Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Supination”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Comparison of the use of supine bending and traction radiographs in the selection of the fusion area in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A study was done to evaluate the use of voluntary supine side bending radiographs and Risser table traction radiographs in adolescent patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVES: To compare the usefulness of supine side bending and traction radiographs in assessing curve flexibility and determining fusion levels in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Supine side bending radiographs have been used in the preoperative evaluation of idiopathic scoliosis to determine curve flexibility and fusion area. Traction films have been used to determine the flexibility of large curves and neuromuscular curves where active side bending is not possible. No study to date has compared the use of these films in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing surgery. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with more than a 2-year follow-up period after surgery were included in this study. Preoperative radiographs included a standing posteroanterior and lateral film and both supine maximal voluntary side bending films and a traction film done on a Risser table. A preoperative review of these radiographs was done to determine curve flexibility and fusion levels. At follow-up evaluation, the patients were examined for any evidence of decompensation or "adding-on" of levels. RESULTS: For curves less than 60 degrees, side bending radiographs showed greater curve correction than traction radiographs, whereas the opposite was true for curves greater than 60 degrees. For King I and II curves, side bending radiographs were superior for determination of lumbar curve flexibility and for distinguishing these two types of curves. On traction radiographs, the stable vertebra was 1.4 vertebral levels higher than on the standing film. When the fusion level was moved proximally because of the traction radiograph, decompensation or "adding-on" commonly occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Supine bending radiographs are superior to traction radiographs for assessing curve flexibility except for curves more than 60 degrees. The selection of the distal extent of fusion based on the traction radiograph gave a large number of poor results. The selection of fusion levels in adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis is best determined by a combination of standing posteroanterior and lateral radiographs and the supine maximum voluntary bend films.

Adolescent↗

Regional variations in lung expansion in rabbits: prone vs. supine positions.

We studied the vertical gradient in lung expansion in rabbits in the prone and supine body positions. Postmortem, we used videomicroscopy to measure the size of surface alveoli through transparent parietal pleural windows at dependent and nondependent sites separated in height by 2-3 cm at functional residual capacity (FRC). We compared the alveolar size measured in situ with that measured in the isolated lungs at different deflationary transpulmonary pressures to obtain transpulmonary pressure (pleural surface pressure) in situ. The vertical gradient in transpulmonary pressure averaged 0.48 +/- 0.16 (SD) cmH2O/cm height (n = 10) in the supine position and 0.022 +/- 0.014 (SD) cmH2O/cm (n = 5) in the prone position. In mechanically ventilated rabbits, we used the rib capsule technique to measure pleural liquid pressure at different heights of the chest in prone and supine positions. At FRC, the vertical gradient in pleural liquid pressure averaged 0.63 cmH2O/cm in the supine position and 0.091 cmH2O/cm in the prone position. The vertical gradients in pleural liquid pressure were all less than the hydrostatic value (1 cmH2O/cm), which indicates that pleural liquid is not generally in hydrostatic equilibrium. Both pleural surface pressure and pleural liquid pressure measurements show a greater vertical gradient in the supine than in the prone position. This suggests a close relationship between pleural surface pressure and pleural liquid pressure. Previous results in the dog and pony showed relatively high vertical gradients in the supine position and relatively small gradients in the prone position. This behavior is similar to the present results in rabbits. Thus the vertical gradient is independent of animal size and might be related to chest shape and weight of heart and abdominal contents.

Animals↗

The effects of ulnar axial malalignment on supination and pronation.

BACKGROUND: Forearm fractures are common injuries in both adults and children. Despite efforts to obtain anatomical alignment, axial rotational malunions occur, resulting in a decreased range of motion and a poor appearance. The objective of this study was to quantify loss of forearm rotation after simulation of ulnar malunions in supination and pronation. METHODS: Six fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities (mean age at the time of death, 79.4+/-2.8 years) were used to quantify loss of forearm rotation after simulation of axial rotational malunions of the ulna. First, maximum forearm rotation in supination and pronation was measured at torques of 6.8, 13.6, and 20.4 kilograms-centimeter applied with use of a custom jig. Following a midshaft ulnar osteotomy, a custom adjustable internal fixation plate was used to simulate axial rotational malunions of the ulna of 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees in both directions. Measurements in supination and pronation were then repeated at the prespecified torques. Analysis of variance, with a p value of 0.05, was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In all instances, a decrease in forearm rotation after simulation of the ulnar rotational malunion was accompanied by an increase in rotation in the opposite direction. Supination and pronation were significantly influenced, whereas the total arc of rotation was not affected by ulnar rotational malunion. At a torque of 20.4 kilograms-centimeter, pronation malunions of 15, 30, and 45 degrees resulted in a mean loss of supination (and standard error of the mean) of 5+/-1, 11+/-1, and 20+/-1 degrees, respectively, and supination malunions of 15, 30, and 45 degrees resulted in a mean loss of pronation of 4+/-1, 10+/-2, and 18+/-4 degrees, respectively. The ratio of the simulated rotational malunion to the loss of motion was larger than one. CONCLUSIONS: Ulnar rotational malunions do not lead to a significant change in the total arc of forearm rotation. Instead, loss of motion in one direction is accompanied by increased motion in the opposite direction. Even with a 45-degree ulnar rotational malunion, forearm rotation decreases no more than 20 degrees.

