Index by author

In this study the feasibility of using dynamic postcontrast imaging to separate hypo- and hypervascular spine metastases was assessed. Using a T1 postcontrast sequence with temporal resolution of 6 seconds, the authors imaged spine lesions in 26 patients and from the data collected calculated 3 dynamic parameters. Hypervascular lesions showed steeper and higher wash-in slopes and higher peak enhancement. Conversely, conventional pre- and postcontrast images were unable to differentiate lesions.

This article explores the relationship between brain microbleeds and the type of plaque occurring in the carotid arteries of these patients. The authors assessed the plaques using CT and brain MRI with blood-sensitive gradient-echo sequences (they did not use SWI). Thirty percent of patients showed microbleeds; one-half were symptomatic. A statistically significant association between cerebral microbleeds and fatty carotid plaques was found.

Fifteen patients with retinoblastoma were assessed with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI over a period of 8 minutes; late contrast enhancement was also studied. The authors found that during the early phase of the perfusion studies the time curve correlated with microvessel density whereas late enhancement correlated with tumor necrosis. Thus, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI may be used to assess angiogenesis and necrosis and may be used to monitor treatment.