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Biomedical subjects

C Hoh

Publications and source records attributed to C Hoh.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Pyloroplasty improves long-term gastric emptying in rats undergoing fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting reports exist regarding the permanence of improved gastric emptying (GE) after fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux in children. METHODS: Changes in gastric volume (GV) and GE of a radiolabeled mixed meal induced by a Nissen fundoplication (NF) were compared with those with a NF plus pyloroplasty (NF + P). GE was measured preoperatively, 15 and 30 days postoperation, in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats; 12 had NF alone, and 12 had NF + P Results were expressed as percent gastric retention at 90 minutes (GR90). GV was measured at the same time periods in 20 additional rats. RESULTS: NF rats had enhanced GE with reduction of preoperative GR90 from 37.6% to 23.7% at 15 days (P < .05); however, at 30 days the GR90 increased to 34.3%. NF + P rats had enhanced GE with reduction in GR90 from 37.2% to 20.8% at 15 days (P< .05), which persisted at 30 days (20.4%). Mean GV decreased from (1.36 mL/100 g body weight) preoperation to 0.86 at 15 days (P< .05) at 15 days in the NF group, and returned to 1.29 at 30 days. Mean GV decreased from 1.36 to 0.91 at 15 days in the NF + P rats and persisted at 0.90 at 30 days. CONCLUSION: In the rat model, NF enhances GE transiently, whereas NF + P produces long-term enhancement of GE.

Animals↗

Positron emission tomography: an independent indicator of radiocurability in head and neck carcinomas.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a biochemical-imaging tool that uses the uptake of the glucose analog 2-deoxy-2-[F-18] fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) to detect head and neck tumor proliferation. The aim of this study is to determine if quantitation of either primary tumor metabolic activity or tumor response using PET scans could predict local control and overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary radiotherapy. Twelve patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck underwent PET scans before and 6 weeks after completion of radiation therapy. Tumor metabolic activity was quantitated using the metabolic ratio method. Mean follow-up was 40 months (range: 18-55 months). In our series, tumors with metabolic rates greater than that of the cerebellum are associated with significantly better local control (p < 0.05) and survival. Posttreatment PET imaging was falsely positive in one patient with clinical signs of severe inflammation. Tumors with greater than 50% decrease in metabolic activity with irradiation had improved local control. Clinically, nine patients had excellent response to irradiation. These results suggest that pretreatment PET findings may have prognostic implications in determining which patients will achieve long-term local control with primary radiation therapy. This may help identify those at increased risk of recurrence that may benefit from more aggressive altered fractionation schemes or combined modality therapy.

Adult↗

Prevalence of myocardial viability as detected by positron emission tomography in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Detection of myocardial viability is important in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Restoration of blood flow to viable myocardium is associated with improved left ventricular function and improved patient prognosis. However, the prevalence of viable myocardium in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine the prevalence of myocardial viability, clinical [13N]ammonia/18F-deoxyglucose PET studies performed in 283 patients (age, 63+/-10 years) with ischemic heart disease (mean ejection fraction, 26+/-8%) were visually analyzed for the presence and extent of viable and nonviable myocardium. The myocardium was divided into 19 segments. The extent of viable myocardium was considered "functionally" significant if >/=5 segments ( approximately 25% of the left ventricular myocardium) exhibited a blood flow/metabolism mismatch and "prognostically" significant if 1 to 4 left ventricular segments did so. Of all patients, 41% had no evidence of viable myocardium, 55% had viable myocardium, and 4% had normal blood flow and metabolism within an enlarged left ventricle. Functionally significant viability was found in 27% and prognostically significant viability in 28% of the patients. Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of angina to be the only clinical parameter associated with the presence of functionally significant viability. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization might improve patient prognosis in 55% and result in improved left ventricular function in 27% of all patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Aged↗

