PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Højgaard

Publications and source records attributed to L Højgaard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Positron emission tomography in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer: a systematic, quantitative review.

Lung cancer is the cause of 32% of all male cancer deaths and 25% of all female cancer deaths. Because the prognosis depends on early diagnosis and staging, continuous evaluation of the diagnostic tools available is important. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of dedicated positron emission tomography (PET) and gamma-camera PET in the diagnostic investigation of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A systematic literature search was carried out in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. We identified 55 original works on the diagnostic performance of PET with fluorodeoxyglucose in the investigation of NSCLC. For diagnosis of NSCLC, the mean sensitivities and specificities were, respectively, 0.96 (SE 0.01) and 0.78 (0.03) for dedicated PET, and 0.92 (0.04) and 0.86 (0.04) for gamma-camera PET. In the mediastinal staging of NSCLC, the results were 0.83 (0.02) and 0.96 (0.01) for dedicated PET and 0.81 (0.04) and 0.95 (0.02) for ganuna-camera PET. We conclude that dedicated PET could be a valuable tool in the diagnosis and staging of NSCLC. However, studies of populations with a lower prevalence of NSCLC are recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Obesity and sarcopenia after menopause are reversed by sex hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is linked to an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass exceeding age-related changes, possibly related to reduced output of ovarian steroids. In this study we examined the effect of combined postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the total and regional distribution of fat and lean body mass. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Sixteen healthy postmenopausal women (age: 55 +/- 3 years) were studied in a placebo-controlled, crossover study and were randomized to 17beta estradiol plus cyclic norethisterone acetate (HRT) or placebo in two 12-week periods separated by a 3-month washout. Total and regional body composition was measured by DXA at baseline and in the 10th treatment week in both periods. Changes were compared by a paired Student's t test. RESULTS: The change in body weight during HRT was equal to the change during placebo (-24.6 g vs. -164 g, p = 0.42), but relative fat mass was significantly reduced (-0.5% vs. +1.24%, p < 0.01). During HRT, compared with during placebo, lean body mass increased (+347 g vs. -996 g, p < 0.01) and total fat mass decreased (-400 g vs. +836 g, p = 0.06). Total bone mineral content increased (+28.9 g vs. -4.4 g, p = 0.04) and abdominal fat decreased (-185 g vs. +253 g, p = 0.04) during HRT compared with placebo. DISCUSSION: HRT is linked to the reversal of both menopause-related obesity and loss of lean mass, without overall change in body weight. The increase in lean body mass during HRT is likely explained by muscle anabolism, which in turn, prevents disease in the elderly.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

Temporal changes in cardiac function and cerebral blood flow during sequential postmenopausal hormone replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to assess the temporal changes in cardiac function and cerebral blood flow during postmenopausal administration of estrogen with and without progestogen. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen postmenopausal volunteers were assessed during estradiol plus sequential norethindrone acetate and placebo in two 12-week periods. Temporal changes were measured by magnetic resonance flow mapping 8 times. RESULTS: Systemic vascular resistance was reduced during estradiol (-6.9%; P <.05), declined further during the addition of norethindrone acetate, and was accompanied by an increase in stroke volume (maximum increase, 5.2%; P <.05) without fluid retention. Both systolic (-5 mm Hg; P =.03) and diastolic (-3 mm Hg; P =.03) blood pressure were reduced during estradiol. Cerebral blood flow was reduced after 9 weeks of hormone replacement therapy (-37 mL/min; P =.01) but increased to baseline after the addition of norethindrone acetate. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential hormone replacement therapy is associated with changes in cardiac function, which are of therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disorders. Sequential hormone replacement therapy exhibits an overall neutral effect on cerebral blood flow.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2000

Use of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the detection of silent metastases from malignant melanoma.

