Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Nuutinen

Publications and source records attributed to J Nuutinen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Isolated sphenoid sinus diseases: report of 39 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To detail the underlying pathological conditions, symptoms, signs, and outcomes of patients with isolated sphenoid sinus involvement. DESIGN: A retrospective survey. SETTING: An academic referral center of a university hospital. PATIENTS: All 39 patients, aged 7 to 85 years, treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland, from 1988 through 1997 for isolated sphenoid sinus disease. RESULTS: Sinusitis was characterized as acute in 26 patients, subacute in 5 (including 1 pyocele), and chronic in 8 (including 2 fungal infections). No tumors were found. Isolated sinus cysts were excluded from the study. Headache, the main symptom in 32 patients (82%), was localized most commonly on the vertex. Other common complaints were rhinitis, dizziness, eye symptoms, and fever. In 2 patients, the finding was occult. Eight patients (21%) presented with cranial nerve deficits, and 1 patient had an intracranial complication. Sinus irrigation was performed in 16 patients (41%) and sphenoidotomy was performed in 10 (26%). Fifteen patients (38%) were treated with antibiotic drugs alone. Within 3 months, 31 (84%) of 37 patients had recovered from the illness; 5 still experienced headaches despite having normalized radiographic findings; and 1 had permanent unilateral visual loss. Two patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sphenoid sinus opacity is mostly inflammatory in origin. Despite the benign nature of the disease, there is a risk of complications with high morbidity and mortality. Early and, if necessary, aggressive therapy to guarantee drainage of the sinus is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Radiobiological depth of subcutaneous induration.

The incidence of subcutaneous induration in 23 breast cancer patients with postmastectomy radiotherapy was investigated. The patients were treated with three different radiotherapy schedules 7. 9-9.8 years ago. The incidence was correlated with the biological effective dose (BED) at different depths from the skin surface and a best fit was obtained using an alpha/beta ratio of 2 Gy. The most representative depth at which to assess dose for subcutaneous induration was 2 mm which is near the subcutaneous fat/dermis interface.

Aged↗

Experience in qualitative and quantitative FDG PET in follow-up of patients with suspected recurrence from head and neck cancer.

We evaluated positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer, and compared visual and quantitative interpretation of PET images for their accuracy in the identification of tumour recurrence. Sixty-two FDG PET studies were performed in 56 patients having a total of 81 lesions, which were clinically suspected for recurrent carcinoma of the head and neck. The PET images were interpreted visually, and tracer uptake was quantitated as the standardised uptake value adjusted to body weight (SUV). Sensitivity of visual interpretation of the PET images for the presence of malignancy ranged from 84 to 95%, and specificity from 84 to 93%, respectively, depending on the selected scheme for grading of the lesions. Malignant lesions accumulated significantly more FDG than the benign ones (the median SUVs were 6.8 and 3.3, respectively, P<0.001). However, there was a wide overlap of the FDG uptake values between these two groups. Hence, the highest accuracy of quantitative analysis in correct identification of tumour recurrence (75% at Receiver Operating Curve analysis) was inferior to that of visual analysis (89%). FDG PET is feasible for the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer. Although quantitation of FDG uptake using SUV shows significantly higher tracer concentrations for malignant than benign lesions, the wide overlap of individual SUVs between these two groups is a serious concern in diagnostic evaluation. Therefore, in clinical practice it may be preferable to identify the presence of tumour recurrence within this patient group by qualitative interpretation of the PET images.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of the expression of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, p16 and prb, and Ki-67 labelling in high grade astrocytomas treated with radiotherapy.

