The presence of sodium nitrate in generator eluate decreases the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-sestamibi.

Unlabelled: A high radiochemical purity (RCP) is recommended for radiopharmaceutical compounds used in the clinical practice of nuclear medicine. However, some preparations of (99m)Tc-sestamibi contain excess impurities (>6%). To understand the origin of these impurities, we investigated the effect of sodium nitrate on the RCP of sestamibi preparations by testing eluates from 3 commercially available (99m)Tc generators.

Rapid quality control for testing the radiochemical purity of 99Tc(m)-tetrofosmin.

We describe a new thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method to evaluate the radiochemical purity of 99Tc(m)-tetrofosmin without the drawbacks of toxicity, solvent ratios and time requirement associated with the standard TLC method. The new method uses miniaturized instant TLC plates impregnated with silica gel (ITLCTM/SG, 2.5 x 10 cm) for the stationary phase and 2-butanone for the mobile phase.

Prognostic impact of cathepsin D and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in a subgroup of node-negative breast cancer patients with low histological grade tumors.

Some node-negative breast cancer patients, with initially good prognosis, relapse from their cancer and are poorly identified. In the present study, based on prospective data of 197 tumors, we measured cathepsin D (cath D, n=197), pS2 protein (n=125), c-erbB-2 oncoprotein (n=100) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R, n=99) to better define the risk of relapse of node-negative patients in comparison with that defined by the clinical and histological factors. The median follow-up in surviving patients was 75 months.

Emergency interruption of the inferior vena cava: a debatable issue.

In spite of improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of thromboembolic disease, pulmonary embolism continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Anticoagulation remains the preferred therapy for deep venous thrombosis; however, this form of treatment is either ineffective or contraindicated for some patients. For these patients, partial interruption of the inferior vena cava via percutaneous filter placement has become the procedure of choice to protect against fatal pulmonary embolism.

The role of polyester patch angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy: a multicenter study.

The objectives of this study were to examine the morphology, restenosis, dilatation, and possible complications of polyester collagen impregnated carotid patches. Between March 1994 and January 1995, 207 patients (56 females and 151 males) undergoing 221 carotid endarterectomies (CE) with a collagen-impregnated knitted polyester patch were enrolled in a European prospective multicenter study. Patches were used for arteries deemed to be smaller than usual by visual inspection.

Multicentre study of thyroid nodules in patients with Graves' disease.

Background: The association of Graves' disease with thyroid nodules and thyroid carcinoma is rarely reported. The incidence seems to be increasing according to recent literature. The aim of this multicentre study was to review patients who had surgery for Graves' disease associated with thyroid nodules, and to evaluate the risk of thyroid carcinoma.

Early carotid endarterectomy after a nondisabling stroke: a prospective study.

On the recommendation of several studies, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be delayed for at least 6 weeks in patients suffering an acute nondisabling stroke. Our objective was to determine if these patients could be safely operated on earlier, thus decreasing the risk of a recurrent stroke prior to surgery. This prospective study, carried out from January 1990 to December 1997, included 72 consecutive patients having a nondisabling hemispheric stroke with severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis (NASCET 70-99%).

Accuracy of the main Doppler methods for evaluating the degree of carotid stenoses (continuous wave, pulsed wave, and color Doppler).

Objective: To compare the accuracy of the main Doppler methods for quantifying the degree of carotid stenoses in 133 patients.

Method: seven parameters were measured: maximum velocity (V.max) inside the stenosis (by pulsed wave [PW]), grade and index of spectral disturbance (STI) at the outlet of the stenosis (by PW and continuous wave [CW]), ratio of velocities I(IC/CC) in the internal and common carotid (by PW), and ratio of vessel cross-section and residual lumen area (%Color) inside the stenosis (color Doppler).

[Basedow's disease and thyroid nodules. A common association].

The frequency of thyroid cancer associated with Graves' disease is a controversial subject. The authors retrospectively studied 110 consecutive patients operated for Graves' disease between 1991 and 1996. Each patient was evaluated by clinical and laboratory examination, ultrasound and isotope scan.

[Thyroid nodules associated with Graves' disease: another argument for surgical treatment].

Much controversy surrounds the incidence of thyroid cancer associated with Graves' disease. We studied retrospectively 110 patients operated on for Graves' disease between 1991 and 1996. Each patient was evaluated by clinical exam, biological test, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy.

[A comparative study of the Doppler methods for evaluation of the degree of carotid artery stenosis. Continuous, pulsed, color Doppler].

Objective: Compare various Doppler methods for the quantification of the degree of stenosis on 85 patients.

Method: the following parameters were measured: maximal velocity (Vmax) inside the stenosis (PW), grades of spectral disturbances at the outlet of the stenosis (PW-CW), index of spectral disturbance (STI) at the outlet of the stenosis (PW-CW), ratio of velocities I(IC/CC) in internal and common carotid (PW), ratio of vessel cross section and residual lumen area (% STEN) by color Doppler. The reference method was the Grades of spectral disturbance and the index of stenosis measured post stenosis.

Chemiluminescence immunoassay of thyrotropin with acridinium-ester-labeled antibody evaluated and compared with two other immunoassays.

A new chemiluminometric immunoassay of thyrotropin (TSH) involves antibody labeled with acridinium ester ("Magic Lite System," Ciba Corning Diagnostic Corp.). The assay is rapid, with two incubations totaling 2.

[Quantification of carotid atheroma, by vascular ultrasonics and spectral analysis, after myocardial infarction. Apropos of 80 cases].

A prospective study of carotid artery atheroma by vascular echotomography and spectral analysis was performed in 40 patients with myocardial infarction and 40 control subjects. Carotid artery atheroma was commoner in the group of patients with myocardial infarction (72.5% +/- 6.

[Detection and quantification of carotid atheroma. Respective value of vascular ultrasonography, spectrum analysis and digital intravenous angiography].

This retrospective study involved 37 subjects who were examined by means of intravenous digitalised angiography, vascular ultrasonography and spectral analysis of the Doppler signal. The last two examinations were found to give the most precise images and functional information. The concordances between angiography and ultrasonography on the one hand and spectral analysis on the other were 82 and 90 per cent.