Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Articles

Is it possible to predict severe postpartum hemorrhage and the need for massive transfusion in placenta previa cases?

The aim was to construct a reliable working model for patients with placenta previa (PP) that aids in the prediction of postpartum bleeding potential with data from antenatal imaging studies using both ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Forty-three patients with PP were evaluated initially with the US and then by 3-Tesla MRI. The Placenta Accreata Index (PAI) was used during the US evaluation in order to define the risks. Uterine bulging, heterogeneous signal, dark placental bands, focal interruption of myometrium and tenting of bladder wall were regarded as predictive criteria in MRI evaluation. The correlation between the findings from US and MRI studies and subsequent haemorrhage, < 1000 mL, > 1000 mL and severe haemorrhage (> 2000 mL) and massive transfusion [> 5 units of red blood cells (RBC)] were used to build this predictive model. The findings from the imaging studies were also confirmed histopathologically. In the multivariate analysis of data from patients stratified by bleed size either < 1000 mL or > 1000 mL, none of the MRI and ultrasound findings were found to be predictive. The multivariate analysis was done using the second stratification cut-point of 2000 mL, in patients bleeding > 2000 mL PAI values [OR: 2.3 (1.4-3.8)] and overall MRI reported placenta accreata spectrum [OR: 4.9 (1.8-12.9)] were found to be predictive. While MRI findings were not discriminative between transfusion groups, grade 3 loculation on US examination was found to be predictive for the need of transfusion of > 5 units [OR: 67.5 (8.2-549.4)]. There were no cases needing hysterectomy. Ultrasound and MRI findings in cases of PP can be helpful in predicting postpartum bleeding.

High-resolution 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and post-processing for 3-dimensional reconstruction of the membranous labyrinth in healthy adults.

The membranous labyrinth of the inner ear is a complex network of endolymph-filled structures critical for auditory and vestibular function. Pathological distension of these spaces, termed endolymphatic hydrops (EH), is associated with disorders such as Ménière's disease (MD). However, diagnosing inner ear pathologies remains challenging due to limitations in traditional imaging techniques, which lack the spatial resolution required to assess these intricate structures. Advances in 7-Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now allow for high-resolution visualization of the inner ear. In this study, we used 7T T2-weighted and delayed post-contrast 3D-FLAIR sequences to improve visualization of the membranous labyrinth. As the inner ear region is particularly challenging for MRI due to severe transmit (B1) field inhomogeneity, dielectric pads and radiofrequency (RF) shimming were used to optimize the sequences. Subtracted images were processed using 3D segmentation techniques to isolate endolymphatic compartments, enabling the first in vivo 3D reconstructions using 7T MRI and volumetric analyses of the utricle, semicircular canal ducts, saccule, and cochlear duct. The total mean endolymphatic volume in five healthy adult participants was 192.62 mm3 ± 36.83 mm3. These imaging techniques provide a quantitative framework for assessing EH and comparing normal versus diseased inner ear anatomy. Our findings demonstrate the potential of 7T MRI to enhance the diagnosis and understanding of inner ear disorders, particularly MD.

Developing an anatomically valid segmentation protocol for anterior regions of the medial temporal lobe for neurodegenerative diseases.

The anterior portion of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) is one of the first regions targeted by pathology in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) indicating a potential for metrics from this region to serve as imaging biomarkers. Leveraging a unique post-mortem dataset of histology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans we aimed to 1) develop an anatomically valid segmentation protocol for anterior entorhinal cortex (ERC), Brodmann Area (BA) 35, and BA36 for in vivo 3 tesla (T) MRI and 2) incorporate this protocol in an automated approach. We included 20 cases (61-97 years old, 50% females) with and without neurodegenerative diseases (11 vs. 9 cases) to ensure generalizability of the developed protocol. Digitized MTL Nissl-stained coronal histology sections from these cases were annotated and registered to same-subject post-mortem MRI. The protocol was developed by determining the location of histological borders of the MTL cortices in relation to anatomical landmarks. Subsequently the protocol was applied to 15 cases twice, with a 2-week interval, to assess intra-rater reliability with the Dice Similarity Index (DSI). Thereafter it was implemented in our in- house Automatic Segmentation of Hippocampal Subfields (ASHS)-T1 approach and evaluated with DSIs. The anterior histological border distances of ERC, BA35 and BA36 were evaluated with respect to various anatomical landmarks and the distance relative to the beginning of the hippocampus was chosen. To formulate segmentation rules, we examined the histological sections for the location of borders in relationship to anatomical landmarks in the coronal sections. The DSI for the anterior MTL cortices for the intra-rater reliability was 0.85-0.88 and for the ASHS-T1 against the manual segmentation was 0.62-0.65. We developed a reliable segmentation protocol and incorporated it in an automated approach. Given the vulnerability of the anterior MTL cortices to tau deposition in AD and LATE, the updated approach is expected to improve imaging biomarkers for these diseases.

