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Biomedical subjects

J E Kuhlman

Publications and source records attributed to J E Kuhlman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Combined hepatocyte-selective and blood-pool contrast agents for the CT detection of experimental liver tumors in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To determine the imaging characteristics of a new computed tomographic (CT) contrast material with both hepatocyte-selective and blood-pool components (iodinated triglyceride (ITG)-dual) versus standard iohexol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2 carcinoma was inoculated in seven rabbits. Animals underwent nonenhanced, iohexol-enhanced (600 mg of iodine per kilogram of body weight), and ITG-dual-enhanced (blood-pool moiety, 100 mg of iodine per kilogram; hepatocyte-selective moiety, 100 or 200 mg of iodine per kilogram, injected 90 minutes apart) helical CT. Livers were removed, preserved in formalin, suspended in agar, and sectioned transversely at 3-mm intervals. Attenuation values for normal liver and tumors were obtained, and blinded readers evaluated images for lesions by using a modified free-response receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method. RESULTS: A total of 47 separate tumor sites were detected at pathologic examination. ITG-dual-enhanced scans obtained with 300 mg of iodine per kilogram demonstrated similar liver opacification to iohexol-enhanced scans obtained with 600 mg of iodine per kilogram, but with less lesion enhancement, which resulted in better liver-to-lesion contrast. Blinded readers had a higher sensitivity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve for ITG-dual-enhanced scans as compared with iohexol-enhanced scans (P: <.01). CONCLUSION: ITG-dual-enhanced CT quantitatively and qualitatively improved liver lesion detection versus iohexol-enhanced CT. Future clinical trials with various human tumor types after potential approval for human use are needed to determine the ultimate role of this or other dual-mechanism contrast materials.

Animals↗

MR imaging of the pleura and chest wall.

Evaluation of pleural and chest-wall disease begins with a chest radiograph. In many cases, further evaluation of the chest wall and pleura requires cross-sectional imaging with CT scan or MR imaging. MR imaging is reserved for specific cases of tumors, infections, pleural effusions, and masses. The superior soft-tissue contrast of MR imaging is useful in evaluating the extent of infections and tumors involving the pleura and chest wall. The multiplanar capability of MR imaging aids in the evaluation of chest wall and pleural abnormalities, particularly in the apical regions.

Humans↗

A multisite phase III study of the safety and efficacy of a new manganese chloride-based gastrointestinal contrast agent for MRI of the abdomen and pelvis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a manganese chloride-based oral magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent during a Phase III multisite clinical trial. Two hundred seventeen patients were enrolled who were already scheduled for MRI of the abdomen and/or pelvis. In this group of patients, it was postulated that the use of an oral agent would better allow discrimination of pathology from bowel. Patients with known gastrointestinal pathology including peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obstruction, or perforation were excluded to minimize confounding variables that could affect the safety assessment. Of these 217 patients, 18 received up to 900 mL of placebo, and 199 patients were given up to 900 mL of a manganese chloride-based oral contrast agent, LumenHance (Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.). Safety was determined by comparing pre- and post-dose physical examinations, vital signs, and laboratory examinations and by documenting adverse events. Efficacy was assessed by unblinded site investigators and two blinded reviewers who compared pre- and post-dose T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans of the abdomen and/or pelvis. In 111 (57%) of the 195 cases evaluated for efficacy by site investigators (unblinded readers), MRI after LumenHance provided additional diagnostic information. Increased information was found by two blinded readers in 52% and 51% of patients, respectively. In 44/195 cases (23%) unblinded readers felt the additional information would have changed patient diagnosis and in 50 patients (26%), it would have changed management and/or therapy. Potential changes in patient diagnosis or management/therapy were seen by the two blinded readers in 8-20% of patients. No clinically significant post-dose laboratory changes were seen. Forty-eight patients (24%) receiving LumenHance and four patients (22%) receiving placebo experienced one or more adverse events. Gastrointestinal tract side effects were most common, seen in 29 (15%) of LumenHance patients and in 3 (17%) of the placebo patients. LumenHance is a safe and efficacious oral gastrointestinal contrast agent for MRI of the abdomen and pelvis.

Abdomen↗

CT-monitored percutaneous cryoablation in a pig liver model: pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and feasibility of percutaneous cryoablation with computed tomographic (CT) guidance in a pig liver model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine angiographic balloons (mean diameter, 9 mm) were placed in the livers of seven domestic pigs (mean weight, 30.0 kg +/- 14.0 [SD]) as tumor-mimicking lesions. By using ultrasonographic and CT guidance, two 2.4- or 3.0-mm cryoprobes were placed flanking the balloon, and a 15-20-minute freezing process was performed. Hemostasis was achieved by placing absorbable cellulose fabric down the probe tract. After 24-96 hours, animals were sacrificed, and their livers were removed and were sectioned axially at 5-mm intervals for comparison with CT images. RESULTS: All animals survived the procedure without complication. No serious hemorrhage was found in any case. Ice balls were readily visualized at CT because they appeared as areas of decreased attenuation (1.0 HU +/- 20.7) when compared with areas of normal liver (48.2 HU +/- 6.3, P < .05). The mean ablative margin was 1.7 cm, and only one of nine cases, the one with probe failure, had a positive margin. Beam-hardening artifact from the metal probes was present but did not interfere with the procedure. Ice-ball size and shape corresponded closely to the area of necrosis determined at histopathologic analysis. CONCLUSION: CT-monitored percutaneous cryoablation is feasible and safe in this pig liver model.

