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Biomedical subjects

L Axel

Publications and source records attributed to L Axel.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Surface coil magnetic resonance imaging.

Detection of MR signals with surface coils provides increased signal-to-noise ratio for superficial structures relative to detection by circumferential coils, permitting improved spatial resolution. Different geometries of surface coils can be used for different regions. Coils that are flat or curved to fit body contours are good for general imaging, with a range of coil sizes useful for structures of different size or depth. Solenoidal coils are useful for imaging protruding structures such as breasts, while smaller versions of conventional circumferential coils that can be slipped over limbs are useful for imaging extremities.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in gynecology.

Nuclear magnetic resonance proton imaging is a new imaging technique that holds promise for gynecologic diagnosis. Without the use of ionizing radiation, it provides images with excellent definition of the major pelvic organs. The extent and nature of disease are well demonstrated. In this report, an introduction to the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is given and several clinical examples that reveal the potential uses of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in the female pelvis are shown.

Adult↗

Osteomalacia and osteitis fibrosa in a man ingesting aluminum hydroxide antacid.

A 53-year-old man with a history of long-term aluminum hydroxide antacid ingestion reported diffuse bone pain and multiple stress fractures over a two-year period. An undecalcified transiliac bone biopsy specimen revealed osteomalacia with osteitis fibrosa; plasma parathyroid hormone and cyclic AMP levels were normal. Following withdrawal of antacids and treatment with calcium and phosphorus, an initially elevated plasma, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level fell to within the normal range, accompanied by decreased bone pain, healed stress fractures, and increased axial bone mineral content as determined by computed tomography of lumbar trabecular bone. Phosphate deprivation and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D excess may contribute to the poor mineralization and exaggerated resorption of bone observed in this syndrome. The clinical, biochemical, radiologic, and histologic features of previously reported cases are reviewed. Early recognition of this syndrome is important, since appropriate therapy promotes skeletal remineralization and prevents morbidity.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

Relaxation times and NMR signals.

The strength of signals in magnetic resonance imaging (and the resulting image contrast) depends not just on the number density of the nuclei being detected, but also on the relaxation times, T1 and T2. The relationship of signal strength to relaxation time depends on the particular choice of pulse sequences used to produce the signals. The effects of the T1 relaxation time on signal strength are discussed for the commonly used imaging techniques "partial saturation" and "inversion recovery." Production of spin echos and the effect of the T2 relaxation time on spin-echo signal strength are also discussed.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Surface coil magnetic resonance imaging.

A surface coil is used as a receiver in a crossed-coil arrangement with a conventional circumferential transmitter coil in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The improved signal-to-noise ratio for objects close to the coil, compared with a conventional circumferential saddle-shaped receiver coil, permits higher resolution imaging of relatively superficial structures such as the orbit, neck, chest wall, and lumbar spine.

Humans↗

MR imaging of the mediastinum: a retrospective comparison with computed tomography.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the mediastinum was performed with a 0.12 T resistive magnet and compared with the results of CT. On T1 weighted images with partial saturation technique, soft tissue masses, lymphadenopathy, lipomatosis, and vascular anatomy were comparable with MR and CT imaging in 19 of 30 patients (63.3%). In the remaining 11 patients only slight differences between the two modalities were observed. Our experience suggests that MR imaging at low field strength is equivalent to CT in the morphologic assessment of the mediastinum without the need for administration of intravenous contrast medium or exposure to ionizing radiation.

Humans↗

Focal renal masses: magnetic resonance imaging.

Thirty patients with focal renal masses were evaluated on a .12-Tesla resistive magnetic resonance unit using partial saturation and spin echo pulse sequences. A short repetition time (TR = 143 ms) was employed for partial saturation images and a spin echo was present in each case (TE = 10 ms). Additional pulse sequences through regions of interest were also obtained. Fifteen patients had cystic lesions, nine patients had renal cell carcinoma, two had metastatic lesions, one had an angiomyolipoma, and three had focal bacterial infection. Cystic lesions were well circumscribed and demonstrated a range of signal intensities. Small intra-parenchymal cysts were difficult to identify. Renal cell carcinomas demonstrated areas of increased signal using a partial saturation sequence (TR = 143-415 ms, TE = 10 ms). Magnetic resonance imaging accurately detected perinephric extension and vascular invasion in all patients. Metastatic disease to the kidney was uniformly low in signal, in contrast to primary renal cell carcinoma; an angiomyolipoma demonstrated very high signal intensity. Two masses resulting from acute focal bacterial nephritis were uniformly low in signal. One additional case of a more indolent pyelonephritis demonstrated high signal in regions of replacement lipomatosis and low signal in sites of active infection. Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be an accurate way of detecting, identifying, and staging focal renal masses.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Nongated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: preliminary experience at 0.12 T.

Nongated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported previously to be inadequate for obtaining diagnostic information. This study explored the role of pulse sequence in the degradation of the nongated cardiac image. Images of diagnostic quality were obtained by using single spin-echo sequences with a very short echo time (10-20 msec TE) on a 0.12-T developmental MR unit. Marked degradation of the image was noted with longer TEs, and it is concluded that the previous unfavorable reports using a nongated technique may have been due to the longer TEs used in other units. Short-TE technique was used to examine 34 patients with a variety of cardiac diseases. Eleven patients had ventricular aneurysms. These cases showed thinning of the myocardium, and four of them showed increased signal within the aneurysm, perhaps related to regionally slower blood flow. Twenty patients had enlargement of one or more cardiac chambers. Three of these patients had thrombus within an enlarged chamber, which was readily identified on MRI. Twelve patients had left ventricular hypertrophy that was concentric in 11. One patient demonstrated asymmetric septal hypertrophy. All four pericardial effusions were low in signal intensity, but this was related to the pulse sequence used. Six patients had extrinsic masses displacing the heart and distorting the chamber contour. One patient showed intracardiac invasion of tumor; this finding was not evident on the CT. One patient with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and corrected transposition was scanned. In addition to identifying the VSD and chamber hypertrophy, the malposition of the great vessels at the base of the heart was seen. Four postoperative patients were scanned; wire suture artifact did not preclude imaging. In conclusion, diagnostic information can be obtained from nongated cardiac images provided that the TE is very short (10-20 msec). Although quantitative functional data are not available from nongated images, qualitative and diagnostic information is possible and may suffice in certain circumstances.

Cardiomegaly↗

The role of single and double-contrast radiography in the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis.

Sixty-seven patients with endoscopically proved esophagitis and 25 patients who had no esophageal disease were examined by double-contrast esophagography, followed by a single-contrast examination. The radiographs were evaluated separately and as a combined examination technique by three independent radiologists in a blind analysis. The respective sensitivities were 77% for the single-contrast examination, 80% for the double-contrast examination, and 88% for the combined examination method with no significant statistical difference (P = 0.05). The sensitivity increased for all methods with an increased severity of esophagitis. False positives more frequently occurred with double-contrast radiography, leading to similar accuracy rates for all methods (74% to 77%). The double-contrast examination technique showed an advantage over single-contrast radiography only if a granular pattern and erosions were the only radiographically detectible features of esophagitis. The use of the combined examination technique is recommended.

Adult↗