Biomedical subjects

N Magarelli

Publications and source records attributed to N Magarelli.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

[Magnetic resonance angiography of the origin of the supraaortic trunks: the tridimensional time-of-flight with single volume technique].

This work was aimed at studying the origin of the epiaortic vessels with Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Twenty normal volunteers (mean age: 21.5 years) were examined with MRA with a superconductive magnet at 1 T (Impact). All volunteers were examined with a body coil and the time of flight (TOF) technique. The FISP 3D TONE sequence was used, with the following parameters: TR 46 ms, TE 10 ms, FA 20 degrees, ST 2.2 mm, matrix 192 x 256. The images, acquired on the axial plane with three presaturation pulses, were rotated according to the maximum intensity projection on the Z axis. To classify the images, a multiple choice card was used by a reader, with three diagnostic judgements for the different segments of the vessels (i.e., good, poor and not visualized). 3D TOF MRA permitted good visualization of the right and left common carotid in 80% and 77% of cases, of the right and left vertebral arteries in 55% and 50% of cases, of the left and right subclavian arteries in 47% and 62% of cases, and of the anonymous artery in 100% of cases. To conclude, our preliminary results indicate FISP 3D TOF MRA as the best noninvasive technique to study the origin of the epiaortic vessels.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Magnetic resonance angiography of the origins of the supraaortic arteries: comparison of single and double volume acquisition 3D time of flight.

PURPOSE: The authors have optimized the technique of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MR-angio) in the study of the origins of the supraaortic arteries. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers, mean age 21.5, were studied with MR-angio of the origins of the supraaortic arteries; a 1 T superconductive magnet (Impact) with body coil was used. All the volunteers were studied using Time of flight (TOF), and two acquisition techniques: single volume FISP (fast imaging with steady-state precession) 3D TONE (titled optimized non-saturating excitation) and double volume FISP 3D TONE with 30% overlapping. The images were acquired on the axial plane following the positioning of three pre-saturation pulses. RESULTS: Regarding the visualization of the different components of the origins of the supraaortic arteries, a statistical analysis was worked out using the Mann Whitney test (p < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference between two techniques. Regarding the visualization of the various segments (origin, 1/3 proximal, 1/3 middle, 1/3 distal), although the double volume did on the one hand allow a better visualization of the more distal vascular components (statiscally significant difference), on the other it induced the presence of artefacts with decreased the quality of the image as a whole. DISCUSSION: In our experience TOF 3D technique with TONE and single volume has well identified the origin of the vertebral arteries, while, in several cases, TOF 3D technique with TONE and double volume did not permit the visualization of the origin of the vertebral arteries due to the presence of the artefacts from overlapping. CONCLUSION: From our experience we have established that the TOF 3D technique with TONE and single volume makes it possible to obtain MR-angio of a high diagnostic quality in a short time (10-15 mn).

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Carotid bifurcation stenosis: a comparative study between MR angiography and duplex scanning with respect to digital subtraction angiography.

PURPOSE: This study compared sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of Echoduplex and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in the evaluation of carotid bifurcation stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with clinical signs suggestive for cerebrovascular insufficiency (CVI) were studied with Duplex scan, MRA and Digital Subtraction angiography (DSA). Gold standard was the angiographic examination. RESULTS: on equal value of sensitivity (80.5%), MRA showed 96% specificity versus 81% of Duplex scan, 89.4% diagnostic accuracy versus 80.9% for Duplex scan. As for stenosis over 31%, the value of sensitivity did not change i.e., 80.5%; MRA showed 100% specificity versus 97.1% for Duplex, 91.2% diagnostic accuracy versus 89.1% respectively. These values compared by the test for categorial analysis and correspondence analysis (p < 0.05) did not indicate any statistically significant difference. DISCUSSION: on the basis of our experience and as shown by current literature [2, 12] we can state that both MR-angiography and Duplex scan fail in quantifying correctly carotid stenosis with consequent over- and underestimation [3, 4]. However, they can be considered effective diagnostic procedures in a screening program [12, 16]; they are accurate, safe and accepted by the population. CONCLUSIONS: on the basis of the cost in planning the screening of a population at risk for CVI, Duplex scanning is still to be considered the elective procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Diagnostic pitfalls in magnetic resonance angiography].

