bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical 1h magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain metastases at 1.5T and 3T
Authors: Sjøbakk T. E. , Lundgren S. , Kristoffersen A. , Singstad T. , Svarliaunet A. J. , Sonnewald U. , Gribbestad I. S. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To investigate whether improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are found in spectra from patients with brain metastases obtained at higher magnetic field strengths using standard clinical instrumentation. Material and Methods: Six patients with brain metastases, 13 healthy volunteers, and a phantom containing brain metabolites were examined using two clinical MR instruments operating at 1.5T (Siemens) and 3T (Philips) with standard clinical head coils. Spectra were obtained using a point resolved spectroscopy pulse sequence, echo times (TE) 32 ms and 144 ms, and repetition time 2000 ms from a volume-of-interest (VOI) of size 15×15×15 mm3. SNR and spectral resolution of the metabolites N-acetylaspartate, choline, and creatine compounds in spectra from 3T were compared to the 1.5T spectra. Results: In general, spectral resolution was improved by 25–30% at higher magnetic field strength. Only minor improvements in SNR were obtained at 3T using short echo time and 20–50% at long echo time. Conclusion: SNR and spectral resolution were improved at higher magnetic field strength, especially with TE 144 ms, including spectra from patients with heterogeneous brain tumors. However, differences in the defined effective VOI, particularly at short echo time, reduced the expected effect of increased magnetic field strength on the measured SNR.
3D imaging of the whole spine at 3T compared to 1.5T: initial experiences
Authors: Rodegerdts E. A. , Boss A. , Riemarzik K. , Lichy M. , Schick F. , Claussen C. D. , Schlemmer H. P. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To describe our first experiences with a recently introduced 3T system for T2-weighted isotropic 3D whole-spine imaging. Material and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine was performed by implementing an isotropic 3D fast spin-echo sequence with variable flip-angle refocusing pulses at 3T and 1.5T. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was compared on both systems in eight subjects. Results: Mean values for SNR were significantly higher at 3T (346±214) for 1.0 mm voxel size compared to 1.5T (202±41), but showed considerably higher variability at 3T. At 3T, measurements with 0.9 mm voxel size were possible with similar SNR as with 1.0 mm voxel size at 1.5T. Conclusion: High-resolution 3D imaging of the whole spine is feasible at 3T with an increased SNR compared to 1.5T. Signal gain at 3T can be used to further increase spatial resolution. Pronounced interpatient variability of SNR at 3T may be a result of inhomogeneous RF deposition due to dielectric effects.
A short larsen score is effective when evaluating radiographs in early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Palkonyai E. , Larsen A. , Geher P. , Kolarz G. , Bogye G. , Temesvari P. , Kaposi P. , Szilagyi M. , Ratko I. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of the short Larsen score (LS 12) based on analysis of 12 areas with the original Larsen score (LS 40), which includes 40 areas for assessing radiographic changes in rheumatoid arthritis. Material and Methods: The radiographs of the hands, wrists, and feet of 122 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated by two radiologists using both the LS 40 and LS 12 methods. Cross-sectional analysis of radiographs of 122 patients and longitudinal analysis in 68 patients were performed. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean LS 40 and mean LS 12 in the cross-sectional study. LS 12 correlated strongly ( r = 0.93, P<0.01) with LS 40 at the baseline, and the rate of progression was similar in both methods ( r = 0.89, P<0.01) in the longitudinal study. Conclusion: The short Larsen score was as efficient as the original method.
