SPECT-CT improves detection of small peritoneal fistula.

A 51-year-old woman on peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure underwent laparotomy for kidney transplant. One month later, painful subcutaneous edema was observed within the abdominal wall especially apparent in the standing position. A peritoneal fistula was suspected.

99mTc-HMPAO labelled white blood cell scintigraphy in patients with osteoarticular infection: the value of late images for diagnostic accuracy and interobserver reproducibility.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic value of 99mTc-HMPAO labelled white blood cell scintigraphy (WBCS) in patients with suspected osteomyelitis using late images and to study interobserver reproducibility. This study prospectively included 120 patients, and after a follow-up of one year, only 70 patients (n = 49 with implants, n = 21 without implants) were selected. The final diagnosis of infection was based either on microbiological data (n = 54) or follow-up (n = 16).

Value of captopril renal scintigraphy in hypertensive patients with renal failure.

Unlabelled: The aims of this study were to show the value of captopril renal scintigraphy for detecting a renovascular cause in hypertensive patients with renal failure and to assess the ability to predict the beneficial effect of revascularization on renal function.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with renal failure (mean glomerular filtration rate = 35 mL/min) underwent renal scintigraphy after injection of 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine. Baseline scintigraphy was performed, and the test was repeated 24 h later after oral administration of 50 mg captopril given 60 min before the test.

Diagnosis of renovascular hypertension: feasibility of captopril-sensitized dynamic MR imaging and comparison with captopril scintigraphy.

Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may decrease glomerular filtration rate when a significant renal artery stenosis is present. The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the feasibility of captopril-sensitized, dynamic MR imaging of the kidney in a series of patients with a high suspicion of renovascular hypertension and to compare the results with those of captopril scintigraphy.

Subjects And Methods: Fifteen hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis shown by angiography were studied with sequential gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging after oral administration of 50 mg of captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme.

The resorption of bone-implanted corals varies with porosity but also with the host reaction.

Three different exoskeletons of coral species Porites asteroides (P), Montastrea annularis (M), and Dichocoenia stokesi (D) were implanted for 2-20 weeks in rabbits. At 2, 4, 8, or 20 weeks, the exoskeletons presented variations in their resorptions depending on the species. To understand the variations in the decreasing speed of the implants despite their similar chemical composition, a study of the surface and architecture of the coral was carried out using scanning electronic microscopy, porosity was evaluated, and growth and differentiation of osteogenic cells cultured in vitro were observed for more than 1 month.

Evaluation of cell colonization on biomaterials: preventing cell attachment to plastic containers.

In biocompatibility evaluation involving cell culture models, we use samples of biomaterials of different forms and sizes. During cell seeding onto biomaterials of an inadequate size to cover the bottom of the culture wells completely, cells have the opportunity to attach to the plastic. As described in this report with two culture models and two biomaterials, we use an agarose gel sublayer to prevent this phenomenon.

In vitro evaluation of an epoxy resin's cytocompatibility using cell lines and human differentiated cells.

The cytocompatibility of a polyepoxy resin (Elf Aquitaine) has been studied using both cell lines and human differentiated cell cultures. The human models were gingival fibroblasts and bone osteoblasts, while the cell lines were Hela cells and 3T3 Balb/c cells. Basal cytocompatibility was assessed by estimation of the cell proliferation, total cell protein content, cell membrane sub-lysis, and cell attachment and spreading.

Low levels of serum thyroglobulin after withdrawal of thyroid suppression therapy in the follow up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

We evaluated the reliability of very low serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels (less than 3 ng/ml) obtained after withdrawal of thyroid suppression therapy in 224 patients without anti-Tg antibodies, who had undergone total thyroidectomy (125 patients) or thyroidectomy followed by 1 or more courses of 131I therapy (99 patients), by performing whole body scans after a therapeutic course of 131I given at the same time of Tg measurement. In 79 patients (35%) a positive scan, associated with a very low level of Tg, was noted. The 131I uptake was limited to the thyroid bed in 60 patients, but metastases were demonstrated in 19 patients (8.

Lung ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy in the follow up of repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

To evaluate the effects of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and pulmonary hypoplasia on subsequent lung function and development, we performed lung 133Xe ventilation and 99mTc perfusion scintigraphies in a group of infants who had undergone surgical repair of a severe left CDH with respiratory distress within the first 6 h of life. The initial lung scans performed in 15 children, 2-3 months of age, demonstrated a decreased ventilation in 7. In 9 children there was a trapping of 133Xe at the left lung base.

Thallium-201 imaging in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Since thallium-201 imaging has been reported as a potential means of follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) during ongoing thyroid suppression therapy, the authors evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity of this procedure in 31 patients known to have metastases or local recurrence. Among 51 tumor sites 201TI imaging had a detection rate of 45% whereas 84% was noted for imaging with 131I administered in therapeutic doses. Thus, even though the effectiveness of the two radionuclides is not strictly comparable due to the difference in the administered doses, Thallium imaging cannot be recommended as the only modality for the follow-up of patients with DTC.

[Determination of beta2-microglobulin in workers expposed to cadmium dust (author's transl)].

In a factory where workers are exposed to inhalation of small cadmium oxide particles we have determined beta2microglobulin (beta2m) in serum and urine and at the same time cadmium in corresponding samples and also in the atmosphere of the workshop. The rise in urinary beta2m generally detected seems to be dependent upon two parameters : 1) the number of years spent in the factory ; and 2) the atmospheric Cadmium concentration.