Automated unruptured cerebral aneurysms detection in TOF MR angiography images using dual-channel SE-3D UNet: a multi-center research.

OBJECTIVES: Time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) is the primary non-invasive screening method for cerebral aneurysms. We aimed to develop a computer-aided aneurysm detection method to improve the diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, especially decrease the false positive rate. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study. The dataset contained 1160 TOF-MRA examinations composed of unruptured aneurysms (n = 1096) and normal controls (n = 166) from six hospitals. A total of 1037 examinations acquired from 2013 to 2019 were used as training set; 123 examinations acquired from 2020 to 2021 were used as external test set. We proposed an equalized augmentation strategy based on aneurysm location and constructed a detection model based on dual channel SE-3D UNet. The model was trained with a 5-fold cross-validation in the training set, then tested on the external test set. RESULTS: The proposed method achieved 82.46% sensitivity on patient-level, 73.85% sensitivity on lesion-level, and 0.88 false positives per case in the external test set. The performance did not show significant differences in subgroups according to the aneurysm site (except ACA), aneurysm size (except smaller than 3 mm), or MRI scanners. The performance preceded the basic SE-3D UNet by increasing 15.79% patient-level sensitivity and decreasing 4.19 FPs/case. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed automated aneurysm detection method achieved acceptable sensitivity while controlling fairly low false positives per case. It might provide a useful auxiliary tool of cerebral aneurysms MRA screening. KEY POINTS: • The need for automated cerebral aneurysms detecting is growing. • The strategy of equalized augmentation based on aneurysm location and dual-channel input could improve the model performance. • The retrospective multi-center study showed that the proposed automated cerebral aneurysms detection using dual-channel SE-3D UNet could achieve acceptable sensitivity while controlling a low false positive rate.

Automated computer-assisted detection system for cerebral aneurysms in time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography using fully convolutional network.

BACKGROUND: As the rupture of cerebral aneurysm may lead to fatal results, early detection of unruptured aneurysms may save lives. At present, the contrast-unenhanced time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography is one of the most commonly used methods for screening aneurysms. The computer-assisted detection system for cerebral aneurysms can help clinicians improve the accuracy of aneurysm diagnosis. As fully convolutional network could classify the image pixel-wise, its three-dimensional implementation is highly suitable for the classification of the vascular structure. However, because the volume of blood vessels in the image is relatively small, 3D convolutional neural network does not work well for blood vessels. RESULTS: The presented study developed a computer-assisted detection system for cerebral aneurysms in the contrast-unenhanced time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography image. The system first extracts the volume of interest with a fully automatic vessel segmentation algorithm, then uses 3D-UNet-based fully convolutional network to detect the aneurysm areas. A total of 131 magnetic resonance angiography image data are used in this study, among which 76 are training sets, 20 are internal test sets and 35 are external test sets. The presented system obtained 94.4% sensitivity in the fivefold cross-validation of the internal test sets and obtained 82.9% sensitivity with 0.86 false positive/case in the detection of the external test sets. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed computer-assisted detection system can automatically detect the suspected aneurysm areas in contrast-unenhanced time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography images. It can be used for aneurysm screening in the daily physical examination.

Prediction of the consistency of pituitary adenoma: A comparative study on diffusion-weighted imaging and pathological results.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the role of BLADE magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and other traditional MRI parameters to predict pituitary adenoma consistency in combination with pathological results. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with surgery and pathological diagnosis of pituitary adenomas were included in this study. All exams were performed at 3.0T with traditional MRI sequences and BLADE DWI to acquire MRI parameters, then the consistency and collagen content of pituitary adenomas were evaluated at and after surgery respectively to explore the capacity of MRI technique to predict consistency or its correlation with collagen content. RESULTS: According to consistency evaluated at surgery, 29 pituitary adenomas were categorised as soft while others were regarded as hard. SI ratio of pre- or post-enhanced T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images or ADC values exhibited no significant relationship with adenoma consistency. To some extent, the ADC ratio had diagnostic value to predict hard consistency for ADC<1.077, while the AUC was 0.7724 for the ROC curve. H.E. staining and Masson staining were used to assess collagen content qualitatively and quantitatively. Adenoma consistency was relevant to collagen content while the cut-off value for collagen content between soft and hard tumours was 15.39%; the ADC ratio exhibited close relationship with collagen content, showing a lower ADC ratio for increasing collagen content. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the ADC ratio decreased with increasing collagen content and predicted hard consistency of tumours for ADC<1.077. Correlation between ADC ratio and tumour consistency needs further exploration.

