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Biomedical subjects

M Lell

Publications and source records attributed to M Lell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Indications and diagnostic sensitivity of CT and MRI in the otorhinolaryngology field].

Of all malignant tumors, 4-5% affect the head and neck region. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide the means for us to determine the precise extent and depth of infiltration of space-occupying lesions, detect submucosal growth, stage lymph nodes preoperatively, and thus facilitate better preoperative planning. Thinner collimations of sections and shorter examination times are possible with modern multilayer spiral CT. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images can be calculated from the volume specifications to assess the skull base (coronal and sagittal sections) and the midline crossover of tumors as well as staging of lymph nodes (coronal section). Examination of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal function as well as determination of tumor perfusion are also possible. Detection of tumors that do not absorb any contrast medium (approximately 15%) is more difficult with CT. In addition to providing a high degree of tissue contrast, MRI makes it possible to directly acquire images in any number of planes. In contrast to CT, metallic artefacts hardly come into play. Infiltration of the dura and the cerebrum can be depicted better with MRI than with CT. The long examination time with MRI carries the risk of movement artefacts. In the head and neck region, it is important to suppress fat in T2-weighted sequences and in T1-weighted sequences after administration of contrast media. Inflammations in the head and neck region are only exceptionally clarified with CT or MRI. It is imperative that CT be performed before functional endoscopic operations of the paranasal sinuses. Further indications for CT and MRI in cases of inflammation are the diagnosis of retrotonsillar and parapharyngeal abscesses and ensuing complications as well as the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Since conventional sialography is contraindicated in acute inflammation in sialolithiasis, magnetic resonance sialography can be employed.

Humans↗

[Visualization of coronary arteries in CT as assessed by a new 16 slice technology and reduced gantry rotation time: first experiences].

PURPOSE: First evaluation of image quality of a new 16-slice multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) for the assessment of coronary artery disease and lesion detection of the coronary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On a newly developed 16-slice CT scanner (SOMATOM Sensation 16, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) a calcium score as well as a contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) were performed on 4 patients with retrospective ECG-gating and a gantry rotation time of 420 ms to exclude or follow-up coronary heart disease. CTA was performed after injecting 120 ml contrast media intravenously. After medication with a ss-Blocker, the heart rate was between 55 and 67 bpm. RESULTS: The scan time for calcium score was 12 s, for CTA 18 s (scan range 15 and 12 cm, respectively). Volume score was between 0 and 256.4. In the CT angiography the entire coronary tree could be visualized in all patients up to the very distal subsegmental branches. In two patients a complete occlusion of the RCA and the LAD were depicted, respectively. In one of these patients, a large aneurysm of the left anterior ventricular wall was also delineated. CONCLUSION: Considering our first experiences with the new 16-slice technology, an excellent visualization of the entire coronary tree including the very distal and side branches due to substantially increased spatial resolution seems to be achievable. In these patients the acquired image quality raises the hope for improved, non-invasive cardiac diagnostics. In larger studies, the clinical impact of this new technology needs to be further investigated.

Aged↗

[MR imaging of pancreatic lesions with Mn-DPDP. A histopathologic correlation].

PURPOSE: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic lesions using mangafodipir-trisodium (Mn-DPDP) enhanced MR imaging. The imaging results were correlated with the histopathological results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 patients with suspicion of pancreatic carcinoma were examined with MRI before and after i. v. administration of Mn-DPDP (Philips Gyroscan ACS NT 1.5 T, phased array body-coil: TSE T 2 with and without SPIR, TR 2000 ms, TE 120ms; FFE T 1 breathhold, TR 115 ms, TE 4.6 ms; MRCP, TR 6000 ms, TE 1200 ms; Teslascan i. v. 5 micromol Mn/kg; FFE T 1 breathhold SPIR, TR 140 ms, TE 4,6 ms). Two observers evaluated in consensus the number and characteristics of focal pancreatic lesions. The MR findings were correlated with histopathological findings retrospectively. RESULTS: The following lesions were found: adenocarcinoma (19), pancreatitis (8), adenocarcinoma within pancreatitis (3), insulinoma (2), hematoma (1), papillitis stenosans (1), signet ring cell carcinoma (1), metastasis of rectal carcinoma (1), papillary mesothelioma (1). In three patients there was no pathological finding. Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI showed a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 56 %. CONCLUSION: Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI in conjunction with MRCP showed a high sensitivity for the detection of pancreatic lesions. However, the specificity is low, thus recommending Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI only as a complementary imaging method.

Ampulla of Vater↗

[CT-angiography of the carotid artery: First results with a novel 16-slice-spiral-CT scanner].

PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel multislice CT system (16-slice-spiral-CT scanner) for the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries were examined with a 16- slice-spiral-CT scanner. Collimation was 16 x 0.75 mm, table speed 36 mm/s (pitch of 1.5), rotation time 0.5 s, tube current was 160 eff.mAs at 120 kV. 60 ml of contrast material were injected with a power injector followed by a saline flush. The start delay was measured with test bolus method (20 ml CM). Interactive multiplanar reformation (iMPR) and thin slab MIP as well as volume rendering were used for image evaluation and presentation. RESULTS: Scan time was 9 s for a range of 300 mm. This allowed imaging the whole length of the carotid artery (aortic arch to circle of Willis) in a true arterial phase. Pulsation artefacts did not impair the evaluation of the vessels at the level of the aortic arch. Overall image quality of both "source images" and 3D-reconstructions was excellent, due to a reduced voxel size of 0.03 mm (3). Image evaluation and postprocessing (iMPR, MIP) was done within 15 min. iMPR was highly accurate for demonstrating plaque morphology and determining the percentage of the stenosis. CONCLUSION: For the first time, true arterial phase images of the entire carotid artery with high spatial resolution could be acquired using a 16-slice-spiral-CT scanner. This method offers the potential to replace catheter angiography in the evaluation of carotid artery stenosis.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

[Experiences with phantom measurements in different mammographic systems].

PURPOSE: Determination of image quality between conventional film screen system, digital phosphor storage plate mammography (high resolution) and digital mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammograms of the Wisconsin Mammographic Random Phantom, Model 152 A (Radiation Measurements Inc., Wisconsin) were acquired using a conventional film-screen system, a digital storage phosphor plate system and a digital system. RESULTS: Of 225 possible details, 191/a 38.2, 193/a 38.6, and 202/a 40.4 details were detected with conventional film-screen system, digital phosphor storage plate mammography and digital mammography, respectively. There was no significant difference (p < 0,058). The entrance surface air kerma was 9.64 mGy, 7.60 mGy and 7.02 mGy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, conventional film-screen system can be replaced with both digital phosphor storage plate mammography and digital mammography, to be confirmed with further clinical trials.

Female↗

[Scar or recurrence--comparison of MRI and color-coded ultrasound with echo signal amplifiers].

PURPOSE: MRI is the most reliable method to differentiate scar and recurrent carcinoma of the breast after surgical treatment. This study compares MRI and color-coded ultrasound with and without echo signal amplifier (ESA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with suspected recurrent tumors were enrolled in this prospective study, with 38 patients after breast conserving therapy and 4 after mastectomy. All patients had a clinical examination, mammography (n = 38), real time ultrasound (US), color-coded ultrasound without and with ESA (Levovist(R), Schering, Berlin), and dynamic MRI. The criteria used for duplex ultrasound were tumor vascularisation and flow pattern. The results were compared with histologic findings or the results of follow-up examinations for at least 12 months. RESULTS: The detection of penetrating or central vessels proved to be an accurate sign of malignancy in duplex ultrasound. With the application of ESA, additional vessels were detected within the lesions, increasing the diagnostic accuracy (83 % with ESA versus 79 % without ESA). The sensitivity of color-coded ultrasound improved from 64 % to 86 % with echo signal amplifier. The specificity was 86 % without and 82 % with echo signal amplifier. MRI was found to have a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 82 %. The same 5 lesions were false positive on MRI and color-coded US after Levovist(R). No lesion without signs of vascularity within or in its vicinity was malignant. CONCLUSION: Color-coded ultrasound seems to be a promising method in the differentiation between scar and recurrence. Lesions with penetrating or central vessels have a high probability of being malignant, whereas lesions without any signs of vascularity inside or nearby have a high probability of being benign. Advantage of contrast-enhanced US is its ubiquitous availability.

Breast↗

MRI appearance of radiation-induced changes of normal cervical tissues.

Irradiation causes specific MRI changes in anatomic morphology and signal intensity. To avoid misinterpretation, it is important to consider the potential radiation changes of normal tissue in MRI. The aim of this study was to describe the detected radiation effects on normal cervical tissues in MRI. Pretreatment and posttreatment MRI of 52 patients with primary neck tumors were evaluated retrospectively. The MR imaging was performed before initiating radiotherapy and at the end of the treatment period. Patients underwent follow-up studies within 24 months after the end of irradiation. Edema was the main radiation-induced effect. It was detected in the epiglottis, larynx, pharynx wall, retro- and parapharyngeal space, salivary glands, muscles, and subcutaneous tissue. In some cases the bone marrow of the mandible showed edema, due to osteonecrosis. We additionally detected fluid accumulation in the mastoid cells. Radiation caused volume reduction of the parotid gland, thickening of the pharynx wall, and fatty degeneration of bone marrow. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent method of depicting radiation-induced changes of normal tissue. Especially T2-weighted sequences allow the detection of even slight edema. It is important to be aware of the most common radiation-induced changes in MRI and to take them into account when assessing an examination.

