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Biomedical subjects

Masako Kataoka

Publications and source records attributed to Masako Kataoka.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Investigation of uterine peristalsis diurnal variation.

BACKGROUND: In women of reproductive age, wavelike movements of the subendometrial myometrium, which is called uterine peristalsis, is considered to be related with fertility and menstrual problems. This is because the direction and frequency of peristalsis is known to be different among menstrual cycle phases. However, nothing is known as regarding diurnal variations. This study was designed to evaluate for the presence of a diurnal variation in uterine peristalsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR studies were performed on 12 volunteers of reproductive age using a 1.5-T magnet, four times per day (at 0800, 1300, 1800 and 2300 h) during three (periovulatory, luteal and menstrual) phases of one menstrual cycle. Sixty images were obtained by half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo every 2 s and displayed on cine mode. Semiautomated software was utilized to discern the presence of peristaltic waves, as well as peristaltic frequency and direction. The presence of sustained contractions was visually determined. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference during the daytime for frequency and direction of uterine peristalsis for all menstrual cycle phases. Nonetheless, peristaltic frequency and direction fluctuated during each cycle. Statistically significant peristaltic suppression was observed in association with sustained contractions during the periovulatory phase. CONCLUSIONS: A diurnal variation was not observed for uterine peristalsis. Sporadic changes in peristaltic frequency were observed and appear to be closely related to sustained uterine contractions.

Adult↗

MR features of physiologic and benign conditions of the ovary.

In reproductive women, various physiologic conditions can cause morphologic changes of the ovary, resembling pathologic conditions. Benign ovarian diseases can also simulate malignancies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can play an important role in establishing accurate diagnosis. Functional cysts should not be confused with cystic neoplasms. Corpus luteum cysts typically have a thick wall and are occasionally hemorrhagic. Multicystic lesions that may mimic cystic neoplasms include hyperreactio luteinalis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Recognition of clinical settings can help establish diagnosis. In endometrial cysts, MRI usually provides specific diagnosis; however, decidual change during pregnancy should not be confused with secondary neoplasm. Peritoneal inclusion cysts can be distinguished from cystic neoplasms by recognition of their characteristic configurations. Ovarian torsion and massive ovarian edema may mimic solid malignant tumors. Recognition of normal follicles and anatomic structures is useful in diagnosing these conditions. In pelvic inflammatory diseases, transfascial spread of the lesion should not be confused with invasive malignant tumors. Radiologic identification of abscess formation can be a diagnostic clue. Many benign tumors, including teratoma, Brenner tumor, and sex-cord stromal tumor, frequently show characteristic MRI features. Knowledge of MRI features of these conditions is essential in establishing accurate diagnosis and determining appropriate treatment.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

How predictive is breast arterial calcification of cardiovascular disease and risk factors when found at screening mammography?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between breast arterial calcification (BAC), commonly found on mammography, and cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population, nested within the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) cohort study, consisted of 1,590 women older than 55 years, not taking hormone replacement therapy, and with available screening mammograms. Mammograms were coded by three radiologists for presence or absence of BAC. History of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and diabetes and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (including smoking status, body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) were independently measured from health examinations in the EPIC study. RESULTS: The prevalence of BAC was 16.0%. Women with BAC were significantly older than those without it. BAC was associated with prevalent CHD, but not stroke. The odds ratio of having CHD was 2.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.30). The sensitivity and specificity were 32.4% and 85.5%, respectively. Except for smoking, which showed an inverse association, there was no consistent significant association of BAC with cardiovascular disease risk factors including BMI, diabetes, HbA1c, or lipids. CONCLUSION: BAC found on mammograms was associated with prevalent CHD after adjustment for age, but with low sensitivity. BAC may provide additional information toward identifying cardiovascular disease risk among otherwise healthy women.

