Assessing renal function in children with hydronephrosis - additional feature of MR urography.

Background: Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is one of the most attractive imaging modalities in paediatric urology, providing largest diagnostic information in a single protocol. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of MRU in children with urogenital anomalies (especially anomalies of the renal pelvis and ureter) and the renal function using different post-processing functional software.

Patients And Methods: Ninety six children (7 days - 18 years old) were examined.

Virtual simulation of neuroendoscopic procedures: early clinical experience with ventricular lesions.

Background: Virtual endoscopy (VE) is a new and promising imaging technology. Applied to neuroendoscopy it allows preoperative simulation of a procedure and evaluation of the individual intraventricular anatomy in selected cases. Along with neuronavigation and real time intraoperative imaging, VE is expected to improve the safety and efficacy of neuroendoscopic procedures.

Chemotherapy of human cystic echinococcosis: comparative efficacy of mebendazole and albendazole.

The relative efficacy of mebendazole (MEB) and albendazole (ALB) was tested by treating 51 patients with single, multiple and multi-organ hydatid cysts; 28 patients were treated with MEB, 50-70 mg kg-1 body weight daily for six to 24 months, and 23 with ALB, 10 mg kg-1 body weight daily in four courses of 30 days with 15-day intervals between courses. The therapeutic effect during the follow-up was assessed by ultrasonography, computerized tomography and chest X-ray. The criteria used when assessing the results were: 'success', evidence of effect on all cysts; 'partial success', evidence of effect on some of the cysts; and 'no success', no changes in cyst morphology.

Factors influencing the response to chemotherapy in human cystic echinococcosis.

As the effectiveness of mebendazole and albendazole in patients with echinococcosis has been found to vary, we investigated some of the factors likely to be responsible. A total of 79 patients who were treated with mebendazole (44 patients) or albendazole (35 patients) were included in the study. Evaluation of the treatment results was based on the changes in cyst morphology, as evidenced by the results of X-ray radiography, sonography, and computed tomography, and on analysis of the findings in relation to parasitic and drug factors.

Experience in the chemotherapy of severe, inoperable echinococcosis in man.

The effect of albendazole and mebendazole was studied in 25 patients with severe, multiple, inoperable echinococcosis. Eleven patients were treated with albendazole 10 mg/kg/day for four courses of 30 days with 15-day drug-free intervals and 14 with mebendazole 50-70 mg/kg/day continuously for between 6 and 24 months. The determination of cyst response was based on the changes in cyst appearance as seen by radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography.