Iodixanol is not associated with a significantly reduced risk of CIN compared with the LOCM pooled together. However, in patients with intraarterial administration and renal insufficiency, iodixanol is associated with a reduced risk of CIN compared with iohexol, whereas no significant difference between iodixanol and other LOCM could be found.

Besides hyperosmolality, direct cytotoxic effects of contrast media molecules contribute to their cytotoxic effects. Results of this study indicate that dimeric contrast media molecules have a greater potential for cytotoxic effects on proximal renal tubular cells in vitro than do monomeric contrast media molecules.

At angiographic concentrations, gadolinium-based contrast agents do not induce fewer cytotoxic effects on cultured renal tubular cells than does iomeprol.

After a mean of 14 months (range 3-21 months) all children had spontaneous bowel movements, with no complaints of encopresis or constipation. 4-channel manometry revealed an unchanged ASPR (48.1/49.2 mmHg). RIR was present in 1/7. Computerised 8-channel comparison revealed no changes for ACL (15.4/16 mm), HPZ (60/53.19 % of ACL), SAI (17.6/18.63 %) and TAI (35.8/35.63 %). A postoperative increase was noted for max SP squeeze (141.4/178.7 mmHg) and VV (38 161/46 680 mmHg/cm (2)). In conclusion, the TERPT for HD preserves the functional integrity of the anorectal sphincter complex and has a favourable clinical and manometric outcome.

Even with highly viscous CM, high flow rates can be applied in vitro in 22, 20, and 18G IVC without risking material damage. In vivo power injection of iodinated CM through 22G and 20G IVC seems to be safely achievable in the majority of patients with flow rates of up to 3 ml/sec and 5 ml/sec. Extravasation rates do not differ significantly between patients with high-flow or low-flow injections.

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Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with a poor prognosis. Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the histopathological pattern identifying patients with the clinical entity of IPF. Despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy the clinical course is usually dismal. For selected patients only lung transplantation improves prognosis and quality of life. After lung transplantation patients often receive a potent cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy. Some reports suggest that cyclosporine has the potential to prevent progression of fibrosis. Objective: In patients with single lung transplantation (sLTx) for UIP we evaluated the effect of cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy on progression of fibrosis using a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scoring system. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 13 patients (24–64 years old) with histologically confirmed UIP who had HRCT scans preceding and following sLTx and who survived at least 6 months after sLTx. All patients were initially treated with cyclosporin A, prednisone and azathioprine. Three radiologists analyzed HRCT scans by setting a score regarding fibrosis [fibrosis score (FS); range 0–5 for each lobe] and ground-glass opacity [ground-glass score (GGS); range 0–5 for each lobe]. A comparison of serial changes (interval: 12–96 months posttransplant, 2–4 HRCT examinations/patient) was performed with the sign test. Results: Mean pretransplant FS and GGS of the nontransplanted lung were 1.80 and 1.61, respectively. Comparing pre- and posttransplant HRCT scans, mean lung FS significantly increased (0.35 ± 0.15/year; p = 0.00024), while GGS tended to decrease (0.06 ± 0.26/year; p = 0.5). Conclusion: A cyclosporin A based triple immunosuppressive regimen following sLTx does not seem to prevent progression of the fibrotic changes of the native lung in patients with IPF.