bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Preference-Based Measures to Assess Quality of Life in Stuttering
Authors: Bramlett Robin E. , Bothe Anne K. , Franic Duska M. 
Published: December 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether standard pharmaco-economic preference methods can be used to assess perceived quality of life in stuttering.MethodSeventy-five nonstuttering adults completed a standardized face-to-face interview that included a rating scale, standard gamble, and time trade-off preference measures for 4 health states (your health and mild, moderate, and severe stuttering) in the context of 2 anchor states (perfect health and death).ResultsResults showed mean utility values between .443 for severe stuttering estimated using the rating scale technique and .982 for respondents' own current health estimated using a standard gamble technique. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc tests showed significant effects for method, health state, and the interaction.ConclusionsThese results confirm that utility estimates can differentiate between stuttering severity levels and that utility scores for stuttering conform to the known properties of data obtained using these standard measurement techniques. These techniques, therefore, can and should be further investigated as potential contributors to complete measurement protocols for the study and treatment of stuttering.
Hidden compartments in AVMs — A new concept
Authors: Pellettieri L. , Svendsen P. , Wikholm G. , Carlsson C.-A. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The concept of hidden compartments in cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which is hereby launched, offers a new explanation for the neurosurgical and neuroradiological controversies concerning patients with AVMs. Material and Methods: Three patients who were considered completely cured of their AVMs, subsequently developed new areas of malformed vessels as revealed by later angiograms. Results: These 3 cases support our hidden compartment hypothesis and are reported on here, illustrated with relevant angiograms. The clinical implications of the hidden compartment concept refer to phenomena such as AVM growth, AVM recurrence after surgical excision, irradiation or embolization as well as per- or postoperative hemorrhage and swelling. Conclusion: The incidence of hidden compartments in the AVM population is unknown but further studies, particularly in the realm of superselective embolization, could reveal their presence.
An iodinated lipid emulsion for CT of the liver
Authors: Bergman A. , Sundin A. , Magnusson A. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The iodinated hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion FP 736-03 for CT of the liver was tested against the conventional water-soluble contrast agent iohexol. Material and Methods: A nude rat model of experimental multiple hepatic metastases from a human colonic cancer was used. The animals were examined 3 weeks after intraportal tumor cell injection. Native examination, and iohexol- and FP-736-03-enhanced CT were performed. The detection rate was determined on a lesion-by-lesion basis. Metastatic diameters measured on CT images were compared with corresponding macroscopic serial liver specimens. Results: In a lesion-by-lesion analysis of 140 metastases, the detection rates for 2 viewers were 16.4% and 30.7% for native examination, 12.9% and 17.9% for iohexol-enhanced CT, and 53.6% and 72.1 % for FP-736-03-enhanced CT, respectively. The detection rates tended to increase with lesion diameter. Conclusion: The hepatocyte-specific contrast medium FP 736-03 improved the detection rate significantly in comparison with both native and iohexol-enhanced CT.
Renal CT after intravenous injection of nonionic dimeric or nonionic monomeric contrast media in healthy volunteers
Authors: Rasmussen F. , Lindequist S. , Nielsen S. Møller , Bjartveit K. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To establish and compare time-density curves of the aorta, vena cava and renal cortex, medulla and pelvis after injection of the nonionic dimer iodixanol or the nonionic monomer iopromide contrast media. Material and Methods: In 36 healthy volunteers CT at the renal hilus was performed at regular intervals before and until 30 min after injection of 13.5 g I iodixanol or 15.0 g I iopromide. The density of the renal cortex, medulla, pelvis, aorta and inferior caval vein was measured. Results: With injection of the 10% lower iodine dose in the iodixanol group, the profiles of the CT time-density curves were similar for all regions except for the renal pelvis. For the renal pelvis, significantly higher density values were obtained for the iodixanol group up to 10 min after injection. Conclusion: Although the present study shows that a lower iodine dose is needed for a dimeric compared to a monomeric nonionic contrast medium to obtain similar time-density curves, more studies are needed to establish the clinical importance of this for urography.
