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S W Atlas

Publications and source records attributed to S W Atlas.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Aqueductal stenosis: evaluation with gradient-echo rapid MR imaging.

To assess the utility of gradient echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in documenting aqueductal patency, spin-echo (SE) and GRE axial images were obtained with a 1.5-T system in 26 patients with aqueductal or periaqueductal lesions and in 26 control subjects. All SE images with a long repetition time (TR) were obtained with first-order gradient moment nulling. GRE imaging was performed with the use of the sequential section acquisition technique called gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (GRASS), with a TR of 150 msec, an echo time of 14-17 msec, and a flip angle of 50 degrees, so to depict stationary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as low intensity and flowing CSF as high intensity. All patent aqueducts were seen as high intensity on GRE images. In 18 of 20 obstructed aqueducts, low intensity was seen within the aqueducts on GRE images. SE images obtained with gradient moment nulling did not allow confident distinction between patent and obstructed aqueducts. It appears that GRE imaging is useful in rapidly assessing aqueductal patency.

Cerebral Aqueduct↗
PubMed1988

Vascular intracranial lesions: applications of gradient-echo MR imaging.

To investigate the role of the gradient-echo (GRE) technique in clinical intracranial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, 63 patients with a variety of vascular intracranial lesions were examined at 1.5 T with the use of spin-echo (SE) and GRE sequences. In all cases, the sequential section acquisition technique called gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (GRASS) was employed; a repetition time of 150-200 msec, an echo time of 13-16 msec, and a flip angle of 50 degrees-60 degrees were used to optimize the depiction of blood flow as high intensity and the depiction of stationary fluid as low intensity. In 61 of 63 cases, gradient moment nulling was utilized to compensate for first-order flow effects. Although GRE images rapidly demonstrated flow in vascular intracranial lesions as high intensity, the vascular nature of these lesions was also clearly evident on SE images in most cases. In some cases, GRE images can be used to clarify the vascular nature of a lesion or to characterize a neoplasm. Other applications include the detection of vascular thrombosis, occult vascular malformations, and hemorrhagic complications of vascular lesions.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Calcified intracranial lesions: detection with gradient-echo-acquisition rapid MR imaging.

Seventeen patients with partially calcified intracranial lesions, as documented by CT, were evaluated with MR imaging at 1.5 T. All patients were imaged with both conventional spin-echo techniques and reduced flip-angle gradient-echo-acquisition (GEA) sequences, during which a signal is acquired in the absence of a 180 degrees radiofrequency pulse. GEA parameters were implemented so that T2* effects were maximized on these scans. In all 17 patients GEA images showed marked hypointensity throughout the entire area of calcification, matching the calcified region as seen on CT. In contrast, spin-echo findings in the calcified portions of the lesions were extremely variable, precluding confident identification of calcification on these images. The depiction of regions of calcification as marked hypointensity on GEA images can be ascribed to T2* shortening from static local magnetic field gradients at interfaces of regions differing in magnetic susceptibility, a phenomenon that is well documented in vitro, when various diamagnetic solids are placed in aqueous suspension. However, we cannot exclude the possible additional role of accompanying paramagnetic ions, which sometimes are present with diamagnetic calcium salts in various intracranial calcifications. Since the hypointensity due to calcification on GEA images is not specific, noncontrast CT could be used to confirm its presence. Although this lack of specificity and the artifacts that emanate from diamagnetic susceptibility gradients at or near air-brain interfaces somewhat limit the application of GEA techniques, we suggest that rapid MR imaging using GEA sequences can consistently demonstrate intracranial calcification, and that this technique thus seems to be a useful adjunct to conventional spin-echo imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

STIR MR imaging of the orbit.

Fifteen patients with CT-documented orbital lesions were evaluated with MR imaging at 1.5 T with both conventional spin-echo (SE) and short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) sequences. Fat signal was reliably nulled at inversion times of approximately 120-200 msec in all cases, thereby allowing clear detection of all retrobulbar lesions and normal structures on STIR images as markedly hyperintense relative to fat. All lesions were also clearly depicted on SE images; in fact, short repetition time/short echo time SE sequences were at least as useful as STIR images for illustrating anatomic structures and mass lesions, and in a much shorter scanning time. Separation of optic nerve from perioptic subarachnoid space was clear on SE images, but often difficult or impossible on STIR images owing to the relatively high intensity of normal optic nerves on STIR images. The synergism of relaxation prolongation with STIR actually resulted in loss of information, as any ability to separate the effects of T1 from T2 on signal intensity was impossible when STIR was the sole pulse sequence. We believe that more information is obtained with standard SE sequences than with STIR sequences, and therefore SE remains the method of choice for orbital MR imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial hemorrhage.

The appearance and evolution of intracranial hemorrhage as detected by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is complex. This article outlines the underlying physiology of hemorrhagic masses in order to explain their complex appearance. The MR appearance of intraparenchymal (benign and neoplastic) and extraparenchymal intracranial hemorrhage is described.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Intracranial vascular malformations and aneurysms. Current imaging applications.

