PET is potentially useful for the initial staging and monitoring of patients with SCLC and it may be superior to bone scan in detecting bone metastasis. The cost effectiveness of PET scan in SCLC remains to be determined.

Despite malabsorption, starch is the primary carbohydrate substrate for colonic bacterial fermentation in patients with short bowel syndrome, although soluble fiber intake also enhances colonic SCFA production.

Computed tomography in 16 infants with subdural hematomas showed enlarged basal cisterns, a wide interhemispheric fissure, prominent cortical sulci, and varying degrees of ventricular enlargement. Radionuclide cisternography in eight of the 16 patients showed findings consistent with enlargement of the subarachnoid space rather than those of communicating hydrocephalus. Clinical findings and brief follow-up showed no convincing evidence for cerebral atrophy in 13 patients. These findings suggest that the enlarged subarachnoid space, which is encountered in some infants and may be a developmental variant, predisposes such infants to subdural hematomas.

No abstract

Objective: Analyze indications for ordering DAT-SPECT scans and the clinical impact of scan results on patients evaluated in a movement disorders practice. Background: DAT-SPECT is FDA approved to evaluate cases of suspected presynaptic dopaminergic deficiency. Little data is available on clinical use and impact of these scans among movement disorders neurologists. Methods: DAT-SPECT scans ordered at the Northwestern University Parkinson's disease (PD) and movement disorders center from 2011-2013 were reviewed. Clinic notes were reviewed for information regarding the indication for ordering each scan, and to assess for any changes in clinical impression or management choices that followed the scan. Results: 83 scans were ordered by four specialists. Scans were commonly ordered to differentiate PD from Essential Tremor (21.7%, n = 18) or from drug-induced parkinsonism (21.7%, n = 18). In 59% (n = 49) of cases, a change in clinical diagnosis or medication regimen occurred within one visit after the scan. The strongest impact was seen for the indication of ET vs. PD in which 72.2% (n = 13) had a change in diagnosis, management, or both. Conclusions: Diagnostic uncertainty in cases of parkinsonism exists even in a tertiary referral center. DAT-SPECT has significant impact on clinical diagnosis and management even in the hands of movement disorders specialists.