Multispiral computed tomographic semiotics of laryngeal cancer

Multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) with intravenous bolus contrasting is a currently available method for radiodiagnosis of laryngeal cancer. MSCT is of much higher informative value in estimating the extent of a tumorous lesion than the traditional radiodiagnostic techniques: linear tomography, lateral X-ray study, roentgenoscopy and roentgenography of the laryngopharynx and esophagus with barium meal.     

Optimization of computed tomographic studies during the diagnosis of chronic nonspecific lung diseases

A comparative study was made of computerized tomograms of 115 patients, of them 78 suffered from nonspecific chronic pulmonary diseases (chronic bronchitis, bullous emphysema, spontaneous pneumothorax, and fibrosing alveolitis), and 37 patients were healthy. Of all transverse sections the most informative ones were defined, and anatomical reference points were determined for. A conclusion was made that computerized tomograms at 5 most informative levels were sufficient to diagnose changes in each of the lung segments in their diffuse affection. CT standardization was shown to have the same advantages as standardization of layins in routine tomography of the lungs, facilitating comparison over time and reducing radiation exposure of a patient.     

Spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the vertebral column

A Somatom Plus 4 spiral computed tomograph was used to examine 40 patients with purulent spondylitis and 8 patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Analysis of the primary examination, postoperative status, and follow-up of patients on medical therapy identified the main signs of an inflammatory process from a great variety of the computed tomographic (CT) signs of a lesion. They made it possible not only to reveal the inflammatory nature of a lesion, but also to differentiate purulent and tuberculous spondylitis. The main CT signs that allow a purulent spondylitis to be differentiated from tuberculous one are as follows: the location of involved veterbrae, the number of and the pattern of destruction of trabecular and cortical layers, the extent of and the form of paravertebral tissue lesion.     

X-ray computed tomographic anatomy of the diaphragm

The paper is concerned with retrospective analysis of CT scans of 507 patients without signs of diaphragmatic pathology to investigate normal roentgeno-anatomy of the diaphragm in CT imaging. The four main variants (types) in the structure of the lumbar diaphragm were singled out. CT was shown effective in the determination of pathological changes of the lumbar diaphragm and adjacent zones. It is an informative method among diagnostic procedures used in diaphragmatic diseases.     

Anatomical and computed tomographic studies of the pancreatic tail

The location of the pancreatic tail in the lienorenal ligament and its relationship to the splenic hilus were studied in 32 computed tomography (CT) scannings and in 37 autopsy specimens. We found several anatomical variations in both study groups: the pancreatic tail did not penetrate the lienorenal ligament in 24% of the autopsy specimens and in 37.5% of the CT group. The tail was adjacent to the splenic hilus in 29.7% of the autopsies and in 25% of the CT group. We classified the anatomical variations into 4 categories, three of which could be well demonstrated on CT with satisfactory correlation to the anatomical findings of the autopsy specimens.     

Nuclear medicine: single-photon-emission computed tomographic imaging of the bone

The Scientific Board of the California Medical Association presents the following inventory of items of progress in nuclear medicine. Each item, in the judgment of a panel of knowledgeable physicians, has recently become reasonably firmly established, both as to scientific fact and important clinical significance. The items are presented in simple epitome and an authoritative reference, both to the item itself and to the subject as a whole, is generally given for those who may be unfamiliar with a particular item. The purpose is to assist busy practitioners, students, research workers, or scholars to stay abreast of these items of progress in nuclear medicine that have recently achieved a substantial degree of authoritative acceptance, whether in their own field of special interest or another.The items of progress listed below were selected by the Advisory Panel to the Section on Nuclear Medicine of the California Medical Association, and the summaries were prepared under its direction.     

The hookworm pharmacopoeia for inflammatory diseases

In the developed world, declining prevalence of parasitic infections correlates with increased incidence of allergic and autoimmune disorders. Current treatments for these chronic inflammatory conditions have little to no effect on their prevalence and are referred to as “controllers” rather than cures. There has been limited success in therapeutically targeting allergic and autoimmune pathways, leaving an unmet need for development of effective anti-inflammatories. We discuss the benefit of hookworm infections and the parasite’s ability to condition the immune system to prevent allergic asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases. We then examine the immunomodulatory properties of selected hookworm-derived proteins in these two models of inflammation. While hookworm protein therapy has yet to be fully exploited, the identification of these proteins and the mechanisms by which they skew the immune system will provide new avenues for controlling and optimally reversing key pathological processes important in allergic and inflammatory bowel diseases.     

X-ray and computed tomographic diagnosis of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta

The paper is concerned with the results of x-ray and CT investigations conducted in 62 patients with suspected aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. The diagnosis was confirmed in 56. Of them 38 patients were operated on, 2 died without surgical intervention. X-ray investigations permitted differential diagnosis of mediastinal formations in 91.5% of cases. However in 2 cases when the combined method of intravenous administration of a contrast medium by means of a syringe was not used, aneurysmal aortic dilatation was not detected by CT. This method was found to be effective for diagnosis of complications of aneurysms of the thoracic aorta (calcinosis, aortic wall stratification and thrombosis of aneurysmal cavity).     

The molecular biology of inflammatory bowel diseases

IBDs (inflammatory bowel diseases) are a group of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The diseases are multifactorial and cover genetic aspects: susceptibility genes, innate and adaptive responses to inflammation, and structure and efficacy of the mucosal protective barrier. Animal models of IBD have been developed to gain further knowledge of the disease mechanisms. These topics form an overlapping background to enable an improved understanding of the molecular features of these diseases. A series of articles is presented based on the topics covered at the Biochemical Society Focused Meeting The Molecular Biology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.     

The role of the neutrophil in inflammatory diseases of the lung

Under certain circumstances, the neutrophil has been implicated in causing disease by damaging normal host tissue. This may occur in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The neutrophil has been implicated since a) substances that activate neutrophils are produced in association with the predisposing risks that lead to ARDS; b) activated neutrophils migrate into the alveolar spaces and their toxic products can be found in lung lavage fluid and in the breath of patients with ARDS; and c) the magnitude of the physiologic alterations correlate with the number of neutrophils in the alveolar space. Additionally, the neutrophils may be primed by substances which are released by activated platelets within the confines of the lung. Both platelet adenine nucleotides and the platelet-derived extracellular matrix protein (ECM), thrombospondin, can prime the neutrophil for subsequent O2- generation following activation of the cells with the chemotactic peptide, F-met-leu-phe (FMLP). Furthermore, neutrophils can be primed or O2- generation by the basement membrane ECM protein, laminin. Since neutrophils express receptors for both laminin and thrombospondin, these constituents may serve to modulate neutrophil behavior for subsequent oxidative metabolism and contribute to exacerbating pulmonary disease.