Utility of positron emission tomography for the detection of disease in residual neck nodes after (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Background: This study evaluates the utility of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with a node-positive mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who achieved a complete response at the primary site but had a residual mass in the neck 8 weeks or more after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy.

Methods: Between October 1996 and July 2002, 39 eligible patients were identified. The reference PET scan was performed at a median of 12 weeks (range, 8-32 weeks) after treatment.

A severe, late reaction to radiological contrast media mimicking a sepsis syndrome.

An unusual, severe delayed reaction to non-ionic intravenous contrast media was observed. A 44-year-old man underwent a computed tomography scan with non-ionic contrast media. Four hours later the patient collapsed with hypotension and cardiovascular shock.

Recognising clinical instability in hospital patients before cardiac arrest or unplanned admission to intensive care. A pilot study in a tertiary-care hospital.

Objective: To investigate the nature and duration of clinical instability (i.e., abnormalities in simple physical observations or laboratory test results) in hospital patients before a "critical event" (i.