Aged↗

Detection of pleural effusions on supine chest radiographs.

A prospective analysis of anteroposterior supine radiographs in 34 patients was undertaken to determine the detectability of pleural effusions on supine radiographs. The presence of pleural effusions and quantity of fluid (small, moderate, or large) were evaluated by using the following radiographic signs: increased homogeneous density superimposed over the lung, loss of the hemidiaphragm silhouette, blunted costophrenic angle, apical capping, elevation of the hemidiaphragm, decreased visibility of lower-lobe vasculature, and accentuation of the minor fissure. Decubitus radiographs were performed to identify and to estimate the quantity of pleural fluid. Sixty-two hemithoraces were evaluated by three observers. From a total of 36 pleural effusions shown on decubitus views, 24 were correctly identified on supine radiographs (sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 70%, and accuracy of 67%). The most frequent but least specific criterion for detecting pleural effusions on supine radiographs is blunting of the costophrenic angle. Other helpful signs include loss of the hemidiaphragm and increased density of the hemithorax. A normal supine radiograph does not exclude a pleural effusion. Our results show that supine radiographs are only moderately sensitive and specific for the evaluation of pleural effusions.

Humans↗

Effect of reaction time condition on EMG activities of the biceps brachii muscle in elbow flexion and forearm supination.

Under simple- and choice-RT conditions, the biceps brachii muscle was examined in 8 healthy male subjects to determine how the temporal and spatial characteristics of elbow flexion and forearm supination differed at the initial phase of EMG activity and whether preparation or the presence of response uncertainty influenced the EMG outputs of the two movements. In the simple-RT condition, RT of supination was significantly faster than that of flexion but EMG activity of supination was less than that of flexion. In contrast, in the choice-RT condition, RT of flexion was significantly faster than that of supination but EMG activity of flexion was significantly reduced compared to supination. These findings indicate that advanced preparation or motor set facilitates the differentiation of RTs and EMG activities of the response movements and that response uncertainty causes a significant change in the temporal and spatial specificity of both elbow flexion and forearm supination.

Adult↗

Reliability of 2 functional goniometric methods for measuring forearm pronation and supination active range of motion.

STUDY DESIGN: Test-retest reliability study. OBJECTIVES: To determine intra- and intertester reliability of the hand-held pencil (HHP) and the plumbline goniometer (PLG) methods for measuring active forearm pronation and supination motions in individuals with and without injuries. BACKGROUND: The distal forearm method has been considered the gold standard for measuring forearm pronation and supination motion. The HHP and PLG, however, are 2 more functional methods for measuring forearm motions, though limited information on the psychometric properties of these tests is currently available. METHODS AND MEASURES: Intra- and intertester reliability of the HHP and PLG methods were determined in 40 subjects of convenience (20 injured and 20 noninjured). Two testers performed 3 repeated measurements for each motion and method on all subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1 for intratester reliability, ICC2,3 for intertester reliability) and standard error of measurements (SEMs) were determined. RESULTS: The ICCs for the measurements of pronation and supination using the HHP and PLG methods were high (range, 0.86-0.98) for individuals with and without injuries, with the reliability for the PLG method being equal or slightly greater than the HHP method for the majority of pronation and supination measurements. Intratester ICCs were higher (SEMs were conversely lower) than intertester ICCs for nearly all measurements. The ICC values were generally the same or higher for individuals with injuries compared to individuals without injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The HHP and PLG are highly reliable methods for measuring functional forearm pronation and supination. Because plumbline goniometers are not commercially available and the instrumentation for the HHP method is readily accessible, clinicians should consider the latter as their method of choice for measuring functional forearm pronation and supination.