Arteries↗

Dysmenorrhea: evaluation with cine-mode-display MR imaging--initial experience.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate uterine contractility during menstruation and its relation to primary dysmenorrhea by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with cine mode display. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The university ethics committee approved the study protocol, and all subjects gave written informed consent. Nineteen healthy women were examined during menstrual cycle days 1-3 by using a 1.5-T-magnet unit. Sixty serial half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement MR images of the uterus were obtained every 3 seconds for 3 minutes and displayed in cine mode. MR images were analyzed in terms of thickness of the inner low-signal-intensity myometrial layer, presence of endometrial distortion, and uterine peristalsis detectability. Pain was assessed by using a four-point scale. For 56 MR imaging cases, the association between MR imaging findings and pain degree was examined with Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney tests. MR imaging findings in the dysmenorrheic and eumenorrheic subject groups were compared by using Mann-Whitney and chi(2) tests. The area of the uterine myometrium in both groups was calculated for quantitative assessment of uterine contraction and was compared between the groups by using the Student t test. RESULTS: MR imaging findings revealed marked changes during cycle days 1-3. Thickness of the inner low-signal-intensity myometrial layer and endometrial distortion were significantly associated with pain degree (P < .001), while uterine peristalsis was undetectable when pain was severe or moderate. The area of the uterine myometrium significantly decreased during cycle days 1-3 in the dysmenorrheic group, as compared with that in the eumenorrheic group (P = .010). CONCLUSION: MR imaging features of the uterus on cycle days 1-3 correlated with pain degree. Cine-mode-display MR imaging is a potential tool for evaluating dysmenorrhea.

Adult↗

Contrast-enhanced volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination compared with spin-echo T1-weighted imaging of head and neck tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) is a relatively new gradient-echo MR sequence that is capable of shortening acquisition times and is reported to be useful in abdominal and brain imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using VIBE images as a substitute for conventional postcontrast spin-echo T1-weighted images in the assessment of head and neck tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 33 consecutive patients referred for MRI for preoperative assessment of head and neck tumors. After administration of gadodiamide hydrate, images were obtained using postcontrast fat-saturated VIBE sequence for a 35-sec acquisition time and then a postcontrast fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted sequence for a 269-sec acquisition time ( approximately 4.5 min). Quantitative comparisons of the two methods were made by calculating signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios for both methods, and qualitative comparisons were made on the basis of the scoring of three independent reviewers concerning image quality and tumor conspicuity. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected quantitatively between the two sequences. However, in qualitative assessments, the degree of image degradation by artifacts was significantly smaller for VIBE images than for spin-echo T1-weighted images (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: In preoperative evaluations of head and neck tumors, the postcontrast VIBE sequence is capable of decreasing acquisition time without degrading image quality or tumor conspicuity; thus, it is an acceptable alternative to postcontrast spin-echo T1-weighted imaging.

Adult↗

MR imaging of müllerian mucinous borderline tumors arising from endometriotic cysts.

This report describes MR findings of müllerian mucinous borderline tumors, pathologically proven to have arisen from endometriotic cysts, in three patients. They were unilocular or paucilocular masses with mural nodules. Cystic components showed hyperintensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images, simulating clear cell or endometrioid carcinomas arising from endometriotic cysts. Mural nodules showed prominent high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Correlation with pathologic findings suggests that this hyperintensity reflects intraluminal mucinous material and stromal edema.

Adult↗

Radiologic manifestations of sarcoidosis in various organs.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder of unknown cause with a wide variety of clinical and radiologic manifestations. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of these manifestations supported by histologic findings. Systemic manifestations (eg, Löfgren syndrome, Heerfordt syndrome) are commonly seen at clinical examination. Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy is the most common radiologic finding-frequently with associated pulmonary infiltrates-and typically has a characteristic perivascular distribution at high-resolution chest computed tomography. Radiologic findings in the short tubular bones of the hands and feet and magnetic resonance imaging findings of nodular involvement of muscle are often sufficient to raise suspicion for sarcoidosis. In the liver, spleen, kidneys, and scrotum, coalescing granulomas form nodules whose imaging features may occasionally be nonspecific, although familiarity with the relevant clinical settings will be helpful in recognizing the presence of sarcoidosis. Radiologic recognition of cardiac and central nervous system involvement is also important because patients may be only mildly symptomatic. The clinical course and prognosis of sarcoidosis are highly variable, often correlating with the mode of onset. Familiarity with the clinical and radiologic features of sarcoidosis in various anatomic locations plays a crucial role in diagnosis and management.

Adult↗