Modern Imaging Techniques (modern + imaging_techniques)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Prospects for progress in diagnostic imaging

JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2000
E. J. Potchen
Abstract. Potchen EJ (Michigan State University, Michigan, USA). Prospects for progress in diagnostic imaging (Internal Medicine in the 21st Century). J Intern Med 2000; 247: 411,424. New fast-imaging MRI systems designed specifically for cardiac magnetic resonance enable new applications of noninvasive vascular imaging. The use of functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging to map brain function and structure offers a new dimension to an understanding of the human condition. Clinical applications of functional MRI will influence many specialties including surgery, education, and rehabilitation. Functional imaging has the potential to visualize the regional concentration of specific proteins. This imaging at the level of molecules may be possible by use of a contrast material whose signal is changed by local enzymatic activity. The three-dimensional digital data collected in modern imaging techniques allow for virtual endoscopy in the respiratory, alimentary, and cardiovascular systems. Virtual endoscopy may replace many of the more invasive diagnostic methods in the near future. The measurement of clinical decision-making through observer performance studies better informs both the physician and the patient on how to improve upon the quality of clinical practice. These prospects for progress reinforce diagnostic imaging as a cornerstone in medical informatics. The history of creating images used in medicine reveals the invention of diagnostic tools which may provide new information but premature use can result in improper application of a poorly understood technology. Research into the use of new technology may be as important as the technology itself in improving the human condition. [source]


Imaging of adenomyomatosis of the gall bladder

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
H Stunell
Summary Adenomyomatosis is a relatively common abnormality of the gall bladder, with a reported incidence of between 2.8 and 5%. Although mainly confined to the adult study group, a number of cases have been reported in the paediatric study group. It is characterized pathologically by excessive proliferation of the surface epithelium and hypertrophy of the muscularis propria of the gall bladder wall, with invagination of the mucosa into the thickened muscularis forming the so-called ,Rokitansky,Aschoff' sinuses. The condition is usually asymptomatic and is often diagnosed as an incidental finding on abdominal imaging. The radiological diagnosis is largely dependent on the visualization of the characteristic Rokitansky,Aschoff sinuses. As the condition is usually asymptomatic, the importance of making a correct diagnosis is to prevent misinterpretation of other gall bladder conditions such as gall bladder cancer, leading to incorrect treatment. In the past, oral cholecystography was the main imaging method used to make this diagnosis. In most institutions, oral cholecystography is no longer carried out, and the diagnosis is now more commonly seen on cross-sectional imaging. In this review article, we describe the manifestations of adenomyomatosis on the various imaging methods, with an emphasis on more modern techniques such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. A brief section on oral cholecystography to aid readers familiar with this technique in understanding the comparable imaging features on more modern imaging techniques is included. [source]


Head morphology in perinatal dolphins: A window into phylogeny and ontogeny

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
Michael A. Rauschmann
Abstract In this paper on the ontogenesis and evolutionary biology of odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales), we investigate the head morphology of three perinatal pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) with the following methods: computer-assisted tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, conventional X-ray imaging, cryo-sectioning as well as gross dissection. Comparison of these anatomical methods reveals that for a complete structural analysis, a combination of modern imaging techniques and conventional morphological methods is needed. In addition to the perinatal dolphins, we include series of microslides of fetal odontocetes (S. attenuata, common dolphin Delphinus delphis, narwhal Monodon monoceros). In contrast to other mammals, newborn cetaceans represent an extremely precocial state of development correlated to the fact that they have to swim and surface immediately after birth. Accordingly, the morphology of the perinatal dolphin head is very similar to that of the adult. Comparison with early fetal stages of dolphins shows that the ontogenetic change from the general mammalian bauplan to cetacean organization was characterized by profound morphological transformations of the relevant organ systems and roughly seems to parallel the phylogenetic transition from terrestrial ancestors to modern odontocetes. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Thoracic Percussion to Determine the Caudal Lung Border in Healthy Horses

