Search

For application in magnetic resonance (MR) guided stereotactic neurosurgery, two methods for transformation of MR-image coordinates in stereotactic, frame-based coordinates exist: the direct stereotactic fiducial-based transformation method and the indirect anatomical landmark method. In contrast to direct stereotactic MR transformation, indirect transformation is based on anatomical landmark coregistration of stereotactic computerized tomography and non-stereotactic MR images. In a patient study, both transformation methods have been investigated with visual inspection and mutual information analysis. Comparison was done for our standard imaging protocol, including t2-weighted spin-echo as well as contrast enhanced t1-weighted gradient-echo imaging. For t2-weighted spin-echo imaging, both methods showed almost similar and satisfying performance with a small, but significant advantage for fiducial-based transformation. In contrast, for t1-weighted gradient-echo imaging with more geometric distortions due to field inhomogenities and gradient nonlinearity than t2-weighted spin-echo imaging, mainly caused by a reduced bandwidth per pixel, anatomical landmark transformation delivered markedly better results. Here, fiducial-based transformation yielded results which are intolerable for stereotactic neurosurgery. Mean Euclidian distances between both transformation methods were 0.96 mm for t2-weighted spin-echo and 1.67 mm for t1-weighted gradient-echo imaging. Maximum deviations were 1.72 mm and 3.06 mm, respectively.

Abstract.: This review presents the options and limitations of MRI in non-vascular diseases of the mediastinum and the chest wall. In numerous thoracic pathologies, MRI is a useful supplement to spiral CT. This imaging procedure also allows a contrast-media-free differentiation of solid tumors and vascular lesions (e. g., aortic aneurysms). The advantages of MRI over CT are particularly useful when multiplanar tumor imaging is required prior to surgery to establish the exact spatial relationship between tumor and the other mediastinal structures. Primary indications for MRI in diseases of the mediastinum and chest wall are therefore: (a) tumors of the posterior mediastinum for determining their position in relation to the neural foramina and the spinal canal; (b) chest wall tumors; (c) preoperative multiplanar imaging of primary mediastinal tumors; and (d) contraindications against CT exams with iodine contrast media.

The elemental metals Zn, Cd, Ga, In and TI are studied by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction under pressures up to 30 GPa and above. Room temperature equation of state (EOS) data are derived and compared with results of earlier static and dynamic measurements at lower and higher pressures, respectively.

The influence on the structure of the compound La1.4Nd0.6CuO4has been studied at room temperature up to 42 GPa in a diamond anvil cell by EDXRD technique. A reversible transition from a low pressure Nd2CuO4type structure form (T′) into a denser structure of K2NiF4type (T or T/O) one has been observed. It involves a change in the coordination number of both cations and occurs with a large hysteresis. The linear compressibilities, the volume compressibility and the isothermal bulk modulus of the high pressure form of the structure have been evaluated and compared to previous data on related compounds.

Multilayers of Ce and Fe show a low Curie temperature and saturation magnetization below a critical thickness of the individual Fe layers where amorphous growth occurs. We have studied on a series of such multilayers with different modulation lengths prepared by ion-beam sputtering the impact of hydrogen absorption on their magnetic properties. Hydrogenation was performed during film growth either reactively by introducing hydrogen gas into the UHV chamber or by irradiation with a beam of low-energy hydrogen ions. Hydrogen is absorbed only in the Ce layers, with a concentration near CeH2. For suitable modulation lengths, the Curie temperature and saturation magnetization are considerably enhanced with respect to the non-hydrided multilayers. This is correlated with the changes in structure and the quality of the interfaces induced by hydrogenation: the irradiation process itself reduces the critical thickness for amorphous growth of Fe, and the chemical interaction of hydrogen causes a considerable sharpening of the interfaces.

We have performed a Magnetic Circular X-ray Dichroism (XMCD) study at the Ce-M 4,5 absorption edges on some Ce-Fe systems. We find that the dichroism signal in these systems is very sensitive to the degree of hybridization of the 4 f electrons with the valence band. XMCD is able to demonstrate that the ground state of Ce in the more strongly hybridized systems results in a mixing of atomic J = 5 2 and J = 7 2 states.

The structure of the ammonium halides NH4X (X = Cl, Br, I) has been studied under pressure up to 40 GPa by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Equations of state and a discussion on the possible structure of phase V will be presented.