WAND: A multi-modal dataset integrating advanced MRI, MEG, and TMS for multi-scale brain analysis

This paper introduces the Welsh Advanced Neuroimaging Database (WAND), a multi-scale, multi-modal imaging dataset comprising in vivo brain data from 170 healthy volunteers (aged 18–63 years), including 3 Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ultra-strong (300 mT/m) magnetic field gradients, structural and functional MRI and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 T and 7 T, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), together with trait questionnaire and cognitive data. Data are organised using the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS). In addition to raw data, we provide brain-extracted T1-weighted images, and quality reports for diffusion, T1- and T2-weighted structural data, and blood-oxygen level dependent functional tasks. Reasons for participant exclusion are also included. Data are available for download through our GIN repository, a data access management system designed to reduce storage requirements. Users can interact with and retrieve data as needed, without downloading the complete dataset. Given the depth of neuroimaging phenotyping, leveraging ultra-high-gradient, high-field MRI, MEG and TMS, this dataset will facilitate multi-scale and multi-modal investigations of the healthy human brain.

Triangular notch morphology in young males linked to increased risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament tears

Objectives: The knee joint, critical for human mobility, faces a heightened risk of injuries, with non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears occurring at a notable rate. This study aims to investigate the relationship between femoral intercondylar notch (ICN) morphometry, assessed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and non-contact ACL tears. Given the anatomical intricacies of the femoral ICN, understanding its morphometry becomes imperative. The study also considers sex-based differences, the influence of individual height, and various notch shapes, including triangular, “U,” and omega configurations. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 100 patients undergoing knee MRI examinations was conducted. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients over 18 years with a history of trauma and clinical evidence of knee joint instability. Measurements of femoral ICN were made using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, with parameters such as notch depth, width, ICN width index (ICNWI), notch angle, and alpha angle (AA) being evaluated in axial and coronal planes. Results: Among 100 cases of non-contact ACL injuries, MRI examination revealed distinct ICN shapes: 24% triangular, 34% omega-shaped, and 42% U shaped. Triangular notches were more prevalent in young adults, with a mean age of approximately 25 years. Analysis of femoral ICN dimensions showed no significant associations for notch depth, width, ICNWI, notch angle, and AA. However, a significant difference in age was noted for the triangular-shaped ICN. Conclusion: Our study suggests a notable association between a triangular-shaped ICN, young age, and male individuals with a higher prevalence of non-contact ACL tears.

Altered medial temporal lobe subregion volumes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often presents with neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, including cognitive impairment and depression. Past magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research in SLE patients showed smaller hippocampal volumes but did not investigate other medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions. Our study aims to compare MTL subregional volumes in SLE patients to healthy individuals (HI) and explore MTL subregional volumes in relation to neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) manifestations.MethodsA total of 70 SLE patients and 25 HI underwent clinical evaluation, cognitive testing, and 3 tesla MRI imaging. T1-weighted MRI images were analyzed using the Automatic Segmentation of Hippocampal Subfields-T1 software. Analyses of Covariance were used to compare MTL subregion volumes between SLE and HI, and between NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients according to three models: the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) model defined by the ACR case definitions for NPSLE (n = 42), the more stringent Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) B model (n = 21), and the most stringent SLICC A model (n = 15). Additionally, we explored the relation between MTL subregion volumes, cognitive functions, and depression scores in SLE patients using partial correlation analyses.ResultsSignificantly smaller volumes of bilateral whole hippocampus, anterior hippocampus, posterior hippocampus, and Brodmann Area 35 were demonstrated in NPSLE compared to non-NPSLE patients according to the ACR model (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, p = 0.04, and p = 0.01 respectively). The differences did not reach significance according to the SLICC B and SLICC A models. No significant differences in MTL subregional volumes between SLE patients and HI were found. Partial correlation analyses showed a significant positive correlation between left Brodmann Area 35 volume and complex attention scores in SLE patients. No significant associations between MTL subregion volumes and depression scores were demonstrated.ConclusionsNPSLE patients display significantly smaller volumes in various subregions of the MTL compared to non-NPSLE patients. These findings are suggestive of neuronal damage in MTL subregions in NPSLE patients on a group level.

