bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colour doppler imaging of shunts from the left portal branch in portal hypertension
Authors: Nilsson A. , Olofsson P.-Å. , Lorén I. , Nilsson P. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to describe the typical colour Doppler appearance of a shunt through the parenchyma of the left lobe of the liver in portal hypertension Material and Methods: Ultrasound images of 141 patients with biopsy-verified cirrhosis were reviewed. Special note was taken of the appearance of shunts from the left portal branch Results: in 28 patients, shunts from the left portal branch were detected ultra-sonographically, 10 of which ran through the liver parenchyma on a course separated from the ligamentum teres. Seven of these 10 followed a tortuous course just below the surface of the liver creating a ball or corkscrew-like pattern Conclusion: Shunts from the left portal branch are not uncommon and may represent the only ultrasonographically detectable pathology in these patients. Recognition of the typical pattern will facilitate their detection
Changes in tissue oxygen tension caused by contrast media injected into the femoral artery of the dog
Authors: Nitahar K. , Uchida K. , Nakai T. , Hashimoto K. , Sato T. , Dan K. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to document changes in tissue oxygen tension as measured directly in an area perfused with contrast medium Material and Methods: Changes in tissue oxygen tension in response to the injection of ionic and non-ionic contrast media into the femoral arteries were measured in the femoral adductor (proximal) and gastrocnemius (distal) muscles of 8 dogs. Amidotrizoic acid and iopamidol were injected in two different iodine concentrations (370 mg I/ml and 185 mg I/ml respectively) and tissue oxygen tension in the proximal and distal muscles was monitored continuously using polarographic needle electrodes Results and Conclusion: A transient decrease and subsequent increase of muscle tissue oxygen tension were observed after the injection. the extent of these changes depended on the concentration and osmolality of the medium. to minimize changes in peripheral tissue oxygen tension, contrast media with low osmolality and low concentration are recommended for femoral angiography
Correlation between dose rate and T1 in blood at gd-enhanced MR angiography
Authors: Johansson L. O. M. , Ahlström H. K. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to determine the correlation between dose rate and T1 in blood at Gd-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) Material and Methods: A test dose of contrast agent was used to calculate the time delay between injection and arrival in the abdominal aorta. the dose rate was expressed as ml · kg b.w.−1 · s−1. the correlation between dose rate and T1 was determined by varying the dose rate while keeping the scanning and infusion times constant. the signal intensity in the abdominal aorta was measured during the first pass of Gd and compared with markers of known T1 values Results: A correlation between dose rate and T1 in blood was obtained Conclusion: A Gd dose rate of 0.01 ml · kg b.w.−1 · s−1 gives a T1 in blood of 100 ms. This can be used to calculate the optimal pulse sequence for contrast-enhanced MRA
Testicular microlithiasis — a possibly premalignant condition
Authors: Berger A. , Brabrand K. 
