Cystic lymphangioma of the breast.

Cystic lymphangioma of the breast is a rare benign lymphatic tumor. We report sonographic and mammographic findings in an unusual case in a 36-year-old woman.

Theoretical treatment of fluorescence detection by a dual-fiber-optic sensor with consideration of sampling variability and package effects associated with particles.

The characteristics of a dual-fiber-optic sensor for measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence in aquatic environments were evaluated with a theoretical model. Consideration was given to sampling variability and package effects associated with particles (e.g., phytoplankton cells). A numerical simulation was developed to approximate the optical geometry of the dual fiber-optic sensor that permitted a visual representation of the fluorescence distribution within the sensor sampling volume. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate sampling variability associated with the number and distribution of particles within the sampling volume. Relatively high coefficients of variation were associated with low particle concentrations, although with sufficient signal averaging the coefficient of variation was reduced to less than 20%. The influence of package effects and intracellular absorption of fluorescence was evaluated with a simplified form of the model that treated fluorescence as a linear function of particle density and assumed uniform particle composition, constant fluorescence cross-sectional yield, and sufficient averaging of the fluorescence signal. The model predicted decreasing fluorescence per unit of chlorophyll with increasing values of the product of particle diameter and intraparticle chlorophyll concentration. Experimental trends in size dependence of chlorophyll-fluorescence relationships were compared with predictions of the model.

Recanalization of obstructed Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter: wire/stylet manipulation combined with endoluminal electrocauterization.

We report the results of fluoroscopically guided wire/stylet manipulation combined with endoluminal electrocauterization in seven patients with obstructed Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheters. In preparation for clinical application, electrocauterization was performed using a stone basket to recanalize surgically removed Tenckhoff catheters obstructed with omental fat ingrowing through the side holes. All ingrowing omental fat was removed easily by electrocauterization with the rotating movement of a stone basket. The technique was then applied in vivo in seven cases with ingrowing omental fat and malpositioned catheter; six (86%) were successfully recanalized. Among those six cases with initial success, four maintained good catheter function with durable patency (mean 261.3 days). No significant complication was noted.