双源CT双能量颅脑CTA虚拟平扫诊断脑膜瘤

目的探讨双源CT(DSCT)双能量颅脑CTA虚拟平扫在脑膜瘤术前检查中的临床价值。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的49例脑膜瘤患者的CT图像,包括常规平扫(CNC)及双能量增强图像,经处理得到虚拟平扫(VNC)图和碘图;对比两组平扫病灶平均CT值、SNR、图像质量评分、病灶形态及辐射剂量。应用双能去骨获得颅脑CTA图像,观察肿瘤与周围血管的关系和肿瘤供血动脉。结果肿瘤组织CNC平均CT值、SNR及评分均高于VNC(P均<0.05),VNC图像质量评分均在3分以上,能达到诊断要求;两种平扫显示脑膜瘤的大小、形态、瘤内钙化、坏死及瘤周水肿差异无统计学意义,但VNC显示脑膜瘤钙化不足;双能量CTA的辐射剂量较CNC加增强扫描降低约1.71mSv(61.07%)。结论通过一次增强扫描,DSCT双能量颅脑CTA可获得VNC图像、碘图及颅脑CTA图,是一种较好的脑膜瘤术前检查方法。     

Comparison of low dose and standard dose abdominal CT scan in body stuffers

Purpose: Detection of body stuffers is challenging in emergency departments. Because of the small size of baggies, plain radiograph is of little value in most suspects. On the other hand, abdomen CT scan is burdened by high cost and radiation dose. This study was performed to compare the image quality, radiation dose and accuracy of low-dose CT scan in comparison with standard dose.

Material and methods: In this prospective study, suspected body stuffers who were referred to the radiology department underwent two different protocols of abdominal non-contrast CT scan simultaneously: low-dose (with equivalent dose to conventional abdominal x-ray) and standard dose. Standard dose CT scan was considered as the reference. Low-dose CT scans were evaluated for detection of baggies by two radiologists blinded to the result of standard dose CT. Image quality, noise, dose-length product (DLP) and effective dose (ED) compared between two groups.

Results: The study consisted of 40 patients (33.38?±?7.4 years). Standard dose CT evaluation was positive in 22 patients (55%). In comparison with standard dose CT scan, low-dose group had a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 100%, PPV and NPV of 100% and 86%. The accuracy of low-dose CT scan for detection of baggies larger than 1?cm was 100%. However, from the 3 cases that could not be detected with low dose protocol, one had CT features suspected for baggies rupture which was intubated and later deceased. Noise average of low-dose protocol, was approximately 7 times greater than standard dose group, while DLP and ED were 9.7 times less.

Conclusion: Low dose CT scan appears to be an appropriate screening method for body stuffers, especially when the baggies are larger than one centimeter. However, in the presence of severe clinical symptoms, a standard dose CT scan will be more helpful due to better image quality especially in suspected ruptured baggies.     

肾脏占位病变双能量CT虚拟平扫与真实平扫图像特征对比

目的 探讨肾脏占位病变双能量CT（DECT）虚拟平扫（VNC）的图像特征及其与真实平扫（TNC）的差异。方法 收集因肾脏占位病变接受泌尿系DECT平扫及增强扫描的患者33例,分别获得TNC及肾实质期虚拟平扫（VNC_n）图像。观察两种图像的特点并对图像质量进行客观及主观评价。结果 图像客观评价显示,VNC_n与TNC图像中肾脏病灶、肾实质、腹主动脉、腹膜后脂肪CT值差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.001）,图像的背景噪声（腹膜后脂肪标准差）、CNR、SNR差异亦有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。VNC_n与TNC图像中病灶内钙化的最大径、CT值及脂肪的CT值差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）,而对脂肪最大径的显示差异无计学意义（P>0.05）。主观评价显示,VNC_n与TNC图像质量评分差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 肾脏占位病变DECT的VNC_n与TNC图像质量相近,但对病灶内钙化、脂肪等细节的显示不及TNC图像。     

