Dysphagia and QoL 3 Years After Treatment of Oropharyngeal Cancer With TORS or Radiotherapy.

Objective(s): To investigate dysphagia and quality of life (QoL) outcomes 3 years after treatment of oropharyngeal cancer with either primary trans oral robotic surgery (TORS) or radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at the Copenhagen University Hospital. Endpoints were objective swallowing function, examined using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and video fluoroscopy (VF).

Long-term quality of life & functional outcomes after treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.

Functional and QoL outcomes were compared longitudinally in a cohort of patients treated for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS) or radiotherapy (RT). Forty-four patients undergoing primary TORS (n = 31) or RT (n = 13) for any stage OPSCC were included. Only low-stage disease was treated with TORS.

Comparison of 81mKrypton and 99mTc-Technegas for ventilation single-photon emission computed tomography in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Ventilation and perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography combined with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a powerful tool to assess the state of the lungs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 81mKrypton is a gaseous ventilation tracer and distributes similarly to air, but is not widely available and relatively expensive. 99mTc-Technegas is cheaper and has wider availability, but is an aerosol, which may deposit in hot spots as the severity of COPD increases.

Non-ECG-gated CT pulmonary angiography and the prediction of right ventricular dysfunction in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is an important prognostic factor of 30-day mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated cardiovascular parameters attained during computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) could predict RVD in patients suspected of PE using ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography as reference.

Methods: Consecutive patients suspected of PE were referred to a ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission tomography (V/Q-SPECT) as first-line imaging procedure.

Limited value of novel pulmonary embolism biomarkers in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Recent research supports the efficacy of various plasma biomarkers in diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) including E-selectin, MMP-9, MPO, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, adiponectin, hs-CRP and tPAI-1.

Objective: We hypothesized that these biomarkers, which are affected in both venous and arterial thromboembolic diseases, have a limited potential of diagnosing PE in patients with concomitant coronary atherosclerosis, as assessed from a low-dose CT scan of the thorax, compared to patients without atherosclerosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients suspected of PE were referred.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation on muscle volume in patients with septic shock.

Objective: Intensive care unit admission is associated with muscle wasting and impaired physical function. We investigated the effect of early transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation on quadriceps muscle volume in patients with septic shock.

Design: Randomized interventional study using a single-legged exercise design with the contralateral leg serving as a paired control.

ANP, BNP and D-dimer predict right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: The aim of this study was to predict right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) using plasma concentration of D-dimer, pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and cardiac troponin I (TNI) in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Patients suspected of PE had a ventilation/perfusion-single-photon emission-tomography (V/Q-SPECT), pulmonary multidetector computer tomography (MDCT) angiography, blood samples and ECG-gated cardiac CT performed the same day.

Results: Pro-ANP, BNP and D-dimer are associated with significantly elevated levels in PE patients with RVD.

[SPECT combined with CT angiography yield better diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary embolism--secondary publication].

The aim of our study was to perform a prospective study that compared the diagnostic ability of V/Q single photon emission computer tomography (V/Q-SPECT), V/Q-SPECT combined with low-dose computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary multidetector computed tomography(MDCT)-angiography in patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism (PE) using a dedicated combined SPECT/MDCT-scanner. V/Q-SPECT in combination with low-dose CT had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100%. MDCT angiography had a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 100%.

Comparison of V/Q SPECT and planar V/Q lung scintigraphy in diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: Planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy is currently the standard method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in most nuclear medicine centers. However, recent studies have shown a superior sensitivity and specificity when applying V/Q single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in diagnosing PE. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of three-dimensional V/Q SPECT in comparison with planar V/Q scintigraphy.

Detection of pulmonary embolism with combined ventilation-perfusion SPECT and low-dose CT: head-to-head comparison with multidetector CT angiography.

Unlabelled: The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is usually established by a combination of clinical assessment, D-dimer testing, and imaging with either pulmonary ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy or pulmonary multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography. Both V/Q SPECT and MDCT angiography seem to have high diagnostic accuracy. However, only limited data directly comparing these 2 modalities are available.

Pulmonary hypertension in end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis: therapeutic effect of sildenafil?

Background: The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency and severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the effect of sildenafil treatment in patients with recalcitrant pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Methods: This investigation was a single-center, retrospective study of all patients (n = 25) with end-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis referred for lung transplantation. Hemodynamic measurements were evaluated by right-side cardiac catheterization in 24 of 25 patients.

[Gastroduodenal intussusception causing gastric retention].

A case of gastroduodenal intussusception caused by a duodenal lipoma is presented. The condition was characterized by severe upper gastrointestinal retention, epigastric pain and weight loss. The mass was diagnosed by CT scan.