Gastric emptying after fundoplication is dependent on changes in gastric volume and compliance.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Nissen gastroesophageal fundoplication (GEF) increases gastric emptying (GE); however, the duration and the mechanisms for this improvement in GE remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a GEF on GE of a mixed meal, and to determine the correlation between GE and changes in intragastric pressure (IGP) and compliance. METHODS: Using a radiolabeled mixed meal, GE was measured preoperatively 15 and 30 days after operation in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats divided into SHAM and GEF groups. Results were expressed as percent gastric retention at 90 minutes (GRg90), and time to evacuate 50% of the isotope meal (T1/2). Changes in IGP and compliance were determined at the same time-points using a different set of 20 rats. RESULTS: Fifteen days after surgery, GR90 and T1/2 in the GEF group were reduced significantly when compared with preoperative values but returned to near preoperative values 30 days postoperation. In contrast, rats from the SHAM group showed no change in GR90 and T1/2 at 15 days and 30 days postoperation. Immediately after GEF, maximal distension of the stomach resulted in pressures 65% higher than those recorded before operation (20.2 v 11.7 mm Hg; P< .05), which persisted on the 15th postoperative day (17.7 v 10.7 mm Hg; P<.05). On the 30th postoperative day, however, there was no difference in the IGP between rats undergoing GEF compared with those undergoing a SHAM operation (11.7 v 12.0 mm Hg; P < .05). Similarly, mean gastric compliance decreased significantly immediately after and 15 days after GEF, but returned to preoperative levels 30 days after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model, GEF produces a transitory increase in GE, which is related to a simultaneous decrease in gastric volume and compliance. However, 30 days after GEF, associated with an elevated IGP, gastric volume increases and GE returns to preoperative levels.

Animals↗

Minimally invasive breast carcinoma staging using lymphatic mapping with radiolabeled dextran.

BACKGROUND: The sentinel lymph node is defined as the first lymph node to receive drainage from a primary tumor. Based on this concept, the authors set out to evaluate whether the status of the sentinel lymph node can accurately predict whether breast tumor cells have metastasized to the axillary lymphatic basin. METHODS: Radiolabeled dextran was injected into the site of the breast tumor. In the operating room, a portable gamma detector probe was used to identify the exact location of the sentinel lymph node(s). After identifying and excising the radioactive sentinel lymph node specimens, a routine axillary lymph node dissection was performed. All lymph nodes were then subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining, and the sentinel lymph nodes were subjected to additional cytokeratin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients who participated in the study, 18 had tumor metastasis to their axillary lymph nodes. In all 18 of these cases, the sentinel lymph node(s) contained cancer detected by either H & E staining or cytokeratin immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: The status of the sentinel lymph node(s) appears to predict accurately whether breast tumor cells have metastasized to the axillary lymphatic basin. This new, minimally invasive technique for staging breast carcinoma should be further validated in a large, multi-institutional clinical trial.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Thallium-201 SPECT and positron emission tomography equal predictors of glioma grade and recurrence.

Quantitative indexes based on regions of interest ratios from preoperative thallium-201 SPECT and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scans were compared for their ability to predict the histological grade of cerebral gliomas. Of the five different ratios used to determine the index for each PET scan, the ratio of tumour versus ipsilateral hemisphere in the same plane as the tumour showed the most significant correlation with glioma grade (p < 0.001). A large study of 62 thallium-201 SPECT scans showed equally good correlation with glioma grade (p < 0.0005). The use of thallium-201 SPECT for detection of tumour recurrence had 100% sensitivity in this series, while PET scans had 90.9% sensitivity. Patients with a rate of change in serial thallium indexes of 0.475 +/- 0.278 per month survived 5.93 +/- 2.25 months from onset of index increase, while those with little change in the index (0.069 +/- 0.063 per month) survived 17.93 +/- 5.25 months from onset of index increase. Results indicate thallium-201 SPECT correlates well with tumour grade and is equally efficient as PET in screening for glioma recurrence.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Positron emission tomography diagnosis of pulmonary metastases in osteogenic sarcoma.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique that can produce high-quality tomographic images reflective of the metabolic characteristics of imaged tissue. Among the many positron-emitting tracers utilized in conjunction with PET is [18F]fluoride ion; it is actively taken up in bone in proportion to bone metabolic activity, analogous to standard nuclear medicine bone scanning agents such as technetium methylenediphosphonate ([99mTc]MDP). Whole-body imaging with PET and [18F]fluoride ion generates tomographic images that are useful in mapping patterns of bone metabolism, as well as identifying extraosseous site of bone formation or calcification. We report the case of a patient with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, metastatic osteogenic sarcoma, and a breast mass, who presented with pulmonary nodules, in whom [18F] fluoride ion/PET imaging was useful in confirming the nature of the pulmonary nodules.

