Image quality of 3D-FIESTA-C sequence displaying lumbar spinal nerves and intervertebral discs in patients with low back pain / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate image quality of 3D-FIESTA-C sequence displaying lumbar spinal nerves and intervertebral discs in patients with low back pain.Methods Routine protocol for lumbar MRI examinations (sagittal IDEAL,sagittal T1 WI and axial T2 WI sequences)and sagittal 3D-FIESTA-C sequence were performed in 40 patients with low back pain.The MPR of the 3D-FIESTA-C images were used for further analysis.Two radiologists scored the different sequences of images independently.The SNR and the CNR between spinal nerves and cerebrospinal fluid were calculated at 3D-FIESTA-C,IDEAL,T2 WI sequences.Results The image scores of 3D-FIESTA-C (4.77±0.42)was higher than that of the routine protocol (3.00±0.32),and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.0 1 ). For 3D-FIESTA-C,IDEAL and T2 WI sequences,the SNR of the spinal nerves was 33.07±12.29,39.91 ±18.16,27.40±10.34,respectively,and there was no statistical difference between 3D-FIESTA-C and IDEAL,3D-FIESTA-C was better than T2 WI (P＜0.05).The SNR of cerebrospinal fluid was 26 9.1 5 ±70.30,21 3.1 3±40.52,1 1 9.25 ±35.1 5 ,respectively,and 3D-FIESTA-C was better than IDEAL,T2 WI sequences (P＝0.000).The CNR between spinal nerves and cerebrospinal fluid was 235.92±62.04,172.69±38.75,91.85±30.62,respectively,and 3D-FIESTA-C was better than IDEAL,T2 WI sequences (P＝0.000).Conclusion The 3D-FIESTA-C sequence could display spinal nerves and the relative spatial relationship between the spinal nerves and the intervertebral discs,and addition of a 3D-FIESTA-C sequence to a routine lumbar MR protocol may be useful in patients with low back pain.

The diagnostic value of 3D-TOF-MRA in combination with 3D-FIESTA-C in preoperative evaluation of vascular compressive trigeminal neuralgia / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography(3D-TOF-MRA)in combination with three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition with phase cycling (3D-FIESTA-C),using multiplanar reconstruction and image fusion technology in preoperative evaluation of vascular compressive trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and to improve the diagnostic accuracy.Methods 3D-TOF-MRA and 3D-FIESTA-C images using MPR and image fusion technology of 70 patients with TN confirmed by surgery were reviewed retrospectively,and compared with intraoperative findings separately and together.Results Microvascular decompression (MVD)surgery was performed in all 70 patients.Compared with surgical results, 3D-TOF-MRA showed presence of the offending vessel around the cisternal segment of trigeminal nerve in 55 cases with a positive rate of 79%.3D-FIESTA-C showed the presence of the offending vessel in 60 cases with a positive rate of 85%.65 cases were found when combining both 3D-TOF-MRA and 3D-FIESTA-C images,with a positive rate of 93%.No positive imaging findings were seen in 5 cases.Operation showed that offending vessels were small arteries in 3 cases and were petrosal veins in 2 cases.The main offending vessels were superior cerebellar artery and basilar artery.Conclusion Combining images of 3D-TOF-MRA and 3D-FIESTA-C using MPR and image fusion technology can show the relationship between offending vessels and the trigeminal nerve clearly in patients,and provide guidance for MVD surgery.There are still some deficiencies in the display of venules,and other sequences of MRI (such as CE-3D-FIESTA sequences)may be helpful.

