Preclinical models of atherosclerosis. The future of Hybrid PET/MR technology for the early detection of vulnerable plaque

Author(s):  
Irene Cuadrado ◽  
Marta Saura ◽  
Borja Castejón ◽  
Ana María Martin ◽  
Irene Herruzo ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries. The aetiology is currently multifactorial, thus making them very difficult to prevent. Preclinical models of atherothrombotic diseases, including vulnerable plaque-associated complications, are now providing significant insights into pathologies like atherosclerosis, and in combination with the most recent advances in new non-invasive imaging technologies, they have become essential tools to evaluate new therapeutic strategies, with which can forecast and prevent plaque rupture. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography imaging is currently used for plaque visualisation in clinical and pre-clinical cardiovascular research, albeit with significant limitations. However, the combination of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies is still the best option available today, as combined PET/MRI scans provide simultaneous data acquisition together with high quality anatomical information, sensitivity and lower radiation exposure for the patient. The coming years may represent a new era for the implementation of PET/MRI in clinical practice, but first, clinically efficient attenuation correction algorithms and research towards multimodal reagents and safety issues should be validated at the preclinical level.

Author(s):  
Cheng-Yi Wang ◽  
Wei-Chou Chang ◽  
Hsin-Hung Huang ◽  
Wei-Kuo Chang ◽  
Yu-Lueng Shih ◽  
...  

Objective: Not all endoscopic clips are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of MRI-incompatible endoscopic clips in patients undergoing MRI scans. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had received endoscopic clip placement of Olympus Long Clip MRI-incompatible clips and then had undergone MRI scans within two weeks in our hospital between 2014 and 2019. Results: A total of 44,292 patients had undergone an MRI examination at our hospital. Only 15 patients had MRI scans within two weeks after the endoscopic clip placement. Their median age was 65.5 years, and 12 of the 15 patients were men. At the time of the clip placement and MRI scan, four patients were taking anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agents. The indication for endoscopic clip placement of the 15 patients was mucosal/submucosal defect or hemorrhage and colonic perforation. Endoscopic clips were placed in the colon of 14 patients and in the stomach of only one patient for gastric hemorrhage. One patient experienced clip migration and three displayed artifacts in abdominal images. No patient complications of mortality, hemorrhage, or organ perforation occurred. Conclusion: No serious adverse event occurred during MRI scans of patients with MRI-incompatible clips in this study, suggesting that MRI-incompatible clips may be safe to use in MRI scans. However, this does not guarantee the safety of the Long Clip for MRI scans, as further tests are needed to verify that this clip is safe for use during MRI.


2013 ◽  
Vol 394 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélien Corroyer-Dulmont ◽  
Elodie A. Pérès ◽  
Edwige Petit ◽  
Lucile Durand ◽  
Léna Marteau ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite multiple advances in cancer therapies, patients with glioblastoma (GBM) still have a poor prognosis. Numerous glioma models are used not only for the development of innovative therapies but also to optimize conventional ones. Given the significance of hypoxia in drug and radiation resistance and that hypoxia is widely observed among GBM, the establishment of a reliable method to map hypoxia in preclinical human models may contribute to the discovery and translation of future and more targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to compare the hypoxic status of two commonly used human orthotopic glioma models (U87 and U251) developed in rats and studied by noninvasive hypoxia imaging with 3-[18F]fluoro-1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-2-propanol-micro-positron emission tomography ([18F]-FMISO-μPET). In parallel, because of the relationships between angiogenesis and hypoxia, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology, and immunohistochemistry to characterize the tumoral vasculature. Although all tumors were detectable in T2-weighted MRI and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose-μPET, only the U251 model exhibited [18F]-FMISO uptake. Additionally, the U251 tumors were less densely vascularized than U87 tumors. Our study demonstrates the benefits of noninvasive imaging of hypoxia in preclinical models to define the most reliable one for translation of future therapies to clinic based on the importance of intratumoral oxygen tension for the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 690-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Friston ◽  
R. E. Passingham ◽  
J. G. Nutt ◽  
J. D. Heather ◽  
G. V. Sawle ◽  
...  

