First-pass radionuclide assessment of right and left ventricular performance in patients with cardiac and pulmonary disease

First-pass radionuclide angiocardiography allows noninvasive determination of right and left ventricular performance from a single study. Analysis is made from the high frequency components of the regional radionuclide time-activity curves. Both regional and global ventricular performance can be assessed at rest and during exercise. Sequential studies can be performed to evaluate therapeutic interventions. This technique has been applied in a broad spectrum of patients with cardiac and pulmonary disease and has been shown to have major clinical impact.     

Quantitative planar thallium-201 stress scintigraphy: A critical evaluation of the method

The results of quantitative analysis of planar thallium-201 stress scintigraphy are superior to those of visual analysis. The increased sensitivity for detection of coronary artery disease is associated with maintenance of specificity. Consequently, we believe that quantitative analysis is the state-of-the-art for planar 201Tl stress scintigraphy. We emphasize that for reliable and reproducible results, rigorous quality control and strict adherence to a standardized imaging protocol are necessary. An important feature is clarity of display of computer data. In our experience, the most important feature for making quantitative analysis reliable and accessible for a broader user market is simultaneous display of the lower limits of normal with processed patient data. This provides a simple visual impression of the degree and extent of abnormal 201Tl distribution and kinetics relative to the lower limit of normal.     

Clinical Evaluation,Imaging, and Management of Adolescent Idiopathic and Adult Degenerative Scoliosis

We provide a comprehensive review of the clinical presentation, imaging evaluation, classification, and management of adolescent idiopathic and adult degenerative scoliosis.