Cumulative inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and/or amplification of oncogenes lead to progressively more malignant astrocytic tumors. We have analyzed the significance of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, p16 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and proliferative activity for survival in 77 high grade astrocytic tumors. After operation, the patients--25 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and 52 glioblastomas (GBs)--were treated with similar radiotherapy. The expression of the suppressor genes and the proliferative activity were analyzed immunohistochemically. p53 immunopositivity was found in 44% of AAs and 46% of GBs. Tumors with aberrant p53 expression had lower proliferation indices than p53 immunonegative tumors. Neither p53 expression nor p21 immunonegativity (52% of AAs and 48% of GBs) correlated with survival. p16 immunostaining was negative in 16% of AAs and in 44% of GBs, and it correlated inversely with survival in both uni- and multivariate analyses. pRb immunostaining was negative only in 8% of both AAs and GBs and the absence of p16 and pRb were mutually exclusive. Ki-67 labelling index (LI) was significantly higher in GBs (26.8%) than in AAs (20.3%), and in multivariate analysis it was an independent prognostic factor for survival. In 48% of AAs Ki-67 LI exceeded 20% and this subset of AAs had similar prognosis as GB. In high grade astrocytic tumors p16 immunonegativity was an independent indicator of poor prognosis in addition to the previously established patient's age, histopathology and Ki-67 LI. Furthermore, there was a subset of AAs with a high proliferation rate (> 20%) in which the histopathological hallmarks of GB were lacking, but which had similarly dismal prognosis as GB.

Adult↗

Lip cancer in Northern Finland: changing incidence and clinical characteristics.

A population-based survey was conducted in 35 municipalities in Northern Finland to assess the incidence of lip cancer as well as the patient and tumour characteristics in cases diagnosed between 1983 and 1997. A total of 96 new patients emerged. The age-standardised incidence (per 100,000 years) of lip cancer in men decreased from 4.8 in 1983-1987 to 1.4 in 1993-1997. The incidences in women were 0.30 to 0.36, respectively. The median age of the patients increased from 66 to 73 years through the years. Overall, 90% of the patients had at least one of the known risk factors, namely rural domicile, outdoor occupation or smoking. The median duration of symptoms also remained the same, as did the median size and location of the tumour at diagnosis. In contrast, spread to regional lymph nodes became rare during the period.

Age Factors↗

Cerebral hemodynamics in human acute ischemic stroke: a study with diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and SPECT.

Nineteen patients with acute ischemic stroke (<24 hours) underwent diffusion-weighted and perfusion-weighted (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging at the acute stage and 1 week later. Eleven patients also underwent technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at the acute stage. Relative (ischemic vs. contralateral control) cerebral blood flow (relCBF), relative cerebral blood volume, and relative mean transit time were measured in the ischemic core, in the area of infarct growth, and in the eventually viable ischemic tissue on PWI maps. The relCBF was also measured from SPECT. There was a curvilinear relationship between the relCBF measured from PWI and SPECT (r = 0.854; P < 0.001). The tissue proceeding to infarction during the follow-up had significantly lower initial CBF and cerebral blood volume values on PWI maps (P < 0.001) than the eventually viable ischemic tissue had. The best value for discriminating the area of infarct growth from the eventually viable ischemic tissue was 48% for PWI relCBF and 87% for PWI relative cerebral blood volume. Combined diffusion and perfusion-weighted imaging enables one to detect hemodynamically different subregions inside the initial perfusion abnormality. Tissue survival may be different in these subregions and may be predicted.

Acute Disease↗

Early serial SPET in acute middle cerebral artery infarction.

The size and severity of perfusion defects in acute cerebral ischaemia on single photon emission tomographic (SPET) images may provide useful information regarding long-term (> 3 month) stroke outcome. A decreased predictive value has been reported with delayed SPET more than 24 h after stroke onset. We examined 20 patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions using serial 99Tcm-ECD or 99Tcm-HMPAO SPET (SPET 1 one day and SPET 2 three days after stroke onset). Neurological (NIH, SSS) and functional (Barthel, Rankin) scores were calculated simultaneously and 3 months poststroke. The two SPET scans correlated equally well with the severity of functional and neurological deficits evaluated 3 months after stroke onset. In comparison to clinical assessment, the prognostic value of SPET was relatively better on the first day than the third day. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis correlated with early SPET deficits, but did not predict functional outcome. Our results suggest that SPET, either with 99Tcm-ECD or 99Tcm-HMPAO, can be used to predict stroke outcome in acute MCA infarction up to 72 h poststroke without significant interference from luxury perfusion.

