USPIO-enhanced MRI for preoperative staging of gynecological pelvic tumors: preliminary results.

The aim of this study was to assess nodal enhancement with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during preoperative staging of gynecological pelvic tumors within the same imaging session for the primary tumor. Pelvic MRI was performed 18-28 h after intravenous infusion of USPIO (Combidex/Sinerem, 2.6 mg Fe/kg body weight) in 13 women (mean age 51 years) scheduled for surgery for biopsy proven ( n=11) or clinically suspected ( n=2) uterine carcinoma. Axial T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T2-weighted fast SE (FSE; with fat saturation), fast spoiled gradient-recalled (FSPGR) echo, sagittal and oblique T2-weighted FSE sequences were acquired on a 1.5-T system. Lymph nodes were prospectively staged using standard criteria, i.e., size and shape, as well as USPIO enhancement. Results were correlated with histology findings. MRI correctly staged all primary uterine tumors. In one case, the preoperative diagnosis of stage IV switched the therapeutic approach to radiochemotherapy. Ninety-one (86 benign, 5 malignant) of the histologically characterized nodes could be correlated with their MRI counterparts. One node was false positive; three micrometastases greater than 5 mm and one 5-mm metastasis were missed. On a nodal basis, the sensitivity score was 0.33 and the specificity score, 0.99. On a patient basis, the sensitivity score was 0.25 and the specificity score, 0.80. Our preliminary results indicate that USPIO-enhanced pelvic MRI for preoperative nodal assessment is feasible within one imaging session for primary tumors and that it has a high specificity. However, the low sensitivity in the present study is a limitation for the clinical application of this technique.

MR assessment of fetal lung development using lung volumes and signal intensities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the monitoring and diagnostic potential of MRI in fetal lung development and disease using lung volume and signal intensity changes through gestation. Thirty-five healthy fetuses (22-42 weeks) were examined on a 1.5- T MR system using sagittal T2w single-shot fast spin-echo imaging (TR indefinite, TE 90 ms, slice thickness/gap 3-5/0 mm, FOV 26-40 cm, NEX 0.5). Fetal body and lung were segmented manually and volumes calculated. Signal intensities (SI) of fetal lung and three reference values were measured on the section best displaying the lung. Regions of interests were defined by including the maximal organ area possible. The following SI ratios were generated: lung/liver, lung/amniotic fluid, lung/muscle, liver/fluid and liver/muscle. Volumes and ratios were correlated with gestational age. Data from seven fetuses with pulmonary pathology were compared with these normative values. Absolute lung volume varied from 12.3 to 143.5 cm(3) in correlation with gestational age ( P<0.001); lung volume relative to total body volume ranged from 1.6 to 5.0%, decreasing with gestational age ( P=0.001). All SI ratios measured were unrelated to gestational age. Diagnoses in the seven abnormal fetuses were hydrothorax ( n=2), congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation ( n=2), diaphragmatic hernia ( n=2) and pulmonary sequestration ( n=1); their absolute and relative lung volumes were below normal ( P<0.001). The SI ratios did not differ significantly from those in the normal population. Normative MR fetal lung volumes may have important clinical applications in confirming and quantifying intrauterine pulmonary hypoplasia and in complementing ultrasound in the planning of fetal and post-natal surgery. No clinical relevance was found for fetal lung SI values.

Original report. Fetal cardiographic monitoring during 1.5-T MR imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this report was to determine the feasibility of fetal cardiotocography during MR imaging and the safety of 1.5-T MR imaging on the basis of fetal heart activity and fetal movements. CONCLUSION: Fetal cardiotocography is feasible during MR imaging using modified standard equipment. The use of 1.5-T MR imaging appears to be safe and to have no negative short-term effects on the heart rate or movement incidence of healthy third-trimester fetuses under our experimental conditions.

Obstetric MR pelvimetry: reference values and evaluation of inter- and intraobserver error and intraindividual variability.