螺旋CT诊断胃间质瘤

目的 探讨螺旋CT对胃间质瘤的诊断价值. 方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的20例胃间质瘤患者的临床和CT检查资料. 结果 CT平扫均呈单发软组织肿块,其中9例为恶性,肿块较大,最大径均>5.0 cm,密度不均匀,部分有囊变坏死;11例为潜在恶性,瘤体相对较小,最大径均＜5.0 cm,多数密度均匀.2例病变出现钙化.CT增强后肿瘤实质部分均有较明显强化.多平面重建可清晰显示肿瘤与胃的关系. 结论 胃间质瘤的CT表现有一定的特征性,CT扫描+多平面重建有助于定位和定性诊断.     

The prevalence of potential alcohol–drug interactions in older adults

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of clinically significant drug–alcohol interactions among home-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years. Design. This study was a cross-sectional assessment of a stratified random sample of 2100 elderly people (≥ 65 years) in Espoo, Finland. The response rate was 71.6% from the community-dwelling sample. The drugs were coded according to their Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification index (ATC DDD 2012). Significant alcohol interactive (AI) drugs were examined according to the Swedish, Finnish, INteraction X-referencing (SFINX) interaction database, as well as concomitant use of central nervous system drugs, hypoglycaemics, and warfarin with alcohol. “At-risk alcohol users” were defined consuming > 7 drinks/week, or ≥ 5 drinks on a typical drinking day, or using ≥ 3 drinks several times/week, “moderate users” as consuming at least one drink/month, but less than 7 drinks/week, and “minimal/non-users” less than one drink/month. Results. Of the total sample (n = 1395), 1142 respondents responded as using at least one drug. Of the drug users, 715 (62.6%) persons used alcohol. The mean number of medications was 4.2 (SD 2.5) among “at-risk users”, 4.0 (SD 2.6) among “moderate users”, and 5.4 (SD 3.4) among “minimal/non-users” (p < 0.001). The concomitant use of AI drugs was widespread. Among the “at-risk users”, “moderate users”, and “minimal/nonusers” 42.2%, 34.9%, and 52.7%, respectively, were on AI drugs (p < 0.001). One in 10 of “at-risk users” used warfarin, hypnotics/sedatives, or metformin. Conclusions. Use of AI drugs is common among older adults, and this increases the potential risks related to the use of alcohol.     

The rise in legal highs: prevalence and patterns in the use of illegal drugs and first- and second-generation “legal highs” in South London gay dance clubs

Aim: To assess the prevalence of use of established illegal psychoactive drugs and emergent psychoactive drugs, the so-called “legal highs”, amongst gay club-goers who are considered to be “early adopters” of drug trends.

Design: Three in situ surveys were conducted in July 2010 with customers at two dance clubs (nightclubs) in an area known for its “gay-friendly” night time economy. The surveys assessed the prevalence of self-reported lifetime, past year, past month, fieldwork day use and planned use of illegal drugs and “legal highs”.

Setting: This is a field study.

Participants: The participants were 308 customers in two “gay-friendly” clubs in South London, United Kingdom.

Measurements: Two-page research instrument was designed for in situ drug surveys.

Findings: Our sample had higher rates of self-reported lifetime and recent use of established illegal drugs than the general population. Mephedrone emerged from near obscurity to become the most popular illegal drug in this survey, with 41% having taken it in the past month and 27% having either taken and/or planning to take it on the fieldwork night. Regarding second-generation “legal highs”, 11% of the sample had taken NRG-1 in the past month and 3% had taken and/or planned to take it on the fieldwork night.

Conclusions: This survey suggests that the popularity of mephedrone surpasses other drugs, both legal and illegal, despite having been banned by the UK government prior to this survey being conducted. “Early adopters” of drug trends appear to be undeterred by the legal classification of emergent psychoactive substances. Given the global nature of the trade in “legal highs”, this study has implications for other countries where mephedrone use is emerging.     

