复发性视神经脊髓炎脑扩散张量成像研究

目的利用扩散张量成像（DTI）探讨复发性视神经脊髓炎（RNMO）患者是否存在隐匿性脑组织损伤及其发生机制。方法对16例RNMO患者和16例性别和年龄匹配的正常志愿者脑组织的平均扩散系数（ND）和部分各向异性（FA）进行直方图和感兴趣区（ROI）分析，以P≤0．005为差异有统计学意义。结果与志愿者比较，RNMO患者脑的平均MD升高[脑组织：RNMO患者（0．95±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．91±0．03）×10^-3mm^2，t=3．940，P〈0．001；脑白质：RNMO患者（0．82±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．80±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=3．117，P=0．004；脑灰质：RNMO患者（1．06±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．88±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．031，P〈0．001]、脑白质的FA直方图峰高抬高[RNMO患者（2．61±0．18）‰，志愿者（2．38±0．18）‰，t=3．627，P=0．001]及脑灰质的MD直方图峰高降低[RNMO患者（7．37±0．89）‰，志愿者（8．91±1．71）‰，t=3．210，P=0．003]和峰位置抬高[RNMO患者（0．83±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．81±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．373，P〈0．001]；与脊髓和视神经有直接联系ROI的平均MD升高[延髓：RNMO患者（1．27±0．11）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（1．11±0．10）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．260，P〈0．001；大脑脚：RNMO患者（1．01±0．11）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．87±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．391，P〈0．001；内囊：RNMO患者（0．74±0．01）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．72±0．01）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．683，P〈0．001；视放射：RNMO患者（0．88±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．82±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．619，P〈0．001）、平均FA降低（延髓：RNMO患者0．27±0．01，志愿者0．29±0．03，t=2．996，P=0．005；大脑脚：RNMO患者0．49±0．04，志愿者0．54±0．03，t=4．280，P〈0．001；内囊：RNMO患者0．66±0．02，志愿者0．69±0．02，t=3．953，P〈0．001；视放射：RNMO患者0．53±0．04，志愿者0．59±0．03，t=4．705，P〈0．001）；而与脊髓和视神经无直接联系的胼胝体的平均MD[膝部：RNMO患者（0．76±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．73±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s；压部：RNMO患者（0．77±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．73±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s]和FA值（膝部：RNMO患者0．82±0．03，志愿者0．82±0．03；压部：RNMO患者0．83±0．03，志愿者0．83±0．02）差异无统计学意义（P值均〉0．005）。结论RNMO患者存在隐匿性脑组织损伤，这可能与继发于脊髓和视神经病灶的顺行和逆行性变性有关。     

MR扩散加权成像在评价前列腺癌内分泌治疗中的应用价值

目的探讨内分泌治疗前后前列腺外周带癌区和非癌区的表观扩散系数（ADC）值的变化情况。方法对经手术病理或穿刺活检证实的14例前列腺癌和18例内分泌治疗6个月以上的前列腺癌患者行MR扩散加权成像（DWI）。依病理结果，将前列腺6分区归类为癌区和非癌区，测量每个分区的ADC值，同时测量每例膀胱、闭孔内肌的ADC值，对2组的结果进行比较。结果未治疗组14例癌区和非癌区的ADC值分别为（1．22±0．25）×10^-3、（1．59±0．19）×10^-3mm^2／s，差异有统计学意义（t=7．03，P〈0．01）。经内分泌治疗后的18例癌区的ADC值升高至（1．46±0．30）×10^-3mm^2／s，非癌区的ADC值为（1．59±0．24）×10^-3mm^2／s，癌区和非癌区之间ADC值差异有统计学意义（t=2．46，P〈0．05）。两组癌区之间ADC值差异有统计学意义（t=4．66，P〈0．01），非癌区、膀胱、闭孔内肌的ADC值差异无统计学意义（t值分别为0．06、0．48、1．64，P值均〉0．05）。结论ADC值用于判断前列腺癌内分泌治疗效果有应用前景。     

