Improved early performance of turkey poults given an Aloe ferox leaf extract with bentonite.

AT-402 (20 g/kg), a proprietary blend of Aloe ferox leaf extract and calcium bentonite, had no adverse effect on poult body weights at 3 weeks of age. Lower body weights and lower feed consumption were observed in 4-week-old poults given 10 and 20 g/kg of AT-402 compared to poults given 0 or 5 g/kg. Floor-reared poults, given either 5 or 10 g/kg AT-402 to 4 weeks of age, were significantly heavier than controls (0 g/kg AT-402), and feed conversion ratios for AT-402 given poults were improved. Xylose uptake in 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults was significantly greater than in poults given AT-402 at 0 and 10 g/kg, reflecting increased body weights of 5 g/kg AT-402-fed poults. Delayed access by poults to the AT-402 until 10 d of age also improved 4-week body weights, suggesting that the AT-402 might improve performance as soon as it is given. AT-402 at 5 g/kg was most efficacious as demonstrated by improved body weights and feed conversions.

[Rare differential diagnosis of left brachial pain - Case 6/2010]. / Seltene Differentialdiagnose linksbrachialer Schmerzen - Fall 6/2010.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: An 83-year old woman was admitted with pain in the left arm and on the left hemithorax. Subsequently, herpes zoster developed on the left arm. The next day, the patient got confused and was agitated. Furthermore, paresis of both legs and the left arm occurred. INVESTIGATIONS: Cranial computed tomography was negative for intracerebral haemorrhage or ischaemia. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and increased albumin and lactate concentrations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed presence of varicella zoster virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: After diagnosis of varicella zoster encephalitis, complicating herpes zoster on the left arm, intravenous treatment with aciclovir was initiated. Consequently, the patient's clinical status improved and the neurological signs declined. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes zoster is a rare differential diagnosis of pain on the left hemithorax and may manifest without skin rashes in the initial stadium. In older patients suffering from herpes zoster, disorientation is common. However, in the presence of focal neurological deficits, varicella zoster encephalitis should definitively be ruled out by spinal tap, even if cranial imaging studies are negative.

Gender specific correlations of adrenal gland size and body fat distribution: a whole body MRI study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the gender specific correlations of stress related tissues [adrenal gland volume (AV), visceral fat] and alimentary dependent fat compartments with cortisol concentrations in healthy male and female subjects. METHODS: Fourteen men and 13 women were examined. Fat compartments [whole body fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT)] were determined using whole body MRI. Adrenal gland volume was assessed by a 3D MR data set. The salivary cortisol was determined at 9 AM and 4 PM. RESULTS: Men had significantly more visceral fat and less subcutaneous fat than women. Adrenal gland size correlated significantly with the visceral and subcutaneous fat in women (r=0.7, p=0.008), but not in men (r=0.2, p=0.4). There was a negative correlation between the decrease of cortisol between 9 AM and 4 PM with VAT (r=-0.451, p=0.027) in the whole group. DISCUSSION: The high correlation between the adrenal gland volume and VAT in women underlines the link between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stress, and circadian cortisol rhythm, respectively, and an increased abdominal fat volume. The lack of correlation between visceral fat and adrenal volume in men points to an additional influence of sex hormones.

[Generating statements at whole-body imaging with a workflow-optimized software tool--first experiences with multireader analysis]. / Befunderstellung bei der Ganzkörperbildgebung mittels einer workflowoptimierten Befundungssoftware--Erste Erfahrungen einer Multireader-Analyse.

INTRODUCTION: Due to technical innovations in sectional diagram methods, whole-body imaging has increased in importance for clinical radiology, particularly for the diagnosis of systemic tumor disease. Large numbers of images have to be evaluated in increasingly shorter time periods. The aim was to create and evaluate a new software tool to assist and automate the process of diagnosing whole-body datasets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen whole-body datasets were evaluated by 3 readers using the conventional system and the new software tool. The times for loading the datasets, examining 5 different regions (head, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis/skeletal system) and retrieving a relevant finding for demonstration were acquired. Additionally a Student T-Test was performed. For qualitative analysis the 3 readers used a scale from 0 - 4 (0 = bad, 4 = very good) to assess dataset loading convenience, lesion location assistance, and ease of use. Additionally a kappa value was calculated. RESULTS: The average loading time was 39.7 s (+/- 5.5) with the conventional system and 6.5 s (+/- 1.4) (p < 0.01) with the new software tool. For the different regions (conventional system/new software tool), the time reduction for readers 1, 2, and 3 were as follows: in the head region 35.9 % (p < 0.01)/49.9 % (p < 0.01)/54.3 % (p < 0,01), in the neck region 48.5 % (p < 0.01)/52.6 % (p < 0.01)/59.4 % (p < 0.05), in the thorax region 59.1 % (p < 0.01)/56.2 % (p < 0.05)/62.1 % (p < 0.05), in the abdominal region 61.9 % (p < 0.01)/62.7 % (p < 0.05)/47.9 % (p < 0.01) and in the pelvis region 73.1 % (p < 0.01)/63.7 % (p < 0.05)/55 % (p < 0.01), respectively. 148.2 s (+/- 94.8) compared to 2.5 s (+/- 0.5) were required to retrieve a previously described finding (p < 0.01). With and without the new software tool the same number of metastases was found (p < 0.01, k > 0.9). The qualitative analysis showed a significant advantage with respect to convenience (p < 0.01, k > 0.9). CONCLUSION: Use of the new software can achieve a significant time savings when working with whole-body datasets with a constant quality of findings and a significant advantage with respect to convenience. As a result, the problem of evaluating examinations with thousands of images can be approached systematically.

