CD,ITB and PSIL may facilitate correct diagnosis.

Pancreatic sarcomatoid carcinoma is an extremely rare malignant tumor.The clinical data and computed tomography images of 8 patients with pancreatic sarcomatoid carcinoma who were admitted to the Subei People's Hospital from March 2001 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The results of computed tomography showed that 8 tumors were cystic and solid,showing exophytic growth.Two tumors were located in the pancreatic head,1 in the pancratic neck,3 in the body of pancreas,and 2 in the tail of the pancreas.The shape of the tumors were round or ellipse,and the mean tumor diameter was (7.2 ± 1.8)cm (range,6.3-9.6 cm).The plain scan of computed tomography showed that the attenuation of the tumors was mild hyperdense (7 cases) or equal to pancreatic tissue (1 case).Tumors were solid with cystic components,and no hemorrhage within the tumor was detected.Small calcification nodule wasdetected in 1 case.The enhanced scan of computed tomography showed that the enhancement of the tumor was moderate; the enhancement of the tumor was higher than that of normal pancreatic parenchyma during venous phase and delayed phase,while lower than that of normal pancreatic parenchyma on arterial phase; the enhancement of tumors was significantly lower than that of aorta during all the enhanced phases.All the tumors had complete capsule,and abnormal enhancement of the capsule was not detected.Three tumors had peripancreatic lymphadenectasis,2 had infiltration of splenic artery,2 had infiltration of splenic flexure of colon and 1 had infiltration of duodenal serosa or muscle.Familiarity with the imaging features of the pancreatic sarcomatoid carcinoma can help surgeons to make a suggestive diagnosis.