Addition of methyl cellulose enema to double-contrast barium imaging of sigmoid diverticulosis
Authors: Olsson R. , Adnerhill I. , Björkdahl P. , Ekberg O. , Fork F. T. 
Published: January 2010

Double-contrast barium enema has a reduced sensitivity in patients with severe sigmoid diverticulosis. Therefore a carboxy methyl cellulose enema was employed after the conventional double-contrast examination in 15 patients with sigmoid diverticulosis. A significant increase in lumen diameter and a superior removal of barium residue from the diverticulas facilitated the interpretation of the sigmoid loops. Conclusion: The addition of methyl cellulose enema to double-contrast barium imaging improves diagnostic imaging in diverticulosis by expanding the lumen and emptying the diverticulas.
Association of midoesophageal diverticula with oesophageal motor disorders
Authors: Schima W. , Schober E. , Stacher G. , Franz P. , Uranitsch K. , Pokieser P. , Wenzl E. , Resch A. , Herold C. J. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of associated oesophageal motor disorders in patients with midoesophageal diverticula. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed videofluoroscopic and, if available, manometric studies of 30 patients with midoesophageal diverticula. The type of diverticulum and the presence and nature of oesophageal motor disorders were assessed. Results: Videofluoroscopy showed that 24 patients had 26 pulsion-type diverticula and 6 patients had 7 traction-type diverticula. Oesophageal motor disorders were demonstrated in 21 of the 24 patients with pulsion-type diverticula and in 3 of the 6 with traction-type diverticula. Nineteen patients had nonspecific motor disorders, 5 had achalasia, and 5 had gastrooesophageal reflux or oesophagitis. Conclusion: Midoesophageal diverticula are most often of the pulsion-type and tend to be associated with an oesophageal motor disorder. Motor disorders are predominantly nonspecific, but achalasia may be encountered as well.
CT findings at lupus mesenteric vasculitis
Authors: Ko S.F. , Lee T.-Y. , Cheng T.-T. , Ng S.-H. , Lai H.-M. , Cheng Y.-F. , Tsai C.-C. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To describe the spectrum of early CT findings of lupus mesenteric vasculitis (LMV) and to assess the utility of CT in the management of this uncommon entity. Methods: Abdominal CT was performed within 1–4 days (average 2.2 days) of the onset of severe abdominal pain and tenderness in 15 women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Prompt high-dose i.v. corticosteroid was administered in 11 patients after the CT diagnosis of LMV was made. CT was performed after abdominal symptoms subsided. Results: Eleven cases revealed CT features suggestive of LMV including conspicuous prominence of mesenteric vessels with palisade pattern or comb-like appearance (CT comb sign) supplying focal or diffuse dilated bowel loops (n=11), ascites with slightly increased peritoneal enhancement (n=11), small bowel wall thickening (n=10) with double halo or target sign (n=8). Follow-up CT before high-dose steroid therapy revealed complete or marked resolution of the abnormal CT findings. Conclusion: CT is helpful for confirming the diagnosis of LMV, especially the comb sign which may be an early sign. Bowel ischemia due to LMV is less ominous than previously expected, and the abnormal CT findings were reversible when early diagnosis and prompt i.v. steroid therapy could be achieved.
Proliferative response in smooth muscle cells after angioplasty or insertion of self-expanding stents
Authors: Cwikiel W. , Harnek J. , Zoucas E. , Stenram U. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Evaluation of the early proliferative reaction of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the media of the artery following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), compared with the reaction on insertion of self-expandable stents. Material and Methods: In 6 healthy pigs, one iliac artery was overdilated with an 8-mm diameter angioplasty balloon. A self-expanding Nitinol stent, OD 8 mm, was inserted into the contralateral iliac artery without previous dilatation. The nuclei of the proliferating SMC in the media of the artery were labelled by intravenous administration of 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine and cells in S-phase counted 24 h after the procedure. Results: The mean number of proliferating nuclei of the SMC increased significantly more after PTA (p<0.05) than after the insertion of a stent. Conclusion: Early proliferative reaction of the SMC is more pronounced after PTA than after insertion of the self-expanding stent.
