Biomedical subjects

A A Moss

Publications and source records attributed to A A Moss.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Utility of ceruletide in promoting intestinal opacification for abdominal and pelvic computed tomography.

An analysis of the utility of parenteral ceruletide, a cholecystokinin-like synthetic decapeptide, in promoting bowel opacification for computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans of 85 patients who had received intramuscular ceruletide following oral contrast administration and of 85 control patients were reviewed and the degree of bowel opacification evaluated. No significant advantage was conferred by ceruletide in opacifying the stomach or major part of the small intestine. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the presence or absence of contrast in the terminal ileum and right colon. Contrast was detected in the terminal ileum in 52 experimental compared with 35 control patients (p less than 0.009) and in the right colon in 56 experimental and 39 control subjects (p less than 0.01). Intramuscular administration of ceruletide will be helpful when terminal ileal opacification is essential or in patients in whom colonic opacification is desired but rectal contrast contraindicated.

Ceruletide↗

PubMed1986

Nuclear magnetic resonance of the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

This review includes the initial experience with NMR imaging of the liver, spleen, and pancreas at the University of California, San Francisco, using a prototype 0.35 Tesla system. This experience shows great promise for detection of hepatic metastases using T1-weighted pulse sequences. T2-weighted pulse sequences appear sensitive for detecting cavernous hemangioma of the liver and may allow tissue specific discrimination of the benign lesion from cancer. NMR is also suitable for evaluating diffuse metabolic alterations and is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of iron overload. Detection of fatty liver requires use of chemical shift techniques as conventional NMR imaging pulse sequences are relatively insensitive. Motion artifacts and lack of an effective bowel contrast agent limits imaging of the pancreas and retroperitoneum, where CT remains the procedure of choice. The normal spleen has longer T1 and T2 relaxation times than liver or pancreas and NMR has not been successful in diagnosing splenic metastases or lymphoma on a routine basis. We conclude that NMR imaging will be valuable in the diagnosis of focal liver disorders; until fast scan techniques and effective magnetic contrast agents are available for oral and/or intravenous use, other abdominal applications will remain limited.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1986

Abnormal body fat distribution detected by computed tomography in diabetic men.

Previous studies of body fat using tape measurement of body circumference and hand-held caliper skinfold measurements have suggested abnormal fat distribution in patients with diabetes mellitus. These methods, however, have high interobserver variability and cannot assess intra-abdominal fat independent of subcutaneous fat. We used computed tomography to evaluate body fat distribution in a group of 53 Japanese-American men of similar age and body mass index (weight divided by height squared). As determined by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, 29 subjects had type II diabetes and 24 were normal. Computed tomography cuts were obtained at three body levels to measure thorax, abdomen, and thigh subcutaneous fat area as well as intra-abdominal fat area. We found greater intra-abdominal fat in men with diabetes than in those without (123.74 vs. 95.54 cm2, P = 0.034) and a greater ratio of thorax to thigh subcutaneous fat (2.55 vs. 1.88, P = 0.016). These findings support the hypothesis that fat in different areas of the body differs metabolically. Computed tomography can be a useful tool for investigating whether abnormal body fat distribution is associated with the pathogenesis of abnormal glucose tolerance.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1986

Magnetic resonance imaging of the bone marrow in patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia, and lymphoma.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bone marrow was performed in 29 patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia, or lymphoma who were scheduled for bone marrow transplantation, and in 12 normals. T1-weighted coronal images (TR600/TE40) of the pelvis and proximal femurs demonstrated marrow pathology in adult patients. A simple MR grading system was developed to classify patterns of marrow involvement, and MR grading of cellularity was correlated with marrow histology. Normal marrow produced a relatively high signal intensity reflecting the predominance of short T1 fat in the marrow space. MRI of pretransplant patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute leukemia in relapse demonstrated a markedly decreased marrow signal, consistent with the replacement of marrow fat by longer T1 neoplastic tissues. Aplastic anemia could not be differentiated from normal with the pulse sequences employed. Marrow involvement by Hodgkin's lymphoma was detected as diffuse marrow infiltration with superimposed focal areas of even lower signal intensity, reflecting the nodular nature of Hodgkin's. These results indicate that infiltrative marrow disorders can be sensitively detected by MRI.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Pancreatic insufficiency: role of CT evaluation.

