Combined transbronchial needle aspiration and (99m)Tc-2-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile single photon emission computed tomography for diagnosing enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

Background: To demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of an integrated approach of blind trans-bronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and (99m)Tc-2-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile single photon emission computed tomography ((99m)Tc-MIBI-SPECT) in diagnosing mediastinal lymph adenopathy.

Methods: Sixty one consecutive patients with mediastinal lymph adenopathy undergoing both TBNA and (99m)Tc-MIBI-SPECT were prospectively enrolled. Mediastinoscopy was attended in case of negative TBNA.

Malignant transformation of bronchogenic cyst revealed by 99mTc-MIBI-SPECT.

Adenocarcinoma arising from a mediastinal cyst was detected by exercise technetium-99m hexakis-2-methoxyisobuty-lisonitrile (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy in a 65-year-old woman with known coronary disease. This guided further investigations and resection of the tumor which stained positive for P-glycoprotein. Three years earlier, myocardial scintigraphy was negative, probably due to down-expression of P-glycoprotein because the cells were in the early stages of carcinogenesis.

The role of Tc-99m-2-Methoxy-Isobutyl-Isonitrile Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in visualizing anterior mediastinal tumor and differentiating histologic type of thymoma.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of (99m)Tc-2-Methoxy-Isobutyl-Isonitrile Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (MIBI-SPECT) for assessing anterior mediastinal mass, and distinguishing the grade of malignancy of thymic epithelial tumors to offer guidance for decision making.

Methods: From January 2006 to November 2009, 31 consecutive patients with an anterior mediastinal mass at CT were enrolled. All patients underwent (99m)Tc-MIBI-SPECT before invasive diagnostic procedures and/or surgical resection.

Rosiglitazone and cognitive stability in older individuals with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment.

Objective: Studies have suggested that insulin resistance plays a role in cognitive impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes. We aimed to determine whether an improvement in insulin resistance could explain cognitive performance variations over 36 weeks in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 97 older individuals (mean +/- SD age 76 +/- 6 years) who had recently (<2 months) started an antidiabetes treatment of metformin (500 mg twice a day) (n = 30) or metformin (500 mg/day)+rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) (n = 32) or diet (n = 35) volunteered.

Scintigraphic evaluation of oesophageal transit during radiotherapy to the mediastinum.

Background: To quantitatively evaluate radiation-induced impaired oesophageal transit with oesophageal transit scintigraphy and to assess the relationships between acute oesophagitis symptoms and dysmotility.

Methods: Between January 1996 and November 1998, 11 patients affected by non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung not directly involving the oesophagus, requiring adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (RT) to the mediastinum were enrolled. Oesophageal transit scans with liquid and semisolid bolus were performed at three pre-defined times: before (T0) and during radiation at 10 Gy (T1) and 30 Gy (T2).

Parotid function after selective deep lobe parotidectomy.

Selective deep lobe parotidectomy is a demanding technique, but it preserves healthy glandular tissue, improves cosmetic results and minimises the incidence of Frey's syndrome. We have evaluated postoperative function of the superficial lobe of the parotid after selective resection of the deep lobe. Fourteen patients who each had a mass involving the deep lobe of the parotid were selected from 127 patients with tumours of the parotid gland who were seen and treated between January 2001 and March 2004.

Effects of insulin on left ventricular function during dynamic exercise in overweight and obese subjects.

Aims: We designed this study in order to determine the effect of insulin on cardiac function in overweight and obese subjects during exercise.

Methods And Results: The cardiac function of 62 normal glucose tolerant subjects, aged 30-40 and divided into normal weight (group 1, n=22, BMI 20-24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (group 2, n=20, BMI 25-29.