通过MR扩散张量成像了解与年龄相关的豆状核变化

目的探讨MR扩散张量成像（DTI）观察豆状核年龄相关性变化的价值与意义。方法69名健康志愿者纳入本研究。入组对象按年龄分为3组：≤30岁（I）组，22例；31～50岁（Ⅱ）组，24例；〉50岁（Ⅲ）组，23例。利用DTI分别测量受试者大脑左右两侧壳核、苍白球的表观扩散系数（ADC）值、部分各向异性（FA）值及扩散张量特征值λ1、λ2、λ3。分析不同年龄组间ADC、FA、λ1、λ2、λ3值的差异及与年龄的相关性。结果I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的壳核ADC值分别为：（6．68±0．40）×10^-4、（6．47±0．36）×10^-4、（6．44±0．34）×10^-4mm^2／s，苍白球ADC值分别为：（6．13±0．50）×10^-4、（6．05±0．33）×10^-4、（6．05±0．52）×10$-4mm^2／s。I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的壳核FA值分别为：0．20±0．03、0．23±0．03、0．25±0．03，苍白球FA值分别为：0.35±0．03、0．36±0．03、0．37±0．04。各年龄组内壳核ADC值大于苍白球，而FA值小于苍白球。壳核FA值的组问差异有统计学意义（F=10．082，P=0.000），壳核I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组入，值分别为（5．35±0．45）×10^-4、（5．04±0．46）×10^-4、（4．90±0．44）×10^-4mm^2／s，差异亦有统计学意义（F=5．675，P=0．005）；壳核FA值与年龄呈正相关（r=0．555，P〈0．01），λ3值与年龄呈负相关（r=-0.440，P〈0．01）。结论壳核FA值随年龄的增长而上升，λ3值随年龄的增长而下降。     

多层螺旋CT血管成像对髂总静脉汇合部的解剖研究

目的应用多层螺旋CT血管成像（CTA），探讨髂总静脉汇合部的解剖与髂静脉压迫综合征的关系。方法对无下肢血管闭塞性病变主诉和体征的80例患者行多层螺旋CT腹部增强扫描，采用多平面重组显示髂总静脉汇合部，测量右髂总动脉跨越处左髂总静脉前后径、两侧髂总静脉汇入下腔静脉的角度、横断面及正交断面上两侧髂总静脉的内径和面积，并对测量结果进行统计分析。结果横断面上两侧髂总静脉的平均内径、面积及其比值[右、左侧内径分别为（14．8±2．7）、（19．1±5．3）mm，面积分别为（171±61）、（244±112）mm^2，与下腔静脉内径比分别为0．79±0．12和1．03±0．30，与下腔静脉面积比分别为0．65±0．20和0．93±0．47]均大于正交断面[右、左侧内径分别为（14．1±2．3）、（15．6±3．5）mm，面积分别为（157±51）、（182±74）mm^2，与下腔静脉内径比分别为0．75±0．10和0．83±0．16，与下腔静脉面积比分别为0．59±0．19和0．68±0．25]相应数值（t=3．525—7．979，P均〈0．01）。正交断面左侧髂总静脉与下腔静脉内径比和面积比均大于右侧（t值分别为13．030和10．942，P均〈0．01）。右侧髂总静脉汇入下腔静脉的夹角小于左侧（P〈0．01）。在非老年（年龄〈65岁）患者中，男性在右髂总动脉跨越处测量的左髂总静脉前后径及正交断面上的面积[分别为（9．2±3．5）mm和（209±63）mm^2]大于女性[分别为（6．0±3．1）mm和（150±74）mm^2]（t值分别为3．120和2．880，P〈0．01）。在老年（年龄≥65岁）患者中，男性左髂总静脉正交断面面积及其与下腔静脉面积的比值[分别为（207±90）mm^2和（0．80±0．34）]大于女性[分别为（138±38）mm^2和（0．59±0．14）]（t值分别为2．811和2．245，P〈0．05）。结论CTA能多平面显示髂总静脉汇合部的解剖，并可进行多方位准确测量，对髂静脉压迫综合征的诊断有临床应用价值。     