Comparison of CT perfusion parameters and microvessel density in intracranial hemangiopericytomas with peritumoral edema.

PURPOSE: Intracranial hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare, and they have a tendency for local recurrence and metastases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CT perfusion (CTP) parameters and microvessel density (MVD) of HPCs and compare CTP parameters in parenchyma and peritumoral edema of HPCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained. Ten patients with HPCs and peritumoral edema, confirmed by pathological results, received 64-slice CT perfusion imaging before operation. To evaluate vascular attenuation of tumoral parenchyma, we immunostained the specimen sections for CD-34, measured the integrated optical density of all the positive stained CD-34 cells in the microscopic field, and calculated its ratio to total area of field as MVD. Perfusion analysis was calculated using the Patlak method. Using a 1-cm distance from the outer enhancing tumor margin as a boundary, the peritumoral edema was divided into an immediate and a distant part. The quantitative CTP parameters, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), permeability-surface area product (PS) of parenchyma, and immediate and distant peritumoral edemas, were compared. CBV and PS in parenchyma and immediate and distant peritumoral edemas of HPCs were also compared to their respective contralateral normal white matter. The correlations between MVD, CBV, and PS of tumoral parenchyma were analyzed. RESULTS: Positive correlations existed between CBV and MVD, PS and MVD (P < 0.05) respectively in the 10 patients. Furthermore, the values of CBV and PS in parenchyma of HPCs were significantly higher than those of the contralateral normal white matter and peritumoral edema (P < 0.05). The value of CBV in peritumoral edema of HPCs were lower than that of contralateral normal white matter (P < 0.05), while the value of PS in immediate and distant peritumoral edemas of HPCs were not significantly difference with that of contralateral normal white matter (P > 0.05). Finally, the values of CBV and PS did not show a significant difference between immediate and distant peritumoral edemas. CONCLUSIONS: CT perfusion imaging, especially determination of maximal CBV and corresponding PS values in the parenchyma, may be a useful and non-invasive technique for the preoperative evaluation of hemodynamic features of HPCs with peritumoral edema. CBV of peritumoral edema indicate that HPCs have a possibility of infiltration, this need further radiological-pathological research.

An automatic detection method of cerebral aneurysms in time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography images based on attention 3D U-Net.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm often leads to fatal consequences. However, if the aneurysm can be found and treated during asymptomatic periods, the probability of rupture can be greatly reduced. At present, time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography is one of the most commonly used non-invasive screening techniques for cerebral aneurysm, and the application of deep learning technology in aneurysm detection can effectively improve the screening effect of aneurysm. Existing studies have found that three-dimensional features play an important role in aneurysm detection, but they require a large amount of training data and have problems such as a high number of FPs per case. METHODS: This paper proposed a novel method for aneurysm detection. First, a fully automatic cerebral artery segmentation algorithm without training data was used to extract the volume of interest, and then the 3D U-Net was improved by the 3D SENet module to establish an aneurysm detection model. Eventually a set of fully automated, end-to-end aneurysm detection methods have been formed. RESULTS: A total of 231 magnetic resonance angiography image data were used in this study, among which 132 were training sets, 34 were internal test sets and 65 were external test sets. The presented method obtained 97.89±0.88% sensitivity in the five-fold cross-validation and obtained 90.8% sensitivity with 2.47 FPs/case in the detection of the external test sets. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the results of our previous studies and other studies, the method in this paper achieves the best sensitivity while maintaining low number of FPs per case. This result proves the feasibility, superiority, and further improvement potential of the improved method combining 3D U-Net and channel attention in the task of aneurysm detection.

A modified rabbit model of carotid atherosclerotic plaque suitable for the stroke study and MRI evaluation.