The comparative study of showing the responsible blood vessels for neurovascular compression in trigeminal neuralgia by 3D-FIESTA-C and 3D-TOF-MRA / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To compare the diagnostic efficiency in showing the responsible blood vessels for neurovascular compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia by 3D‐FIESTA‐C and 3D‐TOF‐MRA sequences .Methods The imaging data of 60 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia were analyzed retrospectively .After MRI examination ,all of the patients underwent micro‐vascular de‐compression (MVD) .3D‐TOF‐MRA and 3D‐FIESTA‐C sequences were performed to evaluate the three‐dimensional relationship be‐tween trigeminal nerve and blood vessels through the original and reconstructed image .The intraoperative endoscopic findings were set as the gold standard comparing to the manifestations of 3D‐TOF‐MRA and 3D‐FIESTA‐C .Results The sensitivities of 3D‐TOF‐MRA and 3D‐FIESTA‐C for the diagnosis of the existence of responsible vessels were 85 .7% ,89 .3% ,the specificities were 75 .0% , 100% ,and the accuracies were 85 .0% ,90 .0% ,respectively (P=1 .000) .Furthermore ,the sensitivities of 3D‐TOF‐MRA and 3D‐FIESTA‐C for the diagnosis of the existence of responsible arteries were 94 .1% ,88 .2% (P=0 .244) ,while the sensitivities of the responsible veins were 0 .00% and 88 .2% (P=0 .009) .Conclusion Both the 3D‐FIESTA‐C and 3D‐TOF‐MRA sequences can accurately deter‐mine the existence of responsible vessels in trigeminal neuralgia before surgery .3D‐FIESTA‐C sequence is superior to 3D‐TOF‐MRA for presenting the responsible veins ,which can be used as a supplemental diagnostic tool before operation .

Physiological and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Balanced Steady-state Free Precession

Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) is a highly efficient pulse sequence that is known to provide the highest signal-to-noise ratio per unit time. Recently, bSSFP is getting increasingly popular in both the research and clinical communities. This review will be focusing on the application of the bSSFP technique in the context of probing the physiological and functional information. In the first part of this review, the basic principles of bSSFP are briefly covered. Afterwards, recent developments related to the application of bSSFP, in terms of physiological and functional imaging, are introduced and reviewed. Despite its long development history, bSSFP is still a promising technique that has many potential benefits for obtaining high-resolution physiological and functional images.

Manifestejos de junho: negação e ocupação da coisa pública / Brazilian protests: denying and occupying public affairs / Manifestejos de Junio: negación y ocupación de la cosa pública

As manifestações de junho de 2013 no Brasil trazem consigo dúvidas e conjecturas. Em um exercício de leitura do contexto atual, são interpostas duas lentes de análise: a macro-social e a do testemunho individual. Salienta-se na presente mobilização a revolta coletiva e individual de simultâneas negação e apropriação do espaço público.

The June 2013 demonstrations in Brazil raised doubts and conjectures. In an exercise to understand the current context, the present paper interposes two lenses of analysis: the macro-social and the individual testimony. It is argued that current mobilizations gather private and collective revolts, simultaneously denying and occupying the public space.

Las manifestaciones de junio de 2013 en Brasil plantean dudas y conjeturas. En un ejercicio de comprensión del contexto actual, el presente artículo interpone dos lentes de análisis: una macro-social y otra del testimonio individual. Se argumenta que las movilizaciones actuales reúnen revueltas privadas y colectivas que, al mismo tiempo, niegan y ocupan el espacio público.

The monthly rhythm of incidence and age at menarche: thirty five years of research: The circa-vacation-study expectancy rhythm of incidence and age at menarche

The hypothesis that the vacation-study-expectancy scholar regime produces most of the monthly rhythm of the age at menarche (AaM) was tested. Studies on monthly menarche incidence (MI) refuted climatic factors as a main factor in this rhythm, and indicated that the main factor of this rhythm is the succession of expectancies of study (Stu-months) or vacation (Vac-months) months within a year. Thus the hypothesis of seasonal circa-annual rhythm should be modified to the circa-[vacation (fiesta)]-[study (non-fiesta)]-expectancies rhythm for the MI and age at menarche annual rhythms. In several countries Vac-months had higher MI than Stu-months. The high MI of Vac-months was followed by a large decrease when girls started their studies and a MI increase occurred as vacations approached. The hypothesis proposes that at the end of vacations and at the beginning of the study period the AaM should be lowest, and then the mean of AaM should increase because of the menarche delay of girls whose menarche was arrested by the initiation of school work. This pattern was found in four independent samples, from Chile, Colombia, USA and Brazil. The probability that this result be due to random fluctuation of means is extraordinarily low (P<10-8). I conclude that the influence of the expectancy of vacation and study periods on the monthly rhythm of the age at menarche is a real process that accounts for most of this rhythm.