Adult↗

[Dose reduction in spiral-CT: detection of pulmonary coin lesions with and without anatomically adjusted modulation of tube current].

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential of projection angle-dependent anatomical adaptation of tube current to reduce dose in spiral CT examinations of the thorax without loss in detectability of pulmonary nodules and image quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dose can be reduced for non-circular patient cross-sections without an increase in noise if the tube current is reduced at those angular positions where the patient diameter and, consequently, attenuation are small. The examinations were dose with SOMATOM Plus 4 (Siemens AG). CT projection data were analysed to determine the optimum tube current for each projection angle in real time. We compared image quality, done, and detection rates of pulmonary nodules for thoracic spiral CT examinations with and without online anatomically adapted tube current control in a group of 38 patients. Three radiologists counted all intrapulmonary nodules in consensus separated in three different groups (< 5 mm, 5-10 mm, > 10 mm). Image quality was evaluated in a scale from 1-3 (1 = very good, 2 = good, 3 = worse). RESULTS: On average, the dose was reduced by 21% (15-34%). With a constant tube current, 704 pulmonary nodules were detected, with tube current modulation 707 pulmonary nodules. For three patients we saw more pulmonary nodules (five) with tube current modulation, for two patients we saw less pulmonary nodules (two). In a direct comparison, the missed intrapulmonary nodules were also detected in the respective method. Thus, the detection rate of intrapulmonary nodules was uninfluenced. In general, no deterioration of image quality was observed. CONCLUSION: On average, 21% dose reduction was achieved by an anatomically adapted tube current modulation in spiral CT examinations of the thorax without a loss in detectability of pulmonary nodules and image quality. This method is an important contribution to dose reduction in spiral CT.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Dose reduction in computed tomography by attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current: evaluation of six anatomical regions.

This study investigated the potential of attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current to reduce the dose of computed tomography (in milliamperes) without loss in image quality. The dose can be reduced for non-circular patient cross-sections by reducing the tube current at the angular positions at which the diameter through the patient diameter is smallest. We investigated a new technical approach with attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current. Computed tomographic projection data were analyzed to determine the optimal milliampere values for each projection angle in real time, instead of performing prior measurements with localizer radiographs. We compared image quality, noise pattern, and dose for standard scans and for scans with attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current in a group of 30 radiation therapy patients. Six different anatomical regions were examined: head, shoulder, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities (knee). Image quality was evaluated by four radiologists in a blinded fashion. We found the dose to be reduced typically by 15-50 %. In general, no deterioration in image quality was observed. Thus the dose in computed tomography be reduced substantially by technical measures without sacrificing image quality. Attenuation-based on-line modulation of tube current is an efficient and practical means for this.

Humans↗

Head and neck tumors: imaging recurrent tumor and post-therapeutic changes with CT and MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate criteria for detection of tumor recurrence and post-treatment changes in patients with head and neck malignancies in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-nine patients with head and neck carcinoma receiving radiochemotherapy were examined before, during and after therapy with MRI. Changes in signal intensity were correlated to histology or clinical course. Three hundred and thirty-one patients with head and neck malignancies were examined with CT after therapy. CT diagnoses were correlated with histology or clinical course. RESULTS: Main criteria for recurrent/residual tumor in MRI was infiltrative mass with high signal intensity in T2-weighted images and enhancement after Gd-DTPA in T1-weighted images. Radiation-induced changes led to false positive diagnosis in 46% in the interval up to 3 months after therapy and in 58% in the interval 3-6 months after therapy. The combination of a circumscribed, infiltrative mass with contrast enhancement in CT had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 80%. CONCLUSION: CT could accurately demonstrate postoperative changes and tumor recurrence. MRI had advantages in differentiation of tumor and scar, but edema after radiation therapy can spoil diagnosis.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

2D and 3D visualisation of head and neck tumours from spiral-CT data.