In order to induce a modified rabbit model of carotid atherosclerotic plaque suitable for the stroke study and to evaluate the lesion with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eight rabbits of group A were fed with high-fat diet only. Atherosclerosis at the right common carotid artery was induced in rabbits of group B (n = 12) by high-fat diet and balloon catheter injury to the endothelium 4 weeks later. The rabbits were examined in vivo with a 1.5-T MRI. After 4 weeks on the high-fat diet, the serum lipid levels were markedly increased, which became significantly higher than the baseline levels. The lesions on both MRI and histology were remarkable. One week after balloon injury, the signal of injured right common carotid was higher on all the contrast-weighted images than the left side. The extent of abnormal signal was reduced 9 weeks after balloon injury. Hemorrhage was detected on all the contrast-weighted images. In conclusion, the rabbit model established by the authors is such a feasible one to the study of stroke caused by carotid atherosclerosis.

Evaluation parameters between intra-voxel incoherent motion and diffusion-weighted imaging in grading and differentiating histological subtypes of meningioma: A prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the usage of intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in grading and differentiating histological subtypes of meningiomas and in comparing their ability with the traditional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameter (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC). METHODS: In this prospective study, 102 participants underwent IVIM MRI and DWI. Traditional DWI and IVIM MRI were performed by using 2 b values (0, 1000s/mm2) and 12 b values (0-3500s/mm2), respectively. Finally, the values of ADC and IVIM parameters were collected from 72 Grade I and 11 Grade II meningiomas. RESULTS: The mean ADC values of Grade II and Grade I meningiomas were 0.909±0.268×10-3mm2/s and 0.905±0.194×10-3mm2/s, respectively, p=0.967. The D values were lower in Grade II meningiomas than in Grade I meningiomas (0.459±0.072×10-3mm2/s vs. 0.524±0.030×10-3mm2/s, respectively, p=0.005). In ROC curves, the cut-off D value that separated Grade II meningiomas from Grade I meningiomas was 0.479×10-3mm2/s with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 76.7%. The secretory and angiomatous meningiomas had higher IVIM parameters than the other subtypes (all p<0.05). D* was significantly lower in fibrous meningiomas than in other meningiomas (2.783±1.179×10-3mm2/s vs. 5.125±1.918×10-3mm2/s, p<0.001). D, rD and rf values correlated negatively with Ki-67 index while D* and rD* value had positive relation with Ki-67 values. CONCLUSION: IVIM MRI is a promising technique for distinguishing different grades of meningiomas. Different subtypes of meningiomas have different IVIM features, which may help to treatment decision and prognosis evaluation.

Perfluorooctyl bromide nanoemulsions holding MnO2 nanoparticles with dual-modality imaging and glutathione depletion enhanced HIFU-eliciting tumor immunogenic cell death

Tumor-targeted immunotherapy is a remarkable breakthrough, offering the inimitable advantage of specific tumoricidal effects with reduced immune-associated cytotoxicity. However, existing platforms suffer from low efficacy, inability to induce strong immunogenic cell death (ICD), and restrained capacity of transforming immune-deserted tumors into immune-cultivated ones. Here, an innovative platform, perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) nanoemulsions holding MnO2 nanoparticles (MBP), was developed to orchestrate cancer immunotherapy, serving as a theranostic nanoagent for MRI/CT dual-modality imaging and advanced ICD. By simultaneously depleting the GSH and eliciting the ICD effect via high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, the MBP nanomedicine can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment by inducing maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and facilitating the activation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. The synergistic GSH depletion and HIFU ablation also amplify the inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis. Together, these findings inaugurate a new strategy of tumor-targeted immunotherapy, realizing a novel therapeutics paradigm with great clinical significance.

