Carotid endarterectomy: update on the gold standard treatment for carotid stenosis.

Many prospective, randomized clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus medical management in the prevention of ischemic stroke were performed in the 1990s. Clinical trials are underway that will compare CEA outcomes to carotid stenting; however, relatively few studies have examined the outcomes of modern CEA. The purpose of this report is to examine current outcomes of CEA and evaluate hospital costs and length of stay.

Examination of sex as an independent risk factor for adverse events after carotid endarterectomy.

Background: The incidence of adverse events after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for women compared with men is controversial. This report compares the incidence of perioperative stroke and death in men and women by examining the effect of comorbidities and hospital setting on CEA outcomes.

Methods: All CEAs performed in non-Federal acute-care Virginia hospitals between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed.

Preoperative MR imaging in hyperparathyroidism: results and factors affecting parathyroid detection.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity of MR imaging for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with biochemical evidence of hyperparathyroidism and to identify the factors affecting detection.

Subjects And Methods: Between 1985, 82 patients with biochemical proof of hyperparathyroidism were referred for MR imaging of the parathyroid glands prior to surgery. Axial T1- (600/20 [TR/TE]) and T2-weighted (2500/40, 80) spin-echo images were obtained using an anterior neck surface coil.

Magnetic resonance angiography of the distal lower extremity.

Objective: To assess magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for demonstration of arterial patency in the ankle and foot of patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Methods: Peripheral MRA of the ankle and foot was performed on 34 limbs of 31 insulin-dependent diabetics. 2-D time-of-flight MRA (TR 33 ms/TE 7.

Magnetic resonance cholangiography.

MR cholangiography offers a noninvasive method of obtaining images of the biliary system without the use of a contrast agent. There is no radiation exposure. Pulse sequences can be chosen to obtain bright bile or black bile cholangiograms.

Prostatic and periprostatic cysts: findings on MR imaging.

Cysts of the prostate or perioprostatic tissues are uncommon and include congenital müllerian or utricular cysts, prostatic retention cysts, cysts of benign prostatic hyperplasia, cystic carcinoma, parasitic and infectious cysts, as well as cysts of the ejaculatory apparatus or seminal vesicles. The radiological diagnosis of prostatic or periprostatic cysts can be difficult because of the resolution needed to define the relationship of a cyst to surrounding structures, such as the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts [1]. Prostatic cysts are easily identified on MR images by virtue of their high signal on T2-weighted images and can be characterized because of their typical locations and the high resolution and multiple imaging planes provided by MR [2].

Preliminary evaluation of iron phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) as a gastrointestinal MR contrast agent.

A simple, effective, safe, and well-tolerated contrast agent is needed as a bowel marker for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The authors tested a variety of foodstuffs admixed with ferric iron as potential gastrointestinal MR contrast agents. Phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) more than doubled the relaxivity of solutions of ferric iron.

CT findings after hepatic chemoembolization.

Hepatic arterial chemoembolization (CE) with a mixture of particulate collagen and chemotherapeutic agents was evaluated as therapy for hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. This article describes the characteristics sequential pattern of change seen on liver CT scans following CE. Thirty CT scans were performed on seven patients who had undergone a total of 11 CE procedures.

Factors influencing women to undergo screening mammography.

Despite the fact that mammography is a valuable tool for early detection of breast cancer, the majority of age-eligible American women do not avail themselves of screening mammography. To better understand why women do or do not undergo mammography and to further develop guidelines for promoting breast cancer screening, the authors investigated what impact personal factors, attitudes, and health-related behaviors have on compliance with screening mammography by surveying 521 women for information related to health behavior, health concerns, sense of well-being, satisfaction with health care, and knowledge about breast cancer. Women who underwent mammography were more likely to have a regular physician, to practice breast self-examination, to be less concerned over the cost of mammography, to be generally satisfied with their health care, to believe they have a greater sense of control over their health, and to be more knowledgeable about mammography and breast cancer.

A temporal and spatial study of the synthesis and degradation of water-soluble and insoluble proteins in galactosemic rat lenses.

Events of synthesis and degradation of water-soluble and -insoluble rat lens proteins were examined during a 21-day period of galactose-induced cataractogenesis. Epithelial cells continued to synthesize both fractions of proteins throughout the duration of the experiment. There were few qualitative changes in the pattern of proteins expressed and the rate of synthesis did not decrease.