Imaging Techniques For Diagnosis Research Articles

Novel Optical Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis of Colorectal Adenoma - A Prospective Case Study On Detection of Colorectal Adenomas Using AFI Compared with NBI

Novel Optical Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis of Colorectal Adenoma - A Prospective Case Study On Detection of Colorectal Adenomas Using AFI Compared with NBI

Myeloma Update

Myeloma is the most common primary bone malignancy and one of the most common hematologic malignancies. Research on myeloma constantly produces new information on genetic factors, imaging techniques, and treatment complications among others that is of use to patients, referring physicians, and radiologists. This update emphasizes new developments regarding imaging techniques for diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of myeloma patients. Advances in whole body radiography, whole body computed tomography, whole body magnetic resonance imaging, and whole body nuclear techniques (including sestamibi and positron emission tomography) are discussed.

Commonly Used Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis and Staging

Imaging plays a vital role in the management of patients with cancer. Not only is it important for diagnosis, indicating sites of abnormality, and guiding biopsies, but it is also crucial in assessing disease extent and thereby determining treatment. In this review, conventional imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography are described, with attention to their mechanisms of action, and their strengths and weaknesses in diagnosis and staging of tumors. New developments are addressed and radiation safety issues are highlighted. In addition, we describe current and expected future uses of imaging techniques in oncology. Given that each technique has its inherent strengths and weaknesses, the combination of the methods will result in improved diagnosis, staging, and treatment prediction and monitoring.

L’ictère nu : rôle du radiologue dans la prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique

The purpose of this article is to provide an update on imaging techniques for diagnosis and staging of clinical conditions leading to obstructive jaundice. Clinical and imaging findings of the most frequent diseases presenting as obstructive jaundice will be reviewed in order to optimize imaging strategies. Imaging and treatment strategies will be discussed in order to provide an optimal diagnosis and staging with the least invasive techniques in order to minimize complications in these patients.

Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Communicating Hydrocephalus

Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Communicating Hydrocephalus

Die bildgebenden Verfahren und ihre Rolle beim Behandlungsmanagement von Patienten mit akutem Flankenschmerz

The purpose of this overview is to provide a general summary of the imaging techniques applied at the Vienna Hospital for the investigation of acute flank pain and the diagnosis of stone disease and the evaluation of their efficacy and impact on therapy management. The number of publications on the issue of "intravenous urography (IVU) vs computed tomography (CT)" is abundant; in recent years, advocates of CT make up the majority. In the Department of Urology at the Vienna Hospital, conventional techniques such as ultrasound and IVU besides UHCT still play an important role. This overview presents the advantages and disadvantages of the various imaging techniques for diagnosis of stone disease and evaluates their significance regarding therapy management of patients with acute flank pain.

α1-Antitrypsin and fibromyalgia: new data in favour of the inflammatory hypothesis of fibromyalgia

alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT) circulates in high serum concentrations, and impregnates most body tissues. AAT has a broad anti-inflammatory spectrum, and modulates most inflammatory reactions occurring in human body. Recently, a possible relationship between AAT deficiency (AAT-D) and fibromyalgia (FM) has been raised, with the finding that intravenous infusions of purified human AAT efficiently controlled FM symptoms in two patients with severe hereditary AAT-D. On the other hand, functional magnetic resonance imaging has detected a significant greater activity in pain sensitive areas of the brain in patients with FM, in response to cutaneous stimuli, providing further evidence for a physiological explanation for FM pain. In recent studies abnormal profiles of inflammation markers in serum and biopsies have been found in FM patients. Since most of these inflammation mediators can be inhibited by AAT, these observations would suggest that at least a subset of the FM syndrome could be related to an inflammatory process, possibly due to an imbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances, in the soft body tissues. Future directions of research would be: (1) to develop epidemiological studies to determine the gene frequency of AAT deficiency alleles in FM patients; (2) implementation of a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the specific role of AAT augmentation therapy in AAT-D patients with FM; (3) identification of specific laboratory markers for diagnostic and clinical evaluation purposes in FM; (4) application of the newest medical imaging techniques for diagnosis; and (5) identification of genetic, familial, and environmental risk factors suspected to participate in the FM syndrome development.

759 Role of imaging techniques in diagnosis of aortic intramural haematoma

759 Role of imaging techniques in diagnosis of aortic intramural haematoma

Noninvasive imaging findings of hepatobiliary fascioliasis

In this case report, an unusual patient with biliary fascioliasis without showing any hepatic involvement by ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is presented. The purpose of this case report is to make a distinction between the two stages of the disease (hepatic fascioliasis and biliary fascioliasis) and to describe the ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiographic findings in hepatobiliary fascioliasis and to discuss the role of noninvasive imaging techniques in diagnosis.