The authors report on their clinical experience with Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA) pitfalls. January, 1989, to February, 1995, six hundred MRA examinations were performed in different vascular districts, with a 1.5-T superconductive magnet, the time-of-flight (TOF) technique and 2D and 3D acquisitions. Intracranial arteries, epiaortic vessels and renal arteries were studied with FISP 3D sequences; intracranial veins, thoracic vessels, vena cava and pelvic vessels were studied with FISP 2D sequences. Pitfalls were observed in 56 of 600 MRA exams (9.3%). Of 56 pitfalls, 26 (46.4%) were in epiaortic vessels, 15 (26.7%) in intracranial vessels, 6 (10.7%) in renal arteries, 6 (10.7%) in thoracic vessels, 1 (1.7%) in the inferior vena cava and 2 (3.5%) in iliac vessels. Stenoses were overestimated in 21 patients and underestimated in three; 16 patients were misdiagnosed and 16 were false positives. As for cerebral vascular lesions, 5 aneurysms and 7 transverse sinus thromboses were false positives, while 3 lesions were misdiagnosed as venous angiomas. As for 26 MRA exams of thoracic vessels, stenoses were overestimated in 16 patients and underestimated in 10 patients with subclavian steal syndrome, where the left vertebral artery was misinterpreted as occluded. In 6 MRA exams of thoracic vessels, 1 patient was misdiagnosed as having an aneurysm and 5 patients were misdiagnosed as having lung cancer infiltrating aorta and superior vena cava. As for renal vessels, 2 normal renal arteries were misdiagnosed as false positives and 4 stenoses were overestimated. In the inferior vena cava, a partial agenesis was misinterpreted as thrombosis. In 2 MRA exams of iliac vessels, a stenosis and a thrombosis were misinterpreted as false positives. Our experience suggests that MRA pitfalls are caused by the incorrect use of the various techniques. The pitfalls we observed can be classified as caused by three types of artifacts: saturation, turbulence and paramagnetic substance artifacts.

Diagnostic Errors↗

PubMed1994

Magnetic resonance angiography of the left renal vein.

The authors evaluated magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as a possible diagnostic method to image the left renal vein. Twenty-five patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent both plain and contrast-enhanced CT, as well as two-dimensional (2D) sequential time of flight (TOF) MRA. MRA images were evaluated on the basis of the results of CT, taken as the "gold standard" for vessel demonstration. MRA was performed with a 1.5 T superconductive magnet (Magnetom), fast imaging with steady-state free precession (FISP) 2D sequence (TR 40 ms, TE 10 ms, FA 18 degrees). Images were acquired in breath-hold on the coronal and sagittal plane and reconstructed according to maximum intensity projection (MIP) and targeted-MIP techniques. MRA images acquired on the sagittal plane correctly showed the retroaortic course on the left renal v. in six cases. On the coronal plane, targeted-MIP reconstructions for the course of the left renal v. correctly detected its outlet at the level of the inferior vena cava in five cases and of the left iliac v. in one case. MRA appears to be a promising noninvasive vascular imaging technique capable of correctly detecting the course and the outlet of the left renal v. We particularly noticed that the left renal v. can be imaged in a few seconds by using only one scout view with 2D sequential TOF technique on the sagittal plane at the level of the abdominal aorta.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

[Artifacts in magnetic resonance angiography].

