Utilizing a Digital Multi-Language Patient Questionnaire for Diagnostic Imaging Examinations.

In diagnostic imaging (DI) practice, patient questionnaires allow clinical staff to gather medical history information directly from patients. However, language barriers can prevent patients from completing the questionnaires and may endanger patient safety if the patient fails to indicate critical medical information. Interpreters are commonly employed to help patients convey important medical details; however, there are limits to their practical utilization.

The Role of Clinical History Collected by Diagnostic Imaging Staff in Interpreting of Imaging Examinations.

Background: Requisitions for diagnostic imaging (DI) studies may occasionally contain incomplete, or lack any, clinical information. The value of technologist notes, provided in addition to the requisitions, for interpreting DI examinations has not yet been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the addition of clinical information in the form of technologist notes assists in interpreting DI examinations and if the impact of these notes depends on the completeness of medical history provided by the referring physician.

Encapsulation of recombinant cells with a novel magnetized alginate for magnetic resonance imaging.

Implanting recombinant cells encapsulated in alginate microcapsules to express therapeutic proteins has been proven effective in treating several mouse models of human diseases (neurological disorders, dwarfism, hemophilia, lysosomal storage disease, and cancer). In anticipation of clinical application, we have reported the synthesis and characterization of a magnetized ferrofluid alginate that potentially allows tracking of these microcapsules in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We now report the properties of these ferrofluid microcapsules important for applications in gene therapy.

Prospective comparison of small bowel meal with pneumocolon versus ileo-colonoscopy for the diagnosis of ileal Crohn's disease.

Background And Aims: Both endoscopy and barium radiography are used routinely to diagnose terminal ileal (TI) Crohn's disease (CD). A prospective study was undertaken to compare ileoscopy with biopsy to small bowel meal with pneumocolon (SBMP) in patients with suspected TI CD.

Methods: A cohort of outpatients investigated for diarrhea with features of TI disease underwent SBMP followed by colonoscopy with ileal intubation and biopsy within 21 days.

Properties of a novel magnetized alginate for magnetic resonance imaging.

Implanting recombinant cells encapsulated in alginate microcapsules to secrete therapeutic proteins has been proven clinically effective in treating several murine models of human diseases. However, once implanted, these microcapsules cannot be assessed without invasive surgery. We now report the preparation and characterization of a novel ferrofluid to render these microcapsules visible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).