Evaluation of sectional anatomic, micro-computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging features of the thorax in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

Clinically, the rodent thorax is important because of the variety of problems that may affect the heart, lungs, and other thoracic structures. Syrian hamsters are the most common pet and experimental hamster species. Sectional imaging of small mammals is widely increasing in use for clinical and research settings; however, no reports on the thoracic sectional imaging anatomy in this species have been made. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating micro-computed tomography (MCT), magnetic resonance image (MRI), and gross sections of the Syrian hamster thorax. Eight healthy adult male and female Syrian hamsters were examined. Anesthetized hamsters were evaluated by MCT and 3 Tesla MRI. After imaging, the frozen slab sections were photographed, and identified anatomic structures were matched with structures on corresponding MCT and/or MRI images. Clinically relevant anatomic features of the Syrian hamster thorax that were identified on transverse and sagittal anatomic sections could be discerned on the corresponding MCT and MRI scans. The three matched images were exhibited the following features: (1) the narrow thoracic cavity and small lung space, (2) the heart positioning ventral and medial to lung, (3) heart ventricles locating towards the left side, and (4) parallel cardiac position relative to the sternum. The obtained results were similar to those have only been reported in rabbits, regardless of heart orientation and lung lobe covering the heart. The results of this study support the use of MCT and MRI as diagnostic tools in Syrian hamsters and provide reference values for the clinically relevant anatomic structures of thorax.

Utilizing Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Differentiate High-Grade Gliomas and Solitary Brain Metastases

Abstract Background Brain tumors, encompassing a spectrum of neoplastic disorders, significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality. Distinguishing between high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and solitary brain metastases (SBMs) is crucial for tailored clinical management. Conventional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) faces challenges in this differentiation, leading to the exploration of advanced imaging modalities such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Materials and Methods In this prospective study, 41 patients with solitary enhancing brain lesions underwent total or subtotal resection, confirmed by histopathology. Imaging involved a 3-Tesla MRI scanner, and DTI data were analyzed for metrics including mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, as well as planar, spherical, and linear (CL) anisotropy coefficients. Results Peritumoral FA and CL exhibited significant differences (p = 0.0217 and p = 0.039, respectively) between HGG and SBM. The area under the curve for peritumoral FA and CL in differentiating HGG and SBM were 0.2791 and 0.6984, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the other diffusion metrics. Conclusion This study contributes to understanding DTI-derived metrics for HGG and SBM differentiation. Peritumoral FA and CL show promise as potential discriminators, offering insights for enhanced clinical decision-making and treatment planning in brain tumor patients. Future research with larger cohorts and advanced diffusion imaging techniques could further refine these findings.

Clinical 7Tesla magnetic resonance imaging: Impact and patient value in neurological disorders.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a cornerstone of non-invasive diagnostics and treatment monitoring, particularly for diseases of the central nervous system. Although 1.5- and 3Tesla (T) field strengths remain the clinical standard, the advent of 7T MRI represents a transformative step forward, offering superior spatial resolution, contrast, and sensitivity for visualizing neuroanatomy, metabolism, and function. Recent innovations, including parallel transmission and deep learning-based reconstruction, have resolved many prior technical challenges of 7T MRI, enabling its routine clinical use. This review examines the diagnostic impact, patient value, and practical considerations of 7T MRI, emphasizing its role in facilitating earlier diagnoses and improving care in conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), dementia, parkinsonism, tumors, and vascular diseases. Based on insights from over 1200 clinical scans with a second-generation 7T system, the review highlights disease-specific biomarkers such as the motor band sign in ALS and the new diagnostic markers in MS, the central vein sign, and paramagnetic rim lesions. The unparalleled ability of 7T MRI to study neurological diseases ex vivo at ultra-high resolution is also explored, offering new opportunities to understand pathophysiology and identify novel treatment targets. Additionally, the review provides a clinical perspective on patient handling and safety considerations, addressing challenges and practicalities associated with clinical 7T MRI. By bridging research and clinical practice, 7T MRI has the potential to redefine neuroimaging and advance the understanding and management of complex neurological disorders.