[Volumetry of the human tongue by MRI]. / MR-Volumetrie der Zunge zur Abschätzung der individuellen Zungengrösse.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the volume of the tongue using MRI. The correlation of the individual volume of the tongue and the size of the oral cavity was to be investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To analyze the tongue volume we combined coronal and sagittal data acquisition, which divided the tongue virtually into two lateral and one medial part. This procedure helped to decrease artefacts by partial volume effect. In 20 probands (m/f 7/13, average age of 36.3 years) the volume of the tongue was determined. Imaging protocol: Magnetom 63 SP (Siemens, Erlangen), T1-weighted sequences (TR/TE 500 ms/10 ms), slice thickness 5 mm, matrix 256 x 256, FOV 250 mm. RESULTS: There was a significant linear regression between the tongue volume and height of the mouth cavity. This correlation can be used to calculate the normal volume of a patient's tongue. DISCUSSION: Volumetry of the tongue can be carried out by means of MRI without application of injurious X-rays. It can be employed before as well as after tongue reduction surgeries for therapy control. The individual ideal tongue volume can be determined easily by determination of the height of the oral cavity.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of trabecular bone in the wrist at 3 tesla: initial results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of trabecular bone of the wrist at 3 Tesla (3T) in vivo and to assess the potential benefit of the increased resolution for clinical assessment of structural changes in spongy bone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: High-resolution MRI of the wrist was performed with a whole-body 3T MR scanner using a dedicated circularly polarized transmit-receive wrist-coil. Two 3D-FISP sequences with a spatial resolution of 300 x 300 x 300 microm3 in a measuring time of TA = 7:51 min, and 200 x 200 x 200 microm3 in TA = 9:33 min were applied. Seven young healthy volunteers and three elderly subjects with suspected osteoporosis were examined. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the optimized setup at 3T was compared to measurements at 1.5T. RESULTS: The images at 3T allow microscopic analysis of the bone structure at an isotropic spatial resolution of 200 microm in examination times of <10 min. Differences in the structure of the spongy bone between normal and markedly osteoporotic subjects are well depicted. The SNR at 3T was found up to 16 times higher than at 1.5T applying unchanged imaging parameters. CONCLUSION: The proposed high-resolution MRI technique offers high potential in the diagnosis and follow-up of diseases with impaired bone structure of hand and/or wrist in clinical applications.

3.0 T high-resolution MR imaging of carpal ligaments and TFCC.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic value of 3.0 Tesla MRI for imaging carpal ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Image quality of different optimized MRI sequences is evaluated for high resolution wrist anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were examined at 3.0 T and 1.5 T using following sequences: T1 SE, fat-saturated PD-/T2-TSE, TIRM, 3D T1/T2* DESS, 3D-CISS, 2D and 3D T2* MEDIC. Voxel size varied from 0.2 x 0.2 x 1.5 mm (2D sequences) to 0.33 mm (3) and 0.26 mm (3) (3D sequences). Image quality (signal-to-noise-ratio, contrast-to-noise-ratio, artifacts) and carpal ligament/TFCC detection rate were judged by a score. The results obtained from the 3.0 T and 1.5 T devices were compared. RESULTS: With identical voxel size, image matrix and FOV, 3.0 T MRI provided significantly better image quality and ligament detection rates for all sequences in comparison with 1.5 T. The 2D and 3D MEDIC sequences yielded best image quality and detection rates. Excellent image quality and visualization of ligament structures by the fat-suppressed PD-TSE sequence were compromised by a relatively high susceptibility to pulsation and motion artifacts. T1 SE and 3D DESS sequences gave moderate image quality and allowed only partial differentiation between ligament structures. TIRM, T2-TSE and 3D-CISS sequence proved to be unsuitable for examining ligaments at 3.0 T due to their poor image quality and detection rate. CONCLUSION: 3.0 T MRI of the wrist proved to be superior to 1.5 T MRI for high-resolution imaging of carpal ligaments and TFCC using 2D and 3D T2* MEDIC sequences. Clinical studies investigating ligament injuries or carpal instability are recommended for evaluating clinical relevance of high-resolution MRI of the wrist.

[Observation and control of hepatic specimens with MRI and MRS]. / Beobachtung und Kontrolle von Fixiervorgängen in Leberpräparaten mittels MRT und MRS.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the process of fixation in liver specimens non-invasively by means of magnetic resonance. The fixation process of several formaldehyde-containing solutions was monitored with MRI and MRS at two different temperatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver specimens were conserved in aqueous fixative solutions containing formaldehyde concentrations of 0.7, 1.8, 4 and 7.2 % and at different temperatures of 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C. MRI was performed with T1-, T2- and PD-weighted TSE sequences, a 2D FLASH-sequence with and without magnetization transfer, and a FISP 3D-sequence on a clinical 1.5 Tesla MR whole-body unit, and MRS with (1)H-spectroscopic methods (STEAM-sequence) on a 3 Tesla MR whole-body unit. RESULTS: The diffusion of formaldehyde into the tissue was best identified on PD- and T1-weighted images as a band under the liver surface with increasing thickness, penetrating especially fast during the first three days. Spectroscopic measurements revealed the rising formaldehyde concentration in the inner part of the organs. Temperature had no significant influence on the velocity of immersing, but cooling conditions produced less gas-filled caverns due to reduced undesired decomposition processes. CONCLUSION: The spatial and temporal process of ongoing fixation in the liver can be monitored by MRI. MRS confirms a rising concentration of formaldehyde during ongoing fixation.