High-Resolution Microscopy-Coil MR Imaging of Skin Tumors: Techniques and Novel Clinical Applications.

High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed with a microscopy coil is a robust radiologic tool for the evaluation of skin lesions. Microscopy-coil MR imaging uses a small surface coil and a 1.5-T or higher MR imaging system. Simple T1- and T2-weighted imaging protocols can be implemented to yield high-quality, high-spatial-resolution images that provide an excellent depiction of dermal anatomy. The primary application of microscopy-coil MR imaging is to delineate the deep margins of skin tumors, thereby providing a preoperative road map for dermatologic surgeons. This information is particularly useful for surgeons who perform Mohs micrographic surgery and in cases of nasofacial neoplasms, where the underlying anatomy is complex. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common nonmelanocytic skin tumor and has a predilection to manifest on the face, where it can be challenging to achieve complete surgical excision while preserving the cosmetic dignity of the patient. Microscopy-coil MR imaging provides dermatologic surgeons with valuable preoperative anatomic information that is not available at conventional clinical examination.

Dynamic MRI contrast enhancement of renal cortex: a functional assessment of renovascular disease in patients with renal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in the magnitude and time course of renal cortical contrast uptake in patients with minimal, moderate, and severe renal artery stenosis (RAS) using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance renography (CE-MRR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CE-MRR was performed on 56 patients with renovascular disease using a three-dimensional volume interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) perfusion sequence. After administration of 2 mL of contrast, nine sequential axial VIBE datasets were acquired: at baseline, 7, 14, 21, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 seconds. Aortic peak signal enhancement and cortical peak signal enhancement through the mid portion of each kidney was recorded, along with the time delay between each peak. Each renal artery was subsequently examined using three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography, and graded as being minimally (0%-30%), moderately (31%-70%), or severely (71%-100%) stenotic. RESULTS: When the data were subdivided by RAS category, the cortical to aortic peak enhancement ratio (CAPR) reduced with increasing RAS. Further, the cortical to aortic time delay (CATD) increased with increasing RAS. These measurements were statistically significant between patients with minimal and moderate RAS compared to severe RAS CONCLUSION: CE-MRR can assist in the differentiation of patients with minimal or moderate RAS from those with severe RAS.