Published: January 2010

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple small intratesticular calcifications. the etiology is unknown but the condition has been observed in a variety of different urological conditions. We report on 5 cases diagnosed by ultrasonography at our departments from 1992 to 1994 A review of the literature plus our present 5 cases gives a total of 124 reported cases of TM. TM was associated with testicular malignancy in 44 patients (35%) of whom 24 (19%) had a seminoma and 20 (16%) a non-seminoma. There were 4 reports of testicular malignancy developing in patients with a prior diagnosis of TM. the condition should be considered premalignant and a careful follow-up of TM patients is advocated
Stereotaxic core needle aspiration biopsy with multiple passes in nonpalpable breast lesions
Authors: Bolivar A. Vega , García E. Ortega , Ayensa F. Garijo 
Published: January 2010

Objective: To compare the grade of histologic agreement between stereotaxic core needle aspiration biopsy (SCNAB) with multiple passes, and surgical excision. Methods: A total of 180 patients with 182 nonpalpable breast lesions underwent SCNAB with multiple passes in an upright add-on stereotaxic device using a manual 1.8-mm needle (15 G). In this group, 125 patients underwent subsequent surgical excision. Results: A SCNAB result indicative of malignancy (invasive or noninvasive carcinoma) was obtained in 68 (87%) of the 78 breast carcinomas (14 noninvasive and 64 invasive) and definitive surgical therapy with a one-stage procedure was performed. Complete or partial agreement between core biopsy and surgery was observed in 19 (86%) of 22 invasive or noninvasive carcinomas discovered by microcalcifications, 40 (97.5%) of 41 invasive carcinomas discovered by a mass, and 9 (60%) of 15 invasive or noninvasive carcinomas discovered by architectural distortion. Six (33%) of the 18 patients whose core biopsies showed noninvasive carcinoma had an invasive or microinvasive component at subsequent surgery. Atypical hyperplasia or benign core biopsy was observed in 6 (8%) and 4 (5%) breast carcinomas respectively. Conclusion: SCNAB with multiple passes is a reliable method for identifying nonpalpable lesions in patients with noninvasive or invasive carcinomas discovered by respectively microcalcifications or mass.
Radiographically negative stress-related bone injury
Authors: Hodler J. , Steinert H. , Zanetti M. , Frölicher U. , Rogala J. , Stumpe K. , von Schulthess G. K. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of MR imaging relative to two-phase bone scintigraphy in radiographically negative stress-related injuries. Material and Methods: Sixteen consecutive patients presenting with stressrelated bone injuries and normal standard radiographs were examined with two-phase bone scans and MR imaging. MR imaging protocols varied according to the region to be examined. The MR and scintigraphic images were evaluated blindly and separately by respectively two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians. The standard of reference was represented by a combination of clinical and scintigraphic findings as well as clinical follow-up. Results: For MR imaging, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the presence of stress-related injuries for the two readers were 69/63%, 100/80%, 100/91%, and 50/40%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was good (kappa=0.62). For scintigraphy, all abnormal and normal findings were correctly identified. Conclusion: For patients with clinically suspected stress-related injuries and a low probability of other active bone diseases (such as infection or neoplasm), bone scintigraphy should be the initial imaging modality.
Color doppler ultrasonography of soft-tissue masses
Authors: Lagalla R. , Iovane A. , Caruso G. , Lo Bello M. , Derchi L. E. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the capability of color Doppler ultrasonography to differentiate between benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors. Material and Methods: We reviewed the ultrasonographic (US) and color Doppler (CD) findings in 46 consecutive patients with a palpable periskeletal mass. The presence of 3 or more vascular hila and of tortuous and irregular internal vessels within the lesions was considered an indication of malignancy. The CD diagnosis was compared with that obtained at US alone. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of CD were respectively 85% and 92%; these values were higher than those obtained at US alone, respectively 75% and 50%. Arteriovenous malformations presented as lesions with large internal vessels that had low vascular impedance and were easily diagnosed. The waveform patterns within solid tumors were not specific. Conclusion: At present, US is commonly employed to confirm the presence of a suspected soft-tissue mass, to locate it accurately, and to indicate its nature. CD findings enhance the role of the US technique in such lesions. The combined use of US and CD can allow the differentiation of benign from malignant lesions, and thus provide a better basis for treatment.
