Magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of stress urinary incontinence in women: Parameters differentiating urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency

AIM: To define the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) parameters differentiating urethral hypermobility(UH) and intrinsic sphincter deficiency(ISD) in women with stress urinary incontinence(SUI).METHODS: The static and dynamic MR images of 21 patients with SUI were correlated to urodynamic(UD) findings and compared to those of 10 continent controls. For the assessment of the urethra and integrity of the urethral support structures, we applied the highresolution endocavitary MRI, such as intraurethral MRI, endovaginal or endorectal MRI. For the functional imaging of the urethral support, we performed dynamic MRI with the pelvic phased array coil. We assessed the following MRI parameters in both the patient and thevolunteer groups:(1) urethral angle;(2) bladder neck descent;(3) status of the periurethral ligaments,(4) vaginal shape;(5) urethral sphincter integrity, length and muscle thickness at mid urethra;(6) bladder neck funneling;(7) status of the puborectalis muscle;(8) pubo-vaginal distance. UDs parameters were assessed in the patient study group as follows:(1) urethral mobility angle on Q-tip test;(2) Valsalva leak point pressure(VLPP) measured at 250 cc bladder volume; and(3) maximum urethral closure pressure(MUCP). The UH type of SUI was defined with the Q-tip test angle over 30 degrees, and VLPP pressure over 60 cm H2 O. The ISD incontinence was defined with MUCP pressure below 20 cm H2 O, and VLPP pressure less or equal to 60 cm H2 O. We considered the associations between the MRI and clinical data and UDs using a variety of statistical tools to include linear regression, multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 9.0(Stata Corp LP, College Station, TX).RESULTS: In the incontinent group, 52% have history of vaginal delivery trauma as compared to none in control group(P < 0.001). There was no difference between the continent volunteers and incontinent patients in body habitus as assessed by the body mass index. Pubovaginal distance and periurethral ligament disruption are significantly associated with incontinence; periurethral ligament symmetricity reduces the odds of incontinence by 87%. Bladder neck funneling and length of the suprapubic urethral sphincter are significantly associated with the type of incontinence on UDs; funneling reduced the odds of pure UH by almost 95%; increasing suprapubic urethral sphincter length at rest is highly associated with UH. Both MRI variables result in a predictive model for UDs diagnosis(area under the ROC = 0.944). CONCLUSION: MRI may play an important role in assessing the contribution of hypermobility and sphincteric dysfunction to the SUI in women when considering treatment options.

Role of computed tomography angiography in detection and staging of small bowel carcinoid tumors

Small-bowel carcinoid tumors are the most common form(42%) of gastrointestinal carcinoids, which by themselves comprise 70% of neuroendocrine tumors. Although primary small bowel neoplasms are overall rare(3%-6% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms), carcinoids still represent the second most common(20%-30%) primary small-bowel malignancy after small bowel adenocarcinoma. Their imaging evaluation is often challenging. State-of-the-art high-resolution multiphasic computed tomography together with advanced postprocessing methods provides an excellent tool for their depiction. The manifold interactive parameter choices however require knowledge of when to use which technique. Here, we discuss the imaging appearance and evaluation of duodenal, jejunal and ileal carcinoid tumors, including the imaging features of the primary tumor, locoregional mesenteric nodal metastases, and distant metastatic disease. A protocol for optimal lesion detection is presented, including the use of computed tomography enterography, volume acquisition, computed tomography angiography and three-dimensional mapping. Imaging findings are illustrated with a series of challenging cases which illustrate the spectrum of possible disease in the small bowel and mesentery, the range of possible appearances in the bowel itself on multiphase data and extraluminal findings such as the desmoplastic reaction in mesentery and hypervascular liver metastases. Typical imaging pitfalls and pearls are illustrated.

