[en] Objective: To explore the MRI features of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD), and to study the correlations between the MRI features and clinical data, such as the neurologic symptoms in HLD. Methods: 23 patients with HLD confirmed by clinical and experiment results performed plain MRI scanning. The MRI features of HLD, the neurologic symptoms and the correlations between them were analyzed. Results: 23 patients all showed abnormal signal on MRI with midly lower or lower T₁ signal, mildly higher T2 signal, and high signal on FLAIR. The signal on DWI was high in progressed HLD. The lesions involved the nucleus lentiformis (21/23), the thalami (19/23), the mesencephalon (18/23), pars occipitalis capsulae internae (14/23), the pons (13/23), the caput nuclei caudati (11/23), the dentate nucleus (8/23), the pedunculuscerebellarismedius (5/23), the lobus frontalis (5/23), the splenium of corpus callosum (4/23), the lobus occipitalis (1/23), brain atrophy (14/23). There was correlation between the MRI findings and the neurologic symptoms in HLD. Conclusion: The typical MRI features of HLD is bilateral symmetrical abnormal MRI signal in basal ganglion regions and thalami, mostly with brain atrophy. High DWI signal can be found in progressed HLD. There is correlation between the MRI findings and the neurologic symptoms in HLD. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the value of fat-suppressed FIESTA sequence for diagnosing biliary calculus. Methods: 30 patients with intra-hepatic bile duct stones on CT underwent MRCP examination. 14 of 30 cases also had extra-hepatic bile duct stones. The area of interest was scanned using thin-slice FRFFSE and FIESTA sequences. The diagnostic accuracy with FRFFSE or FIESTA was compared. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or ERCP on all patients. Results: The accuracy of FRFFSE and FIESTA was 63% and 87% respectively for detecting intra-hepatic bile duct stones. The difference was significant (χ²=4.36, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in detection of the 14 cases of extra-hepatic bile duct calculus. Conclusion: FIESTA has great value in diagnosis of intra- hepatic bile duct stones. (authors)

[en] Objective: To characterize the central nervous system reaction on acupuncture stimulations of ZUSANLI (S36) and YANGLINGQUAN (G34) by using real time imaging processing (RTIP) functional magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Functional MR imaging was performed in 17 healthy volunteers with 2 paradigms: acupuncture at acu-points of ZUSANLI (S36 and YANGLINGQUAN (G34) (on the right side) and control stimulations (right finger tapping). Correlation coefficient (CC) of ROI was detected including bilateral sensorimotor area (SMC), pre-motor cortex (PMC), and supplementary motor area (SMA). Only the ROI in which CC ≥ 0.6 and range exceeded 4 pixels was counted as an activated area. Fisher's exact test was performed to analyze the data in SAS software package. Results: In tapping finger task, 16 subjects obtained functional MR images satisfactorily except 1 subjects, and 8 of SMC_R, 8 of PMC_R, 9 of SMA, 16 of SMC_L, and 9 of PMC_L were activated. In acupuncture task, 3 subjects were eliminated for gross motion artifacts, there were 6 of SMC_R, 10 of PMC_R, 8 of SMA, 11 of SMC_L, and 10 of PMC_L were activated in the rest 14 subjects. Fisher's exact test (2-Tail) (P> 0.05) showed that there was no significant difference in ROI activated by two kinds of stimulus. Conclusion: Real time fMRI was very useful in exploring acupuncture mechanisms. However, its value in practice still requires further study and synthetic appraise integrating clinical acupuncture effect

[en] Objective: The application value of CTA for BA in interventional therapy of lung cancer. Methods: 15 patients with lung cancers including central type(13 cases) and peripheral type(2 cases) proven by pathology were analyzed prospectively. They were all examined with contrast enhanced. MDCT and the data were sent to the workstation and reconstructed with thin section multi-planar reformation (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP)and volume rendering (VR). Results: All cases of central type lung cancer were supplied by the bronchial artery including two by the bronchial artery and intercostal artery, clearly demonstrated on the scans with the origin, branches and routes. One case of peripheral lung cancer was supplied by the bronchial artery and the other could not find the definite supplying artery. Conclusions: CTA of BA for lung cancer can provide the accurate localization and other reference data for interventional therapy. (authors)

[en] Objective: To investigate the technique and application of nasolacrimal duct imaging using MR hydrography. Methods: Eight healthy volunteers(16 lacrimal ducts) and 17 patients affected by primary epiphora(32 lacrimal ducts) underwent MRI with three-dimensional fast recovery fast spin echo (3D-FRFSE) MR daeryocystography (MRD) sequence after sterile saline solution had been instilled into the conjunctival sac. For all patients affected by primary epiphora, FRFSE T₂-weighted oblique coronal and axial images were obtained after MRD. All patients (32 lacrimal ducts) underwent lacrimal endoscopy, which served as a standard of reference for confirming MR findings. Results: Eight cases of 16 normal lacrimal passages were showed by MR hydrography with administering topical sterile saline solution, which demonstrated the lacrimal sac well and whole course of the nasolacrimal duct. Endoscopic findings confirmed nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to chronic non-specific inflammation: the color of the mucosa of the nasolaerimal ducts was grey-red, and the obstructive sinuses were filled with nonelastic grey-white membrane. The accuracy of 3D-FRFSE MRD sequence in diagnosing obstructive level was 78% (25/32). The lacrimal ducts above the obstructive level showed watery hypo-intensity on 3D-FRFSE MRD, and the lacrimal ducts below the obstructive level could not be showed. Abnormal findings were presented in all cases of obstructive nasolacrimal ducts with Axi-FRFSET₂WI and Cor-FRFSET₂WI sequences: long T₂ fluid signals were seen in the lumens of the lacrimal sac and (or) nasolacrimal duct above the obstructive level, equal or slightly long T₂ soft-tissue signals were seen in the lumens of the nasolacrimal duct below the obstructive level, and the mucosa of the ducts thickened. Conclusion: MR imaging performed after the topical administration of sterile saline solution can reveal normal nasolaerimal duct and is feasible in evaluating obstructive nasolacrimal ducts. (authors)

[en] Objective: To study the potential of multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging in the assessment of cerebral neoplasms. Methods: Multi-slice helical CT perfusion imaging was performed in 38 patients with cerebral tumors. The perfusion imaging of the tumor was carried out by cine scan technique (1s/1 rotation) with slice thickness 5 mm/4i, reconstructed slice thickness 10 mm/2i. Contrast injection was done by using 50 ml nonionic contrast agent (300 mg I/ml), at a flow rate of 3.5 ml/s with a power injector, and 5 seconds delay, and data acquisition lasted for 45 seconds. The scanning images were processed in ADW 4.0 workstation. BF, BV, PS values of tumors were calculated and statistically analysed. Results: 38 patients with cerebral neoplasms included 9 cases of grade I-II gliomas (group 1), 10 cases of grade III-IV gliomas (group 2), 9 cases of metastases (group 3) and 10 cases of meningiomas (group 4). All raw data was transformed to square root so as to be consistent with normal distribution. √BF values for group l to group 4 were (5.99 ± 1.03 ), (7.55 ± 1.57), (7.72 ± 2.02), (11.40 ± 2.13) ml· min^-1·kg^-1. The differences in √BF were statistically significant between group 1 and group 2, between group 1 and group 3, between group 1 and group 4, between group 2 and group 4, between group 3 and group 4 (t_1,2=6.89, t_1,3=4.59, t_1,4=11.03, t_2,4=10.58, t_3,4=7.65, P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between group 2 and group 3 (t_2,3=l.17, P>0.05); √BV values for group l to group 4 were (1.01 ± 0.19), (1.42 ± 0.38), (1.25 ± 0.33), (1.60 ± 0.24) ml·kg^-1. The differences in √BV were statistically significant between every two groups (t_1,2=7.15, t_1,3=3.71, t_1,4=5.93, t_2,3=2.94, t_2,4=2.72, t_3,4=4.46, P<0.05); √PS values for group l to group 4 were (1.70±0.37), (3.63±0.95), (4.29±1.30), (5.69±1.03) ml·min^-1·kg^-1. The differences in √PS were statistically significant between every, two groups(t_1,2=11.53, t_1,3=10.61, t_1,4=16.77, t_2,3=3.69, t_2,4=9.94, t_3,4=5.52, P<0.05). Conclusion: Multi-slice helical CT perfusion imaging is very useful to evaluate tumor vessels of cerebral neoplasms and it can provide information of incremental benefit in diagnosis, in staging of tumor grade, in the distinction of benign from malignant cerebral neoplasms and in differentiating intracerebral neoplasms from extracerebral neoplasms. (authors)

[en] Objective: To discuss the parallelism of signals in MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and metabolic abnormity in proton MR spectroscopy (¹HMRS) with pathologic and biochemical changes in adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Methods: DWI and ¹HMRS examination were performed in 6 cases with ALD proven by serum VLCFA, comparing ADC and relative ratio values of each metabolite in different regions of lesion with normal white matter. Results: Initial lesions in occipital-parietal lobes showed very low signals on DWI and the highest ADC values (2.400 x 10^-3 mm²/s, F=7.31, P=0.003), the ratios of NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho were lower (0.62 ±0.24, F=4.00, P=0.02; 0.32±0.16, F=6.75, P=0.02), and Cho/Cr and Lac/Cr were higher than normal white matter (1.96±0.53, F=3.53, P=0.03; 0.28±0.24, F=3.22, P=0.04). On expanding regions to frontal lobe, the signal became highest and ADC values was lowest [(0.749- 0.752) x 10^-3 mm²/s, F=7.31, P=0.003]. The depressed tendency of NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho in adjacent lesion was distinct than that of remote lesion (q₂=-0.23, P₂=0.047; q₂=-0.23, P₂=0.02). There was no significant difference in the increase of Cho/Cr and Lac/Cr ratios (q₂=0.34, P₂=0.19; q₂=0.11, P₂=0.17). Conclusion: MRS offers a useful method for dynamic observation of spatio-temporal changes in ALD. ADC values and choline, lactic acid levels increase in obsolete lesions whereas NAA levels decrease distinctly. In expanding lesion, ADC values decrease markedly, while the elevation of Choline and Lactic acid is not significant in adjacent region. NAA levels decrease moderately because of remnant neuron and axon. (authors)

[en] Objective: To establish the method of ¹H-MRS in the determination of myocardial triglyceride content (MTC) in vivo and test its reproducibility. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers were recruited after routine physical examination. Cardiac images of the four-chamber and short axis views were collected. Spectroscopic volumes of interest were positioned within the interventricular septum on the end- systolic images. PRESS sequence spectroscopic data acquisition was triggered by electrocardiograph-derived R wave and synchronized with respiratory cycle at end-exhalation. MTC was calculated by the ratio of areas of resonances for lipid and water. After three months ¹H-MRS of the heart were conducted again to investigate the reproducibility of the method. MTC before and after' three months was compared by using paired t test. The correlation between MTC and clinical data was determined by using correlation analysis. Results: UTC in healthy volunteers were (0.46 ± 0.17)% and (0.48 ± 0.19)% for the baseline and follow-up respectively. No difference was identified (t=-0.569, P=0.583). MTC was not correlated with body mass index [BMI (21.1±2.1) kg/m², r=0.271, P=0.449], waist circumference [(77.9 ± 4.7) cm, r=0.105,P=0.772], waist-to-hip ratio (WHR 0.81 ± 0.01, r=0.172, P=0.635), systolic blood pressure [SBP(111 ± 16) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), r=0.267, P=0.456], diastolic blood pressure [DBP(71±9) mm Hg, r=-0.553, P=0.097], fasting glucose [FPG (4.77 ± 0.44) mmol/L, r=0.568,P=0.087], total cholesterol ITC (4.25 ± 0.55) mmol/L, r=0.067,P=0.854] and triglyceride [TG (1.07±0.48) mmol/L, r=0.478, P=0.162]. Conclusions: Myocardial triglyceride content can be quantitatively determined by ¹H-MRS. The reproducibility of myocardial ¹H-MRS was good for clinical purpose. (authors)

