Abstract
PURPOSE: To demonstrate that paramagnetic elements in fungal colonies can cause hypointensity in MR images. METHODS: Aspergillus fumigatus grown in vitro was imaged with CT and MR at the time of initial inoculation and 5 days later. CT and MR images, T2 values, scanning electron microscopy, energy- dispersive analysis, and furnace atomic absorption spectrometry were performed. RESULTS: After 5 days of growth, MR images of A fumigatus revealed curvilinear hypointensities on T2-weighted images corresponding to the fungal growth. Gradient-echo images revealed two distinct components of hypointensity with different calculated T2 values. Phase-angle-difference images revealed a phase shift characteristic of magnetic-susceptibility paramagnetic effects, which corresponded to the hypointense regions on gradient-echo images. Energy-dispersive analysis and furnace atomic absorption spectrometry confirmed the presence of paramagnetic elements. CONCLUSION: It was shown that in vitro A fumigatus concentrates metal elements contained within the nutrient broth. These focal collections of calculated T2 values are caused at least partly by magnetic susceptibility effects.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1139-1144 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | American Journal of Neuroradiology |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| State | Published - 1994 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Clinical Neurology