MR扩散加权成像鉴别脑结核瘤及高级星形细胞瘤和脑转移瘤的价值

目的探讨MR扩散加权成像（DWI）在脑结核瘤、高级星形细胞瘤和脑转移瘤鉴别诊断中的价值。方法14例脑结核瘤、15例脑高级星形细胞瘤和21例脑转移瘤患者，在术前或接受治疗前行常规MRI和DWI。测量并计算3种疾病瘤体、瘤周围水肿带的平均表观扩散系数（ADC）值和病灶与对侧相应部位正常脑白质区ADC值的比值（rADC值）。结果脑结核瘤瘤体平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（1．2±0．2）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和1．6±0．3，高级星形细胞瘤瘤体平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（0．8±0．1）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和1．1±0．1，转移瘤瘤体平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（0．8±0．1）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和1．0±0．2。3种疾病瘤体平均ADC值（F=33．57，P〈0．01）之间和rADC值（F=33．27，P〈0．01）之间差异均有统计学意义。脑结核瘤瘤周水肿带平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（1．8±0．1）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和2．5±0．2，脑高级星形细胞瘤瘤周水肿带平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（1．4±0．2）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和1．8±0．3，脑转移瘤瘤周水肿带平均ADC值和rADC值分别为（1．9±0．2）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1和2．3±0．5。3种疾病瘤周围水肿带平均ADC值（F=23．17，P〈0．01）之间和rADC值（F=5．94，P〈0．01）之间差异均有统计学意义。结论结合MRI、DWI检测方法，根据病灶瘤体和瘤周水肿带的ADC和rADC值可帮助鉴别脑结核瘤、脑高级星形细胞瘤和脑转移瘤。     

扩散系数值在脑星形细胞肿瘤病理学分级中的应用

目的探讨扩散系数值对脑星形细胞肿瘤病理学分级的应用价值。方法对56例脑星形细胞肿瘤进行扩散加权成像（DWI）检查，分别测量肿瘤实质部分、瘤周水肿区、瘤周T1WI正常表现白质区（瘤周白质区）、瘤体镜面对侧正常白质区及瘤周镜面对侧正常白质区的表观扩散系数（ADC）值和指数扩散系数（EDC）值，并计算肿瘤实质部分、瘤周水肿区、瘤周白质区的相对表观扩散系数（rADC）值和相对指数扩散系数（rEDC）值。分析各测量区的扩散系数值与肿瘤病理学分级的关系。结果56例脑星形细胞肿瘤经手术病理证实，低级星形细胞瘤35例（Ⅰ、Ⅱ级），间变性星形细胞瘤8例（Ⅲ级），胶质母细胞瘤13例（Ⅳ级）。低级星形细胞瘤、间变性星形细胞瘤和胶质母细胞瘤肿瘤实质部分的ADC值分别为（1．44±0．26）×10^-3、（0．98±0．22）×10^-3和（0．83±0．15）×10^-3mm^2／s，rADC值分别为（1．91±0．39）％、（1．34±0．33）％和（1．06±0．20）％，EDC值分别为0．26±0．11、0．39±0．09和0．44±0．07，rEDC值分别为（0．55±0．20）％、（0．81±0．19）％和（0．98±0．16）％，各指标间差异均有统计学意义（F值分别为36．189、31．756、19．623和24．760，P值均为0．000）。高级星形细胞瘤（间变性星形细胞瘤和胶质母细胞瘤）的肿瘤实质部分的ADC值和rADC值分别为（0．89±0．19）×10^-3mm^2／s和（1．17±0．28）％，明显低于低级星形细胞瘤（t值分别为8．332和7．620，P值均为0．000），EDC值和rEDC值分别为0．42±0．08和（0．91±0．18）％，明显高于低级星形细胞瘤（t值分别为-6．082和-6．776，P值均为0．000）。以低级星形细胞瘤实质部分的rADC值的下限（1．52％）作为判断低、高级别星形细胞瘤阈值的准确性为89．3％。结论肿瘤实质部分的扩散系数值对脑星形细胞肿瘤的病理学分级准确性较高，尤以rADC值为佳。     