Navigating precision: Anatomical insights into the efficacy of masks versus stereotactic frames in icon gamma knife treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.

The trigeminal nerve is approximately 2 mm in thickness. Its location is critical due to the alignment of the brain stem. Hence, precise fixation during the gamma knife (GK) treatment is particularly important. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mask fixation compared to frame fixation during the irradiation of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment. A prospective clinical study involving 135 patients with essential TN in Baghdad, Iraq, was conducted from January to July 2024. The study used two head fixation methods: stereotactic frames and plastic masks. Patients were treated with an Icon version of the GK, with no previous radiation treatment. Patients were diagnosed with 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and assessed using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) score before treatment. Clinical response was assessed at 3-month intervals. Ethical consent was obtained from all patients involved. This study analyzed the socio-demographic parameters of patients with TN and found that females were more prevalent. 5.2% of patients underwent glycerol injection, while 2.9% underwent microvascular decompression surgery. The BNI score was formulated for fixation methods, with frame fixation with screws and local anesthesia reaching IV and V scores. The response of TN patients to GK treatment was assessed using the BNI score before and after three months. Most patients showed pain relief, with 17.9% having a complete response. A Chi-square statistical analysis showed no significant difference between frame and mask fixation. There was no significant difference in the precision of frame fixation compared to the plastic mask fixation for TN. The mask is as efficient as the frame.

Decreased Structural Connectivity Between Thalamic Nuclei and Hippocampus in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy-A Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Study.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) can lead to structural brain abnormalities, with thalamus atrophy being the most common extratemporal alteration. This study used probabilistic tractography to investigate the structural connectivity between individual thalamic nuclei and the hippocampus in TLE. Thirty-six TLE patients who underwent pre-surgical 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were subdivided into TLE with HS (TLE-HS) and MRI-negative TLE (TLE-MRneg). Tractography and whole brain segmentation, including thalamus parcellation, were performed to determine the number of streamlines per mm3 between the thalamic nuclei and hippocampus. Connectivity strength and volume of regions were correlated with clinical data. The volume of the entire thalamus ipsilateral to seizure onset was significantly decreased in TLE-HS compared to controls (Mann-Whitney-U test: pFDR < 0.01) with the anterior thalamic nuclei (ANT) as important contributor. Furthermore, decreased ipsilateral connectivity strength between the hippocampus and ANT was detected in TLE-HS (pFDR < 0.01) compared to TLE-MRneg and controls which correlated negatively with the duration of epilepsy (ρ = -0.512, p = 0.025) and positively with seizure frequency (ρ = 0.603, p = 0.006). Moreover, ANT volume correlated negatively with epilepsy duration in TLE-HS (ρ = -0.471, p = 0.042). ANT showed atrophy and decreased connectivity in TLE-HS, which correlated with epilepsy duration and seizure frequency. Understanding the dynamics of epileptogenic networks has the potential to shed light on surgery-resistant epilepsy and refine the selection process for ideal neurosurgical candidates, consequently enhancing post-surgical outcomes.

The relationship of ulnar variance with pathologies detected by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with chronic or subacute wrist pain.

This study aims to determine whether ulnar variance (UV) types are associated with chronic or subacute ulnar-side wrist pain using 3 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to investigate potential relationships between UV, clinical data, and MRI-detected findings. This retrospective study included patients who presented with ulnar-side wrist pain for at least one month and underwent 3T MRI between January 2020 and October 2023. All demographic and clinical data, wrist radiography, and MRI images were obtained from computerized records. The patients were classified as having neutral-UV, negative-UV, and positive-UV. In total, 272 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 40.57±13.18 years and 63.60% (n=173) of the subjects were female. Neutral UV was detected in 147 (54.04%) patients, negative UV in 106 (38.97%), and positive UV in 19 (6.99%). Patients in the negative-UV group were significantly younger than those in the neutral-UV and positive-UV groups (p = 0.013); however, the sex distribution was similar in all groups (p = 0.653). All patients with ulnar impingement were in the negative-UV group, whereas all subjects with ulnar impaction were in the positive-UV group (p<0.001). Finally, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) ruptures were significantly more common in the positive-UV group (p = 0.023). There is a significant relationship between UV changes and ulnar impingement syndrome, ulnar impaction syndrome, and TFCC tears, which can be easily detected by MRI. The previously reported relationships between UV, sex, and other pathologies were not supported by our findings.