Evaluation of dmsa scintigraphy and urography in assessing both acute and permanent renal damage in children
Authors: Stokland E. , Hellström M. , Jacobsson B. , Jodal U. , Sixt R. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy and urography in the detection of renal involvement in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) in order to identify patients with a high risk of developing renal damage. Material and Methods: A total of 157 children (median age 0.4 years, range 5 days to 5.8 years) with first-time symptomatic UTI were examined scintigraphy (with an assessment of renal area involvement) and urography at the time of UTI and 1 year later. All evaluations were made blindly. Results: Of the total 314 kidneys, 80 (25%) were abnormal at initial scintigraphy. Of these 80 kidneys, 44 (55%) had normalized at follow-up. Of the 234 initially normal kidneys, 29 (12%) were abnormal at follow-up. One year after UTI, abnormalities were seen in 59 children at scintigraphy and in 18 children at urography. Renal area involvement was larger and split function abnormalities more common in kidneys that were abnormal at both scintigraphy and urography than in kidneys with only scintigraphic abnormalities. Conclusion: Quantitation of renal area involvement and split renal function at early scintigraphy would seem to be useful in identifying patients at risk of developing renal damage. Urography at 1 year after infection identified mainly those with the most severe scintigraphic abnormalities. The clinical importance of scintigraphic abnormalities that are not confirmed by urography is not known.
Central Assessment of Bilateral Phlebograms in a Major Multicentre Thromboprophylactic Trial
Authors: Kälebo P. , Eriksson B. I. , Zachrisson B. E. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To determine the cause of inadequate bilateral phlebograms at central assessment. A major antithrombotic trial was evaluated to identify and apply corrective measures for reducing inadequate results in future multicentre trials. Material and Methods: The inadequate results in 253 out of 1,827 patients having undergone bilateral phlebography following total hip replacement were reviewed by two central assessors using strict criteria for evaluability. The reasons for inadequate findings were assessed and ranked. Results and Conclusion: Insufficient contrast filling, especially of the anterior tibial, common femoral and iliac veins, was the most common reason for disqualifying examinations. Unilateral examinations and obscuring metallic devices were the second and third most common reasons, respectively. Efforts should be made to standardize the phlebography technique, to use a large volume of contrast without tourniquets, and to obtain an appropriate number of views to visualize the deep veins.
Respiratory Monitoring during MR Imaging
Authors: Larsson C. , Davidsson L. , Lundin P. , Gustafsson G. , Vegfors M. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To assess the clinical utility of a fibre-optical monitor for respiratory monitoring in patients undergoing MR imaging without general anaesthesia. Material and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients were included at each of 3 MR units (300 patients in total). The technicians estimated the value of monitoring the respiratoy rate on a 5-graded scale. Conditions that might complicate the MR examination were noted. Results: The respiratory monitor was well tolerated by 99% of the patients. It was rated as valuable or very valuable in one-third of the total group, but in slightly more than two-thirds of the group of patients with some condition that might have complicated the MR examination. The estimated value of respiratory rate monitoring did not correlate to the age or sex of the patients, the type of examination, or to whether contrast medium was used or not, but it was significantly more often considered valuable in patients placed in the headfirst position than in those placed in feet-first. Conclusion: Respiratory rate monitoring during MR imaging seems to be valuable in many patients, particularly if some condition that might complicate the MR examination is present.
Thymus Size in Preterm Infants Evaluated by Ultrasound
Authors: Hasselbalch H. , Jeppesen D. L. , Ersbøll A. K. , Nielsen M. B. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To sonographically evaluate the thymic size in preterm infants. Material and Methods: In 6 healthy infants, born in gestational weeks 34-37, and 6 infants born in weeks 24-32, the thymic volume estimate (the thymic index) was assessed. The measurements were compared to the estimates calculated from the prediction model for neonates. Results: The slightly preterm infants fit the prediction model. In cases where the results failed to fit into the model, it was adjusted in order to cover lower birth rates. The extremely preterm infants initially had a very low thymic index but, when healthy, they reached the normal range. Conclusion: With the knowledge of the birth weight it is now possible to predict the thymic size in healthy infants weighing 2,070 g or more.