定量评估64层螺旋CT血管成像与DSA显示冠状动脉狭窄的能力和可靠性

目的定量评估64层螺旋CT（MSCT）与DSA2种成像方法显示冠状动脉狭窄及支架内再狭窄的能力和可靠性。方法应用心脏动态体模，设定心率为0、50、70、90次／min，对内径3mm的模拟冠状动脉（内设25％、50％、75％3段狭窄）及内径4mm的模拟带支架冠状动脉（支架段内设50％、75％2段狭窄）分别进行MSCT与DSA成像，将MSCT与DSA对应数据进行分析。结果（1）MSCT对25％、50％、75％3段狭窄的平均测量值为（30．0±1．4）％、（49．5±1．3）％、（72．9±3．9）％（P值分别为0．005、0．531、0．369）；DSA分别为（24．8±2．0）％、（48．2±2．1）％、（75．3±2．4）％（P值分别为0．883、0．180、0．796）。（2）MSCT图像伪影随心率增快而增加，心率≥70次／min影响变明显；DSA不受心率影响，所有心率下都可清晰地显示狭窄程度，无伪影。（3）MSCT与DSA测量血管狭窄程度有较好的相关性（r=0．995，P=0．000）。（4）MSCT可同时显示支架及支架内狭窄，但显示支架内狭窄能力有限，对50％狭窄分别显示为（46．4±4．5）％（心率为0）和（43．6±5．7）％（心率为50次／min），与标准值（50％）相比，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。DSA可清晰显示支架内狭窄，但不能很好显示支架形态。结论（1）MSCT与DSA评价冠状动脉狭窄结果可靠，MSCT受心率的影响大，时间分辨率有待提高，作为排除性诊断有很高的临床应用价值；MSCT对于支架内再狭窄的判断尚有一定局限性，但在管径较粗和低心率条件下评价支架内再狭窄有一定价值。     

MR扩散加权成像对兔急性一氧化碳中毒后迟发性中毒脑病的预测价值

目的探讨MR扩散加权成像（DWI）对兔一氧化碳（CO）中毒迟发性中毒脑病的预测价值。方法健康大耳白兔60只，用自制CO染毒柜吸入染毒，兔昏迷后停止CO气体通入，保持染毒柜处于密闭状态6h。于染毒前及染毒后1h，3、5、7、15、30、45和60d分别行轴面及矢状面T2WI、轴面T1WI和DWI检查。未出现迟发性中毒脑病症状组（未出现组）的实验兔观察至60d为实验终点；出现了迟发性中毒脑病症状组（出现组）的实验兔观察至30～45d为实验终点。观察兔脑中毒前后大脑皮层ADC值变化规律，探讨ADC值变化与迟发性中毒脑病的关系。结果未出现组15只兔于染毒后1hADC值[（7．58±0．36）×10^4mm^2／s]较染毒前[（8．02±0．35）×10^4mm^2／s]降低（q=0．4441，P〈0．01）；染毒后5d[（7．84±0．39）×10^-4mm^2／s]开始逐渐恢复，染毒后60d恢复至染毒前的水平（P〉0．05）。出现组15只兔在染毒后1hADC值[（7．40±0．32）×10^-4mm^2／s]较染毒前[（8．08±0．32）×10^-4mm^2／s]明显降低（q=0．6728，P〈0．01）。染毒后5d[（7．88±0．44）×10^-4mm^2／s]恢复接近染毒前水平，7d又开始下降，15d下降最明显[（7．29±0．93）×10^-4mm^2／s]，至实验终点未能恢复，染毒后15d较染毒前相比差异有统计学意义（q=0．7850，P〈0．01）。结论ADC值下降程度与脑组织损害程度存在着相关性；急性期ADC值下降程度能预测迟发性中毒脑病的出现可能性，15dADC值再次明显下降提示出现了迟发性中毒脑病。     

