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ABSTRACT: It has been shown that patients with a first ischemic stroke are at high risk of developing recurrent stroke due to carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture. However, no one has defined the difference in plaques between initial and recurrent stroke. This study sought to investigate the characteristics of carotid plaque between patients with first-time and recurrent acute ischemic stroke by using MR imaging.
Eighty-nine patients with recent acute ischemic stroke were recruited. All subjects underwent carotid high-resolution black-blood MR imaging. The index carotid arteries, defined as the arteries responsible for the ipsilateral stroke, were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Carotid plaque burden and compositional features between patients with first-time and recurrent ischemic stroke were compared.
Of 89 recruited patients, 51 had first-time stroke and 38 had recurrent stroke. The mean WA, WT, and PWV were greater in patients with recurrent stroke than in patients with first-time stroke (all, P < .05). Compared with patients with first-time stroke, those with recurrent stroke showed significantly higher prevalence of calcification (44.7% versus 23.5%, P = .035) as well as a larger volume of LRNC (179.14 ± 254.81 mm(2) versus 71.65 ± 111.15 mm(2), P = .027). IPH or fibrous cap rupture or both were observed in 15.8% of patients with recurrent stroke and 3.9% of patients with first-time stroke.
Carotid plaques in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke are significantly aggravated compared with those in patients with first-time stroke, and monitoring carotid plaques in patients with initial stroke by MR imaging may be helpful for secondary stroke prevention.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 03/2012; 33(7):1257-61. · 2.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To explore the feasibility of using 3T high-resolution MR lymphangiography to characterize inguinal lymphatic vessel leakage (LVL).
Sixteen patients with known inguinal LVL underwent 3T MR lymphangiography and T(2)-weighted imaging. The presence or absence of inguinal LVL and the responsible lymphatic vessels were determined using the above imaging modalities and confirmed by surgical procedure. Afterwards, fifteen patients with recurring LVL following conservative treatment were referred to surgical intervention.
Specific inguinal LVL enhancement patterns and leaking lymphatic vessels were detected in 15 of 16 patients. Compared to the SNR of enhanced lymph nodes, that of the enhanced LVL was significantly greater (t = 7.149, p < 0.01), thereby making it possible to differentiate between LVL sites and enhancing inguinal lymph nodes. Furthermore, the steepest contrast enhancement curve slope of enhanced LVL was lower than that of enhanced lymph nodes (t = -2.860, p = 0.02). After MR diagnosis, 15 patients successfully underwent open exploration and ligation of the leaking lymphatic vessel. Clinical follow-up did not demonstrate recurrence of lymphatic fluid in the groin.
High-resolution MR lymphangiography combined with T(2)-weighted imaging is a promising approach to identifying specific features of lymphatic vessel leakage in the groin.
European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery: the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery 01/2012; 43(1):106-11. · 2.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate relevant arterial, hepatic, and portal venous anatomy using multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography in potential living liver donors at a single liver transplantation center in China.
One hundred two consecutive potential liver donors underwent CT angiography in the arterial, portal, and hepatic venous phases with a 16-row CT scanner. All source and reconstructed images were evaluated for hepatic vasculature anatomy by an experienced radiologist and a surgeon in consensus. The anatomic variants of arterial system, portal venous system, and hepatic veins were characterized according to the classification system of Michels, Akgul, and Nakamura respectively. In 42 donors of right hepatic lobectomy, CT findings were compared with the results of surgery.
Of 102 candidates, 63 had type I, 8 type II, 12 type III, 3 type IV, 11 type V, 2 type VI, 2 type VIII, and 1 type IX hepatic arterial anatomy. According to the classification of the portal venous system created by Akgul, type A was seen in 81 subjects. Type B, type C, and type E were revealed in 15, 4, and 2 subjects, respectively. According to the classification of the right hepatic drainage pattern by Nakamura, type 1 drainage was seen in 71 subjects (69.6%), type 2 in 22 candidates (21.6%), and type 3 in 9 subjects (8.8%). Forty five right inferior hepatic veins were identified in 41 potential donors, and 68.9% of these veins were larger than 5 mm in diameter. CT angiography findings were confirmed in all donors who underwent operations.
Multidetector CT angiography can successfully show the relevant hepatic vascular anatomy in potential liver donors.
Transplantation Proceedings 11/2008; 40(8):2466-77. · 1.00 Impact Factor
