Nodular sarcoidosis of the liver and spleen: Appearance on MR images

Small nodular lesions in the liver and spleen have been reported as an infrequent manifestation of sarcoidosis. Five patients with this appearance on either dynamic contrast material—enhanced computed tomographic (CT) or ultrasound scans underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with and without dynamic gadolinium enhancement. The lesions were relatively uniform in size, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cm. On CT scans, they were hypoattenuating relative to surrounding parenchyma. On MR images, the lesions were hypointense relative to background parenchyma with all sequences. No substantial enhancement was observed in the lesions, although lesion conspicuity decreased over time on serial postcontrast images. Lesion conspicuity was greatest on either T2-weighted fat-suppressed (T2FS) images or early-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced images. Abdominal adenopathy was seen in three of the five patients and was hyperintense relative to liver on T2FS images in two and intermediate in intensity in one patient.     

Measurement of skeletal muscle motion in vivo with phase-contrast MR imaging

The ability to measure skeletal muscle motion with phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was tested with a motion phantom that simulated muscle activity. Quantitative analytic data on unidimensional, bidirectional skeletal muscle motion measured in vivo was obtained in four healthy volunteers. MR images of the subjectss' forearms were obtained during flexion and extension of the fingers and of the anterior and posterior muscle compartments of the lower leg with various resistances to ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. It was necessary to correct the data for the effects of eddy currents. In vitro evaluation of the technique was done by studying through-plane sinusoidal motion of solid objects. The largest error was underestimation of the peak excursion of 11.5 mm by 0.09 mm (the root mean square error for the cycle was 0.04 mm) In vivo experiments demonstrated the contraction of muscles in relation to each other. Data acquisition and analysis techniques must be refined, but measuring skeletal muscle motion with phase-contrast MR imaging should enhance the understanding of bioengineering fundamentals and muscular changes in disease and adaptation.     

腹腔镜筋膜内子宫切除和开腹子宫全切除临床对照研究

目的 :探讨腹腔镜筋膜内子宫切除术 (CISH)的手术方法和临床效果。方法 :选择CISH患者 6 0例 (腹腔镜组 )与开腹子宫全切除术 6 0例 (开腹组 )为研究对象。术前B超检测两组子宫大小无明显差异 ,术后两组的病理诊断均为良性。结果 :腹腔镜组 6 0例均获成功 ,与开腹组相比 ,腹腔镜组术中出血少 ,术后最高体温低 ,术后用药少 ,患者痛苦小 ,住院时间短 ,术后发热率低 ,术后并发症发生率低。结论 :CISH具有很多微创手术的优点 ,适合良性子宫病变患者。     

MR susceptometry: an external-phantom method for measuring bulk susceptibility from field-echo phase reconstruction maps

A novel method for estimating the susceptibility of an object by using the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging field distortions in an external-reference water bath next to the object is described. The field measurement was obtained with a phase reconstruction from a gradient-echo acquisition. A field model of an arbitrary object in a static magnetic field was discretely calculated from geometry determined from the magnitude reconstruction. Least-squares estimation yields the susceptibility of the object. Required (and proven) assumptions include validity of superposition, object homogeneity, negligible higher-order field terms, field-model accuracy, geometric-model accuracy, and correlation of gradient-echo phase to field distortion. MR susceptometry estimation of phantoms yielded susceptibility estimates that correlated well with known values (r >.9975). This MR susceptometry method is a first step toward quantitation of iron levels through MR imaging phase information in patients with iron overload.     

Time-resolved MR imaging by automatic data segmentation

A method for time-resolved imaging that provides a flexible trade-off between imaging time and temporal resolution is presented. It is based on a view order selection technique that automatically segments the acquired raw data into appropriate temporal frames. When used with cardiac monitoring and phase-contrast imaging, data similar to that obtained with a conventional gated phase-contrast sequence are acquired rapidly. For many applications, the temporal resolution can be reduced enough to permit imaging within a breath-hold interval, while still allowing accurate time-averaged flow quantitation. This is a general technique that can be implemented within a variety of pulse sequences and can resolve other motion cycles, including the respiratory cycle.     