The medical records of all patients discharged over a 3-year period with a diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency were reviewed. In some patients, abdominal radiographs or sonograms provided adequate information. However, computed tomography (CT) was a key diagnostic tool in understanding the cause of pancreatic insufficiency in 11 of the 13 patients in whom it was performed. CT study detected previously undiagnosed carcinoma in one patient, enabled diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis in five, confirmed complete surgical removal of the pancreas in two, and--despite optimal use of contrast material and 5-mm contiguous sections--was unable to detect any pancreatic tissue in three patients, suggesting complete idiopathic atrophy. Pancreatic insufficiency is a difficult clinical diagnostic problem. CT scanning should be employed early if abdominal radiographs or sonograms do not detect an abnormality.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Bowel migration in the normal fetus: US detection.

Ten fetuses underwent ultrasound scanning at 7-10 weeks gestational (postmenstrual) age. In all cases, an echogenic mass measuring 0.5-1.0 cm was demonstrated within the base of the umbilical cord at its insertion into the fetal abdomen. No area with echogenicity characteristic of the small bowel was identified within the lower part of the fetal abdomen. All fetuses were reexamined 4-12 weeks later, at which time the mass in the umbilical cord was no longer seen, and normal fetal bowel was visualized in the lower abdominal cavity of the fetus. This sequence of findings appears to represent the sonographic demonstration of normal fetal bowel migration early in gestation and should not be confused with defects of the abdominal wall such as omphalocele or gastroschisis.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1986

Changing appearance of the normal uterus during the menstrual cycle: MR studies.

The authors obtained sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images twice a week from six healthy women during one full menstrual cycle to establish the changes depicted in the uterine layers. Parallel endocrine and ultrasound studies were used to establish the day of ovulation precisely. Consistent changes in the thickness and intensity of the endometrium and myometrium wer noted in all subjects during the menstrual cycle. Both myometrial thickness and endometrial area increased linearly during the follicular (preovulatory) phase of the cycle; the rate of increase dropped significantly during the luteal phase. Two myometrial layers were observed; the best contrast between the layers was demonstrated during the first half of the cycle.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Dilute oral iron solutions as gastrointestinal contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging; initial clinical experience.

Delineation of the gastrointestinal tract in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains a problem. Ferric ammonium citrate is paramagnetic, producing a high MRI signal intensity by virtue of its spin-lattice (T1) relaxation rate enhancement properties. Water is diamagnetic, producing a low MRI signal intensity, especially with short TR and TE times. To compare efficacy for gastrointestinal contrast alteration, ferric ammonium citrate was administered to 18 patients and water was given to 10 patients. Spin-echo imaging at 0.35T was performed after administration of these agents. Ferric ammonium citrate produced high signal intensity within the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and small intestine that aided in the differentiation of the gastrointestinal tract from adjacent tumors, vessels, and viscera. Delineation of the gut wall was superior using ferric ammonium citrate compared to that produced by water. Delineation of the margins of the pancreas, liver, and kidney from adjacent gastrointestinal tract was also better with ferric ammonium citrate. Optimal distinction between bowel and fat was better with water. Longer TE times (75 to 200 ms) may allow improved contrast between gut and intrabdominal fat using ferric ammonium citrate.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

CT body stereotaxic instrument for percutaneous biopsy and other interventive procedures: phantom studies.

This article describes a new body stereotaxic system that defines a fiducial point by means of a skin localization device placed directly on the patient. The system uses a rectilinear stereotaxic frame to guide the needles along the calculated path. A method for calculating paths that require angulations from one scan slice to another is described, as well. The system was tested in a foam phantom and shown to be intrinsically accurate in vitro to within 2 mm in both the x and y axis.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1985

Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of hepatic iron overload.