PURPOSE: To establish obstetric magnetic resonance (MR) pelvimetric reference values in a large study population and stratify them according to delivery modality and to determine the intra- and interobserver error and intraindividual variability of MR pelvimetric assessment in volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR pelvimetric data were retrospectively reviewed in 781 women (mean age, 28.9 years +/- 5.2 [SD]) clinically referred, and the data were correlated to obstetric history to derive normative values. Five observers assessed results of multiple MR pelvimetric examinations in 10 female volunteers (mean age, 34.7 years +/- 6.0; eight nullipara, two primipara) to provide data for measurement error analysis. RESULTS: All values were higher in the spontaneous vaginal delivery subgroup (n = 100) and lower in the cesarean section or vacuum extraction subgroup (n = 130; intersubgroup difference, P <.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Pelvimetric parameters in the group undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery were as follows: obstetric conjugate, 121.7 mm +/- 8.6; interspinous distance, 112.3 mm +/- 7.9; intertuberous distance, 120.6 mm +/- 11.3; transverse diameter, 129.5 mm +/- 8.7; and sagittal outlet, 115.8 mm +/- 9.9. In the volunteer study, intraobserver, interobserver, and intraindividual reliabilities were high for the obstetric conjugate (0.94-0.96), interspinous distance (0.92-0.95), and transverse diameter (0.95-0.98) but low for intertuberous distance (0.64-0.87) and sagittal outlet (0.66-0.85). CONCLUSION: Pelvimetric dimensions are smaller in women undergoing cesarean section or vacuum extraction than they are in those delivering vaginally. The pelvimetric parameters associated with the largest measurement errors are intertuberous distance and sagittal outlet.

Preoperative breast cancer staging: MR imaging of the axilla with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) enhancement for preoperative axillary lymph node staging in patients with breast cancer by using histopathologic findings as the standard of reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-T system within 24-36 hours after the start of intravenous slow-drip infusion of USPIO in 20 patients with breast cancer who were scheduled for surgery, followed by gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging. Lymph nodes were staged prospectively by using newly established criteria, and results were correlated with histologic findings. RESULTS: In two patients, preoperative findings led to a change in therapeutic approach, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given; both patients were excluded from statistical analysis. Results of axillary staging with USPIO-enhanced MR imaging were true-positive in nine, true-negative in seven, false-positive in zero, and false-negative in two of 18 patients (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 100%; positive predictive value, 100%; second reader, kappa = 1.0). Four hundred five lymph nodes were detected with MR imaging. For first and second readers, respectively, lymph node-based sensitivity was 83% and 73% and specificity was 96% and 97% (kappa = 0.68). USPIO as the intravascular contrast agent could not replace gadolinium for assessment of the primary tumor; however, no clinically relevant interaction was seen. Thus, an integrated imaging approach was feasible in all patients. CONCLUSION: USPIO-enhanced MR imaging has the potential to become an adjunct to conventional MR imaging of the breast for preoperative assessment of axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer.

Pelvimetry and patient acceptability compared between open 0.5-T and closed 1.5-T MR systems.

Our objective was to compare maternal pelvimetry and patient acceptability between open low-field (0.5-T) and closed 1.5-T MR systems. Thirty women referred for pelvimetry (pregnant: n=15) were scanned twice in the supine position, once in the vertical open system and once in the closed system. Each patient completed a comfort and acceptability questionnaire. Pelvimetric and questionnaire data were compared between systems. Total scan time was double in the open system (7:52+/-1:47 vs 3:12+/-1:20 min). Poor image quality in the open system prevented assessment of interspinous and intertuberous diameters in one woman and all measurements in another, both pregnant, with abdominal circumferences >120 cm. The open system was much more acceptable in terms of claustrophobia and confinement (both p<0.01). Claustrophobia interrupted one closed examination. Thirty-three percent of pregnant women in both systems reported fear of fetal harm. Sixty percent of all women preferred the open system, 7% the closed system, and 33% had no preference. Limits of agreement of 3-5% from the mean for all diameters confirmed good pelvimetric reproducibility. Women's preference for open-system MR pelvimetry is feasible with abdominal circumferences

California's Cushing connection: Harvey Cushing trained California's first neurosurgeons.

On September 9, 2000, California celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary of its admission to the United States. One hundred years ago, in September of 1901, Harvey Cushing began his surgical practice in Baltimore, Maryland. The proximity of these dates presents an auspicious moment for a review of the careers of three neurosurgeons trained by Dr. Cushing--Howard Naffziger, Carl Rand, and Edward Towne--who played defining roles in establishing modern neurosurgery in the Golden State. In promulgating Cushing's surgical principles and philosophy, these physicians achieved a distinguished place in the history of medicine in California.