Intravenous ionic contrast media cause local prostacyclin release in man.

The effect of intravenous administration of ionic contrast media on local release of prostacyclin (PGI2) was investigated in man. Iodamide and ioxaglate, high- and low-osmolality contrast media, respectively, both significantly increased PGI2 levels at the site of injection. Iodamide was the most active, whereas an identical volume of isotonic saline had no effect. This study suggests that local formation of PGI2 may adequately reflect the degree of endothelial irritation that is caused by contrast media and that depends in part on their osmolality.

Results of intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) as a screening method for renovascular hypertension.

Since January 1982 we have combined urography in hypertensive patients with intravenous angiography of the renal arteries. In more than 80% of 163 patients the examination was of good diagnostic quality and both renal arteries were well visualised. IVDSA has a lower morbidity and cost than conventional angiography. It is more accurate than urography and therefore offers better screening of a selected group of hypertensive patients.

[Intravenous digital subtraction angiography following surgical vascular interventions and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty]. / Intravenöse digitale Subtraktionsangiographie nach chirurgischen Gefässeingriffen und perkutaner transluminaler Angioplastie.

I.V.D.S.A. was performed as a follow-up after a surgical vascular procedure or a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in 157 patients. The quality of the intravenous angiography was excellent in 91% of the patients. In 6,6% the examination was sub-optimal with possible error and in 2.4% the examination was not diagnostic. The inherent limitations of the technique are less important in these follow-up examinations because a limited region only has to be examined. A more accurate follow-up of vascular procedures is possible with I.V.D.S.A.

[Digital intravenous subtraction angiography as a screening method in patients suspected of having renovascular hypertension]. / Digitale intravenöse Subtraktionsangiographie als Screeningmethode bei Patienten mit Verdacht auf renovaskuläre Hypertonie.

Since January 1982 we combine urography in hypertensive patients with intravenous angiography of the renal arteries. In the first 20 patients examined by this new method, we also performed conventional intra-arterial angiography to evaluate the accuracy of the intravenous examination. In more than 80% of 104 patients the examination was of good diagnostic quality and both renal arteries were well visualized. I.V.D.S.A. has a lower morbidity and cost than conventional angiography. It is more accurate than urography and therefore gives us the possibility of a better screening of hypertensive patients.

Ultrasonography of liver haemangioma. A report of 35 patients totalizing 53 lesions.

During the last two years a total of 53 liver angiomas in 35 patients were examined by sonography. The angiomatous nature of these lesions was proven by angiography, CT, laparotomy, laparoscopy or autopsy. In this material the most striking sonographic data are the reflective character of the angiomas (94%), the subcapsular location (70%), the small size under 2 cm. (32%) and the multiplicity (35%). 90% of the lesions larger than 3 cm. tend to display polylobular contours.

A clinical study of 99mTechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake in obstructed kidneys: comparison with the creatinine clearance.

We studied 17 hydronephrotic kidneys owing to stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction. Preoperative uptake of 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid was compared to early postoperative unilateral creatinine clearance, measured by urine collection from the nephrostomy tube. An excellent correlation was found. Therefore, uptake of 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid represents a reliable parameter of renal function even in the presence of severe urinary tract obstruction. However, 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake should be measured more than 24 hours after injection of the tracer.

CT demonstration of perirenal lymphatic cysts.

A case of perirenal lymphatic cysts demonstrated by computed tomography is reported. These lymphatic cysts, a histological subtype of lymphangiomata, are clearly visible as collections with clear fluid-type density surrounding both kidneys. The retroperitoneal localization of this rarity has been reported in the radiological literature, whereas, to our knowledge, the radiological demonstration of the perirenal localization has not. CT provides a unique method for direct radiological visualization of the cyst.

Polysplenia.

A case of polysplenia associated with total abdominal situs inversus, central localization of the liver, and incomplete development of the inferior vena cava is reported. Various components of the syndrome were easily demonstrated by CT.

Prevention of vasospasms during extensive renal surgery. An experimental study in rats.

Six methods for prevention of renal arterial vasospasms, due to extensive surgical trauma are compared in an experimental study in rats. The 'proximal transit time' was chosen as a measure for renal arterial flow 1, 5, 10 and 15 min after a standard surgical trauma. Xylocaine infiltration around the renal pedicle was least effective. Hydration of the rat, preoperative mannitol perfusion, and preoperative phenoxybenzamine treatment gave comparable effects and were significantly better than no treatment. The topical application of papaverine (1 mg/kg) around the renal pedicle did significantly better than the above-mentioned methods. The most effective treatment, however, was the combination of hydration, mannitol perfusion and papaverine application around the renal pedicle.

[CT of the liver in cirrhosis (author's transl)]. / Die Aussage de Computer-Tomographie bei der Lebercirrhose.

Of the diseases causing diffuse hepatic parenchyma alterations, CT will demonstrate most typically fatty replacement and hemochromatosis. Cirrhosis of the liver will be detected by CT in only a minority of the patients by virtue of changes in size and contour. Changes in attenuation coefficient in cirrhotic livers are described by some authors but not confirmed on a large scale until now. CT is useful for demonstrating associated anomalies such as signs of portal hypertension (splenomegaly, venous collaterals and ascites) and for studying the permeability of the portal vein.