PET in cardiology: current status and clinical expectations

Summary. The development of positron emission tomography (PET) in the clinical environment along with the synthesis of biologically active molecules and tracer kinetic principles has provided a diagnostic tool for in vivo tissue characterization in humans. Moreover, based on the growing knowledge of cellular function on the molecular level of diseases PET biological imaging has stimulated the synthesis of numerous metabolic compounds labelled with the four primary positron-emitting radioisotopes C-ll, F-18, N-13 and 0–15. While the concept of biological imaging has gained attraction for probing both the central nervous system and neoplastic tissues, current diagnostic benefit from PET is probably best defined in cardiovascular medicine.     

A porcine model for sequential assessments of cerebral haemodynamics and metabolism

We present a physiologically stable porcine model designed for sequential assessments of pharmacological effects on mean hemispheric cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) at sustained normocapnia. The dynamic influence of continuously administered fentanyl (0.040 mg.kg-1.h-1 i.v.), nitrous oxide (70%) and pancuronium (0.30 mg.kg-1.h-1 i.v.) on these variables was studied in eight normoventilated pigs. CBF was reliably assessable at 10-min intervals by clearance of intra-arterially injected 133Xe, monitored by an extracranial scintillation detector. CMRO2 was calculated from CBF and the simultaneously measured cerebral arteriovenous difference in blood oxygen content. The intracerebral distribution of a contrast medium injected into the external and internal carotid arteries was studied by angiography, and the cerebral venous outflow was investigated by measurements of the distribution of an intra-arterially administered non-diffusible tracer, [99mTc]pertechnetate, to the internal and external jugular veins. After a 3-h equilibration period, CBF and CMRO2 were determined on six occasions over a study period lasting 1 h 40 min. The mean ranges of these variables were 56-60 and 1.9-2.0 ml.100 g-1.min-1, respectively. We conclude that the model enables repeated assessments of CBF and CMRO2 under stable physiological background conditions and thus valid cerebral pharmacodynamic investigations of drugs given for anaesthesia.     

肺血管流动参数的CT相关测量研究

目的：探讨活体肺血管分支几何学和流动状态参数的特征。方法：在63例正常人胸部螺旋CT图像上测量20l0套两分支的血管横径，计算Z值和雷诺数，分析并判断不同横径血管内血液的流动状态。结果：Z值与标本数据比较有显著不同；雷诺数随血管横径的增大而增大，但不超过l000。结论：2—4mm的正常肺小血管内雷诺数＜l000，流动为层流。     

己酮可可碱对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的保护

目的:探讨己酮可可碱(PTX)对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的保护作用。方法:雄性SD大鼠24只,随机分成3组,每组8只,建立睾丸扭转动物模型。第Ⅰ组为假手术组(扭转720°后立即复位),第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组扭转720°2 h,于复位前15 m in分别静脉注射生理盐水和PTX,术后24 h留取手术侧睾丸。应用流式细胞术(FCM)检测各组生精细胞凋亡和各级生精细胞计数,采用硫代巴比妥酸法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量,化学比色法测定组织内总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)。结果:第Ⅲ组应用PTX后与第Ⅱ组相比,生精细胞凋亡明显减少(399.50±33.31vs1221.75±132.48,P<0.01),单倍体和四倍体细胞群计数显著增多(5554.13±441.28vs4102.35±206.98;1906.00±200.72vs1711.63±144.55,P均<0.01;),T-AOC明显回升(32.52±2.86vs22.76±3.73,P<0.01),MDA含量下降(1.78±0.20vs3.98±0.36,P<0.01),其差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。结论:己酮可可碱对睾丸扭转复位后的生精功能具有明显的保护作用。     

Spontaneous regression of optic pathways gliomas in three patients with neurofibromatosis type I and critical review of the literature

Case reports The authors report their experience about three children (two girls, one boy; average age 1.6 years) with a spontaneous regression of optic gliomas. All of them had a previous diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1). None of them underwent surgery or biopsy nor received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The complete regression was documented by MRI scans performed during a mean follow-up of 6.3 years.Literature review Moreover, the authors analyze the features of the 16 cases previously reported in English literature of spontaneously regressed optic gliomas with an overview of the different therapeutic strategies. The knowledge that this kind of tumor, particularly in young patients, may regress is important in the decision of the best therapeutic approach.     