Experimental animals that had been given excess iron in their diet were studied by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in vivo and by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in vitro. Hepatic iron overload in patients with transfusional iron excess was studied by MR imaging, and isolated iron protein fractions were studied in vitro by MR spectroscopy. The spin echo image intensity of livers with iron overload was decreased because of the extreme decreases in T2 compared with normal; T1 was decreased only moderately. The relaxation rates 1/T2 and 1/T1 both showed a linear relationship to hepatic iron levels. Ferritin solutions showed moderate decreases in T2 and mild decreases in T1. The T2 relaxivity of ferritin, which is due to the iron core rather than the apoferritin protein shell, does not appear sufficient to account for the extreme decrease in T2 observed in hepatic iron overload. Low molecular weight cytosol iron is present in lower concentrations than ferritin but potentially has much greater relaxivity and may contribute to the MR findings. These techniques may be useful in other studies of iron metabolism.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Parathyroid aspiration biopsy under ultrasound guidance in the postoperative hyperparathyroid patient.

A 10-MHz high-resolution dedicated small parts scanner and a static 5-MHz digital scanner were used in the ultrasound (US) examination of 11 patients with hyperparathyroidism who had previously undergone surgery of the parathyroid (eight patients) or thyroid (three patients) gland. Using US localization, aspiration biopsies were performed successfully in nine patients: parathyroid disease was confirmed in seven patients and thyroid lesions in two. Inadequate aspirate was obtained in one patient; in another patient a biopsy was done successfully under CT guidance following a negative US examination. The authors conclude that high-resolution US is an effective tool for guiding the aspiration biopsy of nonpalpable parathyroid tumors in patients who have had neck surgery. They suggest modifications of the US equipment that would simplify the localization procedure.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1985

MR imaging in radiation therapy planning. Work in progress.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may provide information about tumor location, extent, and margins unavailable from other imaging modalities. The impact of MR on radiation therapy planning was investigated in this study. Thirty patients about to undergo radiation therapy underwent routine radiography and computed tomography (CT) to define the extent of their disease. A radiation therapy plan, including portal placement and size, was drawn up based on this information alone. The patients also underwent MR studies. After the original therapy plan was created, the MR study results were made available to the radiation therapist. In 53% (16/30) of the cases, MR information led to a measurable change in the therapy plan; in an additional 33% (10/30), MR information increased confidence in the original plan. MR may become a necessary procedure for radiation therapy planning in many cases.

Humans↗

PubMed1985

Detection of abdominal aortic graft infection: comparison of CT and in-labeled white blood cell scans.

Aortic graft infections are a rare but potentially lethal complication of aortic graft surgery. If the infection is limited to the groin, local therapy and preservation of the graft may be possible in some cases, whereas infections extending into the retroperitoneum require removal of the graft and revascularization of the lower limbs. The diagnosis and assessment of the extent of a graft infection is difficult on clinical grounds. A prospective study compared CT and indium-labeled white blood cell (In-WBC) scans in the diagnosis of aortic graft infection. Five patients with aortic graft infection and three patients without aortic graft infection were studied by both methods. CT correctly detected the retroperitoneal extension of the infection in three patients with groin infection; In-WBC scans diagnosed the extension only in one patient. Both CT and In-WBC were positive in two patients with aortic graft infection but no groin infection. Both studies were negative in the three patients without evidence of aortic graft infection. The study suggests that CT is more sensitive than In-WBC in evaluating the extent of aortic graft infection and should be the imaging method of choice.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

PubMed1985

Detection of recurrent rectosigmoid carcinoma: prospective evaluation of CT and clinical factors.

Twenty-nine patients who underwent curative resection for rectosigmoid carcinoma were followed for 1-4 years by history and physical examination, computed tomography, liver function tests, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Recurrences occurred in 13 patients: seven asymptomatic and six symptomatic. CT scans, obtained in 10 of these 13 patients, were positive in nine. Liver function tests were not elevated in any and carcinoembryonic antigen was abnormal in six of 11 patients. CT is the most sensitive test for the detection of recurrent disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

The impact of CT CORRELATE ScoutView images on radiation therapy planning.