An independent software system for the analysis of dynamic MR images
Authors: Torheim G. , Lombardi M. , Rinck P. A. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: A computer system for the manual, semi-automatic, and automatic analysis of dynamic MR images was to be developed on UNIX and personal computer platforms. The system was to offer an integrated and standardized way of performing both image processing and analysis that was independent of the MR unit used. Material and Methods: The system consists of modules that are easily adaptable to special needs. Data from MR units or other diagnostic imaging equipment in techniques such as CT, ultrasonography, or nuclear medicine can be processed through the ACR-NEMA/DICOM standard file formats. A full set of functions is available, among them cine-loop visual analysis, and generation of time-intensity curves., Parameters such as cross-correlation coefficients, area under the curve, peak/maximum intensity, wash-in and wash-out slopes, time to peak, and relative signal intensity/contrast enhancement can be calculated. Other parameters can be extracted by fitting functions like the gamma-variate function. Region-of-interest data and parametric values can easily be exported. Results and Conclusion: The system has been successfully tested in animal and patient examinations.
Phase-contrast MR angiography for detection of arteriosclerotic renal artery stenosis
Authors: Duda S. H. , Schick F. , Teufl F. , Müller-Schimpfle M. , Erley C. , Schneider W. , Miller S. , Claussen C. D. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to compare the accuracy of 3-D phase-contrast (PC) MR imaging with a 2-D time-of-flight (TOF) technique in the detection of arteriosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients with 28 angiographically proven renal artery stenoses were examined in a prospective blinded fashion by using 2-D TOF MR angiography (MRA) with venous saturation (FLASH) and 3-D PC MRA. the renal arteries were subdivided into 3 segments and graded for the presence of stenoses on a scale of 0–4 by 3 radiologists in blind. Results: the accuracy of TOF and PC imaging in detecting renal artery stenoses was 65% and 77% respectively. Both 2-D TOF and 3-D PC MRA depicted 84% of the stenoses of the proximal renal artery greater than 50% in diameter. Renal artery stenoses greater than 50% and more than 15 mm in distance from the aorta were detected in 40% of cases with the 2-D TOF sequence and in 76% with the 3-D PC technique (p<0.05). the rate of false-negative results was 32%. Conclusion: PC MRA is better at visualizing stenoses in the middle segment of the renal arteries and supplements conventional TOF techniques with additional information. However, even when the two techniques are combined, the false-negative rate in the MR imaging of stenoses of the renal arteries still needs to be reduced.
Percutaneous transsplenic catheterization of the portal venous system
Authors: Liang H.-L. , Yang C.-F. , Pan H.-B. , Chen C.-K. H. , Chang J.-M. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transsplenic portal vein catheterization. Material and Methods: Under ultrasonic guidance, percutaneous transsplenic splenic vein catheterization was performed in 17 patients. Two of the patients had minimal and 5 moderate ascites. in 11 patients, the platelet counts were over 50000/mm3 and the coagulation time normal or mildly prolonged, while 6 patients had either platelet counts of less than 50000/mm3 or moderately prolonged coagulation level. Results: Transsplenic portal catheterizations were successfully performed in 16 of the 17 patients (one failed because of small splenic size). Procedure-related complications occurred in 3 patients with 2 requiring one unit of packed RBC transfusion. the third patient accumulated minimal fluid in the left pleural space. Imaging studies within one week of the procedure were made in 8 patients. These examinations revealed an intrasplenic hematoma in 2 patients. One patient had a small amount of hemoperitone-um. No major complications occurred. Conclusion: Transsplenic portal venous catheterization is a safe and feasible procedure.
Assessment of the penile vascular system with color-coded duplex sonography and pharmacocavernosometry and -graphy in impotent men
Authors: Andresen R. , Wegner H. E. H. 
