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Biomedical subjects

H Imhof

Publications and source records attributed to H Imhof.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Bone densitometry in children: a critical appraisal.

Due to the introduction of new therapeutic regimen aimed at increasing and maintaining bone mass, bone densitometry in children has gained interest. As in all new fields of medicine we expect the interest in bone densitometry in children to increase in the coming years. Children pose a unique problem for those involved in the field of bone densitometry, because as time progresses the measured subject changes in shape and volume. It is therefore of importance that radiologists and clinicians gain insight in the available techniques. It is also important to keep in mind that all bone densitometry techniques have been exclusively designed, developed and validated for use in an adult population. In this article we give an overview of the available techniques and discuss the specific problems that can be expected when these techniques are used in children. In the discussion section general problems regarding bone densitometry in children are presented.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Dental CT: imaging technique, anatomy, and pathologic conditions of the jaws.

In addition to conventional imaging methods, dental CT has become an established method for anatomic imaging of the jaws prior to dental implant placement. More recently, this high-resolution imaging technique has gained importance in diagnosing dental-associated diseases of the mandible and maxilla. Since most radiologists have had little experience in these areas, many of the CT findings remain undescribed. The objective of this review article is to present the technique of dental CT, to illustrate the typical appearance of jaw anatomy and dental-related diseases of the jaws with dental CT, and to show where it can serve as an addition to conventional imaging methods in dental radiology.

Alveolar Process↗

Pathophysiology and imaging in inflammatory and blastomatous synovial diseases.

Variable pathologies are subsumed under the term "synovial disease", including common pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis. While formerly radiologists had to rely on conventional radiographs and bone scintigraphy with their inherent problems in visualizing soft tissue, noninvasive imaging of the synovium has recently improved substantially with the technical development of MRI and (Doppler) ultrasound. These imaging modalities allow differentiation of characteristic pathologic features based on a profound knowledge of normal anatomy and pathophysiology.

Arthritis, Infectious↗

Traumatic injuries: imaging of spinal injuries.

Severe (high-energy) spinal injuries are common sequelae of acute traumas. The task of radiology is to establish the radiological diagnosis, classify it, judge stability and instability and lead further radiological evaluation in cases of non-agreement between the radiological diagnosis and the clinical (neurological) findings. While skeletal abnormalities are best diagnosed with spiral CT and to a lesser degree with plain-film radiographs, soft tissue lesions, such as cord injuries or ligament ruptures, are best outlined with emergency MRI. The classification of fractures depends on fracture (trauma)-biomechanics and location. All these efforts are necessary to get the best clinical outcome for the patient.

Humans↗

Quantitative ultrasound in the assessment of bone status of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of rheumatic diseases and glucocorticoids on bone mass a group of patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=18) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=22) were examined. DESIGN: We examined 40 patients and 48 controls with quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: QUS (broadband ultrasound attenuation, BUA; speed of sound, SOS) values were found to be significantly lower in patients than in controls ( P<0.001). QUS measurements were moderately correlated with DXA measurements (kappa score ( kappa) 0.28 at the lumbar spine, and 0.46 at the femoral neck). There were no significant relations between the dosage of glucocorticoids and QUS parameters. CONCLUSION: In patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases QUS values were significantly decreased. SOS but not BUA and DXA measurements reflected disease activity assessed by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). QUS reflects different aspects of bone status compared with DXA.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

MRI of the cartilage.

With the introduction of fat-suppressed gradient-echo and fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences in clinical routine MR visualization of the hyaline articular cartilage is routinely possible in the larger joints. While 3D gradient-echo with fat suppression allows exact depiction of the thickness and surface of cartilage, FSE outlines the normal and abnormal internal structures of the hyaline cartilage; therefore, both sequences seem to be necessary in a standard MRI protocol for cartilage visualization. In diagnostically ambiguous cases, in which important therapeutic decisions are required, direct MR arthrography is the established imaging standard as an add-on procedure. Despite the social impact and prevalence, until recent years there was a paucity of knowledge about the pathogenesis of cartilage damage. With the introduction of high-resolution MRI with powerful surface coils and fat-suppression techniques, visualization of the articular cartilage is now routinely possible in many joints. After a short summary of the anatomy and physiology of the hyaline cartilage, the different MR imaging methods are discussed and recommended standards are suggested.

Cartilage, Articular↗

[Change in process management by implementing RIS, PACS and flat-panel detectors].

