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K E Applegate

Publications and source records attributed to K E Applegate.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A prospective comparison of high-resolution planar, pinhole, and triple-detector SPECT for the detection of renal cortical defects.

To compare the detection rate of renal cortical defects with Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) using triple-detector SPECT, pinhole, and planar cortical scintigraphy, the authors prospectively studied 80 kidneys in 40 patients (26 males, 14 females) who ranged in age from 3 months to 26 years (mean: 7.5 years). They found single or multiple definite defects in 30 kidneys using SPECT, 23 using pinhole imaging, and 17 using planar imaging (McNemar's test, two-tailed, P < 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). SPECT was significantly better than pinhole imaging at demonstrating definite defects (P = 0.008). This study indicates that SPECT, and to a lesser extent pinhole, are superior to planar imaging for conclusively demonstrating renal cortical defects.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous colonic ischemia in a patient with Riley-Day syndrome.

Familial dysautonomia, or Riley-Day syndrome, is a hereditary disturbance in the autonomic and peripheral sensory nervous systems, first described by Riley, Day, and colleagues in 1949 [1, 2]. Previous reports of myocardial infarction and avascular necrosis in bone suggest that these patients are at risk for ischemia at certain organ sites [3, 4]. We report a case of spontaneous colonic ischemia and stricture which resulted in colocutaneous fistula formation and eventual colonic resection in a child with Riley-Day syndrome.

Child↗

Ulnar artery occlusion in mountain bikers.

We report two cases of the hypothenar hammer syndrome, diagnosed with digital angiography, which occurred in mountain bikers. To our knowledge, the association between mountain bike enthusiasts and ulnar artery occlusion has not been reported in the literature.

Adult↗

Superficial venous thrombosis presenting as a painful popliteal fossa mass in a child.

We report an unusual case of superficial venous thrombosis in a cyanotic 12-year-old child who had undergone recent appendectomy. Although compression, color Doppler, and duplex ultrasound techniques remain the keys to the diagnosis of venous thrombosis, SieScape sonography was beneficial in demonstrating the extent of the thrombi and their location along a superficial thrombosed vein.

Acute Disease↗

Situs revisited: imaging of the heterotaxy syndrome.

Situs anomalies present a diagnostic challenge to radiologists because of the overlapping spectrum of findings commonly seen in asplenia and polysplenia. In a series of 21 patients with a diagnosis of heterotaxy syndrome, all 11 asplenic patients and seven of 10 polysplenic patients had congenital heart disease. Although there was a variety of complex congenital heart disease, the most common type in both patient groups was a common atrioventricular canal. In both groups, the laterality of the aorta and stomach was quite variable, but intestinal malrotation was a constant feature. In 11 asplenic patients, the most frequent findings were a bridging liver (10 cases), absent spleen (10 cases), and left-sided inferior vena cava (nine cases). Only seven of these patients had an aorta ipsilateral to the inferior vena cava, contrary to previous thought that this finding was specific for asplenia. In the 10 polysplenic patients, bridging livers were less frequent (five cases), single (six cases) or multiple (four cases) spleens were seen, and azygous continuation with interruption of the inferior vena cava was usually present (eight cases). Although not pathognomonic of polysplenia, inferior vena cava interruption with azygous or hemiazygous continuation is the most common anatomic finding of this condition. Although the terms asplenia and polysplenia are helpful in suggesting the typical anatomy, both syndromes encompass an overlapping spectrum that needs to be described individually and may best be called heterotaxy syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

When appendicitis is suspected in children.

Acute appendicitis is the most common condition requiring emergent abdominal surgery in childhood. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often not straightforward because approximately one-third of children with the condition have atypical clinical findings. The delayed diagnosis of this condition has serious consequences, including appendiceal perforation, abscess formation, peritonitis, sepsis, bowel obstruction, and death. Cross-sectional imaging with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) have proved useful for the evaluation of suspected acute appendicitis. There has been a great deal of variability in the utilization of these modalities for such diagnosis in the pediatric population. The principal advantages of US are its lower cost, lack of ionizing radiation, and ability to assess vascularity through color Doppler techniques and to provide dynamic information through graded compression. The principal advantages of CT include less operator dependency than US, as reflected by a higher diagnostic accuracy, and enhanced delineation of disease extent in a perforated appendix.

Appendicitis↗

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a complex combination of cardiac malformations that probably results from multiple developmental errors in the early stages of cardiogenesis and that, if left untreated, invariably proves fatal. A variety of chest radiographic findings are seen in patients with HLHS, including an enlarged cardiac silhouette (notably a prominent right atrium), pulmonary venous hypertension, an atrial septal defect, and valvular stenosis or atresia. The recent evolution of palliative surgical procedures (modified Norwood procedure, bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, modified Fontan procedure, aortic valvuloplasty, heart transplantation) has increased the survival rate in children with HLHS. Echocardiography allows accurate assessment of the size and location of the ductus arteriosus, the hemodynamics of the aortic root, the patency and size of the foramen ovale or atrial septal defect, and the presence of a ventricular septal defect to help determine whether surgical intervention is appropriate and, if so, to facilitate planning. Pediatric radiologists now view radiologic images obtained in patients with HLHS before surgical intervention and at important intervals during treatment. Familiarity with the malformations that characterize HLHS and the surgical procedures used to enhance postnatal survival will help pediatric radiologists provide better care for patients with this relatively common pathologic condition.

Coronary Angiography↗