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Biomedical subjects

S Mirzaei

Publications and source records attributed to S Mirzaei.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Scintimammography enhances negative predictive value of non-invasive pre-operative assessment of breast lesions.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop a criterion with a high negative predictive value for the evaluation of breast lesions. We aimed to determine the value of combining three non-invasive tests, mammography (MM), ultrasonography (USS) and 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrite (99mTc-MIBI) scintimammography (scinti-MM). METHODS: We included 94 consecutive patients with suspected lesions detected by mammography or on physical examination. MM, USS and scinti-MM were performed no more than 4 weeks prior to excisional biopsy in all patients. We then compared the biopsy results with a score calculated for each patient, derived from the results of the three tests, which we termed 'mamma malignancy index' (MMI). RESULTS: Each of the three exams yielded a score ranging from 0 to 2, with 0 representing an almost certainly benign lesion, 1 an indeterminate finding and 2 a likely malignant lesion, and hence giving a total score ranging from 0 to 6. The biopsy results showed that the lesions in 64 patients were benign. Forty-nine (77%) of these patients had received an MMI score of 0 or 1. The negative predictive value for malignancy in patients with a score less than 2 was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Since the smallest detected lesion was 9 mm in diameter, we conclude that MMI may be a highly useful diagnostic tool in the delineation of breast lesions > or =1 cm which should not be routinely referred for biopsy but may be followed non-invasively. Although fine needle aspiration has limitations, we would recommend it as a less invasive method to evaluate suspected lesions smaller than 1 cm.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A Jini service to reconstruct tomographic data.

Distributed computing that uses dynamic networks will change the way we work and communicate thanks to the interaction of devices and services, that are automatically added and removed from the network as needed. The Jini technology, which is built atop the Java programming language, provides a homogenous view of the network and extends the ability of code to migrate in Java. This software design model simplifies the configuration and access to hardware devices and software services in a network. Thus, it becomes possible to execute new services without pre-installing software on client machines. This new programming paradigm is especially important in medical applications, where the reliable transmission of information is essential. This paper demonstrates how single photon emission computerized tomography data can be iteratively reconstructed using a Jini service.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1999

An artificial neural net and error backpropagation to reconstruct single photon emission computerized tomography data.

At present, algorithms used in nuclear medicine to reconstruct single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) data are usually based on one of two principles: filtered backprojection and iterative methods. In this paper a different algorithm, applying an artificial neural network (multilayer perception) and error backpropagation as training method are used to reconstruct transaxial slices from SPECT data. The algorithm was implemented on an Elscint XPERT workstation (i486, 50 MHz), used as a routine digital image processing tool in our departments. Reconstruction time for a 64 x 64 matrix is approximately 45 s/transaxial slice. The algorithm has been validated by a mathematical model and tested on heart and Jaszczak phantoms. Phantom studies and very first clinical results ((111)In octreotide SPECT, 99mTc MDP bone SPECT) show in comparison with filtered backprojection an enhancement in image quality.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

Possible effect of calcitonin deficiency on bone mass after subtotal thyroidectomy.

Bone mass is purportedly reduced by an excess of endogenous or exogenous thyroid hormone or perhaps by calcitonin deficiency. Patients who have undergone thyroidectomy could be subject to all of these effects. In the present study we tried to demonstrate, whether lack of calcitonin following thyroidectomy has a significant influence on bone density. We measured thyroid hormone levels, TSH and calcitonin and assessed the bone mass in the hip and lumbar spine of 55 patients (32 f, 23 m), who had undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy between 1938 and 1996 on the reason of a non-toxic goitre. TSH levels were suppressed in 16 patients. Serum concentration of total calcium, intact PTH, osteocalcin were normal in all subjects. The mean fasting calcitonin level was in the patient group 2.09 +/- 0.7 pg/ml and in the control group, age matched healthy volunteers, 2.8 +/- 1.2 pg/ml. However, the serum level of calcitonin was not significantly lower than in the control group. 43 patients had an osteopenia or osteoporosis. The interpretation of the results in this study is hampered by the fact, that in women results may be influenced by involutional osteoporosis. Therefore we focus on the potential for osteoporosis among the 23 men. The results of our study indicates, that there is a significant reduction in bone mass in male after thyroidectomy, no matter whether T4 therapy is given or not, and whether TSH is suppressed or in a normal range.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bone scintigraphy in screening of torture survivors.

