Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Yoshiyuki Ishimori

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshiyuki Ishimori.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

[Optimization of three-dimensional triple IR fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) to decrease vascular artifact at 3.0 Tesla].

The purpose of this study was to decrease vascular artifacts caused by the in-flow effect in three-dimensional inversion recovery prepared fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (3D IR FSPGR) at 3.0 Tesla. We developed 3D triple IR (3IR) FSPGR and examined the signal characteristics of the new sequence. We have optimized scan parameters based on simulation, phantom, and in-vivo studies. As a result, optimized parameters (1st TI=600 ms, 3rd TI=500 ms) successfully have produced the vessel signal at more than 40% reduction, while gray-white matter contrast was preserved. Moreover, the reduced artifact was also confirmed by visual inspection of the in-vivo images for which this condition was used. Thus, 3D 3IR FSPGR was a useful sequence for the acquisition of T1-weighted images at 3.0 Tesla.

Adult↗

[Vessel contrast and saturation effect at three Tesla in three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography].

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of the increased field strength of 1.5T vs. 3.0T on blood vessel contrast and saturation in 3D time of flight MR angiography. Vessel contrast and saturation effect were evaluated for various flow velocities and flip angles using a steady-state flow phantom. The results showed increased vessel contrast and decreased saturation of blood on 3.0T compared to 1.5T, due to the following factors: 1) sufficient saturation of stationary tissue by extended T1 relaxation time, 2) increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and 3) high in-flow effect. However, the blood signal on 3.0T revealed a strong tendency to phase dispersion compared to that of 1.5T. Therefore, in order to exploit the characteristic of high field strength in 3.0T, it is suggested that adequate consideration of these factors is important in setting the image acquisition parameters.

Imaging, Three-Dimensional↗

[Experimental study of coil selection considered from subject size].

We examined the index of coil selection in consideration of subject size to measure signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and uniformity in a phantom experiment. The QD-Head, 8-channel-Head, and 8-channel-Head-Neck coil were used for head examination, QD-Body, 4-channel-TORSO, and 8-channel-Body coil were used for body examination. In the examination of the head, measurements were performed at various positions in a coil. The SNR measured by the QD-Head coil showed the highest values for 9 cm or 12 cm diameters of the phantom, and 10 cm to 15 cm distance from the coil entrance. The QD-Head coil also showed adequate uniformity at most sizes of phantoms. In the body examination, both multi-channel coils showed an SNR higher than the QD-Body coil for all sizes, but they were inferior to the QD-Body coil in uniformity. The 4-channel-TORSO coil showed an SNR higher than the 8-channel-Body coil when a phantom with a diameter of 21 cm or less was used. Since sensitivity distributions differ according to various cases, the 8-channel coil does not necessarily always show a high SNR. It is necessary to perform coil selection according to the subject's size and purpose.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging↗

Dynamic T1 estimation of brain tumors using double-echo dynamic MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical utility of a new method for real-time estimation of T1 during the first pass of contrast agent by using this method to examine brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The multi-phase spoiled gradient-echo pulse sequence using the double-echo magnetic resonance (MR) technique was modified. In the first half of the pulse sequence, the flip angle was varied systematically. Then, static T1 values were calculated using differences in MR signal intensities between different flip angles. In the latter half of this sequence, changes in absolute T1 were calculated using differences in signal intensities before and after injection of contrast agent. The double-echo MR data were used to minimize the T2* effect. Five cases of neurinoma and seven cases of meningioma were examined. Changes in T1 during the first pass of contrast agent were compared between neurinoma and meningioma. RESULTS: Changes in absolute T1 were clearly demonstrated on the parametric map. Although the changes in absolute T1 during the first pass of contrast agent did not allow differentiation between the two types of tumors, the mean gradient after the first pass was statistically higher for neurinoma than for meningioma (P < 0.05; meningioma, 0.011 +/- 0.012 second(-1)/second; neurinoma, 0.034 +/- 0.020 second(-1)/second). CONCLUSION: The present method appears to be useful for estimation of dynamic T1 changes in brain tumors in clinical settings.

Adult↗

[Dynamic contrast-enhanced T(1) measuring MRI using variable flip angle SPGR].

We modified the multi-phase spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) pulse sequence using the double-echo MR technique for estimation of T(1) during the first pass of contrast agent, and examined its precision. In the first half of the pulse sequence, the flip angle was varied systematically to calculate static T(1) values. It was necessary to choose optimal flip angles to minimize the calculation error of static T(1) values. In the latter half of this sequence, changes in absolute T(1) were calculated using differences in signal intensities before and after the injection of contrast agent. The optimal flip angle was 20 degrees for precise conversion to T(1) values under the short TR (33.3 ms) condition. Double echo MR data were used to minimize the T(2)* effect. The present method appears to be useful for quantitative estimation of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Differentiation of prostate cancer from benign prostate hypertrophy using dual-echo dynamic contrast MR imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of dynamic contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of prostate cancer (PC) from benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven PC patients and 13 BPH patients were entered into the analysis. The mean gradient (MG) was calculated from the T2* term-eliminated time-signal intensity curve obtained from dynamic contrast MR data, and the MG of PC and that of BPH were compared. RESULTS: The MG of PC was significantly higher than that of BPH. When the threshold value was set to 1.88% per s for discriminating PC from BPH, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100, 85, and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MG, which is derived from the T2* term-eliminated time-signal intensity curve, may be a useful index for differentiating PC from BPH.

Adult↗

Measurement of the vascularity and vascular leakage of gliomas by double-echo dynamic magnetic resonance imaging: a preliminary study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vascularity and vascular leakage of well-enhanced gliomas by double-echo dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and two patients with juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) were studied. Double-echo dynamic MR imaging was utilized to separate the T2* shortening effect and the T1 shortening effect. The former was represented by the vascularity index, and the latter was represented by the leakage index. These indexes were compared with histopathologic data. RESULTS: The mean vascularity index of the GBM was higher than that of the JPA (mean +/- SD, 3.48 +/- 1.57 [GBM] versus 0.51 +/- 0.29 [JPA]), and the mean leakage index of the JPA was higher than that of the GBM (1.35 +/- 0.87 [JPA] versus 0.27 +/- 0.15 [GBM]). Abundant vascularity was noted in the tight interstitial space in the pathologic specimen of GBM. Conversely, sparse vasculature was observed in the wide interstitial space in the pathologic specimen of JPA. CONCLUSION: This method may enable better characterization of grade in well-enhanced glioma by providing the information on the vascularity and leakage indexes.

Adult↗

Transient MR signal changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum in rotavirus encephalopathy: value of diffusion-weighted imaging.

The authors report serial brain MR findings from a 2-year-old girl with rotavirus encephalopathy. The lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum showed restricted proton diffusion, suggesting local cytotoxic edema. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated the lesion more conspicuously than other techniques, such as fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery and T1- and T2-weighted images. The findings were reversible on follow-up MRI obtained 4 days later. Diffusion-weighted MRI is a potentially useful method for detecting early changes of rotavirus encephalopathy, although the mechanism of the restricted diffusion is not clearly identified.

Child, Preschool↗