Renal Safety of Intravenous Gadolinium-enhanced MRI in Patients Following Liver Transplantation.

Background: Intravenous contrast-enhanced imaging is invaluable in diagnosing pathology following liver transplantation. Given the potential risk of contrast nephropathy associated with iodinated computed tomography contrast, alternate contrast modalities need to be examined, especially in the setting of renal insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to examine the renal safety of MRI with gadolinium following liver transplantation.

Treatment allocation in patients with early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma: Prevalence and predictors of lymph node involvement.

Background: In considering treatment allocation for patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma, the incidence of lymph node metastasis is a critical determinant; however, this has not been well defined or stratified by the relevant clinical predictors of lymph node spread.

Methods: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database of the National Cancer Institute were abstracted from 2004 to 2010 for patients with early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma. The incidence of lymph node involvement for patients with Tis, T1a, and T1b tumors was examined and was stratified by predictors of spread.

Localization of the brachial plexus: Sonography versus anatomic landmarks.

Purpose: Interscalene brachial plexus blocks are performed for perioperative management of surgeries involving the shoulder. Historically, these procedures employed anatomic landmarks (AL) to determine the location of the brachial plexus as it passes between the anterior and middle scalene muscles in the neck. In this study, we compared the actual location of the brachial plexus as found with sonography (US) to the anticipated location using AL.

Renal safety of intravenous gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

Renal dysfunction in cirrhosis carries a high morbidity and mortality. Given the potential risk of contrast-induced nephropathy associated with iodinated intravenous contrast used in computed tomography (CT), alternate contrast modalities for abdominal imaging in liver transplant candidates need to be examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the renal safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

Analysis of in vivo left atrial appendage morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation: a direct comparison of transesophageal echocardiography, planar cardiac CT, and segmented three-dimensional cardiac CT.

Purpose: Recent development of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices has underscored the need for an accurate understanding of LAA morphology and the interchangeability of results from differing imaging modalities. The purpose of this study is to assess LAA morphology and location in AF patients, directly comparing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), planar cardiac computed tomography (CT), and three-dimensional segmented CT reconstructions.

Methods: Fifty-three patients underwent adequate TEE and cardiac CT.

Determinants of lesion sizes and tissue temperatures during catheter cryoablation.

Background: Factors which influence lesion size from catheter-based cryoablation have not been well described. This study describes factors which influence lesion size during catheter cryoablation.

Methods And Results: Cryoablation was delivered to porcine left ventricular myocardium in a saline bath using 4- or 8-mm electrode catheters.

Microbubbles during radiofrequency catheter ablation: composition and formation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure tissue temperatures associated with microbubble formation during radiofrequency (RF) ablation.

Background: Microbubble formation visualized by echocardiography has been used to indicate excessive tissue heating during RF pulmonary vein isolation. However, little is known about the tissue temperatures associated with microbubble formation.