Bronchial artery embolization: monitoring with somatosensory evoked potentials. Work in progress

Surgery remains the treatment of choice for massive and recurrent hemoptysis. In some instances, however, immediate surgical intervention is contraindicated. In these situations, bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has proved to be a successful definitive treatment for non-surgical candidates and a palliative therapy in patients requiring hemodynamic stabilization prior to surgery. The most serious complication of BAE is spinal cord ischemia. This relates directly to the potential anastomotic connections between the bronchial circulation and the anterior spinal artery. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) have been used in the past to monitor spinal cord ischemia during procedures that threaten the vascularity of the spinal cord. The authors report two cases in which SSEPs were employed to monitor spinal cord ischemia during bronchial artery embolization.     

The cold pressor test during radionuclide ventriculography: a feasibility study in cancer patients

To monitor the use of cardiotoxic drugs, adequate assessment of myocardial function is required. Although serial radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) studies allow a simple and rapid assessment of the myocardial function without risk or discomfort to the patient, they appear not to be sensitive enough. Determination of the EF during cold application may be more sensitive. In this study we tested the feasibility of the cold pressor test (CPT) in relation to EF determination in 23 cancer patients. Only minor side effects were recorded. The response of heart rate to cold was similar to the response reported in healthy volunteers and patients with coronary artery disease. In selected cases EF determination during CPT appeared to be more sensitive than EF at rest. EFCPT may be an attractive alternative for EFexercise in cancer patients who cannot perform enough exercise to stress cardiac function adequately, but for a more definite conclusion a prospective comparative study is required.     

How to perform a comprehensive search for FDG-PET literature

In this study, a comprehensive, unbiassed search strategy for identifying literature on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in Medline, Embase and Current Contents was developed, with specific search strategies for each database, using MeSH terms as well as free text words for PET and FDG. To examine which text words apply to FDG, we evaluated the ways of spelling FDG in a random sample of FDG-PET articles (n=100). These words were used as free text words in the two databases and overlap was determined. PET publications were identified using the text words ”positron emission tomography” and ”pet$” combined with the respective MeSH terms for each database. To compare the yield of the combined FDG-PET strategy in each database, the retrieved citations were downloaded to Pro-Cite 4.0. Finally, we added search terms for lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and lymphoma to our strategy and to a short strategy (consisting of the text words ”positron emission tomography” and ”fdg”). In order to measure the yield and precision (positive predictive value, PPV) of our search strategy and compare it with the short one, we screened the title and abstract of the retrieved citations. Reviewing a random sample of the FDG-PET literature yielded 56 different ways of spelling FDG. We confined the list to 11 text words, without missing articles. Of the publications retrieved by these text words, only 4% were indexed by the MeSH term ”Fludeoxyglucose F18” in Medline and 29% by the MeSH-term ”Fluorodeoxyglucose F18” in Embase. Only 51% of PET articles were indexed by the MeSH term ”Tomography, emission-computed” in Medline and 40% by the MeSH term ”Positron emission tomography” in Embase. The combined search strategy for identifying studies on FDG and PET resulted in 2865 publications in Medline and 2646 in Embase. Medline identified 1662 publications not found by Embase; Embase identified 1422 publications not found by Medline. Compared with the short strategy, our search strategy yielded on average 52% more publications (94%, 41% and 20% more in Medline, Embase and Current Contents, respectively). The PPV of our strategy (percent of publications that were really on PET, FDG and the specified subject) was 70%, compared with 76% using the short strategy. Regardless of the strategy used, Embase yielded more publications and was also slightly more specific than Medline. With the recommended strategy, FDG-PET publications can be identified more efficiently. We have shown the importance of searching more than one database and emphasize the use of both MeSH terms and text words in a search strategy. Standardization of the spelling of FDG and indexing of articles on FDG would substantially simplify searching. Received 5 July and in revised form 25 September 1999     

Transient synovitis of the hip in children: role of US

Transient synovitis of the hip remains a common diagnostic problem for the clinician. The physical signs are not pathognomonic of the condition, and the classic technical examinations are of little help. Therefore, the authors retrospectively studied the value of hip arthrosonography in 46 children with clinical symptoms suggesting pathologic hip conditions. In 20 of the 21 patients with a final diagnosis of transient synovitis, articular effusion was detected on ultrasound (US). Conventional radiography showed an increased medial joint space in only eight of these patients. Increased echogenicity of the articular fluid was found in both transient synovitis and septic arthritis. The high sensitivity of US in detecting intraarticular fluid was demonstrated by cadaver studies.     

中药贝母类的研究——ⅩⅦ.贝母鳞叶上表皮显微观察

本文对浙贝母Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.等20种贝母的鳞叶上(内)表皮进行了显微观察,发现种间在表皮细胞形状、大小和垂周壁部位角质栓(cuticular peg)的形状,大小和排列等方面有一定区别,可作为新的鉴别依据。全文除描述外,列出检索表,并附主要特征图。     

The integration of PET-CT scans from different hospitals into radiotherapy treatment planning.

PURPOSE: To integrate PET-CT scans from different hospitals into radiotherapy treatment planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cylindrical phantom with spheres of different diameters was scanned on three different Siemens Biograph PET-CT scanners in three hospitals. The spheres and cylinder were filled with 18F-FDG such that different sphere-to-background (S/B) ratios were obtained. Scans were analyzed using dedicated software for automated delineation based on standardized uptake value (SUV) and using different reconstruction parameters. RESULTS: SUV thresholding curves for different S/B ratios were obtained for the different scanners. Differences in SUV auto-contouring thresholds were found to be significant for PET-CT simulators from different radiotherapy and nuclear medicine departments. A change in PET reconstruction parameters showed a significant effect on the results. CONCLUSION: Synchronization of PET-CT imaging protocols between cooperating hospitals is important for reliable determination of SUV auto-contouring thresholds. Whenever this goal has been achieved automated SUV delineation based on a S/B ratio using PET-CT images from different institutions can reliably be performed using individually determined threshold curves.     