Acute Disease↗

Combined perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke during the 1st week: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To compare findings with different magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion maps in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combined diffusion-weighted (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) MR imaging was performed in 49 patients with acute (<24 hours) stroke, on the 1st and 2nd days and 1 week after stroke. Volumes of hypoperfused tissue on maps of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and mean transit time (MTT) were compared with the volume of infarcted tissue at DW imaging. RESULTS: The mean infarct volume increased from 41 to 65 cm(3) between the 1st and 2nd days (P: <.001; n = 49). On the 1st day, all perfusion maps on average showed hypoperfusion lesions larger than the infarct at DW imaging (P: <.001; n = 49). MTT maps showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBF maps, which showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBV maps. The sizes of the initial perfusion-diffusion mismatches correlated significantly with the extent of infarct growth (0.479 < r < 0.657; P: </=.001). The hypoperfusion volume on the initial rCBV maps correlated best with the final infarct size at 1 week (r = 0.891; P: <.001). CONCLUSION: Combined DW and PW imaging is a powerful tool in evaluating the hemodynamics of acute ischemic stroke.

Acute Disease↗

Combined SPECT and diffusion-weighted MRI as a predictor of infarct growth in acute ischemic stroke.

UNLABELLED: In acute ischemic stroke, the infarcted core is surrounded by a zone of tissue that has decreased perfusion. Some of this tissue may be salvaged by prompt, effective treatment. Diffusion-weighted MRI is sensitive in detecting the infarcted tissue, whereas SPECT also detects the hypoperfused tissue around the infarcted core. We studied the potential of combined diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT to predict infarct growth and clinical outcome in patients not receiving thrombolytic treatment. METHODS: Sixteen patients with acute stroke were examined consecutively with diffusion-weighted MRI and 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) SPECT within 24 h of the onset of symptoms. Follow-up diffusion-weighted MRI was performed on the second day and after 1 wk. The volumes of infarcted and hypoperfused brain tissue were measured from diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT, respectively. The volume difference between the hypoperfused and infarcted tissue on the first day was compared with the possible increase in infarct volume during the follow-up. Each patient's neurologic status was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). RESULTS: The volume of infarcted tissue increased from 48 +/- 54 cm3 (mean +/- SD) on the first day to 88 +/- 93 cm3 on the second day (P = 0.001) and to 110 +/- 121 cm3 at 1 wk (P = 0.001). The volume of hypoperfused tissue on the first day was significantly greater than the infarct volume (102 +/- 135 cm3; P = 0.001). The volume difference between the hypoperfused and infarcted tissue on the first day correlated significantly with the infarct growth between the first day and 1 wk (r = 0.71; P < 0.01). Between the first day and 1 wk, the increase of the infarct volume correlated significantly with the change in the NIHSS (r = 0.54; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A large hypoperfusion zone around the infarct core in the acute phase of ischemic stroke predicts the infarct growth during the first week, and this correlates significantly with the change in the neurologic status of the patient. Combined diffusion-weighted MRI and SPECT performed within 24 h after the onset of symptoms can be useful in the evaluation of acute stroke to predict infarct growth.

Acute Disease↗

Quantitative assessment of protein content in irradiated human skin.

PURPOSE: Radiation-induced fibrosis is a common late reaction of radiation therapy. Due to a lack of feasible noninvasive techniques to assess this reaction, the long-term development of radiation fibrosis is not well described. In order to develop quantitative means for the purpose, subcutaneous fibrosis of breast cancer patients after postmastectomy radiotherapy was evaluated by clinical scoring and a new technique based on dielectric properties of the skin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Dielectric properties of biological tissues at radiofrequencies are principally determined by tissue water content. The major skin components are proteins, proteoglycans, and water either free or bound to the surface of proteins and proteoglycans. Since the MR studies have shown that bound water is tightly attached onto the surface of collagen, a dielectric measurement sensitive to bound water could be related to the protein content. Therefore, the dielectric constant of human skin was measured in vivo with an open-ended coaxial probe at electromagnetic (EM) frequencies in the range of delta-dispersion. Since the in vitro experiments with protein-water solutions have indicated that the slope of the dielectric constant vs. the EM frequency is a measure of the protein concentration, a respective slope was determined with irradiated skin of 14 breast cancer patients 2 years after postmastectomy radiotherapy at 63, 100, 300, and 500 MHz. Irradiated skin sites were clinically scored for subcutaneous fibrosis using a scale: none, slight, moderate, or severe fibrosis. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between the slope and the clinical score of subcutaneous fibrosis at 63, 100, and 300 MHz but not at 500 MHz. The correlation was best at 100 and 300 MHz. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable changes in the dielectric constant of the irradiated skin were found. The correlation between the dielectric constant and clinical score suggests that this novel technique is a potential tool for the follow-up and quantitative assessment of radiation-induced subcutaneous fibrosis.