Published: January 2010

Objective: to examine the extent to which color-coded duplex sonography permits complete clarification of vessel-dependent erectile dysfunction (ED). Material and Methods: A total of 215 patients with ED were examined All patients underwent pharmacocolor-coded duplex sonography (PHCCDS; 20 μg of prostaglan-din El, PGE1, intracavernosally) as well as pharmacocavernosometry and -graphy (PHCM and PHCG; 20 μg of PGEl intracavernosally). the penile vessels were visualized, i.e. the dorsal arteries, the cavernosal arteries, and the anastomoses between them, as well as the venous pathways. Peak flow and end-diastolic flow in all arteries and, when present, anastomoses were determined after stimulation. Induction flow to achieve maximal tumescence/rigidity as well as maintenance flow were determined during PHCM. Finally, for the morphological visualization of the cavernous body and possible venous insufficiencies, a radiography in 2 planes was produced with infusion of a water-soluble contrast medium. Results: in 145 patients with a grade 0-III tumescence after stimulation with 20 μg of PGEI, PHCCDS revealed an end-diastolic flow of >5 cm/s, with a peak flow velocity >25 cm/s in the 2 cavernosal and 2 dorsal arteries. the deep dorsal vein of the penis was visualized in 110 of these 145 patients with a blood flow >5 cm/s, and in 35 cases with a blood flow <5 cm/s. Venous drainage to the corpus spongiosum was visualized in 80 patients with a blood flow >10 cm/s. All patients had a pathologically increased induction (normal value <100 ml/min) and maintenance venous flow (normal value <10 ml/min) in the PHCM as well as venous drainage in the PHCG. Sixty patients with a tumescence grade of IV-V (rigidity) had a peak flow velocity clearly >25 cm/s, an end-diastolic flow <5 cm/s in the 2 cavernosal and 2 dorsal arteries in the PHCCDS, as well as induction values <100 ml/min and maintenance flow values <10 ml/min in the PHCM, without visible insufficient efferent venous pathways on the PHCG. in 29 patients (13.5%) hemodynamically active anastomoses perforating the tunica albuginea could be detected. Ten patients with a tumescence grade of III had a peak flow velocity <25 cm/s and an end-diastolic flow <5 cm/s without venous leakage in PHCM and PHCG. Conclusion: PHCCDS allows for the assessment of arterial flow disorder as well as of venous leakage in ED. PHCM and PHCG should only be carried out in patients in whom surgical or radiological interventional procedures at the efferent venous pathways are planned.
Triplex us in the diagnosis of asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis
Authors: Mantoni M. , Strandberg C. , Neergaard K. , Sloth C. , Jørgensen P. Seest , Thamsen H. , Tørholm C. , Paaske B. P. , Rasmussen S. W. , Christensen S. W. , Wille-Jørgensen P. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate the accuracy of triplex ultrasound (TUS) compared with venography as a screening test for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and to evaluate interobserver variation in the interpretation of the venographic studies. Material and Methods: A total of 133 postoperative hip fracture patients, asymptomatic of DVT, were prospectively examined with TUS and venography. All venograms were reviewed blindly and in case of disagreement a consensus was arrived at. Results: the incidence of DVT was 20%, with isolated calf vein thrombi in 63% of the cases. There were 7 false-negative and one false-positive result/s at TUS, with a sensitivity of 74%, specificity of 99% and accuracy of 97%. the kappa values ranged from 0.58 to 0.82. the false-negative results were all caused by missed calf vein thrombi in technically inadequate examinations. at sonography 2% of vein segments were noninterpretable, compared to 29% at venography. Conclusion: Venous US is less sensitive as a test for DVT in this study of asymptomatic patients than in earlier studies on symptomatic patients. Still, sonographic screening of high-risk patients would be both effective and cost effective. Fresh thrombi may cause a false-negative compression test.