Animals↗

Diagnosis and staging of ovarian cancer: comparative values of Doppler and conventional US, CT, and MR imaging correlated with surgery and histopathologic analysis--report of the Radiology Diagnostic Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: To determine the optimal imaging modality for diagnosis and staging of ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty women suspected to have ovarian cancer were enrolled in a prospective study before surgery. Doppler ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were used to evaluate the mass; conventional US, CT, and MR imaging were used to stage spread. RESULTS: All three modalities had high accuracy (0.91) for the overall diagnosis of malignancy. In the ovaries, the accuracy of MR imaging (0.91) was higher than that of CT and significantly higher than that of Doppler US (0.78). In the extraovarian pelvis and in the abdomen, conventional US, CT, and MR imaging had similar accuracies (0.87-0.95). In differentiation of disease confined to the pelvis from abdominal spread, the specificity of conventional US (96%) was higher than that of CT and significantly higher than that of MR imaging (88%), whereas the sensitivities of MR imaging (98%) and CT (92%) were significantly higher than that of conventional US (75%). CONCLUSION: MR imaging is superior to Doppler US and CT in diagnosis of malignant ovarian masses. There is little variation among conventional US, CT, and MR imaging as regards staging.

Adult↗

Microvascular pulmonary emboli secondary to precipitated crystals in a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition: a case report and description of the high-resolution CT findings.

A patient with a history of a small-bowel transplant that was subsequently resected required total parenteral nutrition for nutritional supplementation. While receiving therapy, he developed chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fever. The chest radiograph showed bilateral reticulonodular opacities, and the high-resolution CT scan demonstrated diffuse, poorly marginated micronodular opacities in a miliary pattern. Pathology specimens obtained by transbronchial biopsy revealed amorphous material obstructing the pulmonary microvasculature. Microvascular emboli secondary to precipitated crystals is a potential complication of total parenteral nutrition. An awareness of the factors that influence crystal solubility may prevent adverse interactions in patients who require parenteral nutrition.

Adult↗

Colonic wall thickening in patients with cirrhosis: CT findings and clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of colonic wall changes in patients with cirrhosis and to determine the association between these colonic wall changes and portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT examinations of 57 patients with cirrhosis were evaluated for colonic abnormalities including bowel wall thickening and pneumatosis. The degree and extent of colonic involvement, other CT features of cirrhosis including ascites and portal hypertension, and clinical symptoms were recorded. A correlation was made with available colonoscopy, exploratory laparotomy, and pathologic results. RESULTS: Colonic wall abnormalities were seen in 37% (21/57) of the patients with cirrhosis, 25% (14/57) of whom had isolated or predominantly right-sided colonic changes. Abnormal bowel wall thickening (ranging from 6 mm to 3 cm in thickness) was present in 35% of the patients. Pneumatosis was found in 4% of the patients. Of the 18 liver transplant recipients who had CT examinations before and after liver transplantation, colonic changes were seen in 44% preoperatively but in only 6% postoperatively. Isolated right-sided colonic changes and diffuse colonic changes were associated with varices in 93% and 100% of the patients, respectively; with ascites in 93% and 100%, respectively; and with splenomegaly in 83% and 86%, respectively. Specific or focal bowel symptoms were present in only 29% of the patients with colonic changes, whether the changes were diffuse or isolated to the right side. CONCLUSION: Thirty-five percent of the patients with severe cirrhosis who underwent CT were shown to have colonic wall thickening; two thirds of these patients had thickening limited predominantly to the right colon. We postulated that predominantly right-sided colonic wall thickening may be related to changes in blood flow and hydrostatic pressures caused by portal hypertension. Many patients with isolated or predominately right-sided colonic wall thickening did not have specific or focal bowel symptoms, and in most patients, the colonic wall thickening resolved after successful liver transplantation, requiring no further testing. On the other hand, we found that pneumatosis or severe diffuse colonic wall thickening may indicate a more serious colonic problem such as ischemia or infection with Clostridium difficile and should prompt further investigation.

Adult↗

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: CT and pathologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the CT findings in pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and to correlate these CT findings with histologic specimens. CONCLUSION: In the 11 patients reviewed, the most common CT appearance of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma was consolidation with air bronchograms, correlating histologically with a cellular lymphocytic infiltrate expanding the interstitium and compressing adjacent alveoli, producing air bronchograms.

Female↗

Utilization of computed tomography in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

The objective of the study was to assess the frequency of the use of chest computed tomography in 385 adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and determine whether the computed tomography examinations yielded additional diagnostic information. Also, if additional information was obtained, the study determined whether it changed the patient's treatment plan.

