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Biomedical subjects

A Ericsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Ericsson.

120 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Structure enhancement by subtraction in magnetic resonance imaging.

Two patients with tumours in the pituitary gland and the liver, respectively, were studied with MRI. Regions of different transverse relaxation times were found in the tumours. Subtraction of images recorded with different echo times demonstrated the tumour regions better than the original images although these were recorded with 2 repetition times and double and multiple echo sequences. Subtraction techniques may thus aid diagnosis in MRI.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Technical aspects of magnetic resonance imaging in parathyroid gland lesions.

Two patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were examined before parathyroid surgery with magnetic resonance imaging at 0.35 tesla in order to analyse optimal methods of visualization. Two large parathyroid glands in the neck had long transverse relaxation times which rendered them clearly visible in T2-weighted images as structures of a signal intensity higher than that of the surrounding. Large parathyroid lesions may thus be easily detected by magnetic resonance imaging provided proper examination parameters are employed.

Adult↗

Changes in energy metabolism following roentgen irradiation of in vivo growing Ehrlich ascites tumour cells studied by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The energy metabolism in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells following in vivo irradiation of a dose of 5.0 Gy was studied in vitro in their ascites fluid up to 48 hours using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy measuring ATP, ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The results are also related to radiation induced changes in cell cycle composition. ATP was reduced by more than 50 per cent 20 to 24 hours after irradiation but normalized at 48 hours. ADP was reduced to about half the normal level 24 to 48 hours after irradiation. When the ATP and ADP had reduced levels, the inorganic phosphate increased correspondingly. Addition of glucose to the ascites cell suspension at the time of minimum ATP level immediately raised the ATP:Pi ratio. Since the glucose concentrations in blood and in ascites fluid following irradiation were also reduced, lack of glucose for energy production might have been a major contributing factor for the reduced ATP production.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Field-echo pulse sequences used under suspended respiration for detection of liver metastases.

To obtain a fast MRI sequence for detection of liver metastases under suspended respiration, two healthy volunteers were examined with the field echo sequence FLASH, using a large number of repetition times, echo times, flip angels and matrix sizes. The spleen was used to simulate liver metastases and contrast-to-noise ratios between liver and spleen were calculated and the sequence with the highest ratio was considered optimal. The different FLASH sequences were also compared with spin echo sequences using short repetition and echo times. A FLASH sequence with a repetition time of 140 ms, an echo time of 14 ms, a flip angle of 80 to 100 degrees and a matrix size of 128 x 256 was considered the most suitable for detecting liver metastases. This sequence, together with other FLASH and spin echo sequences, were used for examination of five patients with liver metastases from endocrine gastrointestinal tumours.

Adult↗

Low flip angle gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine at 0.3 tesla.

The influence of flip angle and TR on signal to noise ratio and contrast between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cord was evaluated in cervical spine imaging in 5 volunteers, using gradient echo technique. All experiments were performed on a 0.3 tesla Fonar beta-3000 M scanner using solenoidal surface coils. The most useful sequence was considered to be TR/TE = 300/12 ms and 10 degrees flip angle. This sequence provided images with a 'myelographic appearance' with good delineation of cord, CSF and epidural space. The grey and white matter was also regularly visualized. The acquisition time was considerably shorter than would have been necessary if a long TR/TE spin echo sequence had been used to obtain the same contrast pattern and the sequence was not as sensitive to motion as was the spin echo sequence. The sequence was also evaluated in 10 patients with degenerative disease and in 5 with lesions in the cord. The gradient echo sequence was found to be equal to or better than short and long TR/TE spin echo sequences in demonstrating narrowing of the spinal canal and cord lesion. The drawback is the limited signal to noise ratio.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗

MR-cholangiography with a double contrast technique.

The combination of superparamagnetic particles (SPP) as a 'negative' contrast agent for the liver parenchyma and Cr-HIDA as a 'positive' one for the bile ducts was tested in dogs. The maximum effect of SPP was present about 30 minutes after injection with a reduction of the image intensity of the liver close to the background noise level at the highest dosages. This effect lasted for about 4 to 5 hours and it had disappeared after 24 hours. Before any contrast administration or after Cr-HIDA the bile ducts were not discernible, but a high signal in the gallbladder was present 15 to 30 minutes after injection of Cr-HIDA. After SPP the wider bile ducts were discernible because of the lowering of the signal intensity in the liver. When SPP were followed by Cr-HIDA, the bile had a higher signal intensity, and even tiny bile ducts were visible. After cholecystokinin visualization of the choledochus duct was achieved as well as contrast filling of the duodenum. The blood, urine, and liver function tests were found normal during the experiments. The combination of superparamagnetic particles and Cr-HIDA seems to be a promising method for MR-cholangiography. An evaluation of the anatomic structures of the liver should be possible with this method in different pathologies.

