Acta radiologica
-
Background Deep, high-grade bursal-sided supraspinatus tendon tears are sometimes preoperatively misinterpreted as full-thickness tears on shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose To determine the usefulness of disproportionate fluid sign for differentiating high-grade bursal-sided partial-thickness tears from full-thickness tears on conventional MRI. Material and Methods Preoperative MRIs of 198 patients with arthroscopically confirmed high-grade bursal-sided partial-thickness tears and full-thickness tears were independently reviewed by two readers on two occasions. ⋯ The AUCs were significantly higher in combination with disproportionate fluid sign. Conclusion The disproportionate fluid sign indicates the presence of a deep, high-grade bursal-sided partial-thickness tear, which can be misinterpreted as a full-thickness tear. Thus, it can provide greater diagnostic assistance to less-experienced radiologists and clinicians.
-
Background Following convection from blood capillaries, plasma proteins are transported to loco-regional lymph nodes in two stages: first, uptake into peripheral lymphatics, and second, transport to nodes. Purpose To introduce a new parameter of lymphatic function that quantifies stage 2 - lymphatic drainage efficiency (LDE). Material and Methods Percentage injected activity (IIQ) in ilio-inguinal nodes 150 min following subcutaneous foot web-space injection of Tc-99 m-nanocolloid was measured in 102 patients undergoing lymphoscintigraphy using a method in which a standard is placed by image guidance over the nodes. ⋯ LDE was lower in limbs displaying skin diversion and/or delay. Conclusion LDE is a new quantitative index that has potential value in clinical research but requires further clinical evaluation. Abnormal quantitative indices indicate that limbs unilaterally normal on lymphoscintigraphy are not functionally normal.
-
Background Patient acceptance is an important factor when implementing imaging methods in clinical practice in line with availability, diagnostic accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Purpose To investigate patient experience and acceptance regarding18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 11 C-choline-PET/CT, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI), and 99mTc-hydroxymethane diphosphonate (HDP) single photon emission/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). Material and Methods One hundred and forty-nine patients with prostate cancer filled in a questionnaire regarding their experience of the imaging procedures they had been undergoing as part of a diagnostic accuracy study. ⋯ Overall, the patients were willing to repeat the four imaging methods and NaF-PET/CT was the method most preferred in both groups. Conclusion Four imaging procedures were evaluated from the perspective of a selected group of prostate cancer patients. NaF-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, WB-MRI, and bone SPECT/CT are well accepted imaging methods, and most patients prefer NaF-PET/CT.