Clinical significance of anti-Yt(b). Report of a case using a 51chromium red cell survival study

Several published reports have documented the variable survival of Yt(a+) red cells (RBC) in patients with anti-Yt(a) as measured by 51Chromium (Cr)-labeled RBC survival studies. Similar studies with anti-Yt(b) have not been reported. A 51Cr-labeled RBC survival study was performed using Yt(b+) RBCs and a monocyte monolayer assay in a young hemodialysis patient who required chronic transfusion therapy and who had developed anti-Yt(b). The survival of the transfused RBCs was 100 and 93 percent at 1 and 24 hours, respectively, with a half life of 21 days at termination of the study (normal, 28 to 32 days). These results showed no evidence of rapid destruction of the Yt(b+) RBCs, indicating that this patient could be transfused safely with blood from Yt(b+) donors. Long-term survival of the 51Cr-labeled Yt(b+) RBCs was shortened moderately, however, a finding that correlated with a slightly abnormal monocyte monolayer assay test.     

Donor screening for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and hepatitis B virus infection in transfusion recipients

BACKGROUND: Testing for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) as a surrogate for hepatitis C viremia is no longer needed for blood donor screening. Currently, the important question is how much its use supplements hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) donor screening in preventing transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a study conducted in the 1970s, 64 blood donors were associated with 15 cases of HBV (1.0%) in 1533 transfusion recipients. Sera from 61 donors at donation and 29 follow-up visits were available for present-day assays for HBsAg, HBV DNA, anti-HBc, and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). RESULTS: HBsAg was found in four previously negative blood donors; HBV DNA was limited to three of these four. Anti-HBc was detected in six HBsAg-negative donors. Two other donors were negative in all assays at donation, but positive for anti- HBc and anti-HBs 2 to 4 months later. The remaining donors were negative for all HBV markers, which left five recipient cases unexplained. No HBV transmission was observed when anti-HBs sample-to- negative control values were > or = 10. CONCLUSION: Some 33 to 50 percent of cases of hepatitis B that could be transmitted by transfusion of blood from HBsAg-negative donors are prevented by anti- HBc screening. Anti-HBc-positive donors unequivocally positive for anti- HBs should be considered noninfectious for HBV and should be allowed to donate. Anti-HBc screening of paid plasmapheresis donors, supplemented by anti-HBs testing, would reduce the amount of HBV to be processed by virus inactivation and increase the content of anti-HBs in plasma pools.     

自体与异体移植重建膝关节前交叉韧带的关键技术

目的:探索膝关节前交叉韧带重建术的各个关键技术环节,为提高前交叉韧带修复的临床效果提供理论和实践依据。方法:通过分析与总结与前交叉韧带重建相关的文献资料,包括其手术方式、移植物的选择、骨道定位、髁间窝成形、移植物预张与张力、移植物固定等,同时结合作者的工作经验旨在进一步提高前交叉韧带重建技术。结果:①手术方式选择:膝关节镜下生物材料移植重建前交叉韧带取得比以往优良的临床效果,已得到广泛认可。多数采用单束重建,部分学者正在尝试双束重建以改善移植物生物力学性能。②移植材料的选择:包括自体和同种异体材料,其中自体骨-髌腱-骨与腘绳肌腱最为常用。骨-髌腱-骨由于两端带有骨块,固定牢靠,允许早期重返运动场,颇受年轻运动员青睐。腘绳肌腱取材切口小,术后很少出现膝前痛,但其稳定性不如骨-髌腱-骨,且术后相对容易出现骨隧道扩大。异体移植物在体内结合、重塑速度较自体移植慢,但若经过严格的供体筛选、合理的组织取材、消毒和保存,而不减弱移植物强度,仍可取得与自体移植相当的效果。③骨道位置:正确的骨道定位非常重要,骨道位置太靠前会造成髁间窝撞击和伸直受限。研究表明,术中采用骨性标志定位法要比采用软组织标志定位法准确,术中摄片有助于骨道位置的正确定位。④髁间窝成形术:髁间窝成形的目的是为了便于更清楚的观察髁间窝后侧,同时也是为了避免髁间窝撞击综合征的发生,由于髁间窝过度成形会增加关节出血、疼痛、肿胀以及骨赘生长,所以一般不主张广泛的髁间窝成形,除非术中确有必要时才进行。⑤移植物预张与张力:移植物初始张力不够会导致膝关节持续松弛,而张力过高会限制关节活动并加速关节退变。目前对于最佳的初始张力尚无确切说法。⑥固定:现在已经研制出许多不同类型的固定材料。对于骨-髌腱-骨而言,界面挤压螺钉单切口重建前交叉韧带时,股骨侧靠近关节腔侧固定,胫骨侧远离关节腔侧固定,双切口技术时胫骨侧靠近关节腔侧固定,股骨侧远离关节腔侧固定。股骨侧固定完毕后,膝关节取何角度对胫骨侧进行固定尚存争议。膝关节稍屈曲状态下固定不容易发生松弛,但正常的膝关节在前后方向上是允许有一定松弛度的。有些学者认为在膝关节完全伸直状态下固定可以避免屈曲挛缩畸形的发生并允许前后方向有轻度松弛。而有些学者认为在膝关节稍微屈曲状态下固定会更紧。结论:要真正做到解剖、生物力学、生理功能全方位重建,前交叉韧带重建技术,仍需不断完善,分子生物学、基因工程和组织工程技术的发展以及计算机辅助机器人手术的开展会使前交叉韧带重建技术日臻完善。