CORRELATE is a new computer software program for CT that enables a radiologist to mark tumor margins on traditional CT cross-sectional images and then display the outline of that same tumor on CT ScoutView images. This function is particularly useful for radiation therapy planning because CORRELATE ScoutView images are in the same longitudinal plane as simulation radiographs used for tumor localization in radiation therapy. The impact of CORRELATE on the radiation therapy planning process was measured in 83 patients with various tumors. Therapy planning was performed before and after CORRELATE information was made available to the radiation therapist. CORRELATE information caused a change in the therapy plan in 77% of the cases and increased confidence in the therapy plan in an additional 22%. CORRELATE provides a useful and accurate tool for tumor localization.

Humans↗

PubMed1985

Dynamic CT scanning of the normal canine liver: interpretation of time density curves resulting from an intravenous bolus injection of contrast material.

Seven adult male mongrel dogs were monitored by electromagnetic flow probes and string occluders around the hepatic artery and portal vein. Then, time density curves of the liver, aorta and portal vein were recorded using dynamic CT scanning following the bolus injection of contrast material into a peripheral vein (n = 7) and a mesenteric vein branch (n = 5). Information on total hepatic blood flow could not be obtained from the mesenteric vein injection. The hepatic time density curve could, however, be broken into its two components, hepatic arterial and portal venous flow contribution, by selective ligation of the hepatic artery or portal vein. It could be demonstrated that the arterial component of liver enhancement reached its peak at the end of the aortic wash-out of contrast material. Thus, the hepatic time-density curve could be broken in its two components by superimposing the aortic time density curve onto the hepatic curve. An attempt was made to estimate relative portal venous blood flow by using the slopes or the peaks of both components of the hepatic curve. Using the slopes of the hepatic curve resulted in a consistent underestimation of portal venous blood flow, whereas the peaks gave an estimate of portal venous flow with an accuracy within +/- 8%.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Localization studies in patients with persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

Preoperative localization studies are essential for patients who have undergone previous parathyroid operations. This is because the remaining parathyroid glands are more difficult to identify at operation because of increased scarring with loss of normal tissue planes and because the remaining abnormal parathyroid tissue is more likely to be situated in an ectopic position. This investigation concerns the accuracy of preoperative localization studies in 36 consecutive patients. All patients had symptoms and clinical and laboratory data diagnostic of primary (31 patients) or secondary (five patients) hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasonography was performed in all 36 patients; 18 (50%) were positive, 14 (39%) were negative, and four (11%) were false positive examinations. Eight of the negative study results occurred in patients with abnormal parathyroid glands situated in the mediastinum. Computerized tomography (CT) was performed in 25 patients. There was an equal number of positive (11; 44%) and negative (11; 44%) studies with three (12%) false positive test results. CT was helpful in identifying substernal lesions and other abnormal parathyroid glands situated in ectopic positions. Thallium chloride 201-technetium 99m pertechnetate scans were used in 22 patients. There was an equal number of positive (eight; 36%) and negative (eight; 36%) studies. Six patients (27%) had false positive scans. One or more of these noninvasive tests was positive in 27 of the 36 patients (75%). Highly selective venous catheterization for the measurement of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentrations localized the elusive parathyroid tumor in 12 of the 16 patients (75%) overall and in six of the nine patients (66%) whose tumors were not identified by other studies. One patient had both a false positive ultrasound and thallium chloride 201-technetium 99m pertechnetate scan. Preoperative localization studies were therefore very helpful for locating hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in patients with recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism, and 75% of the tumors were identified by noninvasive studies. Seventy-five percent of the tumors not identified by noninvasive studies were localized by selective venous catheterization. Most tumors not identified by noninvasive studies were mediastinal or ectopic in position.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Diverging gastro-esophageal folds: an useful sign for detecting small hiatal hernias in the erect position.

Upright, double contrast films of the gastro-esophageal junction were reviewed in 30 patients with hiatal hernias and 30 normal controls. Patients with hiatal hernias demonstrated gastro-esophageal folds that converged above the diaphragm and diverged at or beneath the diaphragm on double contrast films of the esophagus. In the normal situation these folds were found to converge at or beneath the diaphragm. The origin and significance of this sign for the diagnosis of hiatal hernias in the upright position is discussed.

Esophagogastric Junction↗