BACKGROUND: In most developed countries, survivors of physical torture inflicted for political, religious, or ethnic reasons face ever more stringent review when seeking asylum. In Austria, asylum seekers are required by immigration authorities to undergo medical examination as part of the review. Bone scintigraphy can detect bone lesions that are not detectable clinically or radiologically. We assessed the value of bone scintigraphy as corroboration of alleged injuries. METHODS: Human-rights organisations referred 25 asylum seekers to us from countries where torture is practised. We included patients who claimed to have been beaten by the security forces in their home country because of political or religious conviction or ethnic origin. Injuries had been inflicted 4 months to 5 years earlier. The patients (three women, 22 men) from 12 countries were categorised retrospectively into two groups: group A (n=12), tortured with blows from hard objects, and group B (n=13), tortured with blows from fists and kicks. We also used a control group of 25 individuals with the same age and sex distribution from the same countries who had no history of torture. FINDINGS: In group A, bone scans showed abnormalities in the area of alleged injury in all patients, whereas radiography was positive in only five patients. In group B, bone scans in the alleged areas of damage were positive in seven patients, but radiography yielded no positive outcomes. Among the controls there was one abnormal scan due to a known coxarthrosis. INTERPRETATION: Our preliminary results suggest that bone scintigraphy is a sensitive, non-invasive tool to document trauma some years after the actual injury.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1998

Decisive diagnosis of seronegative polyarthritis by 3-phase bone scintigraphy.

Inflammatory joint disease is mainly diagnosed on grounds of clinical investigation, laboratory testing (acute phase reactants), and radiography. Radionuclide imaging has recently been added to the armamentarium of clinician. This case report points out the role of three-phase bone scan and HIG (human immunoglobulin) scan in the discovery of the inflammatory nature of polyarthralgia in a young woman with equivocal clinical and laboratory results. In the aim of diagnosing arthritis early in its course scintigraphy proved to be superior to conventional radiography. It also allows more discriminating selection of subsequent X-ray examination to limit radiation exposure.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological disorders in survivors of torture: exhaustion, impairment and depression.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been described as the characteristic sequel to extreme events in life such as war and especially torture. This limitation to a single approach in regard to diagnosis and treatment has been criticised as being a too narrow concept to describe the effects following extreme events in life, especially as most studies so far were limited to PTSD and a small range of symptoms or disorders. The study presents data on psychiatric disorders in a group of exiled survivors of torture presenting to an out-patient department for psychiatry. A DSM-III-R-based psychiatric interview, including the general assessment of functioning scale (GAF), an open list of symptoms and the Vienna diagnostic criteria in regard to depression were used to evaluate a broader range of possible sequels. The most frequent present diagnosis in 44 patients seen over a period of 3 years was PTSD (n = 40), but criteria for a present diagnosis of other disorders were fulfilled in 34 patients, even years after torture, mainly major depression or dysthymia (n = 26). Criteria for functional psychosis were fulfilled in 4 patients. Many patients reported symptoms not assessed by DSM-III-R criteria, including feelings of shame and guilt, and ruminations on existential fears. The impairment as indicated by the GAF (mean 59.1) correlated best with the presence of the endogenomorphic-depressive axial syndrome, but not with duration of imprisonment, age or other factors. Research on sequels to extreme trauma should not be restricted to a simple diagnosis of PTSD, but should continue to look for a broader conceptualisation, including neglected categories like the axial syndrome, as PTSD is common, but might not be the only factor of importance for research and treatment. ICD-10 might offer a more adequate interpretation of sequels.

Adult↗