Impact of extended written information on patient anxiety and image motion artifacts during magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Törnqvist E. , Månsson Å. , Larsson E.-M. , Hallström I. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To evaluate whether increased written information to patients prior to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) decreases patient anxiety and image motion artifacts. Material and Methods: A two-group controlled experimental design was used. Of 242 patients, 118 received routinely given basic written information (control group) while 124 were given increased written information (intervention group). To measure patient anxiety before and during scanning, the self-report psychometric test State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. After MR examination, the patients answered a questionnaire on satisfaction with the written information. The images were assessed with regard to motion artifacts. Results: Motion artifacts were present in fewer patient images in the intervention group than in the control group (4.0% versus 15.4%; P = 0.003). There was no significant difference between the control and the intervention group regarding patient anxiety and satisfaction with the information. Women in both groups showed a higher level of anxiety than the men did. Conclusion: Increased information about the MRI scanning procedure and expected experiences during the scan may help patients to lie still during the sequences, with a decrease in motion artifacts. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effect of other interventions on patient anxiety during MRI scanning.
Pulmonary cement embolism: a complication of percutaneous vertebroplasty
Authors: Duran C. , Sirvanci M. , Aydoğan M. , Ozturk E. , Ozturk C. , Akman C. 
Published: December 2009

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) has recently become a very common procedure for vertebral compression fractures. Extravasation of cement, a common event associated with vertebroplasty, may lead to cement emboli in the lungs. Purpose: To determine the frequency of pulmonary cement embolism after percutaneous vertebroplasty. Material and Methods: Between 2002 and 2006, 128 percutaneous vertebroplasties were performed in 73 patients (56 women and 17 men) in our institution. Postprocedural chest radiographs were obtained for all patients and assessed for the presence of pulmonary cement emboli. Results: Pulmonary cement embolism was detected on chest radiographs and confirmed with chest computed tomography (CT) in four patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic collapse and one patient treated for multiple myeloma. The imaging finding of pulmonary cement embolism was solitary or multiple fine radiodense lines with occasional branching patterns. The frequency of pulmonary cement embolism was 6.8%. Conclusion: An incidence of pulmonary cement embolism of 6.8% during PV was found. Close clinical follow-up, postprocedural chest radiographs, and chest CT scans, if necessary, are important for the detection of pulmonary cement embolism at an early stage.
Complementary use of scintimammography with 99m-Tc-MIBI to triple diagnostic procedure in palpable and non-palpable breast lesions
Authors: Wilczek B. , Aspelin P. , Boné B. , Pegerfalk A. , Frisell J. , Danielsson R. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical value of scintimammography with 99m-Tc-MIBI ( Sc) as a complementary method to the triple diagnostic procedure in the diagnosis of breast lesions. Material and Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients with 65 palpable and 54 non-palpable breast lesions were included in a prospective study. All lesions were evaluated by clinical examination, mammography and fine-needle-aspiration cytology (FNAC), called triple diagnostic procedure ( TD). Prone planar scintimammography with 99m-Tc-MIBI was performed in all patients. Five groups were defined for diagnosis: 1 = normal; 2 = benign; 3 = probably benign; 4 = highly suspect of malignancy; and 5 = malignant. In the calculations, groups 1–3 were considered benign, and 4–5 malignant. All lesions were excised and examined histologically. The additional value of Sc +  TD procedure was studied separately for palpable and non-palpable lesions. Results: Histologically, 83 malignant and 36 benign lesions were found in the 119 breast lesions. Sensitivity for malignancy in palpable lesions of TD alone and of the combination TD +  Sc were 95.6% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity for malignancy in non-palpable lesions of TD and TD +  Sc was 89.1% and 97.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Adding scintimammography to the triple diagnostic procedure increased the sensitivity for the detection of both palpable and non-palpable breast cancers, but decreased the specificity.
Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: An HRCT-clinical correlative study
Authors: Ooi G. C. , Mok M. Y. , Tsang K. W. T. , Wong Y. , Khong P. L. , Fung P. C. W. , Chan S. , Tse H. F. , Wong R. W. S. , Lam W. K. , Lau C. S. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To evaluate high-resolution CT (HRCT) parameters of inflammation and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc), for correlation with lung function, skin scores and exercise tolerance. Material and Methods: 45 SSc patients (40 women, 48.5±13.4 years), underwent thoracic HRCT, lung function assessment, and modified Rodnan skin scores. Exercise tolerance was also graded. HRCT were scored for extent of 4 HRCT patterns of interstitial lung disease (ILD): ground glass opacification (GGO), reticular, mixed and honeycomb pattern in each lobe. Total HRCT score, inflammation index (GGO and mixed score) and fibrosis index (reticular and honeycomb scores) were correlated with lung function and clinical parameters. Results: ILD was present in 39/45 (86.7%) patients. Abnormal (<80% predicted) forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC) and carbon monoxide diffusion factor (DLco) were detected in 30%, 22% and 46% of patients. Total HRCT score correlated with FVC ( r=−0.43, p=0.008), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) ( r=–0.37, p=0.03), TLC ( r=–0.47, p=0.003), and DLCO ( r=–0.43, p=0.008); inflammatory index with DLCO ( r=–0.43, p=0.008) and exercise tolerance ( r=–0.39, p < 0.05); and fibrosis index with FVC ( r=–0.31, p=0.05) and TLC ( r=–0.38, p=0.02). Higher total HRCT score, and inflammation and fibrosis indices were found in patients with abnormal lung function. Conclusion: Qualitative HRCT is able to evaluate inflammation and fibrosis, showing important relationships with diffusion capacity and lung volume, respectively.
Pulmonary nodule detection using chest CT images
Authors: Kim D.-Y. , Kim J.-H. , Noh S.-M. , Park J.-W. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: Automated methods for the detection of pulmonary nodules and nodule volume calculation on CT are described. Material and Methods: Gray-level threshold methods were used to segment the thorax from the background and then the lung parenchyma from the thoracic wall and mediastinum. A deformable model was applied to segment the lung boundaries, and the segmentation results were compared with the thresholding method. The lesions that had high gray values were extracted from the segmented lung parenchyma. The selected lesions included nodules, blood vessels and partial volume effects. The discriminating features such as size, solid shape, average, standard deviation and correlation coefficient of selected lesions were used to distinguish true nodules from pseudolesions. With texture features of true nodules, the contour-following method, which tracks the segmented lung boundaries, was applied to detect juxtapleural nodules that were contiguous to the pleural surface. Volume and circularity calculations were performed for each identified nodule. The identified nodules were sorted in descending order of volume. These methods were applied to 827 image slices of 24 cases. Results: Computer-aided diagnosis gave a nodule detection sensitivity of 96% and no false-positive findings. Conclusion: The computer-aided diagnosis scheme was useful for pulmonary nodule detection and gave characteristics of detected nodules.
Transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound in pelvic congestion: A prospective comparison with transuterine venography
Authors: Campbell D. , Halligan S. , Bartram C. I. , Rogers V. , Hollings N. , Kingston K. , Sahdev A. , Beard R. W. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: Pelvic congestion is diagnosed by transuterine venography, an invasive procedure requiring sedation and irradiation. Ultrasound may be an alternative but is hindered by slow flow within pelvic veins. In an attempt to counter this, we investigated the possible role of transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound. Material and Methods: 42 women with a clinical suspicion of pelvic congestion underwent transvaginal ultrasound. Adnexal veins were examined and a congestion score established. Planimetric measurements of adnexal vessels were obtained using power Doppler ultrasound, and uterine and ovarian morphology noted. All women then underwent transuterine venography and agreement with the ultrasound congestion score and morphologic features was determined. Results: There was a trend towards weak positive correlation between ultrasound and venography congestion scores ( r = 0.29, p = 0.06). However, agreement between scores was poor on an individual basis (95% limits of agreement, −3.9 to +2.7). Planimetric power Doppler assessments of adnexal vascularity were unrelated to venographic congestion. Instead, there was correlation between the number and diameter of ovarian follicles and venographic congestion: women with congestion tended to have significantly more (0.04) and smaller follicles ( p = 0.001). Conclusion: There was poor individual agreement between ultrasound and venographic estimates of congestion. However, there was a direct relationship between venographic congestion score and ovarian morphology.
