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Purpose: To determine the value of MRI in typical and atypical aortic dissections., Methods: MRI investigations on 16 patients with aortic dissections were analysed retrospectively; for 8 patients CT investigations carried out at almost the same time were available for comparison., Results: In all cases the diagnosis of aortic dissection was possible from MRI and CT. If a dissection membrane and a double lumen were present these were detected in all patients by both methods. In three patients with atypical dissections, only an asymmetrical abnormal wall thickening as sole sign for the presence of an aortic dissection was seen. A differentiation between true and false lumen was possible in 16 of 17 MRI investigations and in 5 of 8 CT investigations on the basis of differing blood flow velocities or, respectively, the detection of a thrombus in the false lumen. The relationship of the dissection membrane to the large aortic branches as well as the determination of the branch vessel origin with regard to true or false lumen could be evaluated better with MRI than with CT., Conclusions: Thus MRI has a significant role in the diagnosis and follow-up of aortic dissections. The advantage in comparison to the alternative spiral CT technique is, in addition to the absence of radiation exposure, the better analysis of the extent of the dissection as a result of the multi-planar slice orientation (especially in the region of the aortic arch and the arch vessel origins) without the necessity to administer iodine-containing contrast media.

A tumor originating in a lobus v. azygos is very seldom. We report here on a patient with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lobus v. azygos which exhibits a very aggressive growth. Depending on the tumor localization, the metastasis is typical and can be recognized by computertomography (CT). In spite of the large number of treatment strategies, the prognosis is poor.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumors (MPNT), the imaging data of nine patients with immunehistochemically proven MPNT were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 24 years (ranging from 5 to 63 years). MRI and CT of all patients showed large tumors with direct infiltration of the surrounding structures. Intratumoral calcifications were not identified. All tumors showed equal to less high signal intensity in T1- and high signal intensity in T2-weighted images. Because of its high soft-tissue contrast, MRI is the most capable imaging modality in the diagnosis and therapy-monitoring in these tumors.

Aim: Optimization of pelvic MRI by a new concept of water-equivalent bowel contrast agent., Methods: We performed contrast enhancement of the bowel by oral application of 1000 ml of an aqueous mannitol solution one hour before pelvic MRI. In addition we performed an enema by 250 ml of water in one patient., Results: Oral and rectal contrast enhancement of the bowel was tolerated without complications by our patients. Pelvic MRI was improved by a better delineation of the bowel., Conclusion: The concept of water-equivalent bowel enhancement is promising. It must be assessed by further studies; in particular, it must be compared with the available concepts of positive and negative bowel contrast enhancement.

The results of CT examinations in 36 patients suffering from histologically confirmed malignant primary tumours of the soft tissues are presented (6 rhabdomyosarcomas, 4 leiomyosarcomas, 6 liposarcomas, 4 malignant schwannomas, 5 malignant fibrous histiocytomas, 4 malignant haemangiopericytomas, 3 angiosarcomas, 1 fibrosarcoma, 1 renal sarcoma, 2 malignant mesenchymal tumours without histologically clear classification). The CT image alone will not yield information on the type of tumour or on the tumour status. However, CT continues to rank in the diagnosis of tumours of the soft tissues and is even superior to MR especially in the identification of gas accumulations due to infection in a tumour of the soft tissues that is otherwise unclear. Comparing the literature conclude that MR is now the imaging method of choice in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumours.

The available surgical and non-surgical therapy options for treatment of gallstone disease are presented. Conventional cholecystectomy is regarded as standard therapy of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Other modes of therapy may be indicated under certain circumstances, depending on the results of imaging procedures. In this context conventional X-ray examination, oral and intravenous cholecystography, sonography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography/cholecystography, and magnetic resonance imaging are discussed and their influence on therapeutic decisions is explained.