MY CONTENT

In this study the feasibility of using dynamic postcontrast imaging to separate hypo- and hypervascular spine metastases was assessed. Using a T1 postcontrast sequence with temporal resolution of 6 seconds, the authors imaged spine lesions in 26 patients and from the data collected calculated 3 dynamic parameters. Hypervascular lesions showed steeper and higher wash-in slopes and higher peak enhancement. Conversely, conventional pre- and postcontrast images were unable to differentiate lesions.

This article compares radiation exposure from CTA and DSA used to evaluate the extra- and intracranial circulations. Experiments were performed on a phantom using a 64-section CT scanner and biplane DSA. The authors concluded that the effective dose for CTA assessment of cerebral vessels was approximately one-fifth the dose compared with DSA. In the imaging of cervicocerebral vessels, the effective dose for CTA was approximately one-third higher compared with DSA.