Development of a multi-detector readout circuitry for ultrahigh energy resolution single-photon imaging applications.

In this paper, we present the design and preliminary performance evaluation of a novel external multi-channel readout circuitry for small-pixel room-temperature semiconductor detectors, namely CdZnTe (CZT) and CdTe, that provide an excellent intrinsic spatial (250 and 500 μm pixel size) and an ultrahigh energy resolution (~1% at 122 keV) for X-ray and gamma-ray imaging applications. An analog front-end printed circuit board (PCB) was designed and developed for data digitization, data transfer and ASIC control of pixelated CZT or CdTe detectors. Each detector unit is 2 cm × 2 cm in size and 1 or 2 mm in thickness, being bump-bonded onto a HEXITEC ASIC, and wire-bonded to a readout detector module PCB.

Prospective, non-randomized phase 2 clinical trial of carboplatin plus paclitaxel with sequential radical pelvic radiotherapy for uterine papillary serous carcinoma.

Objective: Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma (UPSC) is uncommon and accounts for less than 5% of all uterine cancers. Therefore the majority of evidence about the benefits of adjuvant treatment comes from retrospective case series. We conducted a prospective multi-centre non-randomized phase 2 clinical trial using four cycles of adjuvant paclitaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy, in order to evaluate the tolerability and safety of this approach.

The cost-effectiveness of routine follow-up after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Routine postsurgery assessment of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is recommended in many countries. Whether the benefits of this activity are justified by the costs is not known. We used a decision-analytic Markov model to compare the costs and health outcomes of 3 different follow-up strategies after primary THA.

Long-term maintenance of alveolar bone gain after implantation of autolyzed, antigen-extracted, allogenic bone in periodontal intraosseous defects.

This randomized controlled trial assessed the long-term maintenance of alveolar bone gain after implantation of autolyzed, antigen-extracted, allogenic (AAA) bone. AAA bone is a demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft processed after previously described methods. In each of 14 patients, AAA bone was implanted into the intraosseous defect of 1 tooth (test); a second tooth with an intraosseous defect was treated by modified Widman flap surgery alone (control).

In vivo thrombogenicity of intravascular ultrasound imaging catheters.

This study evaluates the frequency and significance of thrombus formation on the surface of intravascular ultrasound (US) imaging catheters. The investigation includes 63 consecutive patients who underwent 32 arterial and 38 venous intravascular procedures. At the end of the imaging procedure the US findings were observed during withdrawal of the catheter into the introducer sheath.

Catheter malfunction and thrombus formation on double-lumen hemodialysis catheters: an intravascular ultrasonographic study.

Intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) is a new method that permits in vivo visualization of central venous catheters with hitherto unknown image resolution. It provides information not only about thrombus formation, but also about catheter movement, catheter malposition, and vessel wall injuries. In the present investigation the method was applied to evaluate the frequency of thrombus formation on double-lumen hemodialysis catheters and its significance for catheter malfunction.

Iodixanol in cardioangiography. A double-blind parallel comparison between iodixanol 320 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml.

Iodixanol (Visipaque) 320 mg I/ml, a non-ionic, dimeric, isotonic contrast medium, was compared to ioxaglate (Hexabrix) 320 mg I/ml in cardioangiography. One hundred and two patients with normal renal function were included in the study. The objectives were to evaluate safety, tolerability, radiographic efficacy and effects on renal function.

Angiographic and intravascular ultrasonographic findings after endovascular stent implantation.

The study was an attempt to evaluate the benefit of intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) as a supplement to follow-up angiography after endovascular stent implantation. A consecutive series of 15 patients underwent stent implantation in the peripheral or coronary arteries. Ten Palmaz stents, 3 Palmaz-Schatz stents and 2 Wallstents were used.

Angiographic findings of silent ischaemia following aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Silent ischaemia, defined as ST-depression > or = 1 mm without chest pain, was found on exercise testing in 22 (10.7%) of 206 patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery in the period from March 1983 to November 1985. Exercise testing was performed 4.

Digital dipyridamole stress echocardiography in silent ischemia after coronary artery bypass grafting and/or after healing of acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluates dipyridamole stress echocardiography in silent ischemia. Fourteen patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (group A) and 16 patients with healed myocardial infarction (group B) were studied. All had > or = 1 mm ST depression without chest pain during bicycle exercise testing.

