Biomedical subjects

W Y Lin

Publications and source records attributed to W Y Lin.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Radionuclide esophageal transit test in the detection of esophageal dysmotility in Parkinson's disease.

Thirty-three patients of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 25 volunteers were admitted to the study for comparison. Esophageal motility including esophageal mean transit time (MTT), residual fraction (RF), and retrograde index (RI) of the two groups were evaluated and calculated by the radionuclide esophageal transit test. The results show that 12% (4/33) of the cases of PD were abnormal in proximal, 15% (5/33) in middle, 0% (0/33) in distal, and 12% (4/33) in total MTT, as well as 6% (2/33) in RF, and 24% (8/33) in RI. In addition, the patients with high H-Y scale scores had a higher incidence of abnormality in proximal MTT than those with low scale (P < 0.05 by a Fisher's exact test). We consider that the radionuclide esophageal transit test has potential as an effective, simple and noninvasive screening tool to detect abnormal esophageal motility in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Influence of meal energy on gastric emptying in healthy Chinese.

Radionuclide gastric emptying studies of liquid phases were used to evaluate the gastric motility of healthy Chinese. A total of 53 normal volunteers were included in this study and divided into two groups. Group 1, included 20 males and 8 females (ages: 17-73) who received a meal which consisted of 500ml normal saline containing 500 uCi of Tc-99m phytate. Group 2, included 19 males and 6 females (ages: 27-73) who received a meal which consisted of 500ml 5% glucose solution (25g glucose, 100Kcal) labeled with 500 uCi Tc-99m phytate. Studies were performed with the subjects in the supine position and a gamma camera in a left anterior oblique (LAO) position, while data were collected for 30 minutes after injection of the liquid meal. The gastric emptying time was presented as the half-time (T1/2) for the food to empty from the stomach. The study results showed that the T1/2 was 20.5 +/- 7.2 min in Group 1 and 35.3 +/- 11.7 min in Group 2. We conclude that gastric emptying is slower for a liquid meal with a higher caloric content.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Hormonal change in an adult with Prader-Willi syndrome: report of a case.

We report a classical case of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in an adult with typical interstitial deletion of chromosome 15, and emphasize the study of hormonal change. This 21-year-old female had PWS face characteristics, small hands and feet, marked obesity, mental retardation, growth retardation, absence of puberty and amenorrhea. She also had the characteristic history of infantile hypotonia, poor feeding, failure to thrive and then improved appetite, followed by obesity from the age of four years. She had compulsive hyperphagia, to the extent of stealing and lying to take food. Chromosome study with high resolution banding technique revealed a small interstitial deletion at band q12 of chromosome 15, which is characteristically found in a majority of patients with PWS. Hormonal study revealed hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency of supposed hypothalamic origin. She also had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with decreased pancreatic insulin reserve.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Thallium myocardial scintigraphy in single left coronary artery.

A case of single left coronary artery is presented with the correlation between the results of thallium-201 (T1-201) myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary angiographic findings. The chest pain in this case might be partly secondary to the myocardial ischemia, under stress, which could result from the steal phenomenon to normal perfusion myocardium due to anatomical anomaly of single left coronary artery. Our findings suggest that T1-201 myocardial SPECT could be a useful method for detecting myocardial ischemia in patients with single left coronary artery.

Coronary Vessel Anomalies↗

PubMed1994

[Biliary ascariasis--a case report].

A 60-year-old male suffered from abdominal pain, chills and fever for two weeks. A vivid Ascaris lumbricoides in the common bile duct and intrahepatic ducts was identified in operation. Chronic cholecystitis was also noted. We discuss the findings of multiple image modalities in biliary ascariasis and review the literature.

Ascariasis↗

PubMed1994

Discrepancy between gallium-67 citrate scans and chest X-rays in patients with miliary tuberculosis.

Two patients were admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis (TB). Gallium-67 citrate (Ga) scans and chest X-rays were used to localize the TB lesions. One case showed normal chest X-ray with significant gallium uptake in the lung while the other showed diffuse interstitial infiltrations of both lungs in chest X-ray with negative result in gallium scan. We suggest that the combination of Ga scans and chest X-rays might be indicated to avoid the discrepancy between the two images and missing early diagnosis of miliary TB.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Tc-99m cholescintigraphy in acute pancreatitis].

Tc-99m DISIDA cholescintigraphy is a highly sensitive and specific method of evaluating cystic duct obstruction in acute cholecystitis. It has also been argued that cholescintigraphy has high sensitivity in the differential diagnosis of gallstone pancreatitis due to cystic duct obstruction following gallstone migration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical availability of cholescintigraphy in acute pancreatitis. Tc-99m DISIDA cholescintigraphy performed in 18 patients with documented acute pancreatitis, including 11 gallstone and 7 nonbiliary, were reviewed. Abnormal scans were obtained in 82% (9/11) of acute gallstone pancreatitis, while only 29% (2/7) of acute nonbiliary pancreatitis had abnormal scan. These results demonstrated a significant difference with Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). An abnormal cholescintigraphy had a sensitivity of 82%, a specificity of 71% and an accuracy of 78% in detecting gallstone pancreatitis. Ten cases of acute gallstone pancreatitis coincided with cholecystitis (2 cases of acute and chronic, and 8 cases of chronic). Both cases of acute nonbiliary pancreatitis with abnormal scan had total parenteral nutrition over 5 days. In conclusion, abnormal cholescintigraphy in acute pancreatitis indicates gallstone origin and may coincide with cholecystitis; while, a normal cholescintigraphy largely excludes such diagnoses.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Differentiation of single solid lesions in the lungs by means of single-photon emission tomography with technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile.

The value of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) single-photon emission tomography (SPET) of the chest in differentiating lung carcinomas of various histological types and benign lesions was assessed in 54 patients (47 males and 7 females aged 19-77 years) with single solid lung masses. Chest radiography had indicated that 46 of the lesions were malignant (8 small cell carcinomas, 14 epidermoid carcinomas, 18 adenocarcinomas and 6 undifferentiated large cell carcinomas) and eight, benign. Ten, volunteers who also agreed to undergo 99mTc-MIBI SPET of the chest served as a control group. The results showed that only 65% (30/46) of the lung malignancies were detected by 99mTc-MIBI SPECT, including 63% (5/8) of the small cell carcinomas, 64% (9/14) of the epidermoid carcinomas, 72% (13/18) of the adenocarcinomas and 50% (3/6) of the undifferentiated large cell carcinomas. However, 75% (6/8) of the benign lesions were also detected. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in differentiating malignant and benign lesions were 65%, 57% and 70%, respectively. We conclude that 99mTc-MIBI is of limited use in the differentiation of single solid lesions in the lungs.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Accuracy of a rapid 10-minute carbon-14 urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease.

Urease in the human gastric mucosa is a marker for infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP), an organism which is associated with peptic ulcer disease. To detect gastric urease, we examined 184 patients (144 males, 40 females; mean age: 49.8 +/- 15.6 years) with suspected peptic ulcer disease. Fasting patients were given orally 5 microCi of carbon-14 labelled urea. From each patient only one breath sample was collected in hyamine at 10 min. The amount of 14C collected at 10 min was expressed as follows: [(DPM/mmol CO2 collected)/(DPM administered)] x 100 x body weight (kg). The presence of HP colonization was determined by examination of multiple endoscopic prepyloric antral biopsy specimens subjected to culture or a rapid urease test. For the purpose of this study, HP-positive patients were defined as those with characteristic bacteria as indicated by a positive result of either the culture or the rapid urease test; HP-negative patients were defined as those with negative findings on both the culture and the rapid urease test. Of the 184 cases, 99 (53.8%) were positive for HP infection, and 85 (46.2%), negative. The sensitivity and specificity of the rapid 10 min 14C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of HP-associated peptic ulcer disease were evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with a variable cut-off value from 1.5 to 4.5. When a cut-off value of 1.5 was selected, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity, 83.5%; when a cut-off value of 4.5 was selected, the sensitivity was 54.5% and the specificity, 97.6%.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using 99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile SPECT.

99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the head and neck was performed in 20 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to detect the malignancies. Ten volunteers also underwent 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT of the head and neck for comparison. The results showed no MIBI uptake in the nasopharynx of any of the 10 normal volunteers. In the patients with NPC, 6/20 (30%) of the cases had no MIBI uptake in the nasopharynx and 14/20 (70%) had increased MIBI uptake in the nasopharynx. In addition, three cases with cervical metastases were detected by 99Tcm-MIBI. However, MIBI uptake in the NPC was not related to the size or differentiation of the NPC.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Regional cerebral blood flow of Alzheimer's disease-like pattern in young patients with Down's syndrome detected by 99Tcm-HMPAO brain SPECT.

Fourteen young patients with Down's syndrome (nine males, five females, age range 8-30 years) were studied. 99Tcm-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians analysed the results of the SPECT by visual interpretation. The SPECT in all 14 patients with Down's syndrome invariably showed significantly unilateral perfusion defects in the temporal-parietal-occipital region, occasionally combined with small perfusion defects over other discrete cerebral areas. In this preliminary study, 99Tcm-HMPAO brain SPECT in the patients with Down's syndrome were abnormal. Patterns of rCBF in Down's syndrome were similar to the usual images of rCBF in Alzheimer's disease reported in the literature. Our findings provide new evidence of the similarities between Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Evaluation of various methods of 99Tcm-human immunoglobulin preparation in scintigraphic detection of infection.

Radiolabelled human immunoglobulin (HIG) scintigraphy has been recognized as a reliable modality for the localization and evaluation of pyogenic infection in humans. Four methods of labelling HIG with 99Tcm developed by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research of Taiwan are: (1) using ascorbic acid (ASC) for direct labelling of HIG (ASC-HIG); (2) using diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) as a bifunctional chelate (DTPA-HIG); (3) using 2-iminothiolane (IM) for modified protein (IM-HIG); (4) using the avidin-biotin system (AVI-BIO-HIG). Our study assessed these four preparations in the scintigraphic detection of infections. Staphylococcus aureus was injected intramuscularly into the left thighs of rabbits. Two days later, when active inflammation developed, 5 mCi 99Tcm-HIG was given intravenously; scintigraphy was performed at 1, 4 and 18 h. The accumulation of 99Tcm DTPA-HIG was the most prominent among the four preparations at the site of infection. It is concluded that 99Tcm labelling of HIG using DTPA as a bifunctional chelate may be the optimal labelling method for detecting infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Hepatic perfusion index: a new and useful factor in predicting survival among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The hepatic perfusion index (HPI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between HPI and survival was assessed. From September 1989 to March 1990, 36 patients with HCC and 32 normal volunteers underwent dynamic hepatic scintigraphy to estimate the HPI. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and tumour size were also evaluated in all patients. A HPI > or = 0.85, AFP > or = 3000 ng ml-1 and tumour size > or = 8 cm chosen were as the cutoff points to obtain the highest differences in predicting survival. The HPI in HCC patients was significantly higher than in the normal controls (P < 0.0001). Survival was significantly different according to different HPI, AFP and tumour size with P < 0.0001, P = 0.007 and P = 0.01, respectively. It is concluded that the HPI is significantly elevated in patients with HCC. In addition, it is a useful prognostic factor and superior to AFP and tumour size in predicting the survival of patients with HCC.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Neurobehavioral manifestations following closed head injury.

This study was designed to examine neurobehavioral sequelae following closed head injuries. It adapted the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale (NRS) which was designed by Harvey S. Levin in 1987. The scale has been proven to be valid and reliable in previous Western studies and was translated by the authors into Mandarin with the consent of its designer. A total of 335 cases of closed head injury in eight major hospitals in Taipei were studied. The main findings obtained from this preliminary study were: 1) the correlation coefficients between raters ranged from 0.749 to 0.956, manifesting satisfactory reliability; 2) seven factors were obtained through factorial analysis of NRS, explaining 65.5% of the variance; and 3) significant differences in neurobehavioral change were found in patients with various degrees of severity and various types of head injuries. The results demonstrate that NRS is applicable to Chinese patients. Possible modification as well as elaboration of this scale is suggested.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1993

Usefulness of gallium-67-citrate scans in patients with acute disseminated tuberculosis and comparison with chest x-rays.

Sixteen patients (4 females, 12 males; ages: 15-80 yr) were admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as having acute disseminated tuberculosis (TB). Gallium-67-citrate scans and chest x-rays were used to localize the TB. The results revealed that: (1) most patients had an underlying disease (malignancy or immunocompromise); (2) gallium lung scans demonstrated multiple patterns from a negative picture to greater than liver uptake (localized or diffuse); (3) the extrapulmonary TB focus could be clearly visualized by whole-body gallium scans; (4) most chest x-rays had a miliary pattern and few cases were negative or localized. A combination examination, including gallium scans and chest x-rays, is needed to avoid missing early diagnosis of acute disseminated tuberculosis, especially in high risk group patients.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Xe-133 muscle blood flow in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

The histologic picture of polymyositis or dermatomyositis is characterized by muscle fiber degeneration, which is assumed to be caused by a circulatory abnormality. To verify this assumption, we measured the muscle blood flow in patients with polymyositis (or dermatomyositis) and in normal subjects using the inert gas Xe-133. Sixteen patients and 30 age-matched normal volunteers were studied. Muscle blood flow was measured with Xe-133 dissolved in isotonic saline as described by Lassen et al. (1964) and Pozderac et al. (1975). Data were acquired in the frame mode after intramuscular injection (anterior tibial muscle) of 0.3 mCi of Xe-133 in 0.2ml of saline for 20 min. A computer routine was used to calculate the clearance half time (T 1/2) in min and flow rate (Q) in ml/100 gm tissue/min. The student's t test was used to test statistical significance. Our preliminary results suggest: 1. The muscle blood flow in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis was significantly lower than the corresponding normal control levels. 2. This findings may be due to decreased in muscle capillary 3. Further studies are warranted to obtain a conclusive understanding of the pathogenesis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

The effects of hyperthyroidism on MIBG uptakes in the human heart--preliminary report.

Twelve cases of hyperthyroidism with cardiac manifestations (4 males, 8 females, ages: 20 to 70 years) and 12 normal controls of euthyroidism (6 males, 6 females, ages: 27 to 70 years) were included in our study. Each case accepted an I.V. injection of I-131 MIBG (I.R.E., Belgium) with 0.5mCi/1.7m2 of body surface area. The 24 and 48 hr imagings of the anterior chest, including total heart and lungs, were used to estimate cardiac sympathetic nerve innervation by the following formula: H/L = (the mean counts of pixels in the regions of interest (ROI) over the heart)/(the mean counts of pixels in the ROI over the lungs). The results showed that the 24 and 48 hr H/L values in euthyroidism were a little higher than those in hyperthyroidism, but the differences were not significant by a Wilcoxon rank sum test. The correlation between H/L and 24 hr I-131 thyroid uptake in patients with hyperthyroidism were also evaluated and the results showed no significant correlation between the H/L and uptake. In conclusion, we consider that the clinical manifestations concerning the heart in hyperthyroidism may not totally depend on the effects of increased cardiac sympathetic nerve innervation.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

PubMed1993

Solid phase radionuclide esophageal motility in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) may be associated with motor dysfunction of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Abnormal esophageal motor function is a well-recognized complication of these diseases. In this study, we used a solid phase esophageal study to evaluate the motor function in patients with PM or DM. Twenty-three patients and 36 age-matched normal volunteers were studied. Each subject was placed in a supine position above a gamma camera linked to a computer and was given a 4-ml bolus of solid gelatin containing 1 mCi of Tc-99m phytate. Data were acquired in the list mode. A computer method modified from Kelim and Wald and Russell et al. was used to calculate the following: A) total mean transit time (MTT); B) residual fraction after the first swallow (RF); and C) retrograde index (RI). All values are presented as mean +/- standard deviation (SD). The Student's t-test was used to test statistical significance. Our preliminary results suggest: 1) delayed esophageal emptying is common (17/23) in PM/DM, indicating frequent malfunction of the smooth muscle of the upper gastrointestinal tract in PM/DM and 2) measurement of esophageal motility may monitor disease activity in PM/DM.

Adolescent↗