Safety of Radiographic Imaging in Pregnancy.

There are many false assumptions, both in the general population and among physicians, regarding the influence of radiation on pregnant patients and the fetus during diagnostic procedures, in spite of scientific facts based on studies. These false assumptions are mostly based on the idea that every diagnostic procedure using ionizing radiation is a cause for serious concern and that artificial abortion as a possible solution might be considered. We analyzed data from counseling of pregnant patients exposed to ionizing radiation during diagnostic procedures in the Merkur University Hospital during a 4-year period.

Patient radiation doses during coronary interventions in four Croatian hospitals: 4-y comparison.

The number of coronary interventions increased substantially in the recent years. Although of great benefit to patients, these procedures can subject patients to considerable radiation doses. There is a legal framework for patient dose measurements in Croatia during radiological procedures, but in practice, it applies only occasionally.

Ultrasound measurements of carotid intima-media thickness and plaque in HIV-infected patients on the Mediterranean diet.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of food habits, specifically adherence to the Mediterranean diet, on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the presence of plaques in HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and non-HIV-infected participants and to determine if HIV infection contributes independently to subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 110 HIV-infected patients on ART and 131 non-HIV-infected participants at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb, Croatia, from 2009-2011. CIMT measurement and determination of carotid plaque presence was detected by ultrasound.

Repeated presentation of Graves' disease as a manifestation of immune reconstitution syndrome in an HIV-infected patient taking HAART: case report.

An HIV-infected patient who experienced immune reconstitution after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (increase in CD4 T-cell count from 84/mm3 to 310/mm3) presented with severe Graves' disease twice, after commencing and recommencing HAART. At the first episode of Graves' disease, 21 months after the introduction of HAART, the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction vanished without any specific treatment, but were associated with termination of taking HAART. At the second episode, 5 years after recommencing HAART, the patient continued taking HAART and commenced antithyroid therapy with thiamazole.

The possibilities and limitations of direct digital radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography in diagnosing pleural mesotelioma.

The goal of this study was to compare the possibilities and limitations of direct digital radiography of the chest (DDR), the use of ultrasound of the chest (US) and single slice computed tomography of the chest (CT) in diagnosing pleural mesothelioma. The study was conducted during the course of one year, on 80 patients who were successively referred to a specialized institution, under clinical suspicion of mesothelioma. The method of investigation was the comparison of findings, obtained by the reviewed methods of examination, with the pathohistologic results of a biopsy performed on each patient.

Image quality of mammography in Croatian nationwide screening program: comparison between various types of facilities.

Purpose: The study was aimed to provide objective evidence about the mammographic image quality in Croatia, to compare it between different types of MG facilities and to identify the most common deficiencies and possible reasons as well as the steps needed to improve image quality.

Materials And Methods: A total of 420 mammographic examinations collected from 84 mammographic units participating in the Croatian nationwide breast cancer screening program were reviewed in terms of four image quality categories: identification of patient and examination, breast positioning and compression, exposure and contrast, and artifacts. Those were rated using image evaluating system based on American College of Radiology and European Commission proposals.

Patient radiation doses in the most common interventional cardiology procedures in Croatia: first results.

Apart from its benefits, the interventional cardiology (IC) is known to generate high radiation doses to patients and medical staff involved. The European Union Medical Exposures Directive 97/43/Euroatom strongly recommend patient dosimetry in interventional radiology, including IC. IC patient radiation doses in four representative IC rooms in Croatia were investigated.

Survey of mammography practice in Croatia: equipment performance, image quality and dose.

A national audit of mammography equipment performance, image quality and dose has been conducted in Croatia. Film-processing parameters, optical density (OD), average glandular dose (AGD) to the standard breast, viewing conditions and image quality were examined using TOR(MAM) test object. Average film gradient ranged from 2.

Stenotic occlusive lesions of internal carotid artery in diabetic patients.

Diabetes deteriorates atherosclerotic changes in the arteries. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with diabetes. A prospective analysis of angiography findings was carried out in 150 diabetic and 150 non-diabetic patients with symptoms of cerebral ischemia using double-blind angiogram readings by two independent investigators.

Patient dosimetry in interventional cardiology at the University Hospital of Osijek.

The interventional cardiology was recently implemented at the University Hospital of Osijek. Patients' absorbed doses during coronary angiography (CA) and the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures were measured and compared with published data and international standards. All patients undergoing CA or PTCA procedures during a 1-month period were included in the study.

[Care of military and civilian casualties during the war in Croatia].

Aim: The Yugoslav People's Army as aggressor on Croatia was well organized and equipped with weapons and medical supplies. On the other hand, the Republic of Croatia as a new country had no army of nor medical corps of its own. At the beginning of aggression we decided to establish an integrated civilian-military medicine system.

Is quadrant biopsy sufficient in men likely to have advanced prostate cancer? Comparison with extended biopsy.

We hypothesized that quadrant prostate biopsy (QPB) provides sufficient first-line pathological evaluation of patients with presumed advanced prostate cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reduction of core number in first-line PB from 6-12 to 4 in patients with presumed advanced PC leads to loss of clinically relevant information. We retrospectively studied 113 men that underwent PB, classified in two groups: "H" (high) and "L" (low likelihood of having advanced PC), according to PSA, digital rectal and transrectal ultrasound findings.

[Doppler ultrasonography of superficial lymph nodes].

Normal lymph nodes (l.n.) are elongated and hypoechoic, with central echogenic hilum on B-mode, while color-doppler (CD) shows central hilar vascularization.

[Diagnostic results of the carotid artery duplex ultrasonography performed in the private offices in Zagreb].

The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic value of duplex ultrasonography (DU) of the cerebral arteries in the patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency performed in private offices in Zagreb town. The investigation was performed for all patients referred to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) after DU examination performed in one of private offices (in total, 12 offices) during the period of three years. During mentioned period 127 patients were examined (100 male, 67 female, age 28-79 y, mean 62 y) according to DU exams performed in private offices.

Efficacy of breast shielding during CT of the head.

In light of increasing frequency of CT examinations in the past decades, the aims of this prospective study were to investigate scatter radiation breast exposure in head CT and its dependence upon body constitution, and to assess the efficacy of lead shielding as a means of breast dose reduction. In 49 women referred to head CT for objective medical reasons one breast was covered with lead apron during CT scanning. Radiation doses were measured by use of thermoluminescent dosimeters, at skin of both breasts and over the apron.

Usefulness of Doppler waveform analysis in differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy.

We compared Doppler spectral parameters in acute inflammatory, reactive, lymphomatous, and metastatic lymph nodes, and evaluated pulsed Doppler sonography as a method for distinguishing between different causes of cervical lymphadenopathy. Spectral Doppler analysis with measurements of resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) was performed in 197 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Results of Doppler analysis were compared with findings of cytology and histology or with clinical presentation and follow-up.

Breast compression and radiation dose in two different mammographic oblique projections: 45 and 60 degrees.

Introduction: Standard mammography includes two views, craniocaudal and medio-lateral oblique. Depending on patient's body constitution, central beam angle in mediolateral oblique projection may vary, with 45 degrees being suitable for the majority of patients in routine daily practice. With continuous improvement in X-ray technology and radiographers' training, the risk of radiation induced cancerogenesis is considerably reduced and acceptable when compared to benefit.