BackgroundThe abnormal signal intensity in cardiac T2-weighted images is associated with various pathologies including myocardial edema. However, the assessment of pathologies based on signal intensity is affected by the acquisition parameters and the sensitivities of the receiver coils. T2 mapping has been proposed to overcome limitations of T2-weighted imaging, but most methods are limited in spatial and/or temporal resolution. Here we present and evaluate a double inversion recovery radial fast spin-echo (DIR-RADFSE) technique that yields data with high spatiotemporal resolution for cardiac T2 mapping.MethodsDIR-RADFSE data were collected at 1.5 T on phantoms and subjects with echo train length (ETL) = 16, receiver bandwidth (BW) = ±32 kHz, TR = 1RR, matrix size = 256 × 256. Since only 16 views per echo time (TE) are collected, two algorithms designed to reconstruct highly undersampled radial data were used to generate images for 16 time points: the Echo-Sharing (ES) and the CUrve Reconstruction via pca-based Linearization with Indirect Echo compensation (CURLIE) algorithm. T2 maps were generated via least-squares fitting or the Slice-resolved Extended Phase Graph (SEPG) model fitting. The CURLIE-SEPG algorithm accounts for the effect of indirect echoes. The algorithms were compared based on reproducibility, using Bland-Altman analysis on data from 7 healthy volunteers, and T2 accuracy (against a single-echo spin-echo technique) using phantoms.ResultsBoth reconstruction algorithms generated in vivo images with high spatiotemporal resolution and showed good reproducibility. Mean T2 difference between repeated measures and the coefficient of repeatability were 0.58 ms and 2.97 for ES and 0.09 ms and 4.85 for CURLIE-SEPG. In vivo T2 estimates from ES were higher than those from CURLIE-SEPG. In phantoms, CURLIE-SEPG yielded more accurate T2s compared to reference values (error was 7.5-13.9% for ES and 0.6-2.1% for CURLIE-SEPG), consistent with the fact that CURLIE-SEPG compensates for the effects of indirect echoes. The potential of T2 mapping with CURLIE-SEPG is demonstrated in two subjects with known heart disease. Elevated T2 values were observed in areas of suspected pathology.ConclusionsDIR-RADFSE yielded TE images with high spatiotemporal resolution. Two algorithms for generating T2 maps from highly undersampled data were evaluated in terms of accuracy and reproducibility. Results showed that CURLIE-SEPG yields T2 estimates that are reproducible and more accurate than ES.

Empiric antibiotic usage is very common in clinical practice and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is one such antibiotic used extensively in primary care practice. Some patients experience serious adverse effects to the antibiotics that markedly increase the morbidity and the cost of medical care. We describe one such patient, a previously healthy 40-year-old Hispanic female who developed myositis and rhabdomyolysis secondary to TMP-SMX. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of TMP-SMX-induced rhabdomyolysis in an immunocompetent host.

58-year-old Hispanic female presented with an altered mental status. A CT scan of the head demonstrated multiple scattered infarcts and a large right temporal lobe infarct. We also diagnosed the patient with right popliteal and femoral vein thrombosis, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and a transient right radial artery occlusion. Her 12-lead EKG showed lateral ST elevation. Emergent coronary angiogram revealed normal coronaries. Echocardiogram demonstrated a large mobile mass attached to the anterolateral free wall with overall normal contractility of the left ventricle. The patient underwent surgical embolectomy to prevent further systemic embolization. Coagulability workup returned positive for protein C and S deficiency. The patient did well after surgery. Following her surgery, we initiated chronic oral anticoagulation. The presentation with intracardiac thrombus in a normal heart should raise a concern of a probable thrombophilia.

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