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Biomedical subjects

M R Prince

Publications and source records attributed to M R Prince.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Venous thrombosis prophylaxis by inflammatory inhibition without anticoagulation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of recombinant P-selectin glycoprotein ligand Ig (rPSGL-Ig) pretreatment to decrease thrombosis and inflammation in experimental venous thrombosis. rPSGL-Ig, a unique mucin-like glycoprotein, has a high affinity for P-selectin. METHODS: Twelve juvenile baboons underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis with temporary 6-hour IVC balloon occlusion. Before balloon placement, the animals received rPSGL-Ig (4 mg/kg; n = 8) or saline solution for control (n = 4). The animals underwent evaluation with duplex ultrasound scan imaging, magnetic resonance venography (MRV), phlebography, coagulation profile, and tissue analysis at death for cytokines and vein wall leukocyte morphometrics. With the MRV results, thrombus development, thrombus resolution, and inflammation (gadolinium; square millimeters of enhancement) were assessed. RESULTS: Each animal provided two time points for evaluation (days 2 and 6 after balloon occlusion). A significant decrease in IVC thrombosis between balloons was found in the rPSGL-Ig animals (1 of 16) versus the control animals (5 of 8; P <.01). The MRV results showed significantly less enhancement in the rPSGL-Ig animals at days 2 and 6 (P <.05). Spontaneous thrombus resolution (including balloon sites) was significantly greater from day 2 to day 6 in the rPSGL-Ig animals versus the control animals (23% vs 2%; P <.001), without pulmonary embolism. Lower interleukin-8, platelet factor IV, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels were found in rPSGL-Ig vein walls without significant differences in vein wall leukocyte morphometrics. There were significantly lower D-dimer levels in the rPSGL-Ig-treated animals (P <.05), but there were no differences in measurements of coagulation. Adequate circulating rPSGL-Ig levels were documented. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with rPSGL-Ig results in: (1) a significant inhibition of thrombosis and vein wall inflammation; (2) a decrease in vein wall cytokine expression; and (3) a promotion of thrombus resolution. Inflammatory inhibition by rPSGL-Ig without anticoagulation therapy provides effective venous thrombosis prophylaxis in experimental venous thrombosis.

Animals

Pulmonary magnetic resonance angiography.

Early attempts to image the pulmonary vasculature with spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were hampered by severe image degradation related to respiratory and cardiac pulsation artifact, susceptibility at interfaces between lung parenchyma and vessel wall, and poor contrast between flowing blood and intravascular filling defects of emboli. With the development of gradient-echo MR angiographic techniques some of these limitations were overcome; however, the need for multiple breath-holds and the frequent occurrence of flow-related artifacts that could simulate pulmonary emboli diminished their clinical utility. With the development of contrast-enhanced MR angiography, many of the limitations of earlier techniques were addressed. Images of both lungs with high signal-to-noise ratios and high contrast between flowing blood and pulmonary emboli could be acquired in a single breath-hold, during "first-pass" imaging with extracellular contrast agents in the coronal plane. However, subsegmental vessels could not be assessed with this approach. The technique has been refined further by imaging each lung separately in the sagittal plane; this offers higher resolution and total lung coverage and requires a shorter breath-hold. Finally, several investigators have reported preliminary data on imaging of the pulmonary vasculature with blood pool agents, exploiting respiratory triggering or navigator echoes to eliminate the need for breath-holding for the detection of pulmonary emboli.

Aged

Magnetic resonance imaging in renal transplantation.

End stage renal disease is common and can result from a variety of diseases. The expense and morbidity of dialysis has made renal transplantation the preferred treatment when it is available. In the United States, 11,000 renal transplants are performed annually. Because of the limited supply of donor organs, every effort is made to salvage the transplanted kidney that has began to fail. Imaging modalities that are currently used to evaluate transplanted kidneys are ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, intravenous urography (IVU), contrast angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI offers multiple advantages. MRI provides cross sectional and vascular information without the risks of ionizing radiation, iodinated contrast, or arterial catheterization. This article describes the role of MR imaging in renal transplantation, technical aspects of image acquisition, and MR findings of post-transplantation complications.

Contrast Media

MRA contrast bolus timing with ultrasound bubbles.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using an ultrasound contrast agent test bolus to determine optimum bolus timing for three-dimensional (3D) gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Small test doses of ultrasound contrast agent (0.3 ml Optison) were injected intravenously followed immediately by a 20 ml saline flush. Arrival of the contrast agent was detected by spectral Doppler ultrasound (US). This technique was implemented in patients undergoing peripheral vascular MRA and carotid MRA. Arrival of the US contrast agent test bolus was readily detected by the change in amplitude of the Doppler spectrum and by a huge increase in the audio signal amplitude. This contrast travel time measurement accurately guided bolus timing for 3D Gd MRA. Bolus timing for 3D contrast-enhanced MRA can be performed using US, thereby eliminating the problems and MR scanner time required for injecting a test bolus of Gd contrast.