UNLABELLED: This study was aimed at assessing and classifying the incidence of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) artifacts using the 2D and 3D time-of-flight (TOF) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: from 300 MRA examinations performed January 1991 through April 1993, we selected the first 10 examinations for each vascular region which exhibited an artifact. Many kinds of artifacts were considered, i.e., hardware, sequence, magnetic susceptibility, patient and maximum intensity projection (MIP) artifacts. A superconductive 1.5-T magnet (Magnetom, Siemens) was used, with 2D and 3D TOF acquisitions. RESULTS: the quantitative analysis of artifact frequency showed that in the intracranial vessels (2D and 3D TOF sequences) the most common artifacts are saturation (30%) and magnetic susceptibility (30%) artifacts. As for neck vessels (3D TOF sequences), turbulence (40%) and lack of inclusion (30%) artifacts are the most common ones. In thoracic vessels (2D TOF sequences), MIP (50%) and ghost (30%) artifacts are the most common ones, while in the abdominal aorta (2D TOF sequences) magnetic susceptibility (20%), voluntary movement (20%), peristalsis (20%) and MIP (20%) artifacts occurred most frequently. Saturation (30%) and respiratory movement (30%) artifacts were the most common ones in the study of the renal arteries (3D TOF sequences), while MIP artifacts prevailed (40%) in the inferior vena cava (2D TOF sequences). Finally, MIP (40%) and patient movement (30%) artifacts were the most frequent ones in the study of the lower limbs (2 TOF sequences). CONCLUSIONS: in 2D and 3D TOF studies, being familiar with artifacts and their physical principles helps avoid image misinterpretation so that, if no technical means can prevent an artifact from occurring, at least it will not become a diagnostic pitfall.

Artifacts↗

PubMed1994

[Renal arteries: angiography with TOF 3D magnetic resonance with and without contrast media (Gd-DTPA)].

This work was aimed at investigating the value of Gd-DTPA to demonstrate distal renal artery branches with 3D TOF Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA). Ten volunteers and two patients with proximal-distal renal artery stenoses were studied with MRA; all subjects were studied before and after Gd-DTPA. MRA was performed with a 1.5-T superconductive magnet (Magnetom Siemens); the FISP 3D sequence was used with the following setting: FA 25 degrees, TR 40 ms, TE 6 ms, slice thickness 64 mm with 64 partitions and MA 256 x 256. This setting was not changed from pre- to post-contrast scans. The images acquired on the z axis were rotated, according to the MIP, on the axial and the sagittal axes, from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, with a 15 degrees step. 0.2 ml/kg of Gd-DTPA were injected as bolus during 3D acquisitions; the injection was started half-way through acquisition. To evaluate and compare pre- and post-contrast MRA images, the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and the demonstration of the various renal artery segments were studied. Average S/N ratio was 2.3 in the right renal artery and 2.1 in the left renal artery on pre-contrast MRA images, while it was 0.9 in the left renal artery and 0.8 in the right renal artery on post-contrast MRA images. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). As for the demonstration of the distal segments and of the bifurcations, enhanced MRA was no better than unenhanced MRA. As for the demonstration of distal segment stenoses, enhanced MRA proved no better than unenhanced MRA in both patients. To conclude, in our experience MRA after Gd-DTPA failed to allow the systematic demonstration of the distal segments and of the bifurcations of the renal arteries.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[The torcular Herophili: the diagnostic pitfalls in TOF 3D magnetic resonance angiography].

The authors report on a diagnostic pitfall which is often observed in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of intracranial vessels (time-of-flight 3D)--i.e., the absence of one of the two transverse sinuses. Fifty patients underwent MRA of the intracranial vessels with the TOF 3D (FISP) and the TOF 2D (FISP) techniques. Five patients were affected with sinus stenosis. MRA was performed with a 1.5-T superconductive magnet and a circular head coil. All patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Angiography with FISP 2D sequences (FA 40 degrees, TR 40 ms, TE 12 ms) acquired on coronal plane as well as FISP 3D (FA 15 degrees, TR 30 ms, TE 7 ms) acquired on axial plane. In the patients in whom FISP 2D sequences correctly demonstrated the whole confluence of sinuses, FISP 3D sequences always depicted the upper sagittal sinus, while the right transverse sinus was seen in 84.4% (38/45) of cases and the left transverse sinus in 24.2% (11/45) of cases. In the patients with a stenosis in the confluence of sinuses, FISP 3D sequences demonstrated two false-positive cases with respect to FISP 2D. The statistical analysis (McNemar test) of the results demonstrated the difference between 2D and 3D sequences in the detection of the two transverse sinuses to be statistically significant: p < 0.01 for the right transverse sinus and p < 0.001 for the left transverse sinus. In the study of the intracranial vessels (TOF 3D technique) the absence of one of the two transverse sinuses is suggestive of a diagnostic pitfall; the combination of 3D and 2D sequences answers this diagnostic question.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

PubMed1993

[Carotid bifurcation: angiography with magnetic resonance versus carotid angiography].

