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Biomedical subjects

S Sinha

Publications and source records attributed to S Sinha.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

High speed diffusion imaging in the presence of eddy currents.

This paper describes two schemes for fast diffusion imaging on a 1.5T MRI unit with unshielded gradients and 10-mT/m gradient system. The prepared longitudinal magnetization is sampled by a turbo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence. The first scheme involves modifications to a diffusion-weighted driven-equilibrium preparation sequence that yields quantitative diffusion imaging. The second scheme consists of four 90 degree pulses that form the preparatory period with diffusion gradients applied between the first and last two 90 degrees pulses. Sufficient time is allowed between the diffusion gradients and the beginning of the echo readout to allow eddy currents to decay to an acceptable level. Phantom studies show agreement between diffusion coefficients in the literature with those determined using the above schemes. The potential application of these sequences in monitoring temperature is demonstrated in phantoms. Artifact-free quantitative diffusion-weighted images of the brain using the second scheme are presented.

Algorithms↗

Segmentation strategies for breast tumors from dynamic MR images.

This paper describes two semiautomated methods of segmentation of breast tumors from dynamic MR images obtained subsequent to administration of gadopentate dimeglumine. The first method, based on temporal correlation, generates a similarity map from the dynamic scans in which the value of each pixel is determined by its temporal similarity to a reference region of interest. The second method uses multispectral analysis and generates a feature map from a scatterplot of pixel intensities in the pre- and postcontrast images. The segmentation methods were tested on malignant and benign breast lesions in 11 patients with a range of tumor volumes and percentage contrast enhancement. The accuracy of both segmentation techniques and reproducibility of the multispectral method were investigated. A comparison of the two methods established that the temporal correlation method was superior based on accuracy, extent of user interaction, and speed of segmentation.

Breast Neoplasms↗

MR-guided percutaneous ethanol ablation of liver tissue in a .2-T open MR system: preliminary study in porcine model.

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of MR-guided percutaneous ethanol ablation of liver tissue on a .2-T open MR scanner. Needles were placed by MR guidance first into an ex vivo sheep liver and then into livers of three anesthetized pigs, and injection of 10 ml of 96% alcohol was performed. T1 fast low-angle shot (FLASH), T2 turbo spin echo (TSE), and T1 spin echo (SE) images were obtained after incremental volumes of injection. In one pig, simultaneous injection of saline into normal liver was also performed with subsequent pathological correlation. Ethanol-infiltrated liver was hypointense to liver on all sequences, whereas saline caused no tissue signal changes on T1 SE and either isointense or hyperintense changes on T2 TSE images. Pathological examination confirmed ethanol-induced acute liver changes as compared with the control. MR guidance of needle placement and monitoring of ethanol effects on liver tissue is feasible. This may have implications for potential MR-guided hepatic tumor ablation.

Animals↗

Phase imaging on a .2-T MR scanner: application to temperature monitoring during ablation procedures.

Proton phase shift imaging methods with keyholing were developed to rapidly monitor temperature during MR-guided radiofrequency (RF) interventional procedures on a .2-T open configuration scanner. Temperature calibration was performed on thermally controlled gel phantom and ex vivo bovine liver samples. Keyholing methods were implemented for rapid imaging and tested both in simulation experiments and in the gel phantom. Phase drifts from extraneous sources were monitored and compensated for using reference phantoms. Sequence parameters TE, TR, and flip angle (FA) were optimized for maximum temperature sensitivity and minimum noise. Reduction of phase noise from coupling of the magnetic field to external perturbations using navigator-echo-based correction schemes were also investigated. The extraneous phase drifts from the magnet could be minimized by keeping the electromagnet on continuously. Navigator echo corrected keyholed FLASH sequences (TE = 30 msec, TR = 60 msec, FA = 40 degrees, 64 x 128 matrix) were used to monitor the RF lesioning process in gel phantoms yielding images every 4 seconds with a temperature sensitivity of .015 ppm/degree C. RF ablation in the bovine tissue was monitored using navigator-echo-corrected keyholed fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequences (TE = 30 msec, TR = 100 msec, FA = 40 degrees, 128 x 256 matrix) with a temporal resolution of 13 seconds and a temperature sensitivity of .007 ppm/degree C. The results indicate that monitoring of an RF ablation procedure by mapping temperature with sufficient temporal resolution is possible using phase images of FLASH sequences on a .2-T open scanner.

Animals↗

Multifeature analysis of Gd-enhanced MR images of breast lesions.

The objective of this study was to determine whether linear discriminant analysis of different independent features of MR images of breast lesions can increase the sensitivity and specificity of this technique. For MR images of 23 benign and 20 malignant breast lesions, three independent classes of features, including characteristics of Gd-DTPA-uptake curve, boundary, and texture were evaluated. The three classes included five, four and eight features each, respectively. Discriminant analysis was applied both within and across the three classes, to find the best combination of features yielding the highest classification accuracy. The highest specificity and sensitivity of the different classes considered independently were as follows: Gd-uptake curves, 83% and 70%; boundary features, 86% and 70%; and texture, 70% and 75%, respectively. A combination of one feature each from the first two classes and age yielded a specificity of 79% and sensitivity of 90%, whereas highest figures of 93% and 95%, respectively, were obtained when a total of 10 features were combined across different classes. Statistical analysis of different independent classes of features in MR images of breast lesions can improve the classification accuracy of this technique significantly.

Breast Diseases↗

Toxoplasmosis in women of child bearing age and infant follow up after in-utero treatment.

