Over the last few years, cross-sectional imaging became clinically accepted for qualitative and quantitative analysis of left ventricular (LV) function. The results have an impact on diagnosis, therapy and follow-up, and some parameters even proved to be independent predictors of mortality. Besides well established cardiologic techniques, such as ventriculography and echocardiography, more recent radiologic techniques, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), became accepted for imaging of LV function. Assessment of LV function with cardiac MRI is based on cine sequences. Over the last years, parallel imaging techniques, fast imaging with steady state free precession and real time sequences were successfully introduced. Further improvements were achieved by stress examinations and MR-tagging. Cardiac MSCT with retrospective ECG-gating allows for reliable determination of LV volumes. Assessment of wall motion is feasible but limited to some degree. Nevertheless, cardiac MSCT is a powerful alternative for patients with contraindications to MRI. Aim of this article is to review theoretical and technical aspects, opportunities and limitations of MRI and MSCT for functional imaging of the heart.
The described small bowel MRI examination is appropriate for children and adolescents. With the use of True-FISP sequences, it is a convincing method with an outstanding sensitivity in the diagnosis of IBD. Not least because of the lack of radiation exposure, small bowel MRI ought to replace conventional enteroclysis as a gold standard for IBD diagnosis in children and adolescents.
The introduced MRI protocol allow visualization of the opening of the auditory tube and provides detailed anatomical information of the nasopharynx. Comprehensive morphological and functional evaluation of the auditory tube becomes possible within a single examination'.
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