Adult↗

Heteronymous monosynaptic Ia facilitation from supine to standing and its relationship to the soleus H-reflex.

To measure changes in presynaptic inhibition, 10 subjects (5 male, 5 female) were tested under two conditions: supine and standing. This study utilized the heteronymous facilitation protocol, as described by Hulborn et al. (1987a), to measure presynaptic inhibition of the Ia afferent pathway onto the soleus alpha-motoneuron pool. The magnitude of the facilitation produced by the conditioning stimulus provides an indirect assessment of presynaptic inhibition from supine to standing. Maximal soleus H-reflex (H-max) and motor response (M-max) amplitudes were determined prior to testing at each condition. Subjects received 24 test H-reflex stimuli (approximately 15% M-max), and 24 conditioned stimuli at each body position. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in H-max/M-max ratio from supine (68.7%) to standing (54.8%). This was the result of changes in H-max between the two body positions with no significant changes in M-max. Significant inhibition of the conditioned H-reflex was also demonstrated from supine to standing (30.7% M-max vs 17.5% M-max). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a strong correlation (r = .85) existed between individual changes in H-max/M-max ratio and the changes in facilitation of the conditioned H-reflex from supine to standing. This relationship helps explain the modulation of the H-reflex during static changes in body position, and it could also provide insight into the reflex modulation associated with more functional activities such as walking or running. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that presynaptic inhibition increases as body position is changed from supine to standing.

Adult↗

Intrasession and intersession reliability of the soleus H-reflex in supine and standing positions.

The Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) is a measure of motoneuron pool excitability, which is valuable in determining muscle inhibition caused by joint damage (arthrogenic muscle inhibition). In order to detect changes in H-reflex due to injury, the reliability of such a measurement must be established. The purpose of this study was to establish the intrasession and intersession reliability of soleus H-reflex in a supine and standing position. Thirteen healthy volunteers (age 10 +/- 2.63 yr, height 171.35 +/- 10.19 cm, mass 69.62 +/- 13.03 Kg) with no lower extremity orthopedic or neurological disorders within the past year participated in this study. To determine the intrasession and intersession reliability of this measure in a supine resting position and a one-leg standing position, EMG data were collected from the soleus while the tibial nerve was stimulated in the popliteal space. A high voltage (120-200 V), short duration (1.0 msec) stimulus was automatically triggered, eliciting a reflex twitch detected by surface EMG. Several of these measurements were performed with 20 second rest intervals to find the maximum H-reflex. The maximum H-reflex was located by adjusting the intensity of the stimulus. Once a maximum H-reflex was found, 12 measurements were taken in that position with 20 second rest intervals. These steps were repeated for each position (supine and standing) at the same time for 5 consecutive days. Intrasession reliability was computed using 12 measurement trials (12), 12 measurement trials dropping the high and low score (12x), the first 7 measurement trials dropping the high and low score (7x), and the first 5 measurement trials (5). Intrasession and intersession reliability over five consecutive days was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC (3, 1)). The supine intrasession reliability measurements were as follows: 0.932 (12), 0.932 (12x), 0.935 (7x), and 0.932 (5). The standing intrasession reliability was 0.853 (12), 0.852 (12x), 0.865 (7x), and 0.862 (5). The intersession reliability was 0.938 in the supine position and 0.803 in the standing position. These results indicate that the H-reflex measured using our protocol in a supine and standing position is a reliable assessment within sessions and between sessions. Five measurements are sufficient to observe reliable measurements within a single session. Most importantly, this data shows that the H-reflex is a reliable assessment that may be used to measure small changes in motoneuron pool excitability over time.

Adult↗

Spirometry in normal subjects in sitting, prone, and supine positions.

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether pulmonary function testing is affected by patient positioning. METHODS: In a descriptive study with measurements made in a sequential but randomized order at a university-based pulmonary function laboratory, 20 healthy men, ages 18-50 years, were evaluated with spirometric assessment of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) in the sitting, supine, and prone positions. Subjects were excluded for body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 or abnormal baseline spirometry. RESULTS: Comparing sitting to supine and prone positions, there was a statistically significant decline in the spirometry values (reported as percent of predicted normal +/- standard error of the mean). FVC was 102% +/- 4% while sitting, 95% +/- 4% while supine, and 94% +/- 4% while prone. FEV1 was 104% +/- 3% while sitting, 96% +/- 3% while supine, and 94% +/- 3% while prone. MVV was 115% +/- 4% while sitting, 102% +/- 4% while supine, and 97% +/- 3% prone. CONCLUSION: In healthy men with BMI < 30 kg/m2, changing from the sitting to supine or prone position results in statistically significant change in respiratory pattern. However, all spirometry values in each position were normal by American Thoracic Society definitions.

