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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Unnecessary laparotomy by using physical examination and different diagnostic modalities for penetrating abdominal stab wounds.

BACKGROUND: The modern management of penetrating abdominal trauma has decreased the incidence of unnecessary laparotomy by using selective non-operative management protocols. However, the real benefits of physical examination and different diagnostic methods are still unclear. METHODS: From January 2000 to April 2003, we prospectively collected data on 117 patients with penetrating stab wounds to the thoracoabdominal, anterior abdominal, and back regions who had non-operative management. Clinical examination was the primary tool to differentiate those patients requiring operation. Findings of physical examination, ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopy, echocardiography, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, and diagnostic laparoscopy were reviewed. The number of therapeutic, non-therapeutic, and negative laparotomies were recorded. RESULTS: Non-operative management was successful in 79% of patients. There were 11 early (within 8 hours of admission) and 14 delayed (more than 8 hours after admission) laparotomies performed, depending on the results of various diagnostic procedures. Non-operative management failed in 21% of patients, and the rate of non-therapeutic laparotomy in early and delayed laparatomy groups was 9% and 14% respectively. There was no negative laparatomy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of physical examination alone and/or together with different diagnostic methods allows reduction of non-therapeutic laparotomies and elimination of negative laparatomies.

Abdominal Injuries↗

The clinical epidemiological investigation of diagnostic modalities in breast cancer detection--a comparison of ultrasonography and mammography.

We reviewed the medical records and images of 39 women with palpable breast masses, including 18 cases with breast cancer and 21 cases with benign breast mass, to compare diagnostic accuracy and clinical agreement between ultrasonography and mammography in breast cancer detection. We showed that the operating characteristics of ultrasonography, including sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio, were superior to that of mammography. We also confirmed that the established malignant criteria for malignancy, including lobulated shape, irregular contour and non-uniform internal echo in ultrasonography, and stellate mass in mammography, were statistically significant in distinguishing breast cancer from benign breast lesion. Moreover, the interobserver agreement kappa of ultrasonography and mammography were 0.64 and 0.59, respectively. Ultrasonography was also superior to mammography in attaining clinical agreement between the different observers in breast cancer detection.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Bronchoesophageal fistula in a neonate: radionuclide study as diagnostic modality.

A neonate with H-type fistula between esophagus and right bronchus is described. He presented with an uncommon symptom of hypersialosis. The fistula was missed both at cinesophagogram and endoscopy, the modalities currently held as investigations of choice for the diagnosis of this entity. Instead it was incidentally picked up by radionuclide study undertaken to rule out dyskinesia or gross gastroesophageal reflux, which demonstrated the tract unequivocally. To the best of our knowledge this modality has not been used earlier for this purpose. The authors feel that although persistence in attempts to demonstrate the tract preoperatively is important, radionuclide study can also be considered as a diagnostic tool in difficult cases.

Bronchial Fistula↗

Newer diagnostic modalities for tuberculosis.

The gold standard for diagnosis of tuberculosis is demonstration of mycobacteria from various body fluids. This is often not possible in children due to pauci-bacillary nature of illness. Significant improvement in understanding of molecular biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has led to development of newer diagnostic techniques of tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an emerging diagnostic tool for diagnosis of TB in children. However, its role in day-to-day clinical practice needs to be defined. A negative PCR never eliminates possibility of tuberculosis, and a positive result is not always confirmatory. The PCR may be useful in evaluating children with significant pulmonary disease when diagnosis is not readily established by other means, and in evaluating immunocompromised children (HIV infection) with pulmonary disease. In the absence of good diagnostic methods for tuberculosis, a lot of interest has been generated in serodiagnosis. ELISA has been used to detect antibodies to various purified or complex antigens of M. tuberculosis in children. Despite a large number of studies published over the past several years, serology has found little place in the routine diagnosis of tuberculosis in children, even though it is rapid and does not require specimen from the site of disease. Sensitivity and specificity depend on the antigen used, gold standard for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and the type of tubercular infection. Though most of these tests have high specificity, their sensitivity is poor. In addition, these tests may be influenced by factors such as age, prior BCG vaccination and exposure to environmental mycobacteria. The serological tests, theoretically, may not be able to differentiate between infection and disease. At present, serodiagnosis does not appear to have any role in diagnosis of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis. A new test (QuantiFERON-TB or QFT) that measures the release of interferon-gamma in whole blood in response to stimulation by purified protein derivative is comparable with the tuberculin skin testing to detect latent tubercular infection, and is less affected by BCG vaccination. It can also discriminate responses due to nontuberculous mycobacteria, and avoids variability and subjectivity associated with placing and reading the tuberculin skin test. Polymerase chain reaction based test for identification of katG and rpoB mutation which are associated with isoniazid and rifampicin resistance may help in early identification of drug resistance in mycobacterium.