Adult↗

Positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose to evaluate tumor response and control after radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Following radiation therapy, evaluation of viable tumor can often be difficult with anatomic imaging criteria (tumor size alone). In this study, the utility of biochemical imaging with the glucose analog 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and positron emission tomography was investigated in patients treated with radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1990 and 1992, 19 patients were studied, including 15 patients with head and neck cancer, (4 oropharynx, 4 sinus, 3 larynx, 2 hypopharynx, 2 oral cavity [one patient], 1 nasopharynx), and 4 patients with breast cancer. Post-radiation positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose studies were done in all patients, with 9 head and neck patients receiving pre-radiation positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose scans as well. Results were correlated with other imaging techniques and pathology. RESULTS: Positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose detected head and neck primary tumors and lymph node metastases in all nine pre-radiation scans, while magnetic resonance imaging failed to detect two primary tumors. Serial positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose showed a significant decrease in tumor activity after radiation therapy, compared to pre-radiation levels, (p < 0.05), except for two patients with increased uptake at the primary site. Biopsies of these two patients showed persistent/recurrent disease after radiation therapy, which was not detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Six additional head and neck patients, with suspicious examination and inconclusive magnetic resonance imaging, were imaged with positron emission tomography after radiation therapy only. Five patients had increased positron emission tomography activity, with corresponding biopsies positive in four patients, and negative in one patient with clinically worsening symptoms. The remaining sixth patient had minimal and stable positron emission tomography uptake, and is improving clinically. Four patients had mammogram findings suspicious for recurrence after conservation treatment for breast cancer. Positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose showed no focal activity in the breast in two patients, and increased activity in the area suspicious for recurrence in the other two patients. Biopsies correlated with positron emission tomography results. CONCLUSION: Changes and presence of positron emission tomography with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose activity correlated with pathologic findings in head and neck and breast cancer patients in this series. In patients with elevated or rising positron emission tomography activity after radiation therapy, persistent or recurrent disease was found in 89% of patients, (8/9). Magnetic resonance imaging did not detect the head and neck recurrences, and mammography was suspicious in patients with both benign and malignant breast changes after radiation therapy. In addition, our data indicate that in head and neck patients with pre-radiation positron emission tomography scans, a significant decrease in activity should occur after radiation therapy, if local control is to be expected.

Adult↗

Whole-body positron emission tomography with (fluorine-18)-2-deoxyglucose can detect metastatic carcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Distant sites of metastatic fallopian tube carcinoma, including humerus, umbilicus, and groin, were clearly imaged with FDG-PET; the surgical-pathologic correlations are presented. In disorders such as ovarian or fallopian tube cancer, where a reliable means of diagnosing persistent or recurrent disease remains elusive, PET scanning offers another approach to this problem. Based on the increased rate of glucose metabolism in tumors, this modality focuses on the biochemical differences between malignant tissues and their normal counterparts in order to demonstrate positive findings on imaging. Potential uses of PET scanning in gynecologic oncology are presented.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Whole-body positron emission tomography with 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose can detect recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

