An MR phase imaging sequence with a very short echo time was used to assess blood velocity and flow at the renal artery bifurcation. Cardiac-gated MR imaging data were obtained in six healthy subjects in sagittal planes adjacent to the abdominal aorta and transverse planes above and below the renal artery bifurcation. Average renal artery flow rate was 23.8 +/- 9 mL/sec. A strong individual variability was found for the velocity profiles in the abdominal aorta during end-systolic regurgitation. Flow rate was also determined in three patients with reduced renal artery blood flow. Two patients received therapy with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The successful outcome was documented with MR imaging. A reliable assessment of renal artery flow with MR phase imaging is feasible. Measurement of the velocity profiles yields valuable insights in the complicated flow regime at the renal artery bifurcation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Semiquantitative assessment of lower limb atherosclerosis from routine angiographic images.

In the present report a score system is introduced with the aim of analysing routine angiographic images. The system consists of a vectorial score, which codes the pattern of occlusions, stenoses and plaques, and of an additive score describing the severity of the lesions visualised. The technique is suitable for computerised data analysis.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic fluorescence video endoscopy for intravital evaluation of gastrointestinal mucosal blood flow.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined physical therapy for lymphedema evaluated by fluorescence microlymphography and lymph capillary pressure measurements.

The treatment of patients with lymphedema is still controversial. Combined physical therapy with manual lymph drainage and compression therapy is most frequently used to reduce lymphatic leg swelling. However, objective evidence is rare that this empirical form of treatment has a scientific basis. In a prospective study fluorescence microlymphography and pressure measurements in cutaneous lymph capillaries were used to assess objectively the effect of combined decongestive physical therapy on abnormal microlymphatic dynamics in lymphedema. 12 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema were studied before treatment, after 2 weeks of intensive physical therapy and 3 months of continuing compression and ergotherapy. After 2 weeks of intensive manual lymph drainage and compression bandaging (phase 1) microlymphatic hypertension (12.8 +/- 5.7 mm Hg) was significantly (p = 0.01) reduced to a mean lymph capillary pressure of 5.9 +/- 4.5 mm Hg. More than 3 months later after continuing compression lymph capillary pressure (3.2 +/- 5.2 mm Hg) was still significantly (p = 0.03) reduced. Simultaneously the maximum spread of the fluorescent contrast medium in the superficial lymph capillary network decreased significantly (p = 0.01) from 21.3 +/- 14.3 to 11.3 +/- 4.8 mm. Accordingly the clinical condition improved, and the mean circumferences of the forefoot and ankle were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. Combined decongestive physical therapy is an effective treatment for lymphedema which results in a normalization of microlymphatic hypertension and an improvement of the clinical appearance.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fluctuation of skin lymphatic capillary pressure in controls and in patients with primary lymphedema.

The microlymphatic pressure was monitored by using the servo-nulling technique at the forefoot skin in 24 healthy volunteers (number of capillaries studied: 97) and in 27 patients with primary lymphedema (capillary number: 67). The lymphatic capillaries were stained by fluorescence microlymphography with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 150 and cannulated using glass needles with a diameter between 7 and 9 microns. The lymphatic capillary hypertension described recently in primary lymphedema was confirmed in this series (mean pressure of controls 6.7 +/- 3.8 and, of patients 12.8 +/- 5.9 mm Hg; p < 0.001). Two patterns of pressure fluctuation were observed: rhythmic low-amplitude (mean value 3.7 mm Hg) waves with a frequency identical to respiration (respiratory movements of the thorax recorded simultaneously by a photo cell) and spontaneous nonrhythmic, low-frequency waves with a higher amplitude (mean value 5.5 mm Hg). The prevalence of waves synchronous with respiration was identical in patients and controls, whereas the low-frequency waves exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in the patients (41.7%) than in the controls (70.4%). The hypothesis is advanced that in primary lymphedema a considerable amount of lymphatic fluid is removed by lymphatic pathways with small calibre and high resistance, resulting in microvascular hypertension, and that contractions of the few preserved large proximal lymphatic collectors are enhanced. The latter mechanism could explain the increased prevalence of spontaneous microlymphatic pressure fluctuations with high amplitude and low frequency.

Adolescent↗