Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging, arthrotomography and clinical and surgical findings in temporomandibular joint internal derangements.

Twenty-four temporomandibular joints were evaluated by means of tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Seventeen of these joints were also examined with the use of arthrotomography. Meniscus surgery was carried out on 13 of the temporomandibular joints. The three imaging techniques were compared for diagnosis of disk displacement, of degenerative joint disease, and of perforations. All imaging techniques were compared with clinical and surgical findings. MRI was as accurate as arthrotomography in confirming disk displacement. MRI was more accurate in disclosing gross arthrosis than tomography. The best use of arthrography was in disclosing perforations. The best correlation to surgical findings was shown by the clinical examination.

Enhanced MRI of tumors utilizing a new nitroxyl spin label contrast agent.

Nitroxyl spin labels have been shown to be effective in vivo contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system, myocardium, and urinary tract. A new pyrrolidine nitroxyl contrast agent (PCA) with better resistance to in vivo metabolic inactivation than previously tested agents was studied for its potential to enhance subcutaneous neoplasms in an animal model. Twenty-two contrast enhancement trials were performed on a total of 15 animals 4-6 weeks after implantation with human renal adenocarcinoma. Spin echo imaging was performed using a .35 T animal imager before and after intravenous administration of PCA in doses ranging from 0.5 to 3mM/kg. The intensity of tumor tissue in the images increased an average of 35% in animals receiving a dose of 3 mM/kg. The average enhancement with smaller doses was proportionately less. Tumor intensity reached a maximum within 15 min of injection. The average intensity difference between tumor and adjacent skeletal muscle more than doubled following administration of 3 mM/kg of PCA. Well-perfused tumor tissue was more intensely enhanced than adjacent poorly perfused and necrotic tissue.

Evaluation of magnetic resonance sequences in imaging mediastinal tumors.

Ten patients having a mediastinal tumor were studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using from two to four imaging sequences. Seven had bronchial carcinoma and three had benign lesions. The sequences included the spin-echo technique with repetition time (TR) values of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 sec and echo time (TE) values of 28 and 56 msec, and the inversion-recovery technique. The signal-intensity ratios of the mediastinal mass and mediastinal fat, which are a measure of image contrast, were compared for the different imaging sequences. Also signal-to-noise ratios were measured relative to both mediastinal fat and mediastinal mass. With spin-echo imaging, decreasing the TR value resulted in an increase in mass/fat contrast in all patients, making the masses easier to detect, but this also resulted in decreased signal-to-noise ratios. Inversion-recovery imaging with the sequence used resulted in a greatly increased mass/fat contrast, because of a relative decrease in signal from the mass. However, in two of four patients studied with this technique, the mass was so low in intensity that it could not be distinguished from the trachea or mediastinal vessels, and in one of these four, a lung nodule was also invisible. Spin-echo imaging with both short and long TR values provides good tissue contrast and good signal-to-noise ratios.

Kaposi sarcoma and lymphadenopathy syndrome: limitations of abdominal CT in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed in 31 patients with Kaposi sarcoma (KS) related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), three patients with classic KS, and 12 patients with the newly described lymphadenopathy syndrome (LNS). The frequency, distribution, and appearance of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were similar in the AIDS-related KS and LNS groups. Rectal and perirectal disease was identified in 86% of the homosexual men studied; rectal KS could not be distinguished from proctitis on CT criteria alone. No CT abnormalities were seen in patients with classic KS. The CT demonstration of retroperitoneal, mesenteric, or pelvic adenopathy or of rectal or perirectal disease in patients with AIDS-related KS is not necessarily indicative of widespread involvement with the disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging: skeletal applications.

It has been assumed that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would have limited utility in visualizing bones, due to the lack of hydrogen atoms in cortical bone. Nonetheless, that same lack makes it possible to clearly distinguish cortical bone from soft tissue and from marrow. Thus, roles are described for magnetic resonance imaging in depicting bone and soft tissue tumors, the spine (including the spinal cord and vertebral discs), and appendicular soft tissue, as well as the detection of avascular necrosis in the hip.

Recognition of lumbar disk herniation with NMR.

