"Single-exposure" dual energy digital radiography in the detection of pulmonary nodules and calcifications

We studied the detectability of mineralized and non-mineralized simulated pulmonary nodules with dual energy digital radiography. "Soft tissue" and "bone" images (pixel size = 0.2 mm, 10 bits deep) were obtained with subtraction image processing after a single simultaneous exposure (100 kVp, 8 mAs, 17 mR skin exposure dose) of two storage phosphors with an interleaved 0.9 mm copper wafer. Three classes of paraffin-based nodules (0.5 to 3.0 cm) of varying mineral concentration (0, 120 and 190 mg/cm3 K2HPO4) were randomly positioned on the chest wall of two healthy volunteers to simulate calcified and non-calcified nodules. The average receiver operating characteristics (ROC) area of six readers (n = 2880 observations) showed that digital "bone" images (ROC area: 0.77 +/- 0.03) were significantly better (P less than 0.04) than conventional radiographs (OC Film, Lanex medium screens, 141 kVp, 19 mR skin exposure dose) (ROC area: 0.71 +/- 0.05) in detecting calcification in nodules. The unsubtracted digital images of lower kilovoltage were not superior to the 141 kVp conventional radiographs in a subgroup of two readers (ROC area: 0.73 +/- 0.02). Digital "soft tissue" images were equivalent to conventional chest radiographs in detecting soft tissue pulmonary nodules (ROC areas: 0.92 +/- 0.04 and 0.92 +/- 0.05, respectively.     

Identification ofCorynebacterium jeikeium andCorynebacterium CDC group D 2 with the API 20 strep system

A total of 170 strains ofCorynebacterium jeikeium and 23 strains ofCorynebacterium group D2 were examined in three British laboratories using the API 20 Strep identification system and three supplementary tests (catalase production, urease production and nitrate reduction). The isolates were collected from clinical specimens in various laboratories over a three-year period. The two species produced consistent reactions in these tests after 24 h. Two tests were highly discriminatory, with positive reactions for ribose fermentation seen forCorynebacterium jeikeium while urease production was observed withCorynebacterium group D2. This method allows routine clinical laboratories to rapidly identify these emerging pathogens.     

Identification of Actinomyces (Corynebacterium) pyogenes with the API 20 Strep system.

A total of 62 strains of Actinomyces pyogenes (previously Corynebacterium pyogenes) were examined by the API 20 Strep system (API System, La Balme Les Grottes, Montalieu-Vercieu, France). The system was shown to be reliable and rapid when the tests were compared with standard identification methods. No confusion occurred with streptococcal profiles in the current API 20 Strep data base.