scholarly journals Gradient coil and radiofrequency induced heating of orthopaedic implants in MRI: influencing factors

Author(s):  
Jenny Wooldridge ◽  
Alessandro Arduino ◽  
Luca Zilberti ◽  
Umberto Zanovello ◽  
Mario Chiampi ◽  
...  

Abstract Patients with implanted orthopaedic devices represent a growing number of subjects undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans each year. MRI safety labelling is required for all implants under the EU Medical Device Regulations to ensure regulatory compliance, with each device assessed through standardised testing procedures. In this paper, we employ parametric studies to assess a range of clinically relevant factors that cause tissue heating, performing simulations with both radiofrequency (RF) and gradient coil (GC) switching fields, the latter of which is often overlooked in the literature. A series of worst case scenarios for both types of excitation field are discussed. In the case of GC fields large volume implants and large plate areas with the field oriented perpendicular to the plane cause the highest heating levels, along with sequences with high rates of field switching. Implant heating from RF fields is driven primarily from the antenna effect, with thin, linear implants of resonant length resulting in the highest temperature rises. In this work, we show that simplifications may be made to the field sequence and device geometry without significantly comprising the accuracy of the simulation results, opening up the possibility for generic estimates of the implant heating for orthopaedic device manufacturers and opportunities to simplify the safety compliance process.

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732199239
Author(s):  
Cecilie Jacobsen ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽  
Turi O Dalaker ◽  
Ingvild Dalen ◽  
...  

Objectives To identify Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), clinical and demographic biomarkers predictive of worsening information processing speed (IPS) as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Methods Demographic, clinical data and 1.5 T MRI scans were collected in 76 patients at time of inclusion, and after 5 and 10 years. Global and tissue-specific volumes were calculated at each time point. For the primary outcome of analysis, SDMT was used. Results Worsening SDMT at 5-year follow-up was predicted by baseline age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), SDMT, whole brain volume (WBV) and T2 lesion volume (LV), explaining 30.2% of the variance of SDMT. At 10-year follow-up, age, EDSS, grey matter volume (GMV) and T1 LV explained 39.4% of the variance of SDMT change. Conclusion This longitudinal study shows that baseline MRI-markers, demographic and clinical data can help predict worsening IPS. Identification of patients at risk of IPS decline is of importance as follow-up, treatment and rehabilitation can be optimized.


Author(s):  
Martina Pecoraro ◽  
Stefano Cipollari ◽  
Livia Marchitelli ◽  
Emanuele Messina ◽  
Maurizio Del Monte ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the agreement between chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) and to assess the diagnostic performance of chest MRI relative to that of CT during the follow-up of patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019. Materials and methods Fifty-two patients underwent both follow-up chest CT and MRI scans, evaluated for ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, fibrosis, pleural indentation, vessel enlargement, bronchiolar ectasia, and changes compared to prior CT scans. DWI/ADC was evaluated for signal abnormalities suspicious for inflammation. Agreement between CT and MRI was assessed with Cohen’s k and weighted k. Measures of diagnostic accuracy of MRI were calculated. Results The agreement between CT and MRI was almost perfect for consolidation (k = 1.00) and change from prior CT (k = 0.857); substantial for predominant pattern (k = 0.764) and interlobular septal thickening (k = 0.734); and poor for GGOs (k = 0.339), fibrosis (k = 0.224), pleural indentation (k = 0.231), and vessel enlargement (k = 0.339). Meanwhile, the sensitivity of MRI was high for GGOs (1.00), interlobular septal thickening (1.00), and consolidation (1.00) but poor for fibrotic changes (0.18), pleural indentation (0.23), and vessel enlargement (0.50) and the specificity was overall high. DWI was positive in 46.0% of cases. Conclusions The agreement between MRI and CT was overall good. MRI was very sensitive for GGOs, consolidation and interlobular septal thickening and overall specific for most findings. DWI could be a reputable imaging biomarker of inflammatory activity.


Pain Practice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Reining ◽  
Dirk Winkler ◽  
Joachim Boettcher ◽  
Juergen Meixensberger ◽  
Michael Kretzschmar

Author(s):  
Sanaa Aljamani ◽  
Callum Youngson ◽  
Fadi Jarad ◽  
Francis O’Neill

Abstract Purpose Recently we described mapping of the lingual nerve clinically in patients using electrical nerve stimulation. This paper reports results of a larger study with inter- and intra-observer reliability and comparison with positional measurements from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods In 50 healthy participants, measurements were taken when subjects felt a tingling sensation in the tongue induced by a stimulation probe over the lingual nerve. Three positions were measured in relation to the third molar. Measurement reliability was tested for both inter-observer and intra-observer agreement and positional data of the lingual nerve measured clinically was also compared with nerve position as measured from MRI scans. Results Out of 50 participants, 96 nerves (49 = left/47 = right) were included in the study. The lingual nerve was identified in 90% (87) of this sample. The mean of height of the nerve in points A, B and C were 9.64 mm, 10.77 mm and 12.34 respectively. Inter-and intra-observer agreement was considered to be good to excellent (ICC = 0.8–0.96). Agreement between nerve mapping measured values and MRI measured values was good (ICC < 0.6). Conclusion This technique may prove useful for the clinical determination of lingual nerve position prior to procedures in the third molar region.