Correct staging is crucial for the management and prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma. The aim of this prospective study was to compare staging by whole-body positron emission tomography using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) with staging by conventional methods. Thirty-eight patients with malignant melanoma of clinical stage II (local recurrence, in-transit and regional lymph node metastases) or III (metastases to other sites than in stage II) were included in the study. The results of the PET scans were compared with those obtained by clinical examination, computed tomography, ultrasound, radiography, and liver function tests and histology or clinical follow-up. With 18F-FDG PET we found for all foci a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 56%, compared with 62% and 22%, respectively, when using routine methods. For intra-abdominal foci, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% for both 18F-FDG PET and routine methods. Corresponding figures for pulmonary/intrathoracic foci were 100% and 33%, respectively. Of the patients included in this study, 34% would not have been staged correctly by conventional methods alone. We conclude from this study that 18F-FDG PET is a sensitive method superior to conventional methods for detecting widespread metastases from malignant melanoma. Mutilating surgery of no benefit can thereby be avoided. 18F-FDG PET is useful as a supplement to clinical examination in melanoma staging.

Female↗
PubMed2000

21. Increased FDG uptake in Childhood CNS Tumors is Associated with Tumor Malignancy.

Background: In adults PET scanning of CNS tumors with the tracer FDG (18F-flourodeoxyglucose) can provide information about the degree of malignancy, tumor extent, and dissemination. FDG PET can also be able to assess tumor response to therapy and to differentiate recurrence from necrosis. Although CNS tumors are the most common solid tumor in childhood, so far only few PET-studies have been reported. Pre-operative assessment of malignancy would facilitate surgical planning and the use of pre-operative chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: 21 children with CNS tumors were referred to clinical FDG PET prior to therapy (M/F = 12/9, median age: 9 (range 0-16)), (4 PNET/medulloblastomas; 1 gr. III ependymoma, 16 benign tumors)). Image processing included co-registration with MRI and image fusion. The FDG uptake in the tumors was ranked 0-5 by a hotspot/cortex-ratio by two observers independently. The FDG uptake in grey and white matter was used as reference for the grading system with FDG uptakes defined as 4 and 2 respectively.Results: 15 of 16 patients with tumors WHO gr. I-II had FDG-uptake of 1-2, and all 5 patients with tumors WHO gr. III-IV had FDG-uptake of 3-4. A WHO gr. I papilloma, known to have a high metabolism caused by high mitochondrial activity, had FDG uptake of 5. Except for this tumor, the FDG uptake was positively correlated with tumor malignancy. MRI/PET co-registration and image fusion increased the specificity of tumor location, as well as of tumor extent, and of heterogeneity (e.g., areas of necrosis).Conclusion: FDG PET with MRI/PET co-registration and image fusion could be an important adjunct in the diagnostic work up of pediatric CNS tumors, and could help define patients eligible for pre-operative chemotherapy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Electrical admittance for filling of the heart during lower body negative pressure in humans.

To evaluate whether electrical admittance of intracellular water is applicable for monitoring filling of the heart, we determined the difference in intracellular water in the thorax (Thorax(ICW)), measured as the reciprocal value of the electrical impedance for the thorax at 1.5 and 100 kHz during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in humans. Changes in Thorax(ICW) were compared with positron emission tomography-determined C(15)O-labeled erythrocytes over the heart. During -40 mmHg LBNP, the blood volume of the heart decreased by 21 +/- 3% as the erythrocyte volume was reduced by 20 +/- 2% and the plasma volume declined by 26 +/- 2% (P < 0.01; n = 8). Over the heart region, LBNP was also associated with a decrease in the technetium-labeled erythrocyte activity by 26 +/- 4% and, conversely, an increase over the lower leg by 92 +/- 5% (P < 0.01; n = 6). For 15 subjects, LBNP increased thoracic impedance by 3.3 +/- 0.3 Omega (1.5 kHz) and 3.0 +/- 0.4 Omega (100 kHz), whereas leg impedance decreased by 9.0 +/- 3.3 Omega (1.5 kHz) and 6.1 +/- 3 Omega (100 kHz; P < 0.01). Thorax(ICW) was reduced by 7.1 +/- 1.9 S. 10(-4) (P < 0.01) and intracellular water in the leg tended to increase (from 37.8 +/- 4.6 to 40.9 +/- 5.0 S. 10(-4); P = 0.08). The correlation between Thorax(ICW) and heart erythrocyte volume was 0.84 (P < 0.05). The results suggest that thoracic electrical admittance of intracellular water can be applied to evaluate changes in blood volume of the heart during LBNP in humans.

Adult↗