Shear Stiffness of 4 Common Intracranial Tumors Measured Using MR Elastography: Comparison with Intraoperative Consistency Grading.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The stiffness of intracranial tumors affects the outcome of tumor removal. We evaluated the stiffness of 4 common intracranial tumors by using MR elastography and tested whether MR elastography had the potential to discriminate firm tumors preoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and gliomas scheduled for resection were recruited for MR elastography. On the elastogram, the mean and the maximum shear stiffnesses were measured by placing an ROI on the tumor. Blinded to the MR elastography findings, surgeons conducted qualitative intraoperative assessment of tumor consistency by using a 5-point scale. Histopathologic diagnosis was confirmed by using the resected specimens. The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were compared with histopathologic subtypes, and the intraoperative tumor consistency was graded by the surgeons. RESULTS: The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were the following: 1.9 ± 0.8 kPa and 3.4 ± 1.5 kPa for meningiomas, 1.2 ± 0.3 kPa and 1.8 ± 0.5 kPa for pituitary adenomas, 2.0 ± 0.4 kPa and 2.7 ± 0.8 kPa for vestibular schwannomas, and 1.5 ± 0.2 kPa and 2.7 ± 0.8 kPa for gliomas. The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses for meningiomas were higher than those of pituitary adenomas (P < .05). The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were significantly correlated with the surgeon's qualitative assessment of tumor consistency (P < .05). The maximum shear stiffness for 5 firm tumors was higher than that of nonfirm tumors (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: MR elastography could evaluate intracranial tumors on the basis of their physical property of shear stiffness. MR elastography may be useful in discriminating firm tumors preoperatively.

Hemodynamic assessment of celiaco-mesenteric anastomosis in patients with pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm concomitant with celiac artery occlusion using flow-sensitive four-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Many pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysms are associated with celiac artery (CA) stenosis. The pathogenesis of PDA aneurysm may be associated with hemodynamic changes due to CA stenosis/occlusion. The aim of this study was to assess the hemodynamic changes of celiaco-mesenteric anastomosis in patients with PDA aneurysms concomitant with CA occlusion using four-dimensional flow-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (4D-Flow). METHODS: 4D-Flow was performed preoperatively on five patients. Seven age- and sex-matched individuals were used as controls. Hemodynamic parameters such as flow volume and maximum flow velocity in PDAs, gastroduodenal arteries, common hepatic arteries, and superior mesenteric arteries were compared between both groups. Wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) were mapped in both groups. RESULTS: In the patient group, 4D-Flow identified retrograde flow of both gastroduodenal arteries and common hepatic arteries. Heterogeneous distribution patterns of both WSS and OSI were identified across the entire PDA in the patient group. OSI mapping showed multiple regions with extremely high OSI values (OSI > 0.3) in all patients. All PDA aneurysms, which were surgically resected, were atherosclerotic. CONCLUSIONS: 4D-Flow identified hemodynamic changes in celiaco-mesenteric arteries in patients with PDA aneurysms with concomitant CA occlusion. These hemodynamic changes may be associated with PDA aneurysm formation.

Arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging reflects vascular density in nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Angiogenesis is very important in clinical features of pituitary adenomas. We investigated the relationship between the blood flow of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas measured by arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging and the microvessel attenuation of the tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional MR imaging with contrast-enhanced T1WI and arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging were performed before surgery in 11 consecutive patients with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas. ROIs were drawn on the tumors, and the degrees of enhancement were calculated by dividing the signal intensity on the contrast-enhanced T1WI by that on the nonenhanced TIWI. As an index of tumor perfusion, a quantitative analysis was performed by using normalized tumor blood flow values calculated by dividing the mean value of the tumor region of interest by the mean region of interest values in the 2 cerebellar hemispheres. The relative microvessel attenuation was determined as the total microvessel wall area divided by the entire tissue area on CD-31-stained specimens. The degree of enhancement and the normalized tumor blood flow values were compared with relative microvessel attenuation. Additionally, intra- and postoperative tumor hemorrhages were visually graded. RESULTS: The degree of enhancement was not correlated with relative microvessel attenuation. Statistically significant correlations were observed between normalized tumor blood flow values and relative microvessel attenuation (P < .05). At surgery, 3 cases were visually determined to be hypervascular tumors, and 1 of these cases had symptomatic postoperative hemorrhage. A statistically significant difference in normalized tumor blood flow values was observed visually between the intraoperative hypovascular and hypervascular groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging reflects the vascular density of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas, which may be useful in the preoperative prediction of intra- and postoperative tumor hemorrhage.