Increased Wall Enhancement Extent Representing Higher Rupture Risk of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Objective@#: This study aims to investigate the relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and clinical rupture risks based on the magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) quantitative methods. @*Methods@#: One hundred and eight patients with 127 unruptured aneurysms were prospectively enrolled from Feburary 2016 to October 2017. Aneurysms were divided into high risk (≥10) and intermediate-low risk group (<10) according to the PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of aneurysm, Earlier SAH history from another aneurysm, Site of aneurysm) scores. Clinical risk factors, aneurysm morphology, and wall enhancement index (WEI) calculated using 3D MR-VWI were analyzed and compared. @*Results@#: In comparison of high-risk and intermediated-low risk groups, univariate analysis showed that neck width (4.5±3.3 mm vs. 3.4±1.7 mm, p=0.002), the presence of wall enhancement (100.0% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001), and WEI (1.6±0.6 vs. 0.8±0.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high rupture risk. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that WEI was the most important factor in predicting high rupture risk (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–4.9; p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis can efficiently differentiate higher risk aneurysms (area under the curve, 0.780; p<0.001) which have a reliable WEI cutoff value (1.04; sensitivity, 0.833; specificity, 0.67) predictive of high rupture risk. @*Conclusion@#: Aneurysms with higher rupture risk based on PHASES score demonstrate increased neck width, wall enhancement, and the enhancement intensity. Higher WEI in unruptured aneurysms has a predictive value for increased rupture risk.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic NomogramBased on Clinical and CT Features for Adverse OutcomePrediction in Patients with COVID-19

Objective@#The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT)features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). @*Materials and Methods@#The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitalswere retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in thetraining cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in thevalidation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, ordeath. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. Anomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance wasexternally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on theclinical and radiological attributes alone. @*Results@#Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohortexperienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67–6.71;p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04–0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03–4.48;p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76–0.88),and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82–0.96). The combinedmodel provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). @*Conclusion@#Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverseoutcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predictingadverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the sellar region: a comparison study of BLADE and single-shot echo planar imaging sequences.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare BLADE diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with single-shot echo planar imaging (EPI) DWI on the aspects of feasibility of imaging the sellar region and image quality. METHODS: A total of 3 healthy volunteers and 52 patients with suspected lesions in the sellar region were included in this prospective intra-individual study. All exams were performed at 3.0T with a BLADE DWI sequence and a standard single-shot EP-DWI sequence. Phantom measurements were performed to measure the objective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Two radiologists rated the image quality according to the visualisation of the internal carotid arteries, optic chiasm, pituitary stalk, pituitary gland and lesion, and the overall image quality. One radiologist measured lesion sizes for detecting their relationship with the image score. RESULTS: The SNR in BLADE DWI sequence showed no significant difference from the single-shot EPI sequence (P>0.05). All of the assessed regions received higher scores in BLADE DWI images than single-shot EP-DWI.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the evaluation of blood-brain barrier permeability following acute cerebral ischemia in rats / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of blood-brain barrier(BBB) permeability after acute cerebral ischemia in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)-MRI. Methods Sixty MCAO rat models were established by suture-occlusion method. All rats were divided randomly into twelve groups with different ischemia duration (3 hours, 6 hours, permanent) and reperfusion times (2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after reperfusion). Each group was examined by MRI at the time points. The BBB permeability parameters(Ktrans, Ve, Kep, rKtrans, rVe, rKep) were calculated by Siemens workstation and compared with Evans blue(EB) extravasation results. Multivariate analysis of variance (M-ANOVA), one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), Pearson analysis were respectively used to verify the influences of ischemia duration and reperfusion time on BBB permeability parameters, EB extravasation and relationships between parameters. Results In 3 hours and 6 hours ischemia duration groups, change of BBB permeability after reperfusion appeared biphasic. At 2 hours and 6 hours after reperfusion, BBB permeability increased, while rKtrans values and rVe values rose and rKep values dropped. BBB permeability decreased at 12 hours and increased again at 24 hours after reperfusion. The highest BBB permeability was observed at 6 hours after reperfusion. However, BBB permeability in permanent ischemia groups had uniphasic change, as its increase was rather mild as ischemia time went on. rKtrans values(1.99± 0.79)were positively correlated with rVe values(2.88 ± 1.78) (r=0.93, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with rKep values(0.66 ± 0.21) (r=-0.84, P<0.01). The negative correlation between rVe values and rKep valueswas also significant(r=- 0.80, P<0.01). EB extravasation results were consistent with MRI findings. Conclusions BBB permeability change was biphasic in reperfusion groups, while it was uniphasic in permanent ischemia groups. DCE-MRI may accurately reflect the changes of BBB permeability after acute cerebral ischemia. Both ischemic duration and reperfusion time had influences on BBB permeability. With prolongation of ischemic time, the duration of BBB permeability increase became shorter, BBB damage appeared earlier, with increased degree of ischemic damage.

