"Denervation" of autonomous nervous system in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension by low-dose radiation: a case report with an unexpected outcome.

Vasointestinal peptide metabolism plays a key physiological role in multimodular levels of vasodilatory, smooth muscle cell proliferative, parenchymal, and inflammatory lung reactions. In animal studies, vasointestinal peptide relaxes isolated pulmonary arterial segments from several mammalian species in vitro and neutralizes the pulmonary vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin. In some animal models, it reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in vivo and in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.

[Diagnostic imaging--the end of intravenous urography?].

For diagnosing patients with acute flank pain, unenhanced helical computed tomography (CT) is the most accurate method. However, conventional diagnosis using sonography and intravenous urography yields comparable results. For proper assessment, the availability, radiation dose, and cost have to be considered as well.

Loss of the guide wire: mishap or blunder?

We describe four cases of lost guide wires during central venous catheterization. Although percutaneous catheterization of central veins is a routine technique, it is a procedure requiring advanced operating skills, expert supervision, and attention to detail in order to prevent adverse effects.

[Metastatic small intestine carcinoma--delayed diagnosis due to misinterpretation of diagnostic imaging and symptom confusion due to Bechterew disease and duodenal ulcer].

Misinterpretations of sonographic and computed tomography scans and reduced sensitivity to pain of a patient suffering from Bechterew's disease and duodenal ulcer caused delayed diagnosis of metastasized carcinoma of the small intestine.