AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of the artifacts caused by metallic implants in breast MRI using dual-echo dixon versus conventional fat-suppression techniques.
The purpose of this article is to evaluate and compare the artifacts caused by metal implants in breast MR images acquired with dual-echo Dixon and two conventional fat-suppression techniques. ⋯ Metal implants introduce artifacts of different types and sizes, according to the different fat-suppression techniques used. The dual-echo Dixon technique produces a larger central void, allowing the implant to be easily identified, but presents a smaller overall artifact volume by obscuring less area in the image, according to a quantitative phantom study.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Sep 2014
Correlation of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection of the quadratus femoris with MRI findings of ischiofemoral impingement.
MRI findings of ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) have been described, but there is little evidence for treatment with ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection of the quadratus femoris muscle as a treatment of IFI syndrome and to correlate the MRI findings with injection outcome. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection of the quadratus femoris muscle shows promise as an effective treatment of IFI syndrome. However, larger longitudinal studies are needed to help establish the role of ultrasound-guided injection in the workup and care of patients presenting with both MRI findings and clinical findings of IFI.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Sep 2014
CT of the bronchopulmonary veins in patients with superior vena cava or left brachiocephalic vein obstruction.
The purpose of this study was to show the arrangement and connections of the bronchopulmonary veins (i.e., vessels draining the bronchi, bronchioles, and pleura in patients with chronic superior vena cava (SVC) or left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) obstruction using CT. ⋯ The arrangement and connections of the bronchopulmonary veins in patients with chronic SVC or LBCV obstruction can be depicted by CT; these vessels form an intricate network connecting the systemic and pulmonary venous circulations and can act as systemic-pulmonary shunts.
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The purposes of this article are to review the indications for and the materials and designs of hardware more commonly used in the lumbar spine; to discuss alternatives for each of the types of hardware; to review normal postoperative imaging findings; to describe the appropriateness of different imaging modalities for postoperative evaluation; and to show examples of hardware complications. ⋯ Stabilization and fusion of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disk replacement, artificial ligaments, spinous process distraction devices, plate-and-rod systems, dynamic posterior fusion devices, and newer types of material incorporation are increasingly more common in contemporary surgical practice. These spinal hardware devices will be seen more often in radiology practice. Successful postoperative radiologic evaluation of this spinal hardware necessitates an understanding of fundamental hardware design, physiologic objectives, normal postoperative imaging appearances, and unique complications. Radiologists may have little training and experience with the new and modified types of hardware used in the lumbar spine.