Evaluation of Metabolic Characteristics of Brain Tumours Utilising 31-Phosphorus MR Spectroscopy in 3T MRI: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The characterisation of brain tumours is predominantly based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for structural details and invasive histopathology for certainty. MR spectroscopy, a non invasive technique has provided access to the novel field of metabolomics in-vivo. Proton (H+) MR spectroscopy has gained unanimous acceptance as a neuroimaging technique. In addition, 31-Phosphorus MR spectroscopy provides insight into the energetics of normal and abnormal tissues. Aim: To metabolically characterise brain tumours and compare them with normal brain parenchyma using 31-Phosphorus spectroscopy by obtaining applicable parameters for evaluation, diagnosis and grading of brain tumours. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Barnard Institute of Radiology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from December 2019 to December 2021. The study included 32 patients diagnosed with brain tumours based on conventional MR imaging, followed by histopathology, and 10 normal healthy volunteers who underwent 31-Phosphorus MR spectroscopy using a customised birdcage 31-P dual-tuned head coil on a Siemens 3-Tesla MRI scanner (Rapid Biomedical, Wurzburg, Germany). The phosphorus metabolites and ratios analysed included Phosphodiesters {Glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) and Glycerophosphocholine (GPC)}, Gamma Adenosine Triphosphate (γ-ATP), Phosphocreatine (PCr), and Inorganic Phosphate (Pi). The metabolite ratios assessed were GPC/GPE, GPC/Pi, GPC/PCr, GPC/γ-ATP, GPE/Pi, GPE/PCr, GPE/γ-ATP, PCr/Pi, PCr/γ-ATP, and Pi/γ-ATP. Additionally, pH was derived. The values were recorded within the tumour, in the peritumoural oedema, and in the normal-appearing contralateral brain parenchyma. These values were compared with each other and also with the brain parenchymal values of the controls. Oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the metabolite ratios observed in various sites. Results: The subjects included 13 females and 19 males, with a mean age of 41.7 years and 43.4 years respectively. A mild alkalinisation trend was observed within the brain tumours (pH 7.1±0.12) compared to the control group (7.05±0.02). Significantly increased GPE/γ-ATP and PCr/γ-ATP values, as well as significantly decreased PCr/Pi values, were observed within the tumour in comparison to the control group (p-value &lt;0.05). Gliomas and metastases showed relatively higher pH compared to the controls (7.05±0.02). High-grade gliomas exhibited alkaline pH compared to low-grade gliomas, with a p-value of 0.000439. Significant differences were noted between gliomas and metastases compared to the control group. Conclusion: A 31-Phosphorus MR spectroscopy has provided new insights into cellular metabolism in the pathological brain and has enhanced the understanding of the ongoing pathomechanisms in various brain tumours.

Evidence of small vessel disease in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy based on the peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity

Evidence of small vessel disease in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy based on the peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity

Evaluation of Trunk Oblique Muscle Activities in Baseball Batters Using T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Yanaka, T, Imawaka, T, Kojima, C, Otomo, M, Ohnishi, T, and Hoshikawa, M. Evaluation of trunk oblique muscle activities in baseball batters using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): 48-53, 2025-This study investigated abdominal oblique muscle activity using T2-weighted imaging in baseball batting. For this purpose, 17 baseball batters (21.6 ± 2.7 years, 173.9 ± 4.0 cm, 77.5 ± 7.6 kg) performed 100 toss-batting trials. Before and after toss-batting, 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed to obtain the T2 values of the 4 abdominal external and internal oblique muscle pairs. The results showed that the T2 values of all abdominal oblique muscles were significantly increased after the 100 trials ( p < 0.05), with no differences in these increases between the muscles. The rate of change in the T2 values was 1.0 ± 3.9% and 4.2 ± 5.2% for the external and internal oblique muscles on the pitcher's side and 3.2 ± 5.1% and 0.9 ± 2.5% for the external and internal oblique muscles on the catcher's side, respectively. These findings indicate that the activity levels of all abdominal oblique muscles during baseball battings are similar and lower than those of the agonist muscles used during resistance exercise and sprinting. These findings suggest that baseball batting is a low-intensity exercise of the abdominal oblique muscles, but adequate training of each abdominal oblique muscle may improve batting performance and prevent injury.