The existing means of detecting recurrent ovarian carcinoma are notoriously poor. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a form of computer-assisted imaging which produces images reflective of the biochemistry of the tissues rather than their physical characteristics. PET imaging with the positron emitting glucose analog 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) exploits the accelerated rate of glycolysis characteristic of malignant tissue to image tumors. To begin to study PET's ability to diagnose recurrent ovarian cancer, whole-body PET FDG scanning was performed on 13 patients prior to planned surgical exploration. Seven patients were suspected of having recurrence based upon clinical findings, and 6 patients were clinically free of disease. In all 6 of the patients with suspected recurrence who subsequently underwent surgery, PET images demonstrated increased FDG uptake in a distribution that correlated with surgical-pathologic findings. Both intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal lesions were detected by PET. All 6 patients judged clinically free of disease had negative PET scans, but in 5 of these microscopic foci of residual tumor were found at surgery. Although PET FDG cannot replace surgery in the detection of microscopic recurrence, it can accurately detect tumors greater than 1.0 cm in diameter.

Adult↗

The role of positron emission tomography in oncology and other whole-body applications.

Imaging and quantifying biochemical and physiological processes with PET clearly has major potential significance for all organ systems and many disease states. Although the full utility and potential of emerging new applications of PET in organs other than the heart and brain must be demonstrated in basic and clinical research studies, the rapidly accumulating aggregate experience in oncology in particular, and in other organ systems and disease states as well, indicates that PET is now truly becoming a modality of both clinical and investigative use for the body as a whole as well as for specific organ systems. Whole-body PET FDG imaging (Fig 9) illustrates the potential of biochemical imaging to map the distribution of cancer throughout the body. With the growing list of radiopharmaceutical and quantitative techniques applicable to cancer studies with PET, this field will continue to realize significant growth.

Humans↗

Ameloblastic carcinoma: case report and review.

The histologic classification for odontogenic carcinomas is still under revision; thus, the differentiation between the terms "malignant ameloblastoma" and "ameloblastic carcinoma" has not been definitely stated. Nevertheless, it is recommended to reserve the former for those lesions that, in spite of an apparently innocuous histology, have given origin to metastatic growths, and to apply the latter for those ameloblastomas in which there is histologic evidence of malignancy in the primary, recurrent or metastatic lesions. A case of an ameloblastic carcinoma in the mandible is presented. Histologically, it was characterized by areas with features of a typical ameloblastoma and areas with anaplastic appearances.

Ameloblastoma↗

Gamma-probe localization of a parathyroid adenoma in the reoperative neck.

Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with hyperparathyroidism currently relies on a combination of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy, and venous sampling of parathyroid hormone. No procedure is universally reliable, however, and in reoperation for missed parathyroid adenomas, development of an optimal preoperative localization strategy becomes especially problematic. We report the case of a patient with hyperparathyroidism who required reoperation for a missed parathyroid adenoma despite preoperative localization with (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy. (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy was done 2.5 hours before reoperation. On reoperation, a gamma-detecting probe (C-Track; Care Wise Medical Corporation, Morgan Hill, CA) introduced through a right neck incision was used to localize a 4-cm adenoma within 45 minutes. No significant radiation hazard existed, and no special handling of the specimen was required. The patient's hyperparathyroidism resolved within 24 hours postoperatively. Therefore, this intraoperative technique may prove to be a useful adjunct to preoperative localization studies of parathyroid adenomas, particularly in patients requiring reoperation for persistent postsurgical hyperparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗

MD@: a physician-friendly decision analysis tool.

The cost-effective use of medical resources is increasingly important in justifying strategies for medical diagnosis and management. Although some software is available to help with decision analysis, it can be difficult to use these tools for medical applications. We have developed a prototype package for modeling various medical decision strategies, which can be used with a Macintosh or Windows-based personal computer. The system is graphically based, intuitive, and user-friendly. The user constructs decision trees for comparing alternative strategies for diagnosis and management. Selecting blocks from a library, the user sets mean values for variables such as prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, cost, morbidity, and mortality. The system then generates the probabilities of various pathways, using Bayesian analysis, without requiring the user to enter equations. It displays the best strategy in terms of a particular criterion and, when appropriate, performs sensitivity analysis.

Decision Support Techniques↗