Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of trigeminal nerve in healthy volunteers / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To survey the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and fractional anisotropy (FA) value ofpontine cistern section of the trigeminal nerve, and understand the characteristics of various parameters of trigeminal nerve pontine cistern section. Methods The distances from pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve to 0, 3, 6 and 9 mm of brain stem in 50 healthy volunteers were recorded, and fusion images of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with B-TFE or THRIVE were achieved to improve the spatial resolution of the pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve; their ADC value and FA value were recorded, separately. Tracing image formation was noted in the pontine cistern section of the trigeminal or trifacial nerve. Results The ADC and FA results of the left side and right flank of pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve in these healthy volunteers were not statistically different (P＜0.05). The closer to the brain stem, the more asymmetrical tendency of distance from pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve to 0, 3, 6 and 9 mm of brain stem between both sides. DTI indicated that the ADC values between each 2 distances from pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve to 0, 3, 6 and 9 mum of brain stem between both sides were significantly different: the ADC values increased along with the distance elevating gradually, but rotated suddenly at the line of 6-9 mm. The FA value increased in 0-6 mm along with the distance reducing gradually, and the neighboring 2 distances had remarkably statistical difference, but the FA value no longer obviously changed from the line of 6-9 mm. Conclusion DTI can distinguish the two-sided trigeminal nerve brain pond section clearly, and may realize each item of DTI. Regular changes are noted in FA and ADC values along with the different distances from pontine cistern section of the trifacial nerve to 0, 3, 6 and 9 mm of brain stem,indicating that DTI enjoys perspective in being clear about the discrimination of cranial nerve CNS section, the change-over portion and the PNS section, and in detecting the cranial nerve vascular compression.

Imaging anatomic characteristics of petrosal vein studied by Three-dimensional imaging technology of magnetic resonance / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To analyze the normal anatomy of petrosal vein and the space adjacent relationship between the petrosal vein and the homolateral trigeminal nerve by balanced turbo field echo (B-TFE) Cine-MR imaging and enhanced T1 high-resolution isotropic volume excitation (e-THRIVE)imaging.Methods Forty-one patients with facial spasm and epileptiform neuralgia were selected and taken a scan with ACHIEVA NOVA DUAL A-serial 1.5T MR machine using the BTFE and e-THRIVE series.The space adjacent relationship between the petrosal vein and the trigeminal nerve in cerebellopontine angle were observed.Results The 82 sides of petrosal veins and homolateral trigeminal nerves (41 cases) were displayed well.Petrosal veins were located in cavitas subarachnoidealis,partly in free state; the number of trunk ofpetrosal vein could be 1,2,3,respectively,responding to 70 (86%),10 (12%),2 (2%).The petrosal veins located in the dorsal-lateral of trigeminal nerve were found in 74 sides (37 cases,91%,by BTFE,e-THRIVE series),the petrosal veins located in the ventri-lateral of trigeminal nerve in 6 sides (3 cases,7%,by e-THRIVE series),and the petrosal veins located in the right upon trigeminal nerve in 2 sides (1 cases,2%,by BTFE series).Conclusion B-TFE MR imaging and e-THR/VE imaging,showing the petrosal veins and trigeminal nerves clearly and evaluating their relationship accurately,can provide information of topographic anatomy before microsurgical vascular decompression.

