bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the post-operative lumbar spine with MR imaging
Authors: Grane P. , Lindqvist M. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Two new signs of lumbar nerve-root affection have been reported in recent years on the basis of MR examinations, namely: thickening in nerve roots; and contrast enhancement in nerve roots. the aim of this study was to assess contrast enhancement in nerve roots in a standardised way, and to evaluate the clinical significance of contrast enhancement and of nerve-root thickening in the symptomatic post-operative lumbar spine Material and Methods: A total of 121 patients (who had previously been operated on for lumbar disc herniation) underwent 152 MR examinations, mainly on a 1.5 T system. Focal nerve-root enhancement was identified by visual assessment. Intradural enhancement was also quantified by pixel measurements that compared the affected nerve roots before and after contrast administration. Non-affected nerve roots were used as reference Results: Enhanced nerve roots in the dural sac increased at least 40–50% in signal intensity after contrast administration compared to pre-contrast images and also compared to non-affected nerve roots. Intradural nerve-root enhancement was seen in 10% of the patients and focal enhancement in the root sleeve was seen in a further 26%. Nerve-root thickening was seen in 30%. Good correlation with clinical symptoms was found in 59% of the patients with intradural enhancement, in 84% with focal enhancement, and in 86% with nerve-root thickening. the combination of thickening and enhancement in the nerve root correlated with symptoms in 86% of the patients Conclusion: Nerve-root enhancement (whether focal or intradural) and thickening in the nerve root are significant MR findings in the post-operative lumbar spine. in combination with disc herniation or nerve-root displacement, these two signs may strengthen the indication for repeat surgery. However, root enhancement within 6 months of previous surgery may be a normal post-operative finding
Urine viscosity after injections of iotrolan or iomeprol
Authors: Ueda J. , Furukawa T. , Higashino K. , Takahashi S. , Araki Y. , Kubo K. , Nakashima T. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Previous observations in rats caused us to speculate whether the injection of iotrolan, a nonionic dimeric contrast medium (CM), would increase urine viscosity enough to obstruct urine outflow in the collecting duct Material and Methods: the urine viscosity in dogs was measured directly with a viscosimeter after injections of iotrolan or of iomeprol, a nonionic monomeric CM Results and Conclusion: the injection of iotrolan increased urine viscosity considerably whereas iomeprol had little effect on this variable. the osmolality-dependent adverse reactions of CM have previously been emphasized but viscosity-dependent adverse reactions must also be considered when the CM is a polymer with a low osmolality
MnDPDP for MR imaging of the liver
Authors: Torres C. G. , Lundby B. , Sterud A. Tufte , McGill S. , Gordon P. B. , Bjerknes H. Strand 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of MnDPDP (Teslascan) in enhanced MR imaging. Material and Methods: In 2 multiple independent trials in Europe 624 patients were given MnDPDP intravenously at 5 μmol/kg b.w. Patients underwent an unenhanced MR examination comprising T1-weighted spin-echo and breath-hold gradient-echo sequences and a T2-weighted spin-echo sequence. The T1 sequences were repeated after the administration of MnDPDP. In a subgroup of 137 patients the results of the enhanced MR images were compared with the results of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images. Results: For both types of T1-weighted sequences and when evaluating the maximum numbers of lesions seen in all imaging sequences, the total numbers of lesions seen were significantly higher in the MnDPDP-enhanced images than in the unenhanced images (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0001, respectively). The investigators considered the enhanced images to contain “other additional information not found in the unenhanced images” in 279 (45%) of the 621 patients examined. The MnDPDP-enhanced images were also superior to the CECT images in the detection of lesions (p = 0.02). Adverse events were reported by 46 patients (7%) and infusion-associated discomfort by 26 (4%). Heart rates and systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed no clinically significant changes from baseline as a result of the administration of the contrast medium. Conclusion: MnDPDP was shown to be effective and safe in enhanced MR imaging of the liver.