The role of 3D volumetric MR sequences in diagnosing intraventricular neurocysticercosis: preliminar results / Papel das sequencias volumétricas 3D de RM no diagnóstico da neurocisticercose intraventricular: resultados preliminares

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the role of two three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MRI) sequences: enhanced spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR), and fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) in the evaluation of intraventricular neurocysticercosis cysts and scolices. METHOD: Seven neurocysticercosis patients suspected of presenting intraventricular lesions were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging using enhanced SPGR, and FIESTA. RESULTS: Enhanced SPGR detected eight cystic lesions, with scolices in four. Contrast enhancement was observed in three cysts. FIESTA also detected eight cystic lesions with the presence of scolices in seven of those cystic lesions. Four patients presented parenchymal involvement, while the remaining three presented the racemose form. CONCLUSION: FIESTA and SPGR are sequences that can detect intraventricular cysts of neurocysticercosis, and FIESTA also is good for the detection of the scolex. Considering this information we suggest that FIESTA and SPGR should be included in the MRI protocol for the investigation of intraventricular neurocysticercosis.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o papel de duas sequências de ressonância magnética (RM) volumétricas tridimensionais: spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) pós-contraste e fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) na avaliação de cistos e escólex na neurocisticercose intraventricular. MÉTODO: Sete pacientes suspeitos de neurocisticercose intraventricular foram avaliados pela ressonância magnética com SPGR pós-contraste e FIESTA. RESULTADOS: SPGR pós-contraste evidenciou oito lesões císticas com presença de escólex em quatro. Realce foi observado em três destes cistos. FIESTA também detectou oito lesões císticas, com presença de escólex em sete destas lesões. Envolvimento do parênquima cerebral foi observado em quatro pacientes e forma racemosa em três. CONCLUSÃO: FIESTA e SPGR são sequências que permitem a detecção de cistos intraventriculares de neurocisticercose e FIESTA é uma boa sequência para a detecção de escólex. Considerando estes achados nós sugerimos que estas sequências (FIESTA e SPGR) devam ser incluídas no protocolo de RM na investigação de neurocisticercose intraventricular.

Ingeniería ritual en la comunicación de masas: a propósito de los JJ. OO. de Río de Janeiro 2016 / Ritual engineering in the comunication of the masses: purpose of the JJ.OO. of Rio de Janeiro 2016

La próxima celebración, en Río de Janeiro, de los JJ.OO., donde anualmente se celebran los más conocidos carnavales, permite reflexionar sobre la ingeniería ritual en la comunicación de masas con la que están construidos estos espectáculos, realizada por los gobiernos para afirmar la identidad nacional, de cara a los propios ciudadanos y de cara, también, al mundo entero, sin olvidar la propaganda implícita de su "ethos burocrático". Los JJ.OO., tienen una estructura ritual, un sentido de fiesta y hasta son una religión civil, siendo la sinergia de estos tres componentes una poderosa fuerza de conducción y nacionalización de las masas.

The next celebration, in Rio de Janeiro, of JJ.OO., where every year are celebrate the most knows carnivals, make possible think about the ritual engineering in the communication of the masses, with that are building this spectacles. This ritual engineering is doing for the governments to confirm the national identity, for the own citizens and for, too all over the world, without forget the inside advertising of his "bureaucratic ethos". The JJ.OO., have a ritual structure, a sense of holiday and even a civil religion, being a synergy of this three components one powerful force of control and nationalization of the masses.

Application of MR 3D FIESTA Technology in Spinal Malformation / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To study the value of MR 3D FIESTA technology in spinal malformation. Materials and Methods 70 patients with spinal malformation and GE 1.5T superconducting MR machine got involved in. The scanning sequences included FSET2WI scanning at 2D axial position, coronal position and sagital positon, and FIESTA scanning at 3D coronal position and sagital position. Results FIESTA scanning could be used in the achievement of multi-slice and multi-angle coronal, sagital and axial images. Conclusion 3D MR FIESTA can be applied to rapid, multi-angle, multi-slice and continuous display of the spinal cord.

Application of FIESTA to Abdominal Scanning of Patient Undergoing Uneffective Respiratory Triggering / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To investigate the value of FIESTA sequence for the abdominal scanning of the patient undergoing uneffective respiratory triggering. Methods 40 cases undergoing uneffective respiratory triggering were adopted as the subjects. GE SIGNA 1.5T and fat-suppressed technique got involved in. Two chief physicians and two associate chief technologists compared the image quality and the lesion detective rate. Results FIESTA sequence was better than FSE T2WI in the aspect of image quality, but worse in lesion detective rate. Conclusion FIESTA sequence is clinically valuable for the abdominal scanning of patient undergoing unffective respiratory triggering.