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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Imaging of tophaceous gout: computed tomography provides specific images compared with magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Doppler ultrasonography (US) in providing specific images of gouty tophi. METHODS: Four male patients with chronic gout with tophi affecting the knee joints (three cases) or the olecranon processes of the elbows (one case) were assessed. Crystallographic analyses of the synovial fluid or tissue aspirates of the areas of interest were made with polarising light microscopy, alizarin red staining, and x ray diffraction. CT was performed with a GE scanner, MR imaging was obtained with a 1.5 T Magneton (Siemens), and ultrasonography with colour Doppler was carried out by standard technique. RESULTS: Crystallographic analyses showed monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the specimens of the four patients; hydroxyapatite and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals were not found. A diffuse soft tissue thickening was seen on plain radiographs but no calcifications or ossifications of the tophi. CT disclosed lesions containing round and oval opacities, with a mean density of about 160 Hounsfield units (HU). With MRI, lesions were of low to intermediate signal intensity on T(1) and T(2) weighting. After contrast injection in two cases, enhancement of the tophus was seen in one. Colour Doppler US showed the tophi to be hypoechogenic with peripheral increase of the blood flow in three cases. CONCLUSION: The MR and colour Doppler US images showed the tophi as masses surrounded by a hypervascular area, which cannot be considered as specific for gout. But on CT images, masses of about 160 HU density were clearly seen, which correspond to MSU crystal deposits.

Contrast Media↗

[Image diagnosis of adrenal disorders--I. CT images of control subjects and image diagnosis of primary aldosteronism].

The shape and size of the adrenals in control subjects without adrenal disorders were studied by computed tomography (CT), and a comparative assessment of diagnostic values of ultrasonography (US) by electronic linear scanner, CT, and adrenal scintigraphy was made on 9 patients with primary aldosteronism. Adrenal imaging by scintigraphy was performed on the 5th and 6th day, or further on the 7th day after the injection of 1 mCi of Adosterol. CT findings of the adrenals in control subjects: Eighty-two % of 100 control right adrenals, and 89% of 100 control left adrenals were detected by CT. Seventy-seven % of the right adrenals were in linear-shape, and the others were in V-shape. The shape of the left adrenals could be classified into triangular-shape (54%), Y-shape (28%) and V-shape (18%). The mean width and thickness of the right adrenals were 28.6 +/- 7.5 mm (M +/- SD) and 3.8 +/- 1.4 mm, respectively. Those of the left ones were 19.4 +/- 5.5 mm and 5.3 +/- 1.8 mm. Image diagnosis of primary aldosteronism: In 2 out of 3 patients examined by US, aldosteronomas were detected. In these 2 patients, one had 2 adenomas 2.8 X 1.7 X 1.2 cm and 1.0 X 1.0 X 2.0 cm in size, and the other had one adenoma 0.8 X 1.0 X 2.0 cm in size. On adrenal scintiscanning under dexamethasone pretreatment (DP), the isotope uptake of aldosteronoma was still seen with the disappearance of the contralateral adrenal in 7 out of 9 cases. In these 7 cases, the laterality of the tumor was confirmed. In one of the remaining 2 cases, the bilateral adrenal images were obtained regardless of DP. In the other case, of which aldosteronoma was the smallest (0.6 X 0.6 X 0.8 cm), the image of the affected adrenal with adenoma as well as the contralateral adrenal disappeared under DP. CT delineated all aldosteronomas in 8 cases examined including 2 cases in which adrenal scintiscanning failed to elucidate the localization of aldosteronoma. These results indicated that the combination of these 3 new image diagnostic methods was available for the detection of aldosteronomas of various sizes.

Adenoma↗

Towards integrating functional imaging in the treatment of prostate cancer with radiation: the registration of the MR spectroscopy imaging to ultrasound/CT images and its implementation in treatment planning.