The role of new imaging techniques in diagnosis and staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

This review highlights the different imaging modalities for the detection of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The chest film is the initial diagnostic tool of choice because it is easy to perform, inexpensive, and widely available. Unfortunately, it demonstrates malignant pleural mesothelioma in later stages of disease and is not suitable for an early sensitive and specific diagnosis. Computed tomography is capable of distinguishing the different forms of pleural abnormalities. The knowledge of computed tomography findings is important for differentiation of malignant pleural diseases from benign diseases. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in three planes can be clinically useful to differentiate pleural mesothelioma from other malignancies or from benign pleural diseases. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging offers the possibility to differentiate invasion of the diaphragm from transdiaphragmatic tumor growth, and, in patients who are surgical candidates and who have questionable areas of local tumor extension on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging may provide additional information to plan or avoid surgery. Improvements in the detection of regional and distant metastases are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from aggressive combined modality treatment regimes. In this context, positron emission tomography is a metabolic imaging technique that offers the possibility to evaluate active malignant cells. Drawbacks to this technique include false-positive findings, which may occur at sides of inflammation, and lesser anatomic detail information. A complete and accurate staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma is essential to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies. This implies the need to be familiar with the most recently developed staging system from the International Mesothelioma Interest Group.

Review of 36 cases of spinal cord meningioma.

Thirty-six consecutive patients with histologically confirmed spinal cord meningioma were presented to evaluate clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic options and to correlate treatment methods and outcome. To present the incidence, clinical presentation, localization, techniques, and long term results of surgically treated spinal meningiomas. Meningiomas are common tumors of spinal neoplasm. They are generally benign and slow-growing. Advanced in radiologic and surgical techniques have brought about better surgical results. The goal of surgical treatment must be total resection if possible. However, spinal meningiomas may recur, especially as a result of incomplete resection. Thirty-six consecutive patients with histologically confirmed spinal meningiomas were treated from 1980 to 1997. Neuroradiological diagnosis was made through myelogram in 20 patients, CT scan in 15 patients, and MRI in 16 patients. All patients were operated on via the posterior approach and using microsurgical technique and when necessary Cooper-Ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) and CO2 laser were also applied. The patients were followed for 2 to 15 years (mean 9 years). Radiotherapy was not undertaken except in recurrent tumors. The most frequent site of spinal meningiomas was in the thoracic region. In 30 (83%) patients tumors were found to be completely intradural extramedullary during surgery. Total tumor resection was achieved in 35 (97%) of patients. In the follow-up period, 30 cases (83%) improved when compared to their preoperative conditions. There was one operative mortality (3%). A 66-year-old women died of pulmonary emboli. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging technique for diagnosis. Total tumor resection improved the surgical results of spinal meningiomas. If total removal of the tumor cannot be achieved, or in the case of early recurrence followed by total resection, radiotherapy should be performed in adjuvant therapy.

Diagnostic imaging in clinical tumor staging

In order to evaluate the anatomic extension of neoplastic disease according to the TNM system sufficiently, inclusion of imaging techniques is absolutely necessary. In addition, decisions on further clinical processing are based on precise identification of primary tumor extent (T), condition of regional nodes (N) and possible presence of distant metastases (M). Breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer represent the most common tumor entities. Within this context the importance of imaging techniques for diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and follow-up of patients with these malignancies is presented in this report.

Role of imaging techniques in diagnosis of chorioepithelioma in Hung Vuong Hospital, Hochiminh City, Vietnam

Vaginal sonography has been the principal tool for the diagnosis of invasive mole and choriocarcinoma in Hochiminh City, Vietnam owing to its non-invasiveness, low cost and availability in the hospital. The typical images for diagnosis of invasive mole and choriocarcinoma were found in 60% and 75% cases, respectively. However, for other cases with atypical signs, the diagnosis could be feasible for clinicians in combination woth other tools, especially with urine beta-HCG which proved to be positive in 100% cases. Arteriography per se did not show to have a high value in diagnosis of trophoblastic tumor in the city. In the future, a prospective study should be conducted to look at the sensitivity and specificity of existing techniques used for the diagnosis of GTD in the hospital.

Recent Advances in Echocardiography of Aortic Disorders

Pathological processes affecting the thoracic aorta are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. It is not surprising therefore that many imaging modalities have evolved for comprehensive assessment of this vital structure. Currently available techniques include chest radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, and aortography. Compared with other modalities, echocardiography is the most attractive because of its advantages of speed, portability, immediate availability of results, and low cost. With recent advances in echocardiographic instrumentation, technology, and newer approaches such as multiplane transesophageal echocardiography it has evolved as the most promising imaging technique for diagnosis of aortic disorders, providing comprehensive information of the site and extent of aortic pathology and associated complications.

Large vessel vasculitides.

