Pterygopalatine Fossa Anatomy for a Surgical Approach to Sphenopalatine Ganglion.

The sphenopalatine ganglion is an extracranial neural structure within the pterygopalatine fossa. Modulation of this region via implantation of a neuromodulatory device presents a novel therapy for the treatment of facial and head pain. Yet sex, race, and genetic factors contribute to morphological variations between individuals.

First imaging results of an intraindividual comparison of (11)C-acetate and (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer at early biochemical first or second relapse after prostatectomy or radiotherapy.

Purpose: (18)F-Fluorocholine (FCH) and (11)C-acetate (ACE) PET are widely used for detection of recurrent prostate cancer (PC). We present the first results of a comparative, prospective PET/CT study of both tracers evaluated in the same patients presenting with recurrence and low PSA to compare the diagnostic information provided by the two tracers.

Methods: The study group comprised 23 patients studied for a rising PSA level after radical prostatectomy (RP, 7 patients, PSA ≤ 3 ng/ml), curative radiotherapy (RT, 7 patients, PSA ≤ 5 ng/ml) or RP and salvage RT (9 patients, PSA ≤ 5 ng/ml).

Target volume definition in high-risk prostate cancer patients using sentinel node SPECT/CT and 18 F-choline PET/CT.

Background: To assess the influence of sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) SPECT/CT and 18 F-choline (18 F-FCH) PET/CT in radiotherapy (RT) treatment planning for prostate cancer patients with a high-risk for lymph node (LN) involvement.

Methods: Twenty high-risk prostate cancer patients underwent a pelvic SPECT acquisition following a transrectal ultrasound guided injection of 99mTc-Nanocoll into the prostate. In all patients but one an 18 F-FCH PET/CT for RT treatment planning was performed.

[¹¹C]acetate PET/CT visualizes skeletal muscle exercise participation, impaired function, and recovery after hip arthroplasty; first results.

Purpose: Based on skeletal muscle acetate physiology we aimed studying muscle function after hip arthroplasty with [(11)C]acetate PET.

Procedures: Two male patients were investigated 3 and 12 weeks after hip arthroplasty with muscle [(11)C]acetate PET/CT performed at rest and exercise. Median muscle SUV(mean) were calculated on three non-consecutive transverse PET slices.

Electrical stimulation of sphenopalatine ganglion for acute treatment of cluster headaches.

Introduction: Cluster headaches (CH) are primary headaches marked by repeated short-lasting attacks of severe, unilateral head pain and associated autonomic symptoms. Despite aggressive management with medications, oxygen therapy, nerve blocks, as well as various lesioning and neurostimulation therapies, a number of patients are incapacitated and suffering. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of CH and has been a target for blocks, lesioning, and other surgical approaches.

3-D microfabricated electrodes for targeted deep brain stimulation.

This work presents a novel 4-sided, 16-channel deep brain stimulation electrode with a custom flexible high-density lead for connectivity with pulse generation electronics. The 3-dimensional electrode enables steering the current field circumferentially. The electrode is fabricated in pieces by micromachining and microfabrication techniques; the pieces are then assembled mechanically to form the electrode, after which the lead is connected.

18F-fluorocholine PET-guided target volume delineation techniques for partial prostate re-irradiation in local recurrent prostate cancer.

Background And Purpose: We evaluate the contribution of (18)F-choline PET/CT in the delineation of gross tumour volume (GTV) in local recurrent prostate cancer after initial irradiation using various PET image segmentation techniques.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients with local-only recurrent prostate cancer (median=5.7 years) after initial irradiation were included in the study.

Noninvasive stress testing of myocardial perfusion defects: head-to-head comparison of thallium-201 SPECT to MRI perfusion.

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of myocardial perfusion in the assessment of flow-limiting epicardial stenosis in a head-to-head comparison with abnormal thallium-201 ((201)TI) single photon emission tomography (SPECT) studies in patients with predominantly known coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: Twenty-one patients (mean age 65 +/- 10 years) with reversible myocardial perfusion defects on (201)TI-SPECT images during dipyridamole-stimulated hyperemia were recruited for study purpose. Within 5 days of the (201)TI-SPECT study, myocardial perfusion was studied again with MRI during dipyridamole stimulation and at rest.

Acute treatment of intractable migraine with sphenopalatine ganglion electrical stimulation.

Background: We report preliminary results of a novel acute treatment for intractable migraine. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has sensorimotor and autonomic components and is involved in migraine pathophysiology.

Methods: In 11 patients with medically refractory migraine, the sphenopalatine fossa was accessed with a 20-gauge needle using the standard infrazygomatic transcoronoid approach under fluoroscopy.

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET in the diagnosis of malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia in the pelvic bones.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign dysplastic pathology of bone-forming mesenchymal cells, resulting in replacement of trabecular bone by abnormal fibrous and immature osseous tissue. FD can be either monostotic or polyostotic, is more often unilateral, and can be part of the McCune-Albright syndrome (MIM 174800). Sarcomatous degeneration in FD is rare, ranging from less than 1% in monostotic forms to 4% in the McCune-Albright syndrome.

Impact of treatment with rosiglitazone or metformin on biomarkers for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: There is increasing evidence that insulin resistance (IR) has an important implication in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrinopathy in women. This study was performed to investigate the impact of different treatments for IR on five currently discussed markers for insulin resistance: intact proinsulin, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), resistin, and visfatin in patients with PCOS.

Methods: Thirty-five women with clinically confirmed PCOS diagnosis were included in the study [age (mean+/-SD): 24.

Setting a research agenda for perioperative systems design.

Perioperative care may be considered as a system amenable to industrial design approaches. The current care model is disjointed, prone to breakdown by failure of one component, and hostile to personnel. Moving a patient as a person and data set through the flow of perioperative care is not only possible, but it is essential for efficiency and safety.

Robotically assisted gynaecological surgery.

Industry has used robots successfully for fine, delicate, repetitive tasks for decades. Recently, robots have been introduced into clinical medicine and specifically into the surgical suite. Voice algorithms have been developed that allow voice activation of some types of equipment in the operating room, such as the laparoscope or the light source.