PURPOSE: Dose-escalation to intraprostatic tumor deposits detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an example of tumor-targeted radiation therapy. Because treatment planning for prostate brachytherapy is performed based on ultrasound (US)/computed tomography (CT) images, a sine qua non of this technique is the ability to map MRS-positive volumes (obtained in a gland deformed by the endorectal balloon coil) to the US/CT images. An empirical algorithm designed to perform this function, and its validation, are described. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Mathematically, the problem of mapping points between the MR and US/CT domains comes to: (a) ascertaining that the position of any point in the interior of the prostate is uniquely determined by the shape of the gland, and (b) finding an algorithm that describes this relationship. The image registration algorithm described here is based on the assumption that points within the gland maintain the same relative position with respect to both the axial contours of the prostate and the center of the prostate along the superior-inferior direction. Relative positions of MRS-positive voxels are calculated with this method in both MR and US/CT space. For a particular voxel in the MR space, one obtains first the z coordinate in the US/CT space, that is, along the superior-inferior direction. This determines the axial slice in the US/CT frame of reference where the other two coordinates (x, y) will be calculated. The validity of this algorithm was examined with the aid of a pelvic phantom built to simulate realistically the prostate and its surrounding bony and tissue structures and with CT scans of implanted patients obtained, at several weeks' intervals, as part of an edema-resolution study. Seventy-five "dummy" seeds were placed in the phantom, within the simulated prostate gland, in a quasi-regular pattern. The coordinates of these seeds were determined and thus served as markers of prostate deformation when an inflated rectal probe was introduced in the phantom. CT images of this phantom were taken for different volumes of the MR rectal probe and in each case the prostate outlines were contoured and seed coordinates calculated. Using these data, the predictions of the mapping algorithm could be directly verified. RESULTS: Absolute values of the 3D-positional errors in this algorithm were 2.2 mm +/- 1.2 mm (average +/- SD). Only 6 of 75 seeds had positional displacement of 4 mm or more. Similar results were obtained in the patient analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the MRS voxel size (6.25 x 6.25 x 3.0 mm3), the present algorithm achieves the desired clinical accuracy. As well, with this 3D algorithm seed positions are reconstructed with an uncertainty that, along the z direction, is less than half the thickness of the typical US slice (0.5 cm).

Algorithms↗

Comparison of regional myocardial velocities assessed by quantitative 2-dimensional and M-mode color Doppler tissue imaging: influence of the signal-to-noise ratio of color Doppler myocardial images on velocity estimators of the Doppler tissue imaging system.

M-mode color Doppler imaging of the myocardium affords a greater sampling rate and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio than 2-dimensional (2D) imaging. In this study, we compared myocardial velocities assessed by 2D and M-mode Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) at the same site and evaluated the influence of the S/N ratio on velocity estimates of the currently used DTI systems. In patients with and without impaired regional left ventricular function, myocardial velocities assessed by 2D DTI were lower than those obtained with M-mode DTI. The difference between regional velocities derived from both imaging techniques was positively correlated with the extent of the "black zone," which could be considered as indirectly reflecting the S/N ratio for each frame. Thus in the clinical setting and on currently used echocardiographs, 2D DTI may provide underestimated regional myocardial velocities when compared with M-mode, mainly because of the influence of the lower sampling rate and S/N ratio on velocity estimators of the imaging system.

Echocardiography, Doppler, Color↗

Respiratory gating in magnetic resonance imaging: improved image quality over non-gated images for equal scan time.

Magnetic resonance image quality is adversely affected by respiratory (RESP) motion during the scan. Respiratory gating improves magnetic resonance image (MRI) quality and removes artifacts, but has not been widely used, as RESP gating increases scan time. Our RESP-gating device was used to study scan time versus improvement in image quality using various gating modes; with and without combined electrocardiographic (ECG) gating. When RESP scans were acquired for the same time as non-gated scans, by using a wide RESP-gating window bracketing end expiration and a reduced number of pulse sequence repetitions, substantial improvement in image quality (over non-gated scans) resulted, despite the inferior statistical content of the acquisition.