乳腺癌辅助化疗前后18F-FDG、99Tcm-HL91显像的临床研究

目的观察乳腺癌辅助化疗前后18^F-FDG、99^Tc^m-4，9-二氮-3，3，10，10-四甲基十二烷-2，11-二酮肟（HL91）显像的变化，探讨其在乳腺癌辅助化疗疗效评价中的价值。方法28例经细针穿刺检查确诊为原发性乳腺癌的患者在化疗前、后分别行18^F-FDG、99^Tc^m-HL91显像，根据显像结果计算病灶ROI／对侧正常乳腺组织ROI（T／N）放射性计数比值。化疗结束以WHO制定的评价标准分为有效组和无效组，并观察化疗前后病理学改变。结果辅助化疗总有效率（RR）为71．4％（20／28），有效组20例，无效组8例；病理改变可见退化变性期（Ⅰ期）、肉芽肿期（Ⅱ期）、纤维化期（Ⅲ期）。治疗前病灶摄取18^F-FDG、99^Tc^m-HL91 T／N值分别为2．98±1．09，2．55±0．80（t=2．312，P=0.026），有效和无效组分别为3．03±1．23，3．09±1．39（t=1．314，P=0．108）和253±0．76，2．63±0．97（t=1．597，P=0．875）；T／N值分布18^F-FDG为1．68～6．49（中位值2．73），99^Tc^m-HL91为1．46—5．01（中位值2．39），两者间呈直线相关（r=0．743，P=0．024）。治疗后28例18^F-FDG T／N值有所下降，为2．40±0．79（t=1．932，P=0．031）；有效和无效组分别为2．28±0．81，2．93±0．76（t=2．462，P=0．015），与治疗前比较有效组差异有统计学意义（t=2．482，P=0．012），且与治疗前呈直线相关（r=0．673，P=0．035），而无效组差异无统计学意义（t=1．562，P=0．324）。99^Tc^m-HL91 T／N值下降的病例中4例为无效，5例为有效，其余为升高；有效和无效组分别为2．59±0．71，2．61±0．99（t=1．472，P=0．096），与治疗前比较2组差异均无统计学意义（t=1．368和1．341，P值为0．127和0．878）。结论18^F-FDG显像对乳腺癌辅助化疗疗效评价具有一定的临床价值。     

头颈部病变MR扩散成像的初步研究

目的探讨MR扩散加权成像（DWI）在头颈部病变中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析57例头颈部病变共85个病灶，其中恶性肿瘤22个（22例），良性肿瘤13个（13例），囊性或液性病灶13例共17个病灶，包括囊肿12个（8例），肿瘤坏死4个（4例），脓肿1个（1例）；淋巴结病灶33个。所有患者均经临床追踪或手术病理证实。分析各病灶在扩散敏感因子（b值）为0、500和1000s·mm^-2时DWI特点及其表观扩散系数（ADC）值。结果良、恶性肿瘤在DWI表现有所不同，13个良性肿瘤与脊髓（或脑干）的信号比值随b值增加迅速下降；22个恶性肿瘤与脊髓（或脑干）信号比值随b值增加变化不明显。恶性肿瘤的平均ADC值[（0．78±0．24）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1]低于良性肿瘤[（1．48±0．20）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1]，差异有统计学意义（t=8．9，P〈0．01）；良、恶性肿瘤的ADC值受试者特异性曲线（ROC）下面积Az值为0．971±0．030，当ADC值取1.13×10^-3mm^2·s^-1时，判断良、恶性肿瘤的敏感度为100％，特异度为90．5％，准确度90．5％。鳞状细胞癌的ADC值与分化程度相关，分化好者其ADC值高。囊性或液性病变（12个）、肿瘤坏死（4个）和脓肿（1个）在DWI上的信号强度与其组织病理成分相关，具有一定的信号特征和ADC值。淋巴结转移瘤的平均ADC值[（0．81±0．11）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1]高于良性淋巴结病变[（0．69±0．04）×10^-3mm^2·s^-1]，差异有统计学意义（t=3．48，P〈0．01），但是两者之间有较大的重叠，且在DWI上表现相仿。结论DWI和ADC值在头颈部病变的鉴别诊断中具有重要价值。     

Stress MR imaging for evaluation of popliteal artery entrapment

The popliteal artery entrapment (PAE) syndrome has been recognized as a cause of arterial occlusion in young people. It is the result of an anomaly of the relationship between the popliteal artery and the gastrocnemius muscle. Eight young healthy volunteers (16 legs) and six patients (10 legs) with suspected PAE underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Gradient-echo images were obtained in axial planes with the leg at rest and during active plantar flexion against resistance. Imaging at rest allowed identification of PAE signs in only one leg, which had an anomalous medial course of the popliteal artery. In the other cases, only the stress technique was able to show signal loss in the popliteal artery due to muscular compression (two legs) or the presence of accessory muscle slip around the vessel (two legs), as confirmed at surgery. MR imaging is therefore a useful technique for the diagnosis of PAE because of its capability of combining information obtainable with other modalities.     