Accurate determination of patient-specific boundary conditions in computational vascular hemodynamics using 3D cine phase-contrast MRI.

In the patient-specific vascular CFD, determination of the inlet and outlet boundary conditions (BCs) is an important issue for a valid diagnosis. The 3D cine phase-contrast MRI (4D Flow) velocimetry is promising for this issue; yet, its measured velocities contain relatively large error and are not admissible as the BCs without any correction. This paper proposes a novel correction method for determining the BCs accurately using the 4D Flow velocimetry. First, we reveal that the error of the velocity measured by the 4D Flow at each measurement voxel is large but is distributed symmetrically. Secondly, our method pays attention to the incompressibility of the blood and the fact that the volume flow rate (VFR) in each vessel is constant on any cross sections. We reveal that the average of the cross-sectional VFRs integrated from many measurement voxel in each vessel is accurate despite the large error. Finally, we propose the novel correction method, which applies a smoothing to the measured velocities on each inlet or outlet boundary with a low-pass filter and then corrects them with the VFR. The results of the several phantom studies are presented to validate the accuracy of our method. A demonstrative analysis for an actual aneurysm is also presented to show the feasibility and effectiveness of our method.

Time-resolved optical mammography and its preliminary clinical results.

We have been developing an optical mammography prototype consisting of a multi-channel time-resolved spectroscopy system for breast cancer screening. The system utilizes the time-correlated single photon counting method, and the detector modules and the signal processing circuits were custom-made to obtain a high signal to noise ratio and high temperature stability with a high temporal resolution. Pulsed light generated by a Ti: Sapphire laser was irradiated to the breast, and the transmitted light was collected by optical fibers placed on the surface of a hemispherical gantry filled with an optical matching fluid. To reconstruct a 3D image of the breast, we employed a method using a time-resolved photon path distribution based on the assumption that scattering and absorption are independent of each other. We verified the possibility of human breast imaging by using a three-dimensional phantom model, which provides a simulation of human breast cancer, in the gantry. The clinical study was also started in January 2007. In a comparative study with conventional modalities, the breast cancers were detected as regions of optically higher absorption. Moreover, the results suggest that optical mammography is useful in monitoring the effects of chemotherapy.

Visualization of hemodynamics in a silicon aneurysm model using time-resolved, 3D, phase-contrast MRI.

We performed time-resolved 3D phase-contrast MR imaging by using a 1.5T MR scanner to visualize hemodynamics in a silicon vascular model with a middle cerebral aneurysm. We ran an aqueous solution of glycerol as a flowing fluid with a pulsatile pump. Time-resolved images of 3D streamlines and 2D velocity vector fields clearly demonstrated that the aneurysm had 3D complex vortex flows within it during systolic phase. This technique provided us with time-resolved 3D hemodynamic information about the intracranial aneurysm.

Morphological imaging in the localization of neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors found by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the necessity of morphological images (MI) in reading somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) in patients with suspected neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Japanese multicenter clinical trial of SRS was conducted in 40 patients with suspected GEP tumors. Three experienced radiologists interpreted the images in three separate sessions in a blinded manner (1: SRS images alone, 2: MI alone, 3: SRS and MI analyzed simultaneously), and the reading results of each session were compared. In addition, the diagnostic abilities of SRS, MI and SRS alone and simultaneous SRS and MI readings were compared for patients where final diagnosis was obtained. RESULTS: SRS detected more suspected lesions (positive or inconclusive uptake) than morphological images did (51 vs 27 lesions), but included many physiological uptakes detected as positive or inconclusive uptakes. Combined reading of SRS and morphological images helped to correctly recognize these physiological uptakes, and also helped in determining the anatomical localization of the abnormal uptakes. Combined reading of SRS and morphological images gave the highest diagnostic impact. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of SRS with regard to GEP is high. However the specificity is very low. Morphologic imaging is necessary for the exclusion of physiological uptake and correct anatomic location of an abnormal tracer uptake. The combined reading of SRS and morphologic imaging studies gives the highest diagnostic impact.