Fifteen nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of 14 patients with herniated lumbar intervertebral disks were performed on the UCSF NMR imager. Computed tomographic (CT) scans done on a GE CT/T 8800 or comparable scanner were available at the time of NMR scan interpretation. Of the 16 posterior disk ruptures seen at CT, 12 were recognized on NMR. Diminished nucleus pulposus signal intensity was present in all ruptured disks. In one patient, NMR scans before and after chymopapain injection showed retraction of the protruding part of the disk and loss of signal intensity after chemonucleolysis. Postoperative fibrosis demonstrated by CT in one patient and at surgery in another showed intermediate to high signal intensity on NMR, easily distinguishing it from nearby thecal sac and disk. While CT remains the method of choice for evaluation of the patient with suspected lumbar disk rupture, the results of this study suggest that NMR may play a role in evaluating this common clinical problem.

Anatomy and pathology of the male pelvis by magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the male pelvis was performed in 25 subjects: five normal volunteers; six patients with carcinoma of the bladder; nine with benign nodular hyperplasia (including five with concomitant bladder carcinoma); nine with prostatic carcinoma; and one with a lymphocele after radical prostatectomy. The display of normal anatomy is enhanced by the ability of the MRI device to provide images in direct transverse, sagittal, and coronal planes. Sessile and pedunculated types of bladder carcinoma are readily shown due to the superior ability of MRI for soft-tissue characterization. Direct sagittal scans are advantageous for evaluation of tumors at the bladder base, and by combining two different planes of images, the extent of the neoplasm is better delineated. In the analysis of the prostate, MRI displays the gland in three dimensions and therefore allows accurate volumetric measurements. The greatest potential of MRI seems to be its ability to detect pathology confined to the gland. However, it is not yet known if a neoplastic nodule can be differentiated from chronic prostatitis. Unlike x-ray CT, metallic clips produce no streaking artifacts, giving MRI a definite advantage in the evaluation of patients after radical surgery. These observations were made on a small number of patients. If the results are confirmed with a larger number of patients, MRI will assume a prominent role in the clinical evaluation of bladder and prostate cancer.

Clinical nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the body.

NMR promises great advances in diagnosis and has delivered so much already that it is expected that in the future it will replace many applications of the currently used imaging modalities. Although x-ray computed tomography is continuing to advance in speed of scanning and resolving power, NMR will most likely soon eliminate its use in many studies of the central nervous system and also in many other areas of the body. The promise of combining topical spectroscopy with imaging is also exciting and should provide further information about metabolic processes of various organs. Progress in NMR is so rapid and the future is so bright that one of the great problems will be to develop a new breed of radiologists who are versatile in biochemistry, mathematics, and computers, as well as competent in morphologic anatomy and pathologic physiology. As time goes on, advances in NMR will be achieved only by teams of clinical and basic scientists encompassing multiple disciplines.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of gallstones in vitro.

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging characteristics of gallstones of various composition from 36 patients were studied in vitro using a spin-echo imaging technique. The majority of gallstones (83%) produced no measurable NMR signal despite having a mean water content of 12% and a mean cholesterol content of 61%. Six (17%) of the stones had a weak but measurable signal in the center of the stone, which was thought to represent signal from water in clefts or pores within the stones. The mean water and cholesterol content of the stones with measurable signal did not differ significantly from that of stones with no signal. A possible explanation for these findings, based on the known NMR characteristics of solid materials, is offered.

Computed tomography in hepatic trauma.

Twenty-five patients with hepatic injury from blunt upper abdominal trauma were examined by computed tomography (CT). The spectrum of CT findings was recorded, and the size of the hepatic laceration and the associated hemoperitoneum were correlated with the mode of therapy used in each case (operative vs. nonoperative). While the need for surgery correlated roughly with the size of the hepatic laceration, the size of the associated hemoperitoneum was an important modifying factor. Fifteen patients with hepatic lacerations but little or no hemoperitoneum were managed nonoperatively. CT seems to have significant advantages over hepatic scintigraphy, angiography, and diagnostic peritoneal lavage. By combining information on the clinical state of the patient and CT findings, therapy of hepatic injury can be individualized and the incidence of nontherapeutic laparotomies decreased.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a fibrosarcoma tumor implanted in the rat.