Early assessment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy by FEC-courses of locally advanced breast cancer using 99mTc-MIBI
Authors: Wilczek B. , von Schoultz E. , Bergh J. , Eriksson E. , Larsson S. A. , Jacobsson H. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: Response assessment at neoadjuvant (preoperative) chemotherapy of locally advanced breast cancer using clinical examination and mammography is insensitive. Mammoscintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI was studied for the prediction of response at such therapy before finishing the chemotherapy cycles. Material and Methods: Chemotherapy was given as repeated courses of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC). In 1 patient group ( n = 23), the tumor uptake relative to surrounding breast tissue and lung tissue at SPECT examination after finishing neoadjuvant chemotherapy was compared with the examination made before chemotherapy. In another group ( n = 30), a similar comparison after the first therapy cycle (mean 19 days) with a baseline examination was made. Histologic examination of the resected tumors was made. Results: After finishing chemotherapy, there was a strong reduction of the relative tumor activity, while there was no correlation with therapy effect as assessed by histology. After one therapy course, there was no significant reduction of the relative tumor uptake. Conclusion: Scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI demonstrated the response after finished neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer using FEC-courses. It cannot be used to predict a therapy response after one therapy course.
High-resolution CT in chronic pulmonary changes after mustard gas exposure
Authors: Bagheri M. H. , Hosseini S. K. , Mostafavi S. H. , Alavi S. A. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To identify the findings of high‐resolution CT (HRCT) of the lung in patients with previous sulfur mustard gas exposure, and to correlate these findings with clinical and chest X-ray (CXR) results. Material and Methods: 50 consecutive patients were studied prospectively. The clinical data were recorded. Standard p.a. CXR and HRCT of the lung and spirometry were performed. The findings of CXR, HRCT and clinical and spirometry results were scored between 0 and 3 according to the severity of the findings. Results: HRCT abnormality was detected in all 50 patients (100%), while CXR was abnormal in 40 patients (80%). The most common HRCT findings was airway abnormalities (bronchial wall thickening in 100% of cases). Other important findings were suggestive of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (80%), bronchiectasis (26%), and emphysema (24%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the severity of clinical presentation and that of the HCTR scores in patients with bronchiectasis, bronchitis and ILD ( p< 0.05), but not with severity scores of HRCT in patients with emphysema. No significant correlation was found between severity scores of CXR findings. HRCT evidence of bronchial wall thickening and with a lower frequency ILD were present despite normal CXR in 20% of the patients. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that bronchial wall thickening, ILD and emphysema are common chronic pulmonary sequelae of sulfur mustard injury. HRCT of the chest should be considered as the imaging modality of choice in chemical war injury.
Local infusion of the nitric oxide donor sin-1 after angioplasty: Effects on intimal hyperplasia in porcine coronary arteries
Authors: Harnek J. , Zoucas E. , Sjuve R. , Arner A. , Ekblad E. , Schou H. , Perez de Sá V. , Stenram U. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To investigate the development of intimal hyperplasia in response to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) followed by local delivery of the nitric oxide (NO) donor 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1). Material and Methods: Overdilation PTCA was performed in coronary arteries in 20 healthy pigs. One of the dilated segments was additionally treated with local delivery of SIN-1 for 10 min. Segments distal to the treated part of the arteries served as controls. Arteries were radiographically depicted and analyzed after 1 and 8 weeks for actin, myosin and intermediate filaments (IF), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and histological evaluation. Results: Segments treated with PTCA+SIN-1 showed a significantly ( p = 0.03) larger luminal diameter compared with PTCA only treated segments. The luminal loss after SIN-1 was not significant compared with the diameter prior to treatment. Endothelial NOS content was significantly lower in the PTCA+SIN-1 group compared with the PTCA group after 1 ( p = 0.03) and 8 weeks ( p = 0.013). IF/actin ratio after 1 week was significantly increased in PTCA-treated segments compared with untreated controls ( p = 0.004), and compared with PTCA+SIN-1-treated segments ( p = 0.004). Conclusion: PTCA-induced intimal hyperplasia was potently inhibited by local delivery of the NO donor SIN-1. Momentary events at the time of injury play a significant role in the development of intimal hyperplasia and long-lasting down-regulation of the endothelial NOS expression after SIN-1 exposure is suggested. The IF/actin ratio can be useful as an early marker of intimal hyperplasia.
