Correlation of Inguinal Lymph Node Number and Volume with Lower Extremity Lymphedema Severity.

There are very limited studies on the relationship of inguinal lymph node number and volume correlated with lower extremity lymphedema severity. In this IRB-approved retrospective study, patients who obtained an MRI for lower extremity lymphedema and who did not have lymph node resection or biopsy were identified. The MRI images were used to determine the number and volume of inguinal lymph nodes for each limb in addition to fat and fluid-based scoring using a validated grading system. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare the greater-affected limbs with the lesser-affected limbs. The spear-man-rank correlation was performed on a 'per limb' basis for MRI-based scoring and clinical parameters with ipsilateral lymph node number and volume and for differences between the limbs. A total of 32 patients were included. The greater-affected limb had higher MRI fluid scores (median (interquartile range) = 3 (3 - 3) vs. 0 (0 - 1), (p < 0.01) relative to the contra-lateral limb and had a median fat asymmetry score of 2 (1 - 3). On the per-limb analysis, lymph node number and volume inversely correlated with total MRI scores (ρ = -0.47, p < 0.01 for node number and volume). The difference of lymph node number and volume correlated with MRI score difference (node number: ρ = -0.66, p < 0.01; node volume: ρ = -0.64, p < 0.01) and perometer difference (node number: ρ = -0.58, p < 0.01; node volume: ρ = -0.59, p < 0.01). Inguinal lymph node number and volume inversely correlate with lower extremity edema presence and severity.

Acquired factor V inhibitor after exposure to topical human thrombin related to an otorhinolaryngological procedure.

Acquired factor V (FV) inhibitors occur rarely and classically develop after exposure to bovine thrombin. The clinical presentation is variable, ranging from asymptomatic with incidental laboratory abnormalities to significant bleeding. With the development of human-derived thrombin agents, bovine thrombin is less frequently used. We report a case of an acquired FV inhibitor that developed in a patient after exposure to human thrombin used as a hemostatic agent during an otorhinolaryngology surgical procedure. Our review of the literature revealed only one prior reported case of FV inhibitor after exposure to human thrombin. Hematologists and surgeons should be aware of this rare, but potentially life-threatening, complication in the postprocedural setting.

Diffuse, intense lung uptake on a bone scan: a case report.

PURPOSE: Clinical and scintigraphic findings are described in a patient with unexpected diffuse lung uptake on bone scan after a heroin overdose. METHODS: The patient's Tc-99m MDP bone scan is reviewed along with the pertinent clinical history and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Marked diffuse and symmetric lung uptake is present on bone scintigraphy in a patient with a history of acute renal failure and a markedly elevated calcium-phosphate product but normal renal function and laboratory values at the time of the examination. CONCLUSIONS: The incidental observation of metastatic calcification by bone scintigraphy is important, because it may aid in the diagnosis of a previously unsuggested elevated calcium-phosphate product, renal failure, or both. Furthermore, the intensity of tracer localization on bone tracer-specific imaging may help evaluate the activity of the metastatic calcification process.

Selected topics in orthopedic nuclear medicine.

Nuclear medicine provides information about bone physiology that complements anatomic imaging modalities. Following a review of the principles of bone scintigraphy, scintigraphic imaging of orthopedic problems, such as primary and secondary neoplastic disease of the skeleton, occult fracture, stress fracture, and osteomyelitis are discussed.

The measurement of ambulatory impairment in multiple sclerosis.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between continuous measures of ambulatory impairment in MS patients and their ordinal counterparts. Much of the disability caused by MS is due to ambulatory impairment. The Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS) and the Ambulation Index (AI) are ordinal measures of MS severity based largely on the maximal distance subjects can walk (Dmax) and the time to walk 8 m (T8), respectively. At EDSS levels 6.0 to 7.0 and AI levels 3 to 6, scores are defined more by the use of ambulatory aids, rather than by Dmax or T8. We determined Dmax (up to 500 m), T8, the EDSS score, and the AI in 237 ambulatory MS patients. The maximal distance subjects could walk and T8 were strongly related to their ordinal counterparts (Spearman r = 0.65 and 0.91, respectively), but the continuous measures showed considerable variability within EDSS and AI levels that the ordinal scales did not reflect. Most of the variability occurred at EDSS levels 6.0 to 7.0 and AI levels 3 to 6. Because the use of an aid did not clearly predict Dmax or T8, many patients in these ranges had better ambulatory function based on the continuous measures than those with less disability according to the ordinal scales. We found that Dmax and T8 provide more precise information about ambulatory impairment in MS than do the EDSS and AI, allowing better discrimination of differences between patients and potentially greater sensitivity to detect therapeutic effects in clinical trials.

Are alternative long-term-care programs needed for adults with chronic progressive disability?

