Is a combination of Tc-SPECT or perfusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging with spinal tap test helpful in the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of spinal tap test (STT) with cerebral perfusion measurement assessed either by Tc-bicisate-SPECT (Tc-SPECT) or perfusion weighted MRI (pwMRI), or both, for a better preoperative selection of promising candidates for shunt operations in suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Methods: 27 consecutive patients were examined with a standard clinical protocol (assessed by the Homburg Hydrocephalus Scale (HHS)) as well as with 99m Tc-bicisate-SPECT (n=27) or additionally by pwMRI (n=12) before and after STT. The results of these examinations were compared preoperatively for each patient and correlated with postoperative clinical outcome after shunt surgery.

Cortisol and behavior: 1. Adaptation of a radioimmunoassay kit for reliable and inexpensive salivary cortisol determination.

We adapted a commercial serum cortisol radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit for use with saliva specimen. Using 50 microliters sample volume, the lower sensitivity was found to be 0.02 microgram/dl with intraassay variation coefficients between 5.

[Fractional clearance of beta-2-microglobulin in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of kidney diseases].

The micromolecular proteinuria (67-11 Kd), originating from tubulo-interstitial disorders, might be determined by SDS- or gradient-PAGE or by individual marker proteins. The latter procedure in addition to PAGE is necessary in case of heavy proteinurias. The tubular resorptive capacity for microproteins, analysed by fractional beta-2-M-clearances, decreases with deteriorating GFR.