An Assessment of Enhancement Patterns in Abnormal Parathyroid Glands on Three-Phase CT Imaging.

Background Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) is increasingly used in the investigation of primary hyperparathyroidism. The objective of this study was to identify and analyse the usefulness of different enhancement patterns on 4DCT to improve its sensitivity. Methodology Retrospective data were collected on 100 glands.

Gastric ulceration causing thoracic spondylodiscitis: a first case of a rare complication post oesophagectomy.

We report the case of an 84-year-old male, who presented with septicaemia, abdominal and back pain. The patient had a background of oesophageal carcinoma and had undergone previous oesophagectomy and gastric pull-up operation 10 years ago. A computerised topography scan demonstrated a probable gastro-vertebral communication with a destructive process at the T8/T9 vertebral level.

Neutrophils as sources of dinucleotide polyphosphates and metabolism by epithelial ENPP1 to influence barrier function via adenosine signaling.

Extracellular adenosine signaling is established as a protective component in mucosal inflammatory responses. The sources of extracellular adenosine include enzymatic processing from nucleotides, such as ATP and AMP, that can be liberated from a variety of cell types, including infiltrating leukocytes. Here we demonstrate that activated human neutrophils are a source of diadenosine triphosphate (Ap3A), providing an additional source of nucleotides during inflammation.

Intestinal Epithelial Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase (CD73) Regulates Intestinal Colonization and Infection by Nontyphoidal Salmonella.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) is expressed abundantly on the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and functions as the terminal enzyme in the generation of extracellular adenosine. Previous work demonstrated that adenosine signaling in IECs results in a number of tissue-protective effects during inflammation; however, a rationale for its apical expression has been lacking. We hypothesized that the highly polarized expression of CD73 is indicative of an important role for extracellular adenosine as a mediator of host-microbe interactions.

A rare case of a chest wall abscess caused by a migrating oesophageal stent. An iatrogenic gastrocutaneous fistula.

We report the case of a 65-year-old male, who presented with septicaemia and a chest wall mass on a background of oesophageal carcinoma. This chest wall mass measured 10 cm by 10 cm, was fluctuant, and was situated on the anterior chest wall. Owing to local erythema and surgical emphysema, necrotising fasciitis was suspected and thus intravenous antibiotic and fluid therapy were instituted.

Arterialised hepatic nodules in the Fontan circulation: hepatico-cardiac interactions.

Hypervascular nodules occur commonly when there is hepatic venous outlet obstruction. Their nature and determinants in the Fontan circulation is poorly understood. We reviewed the records of 27 consecutive Fontan patients who had computerized tomography scan (CT) over a 4 year period for arterialised nodules and alterations in hepatic flow patterns during contrast enhanced CT scans and related these findings to cardiac characteristics.

Teaching medical students about radiation protection--what do they need to know?

Aim: To reach a consensus opinion on the competency-based topics in radiation protection that a UK medical student should possess at the time of graduation.

Materials And Methods: A group of 69 varied, but highly-qualified experts (including 48 radiologists and 21 clinicians), took part in a three-stage e-mail-based Delphi study to establish the competencies in radiology, including knowledge and practice of radiation protection, expected of a medical student at the time of graduation. The information gathered from the first two questionnaires was refined into 57 individual clinical competencies directly relevant to radiation protection.

CT appearances of congential and acquired abnormalities of the superior vena cava.

A wide spectrum of congenital and acquired abnormalities can affect the superior vena cava (SVC). Congenital anomalies can present either as incidental findings or be associated with underlying cardiac abnormalities; these include left-sided or double SVCs and anomalous venous drainages. Acquired conditions involving the SVC, including SVC obstruction syndrome, can be secondary to extrinsic compression or intrinsic occlusion.

Radiology of recreational drug abuse.

Recreational drug abuse is increasing throughout the world. Use of these drugs may result in a diverse array of acute and chronic complications involving almost any body organ, and imaging frequently plays a vital role in detection and characterization of such complications. The nature of the complications depends to a large extent on the drug used, the method of administration, and the impurities associated with the drug.

Imaging of implants on chest radiographs: a radiological perspective.

Endovascular and percutaneous techniques have emerged as alternatives to surgical management in the treatment for a wide range of congenital and acquired cardiac, non-vascular and vascular conditions. Consequently, there has been an increasing use of implants such as closure devices, vascular stents (coronary, aortic, pulmonary and superior vena cava) and non-vascular stents like oesophageal and tracheo-bronchial stents. A large number of percutaneously sited implants are used for treating congenital cardiac anomalies such as atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Topical ethyl chloride fine spray. Does it have any antimicrobial activity?

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether ethyl chloride fine spray (Cryogesic) has antimicrobial activity.

Material And Methods: Blood agar plates supplemented with 5% horse blood were inoculated with five different organisms, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder: a pictorial review.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious and potentially fatal complication after solid organ and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. The frequency of PTLD varies with the type of organ transplant but overall it affects 2-10% of all solid organ transplant recipients. Most cases develop within 1 year after the transplant, although occasional cases present 5-10 years later.

Case report of a Wilms' tumor and a left-sided inferior vena cava. A common tumor with a normal variant of surgical significance.

We report a case of a successful surgical resection of a Wilms' tumor in the right kidney with a coincidental preoperative imaging finding of a left-sided inferior vena cava. To our knowledge, these 2 conditions occurring together has not been previously reported in literature. Diagnostic features and the value of magnetic resonance imaging are emphasized.

Cardiac pacing systems and implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs): a radiological perspective of equipment, anatomy and complications.

Cardiac pacing is a proven and effective treatment in the management of many cardiac arrhythmias. Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) are beneficial for certain patient groups with a history of serious, recurrent ventricular dysrhythmias, with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. Pacemaker devices take many forms and are highly visible on the chest radiograph.

Radiological features of hepatocellular carcinoma in Southern Pakistan.

We describe the radiological features of 201 patients diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Southern Pakistan. The cases of biopsy-proven HCC were analysed retrospectively for years 1994-1998. Age, sex, underlying cirrhosis, hepatitis markers, and radiological description were recorded.

Colonic mucosal prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase expression before and after low aspirin doses in subjects at high risk or at normal risk for colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: Development of potential cancer chemopreventive drugs involves the systematic evaluation of these drugs in preliminary Phase I and II studies in human beings to identify the optimal drug dose, drug toxicity, and surrogate end point biomarker modulation.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that aspirin, at a single, once-daily 81-mg dose, will reduce colonic mucosal concentration of prostaglandin estradiol (E2) in individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer development similar to our prior observations in a young normal-risk population.

Methods: Aspirin was administered at a dose of 81 mg once daily for 28 days in a cohort of 92 matched high-risk and normal-risk colorectal cancer subjects.

Adherence to single daily dose of aspirin in a chemoprevention trial. An evaluation of self-report and microelectronic monitoring.

A consecutive sample of 64 healthy adults (33 female and 31 male) were recruited at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. Data were available for analysis on 57 subjects. The participants were asked to take a single daily dose of aspirin ranging from 0 to 640 mg.