Semiquantifying regional cerebral blood flow by 123I-amphetamine (IMP) SPECT in cerebrovascular disorders: correlations with CBF indices by 133Xe inhalation method

To examine the capacity of detecting regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) disturbances in stroke, measurements with 133Xe inhalation and 123I-amphetamine (IMP) SPECT were performed within 1-2 days in 19 patients. IMP SPECT images in transverse sections consisting of outer and inner areas were correlated with 32 regions of 133Xe rCBF. 133Xe rCBF was assessed by ISI, CBF15, and F1. Inter hemispheric ratio correlation showed outer IMP uptake correlated better with 133Xe CBF indices than the inner one. With higher ratios of 133Xe rCBF. IMP uptake ratios were variable, suggesting less usefulness of this parameter in evaluation of mild ischemia. Values of IMP in outer regional hypo and hyperemic areas correlated better with those of 133Xe rCBF than the inner ones. In regional ratios of hypo and hyperemic areas from hemispheric mean, outer IMP uptake correlated with 133Xe CBF indices, reflecting regional disturbances of fast clearing tissue perfusion. Regression lines between ratios in 133Xe CBF and IMP uptake were located below one to one correlation, and dissociated more for hyperemic regions. IMP SPECT correlated better with 133Xe rCBF for tissues with reduced perfusion but underestimated hyperemic regions as measured with the 133Xe method. The data suggest outer cerebral IMP uptake evaluated by SPECT could reflect flow disturbances in the brain cortex.     

Pancreatic transplant imaging

Forty-four clinical episodes of suspected (pancreas) transplant rejection in 17 pancreatic transplantation patients were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical impression of acute graft rejection, chronic rejection, or nonrejection in each episode was correlated with the results of 19 nuclear medicine, 12 ultrasound (US), and 44 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. US was found to be a moderately sensitive (82%) method of detecting graft rejection. US also was effective in identifying intra- and peripancreatic fluid accumulations. Nuclear medicine imaging was also a sensitive technique (86%) and the only modality that provided physiologic information regarding graft perfusion. MR imaging allowed correct prediction of the presence or absence of graft rejection in 39 of 44 cases (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 76%) and was an effective means of detecting pathologic fluid collections. Nuclear medicine, US, and MR imaging are all believed to be sensitive methods of detecting graft rejection and are complementary adjuncts to the clinical evaluation of pancreatic transplants.     

Harvesting of granulocytes for transfusion therapy by haemonetics 30. Yield, morphology and in vitro functions of collected granulocytes.

By means of a Haemonetics 30 blood cell separator white blood cells (WBC) were collected for transfusion purposes from 21 normal unstimulated donors. Citrated Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) was used as anticoagulant. A mean yield of 1.13 x 10(10) WBC was obtained in 2 1/2-3 h. Half of the collected WBC were PMN cells containing a few per cent band forms, the other half lymphocytes and monocytes (12%). No shift in the distribution of WBC was found during the leucapheresis. Light and electron microscopy did not reveal any damage or changes in the structure of the processed granulocytes. The Trypan blue exclusion test showed 99% vital cells. In vitro assessment of the chemotactic and bactericidal activity of the collected granulocytes showed normal function. Also the content of myeloperoxidase was within normal range.