Abdomen↗

Importance of imaging method over imaging modality in noninvasive determination of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: assessment by two- and three-dimensional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the concordance between biplane and volumetric echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) strategies and their impact on the classification of patients according to left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (LVEF). BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography and MRI are noninvasive imaging modalities well suited for serial evaluation of LV volume and LVEF. Despite the accuracy and reproducibility of volumetric methods, quantitative biplane methods are commonly used, as they minimize both scanning and analysis times. METHODS: Thirty-five adult subjects, including 25 patients with dilated cardiomyopathies, were evaluated by biplane and volumetric (cardiac short-axis stack) cine MRI and by biplane and volumetric (three-dimensional) transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular volume, LVEF and LV function categories (LVEF > or =55%, >35% to <55% and < or =35%) were then determined. RESULTS: Biplane echocardiography underestimated LV volume with respect to the other three strategies (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between any of the strategies for quantitative LVEF. Volumetric MRI and volumetric echocardiography differed by a single functional category for 2 patients (8%). Six to 11 patients (24% to 44%) differed when comparing biplane and volumetric methods. Ten patients (40%) changed their functional status when biplane MRI and biplane echocardiography were compared; this comparison also revealed the greatest mean absolute difference in estimates of EF for those subjects whose EF functional category had changed. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric MRI and volumetric echocardiographic measures of LV volume and LVEF agree well and give similar results when used to stratify patients with dilated cardiomyopathy according to systolic function. Agreement is poor between biplane and volumetric methods and worse between biplane methods, which assigned 40% of patients to different categories according to LVEF. The choice of imaging method (volumetric or biplane) has a greater impact on the results than does the choice of imaging modality (echocardiography or MRI) when measuring LV volume and systolic function.

Adult↗

[Lung imaging in intensive medicine. A comparison of digital storage-screen imaging and conventional film-screen imaging].

Luminescence radiography is a new digital imaging modality, which can be used instead of conventional film radiography for many examinations. Imaging capabilities of luminescence radiography were compared with film radiography by test images and examinations especially in intensive care radiology. The results demonstrate, that luminescence radiography is an advantageous imaging method for intensive care radiology.

Humans↗

The influence of patient thickness and imaging system on patient dose and physical image quality in digital chest imaging.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of patient thickness, tube voltage and image detector on patient dose, contrast and ideal observer signal-to-noise ratio (SNR(I)), for pathological details positioned at different regions in the image in posterior-anterior (PA) chest radiology. A Monte Carlo computational model was used to compute measures of physical image quality (contrast, SNR(I)) and patient effective dose, E. Two metastasis-like details positioned in the central right lung and right lung near the spine, respectively, were studied. The tube voltage was varied between 100 and 150 kV and the patient thickness between 20 and 28 cm. Both, a computed radiography (CR) system and a direct radiography (DR) system, were investigated. The DR system provides both lower doses and better image quality compared with the CR system. The SNR(I)2/E is approximately 2.9 times higher for the DR system compared with the CR system.