The reliability of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) was investigated in the study of stenosis and obstruction of carotid bifurcation; digital carotidography was the gold standard. Twenty-five consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of cerebrovascular insufficiency entered the study. MRA was performed with a 1.5 T superconductive magnet (Magnetom Siemens) and a linear head coil. The TOF 3D (FA 20 degrees, TR 30 ms, TE 7 ms) technique was applied. Images were acquired on the sagittal plane and rotated in postprocessing according to MIP on the z axis from 60 to 120 degrees (step 5). MRA exhibit 80.5% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 89.4% accuracy, 94.7% positive predictive value and 86.3% negative predictive value. When calculating the interrupted flow relative to hemodynamically significant stenoses (range 31%-occlusions), MRA sensitivity was 80.5%, specificity 100%, negative predictive value 86.3%, positive predictive value 94.7% and overall diagnostic accuracy 91.2%. MRA is to be considered a diagnostically reliable procedure in the study of carotid bifurcation and its diagnostic accuracy may even be increased in the future by the possible assessment of over- and underestimated cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Whole body MR angiography. Physiologic presaturation++ of the inferior vena cava].

Whole-body MRA, performed with the time-of-flight (TOF) technique requires presaturation pulses adequately positioned and to eliminate the arterial and/or venous signal (FRODO technique: "Flow Respiratory artifact Obliteration with Directed Orthogonal pulses"). Additional presaturation pulses involve an increase in the radiofrequency dose absorbed by the patient, frequently over 0.4 watt x kg, which is the threshold absorption per kg. In the present paper, the possible saturation of caval system exploiting the modulation of apnea in whole-body MRA was investigated. Ten volunteers and 10 patients with different diseases were studied. All subjects underwent abdominal MRA with the TOF 2D (FA 18 degrees, TR 22 ms, TE 10 ms) technique. Images were acquired with three modulations of apnea: maximum inspiration, expiration, Müller maneuver. With respect to the anteroposterior diameter of inferior vena cava in inspiration, the inferior cava was reduced by 21.7% in expiration and by 35.7% in Müller maneuver. The lower caliber of vena cava allowed selective angiogram of the aorta. Expiration maneuvers are suggested as an alternative to caval flow saturation by the FRODO technique. As for expiration maneuvers, the volunteers and patients studied preferred to modulate the apnea in forcible expiration. Müller maneuver, through more effective (in 4 cases total caval collapse was obtained) is nonetheless more difficult.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

PubMed1993

[Angiography with magnetic resonance++ of the renal arteries: bidimensional versus tridimensional "time of flight" technique].

Twenty volunteers were examined by means of 2D and 3D time of flight (TOF) Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries. The possible diagnostic applications of MRA were also evaluated in 6 patients with renovascular diseases. MRA examinations of the renal arteries were performed with a 1.5 T superconductive magnet (Magnetom Siemens) and circular body coil. Ten volunteers were studied with 3D FISP sequences (FA 25 degrees, TR 40 ms, TE 7 ms, ST 1 mm, Ma 256 x 256, FOV 500); the images were acquired on the axial plane and were rotated, in MIP and target MIP, on the axial (z) and sagittal (x) axes. The other 10 volunteers were studied with 2D FLASH sequences (FA 18 degrees, TR 300 ms, TE 8 ms, ST 4 mm, overlap 1 mm, Ma 256 x 256, FOV 500); the images were acquired on the axial and coronal planes and were rotated, in MIP and target MIP, on the axial (z) and sagittal (x) axes. The ostium and proximal segments (1-15 mm) were always easily identified with 2D and 3D sequences, the distal segments (16-35 mm) were also clearly demonstrated in 11 cases with 3D (55%) and in 16 cases with 2D (85%) sequences. The bifurcations and branch vessels of the renal arteries were easily depicted with 3D TOF sequences in 7 cases only. Combined 3D and 2D TOF images permitted the thorough evaluation of the renal arteries. In renovascular diseases, 2D and 3D TOF images clearly demonstrated occlusions and stenoses of the proximal segment (1-15 mm). 2D TOF sequences only permitted the visualization of a case of fibromuscular dysplasia in the distal segment. Our results suggest that 2D and 3D TOF MRA exhibits good potentials as a noninvasive screening technique for the evaluation of renovascular diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[2D TOF angio-MR of the thoraco-abdominal aorta. Technique and clinical applications].

