Identification and quantification of diadenosine polyphosphate concentrations in human plasma.

Objective: Diadenosine polyphosphates have been demonstrated to be involved in the control of vascular tone as well as the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and hence, possibly, in atherogenesis. In this study we investigated the question of whether diadenosine polyphosphates are present in human plasma and whether a potential source can be identified that may release diadenosine polyphosphates into the circulation.

Methods And Results: Plasma diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA with n=3 to 6) were purified to homogeneity by affinity-, anion exchange-, and reversed phase-chromatography from deproteinized human plasma.

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone marrow metastasis with fluid-fluid levels from small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Fluid-fluid levels have been reported as an extremely infrequent and non-specific condition in many benign and malignant bone lesions. We present the first reported MRI findings of bone marrow metastasis with fluid-fluid levels from small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder to the lumbar spine. Radiologists should be aware of the MRI appearance of these extraordinary lesions in order to provide a complete differential diagnosis and to guide clinicians in adequate treatment.

MRI of the pharynx and treatment efficacy of a mandibular advancement device in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

In obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), prosthetic mandibular advancement devices (MAD) seem to be a promising treatment alternative to conventional continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Unfortunately, while they are effective in some patients, they are ineffective in others or may even worsen OSAS. At present, it is not known whether predictors can be defined which allow for estimation of the potential effect of oral appliances on the severity of OSAS.

Stereoscopic 3D CT vs standard 3D CT in the classification of acetabular fractures: an experimental study.

The accuracy of stereoscopic and standard three-dimensional (3D) CT in the classification of acetabular fractures was compared. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed by two radiologists and two surgeons blinded to the presence of acetabular fractures in an animal model (a total of 62 porcine hips, 40 with artificial acetabular fractures). Classification of acetabular fractures was adopted from the literature.

3D CT versus axial helical CT versus conventional tomography in the classification of acetabular fractures: a ROC analysis.

Aim: To assess the diagnostic power of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT), axial helical computed tomography (CT) and conventional tomography in the classification of acetabular fractures by interdisciplinary review.

Materials And Methods: Receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) were assessed for two radiologists and two surgeons blinded to the presence of acetabular fractures in an animal model (a total of 62 porcine hips, 40 of them with artificial acetabular fractures). Main target parameter was the diagnostic accuracy in the classification of the artificial fractures following Judet et al.

CT fluoroscopy-assisted puncture of thoracic and abdominal masses: a randomized trial.

Purpose: We investigated the benefit of real-time guidance of interventional punctures by means of computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) compared with the conventional sequential acquisition guidance.

Material And Methods: In a prospective randomized trial, 75 patients underwent either CTF-guided (group A, n = 50) or sequential CT-guided (group B, n = 25) punctures of thoracic (n = 29) or abdominal (n = 46) masses. CTF was performed on the CT machine (Somatom Plus 4 Power, Siemens Corp.

Cowper's syringocele: diagnosis based on MRI findings.

An 8-year-old boy presenting with intermittent haematuria and dysuria was investigated with voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), urethroscopy and perineal MRI. VCUG and urethroscopy did not provide a definitive diagnosis, while MRI clearly demonstrated a homogeneous, oval cystic lesion extending from the bulbourethral glands and slightly impressing the bulbous urethra. The patient was found to have an imperforate Cowper's syringocele.

A comparative study of CT fluoroscopy combined with fluoroscopy versus fluoroscopy alone for percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Purpose: We compared CT fluoroscopy (CTF) for the initial puncture of bile ducts with conventional fluoroscopic guidance in patients with malignant jaundice in whom percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was planned.

Methods: Forty consecutive patients were randomized to two study groups: group A underwent PTBD under CTF and fluoroscopic guidance, group B underwent PTBD under fluoroscopic guidance alone. CTF-guided PTBD was performed using a combination of a helical CT scanner of the latest generation and a mobile C-arm; conventional PTBD was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in the angiographic unit.

Successful treatment of intimal hyperplasia in renal arteries by endovascular brachytherapy.

Purpose: The present study shows the possibility of preventing restenosis of renal arteries by endovascular brachytherapy.

Methods And Materials: We present a patient suffering from rapid restenosis of both renal arteries with decreasing renal function. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent implantation were unable to stop hypertension and to stabilize renal function.

First experiences in CT-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary decompression by means of real-time CT fluoroscopy.