Transition from “old” injected drugs to mephedrone in an urban micro segregate in Budapest,Hungary: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

Social micro segregates are spatial, geographical organizations within the city of Budapest, Hungary. Drug transition was studied in a specific micro segregate which was characterised by social marginalization, inhabitants with low economic background and dense injecting drugs user community. The members of this community changed their drugs use from “old” drugs (heroin, amphetamines) to new, “designer” drugs when they have appeared in the country in 2010. The transition was studied with qualitative interviews, where the effect of the memebrship in the micro segregate as a special injecting risk environment was conceived. Data from life narrative interviews with 17 mephedrone users were collected. Data underline the supply driven drug transitions took place in this special geographic area and risk environment. The new, more harmful injecting drug use pattern was explained by the characteristics of the micro segregate. Results raise attention to public health consequences of drug transition and to the importance of the proper public health and urban planning policies.     

CT淋巴管成像及胸部平扫CT诊断乳糜痰

目的 观察直接淋巴管造影(DLG)后CT淋巴管成像(CTL)及平扫CT诊断乳糜痰的价值。方法 回顾性分析17例乳糜痰患者CTL及胸部平扫CT资料,观察淋巴管异常及胸部其他异常表现。结果 17例CTL均见碘化油异常沉积,分布于颈根部、纵隔区、胸腔和胸壁,以颈静脉角区最为常见,部分可见肺部碘化油反流及多处淋巴管扩张;胸部平扫CT显示肺、胸膜、纵隔及心包等多处异常,以支气管血管束增粗最为常见。结论 CTL对诊断乳糜痰有一定价值;胸部平扫CT可显示乳糜痰患者肺及胸部其他结构异常改变。     

The toxicological significance of post-mortem drug concentrations in bile

Context: Some authors have proposed that post-mortem drug concentrations in bile are useful in estimating concentrations in blood. Both The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration recommend that samples of bile should be obtained in some circumstances. Furthermore, standard toxicological texts compare blood and bile concentrations, implying that concentrations in bile are of forensic value.

Aim: To review the evidence on simultaneous measurements of blood and bile drug concentrations reported in the medical literature.

Methods: We made a systematic search of EMBASE 1980–2016 using the search terms (“bile/” OR “exp drug bile level/concentration/”) AND “drug blood level/concentration/”, PubMed 1975–2017 for (“bile[tw]” OR “biliary[tw]”) AND (“concentration[tw]” OR “concentrations[tw]” OR “level[tw]” OR “levels[tw]”) AND “post-mortem[tw]” and also MEDLINE 1990–2016 for information on drugs whose biliary concentrations were mentioned in standard textbooks. The search was limited to human studies without language restrictions. We also examined recent reviews, indexes of relevant journals and citations in Web of Science and Google Scholar. We calculated the bile:blood concentration ratio. The searches together yielded 1031 titles with abstracts. We scanned titles and abstracts for relevance and retrieved 230, of which 161 were considered further. We excluded 49 papers because: the paper reported only one case (30 references); the data referred only to a metabolite (1); the work was published before 1980 (3); the information concerned only samples taken during life (10); or the paper referred to a toxin or unusual recreational drug (5). The remaining 112 papers provided data for analysis, with at least two observations for each of 58 drugs.

Bile:blood concentration ratios: Median bile:blood concentration ratios varied from 0.18 (range 0.058–0.32) for dextromoramide to 520 (range 0.62–43,000) for buprenorphine. Median bile concentrations exceeded blood concentrations by one order of magnitude for several drugs, including dihydrocodeine, quetiapine and sildenafil; and by two orders of magnitude of for buprenorphine, colchicine and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), among others. The minimum and maximum values for the ratio differed by a factor of three or more in three-quarters of the cases where data were available and by a factor of 10 or more for over half of the analytes.

Limitations: The data were difficult to find. Medline does not explicitly index the term “drug bile concentration”. It may well be that other reports exist, although they would not alter our major conclusion. Many of the papers that contributed data failed to specify the source of the blood samples or the post-mortem interval, so that no judgment was possible regarding post-mortem redistribution in whole blood or bile.

