ABSTRACT
We present a summary of the physical principles and design of the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument onboard NASA's 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The DAN instrument will use the method of neutron-neutron activation analysis in a space application to study the abundance and depth distribution of water in the martian subsurface along the path of the MSL rover.
Subject(s)
Laboratories , Mars , Neutrons , Space Flight/instrumentation , United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration , Hydrogen/analysis , Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted , Soil/analysis , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the use of CT cystography, using retrograde filling of the bladder with diluted iodinated contrast material, versus conventional cystography to identify bladder injury in patients with hematuria after blunt abdominal trauma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria consisted of the adult hemodynamically stable abdominal trauma patient with hematuria referred for abdominopelvic CT and also being considered for cystography. An initial abdominopelvic CT scan using IV iodinated contrast material was obtained, as would have been done routinely in the trauma victim. A second CT scan through the pelvis was obtained after retrograde distention of the bladder with dilute iodinated contrast material. CT cystography revealing bladder injury was followed with appropriate therapy. CT cystograms not revealing injury were followed by conventional cystography. Results of patient outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Over a 21-month period from January 1995 through September 1996, CT cystography was performed on 55 patients who presented with hematuria after blunt abdominal trauma. Five of the 55 patients had bladder injury on CT cystography. The injury in each of these five patients was confirmed intraoperatively. In the remaining 50 patients, both CT and conventional cystography did not reveal bladder injury. CONCLUSION: CT cystography is an accurate method for evaluating bladder injury in the blunt abdominal trauma victim with hematuria. CT cystography, performed in conjunction with routine CT of the abdomen and pelvis for evaluating traumatic hematuria, would therefore preclude conventional cystograms in these patients.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Urinary Bladder/injuries , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Contrast Media , Female , Hematuria/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rupture , Urinary Bladder/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening necrotizing renal infection characterized by the production of gas. Of 8,105 admissions to our diabetes service during the last 5 years we identified 13 cases. The patients were managed aggressively with fluids and antibiotics, followed by immediate nephrectomy. The mortality rate is 40 to 50 per cent, primarily owing to sudden septic complications.
Subject(s)
Diabetic Nephropathies/therapy , Emphysema/therapy , Pyelonephritis/therapy , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Diabetic Nephropathies/complications , Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology , Emphysema/etiology , Female , Fluid Therapy , Humans , Kidney/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nephrectomy , Pyelonephritis/complications , Pyelonephritis/pathologyABSTRACT
There were 95 patients (105 kidneys) with staghorn calculi evaluated clinically and 84 kidneys were studied on a pathologic basis. Only 1 percent of the patients could be defined as having a silent stone calculus. Clinical complications occurred in 53 per cent of the patients. Of 84 kidneys submitted for a pathoanatomic study (surgical evaluation and/or histopathology) pyonephrosis was found in 20 per cent, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in 8 per cent, end stage pyelonephritic kidney in 6 per cent, end state hydronephrotic kidney in 7 per cent, severe pyelonephritic changes in 7 per cent and a perinephric abscess in 5 per cent. The kidney was considered to be relatively undamaged in 51 per cent of the cases. Complete removal of the calculus and appropriate medical adjunctive therapy should be done early in the course of the disease in an attempt to prevent complications and renal deterioration. The results of treatment are discussed and compared to those obtained in a group of patients who initially were managed conservatively.
Subject(s)
Kidney Calculi/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Kidney Calculi/complications , Kidney Calculi/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nephrectomy , RecurrenceSubject(s)
Polyps/pathology , Prostate/pathology , Urethral Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Aged , Hematuria/diagnosis , Humans , Hyperplasia , Male , Middle Aged , Polyps/diagnosis , Urethral Neoplasms/diagnosisABSTRACT
Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that struvite crystals form primarily as a result of urease-induced alkalinity and supersaturation. In vitro perfusion of struvite crystals with undersaturated urine caused crystal dissolution. The investigations reported herein demonstrate complete dissolution of human struvite urinary stones during 6 weeks of perfusion in vitro with undersaturated human urine. Human hydroxyapatite stones perfused similarly underwent only slight dissolution. A glycoprotein precipitated as the stones dissolved; the pathogenic significance of the glycoprotein is unknown.
