Dual-Energy CT of Material Decomposition Analysis for Detection with Bone Marrow Edema in Patients with Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Rationale And Objectives: This study investigated detecting bone marrow edema (BME) in patients with vertebral compression fractures. We compared dual-energy material density analysis images to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is considered the gold standard.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, 260 vertebral bodies from 30 patients (11 males, 19 females, mean age of 81) were assessed by MRI and dual-energy material density analysis.

SPECT/CT Fusion in the Diagnosis of Hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between the diagnostic ability of fused single photon emission computed tomography/ computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images in localization of parathyroid lesions and the size of adenomas or hyperplastic glands.

Methods: Five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and 4 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) were imaged 15 and 120 minutes after the intravenous injection of technetium99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI). All patients underwent surgery and 5 parathyroid adenomas and 10 hyperplastic glands were detected.

An unusual unilocular mesothelial cyst of the pleura: a case report.

A 79-year-old woman was found to have an abnormal shadow on chest radiography. Computed tomography demonstrated a pleural mass. The F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) was performed to determine whether the pleural mass was benign or malignant.

Computed tomography-based three-dimensional dosimetry of intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to show the results of computed tomography (CT)-based dosimetry of intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 patients with cervical cancer underwent intracavitary brachytherapy with external beam radiation therapy. The prescribed dose of brachytherapy was 6 Gy per fraction to point A.

Reactivation of hepatitis and lamivudine therapy in 11 HBsAg-positive renal allograft recipients: a single centre experience.

Background: In hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) (+) renal allograft recipients, the mortality associated with liver disease reaches 37-78%. An antiviral agent, lamivudine, has recently been reported to be safe and effective for preventing hepatic damage in these patients, although either resurgence of HBV-DNA levels after discontinuation or emerging resistant HBV mutants caused by long-term administration are still unsettled.

Methods: Between July 1976 and December 2003, 555 renal transplantations were performed in our centre.

Differentiation between hepatic cyst and hemangioma: additive value of breath-hold, multisection fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery magnetic resonance imaging using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo sequence.

Purpose: To evaluate the additive value of breath-hold, multisection fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo (HASTE) sequence as supplements to moderately and heavily T2-weighted fast-spin-echo (FSE) sequences in differentiating hepatic cyst from hemangioma.

Materials And Methods: A total of 183 lesions (127 hepatic cysts, 56 hepatic hemangiomas) in 117 patients were evaluated in this study. Three radiologists independently reviewed FLAIR MR images using a HASTE sequence and T2-weighted FSE MR images.

Severe elevations of FK506 blood concentration due to diarrhea in renal transplant recipients.

Background: The rate of metabolism in the intestine of oral administered FK506 decreases as FK506 passes on to the lower intestine. In transplant recipients with diarrhea given oral FK506, the main areas for absorption of FK506 shift to the lower intestine, where the ability to metabolize FK506 is weaker. Therefore it is considered likely that when FK506 is administered to recipients with diarrhea, the blood concentration of FK506 will be higher.

Use of PCR and PCR-SSP for detection of urinary donor-origin DNA in renal transplant recipients with acute rejection.

Objective: To analyze the urine of renal recipients for the presence of donor DNA in an attempt to establish an alternative diagnostic means of acute rejection.

Methods: Sixty-four renal transplant recipients were examined. Thirty-seven were normal after transplantation, while 22 others developed acute rejection, based on serum creatinine levels and/or needle biopsy findings of the graft.

Prophylactic deoxyspergualin treatment in living-related renal-transplant recipients transfused with donor-specific blood.

Background: Deoxyspergualin (DSG) prophylaxis has improved long-term graft survival in living-related renal-transplant recipients transfused with donor-specific blood (DST). We examined the influence of acute rejection (AR) on graft survival in these patients.

Methods: The study groups consisted of either historic control recipients without DSG (group A, n=64, 1985-1989) and recipients with DSG as the initial immunosuppressive agent (group B, n=76, 1989-1995).

Analysis of urinary donor-derived DNA in renal transplant recipients with acute rejection.

In renal transplantation we usually diagnose an acute rejection by based on the results of a needle biopsy; however, this takes time and findings in some cases are not definite. We analysed the urine of renal recipients for the presence of donor DNA in an attempt to establish a diagnostic means of acute rejection. Sixty-four renal transplant recipients were examined.