Conclusions: For most drugs, there are wide ranges of bile:blood concentration ratios, which means that bile and blood concentrations are generally poorly correlated. Bile concentration measurements cannot readily be used to establish post-mortem blood concentrations; nor can they be extrapolated to ante-mortem concentrations. However, because drug concentrations in bile often exceed those in blood, bile may allow qualitative identification of drugs present, even when the blood concentration is below the limit of detection.     

双源CT双能量虚拟平扫技术评价纵隔淋巴结

目的 比较双源CT双能量虚拟平扫（VNC）与常规平扫（CNC）在纵隔淋巴结病变检查中的临床应用价值。方法 对50例临床疑诊纵隔淋巴结病变患者行双能量CT CNC和增强扫描,并重建动脉期VNC和静脉期VNC,对CNC与动、静脉期VNC图像平均CT值、SNR、图像质量评分及总辐射剂量进行比较。结果 50例患者气管杈水平胸椎椎体后方肌肉CNC及动、静脉期VNC的平均CT值、图像质量评分差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）,SNR差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。常规三期扫描的容积CT剂量指数、剂量长度乘积、有效剂量均高于双能量双期扫描,差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。恶性组、良性组、正常组淋巴结CNC及动、静脉期VNC的CT值差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。结论 纵隔双源CT双能量VNC与CNC图像质量无差别,均可满足临床诊断要求,且VNC辐射剂量更小。     

The interpretation of hair analysis for drugs and drug metabolites

Introduction: Head hair analysis for drugs and drug metabolites has been used widely with the aim of detecting exposure in the weeks or months prior to sample collection. However, inappropriate interpretation of results has likely led to serious miscarriages of justice, especially in child custody cases.

Objective: The aim of this review is to assess critically what can, and perhaps more importantly, what cannot be claimed as regards the interpretation of hair test results in a given set of circumstances in order to inform future testing.

Methods: We searched the PubMed database for papers published 2010–2016 using the terms “hair” and “drug” and “decontamination”, the terms “hair” and “drug” and “contamination”, the terms “hair” and “drug-facilitated crime”, the terms “hair” and “ethyl glucuronide”, and the terms “hair”, “drug testing” and “analysis”. Study of the reference lists of the 46 relevant papers identified 25 further relevant citations, giving a total of 71 citations.

Hair samples: Drugs, drug metabolites and/or decomposition products may arise not only from deliberate drug administration, but also via deposition from a contaminated atmosphere if drug(s) have been smoked or otherwise vaporized in a confined area, transfer from contaminated surfaces via food/fingers, etc., and transfer from sweat and other secretions after a single large exposure, which could include anesthesia. Excretion in sweat of endogenous analytes such as γ-hydroxybutyric acid is a potential confounder if its use is to be investigated. Cosmetic procedures such as bleaching or heat treatment of hair may remove analytes prior to sample collection. Hair color and texture, the area of the head the sample is taken from, the growth rate of individual hairs, and how the sample has been stored, may also affect the interpretation of results.

Toxicological analysis: Immunoassay results alone do not provide reliable evidence on which to base judicial decisions. Gas or liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC- or LC-MS), if used with due caution, can give accurate analyte identification and high sensitivity, but many problems remain. Firstly, it is not possible to prepare assay calibrators or quality control material except by soaking “blank” hair in solutions of appropriate analytes, drying, and then subjecting the dried material to an analysis. The fact that solvents can be used to add analytes to hair points to the fact that analytes can arrive not only on, but also in hair from exogenous sources. A range of solvent-washing procedures have been advocated to “decontaminate” hair by removing adsorbed analytes, but these carry the risk of transporting adsorbed analytes into the medulla of the hair therefore confounding the whole procedure. This is especially true if segmental analysis is being undertaken in order to provide a “time course” of drug exposure.

Proposed clinical applications of hair analysis: There have been a number of reports where drugs seemingly administered during the perpetration of a crime have been detected in head hair. However, detailed evaluation of these reports is difficult without full understanding of the possible effects of any “decontamination” procedures used and of other variables such as hair color or cosmetic hair treatment. Similarly, in child custody cases and where the aim is to demonstrate abstinence from drug or alcohol use, the issues of possible exogenous sources of analyte, and of the large variations in analyte concentrations reported in known users, continue to confound the interpretation of results in individual cases.

