3T MRI in pediatrics
May 17, 2011
3T MRI is being increasingly performed for clinical purposes. The increased SNR is a significant advantage in pediatrics – improved spatial and temporal resolution assist in overcoming the major anatomic, physiologic and behavioural challenges of imaging children. 3T MRI has the potential to image all the systems in pediatrics. However, optimising the parameters with due consideration to specific pediatric features, such as the increased water content of non myelinated brain, is essential. The neonatal brain and pediatric spine are difficult to image at 3T. Several factors also limit cardiac imaging at present. Further improvements in coil technology and newer sequences may help overcome the challenges that remain. On the other hand, some 3T artefacts inherent to specific anatomic regions, like the dielectric effects encountered in adult abdominal imaging, are less problematic in pediatrics due the smaller size.
For more information, see this white paper
Standardized practices and 3D ultrasound imaging
April 9, 2011
Anyone that has worked with ultrasound imaging knows how difficult it is to recognise structures with the naked eye. Training and experience play a very important role in interpreting those images, and, most importantly, in recognising anomalities.
A recent study by researchers from California has shown that detailed instruction in obtaining 3DUS images of fetal profiles improved the image quality obtained by phisicians. Teaching physicians in a standardized way may help improve the use of 3DUS in clinical practice for a broader spectrum of pathologies: for instance, in image guidance for radiotherapy & brachytherapy in gyneacology, breast, prostate and other cancer types.
Researchers from the Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY USA have developed an algorithm that makes use of the elasticity properties of tissues to characterize malignant tumors. They use an ultrasound device and they process the radiofrequency data to reconstruct the linear and non-linear elasticity properties of tissue, by calculating the displacement within the tissue and mapping the spatial distribution with the material properties that would give that displacement. In order to measure the non-elasticity properties, the tissue needs to be deformed up to 20%, which limits the areas of application of this technology. Currently, they are investigating atherosclerosis disease and skin cancer, besides breast.
For more information, please refer to the published article
