Comparison of myocardial ischaemia in post-infarction patients with and without angina: assessment by dipyridamole 201T1 imaging.

Ninety patients with old myocardial infarction were studied to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous dipyridamole 201Tl imaging for the detection of myocardial ischaemia in post-infarction patients, and to compare the prevalence of ischaemia in 63 patients with post-infarction angina (group I) and 27 patients without angina (group II). Thirty-four of the patients in group I and 15 of the patients in group II received coronary arteriography (CAG) for comparison; these were labelled groups IA and IIA, respectively. On 201Tl imaging, the incidence of scar with ischaemia in the infarct zone and scar with ischaemia at a distance were 72% and 42% in all patients, 89% and 52% in group I vs 33% and 19% in group II (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). On CAG testing, the rates of infarct-related recanalization vessel and multi-vessel disease were 76% and 68% in group IA vs 40% and 40% in group IIA (P < 0.05 and P > 0.05, respectively). Thus, dipyridamole 201Tl imaging is a useful modality and post-infarction angina a proper indicator in the detection of myocardial ischaemia in post-infarction patients

Technetium-99m albumin scintigraphy in the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy: a case report.

A 34-year-old female presenting with bilateral lower leg edema and distended abdomen was admitted to our hospital. The serum albumin was 1.42g/dl. Renal function and hepatic function were normal. Urinalysis did not show proteinuria. Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy was arranged for this patient to rule out protein-losing enteropathy. The results demonstrated loss of albumin into the intestines. We conclude that Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy of the abdomen is a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy.

Comparison of intravenous dipyridamole and adenosine Tc-99m MIBI myocardial imaging for detection of coronary artery disease.

A total of 44 patients referred for Tc-99m MIBI myocardial imaging for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied to compare the differences in heart beat, blood pressure, electrocardiographic changes and side effects during intravenous infusion of dipyridamole (ID) and adenosine (IA) and also to determine the degree of concordance between ID and IA Tc-99m MIBI imaging. These patients were divided into two groups: 20 suspected CAD patients constituted group I and 24 proven CAD patients formed group II. All patients received ID 0.56 mg/kg for 4 min and within about 10 days IA 0.14 microgram/kg/min for 6 min with Tc-99m MIBI imaging. The results revealed that maximal heart beat increased and maximal systolic blood pressure decreased in both IA and ID patients with no statistically significant differences. Transient second-degree AV block occurred with IA in 3 patients. Side effects, such as, chest pain, headache, dizziness and shortness of breath occurred more often and were in general more intense in IA patients, but they were typically mild and resolved spontaneously within 1 or 2 min of discontinuation of IA. Both IA and ID Tc-99m MIBI imaging were normal in 18 of 20 group I patients and were concordant for the presence of perfusion defects in the other 2 patients. Of 24 group II patients, all had myocardial perfusion defects on both tests and were concordant for the severity of the perfusion abnormalities. However, in other 2 patients. Of 24 group II patients, all had myocardial perfusion defects on both tests and were concordant for the severity of the perfusion abnormalities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of ultrasound in scrotal trauma.

We reviewed the sonograms of 16 cases with scrotal trauma and documented the spectrum of abnormalities that may be present in sonography after a scrotal injury. The sonographic findings included scrotal hematoceles, post-traumatic epididymitis, epididymal hematoma, testicular hematoma and/or infarction, testicular rupture, testicular swelling and hyperemia. Ultrasound is able to distinguish intratesticular and extratesticular lesions. The integrity of the testis could be evaluated as well. It should be the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of scrotal trauma.