Renal thorium deposition associated with transitional cell carcinoma: radiologic demonstration in two patients

Abdominal radiography, excretory urography, retrograde pyelography, and computed tomography were performed in two patients who had undergone retrograde pyelography with thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) approximately 40 years ago. Both patients developed a transitional cell carcinoma due to suburothelial thorium deposition. Typical thorium densities were demonstrated at CT in the peripelvicalyceal area as well as in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Elderly patients in whom radiographic examination reveals retained Thorotrast in the kidney should be followed up because of the high risk of renal carcinoma.     

In-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in suspected orthopedic prosthesis infection: comparison with other imaging modalities

When infection of prosthetic orthopedic implants is suspected, optimal management requires accurate confirmation or exclusion of infection. The authors retrospectively studied 98 patients with possible infection who underwent scanning with indium-111-labeled white blood cells (WBCs) and subsequently underwent surgery within 14 days. At surgery, 50 patients had infections, as determined by means of culture or histologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of In-111 scanning was compared with that of plain radiography, arthrography, three-phase bone scanning, and various clinical and laboratory findings classically associated with infection. Positive findings on In-111 WBC scans and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found to be the most predictive variables in the diagnosis of septic prostheses (P less than or equal to .001 and P less than or equal to .002, respectively). Likelihood ratio analysis more clearly demonstrated the superiority of In-111 WBC scanning, with positive and negative scans yielding likelihood ratios of 5.0 and 0.16, respectively.     

Temporomandibular joint arthrography: comparison of morbidity with ionic and low osmolality contrast media

We compared patient morbidity associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrography using both meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (60%) and the new monoacidic dimer, Hexabrix, in a double-blind randomized clinical trial in 31 patients. Patients experienced maximal discomfort from TMJ arthrography with the initial joint filling and joint distension; this rapidly resolved over 10 minutes. Delayed exacerbation of pain is less than described for shoulder arthrography. The newer contrast media promise to decrease patient morbidity with arthrography.     

Mcl-1 is a relevant molecular target for antisense oligonucleotide strategies in gastric cancer cells

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide and resistant to various chemotherapeutic regimens. In gastric cancer, the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein is expressed in up to 75% of all cases and associated with poor prognosis. The biological relevance of Mcl-1 expression in gastric cancer is unclear. Thus, we investigated the functional significance and potential role of Mcl-1 as a molecular target in gastric cancer by using an antisense strategy. Gastric cancer cell lines (NCI-N87, MKN-28, MKN-45) were treated with Mcl-1 antisense oligonucleotides. Protein expression, cell growth and apoptosis were assessed for single-agent Mcl-1 AS oligonucleotide treatment and for combinations with docetaxel or cisplatin. Treatment by Mcl-1 AS oligonucleotides resulted in approximately 50% reduction in Mcl-1 protein levels in all gastric cancer cell lines examined. Surprisingly, dose-dependent Mcl-1 downregulation produced a significant increase in apoptosis and up to 60% decrease in cell growth. Moreover, combination of Mcl-1 AS oligonucleotide with docetaxel or cisplatin displayed synergistic anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, the impressive single-agent anti-tumor activity and the synergistic effect of Mcl-1 AS oligonucleotides in combination with chemotherapy might qualify Mcl-1 as a promising molecular target for AS oligonucleotide based treatment strategies for gastric cancer in the future.     

Urinary tract infection in infants and children evaluated by ultrasound

Fifty-nine pediatric patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) underwent renal ultrasonography, excretory urography, and voiding cystourethrography. The imaging procedures were analyzed retrospectively to determine their relative effectiveness in detecting abnormalities that might predispose the patient to UTI. Voiding cystourethrography provided valuable information, particularly the presence or absence of vesicoureteral reflux, that could not be obtained from the other procedures. Excretory urography was less specific than ultrasonography in the majority of patients, with the exception of those who had renal scarring. The authors recommended ultrasonography as the initial imaging procedure in the evaluation of children with UTI. When the sonogram is normal, excretory urography is not considered necessary, but voiding cystourethrography is thought to be essential. If sonography is abnormal, excretory urography and/or other follow-up studies are indicated.