Child↗

Nuclear medicine methods for evaluation of skeletal infection among other diagnostic modalities.

Skeletal infection continues to be a common and difficult condition in clinical practice and early accurate diagnosis is very challenging. Clinical and laboratory features of skeletal infections are not always present, may be confusing, and are nonspecific for bone infection in its early stages, therefore, several imaging modalities are used for early detection of osteomyelitis. Plain films should always be the first step in the imaging assessment of osteomyelitis, however, the sensitivity for X-ray radiography has been reported to range from 43% to 75%, and the specificity from 75% to 83%. Over years, scintigraphic procedures have become an essential part of the diagnostic procedure for osteomyelitis. The standard approach for bone scintigraphy with tech 99mTc labeled methylene diphosphonate to assess for osteomyelitis is to perform a three-phase procedure. The positive uptake on all three phases is highly sensitive for osteomyelitis (sensitivity 73% to 100%). 67Ga citrate gained more attention for the more specific diagnosis of osteomyelitis due to its known capacity to localize in cases of active infection and pus. The reported specificity for 67Ga scintigraphy in osteomyelitis is around 67-70% and the specificity is much higher (92%) when 67Ga single photon emission tomography was obtained. Labeled white blood cell (WBC) imaging has become the procedure of choice to diagnose most cases of skeletal infections except for those of the spine. Labeling of leucocytes can be done either by 111In or 99mTc labeled hexamethylpropylene amineoxime. The sensitivity and specificity for labeled WBCs are in the high range of 80% to 90%. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) has been found to accumulate non-specifically at sites of infection and inflammation. Investigational studies showed that PET is particularly valuable in the evaluation of chronic osteomyelitis and infected prostheses. Other imaging modalities include sonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The sensitivity and specificity of CT for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis has not been established clearly and are in the range of 65% to 75%. The sensitivity of MRI for osteomyelitis has been generally reported as being between 82% and 100%, and specificity between 75% and 96%. Cases of osteomyelitis commonly referred to diagnostic imaging departments include chronic osteomyelitis, diabetic foot infections, vertebral osteomyelitis, joint prostheses and patients with suspected reinfection. These specific entities need special attention and careful selection of the correct tracer or combination of imaging modalities that is best suited for the proper therapeutic management protocols.

Bone Diseases, Infectious↗

99Tcm-MAA lung scintigraphy in patients with Behçet's disease: its value and correlation with clinical course and other diagnostic modalities.

Behçet's disease, initially described as local vasculitis involving the oral, genital mucosa and eyes, can affect many organ systems with a varying clinical course. Pulmonary lesions associated with Behçet's disease are rare and reported to have a prevalence of 1.0-7.7%. In this prospective study, 29 patients aged 16-60 years (mean +/- s: 34 +/- 10.5) were investigated for pulmonary involvement with direct radiography, computerized tomography (CT) and intravenous digital subtraction angiography. Lung scintigraphy was also performed to determine its diagnostic value. In addition, patients had a fibreoptic bronchoscopic examination, spirometric test, carbon monoxide diffusion test and methacholine test. Of the 29 patients with Behçet's disease, 17 had pulmonary involvement. The diagnostic criteria for pulmonary vasculitis and tracheobronchial tree involvement were: (1) hilar vascular prominence or mass, new alveolar and reticulonodular infiltrates on chest X-ray; (2) aphthous lesions, bleeding ulcerations, inflamed mucosal appearance on bronchoscopy; (3) vascular thrombosis or aneurysms on CT; (4) occlusion or aneurysms of the main pulmonary arteries or its branches. The value of lung scintigraphy and its correlation with other imaging modalities were investigated to determine if a lung perfusion scan alone can be used to detect pulmonary involvement in Behçet's disease. Twenty-six patients were investigated with lung scintigraphy. Thirteen of 14 patients with lung involvement were identified. Perfusion lung scintigraphy provided true diagnostic information in 96% of our patients. In eight patients without pulmonary involvement, the lung scans were normal. Although DSA specifically demonstrates pulmonary aneurysms, it involves administration of contrast media and cannot show abnormalities distal to the third pulmonary arterial branches. Although vasculitis caused by collagen disorders is physiologically indistinguishable from pulmonary emboli, most perfusion defects resolve within 3 months, which can be used as a differential diagnostic criterion in the appropriate clinical setting. Therefore, pulmonary perfusion imaging can be used to screen patients suspected of having lung involvement, especially in the absence of thrombophlebitis. In patients with thrombophlebitis, a repeat examination at 3 months is recommended to differentiate pulmonary involvement from pulmonary embolism.

Adolescent↗

Role of radionuclide perfusion study in cold solitary thyroid nodule for diagnosis of malignancy: a complimentary diagnostic modality to fine needle aspiration cytology.

