Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions. Given that AD undermines the quality of life for millions and has an extended asymptomatic period, exploring the full AD pathogenesis and seeking the optimal therapeutic solution have become critical and imperative. This allows researchers to intervene, delay, and potentially prevent AD progression. Several clinical imaging methods are utilized routinely to diagnose and monitor AD, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Nevertheless, due to their intrinsic drawbacks and restrictions, such as radiation concerns, high cost, long acquisition time, and low spatial resolution, their applications in AD research are limited, especially at the cellular and molecular levels. In contrast, optical microscopic imaging methods overcome these limitations, offering researchers a variety of approaches with distinct advantages to explore AD pathology on diverse models. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of commonly utilized optical microscopic imaging techniques in AD research and introduce their contributions to image amyloid beta (Aβ) species. These techniques include fluorescence microscopy (FM), confocal microscopy (CM), two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM), super-resolution microscopy (SRM), expansion microscopy (ExM), and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM). In addition, we introduce some related topics, such as the development of near-infrared (NIR) Aβ probes, the Aβ plaque hypothesis, and Aβ oligomer hypothesis, and the roles of microglia and astrocytes in AD progression. We believe optical microscopic imaging methods continue to play an indispensable role in deciphering the full pathogenesis of AD and advancing therapeutic strategies.
Congenital aorta–right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare congenital cardiovascular malformation characterized by an abnormal tunnel-like connection between the aorta and the right atrium. Patients with ARAT frequently have other congenital heart malformations and require diagnosis through a variety of imaging examinations. We report a 1-month-old female infant with multiple congenital cardiac malformations who was diagnosed with ARAT using low-dose multislice spiral computed tomography because echocardiography was unclear.
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are very widespread in older adults and are imaging features of both cerebral small-vessel disease and white matter microstructural impairments. Recent studies have demonstrated a close association between WMH and some common diseases in older adults, including Alzheimer's disease and hypertension. Thus, studies of WMH are important for avoiding the occurrence of these diseases and improving the health status of older adults. This review summarizes the literature relating to WMH in terms of epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, imaging features, and therapy. It also analyzes the limitations of present studies and provides perspectives on future directions.
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance neurography (ceMRN) can enhance brachial plexus visualization and quality of imaging. However, the interval between contrast injection and scanning that provides the highest-quality images is not known.
Fifteen patients underwent brachial plexus imaging using the 3D T2-NerveView sequence with a scanning duration of 5 min. A consecutive six-phase scan was initiated immediately at the start of contrast agent injection. Subsequently, all patients' images were classified into six groups according to the phases: group A (phase 1, delay 0 min), group B (phase 2, delay 5 min), group C (phase 3, delay 10 min), group D (phase 4, delay 15 min), group E (phase 5, delay 20 min), and group F (phase 6, delay 25 min). The image quality in each group was assessed based on nerve signal (signalnerve), muscle signal (signalmuscle), lymph node signal (signallymph node), background noise (BN), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective score.
Signalnerve, signalmuscle, BN, and SNR did not significantly differ among the six groups (p > 0.05). However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in signallymph node (F = 16.067), CNR (F = 9.495), and subjective score (χ2 = 23.586). As the scanning delay increased, signallymph node intensity gradually increased whereas the CNR gradually decreased. The subjective score was significantly higher in groups B (4.83 ± 0.24), C (4.90 ± 0.21), D (4.87 ± 0.30), E (4.83 ± 0.31), and F (4.83 ± 0.31) than in group A (4.47 ± 0.30).
We recommend performing brachial plexus ceMRN 5 min after contrast injection. With this delay, the brachial plexus can be visualized optimally with minimal interference from background signals.
A 63-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a > 1-year history of repeated acid reflux and belching and a 1-month history of an abdominal mass. On admission, the patient was in good condition, and his vital signs were stable. Laboratory examinations revealed no significant abnormalities. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a soft tissue mass with uneven density, measuring approximately 13.3 cm × 9.0 cm and extending from the right abdomen into the pelvic cavity. Enhanced CT showed mild uneven enhancement of the mass during the arterial phase, with significant wall enhancement and visible septa. Significant enhancement of the solid components within the mass was observed during the venous and delayed phases with a CT value of approximately 50.3 HU, indicating “progressive enhancement.” Curved blood vessels were visible around the mass, and the surrounding structures were compressed and displaced (Figure 1). During the operation, a tumor measuring approximately 15 cm × 10 cm was observed in the lower right retroperitoneum. It was tightly adhered to the small intestine, ascending colon, and greater omentum, and showed invasive growth. No metastasis was found in the liver, gallbladder, or stomach during the surgical exploration. The pathological diagnosis was synovial sarcoma (SS) with extensive necrosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed epithelial–mesenchymal biphasic differentiation of the tumor cells.