Thymus Size in Infants from Birth until 24 Months of Age Evaluated by Ultrasound
Authors: Hasselbalch H. , Ersbøll A. K. , Jeppesen D. L. , Nielsen M. B. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To do a follow-up sonography assessment of the thymic size in infants at an age of 24 months, and to create a longitudinal prediction model for the thymic index covering all ages from birth to 24 months. Material and Methods: of 37 infants examined in an earlier investigation, 34 attended a 24-month follow-up examination. The thymic index, a volume estimate, was assessed by sonography and compared to clinical variables, breastfeeding status and illness. The longitudinal prediction model was based on data throughout 2 years. Results: There was no significant relation between the thymic index and the clinical variables, breast-feeding status or illness at 24 months. An overall test for the effect of breast-feeding status at 4 months for infants from 0-24 months was significant, as was the actual body length of the infants from 0-8 months. Prediction models were estimated. Conclusion: Based on a 24-month longitudinal sonography study, prediction models are presented whereby the thymic size, as an index, can be predicted at all times from birth to 24 months of age.
Plain Radiography of the Lumbosacral Spine
Authors: Espeland A. , Albrektsen G. , Larsen J. L. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To evaluate how referrals from Norwegian general practitioners for plain radiography of the lumbosacral spine conform to clinical recommendations, and whether non-conforming referrals yield important findings. Material and Methods: The clinical information reported in referral letters of 323 patients was compared with recommendations given in a Norwegian and in a British “guide”. Additional clinical data were obtained by interviewing 100 of the patients. Using all available information, a new comparison was performed. Radiological findings were obtained from the routine reports. Results: of the 323 referrals, 24% (37%) conformed to the Norwegian (British) “guide”, 34% (46%) did not conform, and 42% (18%) were considered uncertain, mainly because of lack of pertinent information in the referral letters. A total of 182 examinations were in disagreement with one or both “guides”. Only 4 of these examinations revealed potentially important findings (osteoporotic fractures in 2 patients, uncertain sacroiliac joint arthritis in 1 patient, and “probably benign” sclerotic densities in 1 patient). In the interview group, the proportion of non-conforming referrals was 40% (48%) based on the referral letters, and 31% (30%) when the interview data were taken into account. Conclusion: A great proportion of referrals for plain radiography of the lumbosacral spine do not conform to recent clinical recommendations. Referrals outside the advised criteria yield few relevant findings and could probably be cancelled. They require at least supplementary information to justify radiography.
MR Evaluation of the Articular Cartilage of the Femoral Head during Traction
Authors: Nakanishi K. , Tanaka H. , Nishii T. , Masuhara K. , Narumi Y. , Nakamura H. 
Published: January 2010

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the articular cartilage of the hip joint with MR during traction and compare the findings with the resected specimen or arthroscopic findings. Material and Methods: Eight healthy volunteers, 5 patients with osteonecrosis, 5 with acetabular dysplasia, and 5 with advanced osteoarthrosis underwent MR imaging to evaluate the articular cartilage of the hip joint. Coronal fat-suppressed 3D spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) images were obtained during traction. Identical imaging was performed of all the resected femoral heads of the osteonecrosis and advanced osteoarthrosis patients, and was correlated with the macroscopic pathological findings. Results: The traction was effective and the femoral articular cartilage was clearly identified in all 8 control subjects, and in all cases of osteonecrosis and acetabular dysplasia. In 4 cases of osteonecrosis, chondral fracture was identified in the boundary between the necrosis and the normal area. In all cases of advanced osteoarthrosis, cartilage was identified only at the medial side. The MR images of osteonecrosis and advanced osteoarthrosis corresponded well with the MR images of the resected femoral heads and the macroscopic findings. Conclusion: Fat suppressed 3D-SPGR during continuous leg traction was useful in detecting cartilage abnormalities.