Application of MRI in common non-traumatic brachial plexopathies / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the MRI application in the common non-traumatic brachial plexopathies.Methods Twenty-seven patients with non-traumatic brachial plexopathies were retrospectively analyzed,which consisted of 10 males and 17 females with age range from 22 to 70 years old.Among the patients,2 were neurofibromatosis,8 were schwannoma,3 were metastases,2 were radiation plexopathy,1 was multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN),and 11 were typical thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).Before treatment,all patients underwent MRI of brachial plexus,in which 8 patients underwent Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI.Results In 2 cases of neurofibromatosis,the tumors appeared as fusiform,bead-like masses,growing along the course of brachial plexus with involvement of rootlets in vertebral canal,and iso-to little hypointensity on T1WI,inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T2WI and inhomogeneously enhanced.Schwannoma of 8 cases displayed as fusiform mass,eccentric to the original nerve with sharply defined edge,and hypointensity or inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T1WI,inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T2WI with cystic necrosis in 3 cases which was inhomogeneously enhanced.Two of the 3 cases of metastases manifested as multiple masses besides brachial plexus,the other one appeared as widespread lesion infiltrating brachial plexus and surrounding structures.Two cases of radiation plexopathy displayed as diffused thickened nerves,with increased signal intensity on short time inversion recovery (STIR),clear structure and no mass surrounding the plexus.One case of MMN showed thickened nerves with increased signal intensity on STIR.Eleven cases of typical TOS manifested as arched elevation of C8,T1 and inferior trunk,with thickened nerves and increased signal intensity on STIR.Elevated subclavian artery could be seen in 8 cases.And in one case of TOS,a mass in the end of cervical rib compressed the local brachial plexus.Conclusions MRI can clearly show the location,involved scope and the relationship with adjacent structures.So MRI can provide reliable information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Analysis of factors related to the development of interstitial lung disease in 206 patients with dermatomyositis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To assess the clinical features and associated factors of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM).Methods Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed on 206 patients with DM collected at the Department of Dermatology,Huashan Hospital,Fudan University in the past 6 years.Chi-square test and t test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The prevalence of ILD was 49.03％ in the 206 patients with DM.Heliotrope rash on the upper eyelids,Gottron's sign (papules),arthralgia,and cough were correlated with the incidence of ILD in DM patients (all P ＜ 0.05),and of these factors,the prevalence of artharalgia and cough were positively correlated with the incidence of ILD,while the presence of Gottron's papules was negatively correlated.The patients with DM and ILD showed a higher prevalence of abnormal serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) and anti-Jo-1 antibodies,as well as with a poorer pulmonary function,compared with those suffering from DM only (all P ＜0.05).Characteristic imaging findings on computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with DM and ILD included linear opacity (57.4％),high-density patchy opacity (31.7％),reticular opacity (16.8％) and even ground glass-like opacity (13.8％),usually at the bottom or apex of the lungs.Conclusions In patients with DM,the prevalence of artharalgia and cough is positively correlated,whereas the presence of Gottron's papules is negatively correlated,with the incidence of ILD.Characteristic imaging findings on CT scan in patients with DM and ILD are linear opacity,high-density patchy opacity,reticular opacity and ground glass-like opacity at the bottom and apex of lungs.