Identification of a T2-hyperintense Perivascular Space in Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are vascular malformations characterized by dysmorphic, aberrant vasculature. During previous surgeries of compact nidus brain AVMs (representing the majority of cases), we have observed a "shiny" plane between nidal and perinidal AVM vessels and the surrounding grey and white matter and hypothesized that preoperative neuroimaging of brain AVMs may show a neuroradiological correlate of these intraoperative observations. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed multiplanar and multisequence 3-Tesla magnetic resonance (3T MR) imaging in five consecutive brain AVMs with special attention on imaging characteristics of the brain-AVM interface, i.e., the perivascular and perinidal regions. In all five patients, we identified T2-hypertinense perivascular perinidal spaces, which were predominantly observed around the AVM nidus and less prominently around the feeding arteries or draining veins. The identification of T2-hypertinense perivascular spaces surrounding brain AVMs on neuroradiological imaging may provide insights into the anatomico-radiological relationships of brain AVMs and the surrounding grey and white matter parenchyma. These findings could have future implications for our understanding of brain AVM biology and may influence neurosurgical approaches to these lesions.

The Relationship Between Impulsivity Traits and In Vivo Cerebral Serotonin Transporter and Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding in Healthy Individuals: A Double-Tracer PET Study with C-11 DASB and C-11 MDL100907

To elucidate the potential roles of presynaptic and postsynaptic serotonergic activity in impulsivity traits, we investigated the relationship between self-reported impulsiveness and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and 5-HT2A receptors in healthy individuals. In this study, 26 participants completed 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with [11C]DASB and [11C]MDL100907. To quantify 5-HTT and 5-HT2A receptor availability, the binding potential (BPND) of [11C]DASB and [11C]MDL100907 was derived using the simplified reference tissue model with cerebellar gray matter as the reference region. The participants’ impulsivity levels were assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11). The region of interest (ROI)-based partial correlation analysis with age, sex, and temperament traits as covariates revealed a significant positive correlation between non-planning impulsiveness and [11C]MDL100907 BPND in the caudate (CAU) at Bonferroni-corrected p &lt; 0.0045. Non-planning impulsiveness was also positively correlated with [11C]MDL100907 BPND in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), ventromedial PFC, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula (INS), amygdala (AMYG), putamen, ventral striatum, and thalamus, and the total score of BIS-11 was positively correlated with [11C]MDL100907 BPND in the OFC, INS, AMYG, and CAU at uncorrected p &lt; 0.05. Motor impulsiveness had a positive correlation with [11C]DASB BPND in the CAU at uncorrected p &lt; 0.05. Our results suggest that impulsivity traits, characterized by focusing on the present moment without considering future consequences, may be involved in serotonergic neurotransmission, particularly 5-HT2A receptor-mediated postsynaptic signaling in the CAU, which plays an important role in cognitive processes related to executive function, judgment of alternative outcomes, and inhibitory control.

T2 Mapping of Articular Cartilage of the Adult Knee Joint: Changes in the Relaxation Time and Thickness of Knee Cartilage with Age among Normal Adult Patients in 3 Tesla MRI

Abstract Background Degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, resulting in a decreased range of motion and stiffness. The T2 mapping approach is a very useful tool for detecting early osteoarthritis. The main goal of the study was to assess the variations in the relaxation time and articular cartilage thickness of knee cartilage across different age groups among healthy adults using the T2 mapping technique in 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Methods A total of 42 measurements were taken from each individual's knee cartilage and were confirmed to have no cartilage damage. The relaxation time was calculated from T2 maps using 21 circular regions of interest and the articular cartilage thickness was measured using 21 linear measurements from a self-created fusion image. The thickness was measured in the same regions where the relaxation time was measured. Overall, 2,142 measurements (1,071 circular regions of interest from T2 maps and 1,071 linear measurements from fusion images) were taken from 51 participants. Results The majority of the variables of T2 relaxation time show a positive linear correlation with age groups. As age increases, cartilage relaxation time increases, which may be connected to an increase in cartilage degeneration. However, half of the variables associated with knee cartilage thickness show a negative linear correlation with age group. As age increases, the thickness of the cartilage starts to decrease. T2 relaxation times of the middle lateral tibial condyle, middle superior patella, and central inferior patella differ significantly between healthy males and females (p &lt; 0.05). The cartilage thickness of the posterior lateral tibial condyle, middle medial patella, central superior patella, central middle patella, and lateral middle patella varied significantly between healthy males and females (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion Using an additional T2 articular cartilage mapping sequence to a routine sequence in the knee joint can reveal age-related changes in relaxation time and cartilage thickness in knee cartilage. The T2 mapping technique also can help detect early changes in osteoarthritis, track progression, and plan treatment.