One hundred and forty eight subjects with euthyroid solitary thyroid nodules (STN) were taken up for radionuclide perfusion study. They were found to have a cold STN on 99mTc thyroid static scan. All had fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and except for subjects with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, were subjected to surgery for tissue diagnosis by histopathology. The diagnostic findings in these patients of solitary thyroid nodules were correlated with the histopathology. Radionuclide perfusion study is considered useful to differentiate benign from malignant cold thyroid solitary nodules with high degree of sensitivity (95%) and specificity (87.9%).

Adolescent↗

Value of preoperative diagnostic modalities in patients with recurrent thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) regularly have an excellent prognosis. However, tumor recurrence either involving the thyroid bed or the regional lymph nodes, or both, can be associated with significant morbidity and even mortality. The aim of the follow-up after primary surgery is to detect recurrent disease at its earliest stage. We assessed the value of different diagnostic methods in detecting locoregional recurrence in patients with WDTC. METHODS: We prospectively identified 150 patients with WDTC. Of those, 43 (28.7%) presented with recurrent disease. Ultrasonography-guided fine needle biopsy (US-FNB), iodine 131 ((131)I) wholebody scintigraphy, thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement, and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) were carried out. RESULTS: Ultrasonography detected malignant lesions in 95.3% of the patients. The true positive rate of US-FNB was 95.3%. (131)I scanning had true positive, false negative, and false positive results in 54.2%, 40.0%, and 5.7% of the cases, respectively. In 85.7% of the patients, Tg levels were within pathologic range. Among the 13 patients who underwent FDG-PET, 84.6% showed pathologic uptake indicating malignancy. US and US-FNB provided the highest specificity for detecting recurrence (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with WDTC and locoregional recurrence, US and US-FNB are the most sensitive methods in detecting local recurrence or regional lymph node metastases. FDG-PET is valuable in case of negative (131)I scanning results and elevated serum Tg levels. The method has limitations in finding minimal disease.

Adult↗

Intratubular germ cell neoplasia: associated infertility and review of the diagnostic modalities.

The incidence of testicular neoplasia has increased, and its early detection has become a pressing clinical issue. The strong association between male subfertility and risk of testicular neoplasia is consistent with the existence of common pathogenetic factors. Most forms of testicular germ tumors are believed to stem from a common precursor, intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN), also known as testicular carcinoma in situ. Identification of ITGCN cells in testicular biopsies, however, is a diagnostic challenge and markers are sorely needed to assist in the accurate identification of the lesion.

Humans↗

Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid--CT scan, a new diagnostic modality, and surgical management using sphincter-saving procedures. Report of three cases.

Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid is a rare lesion. Preoperative recognition has been recorded but, because of lack of awareness and inconsistent diagnoses, inappropriate therapy still persists. Surgical therapy is the hallmark of treatment. Abdominoperineal resection has been advocated. Three cases of diffuse cavernous hemangiomas of the rectosigmoid, recognized preoperatively and treated successfully with sphincter-saving procedures, are reported. Use of the CT scan as a consistent diagnostic tool will be presented for the first time.

Adult↗

Diagnostic modalities for infectious diseases.

The role of the microbiology laboratory is essential to successful provision of patient care. Obtaining appropriate laboratory data allows clinicians the best opportunity to arrive at a definitive diagnosis in a timely manner, eliminates the need for further tests, and can offer specific treatment approaches with maximal potential for success. This article discusses the laboratory procedures useful for diagnosis of oral or maxillofacial infections, including collection and transport of microbial specimens, representative techniques and methods available for culture and diagnostic assays, diagnostic laboratory principles for specific types of microbial etiologies, antimicrobial sensitivity, quality control issues, and evaluation of reported findings.

Bacterial Infections↗

Evaluation of osteoporosis in orthopedic practice: a review of current diagnostic modalities.

It is increasingly recognized that osteoporosis should be of utmost importance to all, because of the large size of the affected population and the staggering implications of osteoporotic fractures on morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent conditions associated with aging, and, as the demographics shift toward an older population, a dramatic increase in the number of osteoporotic fractures is expected in coming years. Fortunately, osteoporosis is a disease that can be easily diagnosed, owing to the growing armamentarium of diagnostic tests that should be familiar to orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, rheumatologists, gynecologists, and generally all physicians with a special interest in bone metabolism.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Peripheral blood culture as a diagnostic modality for visceral leishmaniasis: apropos of 61 cases].

The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of culture of peripheral blood samples on NNN medium for detecting Leishmania. A total of 61 peripheral venous blood samples were tested. Most samples were collected from immunocompetent children presenting visceral leishmaniasis. The sensitivity of peripheral blood culture was 61%. Concordance with conventional bone marrow culture was good but the marrow technique was quicker. Since it is minimally invasive and easy to perform, peripheral blood culture is an attractive diagnostic alternative in immunocompetent patients. In addition peripheral blood culture presents a major epidemiological advantage in allowing identification of the causative strain of Leishmania if bone marrow culture was not performed for isoenzymatic characterization.