Author(s):  
Issam Sa’adeh ◽  
Mohamed Jamal Saadh

Abstract Background Glioblastoma multiform is the most common and aggressive type of primary malignant tumor that affects the central nervous system in adults. It clinically presents with seizures, headache, and/or progressive focal neurological deficits. Radiologically, glioblastoma multiform appears as a single distinguishable, large heterogeneous lesion affecting the cerebrum with characteristic central necrosis, marginal enhancement, and surrounding vasogenic edema. This article describes a patient that exhibited an atypical clinical presentation of multifocal glioblastoma multiform with misleading early radiological features that simulated herpetic encephalitis. Results A 66-year-old female that presented with left-sided hemiparesis and left partial motor seizures underwent multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was also performed to screen for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Conclusions The early stages of glioblastoma may manifest as symptoms typical to encephalitis, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis and identification of atypical glioblastoma multiform presentations, as reported in this article, are essential.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Trakic ◽  
Jin Jin ◽  
Ewald Weber ◽  
Stuart Crozier

Conventionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed by pulsing gradient coils, which invariably leads to strong acoustic noise, patient safety concerns due to induced currents, and costly power/space requirements. This modeling study investigates a new silent, gradient coil-free MR imaging method, in which a radiofrequency (RF) coil and its nonuniform field (B1+) are mechanically rotated about the patient. The advantage of the rotatingB1+field is that, for the first time, it provides a large number of degrees of freedom to aid a successfulB1+image encoding process. The mathematical modeling was performed using flip angle modulation as part of a finite-difference-based Bloch equation solver. Preliminary results suggest that representative MR images with intensity deviations of <5% from the original image can be obtained using rotating RF field approach. This method may open up new avenues towards anatomical and functional imaging in medicine.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigekiyo Fujita ◽  
Tetsuro Kawaguchi ◽  
Toshiyuki Uehara ◽  
Kazuhito Fukushima

Background: Platelet hyper-aggregability is an important risk factor for leukoaraiosis. In this study we investigated whether aggravation of leukoaraiosis can be controlled by means of long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.Methods:Twenty-one patients with leukoaraiosis and uncorrected platelet hyper-aggregability were compared with 21 controls matched for age, grade of leukoaraiosis and observation period whose platelet hyper-aggregability was corrected. Platelet aggregability was estimated by an optical analytical method with a nine-stage display using two different concentrations each of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen (the double ADP method).Results:The mean observation period between two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for both groups was 4.1 years. In the non-corrected group, moderate to severe aggravation of leukoaraiosis was observed in a large number of patients. In the corrected group, only a small number of patients showed generally mild aggravation of leukoaraiosis. The number of patients showing aggravation of periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) was 7 in 21 in the non-corrected group versus 1 in 21 (p=0.022) in the corrected group, and for aggravation of deep white-matter hyperintensity, these values were 9 in 21 versus 4 in 21, respectively. Thus, the difference was more significant if the degree of aggravation was taken into account.Conclusion:The progress of leukoaraiosis is greatly inhibited by long-term correction of platelet hyper-aggregability.


Author(s):  
Simon Schieferdecker ◽  
Stefan Hunsche ◽  
Faycal El Majdoub ◽  
Mohammad Maarouf

AbstractIn this case report, the authors describe the first case of a glioependymal cyst of the brainstem managed by robot-assisted, stereotactic, cysto-ventricular shunting. Glioependymal cysts are rare congenital cystic lesions that are thought to form by displacement of ependymal cells during the embryonal period. Glioependymal cysts have been reported in a variety of different locations within the central nervous system. However, glioependymal cysts of the brainstem have only been described once before. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man who was referred to our department due to hemiparesis, hemihypesthesia, and hemidysesthesia, as well as facial and abducens nerve palsy. A large pontine glioependymal cyst was confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The cyst was subsequently decompressed by connecting the cyst with the fourth ventricle via robot-assisted stereotactic shunt placement. In the postoperative course, the patient made a quick recovery and did not report any permanent neurologic deficits.


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