| 1. |
- Björkman-Burtscher, Isabella, et al.
(författare)
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Proton (1H) MR spectroscopy for routine diagnostic evaluation of brain lesions
- 1997
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Ingår i: Acta Radiologica. - 1600-0455. ; 38:6, s. 953-960
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To describe the introduction and performance of proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the daily routine of a modern standard MR unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over an 8-month period, 52 patients with brain lesions were studied with 1H-MRS, using SE and STEAM sequences for chemical-shift imaging and single-volume spectroscopy. The quality of the spectra was graded from 1 (best) to 3, and the main factors influencing the quality of the spectra were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the measurements: 85% were graded as 1; 12% as 2; and 3% as 3. The main reasons for poor spectral quality were: the unfortunate positioning of the VOI; hemorrhage; and/or postoperative changes within the VOI. Of 40 patients with a final diagnosis: MRS provided an increased confidence in MR diagnosis in 18 cases; MRS contributed significantly to preoperative diagnosis in 3 cases; and the spectra were not specific (n = 10) or were difficult to evaluate (n = 9) owing to reduced quality (grade 2 or 3) in 19 cases. CONCLUSION: MRS of the brain can provide a high percentage of interpretable spectra and frequently can increase confidence in the MR diagnosis of brain lesions in clinical routine.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Ståhlberg, Freddy, et al.
(författare)
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Use of k-space segmentation in MR velocity mapping for rapid quantification of CSF flow
- 1997
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Ingår i: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. - : Wiley. - 1522-2586 .- 1053-1807. ; 7:6, s. 972-978
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work, a k-space segmentation technique for quantitative studies of pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is suggested. Three k-space lines are sampled for each of two interleaved gradient-echo sequences (velocity-compensated and velocity-encoded) within each repetition interval. Nine cardiac phases are obtained at a heart rate of 60 bpm with maintained nominal resolution and a factor of 3 in reduction of acquisition time relative to our conventional nonsegmented flow quantification protocol. Segmented and conventional sequences were compared in phantoms, in healthy volunteers, and in two patients with clinically suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus. Good agreement between flow curves obtained with the two sequences was demonstrated in vitro as well as in vivo. A slight underestimation of flow values in volunteers was attributed to data filtering when using the segmented sequence. Because the CSF circulation is complex and tightly connected to the vascular circulation, specific clinical applications may require flow studies at multiple positions and with different velocity encoding. In such cases, the proposed sequence can be used to gain time, but alternatively, the segmentation technique can be used to further increase spatial resolution within reasonable examination times.
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| 4. |
- Wirestam, Ronnie, et al.
(författare)
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Quantification of low-velocity motion using a navigator-echo supported MR velocity-mapping technique: application to intracranial dynamics in volunteers and patients with brain tumours
- 1997
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Ingår i: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. - 1873-5894. ; 15:1, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gradient-echo pulse sequences with velocity-encoding gradients of 22.5-25 mT/m, were used for brain-motion and CSF-flow studies. To reduce motion artifacts, a phase-correction technique based on navigator echoes was evaluated. Three patients with right-sided parietal tumours were investigated; one astrocytoma grade III-IV, one astrocytoma grade I-II and one benign meningioma. In healthy volunteers, a maximal brain-tissue velocity of (0.94 +/- 0.26) mm/s (mean +/- 1SD) was observed, which is consistent with previously presented results. The phase correction was proven useful for reduction of artifacts due to external head movements in modulus and phase images, without loss of phase information related to internal motion. The tissue velocity within the astrocytomas was low during the entire cardiac cycle. An abnormally high rostral velocity component was, however, observed in the brain tissue frontal to the astrocytomas. In all patients, an abnormal CSF flow pattern was observed. The study of brain motion may provide further understanding of the effects of tumours and other pathological conditions in the brain. When considering intracranial motion as a source of error in diffusion/perfusion MRI, the present study suggests that a pathology can alter the properties of brain motion and CSF flow considerably, leading to a more complex impact on diffusion/perfusion images.
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| 5. |
- Wirestam, Ronnie, et al.
(författare)
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The perfusion fraction in volunteers and in patients with ischaemic stroke
- 1997
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Ingår i: Acta Radiologica. - 1600-0455. ; 38:6, s. 961-964
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The fractional volume of capillary blood, i.e. the perfusion fraction f, was measured with the aid of an echo-planar imaging protocol originally designed for the measurement of water diffusion. In healthy volunteers, reasonable f values were obtained. In patients with cerebral ischaemic stroke, a marked decrease in the f value was seen in the infarcted region as compared with corresponding values in the contralateral hemisphere. We suggest that perfusion-fraction measurements may add to the diagnostic value of water-mobility examinations in patients with ischaemic disease.
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| 6. |
- Åkeson, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Brain lesion contrast in MR imaging. Dependence on field strength and concentration of gadodiamide injection in patients and phantoms
- 1997
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Ingår i: Acta Radiologica. - 1600-0455. ; 38:1, s. 14-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To compare the contrast effects of gadodiamide injection at 0.3 and at 1.5 T, at different concentrations in phantoms, and to correlate the results to clinical doses used for examining brain lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gel phantoms with T1 and T2 corresponding to brain gray matter were doped with different concentrations of gadodiamide injection and examined with T1-weighted sequences. Two different sets of phantoms were used, one for 0.3 T and one for 1.5 T. To express contrast, a quotient (RATIOphantom) between signals in each tube with gadodiamide injection and in the one without it was calculated. A corresponding quotient (RATIOpatient) between signals in brain metastases and in gray matter was calculated in 16 patients examined at 0.3 T (0.1 and 0.3 mmol Gd/kg b.w.) and in 5 patients examined at 1.5 T (0.1 mmol Gd/kg b.w.). RESULTS: Maximum RATIOphantom and RATIOpatient were more than 50% higher at 1.5 T than at 0.3 T at equal concentrations using heavily T1-weighted sequences. The use of SE TR/TE 600/30 instead of 400/25 reduced the contrast effect 15-45% depending on concentration. Comparing RATIOpatient to RATIOphantom suggests that the maximum T1 effect of Gd contrast media occurs at higher doses than in current clinical use, as at 0.1 mmol/kg b.w. we achieved 38% (0.3 T) and 56% (1.5 T) of the maximum phantoms. At 0.3 mmol/kg b.w. we achieved 63% (0.3 T) of the theoretical maximum. CONCLUSION: The contrast effect of Gd contrast media is higher at 1.5 T than at 0.3 T. Higher doses than presently used might prove useful especially at lower field strengths where the contrast effect of Gd is less pronounced. Heavy T1-weighting is also important.
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