Idiopathic detrusor instability is a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms at all ages and in both sexes. Treatment initially is conservative and often includes drug therapy. Terodiline has the theoretical advantage of being a drug with anticholinergic and calcium channel blocking effects. Theoretically, by using a drug with dual action the beneficial effect of reduced detrusor overactivity might occur at a dosage below that likely to lead to the troublesome side effects experienced by patients who take pure anticholinergic agents. A total of 70 female patients completed a study characterized by extremely strict inclusion criteria and a tight protocol. Other novel elements to the study were the extensive use of urinary diaries for symptom evaluation, standardized urodynamic studies agreed upon by the participating centers and the dose titration design of the trial. Terodiline has been demonstrated to be a safe, well tolerated and effective drug in the treatment of idiopathic detrusor instability. Drug treatment led to significant decreases in urinary frequency and incontinence episodes. Pre-micturition symptoms, such as urgency, were markedly reduced and the voided volume was significantly increased. Although there were consistent trends towards greater improvement in the urodynamic measurements, when the terodiline and placebo groups were compared these did not reach statistical significance, partly due to a large improvement in the placebo group. Nevertheless, terodiline has been shown to be a useful drug for conservative management of patients with detrusor instability.
Objectives: To design a device that can support the breast during phase-contrast tomography, and characterise its fit parameterisation and comfort rating. Methods: Twenty-seven participants were recruited to trial a system for breast support during simulated Phase contrast imaging, including being positioned on a prone imaging table while wearing the device. Participants underwent a photogrammetry analysis to establish the geometric parameterisations. All participants trialled a single-cup design while 14 participants also trialled a double-cup with suction holder and all completed a series of questionnaires to understand subjective comfort. Results: Photogrammetry revealed significant positive correlations between bra cup volume and measured prone volume (p < 0.001), and between “best fit” single-cup holder volume and measured prone volume (p < 0.005). Both holders were suitable devices in terms of subjective comfort and immobilisation while stationary. However, some re-engineering to allow for quick, easy fitting in future trials where rotation through the radiation beam will occur is necessary. Light suction was well-tolerated when required. Conclusions: All participants indicated the table and breast support devices were comfortable, and they would continue in the trial. Advances in knowledge: Phase contrast tomography is an emerging breast imaging modality and clinical trials are commencing internationally. This paper describes the biomedical engineering designs, in parallel with optimal imaging, that are necessary to measure breast volume so that adequate breast support can be achieved. Breast support devices have implications for comfort, motion correction and maximising breast tissue visualisation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.