MnDPDP for MR imaging of the liver
Authors: Rummeny E. J. , Torres C. G. , Kurdziel J. C. , Nilsen G. , Op de Beeck B. , Lundby B. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP, Teslascan) as a new contrast agent for MR imaging of the liver based on an independent evaluation of the MR images from the European phase III studies. Material and Methods: MR imaging of the liver was done at 0.5–2.0 T in 17 European centres and included T1-weighted spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences before and after administration of MnDPDP to patients at a dose of 5 μmol/kg b.w. T2-weighted images were also obtained in all cases before the i.v. injection of the agent. Images of a total of 592 patients were evaluated by 4 independent experienced radiologists who were not involved in the on-site clinical trials. Results: Statistically significantly more lesions were detected (p = 0.0014) in MnDP-DP-enhanced T1-weighted MR images than in unenhanced images. T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences were found to be superior to T1-weighted spin-echo sequences after injection of MnDPDP. The post-contrast images were found to be statistically significantly superior to the pre-contrast images in confidence in the presence of a lesion ( p≤ 0.0001), quality of lesion delineation ( p≤ 0.0001), lesion conspicuity ( p ≤ 0.0001) and in the confidence in the diagnosis of a lesion (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This independent evaluation of the European phase III trials confirmed the superiority of MnDPDP-enhanced MR images over unenhanced images for lesion detection and characterization.
MnDPDP-enhanced MR imaging of the liver
Authors: Kane P. A. , Ayton V. , Walters H. L. , Benjamin I. , Heaton N. D. , Williams R. , Karani J. B. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To compare lesion detection and characterisation predicted by MnDPDP-enhanced MR imaging with surgical excision and pathological examination. Material and Methods: Ninety patients were intravenously infused at a rate of 2 to 3 ml/min with 5 μmol/kg mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP, Teslascan). The patients were examined with spin-echo and gradient-echo T1-weighted MR imaging at 1 h and 24 h after the end of infusion. The results were compared with identical pre-contrast sequences. In 20 of these patients, the pre-operative MR findings were compared with intra-operative ultrasonography and histology of the resected liver specimens. Results: In those with liver metastases, there was a good correlation between MR and the hepatic disease in 11 out of 14 cases. In the group with primary liver tumours, MR findings correlated with hepatic disease in 5 out of 6 cases. Conclusion: Liver lesion characterisation is possible with MnDPDP, and MR contrast enhancement with this agent is considered to be an important adjunct to the radiological assessment of patients with neoplastic liver disease where accurate decisions for surgical planning are imperative.
Tissue distribution and general safety of MnDPDP in male beagle dogs, with or without total common bile duct obstruction
Authors: Grant D. , Toft K. G. , Martinsen I. , Atzpodien E. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Evaluation of the tissue distribution of manganese (Mn) and general safety in normal and cholestatic male beagle dogs after i.v. administration of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP, Teslascan). Material and Methods: Male beagle dogs, with or without surgical obstruction of the common bile duct, received a single i.v. bolus injection of saline (control), or MnDPDP at doses of 10 or 50 μmol/kg b.w. and were sacrificed 1 or 7 days after treatment. Tox-icity was assessed and tissue concentrations of Mn were measured. Results: Increased tissue Mn concentrations were found in all dogs treated with MnDPDP and were greatest in those with biliary obstruction. Although Mn concentrations decreased with time in most tissues in each of the treated groups, this was not the case for the brain and adrenal glands in dogs with total biliary obstruction in which further increases in Mn concentrations were seen at the later time point. This suggested a re-distribution of Mn from the major body depots such as the liver. There were no effects of MnDPDP on clinical sign/behaviour, organ weights, histomorphology or clinical biochemistry. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a single clinical dose of 5 μmol/kg MnDPDP is likely to be well tolerated in patients with cholestasis.