Artifacts↗

Digital imaging colposcopy, image analysis and quantification of the colposcopic image.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of a digital imaging system for colposcopy, its use for image analysis and quantification of the colposcopic features that may predict histological outcome as defined by large loop excision of transformation zone. DESIGN: Prospective programme study of all patients undergoing colposcopy for cytological abnormalities. SETTING: Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham. SUBJECTS: Fifty consecutive patients having cytological and colposcopic abnormality treated with large loop excision of transformation zone formed the study group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pretreatment and colposcopic features correlated with histological diagnosis of excised transformation zone. RESULTS: Index cytology and current smoking status are the most important variables for prediction of histological diagnosis. Other important variables are focality of lesion, surface pattern, intercapillary distance and degree of acetowhiteness. CONCLUSION: Digital imaging colposcopy allows image capture, processing and objective analysis. This methodology holds advantages for basic and clinical research, teaching, diagnostics and clinical audit. The system can act as a quality control tool for colposcopy units. This system should prove invaluable for further quantitative studies, for natural history studies and for those patients with deferred treatment of their cytological and colposcopic abnormalities. The statistical models described may be incorporated into the system and can aid the colposcopist in management of the woman with abnormal cervical cytology and colposcopic abnormality.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging, magnetisation transfer imaging, and diffusion weighted imaging correlates of optic nerve, brain, and cervical cord damage in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disease leading to bilateral loss of central vision and severe optic nerve atrophy. A subtype of LHON presents additional clinical and MRI aspects indistinguishable from those of multiple sclerosis (MS) (LHON-MS). In patients with LHON or LHON-MS, an assessment was made of (a) the severity of optic nerve damage, using MRI and magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI), and (b) the presence and extent of macroscopic and microscopic pathology in the brain and cervical cord, using MRI and MT ratio (MTR) and mean diffusivity (D) histogram analysis. METHODS: Ten patients with LHON, four with LHON-MS, and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls were studied. For the optic nerve and the brain, dual-echo turbo spin echo (TSE), T1 weighted spin echo, and MT images were obtained. For the brain, fast fluid attenuated inversion recovery (fast FLAIR) and diffusion weighted images were also obtained. For the cervical cord, fast short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and MT images were obtained. The volume and the average MTR value of both the optic nerves were measured. MTR and histograms of the normal appearing brain tissue (NABT) and MTR histograms of the whole cervical cord tissue were created. RESULTS: The mean values of optic nerve volumes and MTR were significantly lower in patients with LHON than in healthy controls. Mean NABT-MTR histogram peak height was significantly lower in patients with LHON than in controls, whereas no significant difference was found for any of the cervical cord MTR histogram derived measures. Average diffusivity (D) was higher in patients with LHON than in controls. Optic nerve volume and MTR value and mean NABT-MTR were lower in patients with LHON-MS than in those with LHON. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of optic nerve pathology in LHON is measurable in vivo using MRI and MTI. MTR and histogram analysis suggests that microscopic brain damage occurs in LHON and that it is more severe in the MS-like form of the disease.

Adult↗

Interventional MR imaging with an endospinal imaging coil: preliminary results with anatomic imaging of the canine and cadaver spinal cord.

Percutaneous intraspinal navigation (PIN) is a new minimally invasive approach to the subarachnoid space. Using conventional radiographic fluoroscopy, entrance is gained to the lumbar subarachnoid space, allowing navigation throughout the spinal canal. Using an antenna/guidewire introduced via PIN, we performed endospinal MR imaging of the thoracic spinal cord in a cadaver and canine subject. Comparison images were obtained with an optimal surface coil. PIN allows endospinal MR imaging of the spinal cord, providing significant signal-to-noise ratio gains over conventional imaging.

Animals↗

Anatomy of picture archiving and Communications systems: nuts and bolts--image acquisition: getting digital images from imaging modalities.

Digital acquisition of data from the various imaging modalities for input to a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is discussed. Essential features for successful clinical implementation including Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) compliance, radiology information system (RIS)/hospital information system (HIS) interfacing, and workflow integration are detailed. Image acquisition from the inherently digital cross-sectional modalities are described, as well as digital acquisition of the conventional projection x-ray using computed radiography (CR), direct digital radiography (DDR), and film digitizers.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Current status of functional MR imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, and diffusion-tensor imaging in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and research.

Advanced MR techniques, such as functional MR imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, and diffusion-tensor imaging, offer the capability of detecting early functional, hemodynamic, and microstructural alterations in Alzheimer's disease before gross anatomic alterations. Most studies of these emerging technologies are at the exploratory stage, with the purpose of increasing understanding of the underlying disease process and defining cross-sectional differences across various subject populations. Assessment of the diagnostic efficacy of these technologies in detecting early Alzheimer's disease in its preclinical and prodromal stages is ongoing.