Adult↗

Evaluation of early response to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer measured with [11C]methionine-positron emission tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether positron emission tomography (PET) with carbon-11-methionine (MET) can be used for detection of early response to external beam radiotherapy (RT) in untreated head and neck cancer using locoregional control and survival as study endpoints. MATERIALS: Fifteen patients with head and neck cancer underwent a MET PET study before RT and after a median dose of 24 Gy. Fractionation was standard (n = 6) or hyperfractionated (n = 9), and 13 out of 15 patients had planned surgery after RT. SUV was calculated for primary tumor (n = 13) or largest lymph node metastasis in two patients of whom one had his primary excised before study enrollment and one presented with unknown primary tumor syndrome. METHODS: Attenuation corrected PET scans acquired 20-40 min from tracer injection were used for evaluation of MET uptake in tumors. A quantitative MET uptake index was expressed as standardized uptake value (SUV) or SUV(lean) (corrected for lean body mass). The PET results were correlated with clinical follow-up data. The median follow-up time is currently 28 months (range 22-34). RESULTS: A total of 13 primary tumors and 12 metastatic lymph nodes were visually identified in MET PET. In the first PET study the median SUV in tumor was 8.6 (range, 5.5-14.0). In the second PET study performed during RT the median SUV decreased to 5.7 (range, 3.1-8.2, P = 0.001). Two out of 15 patients showed no radiation-induced decrease in SUV. The median tumor SUV ratio of patients remaining in local control (CR) after RT was 0.7 (range 0.6-0.8, n = 6), and that of relapsing patients similarly 0.7 (range 0.5-1.0, n = 9, NS). The SUV ratio was not associated with survival time. The MET uptake of submandibular salivary glands decreased in all patients during the first two or three weeks of RT (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: MET uptake in tumor shows a significant decrease during the first two to three weeks of RT of head and neck cancer. It appears that the rate of decrease in tracer uptake is comparable in relapsing patients and those who remain locally controlled and thus the use of MET PET for prediction of response to RT is limited.

Aged↗

Tympanostomy in young children with recurrent otitis media. A long-term follow-up study.

A total of 305 children, five to 16 months of age, were treated from 1983-1984 with ventilation tubes-Shah vent Teflon tube-inserted under local anaesthesia for recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME). The final study group comprised 281 children (92.1 per cent) monitored prospectively for five years, 185 in the OME-group and 96 in the RAOM-group. For the first insertion of tubes the average ventilation period was 15.4 months. Re-tympanostomy, with adenoidectomy simultaneously at the first time was performed in 99 ears (35.2 per cent); once in 27.0 per cent, twice in five per cent, and three times in 3.2 per cent. Mastoidectomy due to otorrhoea was performed in three ears (1.1 per cent). The children in the OME-group were at higher risk of repeated post-tympanostomy otorrhoea episodes than children in the RAOM-group. These episodes of otorrhoea during the first insertion of ventilation tubes significantly increased both the tube extrusion rate and the need for subsequent re-tympanostomies. No major complications were caused by the tympanostomy procedure as such. It is concluded that early tympanostomy is a safe procedure in young children with RAOM or OME. However, parents should be carefully informed of risks of post-tympanostomy otorrhoea and recurrent disease after insertion of ventilation tubes necessitating subsequent tube insertion, especially in children with OME.

Female↗

Uncoupling of fatty acid and glucose metabolism in malignant lymphoma: a PET study.

