Effectiveness of the smoothing filter in pediatric Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy.

The present study aimed to evaluate whether the use of a smoothing filter would improve the image quality in pediatric Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-DMSA) scintigraphy. We retrospectively reviewed 31 kidneys in 16 consecutive pediatric patients aged 10 months to 14 years. The administered dose was calculated using a weight-based method.

Comparison of technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime single-photon emission tomograph with stump pressure during the balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery.

Background And Purpose: Measuring blood pressure (stump pressure) in the distal internal carotid artery during occlusion of the internal carotid artery is reportedly a reliable safety index with which to predict ischemia following permanent occlusion of the internal carotid artery. We compared the stump pressure during occlusion of the internal carotid artery with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) using technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent the balloon occlusion test.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapeutic efficacy in the head and neck tumors.

Purpose: The purpose to this study is to identify correlations between pathology and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess the utility of this technique in the evaluation of radiation response for head and neck cancer.

Materials And Methods: MRI was prospectively performed after radiotherapy in 27 patients with various head and neck tumors. After bolus injection of contrast material, a dynamic study was performed using a spoiled gradient-recalled imaging sequence.

Craniocervical junction venous anatomy around the suboccipital cavernous sinus: evaluation by MR imaging.

The present study evaluated the venous anatomy of the craniocervical junction, focusing on the suboccipital cavernous sinus (SCS), a vertebral venous plexus surrounding the horizontal portion of the vertebral artery at the skull base. MR imaging was reviewed to clarify the venous anatomy of the SCS in 33 patients. Multiplanar reconstruction MR images were obtained using contrast-enhanced three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (3-D fast SPGR) with fat suppression.

Thallium-201 SPECT in the evaluation of early effects on brain tumors treated with stereotactic irradiation.

Purpose: To determine whether thallium-201 SPECT can predict response to stereotactic irradiation (STI) earlier than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the change in tumor size measured by MRI was compared with the change in tumor activity measured by Tl-201 SPECT before and after STI.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one tumors in 16 patients with intracranial tumors were treated by STI. Tl-201 SPECT was performed within 1 week before the beginning of STI and within 1 week after the end of STI in all patients.

Image fusion of thallium-201 SPECT and MR imaging for the assessment of recurrent head and neck tumors following flap reconstructive surgery.

The aim of this study was to assess the value of fused MR and Tl-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images in the diagnosis of recurrent head and neck tumors in patients after flap reconstruction surgery. Twenty-four patients after resection of primary head and neck tumors with flap reconstruction were suspected of having recurrent tumor by follow-up MR examination. Both MR examination and Tl-201 SPECT were prospectively performed to produce fused images.

[A case of astrocytoma with extracranial extension after malignant transformation].

A case of astrocytoma with extracranial extension after malignant transformation is presented. The patient was a 58-year-old female who suffered from headache. The initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a slightly hyperintense tumor on T 2-weighted images in the tip of the left temporal lobe, and no contrast enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T 1-weighted images(Gd-T 1 WI).

Intraventricular insulin potentiates the anorexic effect of corticotropin releasing hormone in rats.

Intraventricular corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) suppresses food intake and body weight as a stress response. Insulin, acting within the brain, also suppresses food intake and body weight, and this suppression is related to caloric homeostasis. We determined if increased insulin within the brain potentiates the anorexic effects of intraventricular CRH.

Colorimetric values of esthetic stainless steel crowns.

Objectives: The colorimetric values of two different kinds of esthetic stainless steel crowns were measured and compared with the colorimetric values of primary anterior teeth in Japanese children.

Method And Materials: The colorimetric values of resin composite-faced stainless steel crowns (Kinder Krown) and epoxy-coated stainless steel crowns (White Steel Crown) were measured with a color difference meter. The Commission Internationale de Eclairage L*, a*, b*, and delta E*ab values and Munsell value, chroma, and hue were calculated.

[Feasibility of early ambulation three hours after transfemoral angiography using a 4 French sheath].

Purpose: Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of early resumption of ambulation 3 hours after transfemoral angiography using a 4 French sheath.

Subjects And Methods: This prospective study was carried out in a selected group of men and women without impaired blood clotting (prothrombin time > 15 sec) or thrombocytopenia (platelet < 55,000/mm3). The subjects consisted of 66 men and 34 women with a mean age of 62.