Clinical physiology and functional imaging
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Clin Physiol Funct Imaging · May 2012
Functional assessment of high-grade ICA stenosis with duplex ultrasound and transcranial Doppler.
Duplex ultrasound (DUS) has shown a >90% accuracy compared to angiography, concerning the degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. However, uncertainty may occur in a severe stenosis, in which peak systolic velocity (PSV) may decrease owing to high flow resistance or high backward pressure. We investigated intracranial collateral flows using transcranial Doppler (TCD) to further evaluate the hemodynamic significance of high-grade ICA stenosis. ⋯ Transcranial Doppler helps to determine whether an ICA stenosis is of hemodynamic significance and to assess collateral patterns. Established collateral blood flow will help to identify patients with ≥70% (ECST) carotid artery disease. TCD might be of value when flow velocity criteria combined with plaque assessment by DUS are inclusive. Other diagnostic methods may also be considered.
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Clin Physiol Funct Imaging · Mar 2012
Atherosclerotic plaques in the internal carotid artery and associations with lung function assessed by different methods.
Previous studies on associations between reduced lung function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have mainly been based on forced expiratory volume in 1-s (FEV(1) ) and vital capacity (VC). This study examined potential associations between five different lung function variables and plaques in the internal carotid artery (ICA). ⋯ The occurrence of plaques in the ICA was associated with low D(L,CO) and high RV, but not significantly with FEV(1) or COPD status. The results suggest that the relationships between reduced lung function, COPD and CVD are complex and not only linked to bronchial obstruction and low-grade systemic inflammation.
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Clin Physiol Funct Imaging · Mar 2012
The washout rate of a subcutaneous 99mTc-HSA depot in lower extremity lymphoedema.
Lymphoscintigraphy is currently the leading diagnostic modality of lower extremity lymphoedema but has been criticized for being unreliable. Washout rate constants have been investigated and proven to be of diagnostic value in several studies of breast-cancer-related lymphoedema; however, the applicability in lower extremity lymphoedema needs further evaluation. The aim of the study was to verify if washout of (99m) Tc-human serum albumin ((99m) Tc-HSA) is a reliable diagnostic tool in lower extremity lymphoedema. ⋯ The washout rate of a subcutaneous (99m) Tc-HSA depot is not a reliable diagnostic tool in examination of lower extremity lymphoedema. Additional examinations revealed in vivo instability of the utilized (99m) Tc-HSA as the likely reason.
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Clin Physiol Funct Imaging · Jan 2012
Technetium-99m-labelled HL91 and technetium-99m-labelled MIBI SPECT imaging for the detection of ischaemic viable myocardium: a preliminary study.
The assessment of myocardial viability has become an important aspect of the diagnostic and prognostic work-up of patients with coronary artery disease. Technetium-99m labelled sestamibi ((99m)Tc-MIBI) myocardial perfusion imaging may underestimate the viability of ischaemic myocardium. Technetium-99m labelled 4,9-diaza-3,3,10,10-tetramethyldodecan-2,11-dione dioxime ((99m)Tc-HL91) is a hypoxia-avid agent which can identify acutely ischaemic viable myocardium in a canine model using a standard gamma camera. The aim of this study was to evaluate uptake character of ischaemic viable myocardium and diagnostic performance of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging by (99m)Tc-HL91 and (99m)Tc-MIBI in detecting ischaemic viable myocardium in coronary heart disease. ⋯ Functional SPECT imaging with (99m)Tc-HL91 and (99m)Tc-MIBI can be used to detect the seriously ischaemic but viable myocardium with a mismatched uptake character. The uptake of (99m)Tc-HL91 in the viable myocardium reached a stable level at 3-4 h after injection.
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Clin Physiol Funct Imaging · Jan 2012
Correlation between serum calcium levels and dual-phase (99m)Tc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy in primary hyperparathyroidism.
The goal of the study is to correlate serum calcium levels with the results of dual-phase (99m)Tc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy to find the best cut-off level of the serum calcium that correlates with a positive presurgery. ⋯ (99m)Tc-MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy is most likely to yield identification and localization of a parathyroid adenoma when both PTH and calcium are elevated; however, although there is no lower limit of PTH which can predict a negative study, we cannot recommend (99m)Tc-MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy if the serum calcium is <2·51 mmol l(-1).