[Value of the esophageal ECG]. / Considerazioni sull'utilità dell'ECG esofageo

The Authors examined 20 patients suffering from anginose symdrome, whose standard ECG did not show remarkable alterations. In the same patients, oesophagus ECG did show clear signs of sub-epicardium lesion as well as necrosis, which interested the upper part of left ventricle's posterior wall; such zone is not explorable by traditional ECG. Hemodynamic poligraphic examinations were made as well, and thus also a reduction of cardiac inotropism was found out.

Labelled leukocytes for diagnosis of infectious diseases. Our experience in labelling and clinical usefulness.

BACKGROUND: To review our experience in infectious diseases diagnosis, using a simple labelling technique. METHODS: We made 101 scans in 91 patients with suspected infectious diseases confirmed by clinical, histologic or cultural specimens; a clinical or instrumental follow-up was available for every patient. Patients were divided into four subgroups: A: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; B: Septic Syndromes; C: Bone diseases; D: Others. We used 99mTc-HMPAO in 80 scans and 111In in 21. In 20/80 frozen and stored HMPAO was used. RESULTS: 99mTc-HMPAO frozen and stored labelling yield was: 60%(SD15%), 99mTcHMPAO: 62(12)(p n.s.), 111In 75%(10%), (p < 0.05). Frozen-stored HMPAO was sterile and apyrogen. 27 had positive scan without leukocytosis or neutrophilia. No correlation between leukocytosis or neutrophilia and yield was observed. Transit lung times ranged between 14-16 min without differences among three radiopharmaceuticals. In each Group and in the sample as a whole True Positive, False Positive, True Negative, False Negative, Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy, were calculated. In Group B and in the sample as a whole Predictive Positive Value and Negative Predictive Value were also evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Labelling yields and "viability" were good using the three radiopharmaceuticals; labelling procedure was simple and safe. Accuracy PPV, NPV, cost-effectiveness were good; 111In is the choice for diagnosis of bone and joint infections. Frozen-stored HMPAO should be introduced as a cost-saving labelling procedure in practice.