MR imaging of muscle and tender points in fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome manifested by chronic, diffuse muscu-loskeletal aching and soreness, palpable muscle tender points, and other symptoms. Standardized clinical diagnostic criteria have recently been developed. Skeletal muscle has been postulated as the end organ in this disease. Biochemical, histologic, electromyographic, and conventional radiographic studies have demonstrated no definitive abnormality. This study sought to establish whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging could demonstrate any abnormality in these patients. Eighteen patients were entered in the study, 14 of whom were able to complete their examinations. T1 -weighted, T2-weighted, gradient-echo, and STIR (short-tau inversion-recovery) sequences were performed in all patients, with selected patients examined with T1weighted, gadopentetate dimeglu-mine-enhanced sequences. The trapezius and suboccipital regions were imaged in patients who, clinically, had active fibro-myalgia. No abnormalities could be detected. The authors conclude that the conventional MR imaging used in this study was unable to depict any primary skeletal muscle abnormality in fibromyalgia.     

Uterine contractions: Possible diagnostic pitfall at MR imaging

A total of 206 nongravid patients with various gynecologic problems underwent pelvic magnetic resonance (MR) examinations that included both sagittal T2-weighted and contrast agent–enhanced T1-weighted images. MR images were retrospectively reviewed to identify changes in endometrial configuration on serial images obtained during the same MR examination. In 20 MR examinations (all in women of reproductive age), endometrial distortion due to myometrial bulging was noted on T2-weighted or contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. It was absent on other MR images obtained at different times. Myometrial bulging exhibited low signal intensity in 18 examinations. The finding resembled adenomyosis or leiomyoma on T2-weighted or contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. These results evidence the presence of transient myometrial bulging and transient low-intensity myometrium in the nongravid uterus. This phenomenon is thought to represent uterine contraction. Clinicians should be aware of the potential presence of transient low-signal-intensity myometrial bulging that could present diagnostic problems in the normal uterus.     

Controversies in cervical spine imaging in trauma patients

No area of emergency radiology has generated as much discussion in recent years as the subject of cervical spine imaging for trauma patients. This review will be in three parts. The first will examine the indications for cervical imaging and will focus on those factors that make patients at high risk or low risk for cervical injury. The second part will discuss the merits of radiography and computed tomography as the main screening diagnostic examination. In addition to the roles of each modality in the evaluation process, such factors as efficacy of diagnosis, time (duration) of study, and cost will be discussed. Finally, the third part will explore the methods currently employed to clear the cervical spine in comatose patients.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Emergency Radiology, Las Vegas, Nevada, 22–25 October, 2003     

Brodie Abscess: MR imaging appearance in 10 patients

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of Brodie abscess have not yet been fully evaluated. Ten patients with Brodie abscess, eight of long bone and two of vertebra, were studied with MR imaging. Long bone abscess had a characteristic “target” appearance with four layers: (a) a center with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted and STIR (short-inversion-time inversion recovery) images, (b) an inner ring isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images and with high signal intensity on T2-weighted and STIR images, (c) an outer ring hypoin-tense on all images, and (d) a peripheral halo hypointense on T1-weighted images. In six of eight cases, a soft-tissue mass was found. The two vertebral abscesses had a less specific appearance, with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted and STIR images. Only the peripheral halo was clearly identified in both cases.     

Adrenal tissue characterization with 0.5-T MR imaging: Value of T2*-weighted images

The authors investigated the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 0.5 T for distinguishing adrenal adenomas from adrenal metastases. The series included 23 adrenal adenomas (18 nonhyperfunctioning, five hyperfunctioning) and 23 adrenal metastases from various organs. Adrenal tumor–liver signal intensity ratios on T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted images were calculated for adrenal tissue characterization. Adrenal adenomas were more precisely distinguished from adrenal metastases on T2*-weighted images (21 of 23, 91%) than on T2-weighted images (15 of 23, 65%). T1-weighted images were not useful for this distinction. In conclusion, T2*-weighted images were better than routine T2-weighted images for distinguishing adrenal adenomas from adrenal metastases. It can be postulated that the total signal intensity of adrenal adenomas, which contain some fat components, decreased on T2*-weighted images because of an out-of-phase effect.     