Fibrosarcoma tumor cells were implanted in the hind legs of 25 rats and studied from the first to the sixth week postimplantation. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging detected all tumors and did not yield any false-positives in five control rats. The T1 relaxation values of tumors overlapped those of muscle, and the T2 values overlapped those of fat, but the combination of the two values allowed discrimination of each of the three tissues with no overlap. The difference in relaxation time between tumor and muscle could be accounted for on the basis of water content, which was approximately 14% higher in the tumors. This study confirms data from previous studies suggesting that nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is a highly sensitive modality, but that T1 and T2 values are not specific for individual pathologic conditions.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the kidney: renal masses.

Fifteen patients with a variety of renal masses were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), computed tomography, ultrasound, and intravenous urography. NMR clearly differentiated between simple renal cysts and other renal masses. On spin echo images, the simple renal cyst appeared as a round or slightly oval, homogeneous low-intensity mass with characteristically long T1 and T2 values. The thickness of the cyst wall was not measurable. The cyst had a smooth outer margin and a distinct, sharp interface with normal parenchyma. Hemorrhagic cysts were seen as high-intensity lesions. Renal cell carcinomas displayed a wide range of intensity. The T1 and T2 values of the tumors were always different from those of the surrounding renal parenchyma. Tumor pseudocapsule was identified in four of five patients examined. All carcinomas were accurately staged by NMR and extension of the tumor thrombus into the inferior vena cava was demonstrated. The authors predict that if these preliminary results are confirmed by data from a larger number of patients, NMR will play a significant role in renal imaging.

Work in progress: nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the gallbladder.

A preliminary study of the relation between food intake and intensity of gallbladder bile on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images was made. Twelve subjects (seven volunteers, five patients) were imaged following a minimum of 14 hours of fasting. Six of seven volunteers were reimaged one hour after stimulation by either a fatty meal or an alcoholic beverage. An additional seven patients were imaged two hours after a hospital breakfast. It was found that concentrated bile emits a high-intensity spin echo signal (SE), while hepatic bile in the gallbladder produces a low-intensity SE signal. Following ingestion of cholecystogogue, dilute hepatic bile settles on top of the concentrated bile, each emitting SE signals of different intensity. The average T1 value of concentrated bile was 594 msec, while the T1 value of dilute hepatic bile was 2,646 msec. The average T2 values were 104 msec for concentrated bile and 126 msec for dilute bile. The most likely cause for the different SE intensities of bile is the higher water content, and therefore longer T1 and T2 relaxation times, of hepatic bile. It is suggested that NMR imaging has the ability to provide physiological information about the gallbladder and that it may prove to be a simple and safe clinical test of gallbladder function.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal gland: a preliminary report.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging characteristics of the normal and abnormal adrenal gland were evaluated and compared with findings on computed tomography (CT). Forty-two patients were examined: 36 had normal adrenal glands and 6 had adrenal disease (3 metastatic lesions, 1 pheochromocytoma, and 2 cortical hyperplasia). NMR clearly showed all 42 left adrenals (100%) and 36 right adrenals (86%). In some patients, it appeared to differentiate the adrenal cortex from the medulla. The ability of NMR to detect adrenal disease was similar to that of CT in 6 cases examined. CT demonstrated superior spatial resolution in most cases, but NMR provided superior soft-tissue contrast. Since NMR does not involve ionizing radiation and provides excellent soft-tissue differentiation without contrast material, it has advantages over CT and appears to be a promising modality for imaging of the adrenal gland.

Musculoskeletal applications of nuclear magnetic resonance.

Thirty healthy subjects and 15 patients with a variety of musculoskeletal disorders were examined by conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). NMR proved capable of demonstrating important anatomic structures in the region of the lumbosacral spine. Lumbar disk protrusion was demonstrated in three patients with CT evidence of the disease. NMR appeared to differentiate annulus fibrosus from nucleus pulposus in intervertebral disk material. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was demonstrated in two patients. The cruciate ligaments of the knee were well defined by NMR. Muscles, tendons and ligaments, and blood vessels could be reliably differentiated, and the excellent soft-tissue contrast of NMR proved useful in the evaluation of bony and soft-tissue tumors. NMR holds promise in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders.