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Biomedical subjects

W A Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to W A Murphy.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Computed tomography of Tietze syndrome.

Six patients with clinical features suggestive of Tietze syndrome had a thoracic computed tomographic (CT) examination following a normal plain film or tomographic examination (or both) of the affected costochondral junction. A chest wall mass was excluded in all six patients. The CT findings included enlargement of the costal cartilage at the site of complaint (two patients), ventral angulation of the involved costal cartilage (two patients), and normal anatomy of the costochondral junction (two patients). Exclusion of a chest wall mass by CT may obviate the need for operative intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The facet syndrome.

The author recognizes that many questions about the facet joints as a cause of low back pain are unanswered, and he urges the establishment of a set of criteria for patient selection and standardization of technical details so that a randomized cross-over study could be conducted to determine the contribution of facet joints to back pain.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1984

How does magnetic resonance compare with computed tomography?

Magnetic resonance (MR) is a new technology that has benefited by transfer of technology already developed for computed tomography (CT), but many further changes should be expected in its technologic development. Already MR imaging in some instances equals or surpasses CT, and other less obvious advantages may become apparent. MR costs may not compare unfavorably with those of CT, and increased cost might still be justified if more information can be obtained or if the need for other tests or length of hospitalization could be reduced. The fact that MR at this stage might equal CT is a real accomplishment; this performance should be acknowledged and rapid development and scientific investigation of MR technology should be actively supported.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1984

Fatty infiltration of the liver: demonstration by proton spectroscopic imaging. Preliminary observations.

Two normal volunteers and three patients with CT evidence of fatty infiltration of the liver (two nonuniform, one diffuse) were studied to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging using a pulse sequence designed to differentiate fat and water could be used to detect fatty infiltration of the liver in human beings. The magnetic resonance technique used a modified spin echo technique (simple proton spectroscopic imaging) that was designed specifically to exploit the difference in the rate of precession between the protons in a water molecule and the protons in a fatty acid molecule. Images were obtained using in-phase and opposed techniques and were added or subtracted in order to obtain pure water and pure fat images. Quantitative data showed that fatty liver can be separated from normal liver using the spin echo technique, and that the opposed image of the proton spectroscopic technique is more sensitive to small changes in hepatic fatty content than in-phase images with any echo time.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1984

Magnetic resonance imaging of abdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy.

The authors report their experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in 20 patients with CT-proved lymphadenopathy of the abdomen and pelvis. Signal intensity from abnormal nodes was intermediate between fat and muscle (T1 longer than fat and muscle; T2 equal to or slightly shorter than fat but longer than muscle) and was shown best in the spin-echo mode with a TR of 900 msec. and a TE of 30 msec. Abnormal nodes were identified by their increased size and other morphological changes rather than by tissue characteristics established by signal intensity information. Lymphadenopathy due to lymphoma could not be differentiated from that due to metastases. MR detected all lymphadenopathy originally documented by CT and in addition easily distinguished blood vessels from lymph nodes; on the other hand, CT offered better spatial resolution and could be completed in less time.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1984

Elbow arthrography: a reassessment of the technique.

Twenty-six elbow arthrograms were retrospectively reviewed. Each arthrogram consisted of conventional radiography, conventional tomography, standard double-contrast arthrography, and arthrotomography. Each of these four components was independently interpreted in a blinded fashion by six radiologists, each working alone. The four components were evaluated for presence or absence of intraarticular bodies, cartilage loss, or fractures. The results showed that conventional tomography was the most accurate single study. Arthrotomography rarely improved the diagnostic accuracy of noncontrast methods. It was useful in those few patients where detection of purely cartilaginous bodies, precise position of mineralized densities, or status of articular cartilage was desired. It may be possible to reduce the number of elbow arthrograms, thereby reducing time, cost, and radiation dose factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

CT of benign soft-tissue masses of the extremities.

The computed tomographic (CT) scans and medical records of 35 patients with proven benign soft-tissue masses of the extremities were reviewed to assess the contribution of CT in the evaluation of such masses. CT demonstrated the mass in all 35 cases and was able to provide a specific diagnosis in 28 (80%); 25 prospectively, three retrospectively. Correct diagnoses made using CT included hematomas (five), synovial cysts (seven), myositis ossificans (six), fatty tumors (four), aneurysms (three), pseudoaneurysms (two), schwannoma (one), and abscess (one). The CT appearance of a hematoma depends on its age. Synovial cysts are near-water-density masses, often associated with a small joint effusion. Myositis ossificans can be differentiated from parosteal osteosarcoma by virtue of its characteristic zonal ossification. Lipomas are recognized on noncontrast scans by the characteristic low attenuation of fat, while aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are best diagnosed on postcontrast scans. In seven cases (20%) a specific diagnosis could not be made on the basis of the CT scan. However, in these cases CT delineated the extent of the mass and demonstrated its relation to surrounding structures; this anatomic information was helpful in planning surgical excision or percutaneous biopsy. The authors conclude that CT is a valuable noninvasive imaging method for the evaluation of soft-tissue masses of the extremities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Magnetic resonance imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 20 patients with radiologically or surgically proven abdominal aortic aneurysms using a Siemens Magnetom scanner with a 0.35-T superconductive magnet. On MRI, rapidly flowing blood emits little or no signal and appears black; stagnant blood, turbulent flow, and atheromatous plaques produce signals of various intensities and are imaged as light to medium gray. Of nine patients who underwent surgical repair, MRI correctly demonstrated the origin of the aortic aneurysm in nine and accurately determined the status of the iliac arteries in eight. In two patients in whom intravenous contrast administration was contraindicated, MRI provided the correct diagnosis of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm in one and clearly distinguished the iliac arteries from the surrounding fibrosis in the other. Of 11 patients who did not have surgical repair, MRI findings correlated well with other radiologic studies. MRI was found to be more reliable than sonography in determining the relation between the aneurysm and the renal arteries as well as the status of the iliac arteries. Despite these advantages, the authors still advocate sonography as the screening procedure of choice in patients with suspected abdominal aortic aneurysms because of its lower cost and east of performance. MRI should be reserved for patients who have had unsuccessful or equivocal sonographic examinations.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal and ischemic femoral head.

The femoral heads of 38 normal and 20 abnormal patients were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The normal femoral head is surrounded by a thin, sharply defined, low-intensity cortex. The medullary cavity has a strong signal intensity in all imaging sequences due to the large content of marrow fat and hematopoietic cells. Crossing the high-intensity marrow is a thin, curvilinear, transverse, low-intensity line representing the physis and a broad, vertically oriented, low-intensity band resulting from the prominent central weight-bearing trabeculae. Anatomic structures can be identified on all scanning sequences if the examinations are technically satisfactory, although images with the best clarity and detail are obtained by using short echo times. MRI of patients with ischemic necrosis revealed areas of low intensity in the femoral heads. The abnormal areas may take the form of homogeneous regions of decreased signal intensity, inhomogeneous areas of low intensity, bands of low intensity, or rings of low intensity with higher signal intensity centrally. No correlation was found among the specific MRI patterns, the stage of the disease, the radiographic appearance, or the radionuclide bone scan findings. MRI was abnormal in all cases where the radiographs or the scintigraphs (or both) were abnormal. MRI also was abnormal in several cases where either radiographs or scintigraphs produced false-negative results.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factors on plasma growth hormone concentrations in lactating cows.

Two fragments of human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor, hpGRF-(1-24)-NH2 and hpGRF(1-29)-NH2, were administered to lactating dairy cows in separate experiments. Each experiment involved a 4 X 4 Latin square with treatments being intravenous administration of saline (controls) or three doses of releasing factor (500, 1000, and 2000 micrograms). Administration of the 24-amino acid fragment increased plasma growth hormone concentration from baseline 3 ng/ml to peak 14 ng/ml within 10 min. Growth hormone concentrations returned to baseline by 60 min post treatment. The 29-amino acid fragment resulted in greater responses in both peak concentration (30 ng/ml) and persistency (greater than 240 min). Relationships between dose of releasing factor and response in growth hormone release (as measured by area under the response curve) were not consistent in most cows. Responses of concentrations of growth hormone in blood plasma that result from intravenous injection of up to 2000 micrograms of growth hormone-releasing factor (1-29) would not be sufficient to increase milk yield of cows.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Reappraisal of the mucosal epithelial space associated with the surface of Hymenolepis diminuta and its effect on transport parameters.

Using nonpermeating, radiolabeled solutes to estimate the magnitude of the "unstirred water layer" (="mucosal epithelial space") of the surface of Hymenolepis diminuta, a value approximating 1% of the worm's fluid volume (0.011-0.022 ml/g wet tissue) was obtained. This value was compared with those previously reported by other workers which were greater by an order of magnitude. The difference between these results appears to be related to the use in previous studies of a permeating marker (mannitol), and a failure to divest the surface of nonspecifically adherent bathing fluid in excess of the actual "unstirred layer". These parameters must be considered in future studies on this useful model for the study of transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Pneumoarthrography: reemphasis of a neglected technique.

Pneumoarthrography is a diagnostic method with which the arthrographer can confidently diagnose common joint abnormalities. Pneumoarthrography is especially applicable when it is necessary to avoid injection of iodinated contrast material and may be used in any situation where it is advisable to limit contrast-associated pain, inflammation, or synovitis. We report four patients who had pneumoarthrograms because of contrast sensitivity and illustrate the examination quality and diagnostic efficacy achieved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Effects of secretin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide on human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor(1-40)-stimulated growth hormone levels in the rat.

Synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor containing 40 amino acids ([hpGRF (1-40)]-OH) significantly stimulated plasma growth hormone (GH) levels in both sodium pentobarbital and urethane anesthetized rats. Synthetic secretin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon significantly decreased plasma GH levels while synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) had no effect. Secretin and GIP also altered the in vivo plasma GH response to [hpGRF(1-40)]-OH. Whether this effect is the result of an interaction at the pituitary level or is due to an extra-pituitary effect of secretin and GIP awaits further study.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1983

Protrusio acetabuli: radiographic appearance in arthritis and other conditions.

Normal radiographic anatomic relationships, as well as distortion of those relationships in protrusio acetabuli, have been described. The occurrence of this deformity in arthropathies is stressed and other entities are mentioned and illustrated. Standard anteroposterior hip or pelvis radiographs readily permit the detection of protrusio acetabuli.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1983

Radiologically guided percutaneous musculoskeletal biopsy.

Radiologically guided percutaneous musculoskeletal biopsy can be done rapidly and precisely with highly accurate results and is nearly painless with only local anesthesia. Orthopedic surgeons should consider including a radiologist in the team with the patient and pathologist when such biopsies are necessary.

Biopsy, Needle↗