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007
Zoltán Bakos
Background:The application of equine thoracic percussion has been ignored because of the availability of modern imaging techniques. Ultrasonography is a reliable tool in determining the caudal lung border of horses. The aim of the study was to compare percussion with ultrasonography to determine lung borders in horses. Hypothesis:That thoracic percussion can detect the caudal lung border and that its accuracy is comparable with thoracic ultrasonography. Animals:Fifteen randomly chosen, healthy, Warmblood horses. Methods:The caudal lung border was detected by percussion and ultrasonography at the end of inspiration and expiration on both sides of the thorax. A reference point close to the withers was determined, allowing standardized measurements. The distance between this point and the caudal lung border in different intercostal spaces (ICS) was measured by a tape measure. Results:No significant difference was found between percussional and ultrasonographic results. Greater differences were found between inspiration and expiration by ultrasonography compared with percussion in all intercostal spaces on both sides of the thorax. It was significant (P= .028) in the 12th ICS in the right hemithorax. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Percussion is a reliable tool to determine the caudal lung border in healthy horses. Differences caused by the displacement of the lung during respiration should be taken into consideration when applying either method. [source]


Parenchymal imaging adds diagnostic utility in evaluating haematuria

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005
Jay S. Belani
OBJECTIVE To compare the findings of renal ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of patients with and with no haematuria. The increased use of cross-sectional imaging and US has led to a dramatic improvement in the diagnosis of renal masses, such that computed tomography and/or US have been integrated into the diagnostic evaluation of haematuria, and many more incidental renal lesions are now detected. Thus it is possible that the lesions identified during evaluation for haematuria are incidental, i.e. identified serendipitously, and unrelated to the haematuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively compared the US findings obtained from 301 patients referred for new-onset haematuria to those obtained from 600 patients being evaluated for other than urological reasons. All imaging and patient charts were reviewed to verify the clinical and radiological data. RESULTS Haematuria was associated with all renal abnormalities, with an odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) of 4.7 (3.6,7.3). Importantly, haematuria was associated with a renal mass, with an OR of 6.7 (2.8,16.3). Subset analysis revealed that patients with macroscopic and microscopic haematuria had significantly more renal abnormalities (OR 4.7, 2.7,8.2, and 5.3, 3.2,8.8, respectively) and renal masses (OR 7.3, 2.7,20.3, and 6.5, 2.3,18.6, respectively) than controls. CONCLUSIONS Both macroscopic and microscopic haematuria are associated with a greater risk of identifying renal lesions. This supports the conclusion that the renal lesions identified with modern imaging techniques during the evaluation of both microscopic and macroscopic haematuria are not serendipitous. [source]


In vivo imaging of retinal inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009

Purpose Experimental animal models are essential for us to understand the pathogenesis of human diseases. Posterior uveoretinitis can be modelled in mice with IRBP immunization (i.e. experimental autoimmune uveitis, EAU), whereas a number of mouse models are also available for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With the advancement in new technologies, it is now possible to image inflammatory retinal changes in experimental mice in vivo none invasively. The aim of the study is to clinical revisit the traditional retinal inflammation animal models with modern imaging techniques. Methods EAU was induced in C57B/6 mice with IRBP peptide 1-20. Aged CCL2 knockout mice were used as an AMD model. Retinal inflammatory changes were imaged in vivo non-invasively using topical endoscopic fundus imaging system and the scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) system. Results Inflammatory retinal changes in the early stages of EAU were characterised as retinal oedema, vascular sheathing, multiple small retinal infiltrates or large linear retinal infiltrates. "Snow-ball"-like vitreous infiltrates were observed in the inferior part of the fundus at the peak stage of EAU. Using SLO autofluorescent (AF)-macrophages were detected at the peak stages of EAU and were located predominately around inflamed retinal venules. At the late stages of EAU, retinal scars and intraretinal neovascular membranes were observed. In the retina aged CCL2 KO mice, regional retinal atrophy and dursen-like multiple lesions were observed. Dursen-like changes were autofluorescent in SLO examination. Ex vivo confocal microscopy indicated that they were not dursen but subretinal lipofuscin-loaded microglial cells. Conclusion EAU mimics many aspects of human posterior uveoretinitis including retinal vasculitis, multifocal choroiditis. Late stage EAU could be a good model for inflammation induced retinal neovascularisation. CCL2 KO mouse is a model of dry-AMD. [source]