Adult↗

CT depiction of experimental liver tumors: contrast enhancement with hepatocyte-selective iodinated triglyceride versus conventional techniques.

PURPOSE: To compare findings at computed tomography (CT) enhanced with a hepatocyte-selective contrast agent (iodinated triglyceride) and/or iohexol and at CT during arterial portography (CTAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit livers were directly inoculated with VX2 carcinoma. Results were compared for five helical CT examinations: unenhanced CT, iohexol-enhanced CT (600 mg iodine per kilogram of body weight [mg I/kg]), CTAP (with iohexol [600 mg I/kg]), triglyceride-enhanced CT (126 mg I/kg), and dual-contrast-enhanced CT (triglyceride plus iohexol [425 mg I/kg]). Attenuation of normal liver and tumor were compared with analysis of variance techniques and blinded reader evaluations. RESULTS: Normal liver attenuation was greatest at CTAP (127.3 HU +/- 5.3 [mean +/- standard error of the mean]), followed by dual-contrast-enhanced CT (112.4 HU +/- 1.2), iohexol-enhanced CT (97.9 HU +/- 2.2), triglyceride-enhanced CT (82.3 HU +/- 1.1), and unenhanced CT (54.9 HU +/- 1.8). Liver-to-lesion attenuation difference at triglyceride-enhanced CT was significantly greater than at iohexol-enhanced CT (P < .05), and attenuation differences at dual-contrast-enhanced CT were comparable to those at CTAP. Tumors did not enhance at triglyceride-enhanced CT, which increased conspicuity. Sensitivity values for lesion detection at dual-contrast-enhanced CT were greater than those at iohexol-enhanced CT or at CTAP (P < .05). CONCLUSION: At CT enhanced with triglyceride (especially when combined with iohexol), sensitivity values and liver-to-lesion attenuation differences were greater with lower iodine doses than with iohexol or at CTAP.

Animals↗

Radiographic and computed tomography (CT) imaging of complex pleural disease.

Pleural diseases encompass a variety of complex appearances that are dependent on the underlying histologic features, location, and size. Chest radiography remains the most common imaging modality in the evaluation of suspected pleural disease. Computed tomography (CT) further delineates the cross-sectional anatomy, allowing visualization of the entire pleura, including the posterior recesses, mediastinal, and lateral pleural surfaces, which are frequently obscured on chest radiographs. CT imaging provides useful information to characterize the pleural disease in terms of tissue composition, location, and extent of disease. In this article, we review the use of two noninvasive techniques: chest radiography and computed tomography in the evaluation of complex pleural disease, benign and malignant pleural masses, pleural effusions, and pleural air collections.

Bronchial Fistula↗

Pulmonary nodules: effect of increased data sampling on detection with spiral CT and confidence in diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To compare spiral computed tomography (CT) with interscan spacing of 4-5 mm versus 8-10 mm for detection rate and level of confidence in diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four radiologists (two junior and two senior faculty members) retrospectively reviewed 67 spiral CT studies with one to six nodules per study. Every second image was masked, which resulted in 8-mm sections every 8 or 10 mm; then all images reconstructed every 4 or 5 mm were reviewed. Lesions were classified as definite, probable, or possible. RESULTS: Narrow interscan spacing yielded more lesions overall (583 vs 566, P < .025) and more definite lesions and fewer equivocal lesions (482 vs 431 and 101 vs 135, respectively; P < .055). The greatest effects were in the reduction of possible lesions (50 vs 88, P < .001) and in the reduction of false-positive diagnoses made by less experienced radiologists. CONCLUSION: Increased reconstruction frequency of spiral CT volume data sets improves detection of pulmonary nodules and enhances confidence in the diagnosis.

False Positive Reactions↗

Single- and double- lumen silicone breast implant integrity: prospective evaluation of MR and US criteria.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) criteria for breast implant integrity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-two single-lumen silicone breast implants and 22 bilumen implants were evaluated with surface coil MR imaging and US and surgically removed. MR criteria for implant failure were a collapsed implant shell ("linguine sign"), foci of silicone outside the shell ("noose sign"), and extracapsular gel, US criteria were collapsed shell, low-level echoes within the gel, and "snowstorm" echoes of extracapsular silicone. RESULTS: Among single-lumen implants, MR imaging depicted 39 of 40 ruptures, 14 of 28 with minimal leakage; 49 of 54 intact implants were correctly interpreted. US depicted 26 of 40 ruptured implants, four of 28 with minimal leakage, and 30 of 54 intact implants. Among bilumen implants, MR imaging depicted four of five implants with rupture of both lumina and nine of 10 as intact; US depicted one rupture and helped identify two of 10 as intact. Mammography accurately depicted the status of 29 of 30 bilumen implants with MR imaging correlation. CONCLUSION: MR imaging depicts implant integrity more accurately than US; neither method reliably depicts minimal leakage with shell collapse. Mammography is useful in screening bilumen implant integrity.

Breast Implants↗