Prospective evaluation of soft tissue tumors: Correlation of ST-RADS MRI reporting guidelines with histopathological findings

Introduction. Soft tissue tumors, ranging from benign to highly malignant, pose diagnostic challenges due to their histological diversity. MRI is the preferred imaging modality for these tumors, but variability in interpretation affects consistency. The Soft Tissue Reporting and Data System (ST-RADs), modeled after BI-RADS, offers a standardized approach for classifying soft tissue lesions based on MRI features, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing unnecessary biopsies. This study aims to validate the clinical utility of ST-RADs by correlating MRI findings with histopathological examination (HPE), providing evidence for its use in routine practice to enhance diagnostic confidence and optimize patient management. Purpose. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Soft Tissue Reporting and Data System (ST-RADS) in diagnosing soft tissue tumors using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), correlating MRI findings with histopathological examination (HPE) outcomes. Knowledge generated. Diagnostic accuracy was found to be high, with a ROC AUC of 0.959. Epidemiological insights indicate that a significant portion of the affected population is over 40 years old, with a balanced gender distribution. Clinical utility highlights the potential to reduce invasive diagnostic procedures through a reliable, non-invasive, imaging-based classification. Histopathological correlation confirms that MRI findings are consistent with HPE diagnoses, further validating the reliability of ST-RADs. Methods. A prospective observational study was conducted over 18 months at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, involving 40 patients with suspected soft tissue tumors. MRI scans were performed using a 1.5 Tesla MRI system and classified according to ST-RADS guidelines. Histopathological examination was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. Statistical analysis included frequency percentages and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Results. The study primarily involved older adults, with 28 participants aged over 40 years (70%), including a significant portion aged 60-70 years (13 participants, 32.5%). The gender distribution was balanced, with 18 males (45%) and 22 females (55%). Diagnoses revealed 17 sarcomas (42.5%), 11 lipomas (27.5%), and 3 ganglion cysts (7.5%). Most lesions were benign, found in 27 cases (67.5%), and the ST-RADS classification demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (ROC AUC = 0.959, P &lt; 0.0001). The optimal cutoff at ST-RADS 0-3 versus 4-5 provided a sensitivity of 92.31% and specificity of 85.19%, which is crucial for distinguishing benign from malignant tumors. Conclusion. The ST-RADS system provides a structured approach to MRI assessment of soft tissue tumors, facilitating accurate differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. Correlation with histopathological findings supports its clinical utility, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures and guiding appropriate treatment strategies. Future enhancements and integration with advanced diagnostic tools could further improve diagnostic precision and patient care outcomes.

Deep Depthwise Residual Network for Knee Meniscus Segmentation From Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ABSTRACTThe menisci within the knee are essential for various anatomical functions, including load‐bearing, joint stability, cartilage protection, shock absorption, and lubrication. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides highly detailed images of internal organs and soft tissues, which are indispensable for physicians and radiologists assessing the meniscus. Given the multitude of images in each MRI sequence and diverse MRI data, the segmentation of the meniscus presents considerable challenges through image processing methods. The region‐specific characteristics of the meniscus can vary from one image to another within the sequence. Consequently, achieving automatic and accurate segmentation of meniscus in knee MRI images is a crucial step in meniscus analysis. This paper introduces the “UNet with depthwise residual network” (DR‐UNet), a depthwise convolutional neural network, designed specifically for meniscus segmentation in MRI images. The proposed architecture significantly improves the accuracy of meniscus segmentation compared to different segmentation networks. The training and testing phases utilized fat suppression turbo‐spin‐echo (FS TSE) MRI sequences collected from 100 distinct knee joints using a Siemens 3 Tesla MRI machine. Additionally, we employed data augmentation techniques to expand the dataset strategically, addressing the challenge of a substantial training dataset requirement. The DR‐UNet model demonstrated impressive meniscus segmentation performance, achieving a Dice similarity coefficient range of 0.743–0.9646 and a Jaccard index range of 0.653–0.869, thereby showcasing its advanced segmentation capabilities.