Conclusions: Interpretation of results of head hair analysis must take into account all the available circumstantial and other evidence especially as regards the methodology employed and the possibility of surface contamination of the hair prior to collection.     

Ultrasound assessment of gastric volume in critically ill patients

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and validity of ultrasonographic measurement of gastric antral cross-sectional area (usCSA) in critically ill patients to predict gastric volume and the use of computed tomography (CT) as a reference to measure gastric volume.

Method

This single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study included 55 critically ill patients who had an abdominal CT scan. usCSA measurements were performed within the hour preceding the CT scan. Gastric volumes were measured on the CT scan using semiautomatic software. The feasibility rate, performing conditions (% “good” and “poor”), internal and external validity of antral usCSA measurements, performed by an ICU physician, were assessed to predict gastric volume.

Results

Antral usCSA measurements were feasible in 95 % of cases and were positively correlated with gastric volume measured by the CT scan when performed in “good” conditions (65 %) (r = 0.43). There was good reproducibility of measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.97, CI 95 % 0.96–0.99) and there was clinically acceptable agreement between measurements performed by radiologists and intensivists (bias ?0.12 cm²). The receiver operating characteristic curve identified a cutoff value of 3.6 cm² that discriminated an “at-risk stomach” (volume >0.8 mL/kg) at a sensitivity of 76 % and a specificity of 78 %.

Conclusions

Ultrasonographic measurement of antral CSA is feasible and reliable in the majority of critically ill patients. This technique could be useful to manage critically ill patients at risk of aspiration or with enteral feeding.     

Flibanserin toxicity in a toddler following ingestion

Introduction: Flibanserin is a medication recently approved by the FDA for treatment of generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood but is thought to modulate serotonin receptors and increase levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. While much is known about toxicity of other drugs which affect these systems, there is little information about toxicity of flibanserin at this time.

Case: We present a case of a 2-year-old boy who ingested an estimated 600?mg of his mother’s flibanserin. Following ingestion, the child developed facial twitching and unresponsiveness to pain, concerning for seizure-like activity. In the emergency department (ED) he was found to have hypertension, mydriasis, slurred speech, and normal labs. He responded well to supportive care including administration of benzodiazepines. Shortly after admission to the hospital, his temperature increased to 38.4?°C. Toxicology testing revealed the presence of 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazine (TFMPP), a flibanserin metabolite. TFMPP is a recreational drug used as an alternative to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (more commonly known as “MDMA” or “ecstasy”).

Discussion: This case highlights potential toxicity associated with ingestion of flibanserin.     

Differences existing between USA and Europe in opioids purchase on Internet: an interpretative review

Abstract

Background: Opioids e-commerce represents an important public health issue. While the literature describes this phenomenon in the USA, the studies about this topic are scarce in Europe. This review aims to describe the state of the art of the online opioids commerce and to explore the factors influencing the opioids e-commerce.

Methods: Scientific literature available via four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, ISI Web of knowledge and Scopus) was screened on June 2012. Keywords used were “Internet and opioids”, “Online and opioids”, “Web and opioids”, “Opioid selling”, “Opioid business”, “Opioid buy”, and “Opioid sale”. After the selection, 31 articles were finally identified as meeting the inclusion criteria.

Results: The online market of opioids had experienced a boom thanks to the discount prices, the poor monitoring actions, the quickness and easiness of acquiring of these drugs. Legislation on the sale of drugs online differs among the countries. We found that the opioids e-commerce and its consequences are detailed for the USA context, while there is a lack of knowledge in Europe.

Conclusions: Public health impact of online purchase is worthy of consideration and additional research, considering the potential underestimation of the phenomenon. Public health interventions can be indeed hampered by the lack of knowledge of professionals about this topic.     

Ultra-low-dose limited renal CT for volumetric stone surveillance: advantages over standard unenhanced CT

Purpose

To describe and validate a novel CT approach using volumetric analysis for renal stone surveillance.