In-Vitro Simulation of NBCA Embolization for Arteriovenous Malformation.

SUMMARY: Embolization using n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is now a daily practice over the world, but there exists no objective data that can be a basis for discussion or decision-making on the best concentration and injection rate of NBCA mixture. The purpose of this study was to obtain objective data on control and behavior of NBCA mixture with an in vitro simulation system of NBCA embolization for AVM. A nidus model made of a one-ml syringe filled with small beads was connected to a pulsatile flow circuit. A microcatheter was introduced just before the nidus model. Endoluminal pressures proximal and distal to the nidus and flow volume through the nidus were measured. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed to calculate transit time of the contrast medium (CM) through the nidus. NBCA was injected at various rates with an autoinjector and transit time of NBCA through the nidus was calculated. 27 trials were completed. Transit time of CM through the nidus model is well correlated to flow volume per unit of time through the nidus model. Shorter the transit time, larger was the flow volume per unit of time. The correlation was statistically significant (P < .0001). Though statistical significance was not attained, transit time of NBCA mixture at 50% concentration had a tendency to be correlated to flow volume per unit of time through the nidus, and slower injection of the NBCA mixture led to slower filling of the nidus model. Though this simulation system was artificial and the results should be interpreted carefully, it was shown with this system that transit time of CM through the nidus could be a good index for flow volume per unit of time through the nidus. Also suggested was a possibility to utilize this in vitro system for research and training on NBCA embolization of AVM.

Abutment region dosimetry for the monoisocentric three-beam split field technique in the head and neck region using asymmetrical collimators.

Creating non-divergent field edges using asymmetric collimators and a single isocentre can improve matchline dosimetry owing to decreased reliance on operator skills and avoidance of couch movement. However, asymmetic jaws have an associated tolerance that can cause abutment to be misaligned. The matching area dose for monoisocentric three-beam split fields commonly used in head and neck cancer treatments using mismatched and matched collimators is the subject of this work. X-ray verification film was exposed in a solid-water phantom, and the dose at the matching area was evaluated using mismatched and matched collimators. In the case of mismatched (consistently overlapped) collimators, digital displays of an asymmetric collimator position within the tolerance indicated in the manufacturer's specifications were investigated for the three-beam split field technique. The effect of this technique on the junctional dose was also determined using matched collimators. Although the collimators showed a consistent overlap, a perfect dose distribution could be obtained at the matching area. The three-beam split field technique yielded an 8% overdose at the matchline using matched collimators. In conclusion, an awareness of the effects of the abutting technique and digital display tolerance is necessary to achieve good junction uniformity using asymmetric collimators.

Continuous selective intraarterial chemotherapy in combination with irradiation for locally advanced cancer of the tongue and tongue base.

We retrospectively evaluated the results of the concurrent combination therapy of selective continuous intraarterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 39 patients with locally advanced cancer of the tongue and tongue base between September 1992 and January 2000. Thirty patients were fresh cases (stage II, 10 patients; stage III, 15; stage IV, five) and nine were recurrent cases. The primary lesion was present in the mobile tongue in 33 patients and the tongue base in six. External irradiation (median dose, 48.6 Gy) was performed in all patients, and interstitial brachytherapy using an Au grain or Cs needle (median dose, 50 Gy) in 21. In intraarterial chemotherapy, a catheter was selectively inserted into the lingual artery via the superficial temporal artery, and carboplatin (CBDCA) was continuously infused (median dose, 460 mg/m(2)) concurrently with radiotherapy. In 13 patients with cervical lymph node metastasis, two courses of systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU (700 mg/m(2) x 5 days) and cisplatin (40-50 mg/m(2)x2 days) or its analog was also performed. In 37 (94.9%) of the 39 patients in whom this combination therapy was completed, the response rate was 94.6%. The 3-year local control rate, progression-free survival rate, and overall survival rate by Kaplan-Meier's method were 79.2, 53.2, and 58.9%, respectively. This combination therapy was effective for locally advanced cancer of the tongue and tongue base without causing severe adverse side effects, and a local control rate comparable to that by surgery can be expected.

Fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRI of the liver: comparison of respiratory-triggered fast spin-echo, breath-hold single-shot fast spin-echo, and breath-hold fast-recovery fast spin-echo sequences.

The purpose of our study was to compare the value of respiratory-triggered fast spin-echo, breath-hold single-shot fast spin-echo, and breath-hold fast-recovery fast spin-echo sequences in detecting hepatic lesions. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained with the three sequences in 36 patients with 138 lesions and nine patients without lesions were prospectively analyzed. Quantitative and qualitative analyses, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, were performed. The mean lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for hepatic lesions was highest with the respiratory-triggered fast spin-echo sequence. On the basis of receiver-operating characteristic analyses, tumor detection rates were higher with the breath-hold fast-recovery fast spin-echo sequence (Az = 0.94) than with the respiratory-triggered fast spin-echo sequence (AZ = 0.80, P < 0.0001) or the single-shot fast spin-echo sequence (Az = 0.77, P < 0.0001). The image quality with the breath-hold fast-recovery fast spin-echo sequence was acceptable in all patients. The breath-hold fast-recovery fast spin-echo sequence provided the highest tumor detection in a short imaging time, although the mean lesion-to-liver CNRs were inferior to those of the respiratory-triggered fast spin-echo and the breath-hold single-shot fast spin-echo sequences.

Functional assessment of pancreatic parenchyma after secretin administration using serial T2-weighted echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging.

Signal intensity (SI) changes of pancreatic parenchyma were evaluated after intravenous administration of secretin using T2-weighted single-shot spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) to assess this method as a magnetic resonance (MR) test of pancreatic exocrine function. Nine volunteers were studied with serial single-shot EPI of the pancreas for 15 minutes after the injection of secretin or saline. The normal pattern of pancreatic SI change was demonstrated after intravenous injection of secretin, a single peak at 3-4 minutes in the head, body, and tail, followed by a gradual decrease in SI. Saline injection did not induce a significant SI change. There was no statistical difference in the peak contrast ratios (first mean, 1.21-1.25, vs. second mean, 1.18-1.22) and peak times (first mean, 3.2-3.7 minutes, vs. second mean, 3.1-3.6) in a repeat study. By evaluating the pattern of time-response curves obtained from serial T2-weighted EPI after secretin injection, pancreatic exocrine function may be directly assessed at the level of the head, body, and tail.

Changes in myometrial and junctional zone thickness and signal intensity: demonstration with kinematic T2-weighted MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate uterine contractions by evaluating changes during time in the thickness of the myometrium and junctional zone and in signal intensity of the uterus with T2-weighted fast magnetic resonance (MR) images in a kinematic fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sagittal MR imaging was performed with T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) and multiphase-multisection single-shot FSE (SSFSE) in 60 premenopausal patients during free breathing. SSFSE MR images were evaluated with cine display. The pattern of uterine contractions and changes in signal intensities of the uterine structures were evaluated. Thickness of both myometrium and junctional zone, and their signal intensities, were measured during 15 phases of SSFSE and FSE MR imaging. RESULTS: Slow-massive (mean, 55%), middle-cycle (mean, 80%), and fine (mean, 93%) contractions were observed. Shape of junctional zones dynamically changed during time, showing focal (mean, 58%) and diffuse (mean, 82%) thickening and wavelike motions (mean, 88%). Ratio of thickness of the myometrium to junctional zone with FSE MR imaging was not significantly different from the mean ratio during 15 phases of SSFSE MR imaging, although maximum percentage of change of the ratio during 15 phases was 42.5%-56.8%. The signal intensities of the myometrium (97%) and junctional zone (75%) changed during time. CONCLUSION: Kinematic T2-weighted SSFSE MR images demonstrate uterine contractions related to dynamic changes in thickness and signal intensities of the myometrium and junctional zone, and these findings might affect the diagnosis of uterine disease.

Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of pituitary adenomas: usefulness of sequential sagittal and coronal plane images.

Dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for pituitary adenomas is usually performed in a coronal direction; however, small lesions between slices, or lesions located at the anterior or posterior aspect of the pituitary gland might be overlooked on MR images in only the coronal direction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether consecutive dynamic MR images in the coronal and sagittal planes improve detection of pituitary adenomas. Eighteen patients with pituitary microadenomas and nine with healthy pituitary glands were included in this study. MR images were performed with 1.5 T superconductive units and commercially-available head coils. After a 5 ml gadolinium contrast injection, eight serial dynamic sagittal images were obtained. Within 3 or 6 min, this was followed by a 10-15 ml gadolinium injection and acquisition of eight serial dynamic coronal images. Dynamic MR images and conventional noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced sagittal and coronal T1-weighted images were evaluated independently in a blind fashion by two neuroradiologists regarding the depiction of pituitary microadenomas. The sensitivities of dynamic enhanced MR imaging in the detection of microadenomas were 61.1% in sagittal direction, 72.2% in coronal direction respectively, and were superior to those of conventional noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (22.2-50%). The sensitivity of a combination of sagittal and coronal dynamic enhanced MR imaging for the detection of microadenomas was 88.9% and was superior to those of conventional noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging combining sagittal and coronal directions (61.1%, 61.1%) (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). The specificity and accuracy of dynamic enhanced MR imaging with combination of sagittal and coronal images was 88.9% respectively. Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging, especially using both sagittal and coronal planes, was concluded to be useful for the detection of pituitary microadenomas.

Scintigraphic evaluation of small pulmonary right-to-left shunt and therapeutic effect in pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.

PURPOSE: Right-to-left shunts of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) can be detected and measured by pulmonary perfusion scans using Tc-99m MAA. In PAVM with a relatively small right-to-left shunt, however, measurement of the shunt ratio may not be reliable. This study re-evaluated pulmonary perfusion scans for a small right-to-left shunt of PAVM. METHODS: Tc-99m MAA lung scans were performed in five patients with proved PAVM before and after percutaneous transcatheter embolization. The right-to-left shunt ratio was calculated and extrapulmonary uptake was assessed on total-body images. RESULTS: Lung perfusion scans obtained before embolization revealed brain uptake in four patients, and the shunt ratio ranged from 4.4% to 22.9%. In two patients with a small single PAVM, the shunt ratio was less than 15% before treatment and did not change significantly after successful embolotherapy. The brain uptake, which had been clearly visible before therapy, disappeared after embolization. Renal uptake was seen on pre- and post-therapy scans. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in brain activity visible on Tc-99m MAA scans might be a more reliable sign than a decreased shunt ratio or a change in renal uptake when evaluating embolization therapy in patients with PAVM who have a small right-to-left shunt.

Enhancement of the therapeutic outcome of radio-immunotherapy by combination with whole-body mild hyperthermia.

To enhance the effect of radio-immunotherapy for solid cancers, whole-body mild hyperthermia was added, and its effects on the pharmacokinetics of radiolabelled antibody, outcome of radio-immunotherapy, and radiosensitivity of the tumour were investigated. Nude mice bearing human colon cancer xenografts were heated to 40 degrees C for 3 or 6 h. After heating, mice received intravenous (i.v.) injections of [131I]-labelled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody. Although 6-h heating did not alter the biodistribution of the radiolabelled antibody, and alone did not show any therapeutic effect on tumour growth, when combined with radio-immunotherapy, the therapeutic effect on tumour growth was significantly enhanced. Three-hour heating also significantly enhanced the effect of radio-immunotherapy. Colony formation assay showed that the radiosensitivity of the tumour was significantly enhanced after heating, which was achieved by a reduction of the hypoxic fraction of the tumour. In conclusion, the addition of whole-body mild hyperthermia significantly enhanced the therapeutic effect of radio-immunotherapy by increasing the radiosensitivity of the tumour.

Ideographic characters call for extra processing to correspond with phonemes.

Cortical areas used in the copying of Japanese ideographic characters and syllabic characters were studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers. Complexity of characters was controlled to illustrate differences resulting from character to sound conversion differences between the ideographic and syllabic characters. Statistical comparisons indicated extensive activation in the fusiform gyrus, posterior portions around the intraparietal sulcus and in the conjunction area of BA 6, 9 and 44 (which is assumed to be Exner's area) during the copying of ideographic characters. These findings suggested that indirectness between ideographic characters and their pronunciation demands extra processing such as semantic mediation and intensive grapheme processing in comparison with syllabic characters.

