Shoichiro Otake

Gene Transfer of Calcitonin Gene–Related Peptide Prevents Vasoconstriction After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

We sought to determine whether adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in vivo of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator, ameliorates cerebral vasoconstriction after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Arterial blood was injected into the cisterna magna of rabbits to mimic SAH 5 days after injection of AdRSVCGRP (8x10(8) pfu), AdRSVbetagal (control virus), or vehicle. After injection of AdRSVCGRP, there was a 400-fold increase in CGRP in cerebrospinal fluid. Contraction of the basilar artery to serotonin in vitro was greater in rabbits after SAH than after injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (P<0.001). Contraction to serotonin was less in rabbits with SAH after AdRSVCGRP than after AdRSVbetagal or vehicle (P:<0.02). Basal diameter of the basilar artery before SAH (measured with digital subtraction angiogram) was 13% greater in rabbits treated with AdRSVCGRP than in rabbits treated with vehicle or AdRSVbetagal (P:<0.005). In rabbits treated with vehicle or AdRSVbetagal, arterial diameter after SAH was 25+/-3% smaller than before SAH (P<0.0005). In rabbits treated with AdRSVCGRP, arterial diameter was similar before and after SAH and was reduced by 19+/-3% (P<0.01) after intracisternal injection of CGRP-(8-37) (0.5 nmol/kg), a CGRP(1) receptor antagonist. To determine whether gene transfer of CGRP after SAH may prevent cerebral vasoconstriction, we constructed a virus with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, which results in rapid expression of the transgene product. Treatment of rabbits with AdCMVCGRP after experimental SAH prevented constriction of the basilar artery 2 days after SAH. Thus, gene transfer of CGRP prevents cerebral vasoconstriction in vivo after experimental SAH.

Calcific tendinitis of the gluteus maximus tendon with cortical bone erosion : CT findings

A case of calcific tendinitis of the gluteus maximus tendon with cortical erosion is presented. Roentgenography demonstrated calcification on the posterior surface of the proximal femur. Computed tomography showed flame-like appearance of calcific tendinitis and bone erosion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed minimal inflammatory reaction around the lesion.

Diagnosis of microvasculopathy in CNS vasculitis: value of perfusion and diffusion imaging.

Functional imaging may come to play an important role in the evaluation of CNS vasculitis by demonstrating pathology on the microcirculatory level. A positive finding of microvascular ischemia may assist in the diagnosis of CNS vasculitis. More importantly, the demonstration of normal microcirculation may reliably exclude CNS vasculitis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:310–313.

Current and future imaging of acute cerebral ischemia: assessment of tissue viability by perfusion imaging.

With the advances and availability of new imaging modalities, the role of imaging of acute stroke has been broadened from making diagnosis to providing valuable information for patient management. We need to have rapid diagnostic modalities that distinguish reversible ischemic tissue from irreversibly damaged tissue for successful thrombolytic therapy. Although diffusion imaging has been reported to have both high sensitivity and specificity for acute ischemia in clinical studies, previous reports do not conclude whether the diffusion abnormality is indicative of reversibly or irreversibly injured tissue. Perfusion imaging such as perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography may have the potential for providing useful information that determines tissue viability and/or reversibility. Cerebral blood flow thresholds evaluated by pretreatment single-photon emission computed tomography provide important information that is potentially useful in the management of acute stroke patients with intra-arterial thrombolysis. Perfusion imaging, when combined with diffusion imaging, may thus be potentially useful in improving patient selection for thrombolytic therapy.

Distinction of hepatic vein from portal vein by MR imaging

Fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques are assuming importance in imaging of the abdomen in part due to their ability to produce images during breath-holding, which ensures high spatial resolution and no respiratory motion artifacts. One problem with rapid scanning of the liver, shared with other MR techniques, is confusion between portal and hepatic veins due to similarity in signal intensity. The fast low angle shot (FLASH) technique (flip angle 40 degrees, repetition time 28 ms, and echo time 16 ms) produces high signal in both venous systems. To remedy the problem we incorporated presaturation pulses applied across the portal and mesenteric veins to the FLASH technique; this induced a decrease in signal in the portal venous system and facilitated their differentiation from hepatic veins. Moreover, in one patient an intraportal tumor thrombus not detected on the standard FLASH technique was rendered visible by presaturation. Although the presaturation pulses in the present series were confined to the sagittal plane, the technique should be applicable in any plane as dictated by the anatomy and direction of blood flow. We anticipate wide use of combined presaturation and rapid scanning techniques.

A guide to identification and selection of axial planes in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain

For brain magnetic resonance (MR) examination, three-dimensional imaging is commonly performed. Radiologists need to know the appropriate imaging angle for viewing. We present six imaging angles for the axial images. Each angle is determined by the reference line. The landmarks on the midsagittal MR image to determine the angle of the reference lines are as follows: the supraorbito-meatal line (the center of the mammillary body and the fastigium of the fourth ventricle), the orbito-meatal (OM) line (the center of the mammillary body and the most posterior point of the cerebellar tentorium), the Talairach anterior commissure (AC)-posterior commissure (PC) line (the superior edge of the AC and the inferior edge of the PC), the Schaltenbrand AC-PC line (the center of the AC and the center of the PC), the subcallosal line (the inferior border of the genu and the inferior border of the splenium of the corpus callosum), Reid’s baseline (the center of the pituitary gland and the most posterior point of the cerebellar tentorium) and the brainstem vertical line (the line perpendicular to the posterior border of the brainstem). The AC-PC line is most commonly used in MR examination. The OM line is most commonly used in computed tomography examination. The supraorbito-meatal line is recommended for avoiding irradiation to the orbit. In cases of multiple sclerosis, the subcallosal line is recommended in the guidelines. For lesions in the orbital cavity, paranasal cavity or skull base, Reid’s baseline is useful. For cases of brainstem lesions, the brainstem vertical line is useful.