Adolescent↗

Effects of Pronated and Supinated Foot Postures on Static and Dynamic Postural Stability.

Context: The foot is the most distal segment in the lower extremity chain and represents a relatively small base of support on which the body maintains balance (particularly in single-leg stance). Although it seems reasonable that even minor biomechanical alterations in the support surface may influence postural-control strategies, the implications of a hypermobile or hypomobile foot on balance have received little attention to date.Objective: To determine if supinated and pronated foot types influence measures of static and dynamic balance.Design: Participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups depending on foot type, as defined by navicular-drop measures: pronated (>/=10 mm), neutral (5-9 mm), or supinated (</=4 mm). Measures of static and dynamic balance were obtained for each participant and compared across groups.Setting: Sports medicine and athletic training research laboratory.Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen individuals with pronated (navicular drop = 13.0 +/- 3.7 mm), neutral (navicular drop = 6.2 +/- 1.1 mm), or supinated (navicular drop = 2.2 +/- 1.7 mm) foot postures volunteered to participate in the study.Main Outcome Measure(s): We used the Chattecx Balance System to measure center of balance, stability index, and postural sway during static single-limb stance under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Center of balance was defined as the point on the foot at which the body weight was equally distributed between the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior quadrants and was recorded in centimeters. Stability index was defined as the mean deviation in sway around the center of balance. Postural sway was expressed as the maximum sway distance recorded (cm) in the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions. The Star Excursion Balance Test was used to measure dynamic balance, which was reported as the reach distance (cm) in each of the 8 directions tested. The average of 3 trials of each measure was calculated and normalized to the subject's height.Results: We found no difference in center of balance or postural sway as a function of foot type. The stability index was greater in pronators than in supinators, but neither group was different from those with neutral foot types. Dynamic reach differed among groups but only in some directions. Generally, pronators reached farther in the anterior and anterior medial directions and supinators reached farther in the posterior and posterio-lateral directions. In the lateral direction, supinators reached farther than pronators but not farther than neutrals.Conclusions: Our results suggest that postural stability is affected by foot type under both static and dynamic conditions. These differences appear to be related to structural differences as opposed to differences in peripheral input. These effects should be considered when clinicians use such balance measures to assess injury deficits and recovery.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of aortic and brachial cuff pressures in flat supine and lateral recumbent positions.

Systolic, diastolic, and mean aortic pressures and bilateral systolic and diastolic brachial pressures were measured in supine and right and left lateral recumbent positions. There were no significant differences between aortic pressures recorded in supine and lateral positions. Brachial pressures measured in lateral positions (up arm, down arm) were corrected for hydrostatic effects. Uncorrected up-arm pressures demonstrated a mean drop of 13 to 14 mm Hg in systolic pressure and 14 to 17 mm Hg in diastolic pressure below corresponding supine pressures. Corrected up-arm pressures were within 3 mm Hg of their respective supine pressures. Hydrostatic effects are the most likely cause of the drop in up-arm pressures. Down-arm pressure findings were inconsistent. Influences including hydrostatic effects and flow changes resulting from compression of the brachial artery by the weight of the person's body on the arm may account for this inconsistency. Brachial pressures, when possible, should be taken in supine or sitting positions. When pressures are taken with the patient in the lateral recumbent position, the up arm should be used. Up-arm pressures will be predictably lower than respective supine pressures, whereas down-arm pressures are inconsistent.

Adult↗

Postoperative objective outcomes for upright, supine, and bipositional reflux disease following laparoscopic nissen fundoplication.

HYPOTHESIS: Traditionally, patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease fall into 3 categories based on 24-hour pH testing and the clinical occurrence of their acid exposure. Patients with upright reflux are believed to do worse following surgery compared with supine or bipositional reflux patients. We assessed objective postoperative outcomes for patients with upright, supine, and bipositional reflux following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication to determine if there is a category of refluxing patient who should be counseled against antireflux surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Esophageal physiology laboratory at a tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 225 patients (supine, 45; upright, 92; bipositional, 88) with preoperative and postoperative 24-hour pH measurements, manometry results, and standardized symptom assessment forms were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: A Nissen fundoplication was performed based on 24-hour pH and manometry result. Esophageal manometry was performed with a water-perfused system, and 24-hour pH was measured with a digital capture device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative symptom correlation, 24-hour pH, and manometric variables. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in preoperative symptom correlation between groups. Patients with bipositional reflux disease have significantly worst reflux disease (percentage of time with a pH <4, total number of reflux episodes, longest reflux episode, and Johnson-DeMeester score) and the weakest preoperative lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Postoperative symptom correlation was low among all 3 groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative 24-hour pH or manometry among groups. Success following surgery was achieved in 73.3% with supine reflux, 80.4% with upright reflux, and 75.0% with bipositional reflux. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bipositional reflux have the most severe disease. Supine, upright, and bipositional reflux patients perform equally well following laparoscopic fundoplication as defined by objective outcome criteria.