Accuracy of ultrasound dating formulae in the late second-trimester in pregnancies conceived with in-vitro fertilization
Authors: Mongelli M. , Yuxin N. G. , Biswas A. , Chew S. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ultrasound dating formulae in the late second trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods: A dataset of 136 singleton pregnancies conceived by artificial reproductive techniques was studied to assess the accuracy of ultrasound dating formulae in the late second trimester, and compared with early second trimester. A total of 21 published ultrasound-dating formulae were tested. Results: For most formulae, late second trimester scans yielded results that were marginally less accurate than the early second trimester. The best performance was obtained with dating formulae based on femur length, either alone or combined with the biparietal diameter. These formulae had mean absolute errors of 3–3.5 days. Combining two or more parameters did not result in any substantial gain in accuracy. Conclusions: Pregnancy dating by ultrasound in the late second trimester is sufficiently accurate for routine clinical use. Formulae based on femur length appear to be at least as accurate as head measurements.
Technical Note. Labral-ligamentous complex of the shoulder: Evaluation with double oblique axial MR arthrography
Authors: Sasaki T. , Saito Y. , Yodono H. , Prado G. L. M. , Miura H. , Itabashi Y. , Ishibashi Y. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To assess the ability of double oblique axial (DOA) MR arthrography in evaluating labral-ligamentous complex compared with conventional axial (CA) MR arthrography. Material and Methods: MR arthrography of 51 shoulders, subsequently examined with arthroscopy, were retrospectively reviewed. DOA imaging was performed in all 51 shoulders and both DOA and CA imaging in 37 using a 1.5 T unit with gradient recalled-echo T2*-weighted sequences. DOA imaging was performed using perpendicular planes to the long axis of the glenoid fossa obtained by an oblique sagittal scout image. We compared the ability of DOA with that of CA MR arthrography to assess labral injuries and to demonstrate the whole length of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (AIGHL), which were shown to be intact by arthroscopy. Results: For anterior labral injuries, sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 93% with CA, and 94% and 100% with DOA imaging, respectively. For posterior labral injuries, sensitivity and specificity were 47% and 100% with CA, and 79% and 96% with DOA imaging, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between CA and DOA images, except for the ability to diagnose posterior labral injuries, where DOA imaging had a significant superior sensitivity ( p = 0.0327). DOA images also demonstrated the whole length of the intact AIGHL in 10 of 11 shoulders, while CA imaging showed this in only 3 of 11. Conclusion: DOA imaging was equal or better than CA imaging for evaluating the labral-ligamentous complex.
Positioning of the pH-probe by manometry or radiography for monitoring of the esophagus: Influence on diagnostic results?
Authors: Aksglæde K. , Thommesen P. 
Published: December 2009

Purpose: To correlate gastroesophageal reflux (GER), demonstrated by radiography using bread and barium, with 24-h pH monitoring in the esophagus, with the pH-probe positioned by manometry or radiology. Material and Methods: In all, 146 patients, 41 females and 105 males, with a median age of 47 years, suspected of GER were examined. Radiography was performed with the patient in the supine right oblique position during mastication and swallowing a piece of rye bread with liver pâté and barium. The test was positive if barium was observed more than 5 cm proximal to the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). An antimony pH-probe was placed 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter determined by manometry, or 5 cm above the GEJ determined by radiography. The total time of esophageal pH < 4 exceeding 5% was considered pathological. Results: The radiological method had a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 52% compared to 24-h pH monitoring with the pH-probe positioned manometrically, and a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 67% with the pH-probe positioned by radiography, with no significant difference between the two positionings. Conclusion: In 146 patients submitted to 24-h pH monitoring, the pH-probe could be placed as safely by radiography as by manometry.