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Purpose: In order to prevent magnetic materials from being brought into the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination room, many facilities have metal detectors, etc., but there are various types of equipment with different performance and characteristics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate each detector in actual clinical practice., Methods: At multiple facilities, gate-type magnetic detectors, pole-type magnetic detectors, handy-type magnetic detectors, and handy-type metal detectors were used to identify 9 types of objects that may be brought into the MRI examination room. We performed evaluation of detection distance measurement assuming actual operation., Results: The gate type was only able to detect objects with strong magnetism. With the pole type, the closer the measurement distance was to the pole, the more objects could be detected, and the lower the pole, the shorter the detection distance. With the handy type, there were many objects that could be detected when the device and the object were brought into close contact., Conclusion: The detectability of the instruments varied depending on the size and type of the object. It is important to understand the characteristics of each device and use it according to the purpose in carrying-in confirmation before the examination.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) imaging by time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) technique is labeled by CSF with a selective inversion recovery (IR) pulse as internal tracer, thus making it possible to visualize CSF dynamics non-invasively. The purpose of this study was to clarify labeled CSF signals during various black blood time to inversion (BBTI) values at 3 tesla (T) and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine appropriate CSF imaging parameters at 3 T MRI in 10 healthy volunteers. To calculate optimal BBTI values, ROIs were set in untagged cerebral parenchyma and CSF on the image of the CSF flow from the aqueduct to the fourth ventricle in 1.5 T and 3 T MRI. Visual evaluation of CSF flow also was assessed with changes of matrix and echo time (TE) at 3 T MRI. The mean BBTI value at null point of untagged CSF in 3 T MRI was longer than that of 1.5 T. The MR conditions of the highest visual evaluation were FOV, 14 cm×14 cm; Matrix, 192×192; and TE, 117 ms. CSF imaging using Time-SLIP at 3 T MRI is expected visualization of CSF flow and clarification of CSF dynamics in more detail by setting the optimal conditions because 3 T MRI has the advantage of high contrast and high signal-to-noise ratio.

Differential diagnosis of chordoma and chondroma in the skull base is sometimes difficult. We retrospectively reviewed the MR images of 14 patients with skull base tumors (nine chordomas, four chondromas and one chondrosarcoma). MR imaging was performed with a 0.5 Tesla system (Picker International). Inversion recovery (IR) (2500-2100/600-500/40), T1-weighted spin echo (SE) (800-600/40), and T2-weighted SE (2500-1800/120) images were obtained. On IR images, seven of eight chordomas showed heterogeneous low signal intensity, and one chordoma and all chondromas showed markedly low signal intensity similar to that of CSF. Calcified or ossified portions of the chondromas were demonstrated as areas of moderately low intensity on IR images. Chondrosarcoma showed moderately low intensity similar to that of chordoma. T1-weighted SE images of chordoma and chondroma showed no difference in signal intensity. On T2-weighed SE images, six of nine chordomas and all chondromas showed markedly high signal intensity. Three chordomas and one chondrosarcoma showed moderately high signal intensity. In the diagnosis of skull base tumors, the IR sequence seems to be useful for differentiating chondroma from chordoma.

On magnetic resonance (MR) images, wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract can be demonstrated as an abnormal intensity showing prolonged T1 and T2 relaxation times corresponding to the corticospinal tract, and/or as shrinkage of the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle and pons. We evaluated 150 cases with supratentorial cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and found the above findings in 35 patients (hematoma 21, infarction 14). The time interval between the ictus of CVA and manifestation of wallerian degeneration on MR images was evaluated. In all 35 cases the foci of CVA located at or extended into the motor cortex, the corona radiata of the pyramidal tract or the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Abnormal signal intensity appeared as early as 5 weeks after ictus and was observed in all 17 cases after 10 weeks. Ipsilateral shrinkage of the cerebral peduncle and the pons has appeared 13 months after ictus. MR appears to be the most useful modality for early detection of waller degeneration.