Animals↗

New diagnostic modalities in soft tissue sarcoma.

Molecular and cytogenetic analysis of soft tissue sarcoma has provided a vast amount of new genetic information over the past 10 years. Recent advances in genetic technology, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and positional cloning techniques have greatly increased the rate of new discoveries and soon may bring cytogenetic and molecular analysis to standard pathology laboratories. Karotypic analysis of soft tissue tumors have demonstrated specific cytogenetic aberrations which have proved to be extremely useful diagnostically and have solidified and improved soft tissue tumor classification systems. Objective and reproducible prognostication in soft tissue sarcoma remains problematic. Presently, the grade and size of the sarcoma are the most important factors used to estimate risk of relapse and overall survival. Assigning a pathologic grade to an individual sarcoma as a means of predicting clinical behavior is often difficult with a 40% discordance rate even between expert sarcoma pathologists. There is mounting evidence that the composition of membrane phospholipid in tumor tissue is an important indicator of a tumor's cellularity, proliferative capacity, and differentiation state. However, there is a lack of information on the biochemical determinants of sarcoma proliferation and differentiation. To address these problems, novel quantitative ex vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods have been applied to determine the biochemical changes in tissue lipid for soft tissue sarcoma. The biochemical changes in tissue lipid have been found to correlate with sarcoma cellularity, growth rate, and differentiation. Continued prospective NMR analysis of tissue lipid biochemistry in soft tissue tumors will permit the development of a clinically relevant biochemical system of prognostic determinants for soft tissue sarcoma in the future.

Cytogenetics↗

Three-dimensional CT scanning: a new diagnostic modality in congenital heart disease.

New generation multislice CT technology has changed the approach to non-invasive assessment of congenital heart disease, in both paediatric and adult patients. This is mainly because of rapid advances in spatial and temporal resolution and in post-processing capability. At Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, CT with multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction has become a routine examination in the evaluation of congenital heart disease planning surgery, complex interventional catheterisations and for follow-up. It has proved to be an invaluable diagnostic and decision-aiding methodology in these situations, as a complement to echocardiography and, increasingly, as a substitute for diagnostic angiography (which is usually associated with higher-dose radiation and longer sedation times, as well as occasional morbidity). This review illustrates the current status of 64-slice CT in congenital heart diseases, including assessment of the aorta, the coronary arteries, the pulmonary arteries, the systemic and pulmonary veins, and other intra- and extracardiac malformations.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

Diagnostic modalities for carotid artery disease.

Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of death in the United States. A major cause of thromboembolic stroke is atherosclerotic narrowing and ulceration in the region of the carotid bifurcation. The indication for carotid surgery may or may not include the presence of symptoms, but all indications include the presence of an atherosclerotic plaque that may result in embolic or occlusive disease. Because the protective results of surgery depend on accurately defining the presence of these plaques and the degree of carotid artery stenosis, it is essential to understand the diagnostic methods used in determining carotid disease and grading carotid artery stenosis. An understanding of their reliability and associated risks is essential for the proper management of patients with carotid bifurcation disease.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗

Investigation of childhood blunt abdominal trauma: a practical approach using ultrasound as the initial diagnostic modality.

During a 5.5-year retrospective study (1979-84) 170 children with blunt abdominal trauma were investigated with intravenous urography (IVU), ultrasound (US) and scintigraphy. For the investigation of the last 71 children (after 1982) a 4th generation CT scanner was available in the same department. The results of radiologic investigations were compared with clinical outcome in 157 and results at laparotomy in 13 children. During the study period, real time US became the first line screening tool, and was combined with IVU in suspected renal trauma. In spite of permanent accessibility of CT since November 1982, the latter was used only in complex diagnostic problems or in children with multiple injuries (8% of the series). There were no deaths resulting from abdominal trauma. During the study, the incidence of splenectomy and exploratory laparotomy decreased, and no diagnostic peritoneal lavage were performed after 1980.

Abdominal Injuries↗

New diagnostic modalities in the diagnosis of primary and recurrent giant-cell tumors of bone.

Computed tomography (CT) and/or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were performed on four patients with primary or recurrent giant-cell tumor of bone. In three cases presented, the tumor was examined with CT and had a precontrast attenuation value of about +50 to +65 HU with unequivocal nonhomogeneous contrast enhancement. In both cases in which DSA was used, contrast-medium enhancement could be recorded by DSA that had definitely not been seen with conventional angiography. It is suggested that in the future CT and DSA may replace conventional angiography in the diagnostic workup of giant-cell tumors.

Adolescent↗