A technique is described for estimating the position of the intercommisural line (AC–PC line) directly from landmarks on positron emission tomographic (PET) images, namely the ventral aspects of the anterior and posterior corpus callosum, the thalamus, and occipital pole. The relationship of this estimate to the true AC–PC line, fitted through the centres of the anterior and posterior commissures, showed minimal vertical and angular displacement when measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Using regression analysis, the ease and reliability of fitting to these points was found to be high. This directly derived AC–PC line estimate was validated in terms of the assumptions used in the method of Fox et al. The ratio of distance between the AC–PC line and a line passing through the base of the inion (GI line) to total brain height was 0.21, as predicted. The technique has been further validated by localizing focal activation of the sensorimotor cortex. The technique is discussed in terms of absolute limits to localization of structures in the brain using noninvasive tomographic techniques in general and PET in particular.


KYAMC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Mushtaq Ahmad ◽  
Md Zubaidur Rahman ◽  
Farial Naima Rahman

Virtopsy is a virtual alternative to a traditional autopsy, conducted with scanning and imaging technology. In developed countries Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are now being evaluated as complementary means for determination of cause of death. This paper explores the latest development and implication of virtopsy from ethical, clinical and technical point of view. Published literature in different journals with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were extensively reviewed through use of general and Meta search engines to elucidate the applications and implications of virtual autopsy. The modern high-resolution imaging has been used as a well described aid in the setting of post-mortem investigations. Virtopsy introduces a new era in autopsy examination. It utilizes the technological innovation of modern imaging system to obtain best results and three Dimensional (3D) images of the body in multiple plains without mutilation of the human body. Now a days virtopsy is very much acceptable procedure to the forensic society. In western worlds virtopsy is likely to replace conventional autopsies in future. We can also try to implement this modern system in our country. KYAMC Journal.2021;12(1): 48-52


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Xu ◽  
Shuzhan Zheng ◽  
Zhilong Zhu ◽  
Xiaofeng Yu ◽  
Jian Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To examine the patterns of longitudinal tau accumulation and cortical atrophy and their association in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods We collected 23 participants (60-89 years old, 11 male/12 female) with MCI from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. All participants underwent 18 F flortauirpir (FTP) positron emission tomography (PET) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at the baseline and follow-up visits (12-36 months). General linear models with covariates (baseline age, sex) were used to detect brain areas of significant tau accumulation and atrophy over time. The mediation analysis was employed to explore the potential reason for sequential biomarker changes in MCI progression, adjusting for baseline age, sex, education.Results Voxelwise tau accumulation in MCI patients was predominantly located in inferior temporal, middle temporal, parietal cortex, posterior cingulate, precuneus as well as temporo-parietal regions ( P < 0.001), and MRI atrophy included inferior-middle temporal, parietal lobe, cerebellum and precuneus ( P < 0.001). Longitudinal FTP accumulation was moderately associated with MRI cortical atrophy ( r = 0.409, 95% CI: 0.405-0.414, P < 0.01). Regional analyses indicated significant bivariate associations between MRI cortical atrophy and FTP accumulation (baseline FTP cortical uptake and longitudinal FTP change). The result of the mediation analysis showed the relationship between baseline FTP uptake and longitudinal cortical atrophy was partly mediated by the longitudinal FTP cortical change (indirect effect: 0.0107, P = 0.04).Conclusions Our finding provides a preliminary description of the patterns of longitudinal FTP accumulation and cortical atrophy in MCI progression, and MCI patients with high tau binding level show increase risk of longitudinal tau accumulation, atrophy and cognitive decline.


Author(s):  
Siyamol Chirakkarottu ◽  
Sheena Mathew

Background: Medical imaging encloses different imaging techniques and processes to image the human body for medical diagnostic and treatment purposes. Hence it plays an important role to improve public health. The technological development in biomedical imaging specifically in X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), nuclear ultrasound including Positron Emission Tomography (PET), optical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can provide valuable information unique to a person. Objective: In health care applications, the images are needed to be exchanged mostly over wireless medium. The diagnostic images with confidential information of a patient need to be protected from unauthorized access during transmission. In this paper, a novel encryption method is proposed to improve the security and integrity of medical images. Methods: Chaotic map along with DNA cryptography is used for encryption. The proposed method describes a two phase encryption of medical images. Results: Performance of the proposed method is also tested by various analysis metrics. Robustness of the method against different noises and attacks is analyzed. Conclusion: The results show that the method is efficient and well suitable to medical images.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Evangelista ◽  
Lea Cuppari ◽  
Luisa Bellu ◽  
Daniele Bertin ◽  
Mario Caccese ◽  
...  