Background: Computed tomographic fluoroscopy (CTF), also called real-time CT, is increasingly used in interventional radiology but has not yet been recommended to guide percutaneous transhepatic biliary decompression (PTBD). We report our early clinical experiences with CTF-guided PTBD.

Methods: Sixteen consecutive patients underwent PTBD under CTF guidance because of obstructive jaundice caused by malignant tumor (11 cases of carcinoma of the bile duct, four cases of pancreatic cancer, and one case of metastasis).

[Virtual bronchoscopy in the child using multi-slice CT: initial clinical experiences].

Purpose: Virtual bronchoscopy of the pediatric patient has been reported to be more difficult because of artifacts due to breathing or motion. We demonstrate the benefit of the accelerated examination based on multislice spiral CT (MSCT) in the pediatric patient which has not been reported so far.

Material And Methods: MSCT (tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 110 mA, 4 x 1 mm Slice thickness, 500 ms rotation time, Pitch 6) was performed on a CT scanner of the latest generation (Volume Zoom, Siemens Corp.

Better visualization of transbronchial biopsy using CT fluoroscopy.

Purpose: Computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) provides the capability for continuous CT imaging and has been increasingly used in interventional procedures. Our objective was to assess the usefulness of CTF in the monitoring of transbronchial biopsy procedures.

Methods: We evaluated nine patients in whom yield of "conventional" transbronchial biopsies had failed.

[Duodeno-ileal fistula development due to retroperitoneal lymph node metastases of sigmoid carcinoma].

We report on a 75-year-old patient suffering from persistent diarrhea with consecutive weight loss of 50 kg over a nine month period. Three years ago the patient had been operated on a sigmoid cancer. Ultrasonography and CT-scan revealed retroperitoneal masses due to lymph node metastases.

Prevention of radiographic-contrast-agent-induced reductions in renal function by acetylcysteine.

Background: Radiographic contrast agents can cause a reduction in renal function that may be due to reactive oxygen species. Whether the reduction can be prevented by the administration of antioxidants is unknown.

Methods: We prospectively studied 83 patients with chronic renal insufficiency (mean [+/-SD] serum creatinine concentration, 2.

Optimized enhancement in helical CT: experiences with a real-time bolus tracking system in 628 patients.

Aims: Ultrafast detector technology enables bolus-triggered application of contrast media. In a prospective study we investigated the benefit of this new method with the intention of optimizing enhancement during examination of the chest and abdomen.

Materials And Methods: In total, we examined 548 patients under standardized conditions.

CTF-guided puncture of an unenhanced isodense liver lesion during continuous intravenous injection of contrast medium.

CT fluoroscopy (CTF) facilitates guidance of percutaneous biopsies and other interventional procedures. We wished to demonstrate the usefulness of CTF for the puncture of an unenhanced isodense liver lesion during continuous injection of intravenous contrast medium. We performed CTF-guided puncture of a 2-cm lesion in the liver of a patient suffering from lung cancer.

First experiences in percutaneous arterial chemoembolization of malignant liver lesions by means of real-time CT fluoroscopy.

Computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) allows real-time display (continuous imaging) and has been increasingly used in interventional procedures. We wished to demonstrate the usefulness of CTF in chemoembolization of the liver. Twenty-one patients with primary or secondary malignant lesions of the liver underwent CTF-guided chemoembolization after angiographic positioning of a catheter in the hepatic artery.

[Minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsy with the "mammotome". Methodology and personal experiences].

A new method of minimally invasive breast biopsy is described. The system components are a stereotactic biopsy table, a digital mammography, an automatic, computer-assisted needle positioning device and a new vacuum core biopsy needle. With this needle multiple core biopsies can be collected through a single insertion.

[Intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the esophagus. Diagnosis on second look].

History: Case 1. A 56-year-old man had experienced increasing dysphagia for 6 months, accompanied by a weight loss of 20 kg. A stenosing oesophageal carcinoma was suspected.

Magnetic resonance angiography as a technique for the visualization of hemodialysis shunts.

In order to test the suitability of magnetic resonance angiography for the visualization of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis shunts, 20 patients (8 women, 12 men, aged 24-69 years) were examined with this technique. The shunt arm was placed in an extremity coil. The time-of-flight method was applied.

[MRI characteristics of the Sneddon syndrome].

The report describes the MRI findings in a female patient with an established long course of a Sneddon's syndrome. Multiple ischaemic cerebral infarcts of a mainly macroangiopathic pattern are typical. In the beginning the corresponding clinical deficiencies often show a considerable regression.