Albumins

[MRI of the kidneys. New diagnostic strategies].

AIM: New diagnostic strategies for evaluation of the kidney by fast MR imaging techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive morphologic and functional evaluation of the kidney is proposed using fast MR imaging of renal morphology, multiphase 3D gadolinium MR angiography, MR urography and MR flow measurements. A single MR examination is designed to grade renovascular disease and assess the hemodynamic and functional significance, detect and characterize renal lesions and evaluate the urinary tract. RESULTS: The combined analysis of morphologic and functional data allows reliable assessment of renal artery stenosis, benign and malignant renal masses and diseases of the renal collecting system and ureters, as well as congenital abnormalities in good agreement to the results of conventional imaging modalities. The improved tissue contrast and additional functional information compensates for the disadvantage of a lower spatial resolution. CONCLUSION: Combined morphologic and functional MR examination represents a reliable, non-invasive and cost-effective alternative imaging modality for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of renal disease.

Acute Kidney Injury

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: comparison of CT angiography and MR angiography in canines.

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of helical computed tomographic angiography (CTA), CTA with multiplanar reconstructions (MPR)/three-dimensional-shaded surface display (3D-SSD), and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for pulmonary embolism (PE) detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gelatin sponge emboli were introduced into the femoral veins of seven dogs and conventional digital subtraction angiography (CA), CTA, and MRA performed. Images from CTA, CTA with MPR/3D-SSD, and MRA were reviewed for the presence of PE in lobar and segmental arteries, and subsegmental zones. Postmortem angiography and CA were the gold standard. RESULTS: There were 50 emboli in the 294 vessels/zones analyzed. The sensitivity of CTA for the two readers was 76% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 64%-88%) and 64% (95% CI; 50%-78%), and for the two MRA readers was 52% (95% CI; 38%-66%) and 48% (95% CI; 34%-62%). CTA was more sensitive than MRA when PE were subdivided by vessel caliber. Specificity was high for CTA and MRA among all readers (98.8%-99.6%). MPR/3D-SSD did not improve results of axial CT. MRA perfusion defects were 46% and 47% sensitive and 100% specific. Interobserver agreement was high for CTA and MRA (kappa 0.92 and 0.93, respectively). The average diameter of vessels with emboli was 3.7 mm +/- 1.06. CONCLUSION: Helical CTA is more sensitive than three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MRA for the detection of PE. Both CTA and MRA are highly specific for PE detection and demonstrate high interobserver agreement. MPR/3D-SSD did not increase CTA performance over axial images alone.

Angiography

Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Detection of multilevel vascular pathology by time-resolved multiphase 3D gadolinium MR angiography: initial report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate multiphasic 3D gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D-Gd-MRA) for detection of vascular pathology at multiple levels of the aorta and iliac arteries. METHODS: In 18 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 13), dissection (n = 3), or both (n = 2), multiphase 3D-Gd-MRA was performed acquiring five consecutive (6.8 seconds) 3D data sets in a single breath-hold. In each of the five time-resolved phases, vessel visibility of the abdominal aortic branches and iliac arteries was assessed. The extent of vessel involvement by the aneurysm or dissection seen on multiphase 3D-Gd-MRA was compared with standard imaging and surgical findings. Digital subtraction angiography was available for comparison in 4 cases, CT angiography in 10 cases. RESULTS: Due to the delayed filling of the aortic aneurysm, the proximal aortic branches and the aneurysm neck demonstrated an inversely related enhancement compared with the distal abdominal and iliac vessels (P < 0.001). Review of all five phases of multiphase 3D-Gd-MRA allowed optimal visualization of each vessel segment without any artifacts due to parenchymal or venous overlay. In dissections, review of three phases was required (P < 0.001) for diagnostic evaluation of the true and false lumens. Substantially more vessel involvement was detected on multiphase 3D-Gd-MRA; this was surgically confirmed in 10 of 11 cases and affected therapy management in 11 of 18 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Multiphase 3D-Gd-MRA is a convenient, robust, and safe technique for presurgical anatomic mapping of complex aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Aortic Dissection

Magnetic resonance imaging of the aorta and branch vessels.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide a comprehensive evaluation of the aorta and its major branches. T1-weighted spin-echo images and cine-MRI have long been known to be useful for the evaluation of congenital aortic anomalies, aortic aneurysms, and aortic dissections. Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a more recent development that affords better spatial resolution. This technique can be performed during an individual breath-hold and does not require electrocardiographic gating. The data from Gd-enhanced three-dimensional MRA, furthermore, can be used both for projectional angiographic viewing and for multiplanar reformation. In this article, MRI of the aorta and its major branches will be reviewed, with emphasis on the newer technique of Gd-enhanced three-dimensional MRA.