[en] Objective: To observe diffusion changes of epiphysis of femoral head with ischemia of difference phases by line-scan diffusion weighted imaging (LSDWI), and determine whether LSDWI can provide temporal information and severity about ischemia of epiphysis. Methods: Ischemia was surgically induced in one hip of each piglet (n=25) and the other hip served as a normal control. Piglets were imaged before surgery and at 3 hours, 72 hours and 1, 3 and 6 weeks after surgery by using LSDWI. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in epiphysis of the femoral heads were calculated. Significant differences in ADC values between ischemia group and control group were found by using paired t-test. After scan at individual time points, 5 piglets were sacrificed for histological study each time. Results: The ADC value in the ischemic femoral heads [(1.22±0.37) x 10^-3 mm²/s] decreased significantly at 3 hours after surgery (t=3.914, P<0.01), compared to that in control [(1.73±0.33) x 10^-3 mm²/s], and increased at 72 hours [(2.15±0.32) x 10^-3 mm²/s versus (1.70±0.22) x 10^-3 mm²/s] (t=3.348, P<0.01). Then ADC value kept increasing until 6 weeks after surgery [(1.61±0.27) x 10^-3 mm²/s in ischemia side vs (1.11±0.45) x 10^-3 mm²/s in the control] (t=4.136, P<0.01). The percentage change of the ADC value significantly increased at 3 hours, 72 hours, 1 and 3 week(s) after the surgery (P<0.01), compared to that at the prior' neighboring time point. No significant increase in the percentage change of ADC value was found between the 3rd week and the 6th week after the surgery (t=2.29, P>0.05). Histological examinations revealed abnormal thickening within epiphyseal cartilage, and cartilaginous islands within ossified tissues. Growth disturbance was found in form of focal growth plate disruption. Conclusions: Dynamic changes of ADC values were found with the prolonged ischemia of the femoral head by LSDWI. It could serve as a useful marker for evaluating duration and extent of ischemic epiphyseal disruption. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the activation of the visual cortex in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and to explore whether the neuronal activity corresponds with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and cup-to-disc (C/D) values. Methods: Twenty-five patients and 25 gender-and age matched healthy volunteers were studied. Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) and three-dimensional brain volume imaging (3D BRAVO) sequences were obtained using 3 T MR imaging system. A full-screen black-white shift checkerboard was used for visual stimulus during the fMRI experiment and was performed on each eye of all subjects using a visual-acoustical system. All acquired data were postprocessed and analyzed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM). After analysis, individual activated mapping, intra-group mean activated mapping, and inter-group variant mapping were observed. The voxel number, intensity, and Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) coordinate of the activated clusters were recorded. The Xjviewer software was utilized to obtain activated voxel numbers in occipital lobe. A Pearson correlated test was performed to test the correlation between the number of activated voxels and RNFL, C/D and Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish (HAP) clinical stage. Results: Intra-group mean activated mappings of both patients and volunteers showed obvious activation in bilateral occipital lobes. As compared with healthy volunteers, the POAG patients exhibited statistically significantly decreased activation in bilateral occipital lobes, left hippocampus, and left cerebellum, along with lower mean RNFL [(71.56 ± 21.54) μm versus (111.88 ± 9.96) μm] and higher C/D values (0.71 ± 0.18 versus 0.36 ± 0.08 ; t value was respectively -10.901 and 11.643, P < 0.05). The number of activated voxels in the occipital lobes of POAG patients did not correlate with RNFL, C/D and HAP clinical stage of the corresponding eye (r value was respectively 0.157, -0.113 and -0.242, P > 0.05). Conclusions: fMRI demonstrated differences in visual cortex activation in POAG patients relative to healthy volunteers, suggesting it might be a promising complementary method for diagnosing glaucoma. However, fMRI findings did not correlate with POAG extent, as measured by RNFL and C/D values. Ophthalmological examination remains to play an important role in the evaluation of open-angle glaucoma. (authors)