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Introduction: The aims of the present study are to evaluate the potential of high-resolution black-blood MRI (hr-bb-cMRI) to differentiate common cervical arteriopathies and to evaluate interobserver reproducibility. Methods: Forty-three consecutive patients with distinct cervical arteriopathies were examined with cervical hr-bb-cMRI at 3.0 Te with fat-saturated pre- and post-contrast T1w, T2w, and TOF images using dedicated carotid surface coils at our institution. Twenty-three patients had atherosclerotic disease, causing significant stenosis in 12 patients while 11 patients had moderate stenosis. Eight patients presented with cervical vasculitis, and five patients had arterial dissection. Furthermore, seven control subjects with no evidence of carotid disease were included. Two experienced readers blinded to all clinical information reviewed all MR images and classified both carotid and vertebral arteries as affected either by atherosclerosis, dissection, vasculitis, or no disease. Finally, a consensus reading was performed. Results: On a per-vessel level, test performance parameters (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) were 95, 97.7, 92.9, and 98.5 % for atherosclerotic disease; 91, 100, 100, and 98.7 % for vasculitis; and 100, 100, 100, and 100 % for dissection, respectively. On a per-patient level, performance parameters were 95.7, 85.7, 97.2, and 85.7 % for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and 100, 100, 100, and 100 % for the diagnosis of dissection and of vasculitis, respectively. Accuracy rates were all above 95 % for all entities. There was a high agreement between observers both in a per-vessel ( κ = 0.83) and in a per-patient analysis ( κ = 0.82). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that hr-bb-cMRI is able to non-invasively differentiate between the most common cervical arteriopathies with an excellent interreader reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To correlate a Dual Energy (DE)-based visual perfusion defect scoring system with established CT-based and clinical parameters of pulmonary embolism (PE) severity. Methods: In 63 PE patients, DE perfusion maps were visually scored for perfusion defects (P-score). Vascular obstruction was quantified using the Mastora score. Both scores were correlated with short-axis diameters of the right and left ventricle, their ratio (RV/LV ratio), width of the pulmonary trunk, a number of clinical parameters and each other. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Times to generate both scores were recorded. Results: After univariate and multivariate analysis, a significant ( p < 0.05) correlation with the P-score was shown for the Mastora score ( r = 0.65), RV/LV ratio ( r = 0.47), width of the pulmonary trunk ( r = 0.26), troponin I ( r = 0.43) and PaO ( r = −0.50). For the left ventricular diameter, only univariate analysis showed a significant correlation. Mastora score correlated significantly with RV/LV ratio ( r = 0.36), width of the pulmonary trunk ( r = 0.27), PaO ( r = −0.41) and troponin I ( r = 0.37). Mean time for generating the P-score was significantly shorter than for the Mastora score. Conclusions: A DE-based P-score correlates with a number of parameters of PE severity. It might be easier and faster to perform than some traditional CT scoring methods for vascular obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We describe the presentation of renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) in different imaging modalities (CT, DSA, standard US, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)). In particular the benefit of CEUS with regards to therapy monitoring and follow up care shall be highlighted. Materials and methods: Three patients with renal artery pseudoaneurysm after renal surgery were investigated with CT and/or US (grey-scaled US, color duplex US, CEUS), respectively. The therapy (angiography-coiling) was monitored using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Results: Accurate diagnosis of RAP in our study was yielded using color duplex US and CEUS. CEUS was very practical for therapy monitoring of coil embolization with the potential of shortening the invasive DSA. Thus, CEUS has potential of radiation dose reduction and the potential of saving coils with the result of cost reduction. Conclusion: CEUS is an appropriate approach for monitoring coil embolization of RAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]