Interobserver Variation in the Interpretation of Breast Imaging
Authors: Skaane P. , Engedal K. , Skjennald A. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To analyze interobserver agreement in the interpretation of palpable noncalcified breast masses by means of mammography, ultrasonography, and a combination of both methods. Material and Methods: Mammograms and ultrasonograms of 100 benign breast masses and 100 malignant ones in 200 patients were retrospectively analyzed by 4 radiologists with experience in both imaging modalities. The images were analyzed independently and without knowledge of the final diagnosis. The analysis was performed in 3 sessions and used a 5-point rating scale for probability of malignancy. The interobserver variation was analyzed by means of observed agreement, kappa, and weighted kappa statistics based on the 5-point rating scale and a 3-level scale of the collapsed 5-point scale. The chi-square statistic was used for testing the equality of the kappa values. Results: The overall kappa value on the 3-level scale was 0.48 (range 0.37-0.61) for ultrasonography, 0.58 (range 0.52-0.66) for mammography, and 0.71 (range 0.63-0.79) for the combined reading. The kappa values were statistically different for ultrasonography but did not differ significantly for the mammographic and combined readings. The combined reading showed higher kappa values than mammography alone, and the improvement was statistically significant for 3 of the 6 pairs of comparison. Conclusion: Radiologists differ substantially in their interpretations of mammograms and breast ultrasonograms. Agreement was highest in the combined reading, intermediate in mammography, and lowest in ultrasonography.
Validation of a New System in Quantitative Coronary Arteriography
Authors: Svane B. , Rasmundson K. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To validate ANCOR, a new system in quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA). Material and Methods: The validation procedure was performed by comparing the calibration factors of catheters filled with saline solution or contrast medium, and by measuring precision-drilled lumens in a test phantom filled with contrast medium. The results were compared with a well established and validated system, CMS. Results: The calibration test showed that the çalibration factors in the saline and contrast-medium catheters differed only a few percent when catheters with diameters of 2.0-2.67 mm were used. The phantom test showed that both systems overestimated smaller and larger diameters than these. The best results for both systems were achieved in the middle-diameter range. Conclusion: The ANCOR and CMS systems gave comparable results in catheter calibrations and phantom tests.
CT Arterial Portography and CT Arteriography with a Triple-Lumen Balloon Catheter
Authors: Murakami T. , Oi H. , Hori M. , Kim T. , Takahashi S. , Matsushita M. , Narumi Y. , Nakamura H. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of the triple-lumen balloon catheter in the serial performance of CT arterial portography (CT-AP) and CT arteriography (CT-A). Material and Methods: A combined CT-AP and CT-A examination of 58 patients was carried out in which a cobra-type triple-lumen balloon catheter was used. CT-AP was performed by injecting contrast medium either into the splenic artery through a side-hole in the catheter proximal to the balloon inflated in the common hepatic artery, or into the superior mesenteric artery through an end-hole in the catheter. Then CT-A was serially performed by delivering contrast medium either to the common hepatic artery or the proper hepatic artery from the end-hole, or to the accessory right hepatic artery through a side-hole proximal to the inflated balloon. Results: Sufficient CT-APs were obtained in 53 of the 58 patients (91%),.CT-A in 42 (72%), and both in 42 (72%). Incomplete CT-AP was due to technical failure or anatomical anomaly, as was incomplete CT-A. No complications were seen. Conclusion: The triple-lumen balloon catheter technique is useful and convenient in the serial performance of CT-AP and CT-A.