The diagnostic role of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) was investigated in the study of the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Thirty-two patients with different conditions were examined: the thoracic aorta was affected in 7 cases (3 aneurysms, 2 dissections, 2 tumors) and the abdominal aorta in 25 cases (21 aneurysms, 3 stenoses and 1 dissection). Moreover, 2 kinkings and 1 dextroposition of the thoracic aorta were observed as occasional findings, together with 15 abdominal aorta kinking cases. A 1.5-T superconductive magnet (Magnetom, Siemens) with circular polarization body coil and the 2D TOF (FL 18 degrees, TR 30 ms, TE 10 ms, ST 5 mm, 1-mm overlap) technique were used. The images acquired on the coronal and sagittal or parasagittal planes were rotated from -45 degrees to 45 degrees and from 60 degrees to 120 degrees during post-processing, according to MIP. Digital angiography was the gold standard in all cases, angiography and CT were the gold standards for aneurysms, and surgery for the lesions reaching the thoracic aorta. The 2D TOF technique allowed excellent visualization of both the thoracic and the abdominal aorta. In thoracic aorta conditions, MRA always identified aneurysms and assessed their relationship to epiaortic branchings. Moreover, MRA identified 2 cases of thoracic aorta dissection. In one case (1/2) MRA failed to depict aortic wall infiltration by tumor. In 21 abdominal aorta aneurysms, MRA always correctly demonstrated both the extent of the aneurysm and its relationships to renal and iliac arteries. Moreover, the thrombotic aneurysmal component was demonstrated, together with left renal vein course, which was retroaortic in 4 cases. Abnormal course, stenoses (2 cases) and dissection of the abdominal aorta were always identified by MRA.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

PubMed1992

[Magnetic resonance angiography with gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) versus baseline magnetic resonance angiography in the study of the intracranial circulation].

The authors evaluated the role of GdDTPA in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of intracranial vessels. Fifteen patients affected with different conditions underwent MRA of intracranial vessels before and after paramagnetic contrast medium infusion. A superconductive 1.5-T magnet (Magnetom Siemens) was used, and a head circular coil, together with the 3DFT TOF technique. The enhanced exam was performed following the infusion of 0.2 ml/kg of GdDTPA in about 2 minutes, with simultaneous MRA image acquisition. To compare enhanced with unenhanced images relative to signal intensity, the signal increase at the basilar artery and carotid sinus was studied, together with signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and spatial resolution. During acquisition, enhanced MRA images at the basilar artery showed a mean intensity value of 423.8 +/- 33.2 vs 357.8 +/- 53.2 of unenhanced scans; a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) was observed in favor of enhanced images. At the carotid sinus, enhanced MRA showed 184.5 +/- 28.4 mean intensity value vs 190.5 +/- 19.8 of unenhanced exams; no statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) in favor of unenhanced exams. At the basilar artery the S/N ratio of baseline exams was 1.9 vs 2.2 for enhanced scans; at the carotid sinus S/N ratio was 2.4 (unenhanced) vs 2.3 (enhanced). Thus, MRA allowed better visualization of peripheral branches of arterial (95.6%) and venous vessels, which unenhanced scans always failed to depict; on the other hand, enhanced images exhibited poorer definition of arterial vessels which were never isolated from the background. The simultaneous visualization of arterial and venous vessels, of choroid plexus and mucosae, affect the quality of enhanced angiograms. At present, GdDTPA is the sole contrast medium suitable for MRA intracranial vessels even though, due to its pharmacokinetic features, it is not the optimum medium.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CT and MRI anatomy of the lumbar spine.