Adult↗

Diaphragmatic motion in the sitting and supine positions: Healthy subject study using a vertically open magnetic resonance system.

PURPOSE: To determine the postural difference of diaphragmatic motion between the sitting and supine positions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 healthy men were examined using a vertically open 0.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) system. A total of 40 sequential MR images were obtained in both the sitting and supine positions during two to five respiratory cycles. The diaphragmatic excursions (DEs) were measured on three diaphragmatic points of six sagittal planes for both positions. The differences in DEs between the anterior and posterior parts of the diaphragm were also determined. RESULTS: DEs in the supine position were significantly greater than those in the sitting position at 15 of the 18 points. In five of the six sagittal planes, the difference of DE between posterior and anterior points was significantly larger in the supine position than in the sitting position. CONCLUSION: Diaphragmatic movement in the supine position is greater than that in the sitting position, especially in the posterior part of the diaphragm.

Adult↗

Gravity-dependent signal gradients on MR images of the lung in supine and prone positions: a comparison with isogravitational signal variability.

PURPOSE: To investigate the tendency of proton MR signal intensity (SI) gradients to be steeper in the supine than in the prone body position, and to quantify the relation between gravity-related and isogravitational changes of SI on proton MR images of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In eight healthy volunteers, MR images were obtained in the supine and prone positions using a multiple inversion recovery turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence. The variation in SI along the gravity-dependent direction and within isogravitational planes was measured on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Ratios of slopes were calculated for comparisons among volunteers. Comparisons of ratios were made using Fisher's exact test. Isogravitational variability was compared with the mean SI, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the image noise. RESULTS: The average ratios of slopes showed that the overall SI gradient was steeper in the supine than the prone position, with a substantial difference in the supine/prone ratios between inspiration (1.21) and expiration (1.72). In both the supine and prone positions, gravity-dependent gradients were steeper in expiration than in inspiration (P = 0.001). The SI variability along the gravitational direction was larger than the isogravitational variability. The isogravitational variability in turn was larger than the image noise but smaller than the mean SI of the MR images. CONCLUSION: Gravity-dependent gradients in proton MR SI are steeper in the supine than in the prone position. The magnitudes of these gradients were larger than the isogravitational signal variability, showing that MRI is sensitive to gravitationally induced effects.

Adult↗

B(0) homogeneity throughout the monkey brain is strongly improved in the sphinx position as compared to the supine position.

PURPOSE: To map B(0) distortions throughout the monkey brain in the two positions commonly used for NMR studies (the prone sphinx position and the supine position) in order to test the hypothesis that B(0) homogeneity in the sphinx position is significantly improved as compared to the supine position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three macaque monkeys were installed in the two positions in a 3T whole-body MR system without shim correction. B(0) maps were acquired using a 3D gradient double-echo sequence, and field dispersion throughout the brain was quantified. In addition, field maps and localized (1)H spectra were acquired after first-order shimming was performed. RESULTS: The field maps collected in the three animals were highly reproducible. B(0) dispersion throughout the brain was typically two to three times greater in the supine position than in the sphinx position. Although first-order shimming proved relatively more efficient in the supine position, B(0) dispersion still remained greater in the supine than in the sphinx position. These findings can be explained by the thickness of outer brain tissues. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates that the sphinx position is highly favorable in terms of B(0) homogeneity. It should prove useful for NMR exploration of the monkey brain, particularly at high fields where B(0) inhomogeneity associated with susceptibility artifacts is increased.