MR imaging of multiple myeloma patients with bone-marrow transplants
Authors: Ågren B. , Rudberg U. , Isberg B. , Svensson L. , Aspelin P. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate the role of MR imaging in the examination of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with bone-marrow transplants Material and Methods: A total of 40 MR examinations were made of 20 patients: 33 examinations of the spine and pelvis in 20/20 patients; and 7 examinations of the femora in 5/20 patients. the 40 examinations were evaluated and the results compared with those found at radiography. Altogether 13/20 patients were re-examined: 10 after 1 year (1 patient twice); and 3 after 2 years. Five sequences were tested, 3 of them first without and then with i.v. contrast enhancement Results: in 24/33 examinations, active MM lesions were shown by MR. in 16/33 examinations, MR showed greater spread and detectability than radiography. in the 5/20 femoral patients, 3 had a peripheral red bone-marrow extension in the femora. in the 13 re-examinations, the lesions had spread in 4 patients, were unchanged in 7, and had decreased in 2. the lesions were easier to detect with the turbo inversion recovery (TIR) technique and with fat saturation than with the conventional spin-echo sequences. Contrast enhancement made the lesions more conspicuous in 8/17 examinations Conclusion: MR has the potential to be a useful routine examination with T1-weighted and TIR sequences of selected areas, and without the use of contrast enhancement. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary in order to evaluate its possible predictive value
Pituitary dimensions and volume measurements in pregnancy and post partum
Authors: Dinç H. , Esen F. , Demirci A. , Sari A. , Gümele H. Resit 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Our purpose was to clarify and further characterize the changes in height, length, width, volume, and shape in the normal pituitary gland and in width in the infundibulum during pregnancy and the first 6 months post partum. Material and Methods: Cranial MR imaging was performed in 78 women who were pregnant in the second or third trimester or who were post partum, and in 18 age-matched control subjects who were not pregnant. Volume measurements were performed in 2 ways; volume 1=1/2xheightxlengthxwidth; and volume 2=area (measured by trackball)xslice thickness Results: Gland volume, height, width, length, and convexity, and infundibular width increased during pregnancy. the highest values were seen during the 3 days immediately post partum. When compared with volunteers, volumes 1 and 2 showed the largest increase (120%) among the parameters. Gland height showed the best correlation (r=0.94, p>0.00001) with gestational age. the mean height of the gland was 8.76 mm in the third trimester. None of the pregnant women had a gland height of above 10 mm during pregnancy. Only 2 subjects had gland heights of 10.04 and 10.2 mm during the 0–3 days post partum. After this first post-partum period of 3 days, the gland size, shape, and volume and the infundibular width returned to normal within 6 months Conclusion: the pituitary gland enlarges in three dimensions throughout pregnancy. During pregnancy, the volume of the gland shows the highest percentage of increase compared to its length, height, and width. the maximum height of the gland does not exceed 10 mm during pregnancy but it may exceed 10 mm during the 3 days immediately post partum.
Frequency of late allergy-like adverse reactions following injection of intravascular non-ionic contrast media
Authors: Rydberg J. , Charles J. , Aspelin P. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: A retrospective study was undertaken of the late adverse reactions following the injection of contrast media. The purpose was to determine whether there was a difference between non-ionic monomeric (iohexol) and non-ionic dimeric (iodixanol) contrast media in the reactions produced Material and Methods: A total of 3408 patients were sent a written questionnaire in which they were asked to confirm or deny any subjective discomfort or adverse event during a period of one hour to one week after a previous radiological examination with contrast medium. Patients who had undergone angiography (i.v. or i.a. injection) and CT (i.v. injection) were included. Objective signs of an allergy-like reaction were listed and the patients were asked to subjectively quantify any consequent discomfort Results: The compliance rate was 84%. of the 3075 injections finally included in the study, 133 (4.3%) had resulted in contrast-medium-related adverse reactions of which 72 (2.3%) were immediate and 61 (2%) were late. Iohexol induced late reactions in 14/851 (1.7%) cases, and iodixanol in 24/1218 (2.0%) cases following i.v. injection and in 23/1006 (2.3%) cases following i.a. injection. The differences were not significant. There were no differences between the two contrast media in the subjective rating of discomfort except that the patients who had received iodixanol also had the highest individual-intensity score. No patient had been hospitalized owing to an adverse reaction and all reactions had been regarded as mild or moderate Conclusion: The number of late adverse reactions was low. There was no difference in the frequency of the late adverse reactions following i.v. injection between iodixanol and iohexol. There was also no difference in the reactions between the i.a. and i.v. injections of iodixanol
Sedation versus general anaesthesia in paediatric patients undergoing chest ct
Authors: Lam W. W. M. , Chen P. P. , So N. M. C. , Metreweli C. 