Aged↗

Value of t2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging early after myocardial infarction in dogs: comparison with bis-gadolinium-mesoporphyrin enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and functional data from cine magnetic resonance imaging.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has proved to provide noninvasive methods to investigate the functional repercussion of myocardial infarction and to measure infarct size with specific contrast agents. In this study, we evaluate whether the combination of T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI could detect and discern necrotic and ischemic, but salvageable, myocardium. METHODS: Reperfused myocardial infarction was surgically induced in 14 dogs. T1- and T2-weighted MRI was performed 6 hours after administration of the necrosis avid contrast agent Gadophrin-2 at 0.05 mmol/kg. Gradient-echo cine MRI series were performed at baseline and at 6 hours. Quantification of myocardial infarction was performed with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between of postcontrast T1-weighted MRI and histomorphometry (r2 = 0.98, P < 0.01). T2-weighted MRI overestimated the infarct size by 10.5% +/- 4.3% of left ventricular area. A good correlation was found between hyperintense areas on T2-weighted images and the percentage of dysfunctional areas on cine MRI (r2 = 0.84, P < 0.01). In regions with increased signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI, a decreased maximal systolic thickening (11.8% +/- 4.9%, P = 0.043) was found. CONCLUSION: In this study, the difference between the hyperintense areas on T2-weighted and enhanced T1-weighted images after myocardial infarction likely represents viable myocardium.

Animals↗

Comparison of perfusion computed tomography and computed tomography angiography source images with perfusion-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with acute stroke of less than 6 hours' duration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of perfusion computed tomography (PCT) and CT angiography (CTA) including CTA source images (CTA-SI) in comparison with perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (PWI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in acute stroke <6 hours. METHODS: Noncontrast-enhanced CT, PCT, CTA, stroke MRI, including PWI and DWI, and MR angiography (MRA), were performed in patients with symptoms of acute stroke lasting <6 hours. We analyzed ischemic lesion volumes on patients' arrival as shown on NECT, PCT, CTA-SI, DWI, and PWI (Wilcoxon, Spearman, Bland-Altman) and compared them to the infarct extent as shown on day 5 NECT. RESULTS: Twenty-two stroke patients underwent CT and MRI scanning within 6 hours. PCT time to peak (PCT-TTP) volumes did not differ from PWI-TTP (P=0.686 for patients who did not undergo thrombolysis/P=0.328 for patients who underwent thrombolysis), nor did PCT cerebral blood volume (PCT-CBV) differ from PWI-CBV (P=0.893/P=0.169). CTA-SI volumes did not differ from DWI volumes (P=0.465/P=0.086). Lesion volumes measured in PCT maps significantly correlated with lesion volumes on PWI (P=0.0047, r=1.0/P=0.0019, r=0.897 for TTP; P=0.0054, r=0.983/P=0.0026, r=0.871 for CBV). Also, PCT-CBV lesion volumes significantly correlated with follow-up CT lesion volumes (P=0.0047, r=1.0/P=0.0046, r=0.819). CONCLUSIONS: In hyperacute stroke, the combination of PCT and CTA can render important diagnostic information regarding the infarct extent and the perfusion deficit. Lesions on PCT-TTP and PCT-CBV do not differ from lesions on PWI-TTP and PWI-CBV; lesions on CTA source images do not differ from lesions on DWI. The combination of noncontrast-enhanced CT (NECT), perfusion CT (PCT), and CT angiography (CTA) can render additional information within <15 minutes and may help in therapeutic decision-making if PWI and DWI are not available or cannot be performed on specific patients.