Application of language blood oxygenation level dependent functional MRI in the navigating operation of neurosurgery / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To verify the accuracy of blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)-based activation using electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM) and explore the value of language fMRI in the navigating operation of neurosurgery. Methods In 8 cases with brain tumors,BOLD-fMRI examinations were done before the operations. Under the state of awake anesthesia,the patients were aroused and ESM was conducted. Point-to-point comparison between the BOLD signal activations and the ESM was carried out under the surveillance of the neuro-navigation technology. In order to observe the sensibility and specificity of BOLD activations, the location of BOLD activations and the point of ESM was compared to calculate the stimulating positive points inside the regions of BOLD signals(real positive), outside BOLD regions(pseudo-negative), the stimulating negative points inside the regions of BOLD signals(pseudo-positive), and outside BOLD region(real negative). Two kinds of criteria for assessment were used. One was that the positive stimulating points were located in BOLD regions, and the other was that the positive stimulating points were located within 1 cm around the range of BOLD regions. Removal of the lesions were conducted with the tissue 1 cm around the language region preserved, and the cortex inside 0.5-1.0 cm distance from the positive points were retained. Results Of the 8 cases, only 6 finished the tasks. Among them, 3 cases were with astrocytoma of grade 2,2 were with astrocytoma of grade 3, and one with glioblastoma. The total number of stimulating points was 48, among which the positive points were 11. When the first criteria was applied, the sensitivity was 72.7% (8/11), and the specificity was 81.8% (30/37). When the second criteria was applied, the sensitivity was 82.0% (9/11),and the specificity was 75.6% (28/37). Follow-up after operation showed no aphasia occurred. Conclusions BOLD-fMRI had a high sensitivity and specificity in displaying the language regions. But due to the great variation of brain language area among the people, we need more studies of large sample to obtain enough experience before it can be used clinically.

256-slice whole-brain CT perfusion in assessment of graft reperfusion after surgical revascularization and hemodynamic alterations before and after surgery in Moyamoya disease / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility of 256-slice whole-brain CT perfusion (CTP) in evaluate graft reperfusion after surgical revascularization and hemodynamic alterations before and after surgery in Moyamoya disease. Methods Twenty-five cases with Moyamoya disease were scanned on a 256-slice CT.CTP was performed pre- and post- surgical revascularization. The wolumetric CT angiographic ( CTA ) images were generated from volumetric data acquired at the arterial phase of CTP. CBF, CBV, TTP and MTT were measured in functional maps at the operated side within middle cerebral artery perfusion areas and contralateral mirroring areas. Relative CBF( rCBF), relative CBV (rCBV), relative TTP (rTTP), relative MTT (rMTT) were also obtained. Differences in perfusion CT values pre- and post operation were assessed with the paired t test or matched-pairs signed-ranks test. Data with normal distribution was present as : (x-)± s,while those with the non-normal distribution were present as M ( P25-P75 ). Results All the direct graft patencies were displayed on volumetric CTA. No significant differences were found between volumetric CTA and conventional CTA. Postoperative CBF, rCBF and rCBV values of the operated side [ 72. 86 (55.54-112. 19) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1 , 1. 31 ( 1.05-1.73), 1.45 ±0. 62] were significantly higher than those before operation [46.72(28.57-57.67) ml · 100 g-1 · min-1, 0.53(0.33-0.82), 1.01 ±0.36](Z=- 2.72, - 2. 98, t = - 2. 85, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Postoperative MTT, TTP and rTTP values of the operated side [ (3.98 ± 2. 36 ) s, ( 17.56 ± 4. 38 ) s, 1.01 ± 0. 09 ] were significantly lower than those before operation [(5.43±2.07) s,(19.40±3.87) s,1.14±0.28] (t=2.41,2.17,2.17, respectively, P＜0.05).However, no significant differences were detected for changes of CBV and rMTT after revascularization ( P ＞0. 05). Conclusion 256-slice CT has the potential value for the non-invasive assessment of both the graft patency and cerebral hemodynamics changes in moyamoya disease after surgery with administration of one contrast medium bolus in a single examination.