Published: January 2010

Objective: CT of the chest in paediatric patients often requires sedation or general anaesthesia to minimize motion artefacts. Both sedation and general anaesthesia are associated with atelectasis which obscures the underlying pulmonary pathology. We conducted a prospective study to compare these two methods with respect to degree of motion artefacts and extent of atelectasis Material and Methods: Nineteen patients undergoing 22 chest CT examinations were randomly selected for either sedation or general anaesthesia. The total area of atelectasis and the degree of motion artefacts were measured Results: The mean percentage of atelectasis was 6.67% for general anaesthesia and 0.01% for sedation ( p=0.01). There was no significant difference in the quality of the images between the sedation patients and the general anaesthesia patients Conclusion: Whenever the clinical condition permits it, sedation rather than general anaesthesia should be given to paediatric patients undergoing chest CT
Relationship of 31P MR Spectroscopy to the Histopathological Grading of Chronic Hepatitis and Response to Therapy
Authors: Kiyono K. , Shibata A. , Sone S. , Watanabe T. , Oguchi M. , Shikama N. , Ichijo T. , Kiyosawa K. , Sodeyama T. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: In vivo phosphorus (31P MR spectroscopy (31P MRS) was performed in the human liver in order to investigate the relation between: the ratios of phosphorus metabolites in the liver; the histopathological grading of chronic hepatitis; and the response to therapy Material and Methods: Hepatic 31P MRS using the DRESS method (depthresolved surface-coil spectroscopy) was carried out in 45 patients with chronic viral hepatitis or autoimmune hepatitis, and in 16 control subjects. We measured the ratios of the peak areas of phosphomonoesters (PME), inorganic phosphate (Pi), or phosphodiesters (PDE) to the peak area of β-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) Results: The PDE/ATP ratio of patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis was lower than that of control subjects (liver cirrhosis=0.74; chronic active hepatitis=1.13–1.21; normal=1.43); only a small difference was found in the PME/ATP and Pi/ATP ratios. There was no correlation between the spectra and histopathological grading or response to therapy, but the response to therapy was poor when a reduced PDE/ATP ratio was present Conclusion: The PDE/ATP ratio measured by 31P MRS makes it possible to identify the transition of chronic active hepatitis into liver cirrhosis with a poor response to therapy
Film processing and the environment
Authors: Lindequist S. , Madsen J. E. , Christensen I. , Nielsen B. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: X-ray film processing is associated with pollution from photo chemicals and from the water used to rinse the film. We tested a new processing system that was aimed at reducing both environmental pollution and costs through the use of solid photo chemicals and recirculation of the rinsing water Material and Methods: Before and after the installation of new mixers for the solid chemicals and a system for recirculating the rinsing water, we measured: water consumption, processor function quality, image quality, archivability, and the waste-silver content in the rinsing water Results: After the installation of a simple system for recirculating the rinsing water, there was an 88% reduction in water and film consumption as shown in the amount of water/m2film that was used. At the same time, the release of silver-contaminated rinsing water directly into the sewers was stopped. Image quality remained unchanged. Archivability was assessed at more than 100 years. The solid photo chemicals and specially designed mixers proved efficient and provided a stable image quality of high standard. It was thus possible to reduce the risk of pollution from the transportation, storage and handling of liquid chemicals Conclusion: A simple recirculation system for the rinsing water would significantly reduce water consumption and eliminate contamination of the environment by silver. The on-site preparation of photo chemicals proved viable and reduced the costs of film processing
Iodixanol is readily eliminated by hemodialysis
Authors: Berg K. J. , Rolfsen B. , Stake G. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose, Material and Methods, and Results: The dialyzability of the high-molecular X-ray contrast medium iodixanol was examined in an in vitro hemo-dialysis model using two different hollow fiber membranes: one high-flux (polysulfone) membrane and one intermediate-flux (cellulose triacetate) membrane. Blood flow was 200 ml/min and membrane area 1.3 m2. The dialyzer clearance of iodixanol dissolved in a mixture of leukocyte-filtered SAG-M blood and compatible citrate plasma was 134.2±3.6 ml/min for the polysulfone membrane and 113.0±3.6 ml/min for the cellulose triacetate membrane. Conclusion: Iodixanol is readily dialyzed through commercial high-flux membranes.