Adnexal masses are spectrum of diseases from benign non neoplastic and neoplastic masses to malignant neoplasms. Endovaginal ultrasonography (US) is the fisrt and invaluable modality for assessment of adnexal masses because it is available and has a high negative predictive value. Important morphologic features are solid (vascularized) tissue, vascular and thick septations, and papillary projec...

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRI relaxometry were used to investigate disturbed brain myelination in 18q- syndrome, a disorder characterized by mental retardation, dysmorphic features, and growth failure. T1-weighted and dual spin-echo T2-weighted MR images were obtained, and T1 and T2 parametric image maps were created for 20 patients and 12 controls. MRI demonstrated abnormal brain wh...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of T2-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for detecting prostate cancer in patients with total serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4-10 ng/mL, which is referred to as the "gray zone." MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients with gray-zone PSA levels underwent MRI...

PURPOSE To assess the transferability of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) multislice multiecho T2(*) technique for global and segmental measurement of iron overload in thalassemia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multiecho T2(*) sequences were installed on six MRI scanners. Five healthy subjects (n = 30) were scanned at each site; five thalassemia major (TM) patients were scanned at the re...

OBJECTIVE Acute and chronic forms of myocarditis are mainly induced by virus infections. As a consequence of myocardial damage and inflammation dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic heart failure may develop. The gold standard for the diagnosis of myocarditis is endomyocardial biopsies which are required to determine the etiopathogenesis of cardiac inflammatory processes. However, new non-invasive...

BACKGROUND Because infective endocarditis (IE) carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, rapid diagnosis and effective treatment are essential to achieving a good patient outcome. However, the diagnosis of IE is often difficult in patients presenting with nonspecific clinical manifestations. An association between IE and hypointense signal spots on brain T2*-weighted magnetic resonance im...

BACKGROUND Muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging (mfMRI) measures transverse relaxation time (T2), and allows for determination of the spatial pattern of muscle activation. The purposes of this pilot study were to examine whether MRI-derived T2 or side-to-side differences in T2 (asymmetries) differ in low back muscles between subjects with acute low back pain (LBP) compared to asymptomat...

PURPOSE Neuromelanin is a dark pigment granule present within certain catecholamine neurons of the human brain. Here, we aimed to clarify the relationship between contrast of neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR relaxation times using T1, T2, and T2* mapping of the lower midbrain. METHODS The subjects were 14 healthy volunteers (11 men and 3 women, mean age 29.9 ± 6....

The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess lumbar multifidus, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum muscle activity during lifts as measured by changes in transverse relaxation time (T2) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirteen healthy adults performed dynamic squat, stoop, and asymmetric stoop lifts at a standard load, with each lift followed by MRI. Increase in T2 for the mul...