Aorta

Polyclonal, nonspecific 111In-IgG scintigraphy in the evaluation of complicated osteomyelitis and septic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: In this investigation we tested the hypothesis that 111In-IgG scintigraphy can differentiate infectious from sterile inflammatory processes in patients with complicated osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. METHODS: A prospective university hospital based study was performed over 18 months. We studied 31 sites of suspected infection, in 25 adult patients, (age 18 to 74 years, 12 females and 13 males) referred with clinical presentations compatible with complicated osteomyelitis or septic arthritis and in whom proof of the infection was likely to be obtained. The clinical setting in these patients was previous trauma, recent surgery, peripheral vascular disease or adjacent soft tissue infection. Whole body scintigraphy was performed at 1-6, 18-24 and 42-48 hours after administration of 55 MBq of 111In-IgG and results were compared to radiographs, 99mTc-MDP skeletal scintigraphy, biopsy specimens (9 sites) or synovial fluid aspirates (4 sites) and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 31 sites evaluated, 68% (21/31) were interpreted as negative for abnormal tracer accumulation and 32% (10/31) were considered positive. In patients who underwent biopsy and/or synovial fluid aspiration, 6 of 7 sites were correctly interpreted as positive; sensitivity 86%. Five of 6 sites were correctly interpreted as negative; specificity 83%. When all patients were considered using clinical follow-up in addition to culture results, 9 of 10 sites were correctly interpreted as positive (sensitivity 90%) and 20 of 21 patients were correctly interpreted as negative (specificity 95%). CONCLUSIONS: 111In-IgG scintigraphy is useful for detection of musculoskeletal infection in patients in whom sterile inflammatory events simulate infectious processes.

Adolescent

Pulmonary MR angiography.

Imaging of the pulmonary vasculature with "inflow" MR imaging is difficult both to perform and interpret. Over the last few years, however, a greater understanding of contrast-enhanced techniques and the availability of fast gradient performance have facilitated the development of high resolution breath-hold images with high contrast-to-noise ratios. Increasing clinical experience with these contrast-enhanced techniques suggests a likely role for MR angiography in investigating patients with a variety of pulmonary vasculature disorders, including pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension and arterio-venous malformation.

Aged

In vitro model of arterial stenosis: correlation of MR signal dephasing and trans-stenotic pressure gradients.

PURPOSE: Turbulent flow just distal to stenoses causes signal loss (dephasing) on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This study correlates dephasing with trans-stenotic pressure gradients in an in vitro model of arterial stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional (3D) phase contrast, 2D time-of-flight, and 3D spoiled gradient echo MRA with/without gadolinium and varied echo time were performed for a system consisting of a peristaltic perfusion pump and a silastic vessel with stenoses of varying caliber. Length and diameter of dephasing jets were measured, and volumes calculated at varying pressure gradients and echo times, then correlated with percentage cross-sectional area stenosis as measured by conventional angiography. RESULTS: Dephasing occurred in all sequences at pressure gradients of > or =4 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133 Pa) and stenoses of greater than 70%, and varied directly with pressure gradient. The dephasing was greatest for 3D phase contrast (PC). Gadolinium did not diminish dephasing. CONCLUSIONS: MRA signal dephasing at stenoses varies directly with pressure gradient. MRA may provide a non-invasive means for determining the hemodynamic significance of arterial stenoses.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases

Arterial-phase three-dimensional gadolinium magnetic resonance angiography of the renal arteries. Strategies for timing and contrast media injection: original investigation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors review different imaging and contrast-media infusion strategies for arterial-phase three-dimensional (3D) gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (Gd-MRA). METHODS: The influence of physicochemical factors on the infusion of contrast media, including viscosity, flow rate, inline pressure, and cannula size, is assessed. The combination of manual or automated contrast-media administration with timing-dependent or -independent 3D Gd-MRA techniques is reviewed regarding the aspects of effectiveness, robustness, image quality, and costs. RESULTS: For effective bolus delivery with high flow rates, the type and temperature of the contrast media, the size of the cannula, and an immediate saline flush must be considered. Timing-dependent techniques based on a test bolus and using automated contrast-media infusion as well as timing independent techniques such as MR SmartPrep or multiphase 3D Gd-MRA by using a manual injection with a SmartSet tubing set, are all effective procedures for arterial phase 3D Gd-MRA. CONCLUSIONS: Manual contrast-media injection with a tubing set can be used for timing-independent MRA techniques. The multiphase 3D Gd-MRA approach seems to be favorable for different MR systems, robustness, and speed.

Contrast Media