Animals↗

Effect of superparamagnetic particles as oral contrast medium at magnetic resonance imaging. A phase I clinical study.

Non-biodegradable superparamagnetic particles were used as an oral contrast medium in different concentrations, and evaluated in 25 human volunteers. The aim of the study was to determine the most appropriate concentration of the contrast medium, and to evaluate the effect, distribution, safety and tolerance. With the concentration of 1.0 g/l a substantial reduction of the signal intensity in the bowel was achieved in both T1 and T2 weighted images. The intraabdominal structures were well differentiated from the bowels containing contrast medium. 'Metal' artifacts and blurring of adjacent structures, probably due to an increased local concentration, were observed at higher dosages. The distribution of the preparation in the gastrointestinal tract varied between individuals. As a rule a good contrast effect was achieved in the small bowel with the exception of the duodenum. The contrast medium was well accepted and did not cause any side effects of clinical importance. The results suggest that the preparation is well tolerated by humans and may be a useful contrast medium for abdominal MR imaging.

Contrast Media↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in primary amyloidosis.

Twelve patients with primary amyloidosis (AL) were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 9 patients an abnormal thickening of the heart walls was present and in 2 macroglossia was found at MRI. T1 was significantly increased in liver (p less than 0.05) and subcutaneous fat (p less than 0.01) while it was decreased in the spleen (p less than 0.05). T2 was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) in the spleen in patients with amyloidosis, while it was not significantly altered in the liver or subcutaneous fat. After therapy T1 of the liver was reduced towards normal values in 4 patients. It is concluded that MRI might be a method to quantitate the amount of amyloid deposits in the tissue, and that the effect of therapy may be monitored with this technique.

Aged↗

An attempt to characterize malignant lymphoma in spleen, liver and lymph nodes with magnetic resonance imaging.

An attempt was made to explore whether relaxation times and/or normalized image intensities obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can separate malignant and non-malignant lymphomatous tissue. Spin-echo (SE) techniques with repetition times of 500 and 1,500 ms and echo times of 35 and 70 ms were used for estimating T1 and T2. Estimation of T1 and T2 with such a low number of spin-echo sequences resulted in considerable variation in the data especially when T1 was long. Similar information was also extracted by normalizing the image intensities to the 'proton density' image (1,500/35), and the spread of the data was then markedly reduced. Therefore, the method of normalizing was considered a more appropriate way of handling the image data when only a few sequences were available. No significant difference could be discerned in the MRI parameters between normal spleens and spleens infiltrated with malignant lymphoma, between normal livers and livers in patients with malignant lymphoma and between lymph nodes with low or high grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphomatous tissue had similar MRI characteristics irrespectively of whether the cells were malignant or not, or located in spleens or in lymph nodes. The main biologic explanation for variation in data seems to be mostly the variable amounts of fibrosis, necrosis, oedema and/or iron content.

Adult↗

Relaxation enhancement of the dog liver and spleen by biodegradable superparamagnetic particles in proton magnetic resonance imaging.

Bio-degradable superparamagnetic particles of about 0.5 micron diameter were investigated in 2 dogs as potential intravenous contrast enhancing agents for the reticuloendothelial system. The particles lowered the MRI signal of the liver for all investigated sequences, while the signal of the spleen was lowered only in T2 weighted sequences. No clear effect was seen on signals of fat and muscle. There was a pronounced effect on T2 in both liver and spleen but relatively little effect on T1. Diminishing contrast effect with time indicates that the particles degrade. The particles did not have any adverse effects on the general state of the dogs or on routine liver and kidney function tests.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance imaging with maximum contrast between two selected tissues composed of recordings with three repetition times.

A method is presented which in a composed image maximizes the image intensity difference between two selected tissues. The composition is made from several magnetic resonance (MR) images from the same slice but with different MR imaging parameters. The method is illustrated with a patient with liver metastases for whom the technique was used to emphasize metastases above normal liver parenchyma.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

Superparamagnetic particles as an MRI contrast agent for the gastrointestinal tract.

Non-biodegradable superparamagnetic particles containing magnetite were evaluated as a potential contrast agent for the gastrointestinal tract. The particles were administered to pigs perorally either suspended in water or mixed with food. The gastrointestinal tract structures were excellently depicted through a lowered signal intensity of their content in both T1 and T2 weighted images. Relatively large volumes with low particle concentration seemed to give a good contrast agent distribution, especially when the administration was extended over a period of time. Problems with artefacts and blurring in the images caused by a too high local concentration of the contrast agent should also be minimized by using low particle concentrations.

Animals↗