Diagnostic imaging and intervention of the musculoskeletal system: state of the art

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3T of pituitary gland: advantages and pitfalls

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the primary imaging tool for the evaluation of pituitary gland pathology. In the last decades, MRI with high-field scanners has become widely used in clinical practice, leading to significant improvements in image quality mainly thanks to a superior spatial resolution and signal intensity. Moreover, several advanced functional MRI sequences have been implemented for pituitary imaging, providing valuable information in diagnostic and presurgical planning of pituitary adenomas. Higher field strength presents however some technical pitfalls to be aware of. The purpose of this article is to review the state of the art of high-resolution MRI of the pituitary gland at 3 Tesla (3T), with a particular focus on the main benefits and the possible limitations of higher field imaging.

Correlation between ADC values and Gleason score in evaluation of prostate cancer: multicentre experience and review of the literature

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in male population. Multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) has assumed a primary role in the diagnosis of PCa, combining morphological and functional data. Among different sequences, functional diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a powerful clinical tool which provides information about tissue on a cellular level. However, there is a considerable overlap between either BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) and prostatic cancer condition, as a different DWI signal intensity could be shown in the normal architecture gland. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has shown an increasing accuracy in addition to the DWI analysis in detection and localization of PCa. Notably, ADC maps derived DWI sequences has shown an overall high correlation with Gleason score (GS), considering the importance of an accurate grading of focal lesion, as main predictor factor. Furthermore, beyond the comparative analysis with DWI, ADC values has proven to be an useful marker of tumor aggressiveness, providing quantitative information on tumor characteristics according with GS and Gleason pattern, even more strenuous data are needed in order to verify which ADC analysis is more accurate.

Neuroimaging in emergency: a review of possible role of pineal gland disease

The pineal gland can be involved in a variety of neoplastic and congenital masses and tumors. Pineal gland neoplasms occur more frequently in children, accounting for 3-8% of intracranial tumors in the pediatric population. Pineal cysts are small lesions usually asymptomatic and encountered incidentally. Pathologic processes involving the pineal region produce signs and symptoms related to the mass effect on the adjacent structures and invasion of surrounding structures. These include several acute symptoms, such as increased intracranial pressure syndrome from obstruction of the aqueduct and consequent hydrocephalus, and Parinaud syndrome. Pineal apoplexy is rare and refers to the sudden neurological deterioration following hemorrhage in the pineal gland, most commonly into a pineal cyst. Knowledge of the clinical presentation and imaging features of these lesions is essential to narrow the differential diagnosis, especially when presenting with acute onset.

New advances in MRI diagnosis of degenerative osteoarthropathy of the peripheral joints

Degenerative osteoarthropathy is one of the leading causes of the pain and disability from musculoskeletal disease in the adult population. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows optimal visualization of all tissues involved in degenerative osteoarthritis disease process, mainly the articular cartilage. In addition to qualitative and semiquantitative morphologic assessment, several MRI-based advanced techniques have been developed to allow characterization and quantification of the biochemical cartilage composition. These include quantitative analysis and several compositional techniques (T1 and T2 relaxometry measurements and mapping, sodium imaging, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage dGEMRIC, glycosaminoglycan-specific chemical exchange saturation transfer gagCEST, diffusion-weighted imaging DWI and diffusion tensor imaging DTI). These compositional MRI techniques may have the potential to serve as quantitative, reproducible, noninvasive and objective endpoints for OA assessment, particularly in diagnosis of early and pre-radiographic stages of the disease and in monitoring disease progression and treatment effects over time.