No abstract

201Tl scanning demonstrated viable myocardium in the area supplied by the anterior interventricular branch (on frontal scanning) and viable myocardium in the interventricular septum and left ventricular lateral wall (scanning in the second oblique position) in 9 of 11 patients. Akinetic myocardial segments in the left ventricular anterior wall and left ventricular apex could be recognized by absent activity when scanning from in front. But hypokinetic segments, which contrary to the appearance with akinesia cannot be equated with myocardial scar, could not according to present experience be recognized by 201TL scanning. The special advantage of 201Tl scanning is is that, except for its intravenous injection, no further invasive procedure has to be undertaken, and it can be repeated. No side effects of complications have been observed.

Background To determine if late phase is superior to arterial phase intraindividually regarding conspicuity of MPM in contrast enhanced chest MDCT. Methods 28 patients with MPM were included in this retrospective study. For all patients, chest CT in standard arterial phase (scan delay ca. 35 s) and abdominal CT in portal venous phase (scan delay ca. 70 s) was performed. First, subjective analysis of tumor conspicuity was done independently by two radiologists. Second, objective analysis was done by measuring Hounsfield units (HU) in tumor lesions and in the surrounding tissue in identical locations in both phases. Differences of absolute HUs in tumor lesions between phases and differences of contrast (HU in lesion – HU in surrounding tissue) between phases were determined. HU measurements were compared using paired t-test for related samples. Potential confounding effects by different technical and epidemiological parameters between phases were evaluated performing a multiple regression analysis. Results Subjective analysis: In all 28 patients and for both readers conspicuity of MPM was better on late phase compared to arterial phase. Objective analysis: MPM showed a significantly higher absolute HU in late phase (75.4 vs 56.7 HU, p < 0.001). Contrast to surrounding tissue was also significantly higher in late phase (difference of contrast between phases 18.5 HU, SD 10.6 HU, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed contrast phase and tube voltage to be the only significant independent predictors for tumor contrast. Conclusions In contrast enhanced chest-MDCT for MPM late phase scanning seems to provide better conspicuity and higher contrast to surrounding tissue compared to standard arterial phase scans.

The doubling time (DT) was estimated quantitatively for 16 carcinomas of the breast according to the method described by Collins and co-workers in 1956. This is based on the concept of constant and exponential growth. Observation interval for these mammographically confirmed tumors was between 83 and 1,034 days. The DT was calculated to vary from 45 to 260 days; in order to reach a diameter of 1 cm. after 30 divisions would require a period of 3.7 to 21.4 years. Mammography frequently demonstrates small, clinically occult, tumours. Axillary lymph node metastases are relatively rare from small tumours; growth rate of 70% of breast carcinomas in such that an annual clinical and radiological check-up will prove to be the best means of reducing mortality from carcinoma of the breast. The risk inherent in the radiation resulting from annual mammography is acceptable in women over 35 years. This leaves the problem of rapidly growing carcinomas which would escape early diagnosis by early examinations. Half-yearly examinations of women in high risk groups (1. Previous mastectomy for carcinoma, 2. Biopsy-proven mastopathy with atypical proliferation) comprising about 30% of carcinomas with a short doubling time would appear to be reasonable.