Materials and methods

This prospective trial consisted of a standard low-dose non-contrast CT (SLD) of the abdomen and pelvis, immediately followed by an ultra-low-dose non-contrast CT (ULD) with reconstruction limited to the kidneys. A novel dedicated software tool was applied that automates stone volume, density, and maximum linear size. Manual linear stone size was measured by a radiology fellow and urology resident for comparison. CT dose and clinical charges were considered.

Results

Twenty-eight stones in 16 patients were analyzed. Mean effective dose of ULD CT was 0.57 mSv, an average 92% lower than the SLD CT dose. For SLD, mean size ± SD (range) (mm) was 7.9 ± 6.2 (2.6–30.5) for Reader 1, 7.3 ± 6 (2.4–30.7) for Reader 2, and 9.3 ± 6.4 (3.7–33.1) for the automated software. For ULD, mean size ± SD (range) (mm) was 7.3 ± 6 (2.5–30.5) for Reader 1, 7.2 ± 6.1 (2.1–30.7) for Reader 2, and 9.1 ± 6.4 (4.2–32.8) for the automated software. Automated stone diameters were larger than manual diameters for 27/28 stones (mean difference, 23%); difference was ≥ 2 mm in 30%. Average variability between manual measurements was 8.6% (SLD) and 7.8% (ULD), but was 0% for the automated technique. Our institutional charge for ULD renal CT is slightly less than renal US, and > 4× less than SLD CT. The Medicare global fee for the ULD renal CT is less than the SLD CT of the abdomen and pelvis.

Conclusions

This focused stone surveillance CT protocol is lower cost and lower dose compared to the standard CT approach. Automated assessment of stone burden provides improved reproducibility over manual linear measurement and offers the advantages of 3D measurements and volumetry. We now offer and perform this protocol in routine clinical practice for stone surveillance.

     

Monoclonal antibodies in gastrointestinal cancers

Introduction: Among gastrointestinal cancers, colorectal and gastric neoplasms are the most frequent. The development of new targeted drugs improved the efficacy of systemic therapy in advanced stages of those malignancies.

Areas covered: This review highlights the main biological processes implicated in gastrointestinal cancer development and progression, such as angiogenesis and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. On these bases, anti-EGFR and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies in colorectal and gastric cancer are discussed. Data about further monoclonal antibodies in development are also reported.

Expert opinion: The use of monoclonal antibodies in colorectal and gastric cancers showed the best outcomes when combined with chemotherapy, even though single agent anti-EGFR antibodies seem active in particular setting of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. It is not well defined whether the addition of anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR to chemotherapy could improve outcome in those patients susceptible to CRC-related metastases resection. Little and conflicting data are available about the role of these drugs in adjuvant setting. Tests are available to select patients with higher probability to get benefit from these treatments. Further biomarkers need to be evaluated to improve this selection and achieve “tailorization” of systemic therapy.     

The development of an observational screening tool to assess safe,effective and appropriate walking aid use in people with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify potential items for an observational screening tool to assess safe, effective and appropriate walking aid use among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Such a tool is needed because of the association between fall risk and mobility aid use in this population.

Methods: Four individuals with MS were videotaped using a one or two straight canes, crutches or a rollator in different settings. Seventeen health care professionals from Canada, Ireland and the United States were recruited, and viewed the videos, and were then interviewed about the use of the devices by the individuals in the videos. Interview questions addressed safety, effectiveness and appropriateness of the device in the setting. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Coding consistency across raters was evaluated and confirmed.

Results: Nineteen codes were identified as possible items for the screening tool. The most frequent issues raised regardless of setting and device were “device used for duration/abandoned”, “appropriate device”, “balance and stability”, “device technique”, “environmental modification” and “hands free.”

Conclusion: With the identification of a number of potential tool items, researchers can now move forward with the development of the tool. This will involve consultation with both healthcare professionals and people with MS.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Falls among people with multiple sclerosis are associated with mobility device use and use of multiple devices is associated with greater falls risk.

• The ability to assess for safe, effective and efficient use of walking aids is therefore important, no tools currently exist for this purpose.