Incremental value of magnetic resonance neurography of Lumbosacral plexus over non-contributory lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging in radiculopathy: A prospective study

AIM: To test the incremental value of 3T magnetic resonance neurography(MRN) in a series of unilateral radiculopathy patients with non-contributory magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).METHODS: Ten subjects(3 men,7 women; mean age54 year and range 22-74 year) with unilateral lumbar radiculopathy and with previous non-contributory lumbar spine MRI underwent lumbosacral(LS) plexus MRN over a period of one year. Lumbar spine MRI performed as part of the MRN LS protocol as well as bilateral L4-S1 nerves,sciatic,femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves were evaluated in each subject for neuropathy findings on both anatomic(nerve signal,course and caliber alterations) and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)tensor maps(nerve signal and caliber alterations).Minimum fractional anisotropy(FA) and mean apparent diffusion coeffcient(ADC) of L4-S2 nerve roots,sciatic and femoral nerves were recorded.RESULTS: All anatomic studies and 80% of DTI imaging received a good-excellent imaging quality grading. In a blinded evaluation,all 10 examinations demonstrated neural and/or neuromuscular abnormality corresponding to the site of radiculopathy. A number of contributory neuropathy findings including double crush syndrome were observed. On DTI tensor maps,nerve signal and caliber alterations were more conspicuous. Although individual differences were observed among neuropathic appearing nerve(lower FA and increased ADC) as compared to its contralateral counterpart,there were no significant mean differences on statistical comparison of LS plexus nerves,femoral and sciatic nerves(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: MRN of LS plexus is useful modality for the evaluation of patients with non-contributory MRI of lumbar spine as it can incrementally delineate the etiology and provide direct objective and non-invasive evidence of neuromuscular pathology.

3T magnetic resonance neurography of pudendal nerve with cadaveric dissection correlation

AIM: To evaluate the pudendal nerve segments that could be identified on magnetic resonance neurography(MRN) before and after surgical marking of different nerve segments.METHODS: The hypothesis for this study was that pudendal nerve and its branches would be more easily seen after the surgical nerve marking. Institutional board approval was obtained. One male and one female cadaver pelvis were obtained from the anatomy board and were scanned using 3 Tesla MRI scanner using MR neurography sequences. All possible pudendal nerve branches were identified. The cadavers were then sent to the autopsy lab and were surgically dissected by a peripheral nerve surgeon and an anatomist to identify the pudendal nerve branches. Radiological markers were placed along the course of the pudendal nerve and its branches. The cadavers were then closed and rescanned using the same MRN protocol as the premarking scan. The remaining pudendal nerve branches were attempted to be identified using the radiological markers. All scans were read by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist.RESULTS: The pre-marking MR Neurography scans clearly showed the pudendal nerve at its exit from the lumbosacral plexus in the sciatic notch, at the level of the ischial spine and in the Alcock's Canal in both cadavers. Additionally, the right hemorrhoidal branch could be identified in the male pelvis cadaver. The perineal and distal genital branches could not be identified. On post-marking scans, the markers were used as identifiable structures. The location of the perineal branch, the hemorroidal branch and the dorsal nerve to penis(in male cadaver)/clitoris(in female cadaver) could be seen. However, the visualization of these branches was suboptimal. The contralateral corresponding nerves were poorly seen despite marking on the surgical side. The nerve was best seen on axial T1W and T2W SPAIR images. The proximal segment could be seen well on 3D DW PSIF sequence. T2W SPACE was not very useful in visualization of this small nerve or its branches.CONCLUSION: Proximal pudendal nerve is easily seen on MR neurography, however it is not possible to identify distal branches of the pudendal nerve even after surgical marking.

Ciliary parathyroid hormone signaling activates transforming growth factor-βto maintain intervertebral disc homeostasis during aging

Degenerative disc disease(DDD) is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration of spinal instability. Here, we report that the cilia of nucleus pulposus(NP) cells mediate mechanotransduction to maintain anabolic activity in the discs. We found that mechanical stress promotes transport of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor(PTH1 R) to the cilia and enhances parathyroid hormone(PTH) signaling in NP cells. PTH induces transcription of integrin α_vβ_6 to activate the transforming growth factor(TGF)-β-connective tissue growth factor(CCN2)-matrix proteins signaling cascade. Intermittent injection of PTH(iPTH) effectively attenuates disc degeneration of aged mice by direct signaling through NP cells, specifically improving intervertebral disc height and volume by increasing levels of TGF-β activity, CCN2, and aggrecan. PTH1 R is expressed in both mouse and human NP cells. Importantly,knockout PTH1 R or cilia in the NP cells results in significant disc degeneration and blunts the effect of PTH on attenuation of aged discs. Thus, mechanical stress-induced transport of PTH1 R to the cilia enhances PTH signaling, which helps maintain intervertebral disc homeostasis, particularly during aging, indicating therapeutic potential of iPTH for DDD.