PURPOSE: This paper intends to demonstrate the possibilities of two- and three-dimensional visualisation methods from spiral-CT data sets in the head and neck region and demonstrates their value based on various studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The scanner was a Somatom PLUS 4 (Siemens, Forchheim/Germany). The patients were scanned using a slice thickness of 3 mm and a table feed of 5 mm (pitch 1,6). The images were reconstructed with an increment of 1 mm. Contrast agent (150 ml) was applied intravenously with a flow of 2.5 ml/s and a start delay of 80 s. In one study the start delay was 20 s in order to visualise the carotid arteries (extracranial aneurysm). Volumetric data sets were postprocessed with 'Vitrea' and 'VoxelView' (Vital Images) volume rendering software on a Silicon Graphics O2 workstation (virtual laryngoscopy). Multiplanar reformation and colour-coded 3D-reconstruction were done on a Prominence workstation (Siemens/Forchheim/Germany). RESULTS: In every region of the head and neck MPRs are useful as additional planes (with the exception of the hypopharynx and the larynx), SSDs are always useful if there is extensive bony destruction (skull, spine, skeleton larynx). Colour-coded three-dimensional reformations may be done for extensive tumours and before multi-specialty surgery. Perspective volume rendering is already in use for virtual endoscopy of the paranasal sinuses and the virtual laryngoscopy. In temporal bone evaluation, perspective volume rendering is a new and promising method of the future to assess the inner ear. SUMMARY: Two- and three-dimensional displays are used to visualise pathological findings in their topographic relation to anatomical leading structures. Thus, the radiologist can point out to the clinician the pathological findings by some essential images without having to demonstrate all axial slices.

Aneurysm↗

Imaging of head and neck tumors--methods: CT, spiral-CT, multislice-spiral-CT.

Spiral-CT is standard for imaging neck tumors. In correspondence with other groups we routinely use spiral-CT with thin slices (3 mm), a pitch of 1.3-1.5 and an overlapping reconstruction increment (2-3 mm). In patients with dental fillings a short additional spiral parallel to the corpus of the mandible reduces artifacts behind the dental arches and improves the diagnostic value of CT. For the assessment of the base of the skull, the orbital floor, the palate and paranasal sinuses an additional examination in the coronal plane is helpful. Secondary coronal reconstructions of axial scans are helpful in the evaluation of the crossing of the midline by small tumors of the tongue base or palate. For an optimal vascular or tissue contrast a sufficient volume of contrast medium and a start delay greater than 70-80 s are necessary. In our opinion the best results can be achieved with a volume of 150 ml, a flow of 2.5 ml/s and a start delay of 80 s. Dynamic enhanced CT is only necessary in some special cases. There is clear indication for dynamic enhanced CT where a glomus tumor is suspected. Additional functional CT imaging during i-phonation and/or Valsalva's maneuver are of great importance to prove vocal cords mobility. Therefore, imaging during i-phonation is an elemental part of every thorough examination of the hypopharynx and larynx region. Multislice-spiral-CT allows almost isotropic imaging of the head and neck region and improves the assessment of tumor spread and lymph node metastases in arbitrary oblique planes. Thin structures (the base of the skull, the orbital floor, the hard palate) as well as the floor of the mouth can be evaluated sufficiently with multiplanar reformations. Usually, additional coronal scanning is not necessary with multislice-spiral-CT. Multislice-spiral-CT is especially advantageous in defining the critical relationships of tumor and lymph node metastases and for functional imaging of the hypopharynx and larynx not only in the transverse plane but also in the coronal plane.

Glomus Tumor↗

[Diagnosis of glomus jugulare tumor recurrence with dynamic contrast medium flow in MRI].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of dynamic MRI to differentiate residual tumor from scar after glomus jugulare (GJ) surgery. METHODS: 26 patients after GJ surgery were examined with dynamic contrast medium MRI on a 1.5 T Philips-Gyro-Scan NT. A T1-weighted TFE sequence was performed to localise the 5 slices for the dynamic study. Subsequently, a T1-weighted TFE sequence was used for the dynamic contrast medium study. We started contrast medium administration and TFE sequence at the same time. The time until acquisition of the first image was 7.4 s, and the interval between two images 7 s (total time 2.24 min). Intensity versus time studies were performed in the region of interest. RESULTS: 2 typical intensity versus time graphs were observed: residual tumors showed a rapid increase in signal intensity, followed by a "wash-out" phase, and a plateau phase in the later course. Scar showed a moderate increase in signal intensity, followed by a plateau phase on a low intensity level. In 9 patients, in whom tumor removal was subtotal, we saw the typical graph of a GJ tumor. 4 of 17 patients with complete tumor removal showed a typical graph like that of residual tumor, 13 of 17 patients showed the typical graph of a scar. CONCLUSION: With dynamic contrast medium MRI studies, differentiation between residual tumor and scar is possible in patients with prior GJ surgery.

Cicatrix↗