Cerebral angiography traditionally has been the mainstay of diagnosis in the evaluation of intracranial vascular malformations and, in fact, continues to be the definitive modality for the study of these lesions. However, recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging have resulted in exquisitely detailed noninvasive characterization of intracranial vascular pathology, so that assessment of the lesion itself as well as the associated intracerebral pathology can often be made on anatomic, temporal, and histopathophysiologic bases. This article discusses current imaging techniques in the diagnosis of intracranial vascular malformations and aneurysms.

Angiomatosis↗
PubMed1987

Multiple sclerosis disease activity correlates with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging provides a method of visualizing multiple sclerosis plaques, but the age and activity of these plaques cannot be determined with routine magnetic resonance images. Gadolinium DTPA is a paramagnetic contrast agent that does not cross an intact blood-brain barrier. We studied 16 patients with multiple sclerosis, using magnetic resonance imaging, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomographic scans. Gadolinium enhancement of multiple sclerosis plaques correlated with the clinical activity of the disease and corresponded anatomically with the symptoms and signs. We conclude that gadolinium enhancement of magnetic resonance images is a promising tool in the investigation of multiple sclerosis lesions and that it may provide a method for objective follow-up in clinical trails.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy.

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy is a rare syndrome of progressive neurologic deterioration seen most often in patients who have received central nervous system irradiation combined with intrathecal or systemic chemotherapy in the treatment or prophylaxis of various malignancies. Magnetic resonance imaging was more sensitive than computed tomography in detecting white matter abnormalities in the case of disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy reported here. Magnetic resonance imaging may be useful in diagnosing incipient white matter changes in disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy, thus permitting early, appropriate therapeutic modifications.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Partially thrombosed giant intracranial aneurysms: correlation of MR and pathologic findings.

Two patients with surgically and angiographically proved partially thrombosed giant aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery were studied with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR and histopathologic findings were correlated. The central location of methemoglobin, with its high intensity (surrounding the patent lumen, seen as signal void), in giant aneurysms is directly opposite the initial peripheral appearance of methemoglobin in extra-aneurysmal intracerebral hematomas. More peripherally, the thrombosed portion of the lumen is layered with intensities that represent stages of clot (methemoglobin and hemosiderin). Three characteristics enable differentiation of giant aneurysms from intracerebral hematoma: signal void in residual patent lumen; laminated, staged thrombus with intervening layers of hemosiderin and methemoglobin that is initially centrally, rather than only peripherally, located; and signal void in the vessel from which the aneurysm arises. Hemorrhage from prior bleeding can be readily identified and separated from perianeurysmal edema on MR images. MR appears to be a specific, noninvasive method for diagnosing partially thrombosed giant intracranial aneurysms and is superior to CT and angiography in characterizing these lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Hemorrhagic intracranial malignant neoplasms: spin-echo MR imaging.

Twelve patients with 15 separate, spontaneously hemorrhagic, intracranial malignant lesions (seven primary gliomas, eight metastatic lesions) were examined with spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T, and with computed tomography. The signal intensity patterns of these lesions, as seen on both short repetition time (TR)/short echo time (TE) and long-TR/long-TE spin-echo pulse sequences, were compared with the previously described appearance at 1.5 T of non-neoplastic intracerebral hematomas. The images of hemorrhagic intracranial malignancies showed notable signal heterogeneity, often with identifiable nonhemorrhagic tissue corresponding to tumor; diminished, irregular, or absent hemosiderin deposition; delayed hematoma evolution; and pronounced or persistent edema, compared with non-neoplastic hematomas. The demonstration of these characteristics in the appropriate clinical setting may suggest malignancy as the cause of an intracranial hematoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Orbit: initial experience with surface coil spin-echo MR imaging at 1.5 T.

Fifty-nine cases in which surface coil MR imaging of the orbit was performed were reviewed. MR imaging was performed with spin-echo techniques at 1.5 T with both short repetition time/echo time (TR/TE) and long TR/TE sequences in all cases. In all patients short TR/TE images were obtained with small-diameter surface coils; long TR/TE images were usually obtained with a standard head coil. Surface coil MR appears to be an important adjunct in state-of-the-art orbital imaging. Orbital MR imaging may be most useful, providing information not available on computed tomography (CT), in identifying lesions in the orbital apex, superior orbital fissure, and optic canal; differentiating inflammatory pseudotumor from malignancy in clinically similar patients; characterizing lesions containing hemorrhage or other paramagnetic material; defining the posterior extent of optic pathway gliomas; and detecting abnormal flow in intraorbital vascular structures. CT seems to be superior to MR imaging in the evaluation of small perioptic meningiomas, especially those that are calcified.

Eye Neoplasms↗
PubMed1987

Orbital lesions: proton spectroscopic phase-dependent contrast MR imaging.