Purpose: The aims of the present study were to: 1- critically assess the utility of L-3,4- dihydroxy-6-18Ffluoro-phenyl-alanine (18F-DOPA) and O-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) in patients with high grade glioma (HGG) and 2- describe the results of 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT in a case series of patients with recurrent HGG. Methods: We searched for studies using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The search terms were: glioma OR brain neoplasm and DOPA OR DOPA PET OR DOPA PET/CT and FET OR FET PET OR FET PET/CT. From a mono-institutional database, we retrospectively analyzed the 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT of 29 patients (age: 56 ± 12 years) with suspicious for recurrent HGG. All patients underwent 18F-DOPA or 18F-FET PET/CT for a multidisciplinary decision. The final definition of recurrence was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or multidisciplinary decision, mainly based on the clinical data. Results: Fifty-one articles were found, of which 49 were discarded, therefore 2 studies were finally selected. In both the studies, 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET as exchangeable in clinical practice particularly for HGG patients. From our institutional experience, in 29 patients, we found that sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-DOPA PET/CT in HGG were 100% (95% confidence interval- 95%CI - 81-100%), 63% (95%CI: 39-82%) and 62% (95%CI: 39-81%), respectively. 18F-FET PET/CT was true positive in 4 and true negative in 4 patients. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for 18F-FET PET/CT in HGG were 100%. Conclusion: 18F-DOPA and 18F-FET PET/CT have a similar diagnostic accuracy in patients with recurrent HGG. However, 18F-DOPA PET/CT could be affected by inflammation conditions (false positive) that can alter the final results. Large comparative trials are warranted in order to better understand the utility of 18F-DOPA or 18F-FET PET/CT in patients with HGG.


Author(s):  
Michael Berger ◽  
Thomas Czypionka

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a popular yet cost-intensive diagnostic measure whose strengths compared to other medical imaging technologies have led to increased application. But the benefits of aggressive testing are doubtful. The comparatively high MRI usage in Austria in combination with substantial regional variation has hence become a concern for its policy makers. We use a set of routine healthcare data on outpatient MRI service consumption of Austrian patients between Q3-2015 and Q2-2016 on the district level to investigate the extent of medical practice variation in a two-step statistical analysis combining multivariate regression models and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition. District-level MRI exam rates per 1.000 inhabitants range from 52.38 to 128.69. Controlling for a set of regional characteristics in a multivariate regression model, we identify payer autonomy in regulating access to MRI scans as the biggest contributor to regional variation. Nevertheless, the statistical decomposition highlights that more than 70% of the regional variation remains unexplained by differences between the observable district characteristics. In the absence of epidemiological explanations, the substantial regional medical practice variation calls the efficiency of resource deployment into question.


Author(s):  
Volker A. Coenen ◽  
Bastian E. Sajonz ◽  
Peter C. Reinacher ◽  
Christoph P. Kaller ◽  
Horst Urbach ◽  
...  

Abstract Background An increasing number of neurosurgeons use display of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT) based on diffusion weighted imaging (dMRI) as basis for their routine planning of stimulation or lesioning approaches in stereotactic tremor surgery. An evaluation of the anatomical validity of the display of the DRT with respect to modern stereotactic planning systems and across different tracking environments has not been performed. Methods Distinct dMRI and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of high and low quality from 9 subjects were used. Six subjects had repeated MRI scans and therefore entered the analysis twice. Standardized DICOM structure templates for volume of interest definition were applied in native space for all investigations. For tracking BrainLab Elements (BrainLab, Munich, Germany), two tensor deterministic tracking (FT2), MRtrix IFOD2 (https://www.mrtrix.org), and a global tracking (GT) approach were used to compare the display of the uncrossed (DRTu) and crossed (DRTx) fiber structure after transformation into MNI space. The resulting streamlines were investigated for congruence, reproducibility, anatomical validity, and penetration of anatomical way point structures. Results In general, the DRTu can be depicted with good quality (as judged by waypoints). FT2 (surgical) and GT (neuroscientific) show high congruence. While GT shows partly reproducible results for DRTx, the crossed pathway cannot be reliably reconstructed with the other (iFOD2 and FT2) algorithms. Conclusion Since a direct anatomical comparison is difficult in the individual subjects, we chose a comparison with two research tracking environments as the best possible “ground truth.” FT2 is useful especially because of its manual editing possibilities of cutting erroneous fibers on the single subject level. An uncertainty of 2 mm as mean displacement of DRTu is expectable and should be respected when using this approach for surgical planning. Tractographic renditions of the DRTx on the single subject level seem to be still illusive.


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