Intravascular ultrasonography. Normal and pathologic findings in the great veins.

The intravascular ultrasonographic findings in normal and diseased veins after transfemoral catheterization of 25 patients are presented. The iliac veins, the inferior and superior vena cava, the renal veins, the right atrium, both brachiocephalic veins, and the right internal jugular vein were studied. In 4 cases valves or valve-like structures were observed.

Intravascular ultrasonographic assessment of thrombus formation on central venous catheters.

In vitro experiments were performed in order to investigate the appearance of different types of central venous catheters at intravascular ultrasonography. The experiments were repeated with artificially produced thrombi which were made adherent to the catheter wall. All thrombi larger than 1 mm could be identified.

Intravascular ultrasonographic appearance of angiographically normal arteries related to age and the occurrence of vascular disease.

In 22 individuals (mean age 52 years) the ultrasonographic images of arteries defined as normal by arteriography were studied and related to the age and medical history of the patients. The series was divided into 2 groups: patients with clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis and patients without a history of arterial disease. The study included 6 young patients (mean age 14 years) referred for angiographic documentation of abolished intracranial circulation.

Factors influencing return to work after aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Factors influencing the effect on employment status were investigated in 250 patients (males: females 224:26) who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery between March 1983 and November 1985. The median age at operation was 57.9 (range 36.

[Ambulatory coronary angiography. Organization--patient safety--economic benefits].

916 (63%) of 1,452 coronary angiographies performed at the University Hospital in Trondheim from 1988 to 1990 were done policlinically. The study shows that coronary angiography can be carried out safely on an outpatient basis, and that more than 50% of all patients admitted for a coronary angiography can be examined in this way.

[Magnetic tomography in pulmonary vein abnormalities].

Until recently, invasive angiographic procedures were necessary to verify the diagnosis of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. Because of their location outside the "acoustic window" these anomalies are unsuitable for echocardiographic examination. Two cases are reported where the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance tomography (MRT).

MR imaging of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular endomyocardial calcification.

A rare case of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with massive left ventricular endomyocardial calcification was studied with MR. The extent of the hypertrophy was clearly demonstrated, enabling accurate estimations of myocardial mass and volumes. Furthermore, an apical calcification was found and its volume estimated.

[The pulmodiaphragmal ligament. An often misinterpreted normal variant].

In some cases the pulmonary ligament extends caudally to the diaphragm, where it blends with the parietal pleura. This anatomical variant is named the pulmodiafragmal ligament. In chest X-ray it gives rise to spikes and unsharp areas in the central part of the diaphragm in the lateral view.

Early postoperative weight-bearing and muscle activity in patients who have a fracture of the ankle.

Fifty-six patients who had a displaced fracture of the ankle necessitating surgical fixation were randomly assigned to one of three postoperative treatment regimens: no plaster cast or weight-bearing, and active exercises of the ankle; a non-weight-bearing plaster cast; or a plaster walking cast for the first six postoperative weeks. At follow-up with a duration of as much as two years, there were no consistent differences in the clinical results between the three groups. The time lost from work and the proportion of excellent and good clinical results were also uninfluenced by the postoperative regimen.

Selective cooling of the brain in reindeer.

Cineangiographic examination of reindeer exposed to local (hypothalamic) or general heating and cooling revealed that the angular oculi veins are constricted during cold stress but dilated during heat stress. Moreover, during heat stress a segment of the facial vein appeared to be occluded, causing the cold venous return from the nasal mucosa to be routed directly to the cavernous sinus for selective cooling of the brain. Histological examination of the vasoactive segment of the facial vein showed unusually thick longitudinal and circular layers of smooth muscle cells.

[Contrast medium reaction to iohexol (Omnipaque) with monocyte activation demonstrated in vivo].

A contrast reaction to the intravenous injection of the non-ionic contrast medium iohexol (Omnipaque) is reported. The symptoms developed several hours after the injection and at first were not recognised as being due to the contrast. The reaction could be reproduced under controlled conditions and was associated with a significant rise in thromboplastin synthesis in circulating monocytes, a sign of marked cellular activation.