Isolated Fracture of the posterolateral tibial lip (Volkmann's triangle)
Authors: Probst E. Neumaier , Maas R. , Meenen N. M. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to retrospectively evaluate the underlying pathomechanism of isolated fracture of the posterolateral tibial lip (Volkmann's triangle), and to demonstrate associated radiographic methods. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 2500 ankle lesions showed an isolated fracture of the dorsal tibial lip in 25 cases. Distal tibial lesions of growing individuals were not considered. All patients were examined by radiography in internal oblique and lateral views. Results: Sixteen of 25 patients had had their accident during winter; 11 had slipped on ice or snow. All 25 patients showed a closed ankle lesion in the correct joint position with no clinical signs of instability. Evaluation of the standard images showed isolated fracture of the posterolateral tibial lip in 24 patients. the fracture was best recognized in the standard lateral view in 22 patients. in 2 patients the lateral stress projection demonstrated the fracture (20° internal rotation). in one case the fracture was only seen on axial CT images. Twenty-two patients with small wedge fragments were treated conservatively; 3 with a displaced and large fragment had surgical revision and stabilization. Sixteen cases were examined by conventional radiography at follow-up examination and 5 of these showed radiological signs of arthrosis. Conclusion: Plain conventional radiography is still necessary in the primary diagnosis of ankle joint lesions. the isolated fracture of the dorsal tibial margin is best seen in the standard lateral view. Indication for CT in routine diagnostics is limited to cases showing clinical evidence of ankle injury without roentgenological signs of a fracture in the standard images. Differential diagnoses include the pilon lesion and the Maison-neuve-type fracture.
Ultrasound-guided 1.2-mm cutting-needle biopsies of head and neck tumours
Authors: Elvin A. , Sundström C. , Larsson S. G. , Lindgren P. G. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to establish the role of ultrasound-guided cutting-needle biopsy in the diagnostic work-up of tumours in the head and neck region. Material and Methods: Seventy-two patients (74 biopsies) with tumours in the head and neck were biopsied by means of a biopsy gun fitted with a 1.2-mm biopty needle (midsized-needle biopsy, MNB). Twenty-four biopsies were taken from salivary glands, 29 from lymph nodes, and 21 from miscellaneous locations. Thirty-three of the patients were biopsied by MNB under ultrasound guidance after a blinded fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was considered non-diagnostic or non-representative. Results: in 91% of the cases, the MNB diagnosis was identical to the final diagnosis (surgical or radiological/clinical follow-up: at least 6 months), 9% were false-negative/non-representative. in 17/33 patients MNB was considered to provide more diagnostic information than FNAB, the methods had equal accuracy in 12 patients, and in 4 patients the information already gained with FNAB was superior to that provided by MNB. the non-diagnostic sampling rate for FNAB was 25% versus 3% for MNB. in 26 patients with malignant lymphoma, MNB results were diagnostically correct in all but 2 cases. FNAB was correct in 2 of 9 cases. There were no biopsy-related complications. Conclusion: MNB was found to be safe and to possess a high degree of diagnostic accuracy, and could therefore, particularly in patients with lymphoma, be considered a diagnostic alternative to FNAB.
Proton (1H) MR Spectroscopy for Routine Diagnostic Evaluation of Brain Lesions
Authors: Burtscher I. M. , Ståhlberg F. , Holtås S. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to describe the introduction and performance of proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the daily routine of a modern standard MR unit Material and Methods: Over an 8-month period, 52 patients with brain lesions were studied with 1H-MRS, using SE and STEAM sequences for chemical-shift imaging and single-volume spectroscopy. the quality of the spectra was graded from 1 (best) to 3, and the main factors influencing the quality of the spectra were evaluated Results: of the measurements: 85% were graded as 1; 12% as 2; and 3% as 3. the main reasons for poor spectral quality were: the unfortunate positioning of the VOI; hemorrhage; and/or postoperative changes within the VOI. of 40 patients with a final diagnosis: MRS provided an increased confidence in MR diagnosis in 18 cases; MRS contributed significantly to preoperative diagnosis in 3 cases; and the spectra were not specific (n=10) or were difficult to evaluate (n=9) owing to reduced quality (grade 2 or 3) in 19 cases Conclusion: MRS of the brain can provide a high percentage of interpretable spectra and frequently can increase confidence in the MR diagnosis of brain lesions in clinical routine