Adult↗

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging integrated into image-guided surgery: correlation to standard magnetic resonance imaging and tumor cell density.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we attempted to improve the delineation of the infiltration zone in gliomas using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H MRSI). In conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the boundaries of gliomas sometimes are underestimated. 1H MRSI is a noninvasive tool that can be used to investigate the spatial distribution of metabolic changes in brain lesions. The purpose was to correlate tumor cell density from histopathological specimens with metabolic levels and the coregistered metabolic maps. METHODS: We developed a method to integrate spectroscopic data depicted as metabolic maps of biochemically pathological tissue into frameless stereotaxy. In seven patients harboring gliomas, we performed 1H MRSI with high spatial resolution and evaluated the spectral data. An algorithm was developed for user-independent calculation of pathological voxels and for visualization as metabolic maps. These maps were integrated into a three-dimensional MRI data set used for frameless stereotaxy. Stereotactic biopsies were taken from three different areas in and around the tumor involving the maximum pathological change, the border zone, and an area from outside the spectroscopically suspicious area. These specimens were correlated to the exact voxel positions in the stereotactic image space and evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: In all cases, the implementation of the metabolic maps into frameless stereotaxy was successful, and stereotactic biopsies were acquired by use of the spectral data. A relation could be demonstrated between the metabolic changes and tumor cell density ranging from 60 to 100% in the maximum pathological area to 5 to 15% in the border zone. Interestingly, the tumor areas defined by the metabolic maps and histopathologically confirmed by biopsy exceeded the T2-weighted signal change in all cases, ranging from 6 to 32% in the examined volume. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggest that 1H MRSI may be useful in combination with frameless stereotaxy to define more exactly the tumor infiltration zone in glioma surgery compared with conventional anatomic MRI alone.

Algorithms↗

Magnetic resonance imaging differentiation of adrenal masses at 1.5 T: T2-weighted images, chemical shift imaging, and Gd-DTPA dynamic studies.

The purpose of our study was to assess the potential role of spin-echo (SE), chemical shift, and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differentiation of adrenal masses. Seventy-two adrenal masses (26 nonhyperfunctioning adenomas, 16 aldosterone-secreting adenomas and 6 other different benign cortical masses, 18 pheochromocytomas, and 6 malignant masses) in 63 patients were evaluated with spin-echo sequences, chemical shift imaging (CSI) and gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) dynamic studies. Ratios and indices of signal intensity for all examined MRI methods were calculated and examined for significance of difference between different types of adrenal masses. Quantitative magnetic resonance evaluation of adrenal masses showed significant differences (at least alpha < 0.01) between nonhyperfunctioning adenomas vs. pheochromocytomas or vs. malignant lesions or vs. aldosterone-secreting adenomas and between pheochromocytomas vs. malignant lesions. The most specific indicators of adrenal mass character proved to be the CSI ratio based on opposed-phase and in-phase two-dimensional fast low-angle shot (FLASH) images, reflecting lipid content in the lesion, and Gd-DTPA dynamic studies ratios reflecting contrast agent inflow and washout in the lesion: WoMAX/LAST and Dyn1.2-3.2. There was no overlap of CSI ratio between adenomas and pheochromocytomas. The overlap of ranges of CSI ratio between nonhyperfunctioning adenomas and aldosterone-secreting adenomas was only 18.5%. There was no overlap of WoMAX/LAST ratio between adenomas and pheochromocytomas, or adenomas and malignant lesions. The overlap of ranges of Dyn1.2-3.2 ratio between pheochromocytomas and malignant lesions was only 17.6%. MRI enables good visualization and specific characterization of adrenal masses. The optimal MRI protocol for the adrenal region is presented.

Adenoma↗

Use of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) imaging for the evaluation of muscle metabolic activity in ruptured rotator cuffs: Identification of shoulder muscles by fusion imaging studies involving both FDG PET and magnetic resonance imaging.

The uptake of 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) into shoulder muscles was studied in 11 patients with rotator cuff tears. FDG was injected under resting conditions, and cuff muscle exercises were performed followed by evaluation of the standardized uptake value (SUV) in shoulder muscles bilaterally. Analysis was performed with a subtracted SUV, obtained by subtracting the SUV of the muscle at rest from that after exercise. Fusion imaging studies involving FDG positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging would provide a novel strategy with the potential of improving on the limited resolution of PET images. In this study this relatively new strategy revealed a similar decrease in the supraspinatus SUV in cases involving both complete and partial tears. The SUV in the infraspinatus and subscapularis also decreased, regardless of whether these muscles were intact or ruptured; the SUV in the deltoid remained basically unchanged. With the use of this exercise protocol, FDG PET might prove useful for objective evaluation of rotator cuff muscle activity.

Aged↗