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.
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.
Authors: G Luthra; A Parihar; K Nath; S Jaiswal; K N Prasad; N Husain; M Husain; S Singh; S Behari; R K Gupta Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 3.825