Lumbosacral spine examinations represent approximately 30% of CT and MRI procedures. Aim of this article is to pinpoint the anatomy of lumbosacral spine whose knowledge is basic for understanding and interpreting CT and MR images.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Osteo-articular, mammographic and thoracic films: clinical evaluation of digital view box versus conventional view box.

PURPOSE: To compare in a clinical setting a conventional view box with a digital view box (Smart Light 2000 Digital Film Viewer System, Smart Light, Israel) in the identification of osteo-articular, mammographic and thoracic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six radiologists (two for each imaging procedure), experts in osteo-articular, mammographic and thoracic diseases, independently, compared 600 plain films (100 patient with two projections for each imaging procedure). The radiologists evaluated the films by filling-out a multiple choice questionnaire containing questions concerning the type of pathology seen and the technical quality of the radiography in terms of exposure along with specific questions concerning each of the imaging procedures. RESULTS: We observed a higher sensitivity of the digital view box for lesion identification (p<0.05); furthermore, we analyzed a greater number of radiographs, recovering technically unsuitable films, because of over or under-exposure (high or low optical density). The interreader agreement was also good (> 0.75). The better lesion perception derived from the increase luminance of the digital view box in the evaluation of higher film densities, such as in overexposed films. DISCUSSION. The technical characteristics of the digital view box reduce or eliminate negative factors that reduce perceptional performance, and often permit the recovery of films that would have otherwise been considered technically unreadable.

Arthrography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Staging of pulmonary apex tumors. Computerized tomography versus magnetic resonance].

Apical lung cancers account for about 5% of pulmonary lesions and can be divided into two groups: Pancoast and non-Pancoast lesions. Recently, the use of MRI has been suggested in combination with CT to stage this kind of lung cancer. In this paper the authors' experience is reported relative to the current role of MRI and CT in the staging of apical lung cancers. Twelve male patients (mean age: 60.5 years) with apical lung cancers underwent conventional X-ray, CT and MR examinations of the chest. CT and MR images were studied by two independent radiologists with specific experience; surgery was the gold standard in three patients and MR and clinical symptoms in the patients not referred for surgery. In 15/108 cases (13.8%) CT and MR findings were in disagreement but in 93/108 cases (86.2%) they were in agreement. The highest disagreement rate was observed in the study of apical chest wall infiltration (33.3%), while in the study of anonymous vein involvement CT and MRI were always in agreement. The correct assessment of the regional extent of apical lung cancers is mandatory for treatment planning. In this kind of tumors MRI can be considered the method of choice thanks to its high contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capabilities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Malignant pulmonary neoplasms: diagnostic possibilities of magnetic resonance angiography].

The authors investigated the potentials of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in the preoperative staging of malignant central lung neoplasms. Fifteen patients with malignant central lung neoplasms were submitted to MRA 48 hours before surgery, which was the gold standard. The patients were 7 women and 8 men; their mean age was 54.3 years (range: 39-65 years). MRA was performed with the 2D and 3D time-of-flight (TOF) technique. FLASH 2D sequences (FA 18 degrees, TR 40 ms, TE 10 ms, SL 4 mm) and FISP 3D sequences (FA 20 degrees, TR 30 ms, TE 3 ms, SL 1 mm) were used. The images were processed with the maximum intensity projection (MIP) and rotated on different planes with a 15 degrees step. A multiple choice card, implying preoperative reading by an MRA expert, was used; in the study of the relationship between neoplasms and contiguous vessels, only two diagnoses were possible--i.e., infiltrated, not infiltrated. This card included, in the preliminary phase, a code for each MRA pattern--i.e., the presence of a clear cleavage plane, vascular occlusion, stenosis, irregular vessel profile, turbulence and several of these patterns together. MRA was in agreement with surgery in 14/16 cases and overestimated two cases as infiltration. In our preliminary study, MRA had 100% sensitivity, 75% specificity and 87.5% diagnostic accuracy. To conclude, MRA proved to be a complementary tool to spin-echo MR sequences in the staging of malignant central lung neoplasms.

Adult↗