Whistling face syndrome: MR imaging findings in the brain

Whistling face syndrome or cranio-carpotarsal dysplasia is a very rare disorder that consists of a characteristics facies and digital abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the brain in this syndrome has not been reported previously. This communication describes the brain malformations in an infant with the syndrome, which covered delayed myelination, thickened and infolded cortices (cortical dysplasia), dysplastic corpus callosum, and agenesis of the inferior vermis.     

Remodeling Adult Nursing

This article describes a nursing education experience in which a critical thinking approach was planned and implemented. Background discussion on critical thinking concepts and related research provides a foundation for presentation of the Mackie teaching model. The model uses a community-based, family-centered scenario as the basis for developing problemfocused nursing intervention skills from a holistic viewpoint. Role expectations of students and faculty are outlined, and related implementation difficulties, together with their resolution strategies, are described. Evaluation methods and outcomes are reviewed in the conclusion.     

Elevated body mass index and mortality risk in the elderly

The purpose of this report was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies examining the impact of an elevated body mass index (BMI) on mortality risk in elderly (> or =65 years) men and women. A variance-based method of meta-analysis was used to summarize the relationships from available studies. The summary relative risk of all-cause mortality from the 26 analyses that included a risk estimate for a BMI within the overweight range was 1.00 (95% confidence intervals, 0.97-1.03). The summary relative risk of all-cause mortality for the 28 analyses that included a risk estimate for a BMI within the obese range was 1.10 (1.06-1.13). These calculations indicate that a BMI in the overweight range is not associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality in the elderly, while a BMI in the moderately obese range is only associated with a modest increase in mortality risk.     

双支撑骨柱移植术治疗股骨头坏死的远期疗效分析

目的分析双支撑骨柱移植术治疗股骨头坏死的远期疗效。方法从1988年3月以来,采用双支撑骨柱移植术治疗成人股骨头坏死366例466髋,获5年以上随访者186例206髋,平均年龄32.2(20~60)岁。按病因分类:激素性者60例68髋,酒精性者86例96髋,激素加酒精者30例32髋,外伤性者10例10髋。ARCOⅡB、ⅡC、ⅢA、ⅢB、ⅢC、Ⅳ期患者分别为36、30、40、40、32、28髋。参照百分法进行疗效评价。结果术后所有患者的髋关节疼痛均获得明显缓解或消失,股骨头高度有不同程度增加,关节活动度有改善。平均随访时间10.5(5~16)年,手术前与随访时临床评价(疼痛、功能、关节活动度)、X线评价、总分数比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结果显示ⅡB~Ⅳ期优良率分别为83.3%、80.0%、75.0%、65.0%、40.6%、28.6%,总优良率为63.6%。Ⅱ期效果好(81.8%),Ⅲ期早期(ⅢA、ⅢB)效果较好(70%),ⅢC、Ⅳ期者效果差(35%)。期别间疗效依次降低,差异有统计学意义(P=0.0001)。30岁以内患者术后股骨头内植骨愈合较快,平均为3.2(2.9~3.5)个月。50~60岁患者植骨愈合需时较长,平均为5.5(4.4~6.4)个月。结论该术式治疗股骨头坏死的远期疗效良好,治疗效果与股骨头坏死期别有关,尤其适用于股骨头坏死Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期的早期病例。     

Significance of diffuse cardiac activity on In-111 labeled leucocyte scans

To assess the significance of diffuse cardiac activity (DCA) seen on In-111 labeled leukocyte scans, we reviewed 87 studies performed over the last 4 years. Inflammatory cardiac conditions were seen as frequently in patients with DCA (15%) as those without (7%, P=0.3). There was a higher ratio of RBC:WBC in the final WBC preparation in the false-positive DCA group than the true positive DCA and no DCA groups. False-positive studies showing DCA are most likely due to residual blood pool activity.Presented in part, 70th annual meeting, Radiological Society of North America, Washington D.C., 25 November 1984