SummaryIn addition to fibrinolytic enzymes, ultrasound has the potential to enhance thrombolysis. High frequency ultrasound has the advantage that a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound with only one device is possible. Therefore, we investigated the optimal high frequency (2 MHz) ultrasound field characteristics and application mode in vitro. Continuous ultrasound significantly enhanced rt-PA mediated thrombolysis: in a travelling wave field thrombolysis was augmented by 49.0 ± 14.7% and in a standing wave field by 34.8 ± 7.3%. In an intermittent application mode (1Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz) most efficient results were obtained for both wave fields using 1 Hz (46.4 ± 10.7% and 39.1 ± 6.6%, respectively). Referring to a possible in vivo application our in vitro data suggests that an intermittent application of a 2 MHz high frequency ultrasound using a travelling wave field would be the most potent application for lysing blood clots.
3D TA of CE-CT images is potentially useful to identify nodal residual disease in HL, with a performance comparable to that of classical CT parameters. Best results are achieved when TA and classical CT features are combined.
There is mounting evidence that suggests, that assessment of tumor neovascularization might provide a novel approach of prognostication in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. In particular, in the present study, the degree of angiogenesis of a tumor, as assessed by microvessel density, was found to be correlated with recurrent disease in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Computer aided image analysis, an automated technique, constitutes a time-efficient and reproducible technique for quantification of tumor vascularization. We suggest that this computerized microvessel determination could be used as a reliable method for microvessel counts, which, furthermore, seems to be superior to manual counting. However, for a reliable and reproducible assessment of tumor neovascularization, validation procedures and quality control protocols are mandatory.
BackgroundSilicone gel breast implants may silently rupture without detection. This has been the main reason for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the augmented or reconstructed breast. The aim of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of MRI for implant rupture.MethodsFifty consecutive patients with 85 silicone gel implants were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 51 (range 21–72) years, with a mean duration of implantation of 3.8 (range 1–28) years. All patients underwent clinical examination and breast MRI. Intraoperative implant rupture was diagnosed by the operating surgeon.ResultsNineteen of the 50 patients suffered from clinical symptoms. An implant rupture was diagnosed by MRI in 22 of 85 implants (26%). In seven of 17 removed implants (41%), the intraoperative diagnosis corresponded with the positive MRI result. However, only 57% of these patients were symptomatic. Ultrasound imaging of the harvested implants showed signs of interrupted inner layers of the implant despite integrity of the outer shell. By microsurgical separation of the different layers of the implant shell, we were able to reproduce this phenomenon and to produce signs of implant rupture on MRI.ConclusionOur results show that rupture of only the inner layers of the implant shell with integrity of the outer shell leads to a misdiagnosis on MRI. Correlation with clinical symptoms and the specific wishes of the patient should guide the indication for implant removal.
Diagnostic accuracy was not impaired at compression ratios up to 15:1. However, because of the significant reduction of the confidence about negative findings at 15:1, compression ratios no higher than 12.5:1 are recommended.
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.