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Biomedical subjects

G Brix

Publications and source records attributed to G Brix.

131 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Systemic bone marrow disorders: characterization with proton chemical shift imaging.

In a prospective clinical study, 26 patients (22 with malignant lymphoma and 4 with myelofibrosis) and 9 healthy volunteers were examined by conventional magnetic resonance and proton chemical shift imaging (CSI; modified Dixon method). On the basis of the CSI data, a quantitative evaluation of the relative fat and water signal fractions in regions of interest of the femur, pelvis, and spine was performed. In 16 of 17 patients with biopsy-proven bone marrow disorders, CSI revealed a significant reduction in the fat fraction of the bone marrow relative to that of normal volunteers. The visual assessment could detect only 14 of the 17 pathological cases.

Bone Marrow↗

Proton chemical shift imaging of bone marrow for monitoring therapy in leukemia.

In three patients with different forms of leukemia, follow-up examinations before, during, and after chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation were performed by proton chemical shift imaging (1H-CSI). The relative fat and water fractions were computed in representative regions of the marrow in the femur, pelvis, and lumbar spine. On serial examinations the fat fractions increased over time, in agreement with the responses to therapy proven by bone marrow biopsies from the iliac crest. These preliminary results suggest a role for magnetic resonance and CSI in the monitoring of therapy in leukemia and systemic neoplastic diseases.

Acute Disease↗

Pharmacokinetic parameters in CNS Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging.

Dynamic MR imaging can be used to study tissue perfusion and vascular permeability. In the present article a procedure for dynamic MR is presented, which (a) accurately resolves the fast kinetics of tissue response during and after intravenous infusion of the paramagnetic contrast medium Gd-DTPA and (b) yields a linear relationship between the measured MR signal and the Gd-DTPA concentration in the tissue. According to these features, the measured signal-time curves can be analyzed within the framework of pharmacokinetic modeling. Tissue response has been parameterized using a linear two-compartment open model, with only negligible effects of the peripheral compartment on the central compartment. The three model parameters were fitted to the signal-time data pixel by pixel, based on a set of 64 rapid SE images (SE 100/10 ms, image scan time 13 s, interscan intervals 11 s). This makes it possible to construct parameter images, whereby structures become visible that cannot be distinguished in conventional Gd-DTPA enhanced MR. As a clinical example, the approach is discussed in a case of glioblastoma.

Brain Neoplasms↗

MRI and MRA in treatment planning of subdiaphragmatic radiation therapy.

Radiotherapy treatment planning needs optimum definition of target volume in its relative position to normal tissue. The aim of our study was to achieve individual field definition in subdiaphragmatic radiotherapy by visualization of the target volume using fast, breath-held MRI and MR angiography. A modified rapid acquisition SE technique (SE 150/10) was used to obtain a coronal image within a 14 s breath-holding period, displaying kidneys, spleen, and lumbar spine on one slice. Coronal MR angiography acquisition in breath-hold technique was performed using a sequential FLASH-2D sequence (FLASH-2D 30/10/30 degrees). For reconstruction of the MR angiogram in coronal view, we used a maximum intensity projection algorithm. A computer program superimposed the MR angiogram onto the MR image. Correct magnification of the superposition image allowed direct projection onto the simulation film. Problems of distortion and different projection techniques were taken into account and quantified by phantom measurements. The localization error measured in a reference plane was less than 5 mm within a radius of 140 mm. Fourteen cases of Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphomas were treated employing the novel technique. By superposition of the MR image and the MR angiogram, demarcation of vascular architecture from parenchymatous organs was achieved. Projection of the MR superposition onto the simulation film yielded accurate and convenient field definition using noninvasive imaging techniques.

Abdomen↗

Assessment of cerebral blood volume with dynamic susceptibility contrast enhanced gradient-echo imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) enhanced MRI was used to study relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 15 healthy subjects and 47 patients with vascular stenosis or occlusion, with brain infarctions, and with cerebral neoplasms. During bolus injection of Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, a series of rapid T2*-weighted fast low angle shot two-dimensional images were recorded from the same slice. From these images, changes in signal intensity during bolus passage were computed pixel-by-pixel and converted into contrast agent concentration curves. Applying the principles of indicator dilution theory, images of rCBV were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Regions of infarctions show almost zero rCBV. In patients with high-grade vascular stenosis or occlusion a bolus delay in comparison to the unaffected side and an increased mean transit time can be observed. Some of the affected areas show an increased rCBV, which is a well-known physiological mechanism that takes place to compensate for the reduced cerebral blood pressure. In brain tumors, rCBV imaging reveals focal or homogeneous areas of increased blood volume. This can even be observed in low-grade astrocytomas with unaffected blood-brain barrier. In CBV imaging, the effects of radiotherapy on tumor tissue can be monitored as a significant decrease of rCBV in tumor tissue after therapy.

Adult↗