Direct magnification technique for cerebral angiography in the rat.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the performance of direct magnification radiography (DIMA) with digital image processing for cerebral angiography in the rat. METHODS: A microfocal x-ray unit with a focal spot of 5 microns was used for cerebral angiography in 10 rats. The animals were examined form x 4 up to x 20 magnification after injection of 0.2 mL x-ray contrast medium into the common carotid artery. RESULTS: Direct magnification radiography technology provides high resolution images and enables the visualization of very small vessels with high quality. It allows the peripheral branches of the middle cerebral artery or the ophthalmic artery to be visualized. Superimposition and noise effects can be excluded with digital subtraction and image processing. CONCLUSIONS: The experiments show that DIMA radiography is a suitable technique for cerebral angiography in the rat.

Clinical experiences with direct magnification mammography with the DIMA Plus M11. / Klinische Erfahrungen mit der direkten Vergrösserungsmammographie mit dem Gerät DIMA Plus M11.

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of mammographies carried out by conventional technique (standard imaging and focal imaging with 1.9x magnification) should be compared with a direct magnification image (standard imaging with 1.7x magnification, focal imaging with 4x magnification and preparation imaging with 7x magnification) provided by the mammographic device DIMA Plus M11 of the company feinfocus Medizintechnik. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of over 1,000 mammographies (DIMA technique) 50 histologically proved cases were selected for evaluation. Within a three months period these cases underwent conventional standard mammography as well as 1.9x magnification and DIMA-mammographies. The second X-ray was carried out when it was necessary for a pre-operative marking. RESULTS: When mammographies of mammaries, which were radiologically transparent and easily compressible, where taken by DIMA-technique, they showed a distinct advantage, especially in unclear micro-calcification cases, in comparison to the mammographies carried out by the conventional standard imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Direct magnification images carried out by DIMA Plus M11 provide a better breast cancer diagnostic. This refers in particular to focal images with 4x magnification and to digital mammography, which is yet being developed.