Singap Med J
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Dynamic perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) techniques may be used to track the susceptibility effects of gadolinium contrast material as it passes through the brain. We describe three intracranial tumours that showed progressively rising signal intensity above the baseline during first-pass contrast-enhanced echo-planar imaging (EPI) MR imaging. ⋯ Dynamic perfusion MR methods may be used to study intracranial tumours. However, in short relaxation time spin-echo EPI, the T1- effect of gadolinium becomes noticeable during the first-pass acquisition in extra-axial tumours that lack a well-developed blood-brain barrier. Careful selection of patients and pulse sequence is essential to avoid this potential pitfall.
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Peripherally inserted central catheters are frequently used whenever reliable central venous access is required for a prolonged period of time. The objective of this study was to review utilisation profile, complication rates and outcomes of patients who were treated in our hospital with the therapy that required placement of the peripherally inserted central catheter. We reviewed the medical records of all patients who had peripherally inserted central catheter placed between the beginning of July and the end of October 2002. ⋯ Complications were frequent but relatively minor. Complication rates in our study were similar to those reported in other studies on this subject. Peripherally inserted central catheters remain a convenient and reasonable alternative to other centrally or peripherally inserted venous devices.