Effect of sherbet timing on distension and evaluation of the esophagus with multidetector-row computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of oral sherbet application on esophageal distension and esophageal evaluation with thoracic multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) regarding sherbet timing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 120 patients (65 men, 55 women) with a mean age of 59.7 years who were given 4g sherbet powder to be swallowed 60, 30 or 10seconds before thoracic MDCT were included. Inner esophageal diameter was measured in three planes at three anatomic levels. Area of esophageal lumen and assessable length of the esophagus were calculated and statistically analyzed using repeated-measures-ANOVA and post-hoc-t-tests. Results were compared groupwise and intra-individually with previous examinations without sherbet. RESULTS: Intra-individual comparison and subgroup-analysis showed that esophageal distension was significantly better when sherbet was used (mean inner area: 1.98±0.66cm(2) vs. 0.49±0.14cm(2)) (P<0.001). After preparation, in average 80.2% of the esophageal length were assessable compared to 39.2% without sherbet (P<0.001). Timing of sherbet administration within one minute before scan-start revealed no significant differences (P=0.9), yet a shorter delay to scan-start led to the best results. CONCLUSION: Oral sherbet administration within one minute before scan-start improves esophageal distension and evaluation using thoracic MDCT. This method of esophageal preparation is simple, can easily be applied in clinical routine and may improve the diagnosis of esophageal pathologies.

[Bone biopsy needles: mechanical properties, needle design and specimen quality]. / Knochen-Biopsiesysteme: mechanische Eigenschaften, Nadeldesign und Probenqualität.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively analyze differences in mechanical properties, needle design including signs of wear, subjective handling and specimen quality of bone biopsy needles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 19 different bone biopsy systems (total 38; 2 /type) were examined. With each biopsy needle five consecutive samples were obtained from vertebral bodies of swine. During puncture a force-torques sensor measured the mechanical properties and subjective handling was assessed. Before and after each biopsy the needles were investigated using a profile projector and signs of wear were recorded. Afterwards, a pathologist semi-quantitatively examined the specimen regarding sample quality. The overall evaluation considered mechanical properties, needle wear, subjective handling and sample quality. Differences were assessed for statistical significance using ANOVA and t-test. RESULTS: Needle diameter (p = 0.003) as well as needle design (p = 0.008) affect the mechanical properties significantly. Franseen design is significantly superior to other needle designs. Besides, length reduction recorded by the profile projector, as a quality criterion showed notable distinctions in between the needle designs. CONCLUSION: Bone biopsy needles vary significantly in performance. Needle design has an important influence on mechanical properties, handling and specimen quality. Detailed knowledge of those parameters would improve selecting the appropriate bone biopsy needle.

[MR tomography in prostatic carcinoma: comparison of conventional and endorectal MRT]. / MR-Tomographie des Prostatakarzinoms--Vergleich konventionelle und endorektale MRT.

In a prospective study an attempt was made to determine the value of conventional MRI (354 patients) and MRI using the endorectal surface coil (ESC) (36 patients) in the preoperative staging of prostatic carcinoma. Local preoperative staging with conventional MRI was correct in 83.9% and 88.9% with ESC-MRI. Compared to conventional MRI, ESC-MRI was better in the delineation of the prostatic capsule and early detection of infiltration into the neurovascular bundle. Lymph node staging with MRI showed a sensitivity of 54.4% in detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis. MRI is as limited as CT in assessing pelvic lymph node metastasis.

An improved method for elimination of mycoplasmas from cell cultures.

Cell lines infected by different species of mycoplasma (Mycoplasma orale, Mycoplasma hominis) were decontaminated by co-culture with human blood monocyte (BM)-derived macrophages and pooled human immunoglobulin preparations. Co-cultures with BM-derived macrophages or murine peritoneal macrophages (PM) alone were not successful. The phenotype of infected cell lines did not differ from that of uninfected cell lines as revealed by morphological, enzymecytochemical, and immunocytochemical analysis.