SS is a rare malignant soft tissue tumor originating from primitive mesenchymal cells. It most commonly affects the limb joints, particularly those of the lower limbs. Cases of SS arising from the abdominal cavity, especially involving the ascending colon and small intestine, are rare and prone to preoperative misdiagnosis. This case exhibited unique imaging features, including significant arterial phase enhancement of the tumor wall, consistent with progressive enhancement. Magnetic resonance imaging further revealed characteristic signs, such as the “triple signal sign,” “liquid–liquid plane,” and “grape bowl sign,” which can help differentiate SS from other abdominal tumors.
Yubo Wang: writing–original draft (lead), resources (equal). Jiageng Li: writing–original draft (equal). Yang Fu: writing–original draft (equal). Bin Yang: resources (equal), writing–review and editing (lead).
The authors have nothing to report.
The patient provided written informed consent at the time of entering this study.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
A 42-year-old single woman presented to the Department of Gynecology with irregular vaginal bleeding with blood clots for the previous 2 months. She had no abdominal pain. Since the onset of symptoms, she had remained cheerful, and her general physical condition had not changed significantly. She reported no history of sexual activity, surgical procedures, or trauma. Tumor markers, including alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9, and CA15-3, were within normal limits, with the exception of a mildly elevated serum CA125 concentration of 37.34 U/mL. All other laboratory tests returned normal results. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass with both cystic and solid components in the left adnexal area. The mass was Grade 3 according to the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System. Its features are shown in Figure 1. There was no evidence of invasion of the surrounding organs or retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. The final pathological diagnosis was ovarian adenomyoma as evidenced by tubal metaplasia of the endometrium with some edema (Figure 2). The patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition after surgery.
Ovarian adenomyoma, a rare benign tumor of the female reproductive system, was first reported in 1981. The mechanism of the development of extrauterine adenomyomas is unclear. The main symptom of ovarian adenomyomas is abdominal pain, which may be related to endometriosis. The imaging features of ovarian myomas vary considerably, the differential diagnosis being granulosa cell tumor, fibrothecoma, and cystadenoma. The following features support a diagnosis of ovarian adenomyoma. First, the presence of endometriosis or a history of pelvic surgery, including cesarean section. Second, the solid component of the mass shows marked enhancement. Finally, the diffusion sequence of the mass is not limited.
Haitao Liu: writing–original draft (Lead). Weishun Lan: writing–review and editing.
Approval from our institutional ethics committee was not required because this was a retrospective observational study.
The patient provided written informed consent at the time of entering this study.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
A 16-year-old male teenager with no prior medical history suddenly experienced right upper limb weakness. The weakness persisted for 2 weeks, followed by a headache and unstable walking. On physical examination, the patient exhibited decreased verbal fluency, a shallow right nasolabial fold, and tongue movement to the right side. Reduced muscle strength with normal muscle tension was observed in the right limb. On laboratory examination, lymphocytes were decreased, and neutrophils were slightly increased. The patient underwent brain CT, MRI, and whole-body 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT. Intracranial biopsy was performed to confirm the pathology (Figure 1). The final pathological diagnosis was the Rosai–Dorfman disease, characterized by abnormal hyperplasia of the sinuses combined with an accumulation of histiocytes in the lymph nodes. Although extranodal involvement has been reported, primary infiltration of the central nervous system is extremely rare, particularly in the brain parenchyma.
Lin Chen: writing–original draft (equal). Rui Zhou: supervision (equal).
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed consent was obtained from the participant.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
A 53 year old male presented to his local doctor with an acute knee injury, limited knee movement and a haemoarthrosis. Patient did not have calf tenderness or clinical suspicion for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He was referred for a routine acute knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This MRI demonstrated a full thickness anterior cruciate ligament tear with additional findings, of a probable incidental DVT. The relevant MRI findings suggestive of DVT in this case included perivascular edema and expanded caliber of the involved medial gastronomical veins on the axial proton density fat suppressed sequence (Figure 1), increased intraluminal T1 signal within the involved segment of vein and susceptibility within the vein related to haemosiderin deposition/blood products on the gradient echo sequence. DVTs are rarely reported on MRI scans. Awareness of suspicious imaging findings for both radiologists and surgeons may aid in recognition of incidental DVTs and improve management.
Karoline Kant: writing–original draft (equal). Michael Facek: writing–review & editing (equal). Craig Buchan: conceptualization (equal), writing–review & editing (equal).
The authors have nothing to report.
The patient has provided consent for publication of this image.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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