Implementation of radiological information systems (RIS) and picture archiving and communicating systems (PACS) results in significant changes of workflow in a radiological department. Additional connection with flat-panel detectors leads to a shortening of the work process. RIS and PACS implementation alone reduces the complete workflow by 21-80%. With flatpanel technology the image production process is further shortened by 25-30%. The workflow-steps are changed from original 17-12 with the implementation of RIS and PACS and to 5 with the integrated use of flatpanels. This clearly recognizable advantages in the workflow need an according financial investment. Several studies could show that the capitalisation-factor calculated over eight years is positive, with a gain range between 5-25%. Whether the additional implementation of flatpanel detectors results also in a positive capitalisation over the years, cannot be estimated exactly, at the moment, because the experiences are too short. Particularly critical are the interfaces, which needs a constant quality control. Our flatpanel detector-system is fixed, special images--as we have them in about 3-5% of all cases--need still conventional filmscreen or phosphorplate-systems. Full-spine and long-leg examinations cannot be performed with sufficient exactness. Without any questions implementation of integrated RIS, PACS and flatpanel detector-system needs excellent training of the employees, because of the changes in workflow etc. The main profits of such an integrated implementation are an increase in quality in image and report datas, easier handling--there are almost no more cassettes necessary--and excessive shortening of workflow.

Austria↗

[Coxarthrosis].

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a very common disease. There is a minor prevalence of males. By etiology one can distinguish primary (idiopathic) from secondary osteoarthritis. Secondary are due to well-known etiologies as overweight, repetitive traumata, malposture, muscle- and tendon-imbalance etc. Osteoarthritis includes not only cartilage abnormalities, but also such of the subchondral-region, synovialis, synovial fluid and periarticular muscles. The cartilage shows in osteoarthritis typically edema and swelling, defects with tears, fibrillation, and "baldness" and (or) cartilagenous repair-islands and joint space narrowing as well, while subchondrally micro-edema, necrosis, ev. microfractures, "cysts", demineralisation followed by sclerosis, osteophyte-formation and deformity is seen. With conventional radiographs and CT joint space narrowing, subchondral cysts, sclerosis and osteophytes and deformities are well delineated, MRI however allows visualization of subtle bone marrow and cartilage abnormalities. Clinically, the diagnosis of pre-osteoarthritis becomes more and more important. This includes e.g. deformities and malpostures, labrum-pathologies and structural imbalances. There are three prognostic different types of hip-osteoarthritis depending on the migration of the head of the hip joint: the most common are the latero-cranial and the medio-caudal ones, while the central one is found very rarely. Basic imaging method are conventional radiographs, and CT, followed by MRI. The diagnosis of an "activated osteoarthritis" is made by bone-scintigraphy or MRI with i.v. application of contrast-media. The labrum- and cartilage diagnosis should be done with MRI or MR-arthrography. Functional computer-animated analysis will be of great diagnostic value in the near future. MRI indications are differences between clinical results and imaging, missing clinical improvement of an "activated" osteoarthritis under standard therapy, unclear joint-pain and before any arthroscopy.

Aged↗

[Diagnostic imaging in hip prostheses].

Hip arthroplasty has become a common and still increasing procedure for the treatment of osteoarthritis, advanced head necrosis, post-inflammatory arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Radiography is the most important imaging modality for monitoring the normal, asymptomatic hip arthroplasty. Radiographs are obtained at the end of a surgical treatment, to exclude complications like fracture or component misplacement. In the follow-up radiographs are used for the diagnosis of loosening and infection of the hip arthroplasty as well as soft tissue ossification. Together with the history and clinical information, the analysis of morphological findings allows to find the grade of loosening. MRI has been advocated in the diagnosis of infection, in particular in the localisation of soft tissue involvement. Imaging, especially by radiographs, is used for the evaluation of the normal and complicated follow-up of hip arthroplasty.

Aged↗

Evaluation of pituitary microadenomas with dynamic MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of keyhole dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of women with borderline hyperprolactinemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated 30 patients (mean age 31.6+/-4.3 years) with moderate hyperprolactinemia and clinically suspected microadenomas on T1-weighted spin echo (SE) sequences (repetition time (TR)/echo time (TE) 625/15 ms) with keyhole dynamic imaging and contrast enhancement of the pituitary gland. The probability of lesion presence according to MR criteria was ranked on a five-grade scale and compared with standard examinations of the hypophysis before and after intravenous administration of contrast media. RESULTS: The probability for lesion presence showed a trend toward lower scores on standard SE sequences and higher scores with dynamic imaging (P=0.067). CONCLUSION: Dynamic keyhole imaging of the pituitary gland could help establish a diagnosis of microadenomas with a higher probability.