Tumour enhancement with newly developed Mn-metalloporphyrin (HOP-9P) in magnetic resonance imaging of mice.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the tumour enhancing characteristics and biodistribution of a newly developed metalloporphyrin derivative, HOP-9P (13, 17-bis (1-carboxypropionyl) carbamoylethyl-3, 8-bis (1-phenylpropyloxyethyl)-2,7,12,18-tetra- methyl-porphynato manganese (III)). Seven mice bearing SCC VII tumours were imaged using T1-weighted conventional spin echo magnetic resonance images before and 5 min, 2 h and 24 h after intravenous injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of HOP-9P. For the acquired images, signal intensities of the tumour, muscle and oil-phantom were measured. Then, tumor/oil and tumor/muscle signal intensity ratios were calculated. Nineteen mice were sacrificed before or after the administration of HOP-9P (at 5 min, 2 h and 24 h), and the biodistribution of manganese in the tumour, muscle, liver, blood and kidneys was measured using optical emission spectrometers and was expressed as micrograms of manganese per gram of tissue. The tumour/muscle signal intensity ratio at 24 h (3.18 +/- 0.34) was significantly higher than precontrast ratio (1.77 +/- 0.20) (P < 0.05). The biodistribution assessment of manganese demonstrated that HOP-9P gradually and consistently accumulated in the tumour to reach the highest concentration at 24 h (3.49 +/- 1.22 micro gMn/g). It is concluded that HOP-9P is a potential tumour-specific MR contrast agent.

Evaluation of pelvic adhesions using multiphase and multislice MR imaging with kinematic display.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether kinematic multiphase and multislice MR imaging could reveal pelvic adhesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Before surgery, 52 women with gynecologic disorders underwent half-Fourier acquisition single-shot fast spin-echo imaging with multiphase and multislice acquisitions. Images were displayed in a cine mode, and the motion of each organ against adjacent organs was evaluated by two radiologists who were unaware of the patients' histories or of the findings of their clinical examinations or surgeries. Findings from MR imaging were classified into three types relative to the adjacent organs: type 1, sliding, defined as organs moving 1 cm or more; type 2, fine motion, defined as organs moving less than 1 cm; or type 3, no motion. Type 2 was further subdivided into two groups: type 2-A, independent fine movement, and type 2-B, synchronous fine movement. All MR imaging findings were verified by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Peristalsis at the rectum, colon, and small intestine were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 317 interfaces were evaluated. For findings of type 1 (n = 8 interfaces) and type 2-A (n = 245) on kinematic MR imaging, the negative predictive values for adhesions were 100% and 95.5%, respectively. Findings of type 2-B (n = 52) and type 3 (n = 12) with no adhesions were observed in 40.4% and 66.7%, respectively. When type 1 and type 2-A were regarded as negative findings of adhesions, and type 2-B and type 3 as positive, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 72.5%, 87.4%, and 85.4%, respectively. Peristalsis was observed in 69.2% of patients at the rectum, 86.5% at the colon, and 100% at the small intestine. CONCLUSION: Multiphase and multislice MR imaging with kinematic display may provide new information about the presence of pelvic adhesions.

BOLD contrast on a 3 T magnet: detectability of the motor areas.

To predict the potential and the limitations of functional MRI (fMRI) with a very high field magnet, the detectability and reproducibility of activation were evaluated by comparing the activation induced by a sequential finger movement task at 1.5 T with that at 3 T. The detectability of the premotor area, supplementary motor area (SMA), and ipsilateral sensorimotor area (SM1) showed significant improvement at 3 T. On the other hand, the detectability of contralateral SM1 was not significantly different between 1.5 and 3 T. The degree of activation was proportional to task demand in the ipsilateral SM1 and SMA, whereas that in the contralateral SM1 and SMA was not. FMRI with a 3 T magnet has greater potential for detection of neuronal activation as a functional network. These observations indicated that task demand and static magnetic field strength should be considered in interpretation of fMRI data for clinical usage.