• The codes arising from this study will be used to develop a screening tool for safe, effective and efficient walking aid use with the aim of reducing falls risk.

     

Hepatopulmonary shunting on Tc99m-MAA liver mapping: correlation with dynamic cross-sectional imaging and description of different shunting patterns

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to correlate lung shunt fraction (LSF) calculated by intra-arterial injection of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-labeled macroaggregated albumin (MAA) in a hepatic artery branch with the presence of certain patterns of vascular shunts on dynamic CT or MRI of the liver.

Methods

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. We reviewed 523 MAA scans in 453 patients (301 men, 152 women) performed from July 2007 to June 2015 and their correlative cross-sectional imaging. Patterns of vascular shunts on dynamic CT or MRI performed within 3 months of the MAA study and that potentially divert hepatic arterial inflow to the systemic venous return were defined as “target shunts.” Dynamic CT or MRI was classified into three groups with target shunt present, absent, or indeterminate. The mean LSF was compared across the first and second groups using paired t test.

Results

342 CT and MRI studies met inclusion criteria: target shunts were present in 63 studies, absent in 271 studies, and 8 studies were indeterminate. When target shunts were visualized, the mean LSF on corresponding MAA scans was 12.9 ± 10.36% (95% CI 10.29–15.15%) compared to 4.3 ± 3.17% (95% CI 3.93–4.68%) when no target shunt was visualized. The difference was statistically significant (p value < 0.001). Identified target shunts were either direct (arteriohepatic venous shunt) or indirect (arterioportal shunt combined with a portosystemic shunt).

Conclusions

Visualizing certain patterns of vascular shunting on a dynamic CT or MRI scan is associated with high LSF.

     

Arteriography after embolization before distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection

Objective: To evaluate hemodynamics by arteriographic examinations with and without CT in the stomach wall and liver after preoperative embolization to redistribute blood flow to the stomach and liver, which is unified to be supplied from the superior mesenteric artery, before distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR). Material and methods: In six patients with locally advanced cancer of the pancreatic body in whom DP-CAR was planned, the left gastric artery and common hepatic artery were embolized with coils. Celiac arteriography and superior mesenteric arteriography with and without CT were performed after embolization. Results: In all six patients, intrahepatic arteries and the left gastric artery were not visualized on celiac arteriography. On both superior mesenteric arteriography and CT obtained while contrast medium was infused via the superior mesenteric artery and which was performed immediately after embolization procedures, the right gastric artery, gastroepiploic artery, gastroduodenal artery, and all hepatic arterial branches were clearly detected. Also the distal part of the left gastric artery close to the embolized point was detected with at least one of the imaging modalities. Conclusion: It was clarified radiologically that preoperative embolization results in increased blood supply to the stomach wall and liver through the pancreatic arcade.     

双层探测器光谱CT虚拟平扫联合40keV虚拟单能量成像用于降低小肠CT造影辐射剂量

目的 观察双层探测器光谱CT(DLCT)虚拟平扫(VNC)联合40 keV虚拟单能量成像(VMI)用于降低小肠CT造影(CTE)辐射剂量的价值。方法 回顾性分析63例接受CT真实平扫(TNC)及双期增强扫描的炎性肠病(IBD)患者,测算病变/组织结构在重建TNC,常规动、静脉期,虚拟动、静脉期平扫(VNC_a、VNC_v)及40 keV VMI图像中的CT值和图像噪声(SD)、信噪比(SNR)、对比度噪声比(CNR),以及剂量长度乘积(DLP)、容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)及有效剂量(ED);对比TNC及VNC图像、常规动脉期及40 keV VMI图像并进行客观评价;对常规扫描与VNC_v联合40 keV VMI CTE图像进行主观评价,并比较其辐射剂量。结果 TNC、VNC_a及VNC_v图像中,病变累积肠壁、未累及肠壁及腰大肌CT值差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。病变肠壁、腹主动脉及回结肠静脉在40 keV VMI图像中的CT值、SNR及CNR均高于常规动脉期图像(...