66 research outputs found
Clearance of technetium-99m-DTPA in pulmonary sarcoidosis
Background. The aim of this study was to explore the possible association of the lung clearance of 99mTc- DTPA scan with HRCT lung abnormalities and with the pulmonary function tests [PFTs] in patients with sarcoidosis. Methods. We studied prospectively 15 patients [5 males, 10 females] of median age 46yr [range 27-67] with histologically proved sarcoidosis. HRCT scoring included the sum of the severity and extent of lymph node enlargement and parenchymal involvement. Results. The mean DTPA clearance half-time [τ 1/2 <40 min] was found [mean [SD]] 38.3+4.5min. The lymph node enlargement was found 34% and the parenchymal involvement 12%. DTPA clearance was negatively correlated with the parenchymal involvement [r= -0.651, p=0.009]. The HRCT parenchymal abnormalities were found significantly correlated with PFTs [FVC [r= -0.65, p=0.008] and TLCO [r= -0.76, p=0.02]. Conclusions. Our data suggest a moderate association between 99mTc-DTPA scan and HRCT in pulmonary sarcoidosis. However, further studies in large scale of sarcoid patients are needed to clarify the role of this novel methodology in the evaluation and follow-up of this disorder
Clearance of technetium-99m-DTPA and HRCT findings in the evaluation of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
BACKGROUND: Clearance of inhaled technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate ((99m)Tc-DTPA) is a marker of epithelial damage and an index of lung epithelial permeability. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of (99m)Tc-DTPA scan in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Our hypothesis is that the rate of pulmonary (99m)Tc-DTPA clearance could be associated with extent of High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) abnormalities, cell differential of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with IPF. METHODS: We studied prospectively 18 patients (14 male, 4 female) of median age 67yr (range 55–81) with histologically proven IPF. HRCT scoring included the mean values of extent of disease. Mean values of these percentages represented the Total Interstitial Disease Score (TID). DTPA clearance was analyzed according to a dynamic study using a Venticis II radioaerosol delivery system. RESULTS: The mean (SD) TID score was 36 ± 12%, 3 patients had mild, 11 moderate and 4 severe TID. Abnormal DTPA clearance half-time (t(1/2)<40 min) was found in 17/18 (94.5%) [mean (SD) 29.1 ± 8.6 min]. TID was weakly correlated with the DTPA clearance (r = -0.47, p = 0.048) and with % eosinophils (r = 0.475, p = 0.05). No correlation was found between TID score or DTPA and PFTs in IPF patients. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that (99m)Tc-DTPA lung scan is not well associated with HRCT abnormalities, PFTs, and BALF cellularity in patients with IPF. Further studies in large scale of patients are needed to define the role of this technique in pulmonary fibrosis
Clearance of technetium-99m-DTPA and HRCT findings in the evaluation of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Background: Clearance of inhaled technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) is a marker of epithelial damage and an index of lung epithelial permeability. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 99mTc-DTPA scan in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Our hypothesis is that the rate of pulmonary 99mTc-DTPA clearance could be associated with extent of High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) abnormalities, cell differential of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with IPF. Methods: We studied prospectively 18 patients (14 male, 4 female) of median age 67yr (range 55-81) with histologically proven IPF. HRCT scoring included the mean values of extent of disease. Mean values of these percentages represented the Total Interstitial Disease Score (TID). DTPA clearance was analyzed according to a dynamic study using a Venticis II radioaerosol delivery system. Results: The mean (SD) TID score was 36 ± 12%, 3 patients had mild, 11 moderate and 4 severe TID. Abnormal DTPA clearance half-time (t1/2&lt;40 min) was found in 17/18 (94.5%) [mean (SD) 29.1 ± 8.6 min]. TID was weakly correlated with the DTPA clearance (r = -0.47, p = 0.048) and with % eosinophils (r = 0.475, p = 0.05). No correlation was found between TID score or DTPA and PFTs in IPF patients. Conclusion: Our data suggest that 99mTc-DTPA lung scan is not well associated with HRCT abnormalities, PFTs, and BALF cellularity in patients with IPF. Further studies in large scale of patients are needed to define the role of this technique in pulmonary fibrosis. © 2006 Antoniou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd
Clinical significance of circulating endothelial adhesion molecules (sE-selectin and sICAM) in untreated multiple myeloma patients
Background: The expression of adhesion molecules is important for the
interaction of myeloma cells with the bone marrow microenvironment. In
the current study, serum soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and
sE-selectin) were measured in untreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients
in relation with other markers of disease activity. Materials and
methods: The study group consisted of 67 patients with MM (classified
according to the Durie-Salmon classification) and 15 controls.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), sICAM-1 and sE-selectin concentrations were
determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition,
the monoclonal protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and
hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were also determined. Results: Serum
sICAM-1 level increased significantly at advanced stages of MM and was
higher in comparison to controls (p<0.01). sE-selectin increased
significantly with advancing stage of the disease, but did not differ
from controls. IL-6, ESR and M-component were significantly higher and
Hb concentrations lower with advancing stage of disease. There was a
positive correlation of IL-6 with sICAM-1 and sE-selectin. Conclusions:
We conclude that serum sICAM-1 differs in multiple myeloma patients from
normals and together with sE-selectin increase in parallel to increasing
stage of disease, which may reflect a dysregulation and possible
involvement of these adhesion molecules in myeloma progression. (C) 2004
Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Conceptus radiation dose and risk from cardiac catheter ablation procedures
Background-The aim of the current study was to estimate the conceptus
radiation dose and risk associated with fluoroscopic imaging during a
catheter ablation procedure for supraventricular tachycardia performed
on the expectant mother.
Methods and Results-Exposure parameters and fluoroscopy times for each
projection of the cardiac ablation procedure performed in 20 female
patients of childbearing age were recorded. Radiation doses for a
potential conceptus were estimated by using dose data obtained in
anthropomorphic phantoms simulating pregnancy at the first, second, and
third trimesters. Dose measurements were carried out using
thermoluminescent dosimeters. For a typical examination, the average
radiation dose to the conceptus was < 1 mGy in all periods of gestation.
Average excess fatal cancer was 14.5/10(6) unborn children irradiated
during the first postconception weeks. Corresponding values for the
second and third trimesters were 30 and 55.7/10(6), respectively. The
risk for hereditary effects in future generations was 1.5/10(6) cases
for conceptus irradiation during the first postconception weeks.
Corresponding values for the second and third trimesters were 3.0 and
5.6/10(6), respectively. Formulas and dose data are presented for
estimating the conceptus risk from any technique and x-ray system used
for catheter ablation procedures.
Conclusions-A typical catheter ablation procedure results in a very
small increase in risk of harmful effects to the conceptus. However,
estimation of conceptus dose from catheter ablation procedures is always
needed to assess the risk to the individual developing in utero
- …