MRI diagnosis of brachial plexus preganglionic injury / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate MRI in diagnosing brachial plexus preganglionic injury.Methods Twenty cases with brachial plexus preganglionic injury underwent M R scanning before operation.MR imaging was obtained by GE Signa EXCITE 1.5 T scanner.The scanning sequences included SE T1 WI,FSE T2 WI,T2 WI STIR and 3D Fast imaging employing steady state with phase cycled(3D-FIESTA-c).All the patients had exploration of the supraclavicular plexus and electrophysiology examination. And the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosing preganglionic brachial plexus iniury were calculated with the standards of surgical and EMG results.Results Among the 73 pairs of i,jured roots.MR imaging detected the abnormalities in 63 pairs.The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosing preganglionic brachial plexus injury were 86.5/(83/96),86.3/(63/73).87.0/(20/23),respectively.The direct signs of brachial plexus preganglionic injury included (1) lack or mutilation of netwe root in 54 pairs (85.7/),(2)coarsening,bending,stiff course and unable to be traced to the intervertebral foramen continuously in 9 pairs (14.3/).The indirect signs included (1)cystic cerebrospinal fluid gathering in the vertebral canal,posttraumatic spinal meningocele in 46 pairs (73.0/),(2)abnormal shape of nerve sleeve in 13 pairs(20.6/),(3)displacement and deformity of spinal cord in 50 pairs(79.4/),(4)abnormal signal of paravertebral muscles in 1 9 patients.Conclusion MRI can distinctly show the nerve rootlets within the vertebral canal,so it is helpful in making a correct diagnosis of brachial plexus preganglionic injuries.

Clinical value of 64-row CT angiography in detection of carotid atherosclerotic plaque / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To explore clinical significance of muhidetector(64-row)computed tomography carotid atherosclerosis angiography(MDCTA)in detecting carotid atherosclerotic plaque.Methods Data of 116 patients with carotid atherosclerosis undergone with MDCTA stayed at Huashan Hospital,Shanghai from January to August,2008 were analyzed retrospectively.Results Three hundred and seventy-seven plaques were identified among all the 116 patients in the study,with an incidence of calcified plaque of 63.40 percent,and more detected at the common carotid artery(27.85%).the carotid bifurcation(39.78%)and the internal carotid artery (21.48%).There was significantly statistical difference in plaque types between those with mild,moderate and severe carotid stenosis(P=0.000)and between those aged equal to or lower than 50 years and equal to or greater than 70 years(P=0.005).Plaque types at the common carotid artery were significantly difierent from those at the carotid bifurcation(P=0.000)and at the internal carotid artery(P=0.000).Results of regression analysis showed a positive and significant association between carotid occlusion and clinical symptomatology(with a coefficient of correlation of 1.080.P=0.023)and inverse association between calcified plaque and clinical symptomatology(with a coefficient of correlation of 0.688,P=0.006).Conclusions Not only imaging characteristics of carotid atherosclerotic plaque can be accurately assessed by MDCTA,but also measurement of its stenosis degree.Assessment of plaque type,degree of stenosis and distribution of plaque in different Vascular segments with MDCTA can be used to predict clinical occurrence of cerebevaseular events in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Vascular maps with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for diagnosis of breast cancer / 中华全科医师杂志

Total 52 patients with breast lesions underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI; and the breast vascularization was scored on the MRI vascular maps with a range of 0 to 3. The mean number of vessels per ipsilateral breast in malignant cases was higher than that of benign cases (3.8±2.0 vs. 1.3± 1.0; P=0.000). When the breast vascularity score 0-1 was defined as benign and 2-3 was defined as malignant, the sensitivity and specificity was 79% and 83%, respectively. Results indicate that dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI is of value in diagnosis of malignant breast lesions.

Clinical and radiologic study in intracranial epithelioid haemangioendothelioma and a literature review / 中国癌症杂志

Background and purpose: Primary intracranial epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EH) was rare. This study was to discuss the clinical pathological features, radiographic findings, treatment and prognosis of primary intracranial EH combined with literature review. Methods: We reviewed a case of EH reported from our hospital, and comprehensively analyzed the related literature. Results: Based on our report and review of the literature, EH is rare and with borderline or uncertain behavior. The original tumors demonstrated specific image features. The tumor usually appeared as a small nest or cords composed of eosinophilic epithlioid or spindled cells.Immunohistochemical assay were positive for endothelial markers CD31, CD34 and FⅧ. EH may be treated with complete surgical resection whenever possible and is sensitive to radiation. The EH has a favorable prognosis. Conclusion: EH has variable malignant potential, and should be differentiated from meningioma. Total resection and close follow-up is recommended. Additional radiotherapy is advised for residual tumors.