Ictal Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging in Extra Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Using Statistical Parametric Mapping

PURPOSE: To examine the application of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to analyze ictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans in surgical candidates with extratemporal lobe epilepsy. METHODS: The authors selected patients who underwent successful ictal SPECT acquisition in the process of surgical treatment of intractable partial epilepsy. Thirteen patients were identified who met inclusion criteria for confident seizure localization from either intracranial electroencephalogram recordings or epilepsy surgery outcome. In these cases, ictal scans were registered to an in-house-developed normal SPECT atlas composed of 14 spatially normalized brains of normal subjects. SPM96 was used to test on a voxel-by-voxel basis for statistically significant increases in blood flow associated with each patient's ictal scan. The results were then mapped back onto the patient's magnetic resonance image (MRI) for final interpretation. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis of ictal SPECT scans was compared to both conventional visual interpretation and the analysis of subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered to MRI (SISCOM). RESULTS: Ten of 13 patient scans showed localizing focal ictal increases in regional cerebral blood flow, all of which were concordant with ultimate epilepsy localization. Of the 3 cases not localized with SPM, 1 was localized by conventional visual interpretation and another, not localized by visual interpretation, was correctly localized with SISCOM. Two cases not localized by SISCOM were localized by both visual and SPM analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides supportive evidence for proof of principle that SPM can be used to provide objective, accurate analysis of ictal SPECT scans in patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy.     

超声诊断甲状腺腺瘤与单发结节性甲状腺肿的价值

目的　探讨超声在甲状腺腺瘤与单发结节性甲状腺肿鉴别诊断中的价值。方法　对两种疾病的二维及彩色多普勒声像图进行分析并比较。结果　甲状腺腺瘤与单发结节性甲状腺肿比较 ,甲状腺大小、结节大小、结节内回声及周围回声组间差异均无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;结节边缘晕环及结节内部和周边血流信号差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　单发结节性甲状腺肿易误诊为腺瘤 ,结节边缘晕环及结节内部和周边血流信号对鉴别诊断可提供帮助     

舒胆合剂防治阻塞性黄疸肾功能障碍的作用机制

目的 探讨在阻塞性黄疸(OJ)时舒胆合剂的抗内毒素及对肾功能的保护作用。方法 SD大鼠胆总管结扎后分3组，每组10只，分别用2mL舒胆合剂、乳果糖液(每100mL含乳果糖67g)、生理盐水灌胃，连用9d。假手术组10只，用2mL生理盐水灌胃。观察内毒素、血和肾组织中内皮素(ET)、一氧化氮(NO)的含量、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性及肾功能的变化。结果 舒胆合剂组与乳果糖组血内毒素、血和肾组织ET水平较生理盐水组明显降低，血和肾组织N0、NOS活性、内生肌酐清除率、肾皮质血流量较生理盐水组明显升高。结论 在OJ时，中药舒胆合剂有抗内毒素作用，并通过减少体内内毒素水平来降低体内ET水平，升高N0水平起到保护肾功能的作用。     

彩色多普勒超声在精索扭转诊断和鉴别诊断中的价值

目的 :应用彩色多普勒超声鉴别精索扭转和急性睾丸炎。　方法 :回顾性分析 13例急性睾丸疼痛病人的彩色多普勒血流显像 (CDFI)表现和治疗情况。　结果 :8例显示睾丸内血流信号稀疏或消失 ,诊断为精索扭转 ,其中 1例手法复位成功 ,7例手术探查并得以证实。其余 5例显示患侧睾丸血流信号丰富 ,诊断为急性睾丸炎或睾丸附睾炎 ,经抗生素治疗后症状好转 ,超声复查显示血流减少。　结论 :CDFI在精索扭转诊断和鉴别诊断中具有重要意义 ,可作为急性睾丸疼痛病人的首选检查方法     

Intensity-dependent regional cerebral blood flow during 1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in healthy volunteers studied with H215O positron emission tomography: I. Effects of primary motor cortex rTMS.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects the excitability of the motor cortex and is thought to influence activity in other brain areas as well. We combined the administration of varying intensities of 1-Hz rTMS of the motor cortex with simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) to delineate local and distant effects on brain activity. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects received 1-Hz rTMS to the optimal position over motor cortex (M1) for producing a twitch in the right hand at 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120% of the twitch threshold, while regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using H(2)(15)O and PET. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was delivered in 75-pulse trains at each intensity every 10 min through a figure-eight coil. The regional relationship of stimulation intensity to normalized rCBF was assessed statistically. RESULTS: Intensity-dependent rCBF increases were produced under the M1 stimulation site in ipsilateral primary auditory cortex, contralateral cerebellum, and bilateral putamen, insula, and red nucleus. Intensity-dependent reductions in rCBF occurred in contralateral frontal and parietal cortices and bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus and occipital cortex. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that 1-Hz rTMS delivered to the primary motor cortex (M1) produces intensity-dependent increases in brain activity locally and has associated effects in distant sites with known connections to M1.