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Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To compare the image quality of MRI scans produced with 1.5- and 3.0-T devices during functional test condition. Methods: 65 MRI scans obtained with 1.5- (n = 43) or 3.0-T (n = 22) true fast imaging with steady-state precession (trueFISP) sequences from patients with a history of a cleft palate were evaluated. Two experts assessed the MRI scans, independently of each other, and blinded to the MRI technique used. Subjective ratings were entered on a five-point Likert scale. The median planes of three anatomical structures (velum, tongue and pharyngeal wall) were assessed in three functional states (at rest, during phonation of sustained "e" and during articulation of "kkk"). In addition, MRI scans taken during velopharyngeal closure were evaluated. Results: Under blinded conditions, both observers (radiologist and orthodontist) independently rated the quality of 1.5-T scans higher than that of 3.0 T. Statistical analysis of pooled data showed that the differences were highly significant (p < 0.009) in 4 out of 10 test conditions. The greatest differences in favour of 1.5T were observed for MRI scans of the velum. Conclusions: 1.5T used with trueFISP may be preferable over 3.0-T trueFISP for the evaluation of the velopharyngeal structures in the clinical routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a case of a 65-year-old patient who was found with a solitary localized fibrous tumor of the pleura (SLFTP). According to the authors, SLFTPs are rare and account for less than five percent of pleural tumors. The authors report that the case demonstrates typical clinical and morphological features of an SLFTP and highlights the discrepancy between the subtle clinical presentation of the tumor and its morphologic manifestations.

Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive dynamic fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during swallowing in healthy volunteers, and to determine esophageal function at the gastroesophageal junction during swallowing. Materials and Methods A total of 20 healthy volunteers underwent MRI while swallowing in the supine position. Dynamic gradient-echo (GRE) sequences (balanced fast field echo [B-FFE]) were employed in three planes on a 1.5T unit using a phased-array body coil. Buttermilk spiked with gadolinium (Gd) chelate (40:1) for bolus passage was used as an oral contrast agent. We evaluated visualization of esophageal bolus transit, bolus transit time (BTT), peristalsis, identification of the gastroesophageal junction, and reflux during the Valsalva maneuver. Results The mean visible length of the esophagus was 16.2 ± 5.3 cm in the sagittal view, and 13.8 ± 4.9 cm in the coronal view. In the sagittal view the BTT was defined in 15 of 20 volunteers and was 7.6 ± 1.4 seconds. The BTT in the coronal view was measured in seven of 20 volunteers and was 8 ± 1.3 seconds on average. The axial view yielded higher scores (2.25) than the coronal (1.98) and sagittal (1.78) views for identification of the cardia and during the Valsalva maneuver. Bolus contrast was better displayed in the sagittal (2.2) view than in the coronal (2.08) or axial (1.73) planes. In six volunteers, gastroesophageal abnormalities, such as axial hernia, reflux, and nonperistaltic contractions, were identified. For statistical analysis we used the Friedman test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Conclusion The results indicate that dynamic MR swallowing is a feasible and reproducible technique that warrants further studies in patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]