Pericerebellar fluid collections in infancy,sequelae of birth injury? A retrospective CT study

Summary Retrospective analysis of axial CT scans from 600 consecutive pediatric patients revealed 37 patients (6%) with abnormal low density pericerebellar spaces. Fourteen of these 37 patients (38%) were diagnosed as cerebellar atrophy, whereas 23 of the 37 patients (62%) were diagnosed as mass-like pericerebellar fluid collections. Detailed analysis of the morphology of these spaces suggests that the CT criteria proposed in this paper distinguish between (a) those low attenuation pericerebellar spaces that represent cisternal dilatation caused by cerebellar atrophy (Group I — Atrophy) and (b) those low attenuation pericerebellar spaces that represent low density mass-like collections of fluid which distort a relatively normal cerebellum (Group II — Collections). Analysis of the medical records of the patients in Group II — Collections reveal a high incidence of prematurity, developmental delay, difficult birth and head trauma, possibly indicating that such collections represent sequelae of birth.     

Localized proton MR spectroscopy of the brain in children

Small-voxel (3.0–8.0 cm³), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–guided proton MR spectroscopy was performed in 54 patients (aged 6 days to 19 years) with intracranial masses (n = 16), neurodegenerative disorders (n = 34), and other neurologic diseases (n = 4) and in 23 age-matched control subjects without brain disease. A combined short TE (18 msec) stimulatedecho acquisition mode (STEAM) and long TE (135 and/or 270 msec) spin-echo point-resolved spatially localized spectroscopy (PRESS) protocol, using designed radio-frequency pulses, was performed at 1.5 T. STEAM spectra revealed short T2 and/or strongly coupled metabolites; prominent resonances were obtained from N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and total creatine (tCr). Lactate was well resolved with the long TE PRESS sequence. Intracranial tumors were readily differentiated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collections. All tumors showed low NAA, high Cho, and reduced tCr levels. Neurodegenerative disorders showed low or absent NAA levels and enhanced mobile lipid, glutamate and glutamine, and inositol levels, consistent with neuronal loss, gliosis, demyelination, and amino acid neuro-toxicity. Preliminary experience indicates that proton MR spectroscopy can contribute in the evaluation of central nervous system abnormalities of infants and children.     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging assessment of vascularized free fibular grafts

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be a noninvasive method for assessing perfusion of vascularized bone grafts placed for treatment of avascular necrosis. One proximal femur of seven beagles was devascularized, with insertion of a vascularized fibular graft. MR imaging at 1 week (seven dogs) and 6 weeks (five dogs) after surgery included pre- and postcontrast spin-echo sequences, unenhanced twodimensional time-of-flight (TOF) vascular imaging, and dynamic gradient-echo imaging during infusion of gadolinium. Relative signal intensity values of selected regions obtained from the dynamic gradientecho images were plotted as percent enhancement versus time. In the operated hip, MR imaging did not show enhancement in six of seven femoral heads and greater trochanters at 1 week after surgery, with similar results after 6 weeks. MR imaging of fibular grafts 6 weeks after surgery showed an initial rapid increase in enhancement and a subsequent slower increase in five of five dogs, although no enhancement was seen in six of seven dogs at 1 week. These findings contrasted with a rapid initial increase in enhancement followed by slow decline in non-operated hips. Two-dimensional TOP imaging did not show the vascular pedicle of the graft in any dog. Findings of radionuclide bone scanning performed 1 week after surgery were consistent with devascularization of the operated femur and fibular graft. However, tetracycline distribution and histologic findings confirmed the viability of five of five grafts within the devascularized femurs 6 weeks after surgery. Thus, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging at 6 weeks after surgery is valuable for assessing vascular bone graft perfusion, while similar imaging at 1 week may suggest otherwise.