A total of 540 women (including 70 pregnant cases) of child bearing age with bad obstetrical history were tested serologically for anti-toxoplasma antibody using microlatex agglutination test. Forty two women including 5 cases of pregnancy were found to be seropositive in a titre of 1:32 or more. Maximum prevalence (10.2%) and highest titer of anti-toxoplasma antibodies were observed in women of 35-42 years age group. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in these women was 7.7%, whereas it was 7.1% in pregnant women. Further studies are needed to estimate the exact rate of prevalence of infection. Of the 70 pregnant women, 5 were seropositive and two of them acquired infection during pregnancy which was detected by IgM immunosorbent assay. Seropositive pregnant women were treated using combined regimen of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. Four infected women with pregnancy were followed up and one did not turn up subsequently. There was spontaneous abortion in one case and in 3 other cases full term normal babies were delivered. Incidence of toxoplasmosis in women is low because of infrequent and uncommon practices of ingesting undercooked or uncooked food stuff specially meat by a substantial number of the population surveyed.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous untying of a knot in a retained Swan-Ganz catheter.

A patient was referred to us with a tightly knotted Swan-Ganz catheter. The catheter could not be removed by conventional simple methods. We describe a minimally invasive means of removal of the catheter using an Amplatz gooseneck snare and an angioplasty balloon. This allowed the catheter to be removed without trauma.

Aged↗

Pulse sequence optimization for use with a biopsy needle in MRI.

The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of conspicuity and amount of field distortion caused by a biopsy needle designed specifically for use in MRI studies. Toward this, a number of pulse sequences including spin and field echo were used. Parameters such as field of view, strength of read gradient, direction of read gradient, echo time and slice thickness were varied. The effect of these manipulations on needle visualization was studied. Partial voluming errors with thicker slices decreased needle conspicuity. Smaller field of view improved needle visualization as a result of magnification effect. Shallow read gradient strengths also increased needle conspicuity. Increased image artifacts were noted on field-echo sequences compared to spin echo. This effect increased with longer echo times. This reflects T2* effects on field-echo images.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Effect of field strength on susceptibility artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging.

In magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility artifacts occur at the interface of substances with large magnetic susceptibility differences, resulting in geometric distortions of the image at those boundaries. The susceptibility artifacts are often subtle on clinical images and if not carefully examined they may lead to misdiagnosis. Magnetic susceptibility artifacts are prevalent on the boundary of air-containing paranasal sinuses, as well as bone-soft tissue interfaces in the spinal canal. The appearance of these artifacts on images from three different magnetic field strength instruments, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.5 Tesla were studied. T1- and T2-weighted spin echo and gradient recalled echo pulse sequences were selected to image a water phantom containing substances of varying susceptibilities. The effects were also studied in MR images of the head in a normal human volunteer. At any given field strength the artifacts were more prominent in the gradient echo imaging than in the corresponding spin echo pulse sequence. As expected, the distortions were also greater at higher field strengths. The results in human subjects paralleled the findings in the phantom study.

Head↗

MR-guided procedures using contemporaneous imaging frameless stereotaxis in an open-configuration system.

Frameless MR-guided procedures have had limited application using conventional closed magnets, due largely to the technical difficulties involved. As a result of in-room MR image-monitoring capabilities, new open-design magnets now allow frameless stereotaxis using contemporaneous imaging to guide more invasive procedures. We evaluate our clinical experience with this new technique. An open-design 0.2 T magnet (Siemens OPEN) combined with an in-room monitor was used for 33 frameless MR-guided procedures (aspiration cytology, biopsy, and/or treatment) in a variety of locations in the head, neck, spine, brain, pelvis, and abdomen. Success of the procedure was based on the ability to accurately position the instrument in the target region to allow biopsy and/or treatment. The open-design magnet allowed the physician to directly access the patient for frameless stereotaxis as the procedure was performed. The in-room monitor provided contemporaneous imaging feedback during the procedure for successful placement of the instrument in the target region. Twenty-eight biopsy and five treatment procedures were performed. In all cases the technique resulted in successful placement of the instrument within the target tissue to complete the procedure. MR-guided procedures using contemporaneous imaging frameless stereotaxis are possible in an open-design magnet with in-room image monitoring and offer exciting possibilities for further development.

Adolescent↗

Genetic heterogeneity in autosomal dominant essential tremor.

PURPOSE: To perform linkage analysis of candidate loci in a large Midwestern family with autosomal dominant essential tremor. METHODS: Thirty-eight members of a six-generation family were evaluated for essential tremor using consensus criteria. Linkage analysis was performed with microsatellite markers reported for three genetic loci associated with familial essential tremor. RESULTS: Patients exhibited a combination of postural and kinetic tremor involving primarily the arms and hands, with a mean age of onset of 31 years. Genetic studies excluded linkage to ETM1 and ETM2 loci, as well as a candidate locus for parkinsonism and postural tremor on chromosome 4p. CONCLUSION: Familial essential tremor is a common hereditary movement disorder demonstrating phenotypic variability and genetic heterogeneity.

Adult↗

Characterization of antibodies to a placenta-specific antigen cross-reacting with a choriocarcinoma cell line.

Antibodies were raised in rabbits to purified human term placental villous plasma membrane. These were cytotoxic to human peripheral blood lymphocytes and manifested cross-reactivity to kidney and liver. After absorption with these tissues, reactivity was retained with placental villous plasma membrane. The placental-specific antiserum was fully reactive with BeWo choriocarcinoma cells, but was devoid of reaction with a human myeloma tumor cell line (GM2132). The antibodies were cytotoxic to BeWo in the presence of complement, as determined by trypan blue uptake, 51Cr release, and inhibition of uptake of 3H-thymidine.

Animals↗