During the past few years remarkable progress has been achieved in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms leading to vascular inflammation and injury in giant cell (temporal) arteritis. T lymphocytes are activated by specific recognition of a putative antigen residing in the arterial wall and, subsequently, activate macrophages that undergo a functional differentiation and contribute to vessel damage through various pathways. Vascular response to inflammation amplifies the inflammatory response through neovascularization and adhesion molecule expression. We are beginning to appreciate that products released by infiltrating inflammatory cells may play an important role in vessel occlusion and resulting ischemic complications. Concomitantly, synovitis underlying polymyalgia rheumatica musculoskeletal symptoms has been immunopathologically characterized and the nature of its relationship to giant cell arteritis is discussed. Although some components of the disease are highly corticosteroid responsive, other underlying pathogenic mechanisms may remain active. Long-term outcome is heterogeneous in patients with giant cell arteritis. Much less is known about the pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis. Recent work supports its association with HLA class I antigens, which may differ in different geographic areas or ethnic groups. Because Takayasu's disease expression may vary in different ethnic settings, this possibility has led to the proposal of new diagnostic criteria. Finally, the role of new imaging techniques in diagnosis and assessment of disease activity is discussed.

The Role of Splenectomy in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

The Role of Splenectomy in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

PET in oncology: Will it replace the other modalities?

Medical imaging technology is rapidly expanding and the role of each modality is being redefined constantly. PET has been around since the early sixties and gained clinical acceptance in oncology only after an extreme number of scientific publications. Although PET has the unique ability to image biochemical processes in vivo, this ability is not fully used as a clinical imaging tool. In this overview, the role of PET in relation to other tumor imaging modalities will be discussed and the reported results in the literature will be reviewed. In predicting the future of PET, technical improvements of other imaging modalities need to be dealt with. The fundamental physical principles for image formation with computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photon-emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission CT (SPECT) will not change. The potential variety of radiopharmaceuticals which may be developed is unlimited, however, and this provides nuclear imaging techniques with a significant advantage and adaptive features for future biologic imaging. The current applications of PET in oncology have been in characterizing tumor lesions, differentiating recurrent disease from treatment effects, staging tumors, evaluating the extent of disease, and monitoring therapy. The future developments in medicine may use the unique capabilities of PET not only in diagnostic imaging but also in molecular medicine and genetics. The articles discussed in this review were selected from a literature search covering the last 3 years, and in which comparisons of PET with conventional imaging were addressed specifically. PET studies with the glucose analogue fluorine-18-labeled deoxyglucose (FDG) have shown the ability of detecting tumor foci in a variety of histological neoplasms such as thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, head and neck carcinoma, colorectal cancer, ovarian carcinoma, and musculoskeletal tumors. Also, the contribution of the whole body PET (WBPET) imaging technique in diagnosis will be discussed. In the current health care environment, a successful imaging technology must not only change medical management but also demonstrate that those changes improve patient outcome.

Sonographic features of colon carcinoma seen with high-frequency transabdominal ultrasound.

To assess the value of high-frequency ultrasonography as a diagnostic imaging procedure in patients with colon carcinoma, we first evaluated the sonograms of 37 patients who had been already diagnosed with contrast enema and/or colonoscopy as having colon carcinoma. As a result, the sonographic criteria for diagnosis of a possible colon carcinoma were (1) a localized and irregular thickening of the colonic wall with heterogenous low echogenicity, (2) an irregular contour, (3) a lack of demonstrable movement or change of configuration of the bowel on real-time scanning, and (4) absence of wall stratification. During the last 4 years, 41 consecutive patients had findings meeting our sonographic criteria. In 37 patients (90%), the presence of colon carcinoma was confirmed by contrast enema and/or colonoscopy. Our study suggests that high-frequency real-time ultrasonography may be a useful imaging technique in diagnosis of colon carcinoma.

Morbus Sudeck - MRT als neues diagnostisches Verfahren

In this prospective study, we determined the value of MR as an imaging technique in diagnosis and therapy with the option of simultaneous assessment of bone and soft tissue. 20 patients with clinical diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) and positive results in radiogram and three-phase radionuclide bone scanning were examined by MR, using T1- and T2-weighted images before and after Gadolinium-DTPA i.v. Soft tissue and bone signal intensity changes can be classified in our diagnostic-therapeutic scheme and proven by histopathological changes. The differentiation between clinical stages is possible and allows an evaluation of course and therapy. The higher costs are justified by shorter examination time without using radiation.

Infectious Diseases: A Modern Treatise of Infectious Processes

In the decade since Hoeprich assembled the expertise of almost 100 collaborators to produce the first major textbook of infectious diseases, much has happened: new antimicrobial agents with ever-widening spectra of activity; newly recognized diseases such as toxic shock syndrome, legionellosis, and campylobacteriosis; use of a novel vaccine to prevent hepatitis B; and revolutionary imaging techniques for diagnosis of abscesses. Little wonder that a second, and now a third, edition of Hoeprich's book have been welcomed! In contrast with the reception usually accorded Hollywood film sequels, to which movie critics usually turn thumbs down, successive editions of medical textbooks offer readers an improved learning resource. Although Hoeprich's first edition was an earnest attempt to synthesize a great body of information for young physicians, the book failed to probe deeply enough to justify its purchase. The problem was remedied with a much-improved second edition five years later. Hoeprich's third edition should