Thirteen orbital lesions in 12 patients were evaluated with both conventional spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and phase-dependent proton spectroscopic imaging. This technique, which makes use of small differences in the resonant frequencies of water and fat protons, provides excellent high-resolution images with simultaneous chemical shift information. In this method, there is 180 degrees opposition of phase between fat protons and water protons at the time of the gradient echo, resulting in signal cancellation in voxels containing equal signals from fat and water. In this preliminary series, advantages of spectroscopic images in orbital lesions included better lesion delineation, with superior anatomic definition of orbital apex involvement; more specific characterization of high-intensity hemorrhage with a single pulse sequence; elimination of potential confusion from chemical shift misregistration artifact; further clarification of possible intravascular flow abnormalities; and improved apparent intralesional contrast.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Subacute intracranial hemorrhage: contribution of spin density to appearance on spin-echo MR images.

The T2 and pseudodensity (proportional to proton density) of intracranial hemorrhages and normal white matter were calculated. The mean T2 (+/- standard deviation) was 120 +/- 62 for hemorrhage and 61 +/- 11 for white matter. Pseudodensity values were normalized to a white matter value of 1, and the value for hemorrhage was 1.56 +/- 0.28. These values were used to determine which components of hemorrhage-white matter contrast are due to T1, T2, and density. The results indicate that on spin-echo (SE) images obtained with a long repetition time (TR)/short echo time (TE) (2,500/0-20 [TR msec/TE msec]), the contrast is mainly due to density differences, with a modest T2 contribution on 20-msec-TE images and nearly no T1 component. At 600/0-20, the contrast continues to be largely determined by density differences, again with a modest T2 component on 20-msec-TE images. If the T1 of hemorrhage is extremely short, the T1 component of contrast on 600/0-20 SE images will be somewhat greater than the density component. Because contrast on short TR/short TE images may be largely or entirely determined by pseudodensity or T2, it is inaccurate to refer to 600/20 images as "T1-weighted". The assumption that high signal intensity at this sequence implies a "short T1" will lead to misleading conclusions.

Brain↗
PubMed1987

Surface-coil MR of orbital pseudotumor.

Fifteen patients with clinical presentations compatible with idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumor were examined by CT and MR imaging to determine if MR could add specificity to the CT appearance of this entity. MR was performed on a 1.5 T system, using surface-coil and head-coil techniques. Idiopathic pseudotumor was confirmed in nine patients on the basis of response to steroid therapy in the absence of local cause or systemic illness. One other patient had biopsy-proven idiopathic pseudotumor. Five patients proved to have other orbital entities, including metastases, infectious myositis, hemorrhage, and orbital sarcoid. In all 10 patients with confirmed pseudotumor, CT and MR were abnormal. MR abnormalities in 10 of 10 patients with pseudotumor were hypointense to fat and isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images the lesions of pseudotumor were isointense or only minimally hyperintense to fat in nine of 10 cases; in one case, the enlarged muscle was markedly hyperintense to fat. The MR signal intensity of pseudotumor was similar to that found in infectious myositis and sarcoid. These findings contrasted to the MR appearance of the other disease entities examined. Metastases appeared markedly hyperintense to fat on T2-weighted images, while hematoma was hyperintense to muscle and isointense to fat on T1-weighted images and markedly hyperintense to fat on T2-weighted images. In our preliminary series, surface-coil MR appears to add specificity to the CT appearance of orbital pseudotumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit.

Technological advances in MRI have resulted in the ability to obtain thin sections with high resolution; thus, MRI has become a serious competitor to CT in the evaluation of the orbit. MRI permits normal and pathologic anatomy to be visualized with exquisite detail in several planes. In addition to precise localization of lesions, in certain cases MRI also adds some specificity.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Corpus callosum and limbic system: neuroanatomic MR evaluation of developmental anomalies.

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a complex malformation of the brain that has been associated with varying degrees of limbic system maldevelopment. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 patients with callosal agenesis (seven total, four partial) who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with particular attention to the associated malformations of the limbic system. Comparison was made with selected images from MR examinations of healthy volunteers and with necropsy specimens from other patients with callosal agenesis. Ten of 11 patients demonstrated limbic anomalies (severe motion artifact precluded evaluation of these structures in one patient). MR depicted not only the abnormalities intrinsic to callosal agenesis but also the frequently associated malformations of the limbic system.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗
PubMed1986

Multiple sclerosis: gadolinium enhancement in MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images--both nonenhanced and enhanced with gadolinium DTPA/dimeglumine (Gd)--were compared with high-iodine (88.1 g I) computed tomographic (HICT) scans in demonstrating lesions in 15 patients known to have multiple sclerosis (MS). T1-weighted, mixed (T1, proton density, and T2), and T2-weighted MR pulse sequences were used. More than 20 lesions in each of 14 patients were demonstrated by pre-Gd mixed images and T2WI. Nine patients had clinical symptoms of active disease. Gd-enhanced T1WI showed at least one lesion that appeared to correspond with newly reported symptoms or signs. In addition, three clinically stable patients showed enhancement. Enhancement was best seen on 3-minute T1WI. HICT scans showed enhancement in four of the nine patients with active disease and in none of five clinically stable patients. Gd-enhanced MR imaging appears to be more sensitive than HICT in the detection of the transient abnormalities of the blood-brain barrier that occur in patients with active MS and appears capable of distinguishing active lesions that may correspond to the anatomic regions responsible for abnormal clinical findings.

Adult↗