MR Imaging in Amyopathic Dermatomyositis
Authors: Lam W. W. M. , Chan H. , Chan Y. L. , Fung J. W. K. , So N. M. C. , Metreweli C. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Amyopathic dermatomyositis is a distinct clinical entity with cutaneous involvement but no myopathy. We conducted a prospective study to investigate the role of MR imaging in these patients. Material and Methods: Out of 40 Chinese patients presenting with dermatomyositis, based on clinical assessment and normal serum muscle enzymes 10 were diagnosed as having amyopathic dermatomyositis. These 10 patients underwent MR imaging for evaluation of any subclinical muscle involvement. Results: Three patients demonstrated abnormal signal intensity in muscles on both T2- and fat suppression sequences. Thus, one-third of patients with dermatomyositis and clinically normal muscles may have detectable muscle inflammation on MR images, indicating that MR has a potential role for locating the relevant biopsy site and for longitudinal follow up. Six of the 10 patients had malignant disease diagnosed before or after diagnosis of the cutaneous manifestation. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was the most common malignant disease in this group of patients. Conclusion: MR imaging is recommended for demonstrating subclinical muscle involvement in patients with the clinical diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis. We also recommend screening for malignancy, particularly nasopharyngeal carcinoma, in Southern Chinese patients with dermatomyositis.
Evaluation of the Pituitary Gland in Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Jayasundar R. , Ammini A. C. , Gupta R. , Raghunathan P. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Evaluation of the pituitary gland has been carried out in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) to test the potential of MR imaging in differentiating IHH patients from normals. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven patients (aged 18-30 years), and 20 volunteers (aged 20-30 years) were studied by T1-weighted MR imaging. Length (LA and LP), height (H), width (W), area (AA and AP), and volume (V1A, V1B V2A, V2P) of the pituitary gland were determined. (Subscripts P and A refer to measurements made with and without the posterior lobe, respectively.) V1 and V2 were estimated using two different methods. Results: In the control group, LB W and V2A exhibited significant differences between female and male volunteers. While W was the only parameter that did not show significant difference between normals and patients (in both men and women), all other parameters except LB H and AP showed statistically significant differences between normals and IHH patients in both males and females. While LP was significantly different between normals and patients (men), H and AP were significantly different between normals and patients only in the female group. Conclusion: Correlation analysis between various parameters has shown that LA can be used for evaluating the pituitary in both the male and female IHH patients.
Time Dependence of Iopamidol and Iodixanol in Arthrography of the Knee
Authors: Carlier R.-Y. , Åkeson P. , Morvan G. , Kristoffersen D. T. , Amar C. , Vallée C. 
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The safety and diagnostic efficacy of iodixanol (Visipaque) 270 mg I/ml was compared to that of iopamidol (Iopamiron) 300 mg I/ml in knee arthrography. Material and Methods: This trial was a bi-center double-blind trial including 128 patients (iodixanol/iopamidol 64/64 patients). Efficacy was evaluated by blinded grading of the diagnostic quality of the p.a. images taken 0, 12 and 25 min after contrast administration by the examining radiologist and later at a consensus evaluation by two experienced skeletal radiologists. Adverse events were recorded. Results: No patient experienced any adverse event. The proportion of better images at both 12 and 25 min after injection was higher in the iodixanol group compared to the iopamidol group both by the examining radiologist and at the consensus evaluation. Conclusion: In the knee joint iodixanol is a safe contrast medium. The contrast effect of iodixanol lasted longer than that of iopamidol, which can be important when performing arthrography, especially CT arthrography, where the time between puncture and examination can be prolonged.
Prediction and parametric analysis of thermal profiles within heated human skin using the boundary element method
Authors: Ng E. Y. K. , Tan H. M. , Ooi E. H. 
Published: January 2010

In this paper, an axisymmetric model of the human skin is developed to simulate the steady-state temperature distribution during contact with a hot solid. Simulations are carried out using the boundary element method. This study seeks to investigate the feasibility of using the boundary element method in the studies of burn. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to examine the effects of various parameters on the temperature distribution inside the skin during burn. Furthermore, a statistical analysis based on the Taguchi method is performed to determine the combination of factors that produce the desired outcome (least increase in temperature). In order to validate the accuracy of the numerical scheme, results obtained using the boundary element method are compared with the solutions obtained using the more established finite-element method.