Purpose
More recently,
the number of cerebral infarction is increasing in the world,
especially in Japan.
The fraction ratio of lacunar infarction in cerebral infarction is 32% in Japan 1 which causes malfunction in daily life.
The perforating branches from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) are responsible for lacunar infarction upon occlusion.
However,
the diagnostic imaging for acute and chronic lacunar infarction has not been established yet due to its small diameter.
We developed a new imaging system using a cerium anode and assessed the usefulness...
Methods and Materials
The system
We successfully developed a radiographic X-ray system using a cerium anode.
In clinical settings,
iodine and barium are widely used as contrast materials,
and they have the peak mass attenuation coefficient called as K-edge at 33.2 KeV (kilo electron volt) and 32.1 KeV,
respectively.
The effect of contrast materials is created by the difference of the mass attenuation coefficient between tissues of human body and the materials.
Therefore,
the X-ray energy close to the mass attenuation coefficient of the contrast materials used is...
Results
Our system visualized the circle of Willis and the cortical branches in the mice.
The diameter of the cortical branches was about 50 μm,
which is the minimum limit that the system can visualize (see figure 2,
3).
The circle of Willis is also visualized in dogs.
Additionally,
the perforating branches from MCA which cause lacunar infarction and are difficult to be evaluated by conventional X-ray systems were successfully visualized.
The diameter of the perforating branches was about 50 μm (see figure 4,
5).
Finally,...
Conclusion
The X-ray radiographic system using a rotating cerium-anode is useful to evaluate the intracranial small vessels.
It visualized the perforating branches from MCA even inside the living body.
This system would become one of the best devices to demonstrate and evaluate branches quickly in clinical settings; it would enable evaluating intracranial small vessels,
decreasing invasive examinations,
and elucidating unknown pathophysiology of vascular diseases.
References
1) Japan Standard Stroke Registry Study 2009
2) Tanaka C,
Ikeya Y,
Shizuma T,
et al : Microangiography by X-ray system using cerium anode.
Shinzo 2012 ; 44 : 1372-1377
Personal Information
Chiharu Tanaka M.D.
The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery
The Department of Physiology
The School of Medicine,
Tokai University
143 Shimokasuya,
Isehara-city,
Kanagawa,
Japan
[email protected]
Ikeya Yoshimori M.D.
The Department of Physiology
The School of Medicine,
Tokai University
Toru Shizuma M.D.
The Department of Physiology
The School of Medicine,
Tokai University
Naoto Fukuyama M.D.
The Department of Physiology
The School of Medicine,
Tokai University
Toshihiko Ueda M.D.
The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery
The School of Medicine,
Tokai University
Hidezo Mori M.D.
The Department of Physiology
The...