Adenoma↗

[Middle field and low field magnetic resonance tomography in wrist injuries].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnet resonance imaging in comparison of a dedicated 0.2-T unit and a 1.0-T unit in patients with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures and other wrist fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 20 patients (14 m/6 f) with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures and a normal six view radiographic exam, magnet resonance imaging was performed first with the dedicated 1.0-T unit and afterwards with the 0.2-T unit within 7 days after trauma. T1 weighted spin-echo, STIR and T2-weighted 3D GRE sequences were performed. RESULTS: The 0.2 Tesla dedicated system is inferior to the 1.0 Tesla unit concerning the outcome of the 3 examiners. Especially the areas of bone bruise showed different results: each examiner detected at least two more cases of bone bruise with the 1.0 Telsa unit, which could not be defined with the 0.2 Tesla unit. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows, how utmost sensitive magnet resonance imaging is referring to unremoved fractures of the scaphoid and to other wrist abnormalities. Results with the 0.2 Tesla dedicated system was inferior compared to the 1.0 Tesla unit.

Adolescent↗

[Dose classification in digital roentgen diagnosis: clinical applications].

Technological improvements in digital radiography and computed tomography have led to a substantial increase of radiation dose that subjectively cannot be detected. In order to reduce dose in a form that may be used in clinical practise, the quality of digital radiograms and computed tomography images should be classified in three classes. Low-dose investigations are indicated in children, in case of therapy control and for imaging organs with high differences in tissue contrast. High-dose investigations are scarcely indicated and middle-dose investigations should be performed in all other remaining clinical situations. Dose recommendations given by vendors in radiology should be viewed critically.

Adult↗

[Kinematic magnetic resonance tomography in functional disorders of joints and vertebral articulations].

Imaging studies of peripheral joints and of vertebral junctions are of major importance in the diagnosis of many degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Radiograms with flexion and extension views are regarded as standard for diagnosing abnormalities of the spine, the patello-femoral joint, and other articulations. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), kinematic studies can be performed analogously. With high gradient field strengths and in-phase and opposed-phase gradient echo sequences it is possible to study the motion of joints continuously. First results show that this technique may be added to static magnetic resonance imaging sequences in certain cases with hypermobility or instability of the knee and other major joints.

Ankle Joint↗

[Value of roentgen diagnosis in recognition of primary and potentially malignant bone tumors].

To assess the efficiency of plain radiographs for the detection of primary and potentially malignant bone tumors a retrospective study in 70 patients with histologically proven bone sarcomas was performed. Plain radiographs were the first imaging modality in most cases and for many patients the basic step leading to further diagnostic investigations. With young patients suffering from bone pain imaging work-up was obtained immediately, whereas older patients showed significant delay until radiographs were performed. The findings of this study suggest that radiography is an effective tool for the diagnosis of primary and potentially malignant bone tumors and that physicians should think of bone tumors also when patients beyond the adolescence have focal bone pain.

Adolescent↗

Autocorrelation analysis of bone structure.

We propose a method called spatial autocorrelation analysis (SACA) to determine the spatial anisotropy of the trabecular bone in order to investigate osteoporosis. For demonstrating the potential of SACA we first evaluate the method on rectangular, simulated test patterns as a simple model for the anisotropic pore structure of the bone. As a next step towards biomedical application, photographic reference images of human vertebral bone were investigated by SACA. Osteoporotic bone structure could be clearly differentiated from non-osteoporotic sample images. Moreover, for demonstration of the applicability and potential of the method for in vivo characterization of osteoporosis, the microstructure of the human calcaneus was investigated by MR-microimaging on a young healthy male subject and an osteoporotic female. The measurements were performed using a high-field (3T) whole-body MR tomograph equipped with a special, strong head gradient system. The signal was acquired with a surface coil mounted on an in-house-built device for convenient immobilization of the subject's foot. Using a 3D gradient echo sequence a resolution of 0.254 x 0.254 x 2.188 mm3 was achieved in vivo. Selected images were inverted, gradient corrected for the inhomogeneous but sensitive detection by the surface coil, and subsequently analyzed by SACA. The anisotropy of bone structure detected by SACA is a possible candidate for noninvasive determination of the osteoporotic status, potentially complementing standard bone mineral density measurements.

Adult↗