Animals↗

The empty supine stress test as a predictor of intrinsic urethral sphincter dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of a proposed test for intrinsic urethral sphincter dysfunction. METHODS: Subjects were included in the study if they had complaints of incontinence, did not have substantial pelvic prolapse, and had undergone multichannel urodynamic testing. The initial evaluation involved uroflowmetry, catheterized residual urine, history, urogenital examination, and a cough stress test within 20 minutes after catheterization. Standardized multichannel urodynamic testing was performed at a follow-up appointment. Test indices were calculated based on the result of the empty supine stress test, the presence of genuine stress incontinence, and maximum urethral closure pressures. RESULTS: Three hundred four women met the inclusion criteria; 124 had a positive empty supine stress test and 180 had a negative test. Genuine stress incontinence was diagnosed in 238 subjects. A positive empty supine stress test was found to have 70% sensitivity and 90% negative predictive value for detecting very low urethral closure pressures, and 98% positive predictive value for genuine stress incontinence; in low-risk populations, the test had 95% negative predictive value for excluding urethral dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The empty supine stress test is easy to perform, inexpensive, and without significant risk. By itself, a positive empty supine stress test is essentially diagnostic for genuine stress incontinence, and in combination with a fixed urethra, it is diagnostic for intrinsic urethral sphincter dysfunction. In low-prevalence populations, a negative test reliably excludes the presence of intrinsic urethral sphincter dysfunction. However, for high-prevalence and referral populations, the low predictive values of the test limit its usefulness.

Adult↗

Digital supine bicycle stress echocardiography: a new technique for evaluating coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of digital supine bicycle stress echocardiography, a new technique for evaluating coronary artery disease during peak exercise. BACKGROUND: Prior stress echocardiographic techniques have not utilized peak exercise imaging to determine the extent and location of coronary artery disease. METHODS: Two-hundred twenty-two patients were studied: 180 underwent both supine bicycle stress echocardiography and coronary arteriography; 42 had a < 5% likelihood of disease. Forty-three patients had normal coronary arteries, 55 had single-vessel, 42 had double-vessel and 40 had triple-vessel coronary artery disease. RESULTS: Supine bicycle stress echocardiography was 93% sensitive, 86% specific and 92% accurate for identifying patients with coronary artery disease irrespective of prior myocardial infarction or achievement of > or = 85% maximal predicted heart rate. The "normalcy" rate in the low probability group was 100%. Supine bicycle stress echocardiography was 87% sensitive, 89% specific and 88% accurate for specific vessel identification. The sensitivity was greatest for the left anterior descending compared with the right coronary artery and the left circumflex coronary artery (95% vs. 81% vs. 78%, p < 0.01) and for vessels in patients with double- and triple-vessel compared with single-vessel disease (90% vs. 89% vs. 78%, p < 0.05). The procedure was significantly more sensitive for detection of vessels with 90% to 100% compared with 50% to 70% diameter stenosis (91% vs. 81%, p < 0.05) and was 88% correct in the prediction of multivessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: Supine bicycle stress echocardiography is a highly accurate tool for evaluating coronary artery disease, identifying both the patient with coronary artery disease and the location and extent of disease.

Adult↗

Optimization of conformal avoidance: a comparative study of prone vs. supine interstitial high-dose-rate breast brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: Several recent studies indicate high-dose-rate (HDR) breast brachytherapy as an alternative to standard external beam radiation therapy for partial breast irradiation with high dose conformality to the target. However, this article presents an exploration of the possibility of achieving higher conformal avoidance of sensitive structures through detailed and comparative 3D CT-based anatomical dose distribution of a patient in supine and prone positions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A patient treated with accelerated partial breast HDR breast brachytherapy in the supine position was selected for two CT-based analyses, one in the supine and one in the prone position. The optimized plan (Nucletron HDR planning station) for each position was achieved using graphical optimization with local adjustment of isodose lines to cover the planned target volume (PTV, lumpectomy with 2 cm margin) with 100% of the prescribed dose (34 Gy in 10 fractions) while minimizing the hot spots. Cumulative dose-volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed for the PTV, lung, skin, pectoral muscle, and chest wall. RESULTS: The PTV received 100% of prescribed dose in both the prone and supine positions. A significant (>40%) dose reduction was achieved in the lung in the prone treatment position. Similar dose reductions were also achieved for prone pectoral muscle, chest wall, and breast skin, irradiating less volume with high doses. Pectoral muscle, lumpectomy, and the breast skin showed prominent differences in shape and displacement in the prone compared with the supine position. CONCLUSION: CT-based treatment planning allowed calculations of volumetric dose distribution to the target and all sensitive structures with proper visualization and volumetric delineation of organs of interest. The treatment plan shows significant dose reduction may be possible in various sensitive structures if the patient is treated with HDR brachytherapy in the prone position.

Breast Neoplasms↗