Increased use of glucose through glycolysis is characteristic for neoplastic growth while the significance of serum-free fatty acids for regulation of energy metabolism in cancer is poorly understood. We studied whether serum-free fatty acids (FFA) interfere with glycolytic metabolism of lymphoproliferative neoplasms as assessed with 2-F18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F18]FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET). Twelve patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 9) or Hodgkin's disease (n = 3) participated in this study before start of oncologic treatment. Each patient underwent two [F18]FDG PET studies within 1 week after overnight fast: once during high fasting serum FFA concentrations and once after reduction of serum FFA by administration of acipimox. Acipimox is a nicotinic acid derivative that inhibits lipolysis in peripheral tissues and induces a striking reduction in circulating FFA concentration. In all cases, dynamic PET imaging over the tumour area was performed for 60 min after injection of [F18]FDG. Both graphical analysis (rMR(FDG)) and single scan approach (SUV) were used to compare tumour uptake of [F18]FDG under high fasting FFA concentrations and after pharmacologically decreased FFA concentrations. Serum FFA concentrations were reduced significantly from 0.92+/-0.42 mmol I(-1)at baseline to 0.26+/-0.31 mmol I(-1) after acipimox administration (P = 0.0003). Plasma glucose, serum insulin and lactate concentrations were similar during both approaches. The retention of glucose analogue [F18]FDG in tumour was similar between baseline and acipimox studies. Median rMR(FDG) of a total of 12 involved lymph nodes in 12 patients was 21.9 micromol 100 g(-1) min(-1) (range 8.7-82.5) at baseline and 20.1 micromol 100 g(-1) min(-1)(range 10.7-81.7) after acipimox. The respective values for median SUV were 7.8 (range 3.6-18.6) and 6.0 (range 4.1-20.2). As expected, [F18]FDG uptake in myocardium was clearly enhanced by acipimox due to reduction of circulating FFAs. In conclusion, blood fatty acids appear to have minor significance for [F18]FDG uptake in lymphoma. This suggests that glucose utilization is uncoupled of FFA metabolism and indicates that glucose-free fatty acid cycle does not operate in lymphomatous tissue. Glucose appears to be the preferred substrate for energy metabolism in tumours, in spite of the high supply of FFAs in the fasting state. Although acipimox and other anti-lipolytic drugs have potential for treatment of catabolic state induced by cancer, they are not likely to interfere with tumour energy metabolism which is fuelled by glucose.

Adult↗

Penetration of electromagnetic fields of an open-ended coaxial probe between 1 MHz and 1 GHz in dielectric skin measurements.

An open-ended coaxial probe is often used for investigating the dielectric properties of biological tissues. The present study indicates that in addition to the probe size, the penetration of the electromagnetic (EM) fields of an open-ended coaxial probe in contact with the skin is dependent on the applied frequency between 1 MHz and 1 GHz. At high frequencies, above 100 MHz, the measured dielectric parameters are functions of the dielectric properties of different cutaneous layers and subcutaneous fat. At lower frequencies, less than 10 MHz, the measurement is mainly dependent on the dielectric properties of superficial structures of the skin. The reason for this is that the probe, the surface of the skin, mainly stratum corneum, and underlying skin form a capacitance where the stratum corneum with low water content lies between the well-conducting dermis and the probe. The situation is equivalent to the frequency-dependent Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization. This result is verified by experimental dielectric measurements and with human skin in vivo.

Electromagnetic Fields↗

Prevalence of Meniere disease in Finland.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of Meniere disease in the population of 5 million in Finland according to the criteria of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) recommendation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective investigation based on patient records of 306 patients treated for Meniere disease and recognized as such according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9 or ICD-10) in seven Finnish hospitals serving a population of 1.5 million people. METHODS: Patients were selected from the computerized patient registers of outpatients and inpatients having received an appropriate diagnosis during the period from 1992 to 1996 and re-evaluated. Definite cases according to AAO-HNS guidelines were identified to calculate the prevalence of Meniere disease in Finland at the end of 1996. RESULTS: A total of 131 definite cases of Meniere disease were identified. The prevalence of at least 43 per 100,000 and an average annual incidence of 4.3 per 100,000 were obtained. The prevalence turned out to be higher (P<.001) in Northern areas (49/100,000) than in the south (38/100,000). The prevalence did not differ in the areas of university hospitals (44/100,000) from those of central hospitals (42/100,000). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and incidence in Finland is lower than could be expected from previous international surveys, most of which provide inadequate data for forming a real picture of the epidemiology of Meniere disease. Uniform diagnostic criteria are indispensable for further research.

