Normal diastolic and systolic myocardial T1 values at 1.5-T MR imaging: correlations and blood normalization.

PURPOSE: To introduce blood normalization for myocardial T1 values at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to evaluate regional differences between systolic and diastolic myocardial T1 values in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov identification number, NCT01728597) was approved by the institutional review board, and volunteer informed consent was obtained. Forty healthy subjects (20 women; age range, 20-35 years) underwent electrocardiographically gated 1.5-T MR imaging. A modified Look-Locker inversion recovery sequence was used to acquire myocardial T1 maps in systole and diastole. Regional T1 values were evaluated in 16 myocardial segments; blood T1 was derived from the blood pool in the center of the left ventricular cavity. Linear regression slopes between myocardial and blood T1 values were used to normalize myocardial T1 to the mean blood T1 of the study population. Mean T1 values were compared by using the t test, with P < .05 considered to indicate a significant difference. RESULTS: Mean myocardial T1 (984 msec ± 28 [standard deviation] in diastole, 959 msec ± 21 in systole) and all segmental T1 values between diastole and systole differed significantly (P < .001). Blood T1 correlated well with segmental myocardial T1 (R = 0.73 for diastole, R = 0.72 for systole). After normalization to blood T1, significant sex differences in myocardial T1 disappeared and variances in mean myocardial T1 decreased. Blood-normalized diastolic and systolic myocardial T1 values correlated strongly with each other on segmental (r = 0.72) and global (r = 0.89) levels. Subregional myocardial T1 distribution characteristics in diastole were similar to those in systole. CONCLUSION: In normal myocardium, diastolic and systolic myocardial T1 values differ significantly but correlate strongly. Blood normalization eliminates sex differences in myocardial T1 values and reduces their variability.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound detects gallbladder perforation in a patient with acute abdominal pain.

We present the case of a patient with abdominal pain, in which gallbladder perforation was detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. A 90-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with a complaint of acute abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a thickened gallbladder wall and small amounts of perihepatic fluid. Because these findings were suspicious for gallbladder perforation and contrast-enhanced computed tomography could not be performed because of a history of monoclonal gammopathy, a contrast-enhanced ultrasound scan was performed. After the administration of 2.5 mL of SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy), a defect of the gallbladder wall was detected. The patient underwent laparotomy, on which the diagnosis of gallbladder perforation was confirmed.

Computer-aided analysis of radial head morphometry.

Operative treatment of displaced and comminuted radial head fractures involves internal fixation with plates and screws in cases where reconstruction is possible and replacement with a radial head prosthesis when comminution renders the radial head unreconstructable. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the morphometry of the radial head using a modern technique and to compare the findings with several commercially available radial head prostheses. Computed tomography scans of 30 cadaveric elbows and 3-dimensional reconstructions were used to analyze the morphometry of the proximal radius. Results were compared with the manufacturer data of several radial head prostheses. Mean diameter of the radial head at the level of the fovea was 19±1.58 mm (range, 15.82-21.81 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 18.62±1.78 mm (range, 15.48-22.21 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Mean diameter of the radial head at its widest part was 23.15±1.94 mm (range, 19.45-26.49 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 22.44±1.73 mm (range, 19.64-25.44 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Mean diameter of the radial head at the level of the head-neck junction was 15.42±1.59 mm (range, 11.80-18.46 mm) in the anteroposterior plane and 14.75±1.39 mm (range, 12.32-17.31 mm) in the radioulnar plane. Statistically significant sex differences existed in the maximum diameter of the radial head, the diameter at the level of the head-neck junction, and the length of the radial head. Currently available radial head prostheses cover the range of sizes encountered. Products with a choice of head and stem sizes in any combination are preferable. In unstable elbow fractures, correct implant size is an important factor to avoid subluxation of the radial head (Mason type IV fractures) if collateral ligaments are sufficient.

Laparoscopy in Abdominal Trauma.

