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Biomedical subjects

E D Brown

Publications and source records attributed to E D Brown.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Renal abscesses: appearance on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance images.

PURPOSE: To determine the appearance of renal abscesses on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images, we reviewed 12 MR studies of eight patients with renal abscesses. These findings were compared with findings on other imaging modalities. METHODS: Eight patients underwent 12 MR studies at 1.5 T, including T1-weighted gradient echo and fat-suppressed spin echo pre- and post-Gd-DTPA enhancement. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MR images and compared MR findings to the findings on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in five patients, noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) in two patients, and ultrasound in all patients. RESULTS: On contrast-enhanced MR images, renal abscesses were clearly depicted as heterogeneously low-signal-intensity lesions. Four patients had solitary abscesses, and four had multiple abscesses. Prominent perinephric inflammatory stranding was observed in six patients and was best shown on gadolinium-enhanced T1 fat-suppressed images. CECT findings were comparable to contrast-enhanced MR images, although contrast resolution was less on CECT images in all cases. Renal abscesses were poorly shown on NCCT and ultrasound images. CONCLUSION: Renal abscesses are clearly shown on gadolinium-enhanced MR images as low-signal-intensity lesions associated with prominent perinephric inflammatory strands. In this study, NCCT and ultrasound studies are poor at defining abscesses. Despite lesser contrast resolution of CECT versus MRI, the findings in cases of renal abscesses are similar. In patients with elevated serum creatinine, iodine contrast allergy, or the need for serial exams, MRI may be the best imaging technique to evaluate renal abscesses.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral medications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a small diameter endoscope.

We carried out a double-blinded, randomized prospective study to compare patient tolerance of small diameter endoscopes using limited potency oral premedication to complement topical anesthesia. Patients randomly received either oral placebo, diphenhydramine (100 mg), acetaminophen (1000 mg), or both drugs 30 to 60 min prior to endoscopy. All patients received topical Cetacaine and underwent upper endoscopy with the Olympus XP10 7.9-mm fiberscope. The combination of acetaminophen (1000 mg) and diphenhydramine (100 mg) significantly improved tolerance over topical anesthetic alone. Obvious sedation from the medications was infrequent. Gag response after a topical anesthesia was a significant predictor of patient tolerance. We conclude that small diameter endoscopes are well tolerated for diagnostic upper endoscopy. Oral premedications additionally improve tolerance slightly.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complications of renal transplantation: evaluation with US and radionuclide imaging.

Following renal transplantation, patients are often evaluated with ultrasonography (US) or radionuclide imaging to assess renal function and the presence of possible complications. Both modalities are inexpensive, noninvasive, and nonnephrotoxic. A basic understanding of the surgical techniques commonly used for renal transplantation is useful when imaging these patients in order to recognize complications and to direct further imaging or intervention. The most frequent complications of renal transplantation include perinephric fluid collections; decreased renal function; and abnormalities of the vasculature, collecting system, and renal parenchyma. Perinephric fluid collections are common following transplantation, and their clinical significance depends on the type, location, size, and growth of the fluid collection, features that are well-evaluated with US. Causes of diminished renal function include acute tubular necrosis, rejection, and toxicity from medications. Radionuclide imaging is the most useful modality for assessing renal function. Vascular complications of transplantation include occlusion or stenosis of the arterial or venous supply, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms. Although the standard for evaluating these vascular complications is angiography, US is an excellent noninvasive method for screening. Other transplant complications such as abnormalities of the collecting system and renal parenchyma are well-evaluated with both radionuclide imaging and US.

Graft Rejection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of doxapram on obstructive sleep apnea.

To determine whether treatment with a respiratory stimulant, doxapram hydrochloride, would improve obstructive sleep apnea, we administered the drug to four patients with this disease. Subjects were given a bolus of doxapram, 0.5 mg X kg-1 lean body mass, followed by a 1 mg X min-1 infusion throughout the night on one night and placebo another night. Doxapram produced improvement in the average oxyhemoglobin desaturation during apneic and hypopneic episodes and decreased average apnea length, but did not change the average number of oxyhemoglobin desaturations per hour of sleep or sleep efficiency. We conclude that doxapram, when administered at levels known to increase ventilatory drive, does not decrease the number of disordered breathing events during sleep but does cause termination of these events at higher levels of oxyhemoglobin saturation.

Adult↗