Finland↗

Combined diffusion and perfusion MRI with correlation to single-photon emission CT in acute ischemic stroke. Ischemic penumbra predicts infarct growth.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: More effective imaging methods are needed to overcome the limitations of CT in the investigation of treatments for acute ischemic stroke. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is sensitive in detecting infarcted brain tissue, whereas perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) can detect brain perfusion in the same imaging session. Combining these methods may help in identifying the ischemic penumbra, which is an important concept in the hemodynamics of acute stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine whether combined DWI and PWI in acute (<24 hours) ischemic stroke can predict infarct growth and final size. METHODS: Forty-six patients with acute ischemic stroke underwent DWI and PWI on days 1, 2, and 8. No patient received thrombolysis. Twenty-three patients underwent single-photon emission CT in the acute phase. Lesion volumes were measured from DWI, SPECT, and maps of relative cerebral blood flow calculated from PWI. RESULTS: The mean volume of infarcted tissue detected by DWI increased from 46.1 to 75.6 cm(3) between days 1 and 2 (P<0.001; n=46) and to 78.5 cm(3) after 1 week (P<0.001; n=42). The perfusion-diffusion mismatch correlated with infarct growth (r=0. 699, P<0.001). The volume of hypoperfusion on the initial PWI correlated with final infarct size (r=0.827, P<0.001). The hypoperfusion volumes detected by PWI and SPECT correlated significantly (r=0.824, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combined DWI and PWI can predict infarct enlargement in acute stroke. PWI can detect hypoperfused brain tissue in good agreement with SPECT in acute stroke.

Acute Disease↗

Use of carbon-11 methionine positron emission tomography to assess malignancy grade and predict survival in patients with lymphomas.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether uptake of carbon-11 methionine (MET) is associated with histological grade of malignancy and survival in patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent lymphoma. Thirty-two patients with histologically confirmed lymphoma participated in the study. Twenty-six (81%) were studied before any therapy and six before treatment for recurrent disease. Twenty-eight patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and four had Hodgkin's disease. An ECAT 931/08-12 positron emission tomography (PET) scanner was used for PET imaging. After the transmission scan, a median dose of 293 MBq of MET was injected intravenously and dynamic images were acquired for 40 min. The uptake of MET in tumour was measured as the standardized uptake value (SUV) and influx constant (Ki). The SUV formula was also adjusted to the predicted value of lean body mass (SUVlean) and body surface area (SUVBSA). The PET results were correlated with the clinical follow-up data. The median SUV in 32 malignant lesions was 6.6 (range, 1.9-12.4) and the median Ki was 0. 116 min-1 (range, 0.025-0.201, n=23). The median SUV was 7.0 (range, 5.4-12.4, n=9) in high, 6.2 (range, 1.9-10.4, n=11) in intermediate and 5.7 (range, 3.8-8.3, n=8) in low grade lymphomas. One intermediate grade lymphoma of the skin was visually negative (SUV 1. 9). In Hodgkin's disease the median SUV was 7.0 (range, 3.2-7.9, n=4). The median Ki value was 0.162 min-1 (range, 0.147-0.197, n=7) in high, 0.099 (range, 0.025-0.152, n=10) in intermediate, and 0.078 (range, 0.056-0.152, n=4) in low grade lymphomas and 0.149 (range, 0. 096-0.201, n=2) in Hodgkin's disease. The difference between high and other grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was significant when using Ki (P<0.001), but not with SUV, SUVlean or SUVBSA. The final outcome of the patients was not related to MET uptake. Lymphomas with a high Ki value tended to have a high S-phase fraction (r2=0.46, P=0.043). It is concluded that MET PET is highly sensitive for the detection of untreated and recurrent lymphomas. Differentation of high grade lymphomas from lower malignancy grades seems to be possible if graphical analysis is applied to calculate Ki for MET. However, prediction of survival is not possible with MET PET.

Adolescent↗

Long-term follow-up of the clinical relevance of short outer dynein arms in human nasal cilia.

Clinical significance of short outer dynein arms was examined in a long-term follow-up study of 76 patients with various respiratory symptoms. Clinical evaluations, nasal mucociliary transport rate (NMTR) measurement and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Follow-up examinations took place 5-11 years later. In the initial examination four patients and on follow-up seven patients were found to have short outer dynein arms in their nasal mucosal biopsies. Short dynein arms were associated with a slow NMTR, poorly coordinated ciliary beat direction, and clinical symptoms of perennial rhinitis and recurrent sinusitis. Short dynein arms were found to be a significant histologic finding and probably represent a variant of primary ciliary dyskinesia. In some cases short outer dynein arms may be a reversible finding with improving clinical symptoms. It is obvious that at least part of dynein defects are acquired.

Adolescent↗