BACKGROUND: The decision in favor of surgery or nonoperative conservative treatment in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma requires a precise diagnosis that is not always possible with imaging techniques, whereby there is great danger that an injury to the diaphragm or intestines may be overlooked. To avoid such oversights, indications for exploratory laparotomy have traditionally been generous, to the extent that up to 41% of exploratory laparotomies turn out to be nontherapeutic and could be, or could have been, avoided with laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A diagnostic laparoscopy with therapeutic option should only be attempted in stable patients. Three trocars are usually used and the abdomen is explored systematically, beginning with the right upper quadrant and continuing clockwise. Hollow viscus injuries and injuries to the diaphragm and mesentery can be detected and sutured laparoscopically. Injuries to parenchymal organs are not a primary focus of laparoscopy, but with a laparoscopic approach, they usually no longer bleed in stable patients and can be sealed with tissue adhesive and collagen tamponade to prevent re-bleeding. RESULTS: The routine use of laparoscopy can achieve a sensitivity of 90-100% in abdominal trauma. This can reduce the number of unnecessary laparotomies and the related morbidity. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy can be performed safely and effectively in stable patients with abdominal trauma. The most important advantages are reduction of the nontherapeutic laparotomy rate, morbidity, shortening of hospitalization, and cost-effectiveness. In the future, new developments in and the miniaturization of equipment can be expected to increase the use of minimally invasive techniques in abdominal trauma cases.

Desmoid tumor treated with polychemotherapy followed by imatinib: a case report and review of the literature.

Desmoid tumors, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, are tumors of intermediate dignity, which grow slowly but are locally aggressive. These tumors do not metastasize but can be potentially life threatening when infiltrating vital structures. The therapy strategy consists of surgery, radiation and systemic therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiestrogen compounds and cytotoxic chemotherapy. We report on a 40-year-old male patient with advanced fibromatosis of the neck who has been treated with 7 cycles of polychemotherapy (adriablastin, ifosfamide and dacarbazine) followed by targeted therapy with imatinib. Tumor response was evaluated clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging. The tumor decreased significantly after the first cycle of chemotherapy and tumor-related symptoms declined. The response continued after switching to targeted therapy with imatinib, which is currently ongoing. The best treatment for this rare tumor remains under discussion. Doxorubicin and dacarbazine are frequently used agents. We included ifosfamide in our therapy, which is standard in the treatment of soft tissue tumors. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib seems to offer new possibilities and is currently investigated in randomized trials. We conclude that combination chemotherapy including doxorubicin, ifosfamide and dacarbazine in the treatment of aggressive fibromatosis should be considered for patients suffering from unresectable, advanced disease and clinical symptoms which require a rapid response to therapy.

Computer-assisted 3-dimensional anthropometry of the scaphoid.

Scaphoid fracture fixation using a cannulated headless compression screw and the Matti-Russe procedure for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions are performed routinely. Surgeons performing these procedures need to be familiar with the anatomy of the scaphoid. A literature review reveals relatively few articles on this subject. The goal of this anatomical study was to measure the scaphoid using current technology and to discuss the findings with respect to the current, relevant literature.Computed tomography scans of 30 wrists were performed using a 64-slice SOMATOM Sensation CT system (resolution 0.6 mm) (Siemens Medical Solutions Inc, Malvern, Pennsylvania). Three-dimensional reconstructions from the raw data were generated by MIMICS software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). The scaphoid had a mean length of 26.0 mm (range, 22.3-30.7 mm), and men had a significantly longer (P<.001) scaphoid than women (27.861.6 mm vs 24.561.6 mm, respectively). The width and height were measured at 3 different levels for volume calculations, resulting in a mean volume of 3389.5 mm(3). Men had a significantly larger (P<.001) scaphoid volume than women (4057.86740.7 mm(3) vs 2846.56617.5 mm(3), respectively).We found considerable variation in the length and volume of the scaphoid in our cohort. We also demonstrated a clear correlation between scaphoid size and sex. Surgeons performing operative fixation of scaphoid fractures and corticocancellous bone grafting for nonunions need to be familiar with these anatomical variations.