Using the rPatlak plot and dynamic FDG-PET to generate parametric images of relative local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose

Local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose(LCMRGlc) is an important index for the description of neural function.Dynamic 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose(FDG) positron emission tomography(PET) has been used for quantitative imaging of LCMRGlc in humans,but is seldom used routinely because of the difficulty in obtaining the input function noninvasively.A reference tissue-based Patlak plot model(rPatlak) was proposed to generate parametric images of LCMRGlc in a quantitative dynamic FDG-PET study without requiring blood sampling.Dynamic emission scans(4×0.5,4×2 and 10×5 min) were acquired simultaneously with an IV bolus injection of 155 MBq of FDG.Arterial blood samples were collected during the scans via a catheter placed in the radial artery.Simulation data were also generated using the same scan sequence.The last ten scan data sets were used in a graphical analysis using the Patlak plot.The ratio of LCMRGlc estimated from the original Patlak(oPatlak,using plasma input) was used as the gold standard,and the standardized uptake value ratio(SUVR) was also calculated for comparison.Eight different tissues including white matter,gray matter,and whole brain were chosen as reference tissues for evaluation.Regardless of the reference region used,the slopes in the linear regression between oPatlak and rPatlak were closer to unity than the regression slopes between oPatlak and SUVR.The intercepts for the former were also closer to 0 than those for the latter case.The squared correlation coefficients were close to 1.0 for both cases.This showed that the results of rPatlak were in good agreement with those of oPatlak,however,SUVR exhibited more deviation.The simulation study also showed that the relative variance and bias for rPatlak were less than those for SUVR.The images obtained with rPatlak were very similar to those obtained with oPatlak,while there were differences in the relative spatial distribution between the images of SUVR and oPatlak.This study validates that the rPatlak method is better than the SUVR method and is a good approximation to the oPatlak method.The new method is suitable for generating LCMRGlc parametric images noninvasively.

用rPatlak图解及动态FDG-PET方法生成脑局部葡萄糖代谢率参数图

脑局部葡萄糖代谢率(LCMRGlc)是反映脑功能状态的重要指标,18F标记的2-脱氧葡萄糖作示踪剂的动态正电子发射断层扫描(FDG-PET)方法已被用于人脑LCMRGlc定量参数成像,但由于原有的方法需要输入函数,这对人体是有损伤的,因而很少用于临床.本文采用基于参考区的Patlak图形近似模型(rPatlak)和动态FDG-PET成像方法生成LCMRGlc定量参数图,这种方法无需输入函数因而无需采集动脉血样.在对被试进行弹丸静脉注射155MBq的FDG后同步启动脑部动态PET扫描,扫描序列为4×0.5,4×2和10×5min,且扫描期间通过事先植入动脉的导管采集血样,以获得本研究中作为对比的金标准—原始Patlak图形近似方法(oPatlak)所需的输入函数.研究中的模拟数据也采用了同样的扫描序列.两种Patlak图形近似方法采用了最后的10个PET扫描数据.用需要血样数据的oPatlak方法获得相对于参考区的LCMRGlc比值作为金标准,标准摄取值比值(SUVR)也被计算并作为比对.对于实际数据,选择包括白质、灰质、全脑等8个不同脑区作参考区来进行评估.实验结果表明,无论选择哪个脑区作参考区,rPatlak与oPatlak的结果很相似,但SUVR的结果就差得多.模拟研究结果还表明,rPatlak结果的偏差及误差都小于SUVR.最后,用rPatlak方法生成的LCMRGlc定量参数图与oPatlak生成的很相似,但SUVR与oPatlak间就有较大差异.本研究表明,rPatlak方法好于SUVR方法,可以作为oPatlak方法的很好近似,新方法适合用来无损伤地生成LCMRGlc定量参数图.

颅内血管壁MRI：原理和美国神经放射学学会专家共识

颅内血管壁磁共振成像是对常规血管造影方法（CT血管造影、磁共振血管造影或数字减影血管造影）的一种补充.该技术在缺血性卒中和颅内出血情况下有诸多潜在用途.尽管对颅内血管壁磁共振成像结果的理解还存在歧异,相关研究也还正在进行之中,但该技术已在许多中心应用于临床.本文代表美国神经放射学学会血管壁成像研究组为当前临床实践提供了专家共识推荐意见.