Long-term care planning for middle-aged adults with progressive neurological impairment is a largely unexplored area. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that place individuals with progressive disability at risk for institutional placement and identify whether innovative long-term care preferences would be used if available. The sample of 102 clients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (N = 92) or other progressive illnesses (N = 10) was mostly female, married and Caucasian, with an average age of 48 years. The social support network of family and friends was small; most tangible aid was provided by family members. Seventy percent of the participants used community services, the most common being a home-health aide (44%) and professional nursing services (21%). Medicaid insurance, severity of functional disability and lack of social support were associated with greater use of community services. Participants could foresee using long-term care alternatives such as a community residence (65%), adult day healthcare (63%) and family respite (46%), although these services were regarded with some ambivalence. With their knowledge of community resources, nurses are in a key position to make early assessments of clients' present and future care needs and to suggest needed modifications in living arrangements to avoid premature institutionalization.

Importance of radon as a threat to public health.

Since the discovery of x rays, the public has shown increasing concern about exposure to radiation. In the mid-1980s, with the dissemination of information about the ubiquitous nature of radon, this concern about radiation exposure has taken on a new perspective. As the general public realizes that exposure to radiation is an unavoidable part of life, questions arise as to how much exposure is acceptable when weighed against the costs of reducing the exposure. Because limited resources are available to protect the public's health and the environment, these resources need to be used wisely. The cost-effectiveness of the various options to lessen the potential adverse health effects from radon must be considered.

The impact of clinical data on interpretation of thallium scintigrams.

BACKGROUND: The availability of clinical information often influences the interpretation of diagnostic imaging information. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study we examined the impact of such data on interpretation of exercise thallium scans and the differences in analysis of such information between radiologists and clinicians. Two hundred thirty-seven exercise tolerance test-thallium scans (122 in patients with suspected coronary disease and 115 in patients with documented coronary disease) were read prospectively, first without and then with the knowledge of clinical information. Test scores, the readers' and clinicians' interpretations of historic data, and any changes in readings or interpretation of scintigraphic data were recorded. We found that the addition of clinical information resulted in changes in interpretation of 63 test results (27%), 20 (8%) of them major. Furthermore, clinical data significantly affected final test scores in 26 patients (11%), potentially affecting clinical management in this group. The changes in test scores were triggered predominantly by differences in interpretation of perfusion abnormalities rather than thallium lung uptake or left ventricular dilation with exercise. The impact of clinical data on overall test scores was greater in patients with suspected than documented coronary disease (p < 0.05). There was good agreement in assessment of clinical information between scan readers and a clinician in tests done in patients with suspected coronary artery disease but not in patients with known coronary disease. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that clinical information has major influences on the interpretation of thallium scans, and interpretation of data can vary significantly between cardiologists and radiologists depending on the nature of the clinical data.

Nursing care of the patient with myasthenia gravis.

Nursing priorities for patients with acquired autoimmune myasthenia gravis are reviewed. Three key aspects of care are discussed: assessment of weakness, knowledge of treatments and medications, and understanding the need for patient education and support. The article traces these needs throughout the diagnostic process, during hospitalization, including crisis, and subsequent outpatient care. Advances in treatment and their implications for nursing care are emphasized.

In vivo exposure of human lymphocytes to technetium-99m in nuclear medicine patients does not induce detectable genetic effects.

Recent reports have demonstrated that exposure of nuclear medicine patients to thallium-201 does not result in a detectable increase in mutation at the hprt locus in human lymphocytes. In an effort to study further the potential genetic effects of medical exposures to low dose radiation, we have examined chromosome aberrations and mutations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from nuclear medicine patients exposed to clinical doses of technetium-99m. Our results show that there is no exposure-related increase in chromosomal damage; furthermore, the data do not confirm earlier reports of exposure-related increases in mutations induced by technetium-99m.

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the diagnostic use of thallium-201 in nuclear medicine.

In order to investigate possible mutagenic effects of in vivo exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation used in nuclear medicine, we have examined the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) mutant fraction (MF) and chromosome aberration (CA) frequency in 24 nuclear medicine patients before and after injection of thallium-201. The mean MF of the thallium-201-exposed cohort was 5.2 +/- 4.4 x 10(-6) before injection exposure. No significant difference in MF was observed 24 h later. In 11 patients who were studied on a third occasion, 30 days after thallium-201 exposure, there was again no significant difference in post-exposure as compared with the pre-exposure MF. The frequency of CA in peripheral blood lymphocytes was not significantly different, comparing pre- and 24 h to 1 month post-radionuclide exposure. Thus, thallium-201 exposure was not associated with significant elevations in MF or CA frequency in lymphocytes of exposed individuals.

An autologous blood program coordinated by a regional blood center: a 5-year experience.

The Southern Arizona Regional Red Cross blood program offers preoperative autologous blood deposit to all patients and intraoperative autotransfusion services to all hospitals in the region. During a 5-year period, the amount of preoperatively deposited autologous blood and intraoperatively salvaged red cells available increased from 0.3 to 19.6 percent of the community's total collections. Further increases in the availability and use of autologous blood may be achieved by community-wide integration of services.