Atypical magnetic resonance imaging vs pathological findings of leiomyoma in the female reproductive system / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the atypical leiomyoma in the female reproductive system in comparison with the pathological features of the neoplasms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the MRI findings and the pathological features was conducted in 24 cases of atypical leiomyoma involving the female reproductive system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Atypical leiomyomas were displayed by MRI as solid tumor mass surrounded by cystic degeneration, pseudotumors, or solid mass with homogeneous signal intensity. Intrauterine lesions were found in 19 cases, involving the subserosal layer (n=11), intramural region (n=4), broad ligament (n=3), cervix (n=2), submucous layer (n=2), vagina (n=1), and the ovary (n=1). Except for two cases with submucous lesions shown as solid mass, all the cases had lesions appearing as solid cystic mass, whose solid part showed hypo or isointense signals on T1WI and moderate hyperintense signals on T2WI, with heterogeneous enhancement after contrast agent injection. Tumor cell and interstitial cell swelling, vascular hyalinosis, hyalinosis, myxoedema, cystic degeneration, and hemorrhage were found in the lesions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leiomyoma can occur at almost any site in the female reproductive system, and atypical leiomyoma usually are shown as solid cystic mixed mass in the pelvic cavity. Evaluation of the relationship between the solid mass and cystic portion and observation for the presence of low signal on T2WI may help in the diagnosis of atypical leiomyoma.</p>

Correlation analysis between multi-slice CT perfusion imaging and microvessel density in ovarian tumors / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the correlation between the perfusion data and microvessel density (MVD) in ovarian tumors, and investigate the hemodynamic features of the tumors in terms of anatomy and functional CT imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with surgically confirmed benign ovarian tumors and 6 with malignant ovarian tumors underwent multi-slice CT perfusion imaging to acquire the perfusion parameters including perfusion, PEI, TTP, BV peak enhancement image(PEI), time to peak(TTP) and blood volume(BV). The tumors were stained and counted by Immunohistochemical staining of the microvessels in the tumor was performed to detect the MVD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s The time-density curves of the benign ovarian tumors increased slowly, reaching the peak at 40 s; the curves of the malignant tumors rose rapidly and continuously and reached the peak at 25 s. The differences in the perfusion data (PEI, TTP, BV) were statistically significant between the benign and malignant tumors (P<0.05). The MVD of the malignant tumors was significantly greater than that of the benign tumors (P<0.05). The mean BV of the malignant ovarian tumor was positively correlated to MVD (r=0.786, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can provide accurate enhancement data of the ovarian tumors and helps in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the ovarian tumors by presenting the changes of the hemodynamic features in the tumors.</p>

Anatomic study of the facial artery using multislice spiral CT angiography / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anatomy of the facial artery using 16-slice spiral CT angiography (CTA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five patients without vascular pathologies or other anomalies underwent 16-slice spiral CT angiography after injection of 350 mg I/ml Omnipaque through the ulnar vein. MIP and volume rendering of the images were performed to analyze the left and right facial artery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The left facial artery arose from the external carotid artery with the distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 4.5-47.90 mm (mean 18.77-/+8.98 mm), and in 1 case (2.2%), the artery arose from the common carotid artery. The right facial artery arose from the external carotid artery in all the 45 cases (100%) with distances from the carotid artery bifurcation of 6.8-39.70 mm (mean 19.23-/+8.25 mm). The bilateral facial arteries more commonly arose from the external carotid artery independently, and the lingual artery and facial artery sharing the same trunk arising from the external carotid artery was less common. In 1 case, the left facial artery and the submental artery shared the same trunk, and in another case, the left facial artery, thyroid artery and lingual artery shared the same trunk. The diameter of the left facial artery ranged from 1.40 to 4.70 mm (mean 2.83-/+0.77 mm), and that of the right facial artery was 1.60-4.30 mm (mean 2.81-/+0.79 mm). The left facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 12 cases (26.67%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 7 cases (15.56%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The right facial artery ended below the angle of the mouth in 7 cases (15.56%), between the angle of the mouth and the nasal wing in 12 cases (26.67%), and above the nasal wing in 26 cases (57.77%). The bilateral facial arteries frequently passed through the submandibular gland parenchyma (23 cases on the left and 24 cases on the right), and the facial arteries were found occasionally to run below the submandibular gland (11 cases on the left and 9 on the right).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>16-slice spiral CT angiography can help in preoperative facial artery evaluation noninvasively. This modality can clearly display the bilateral facial arteries, including their origin, course, distribution and ending to provide detailed information for flap designing before plastic surgery and for preoperative evaluation for microvascular surgery.</p>