PURPOSE: To assess the clinical manifestations and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) and to determine the role of MDCT on treatment decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2008, 1,100 patients had undergone gastroenterostomy reconstruction in our institution. Of these, 22 (2%) patients were diagnosed as ALS after surgery that included Roux-en-Y gastroenterotomy (n=9), Billroth-II gastrojejunostomy (n=7), and Whipple's operation (n=6). Clinical manifestations and MDCT features of these patients were recorded and statistically analyzed. The presumed etiologies of obstruction shown on the MDCT were correlated with clinical information and confirmed by surgery or endoscopic biopsy. RESULTS: The most common clinical symptom was acute abdominal pain, presenting in 18 patients (82%). We found that a fluid-filled C-shaped afferent loop in combination with valvulae conniventes projecting into the lumen was the most common MDCT features of ALS. Malignant causes of ALS, such as local recurrence and carcinomatosis, are the most common etiologies of obstruction. These etiologies and associated complications can be predicted 100% by MDCT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MDCT is a reliable modality for assessing the etiologies of ALS and guiding treatment decisions.
Adult ; Afferent Loop Syndrome/*radiography ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastroenterostomy/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

No abstract available.
Hand Strength*

Herein, we report the case of a large benign insulinoma in an obese young man with a three-year history of asymptomatic hypoglycaemia. He presented to our outpatient department with a two-week history of dizziness and morning cold sweats. A random serum glucose test revealed hypoglycaemia. Upon admission, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen with intravenous contrast media showed an enhancing mass lesion in the uncinate process of the pancreas. To confirm the diagnosis, an intra-arterial calcium stimulation test with hepatic venous sampling was performed for preoperative localisation and to exclude the presence of occult insulinomas. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy, with successful resection of the pancreatic head tumour. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of insulinoma. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful, and he has not developed further episodes of hypoglycaemia three years post surgery.
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Hepatic Veins ; pathology ; Humans ; Insulinoma ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; complications ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic abnormalities, e.g., diabetes, are common among schizophrenia patients. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) regulates glucose/lipid metabolisms, and schizophrenia like syndrome may be induced by actions involving retinoid X receptor-alpha/PPAR-gamma heterodimers. We examined a possible role of the PPAR-gamma gene in metabolic traits and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PPAR-gamma gene and a serial of metabolic traits were determined in 394 schizophrenia patients, among which 372 were rated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: SNP-10, -12, -18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) whereas SNP-18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). While SNP-23 was associated with triglycerides, no associations were identified between the other SNPs and lipids. Further haplotype analysis demonstrated an association between the PPAR-gamma gene and psychosis profile. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a role of the PPAR-gamma gene in altered glucose levels and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. Although the Pro12Ala at exon B has been concerned an essential variant in the development of obesity, the lack of association of the variant with metabolic traits in this study should not be treated as impossibility or a proof of error because other factors, e.g., genes regulated by PPAR-gamma, may have complicated the development of metabolic abnormalities. Whether the PPAR-gamma gene modifies the risk of metabolic abnormalities or psychosis, or causes metabolic abnormalities that lead to psychosis, remains to be examined.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Blood Glucose ; Exons ; Fasting ; Glucose* ; Haplotypes ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Obesity ; Peroxisomes ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Psychotic Disorders* ; Schizophrenia* ; Triglycerides

Hyperpolarized (HP) carbon-13 ( 13C) MRI represents an innovative approach for noninvasive, real-time assessment of dynamic metabolic flux, with potential integration into routine clinical MRI. The use of [1- 13C]pyruvate as a probe and its conversion to [1- 13C]lactate constitute an extensively explored metabolic pathway. This review comprehensively outlines the establishment of HP 13C-MRI, covering multidisciplinary team collaboration, hardware prerequisites, probe preparation, hyperpolarization techniques, imaging acquisition, and data analysis. This article discusses the clinical applications of HP 13C-MRI across various anatomical domains, including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, breast, liver, kidney, pancreas, andprostate. Each section highlights the specific applications and findings pertinent to these regions, emphasizing the potential versatility of HP 13C-MRI in diverse clinical contexts. This review serves as a comprehensive update, bridging technical aspects with clinical applications and offering insights into the ongoing advancements in HP 13C-MRI.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports. RESULTS: SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC. CONCLUSION: CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Colitis/mortality/*radiography ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fecal Impaction/mortality/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and divided into two age groups: elderly (age > or =65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. RESULTS: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associated with a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were related to the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. CONCLUSION: In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections/*complications/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections/microbiology ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Length of Stay ; Liver Abscess/complications/microbiology/*radiography ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Microscopy ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and divided into two age groups: elderly (age > or =65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. RESULTS: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associated with a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were related to the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. CONCLUSION: In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections/*complications/*radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella Infections/microbiology ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Length of Stay ; Liver Abscess/complications/microbiology/*radiography ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Microscopy ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment outcome is associated with visualization of contrast extravasation in patients with acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2009, patients that experienced a first attack of acute gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of initial endoscopy were referred to our interventional department for intra-arterial treatment. We enrolled 79 patients and divided them into two groups: positive and negative extravasation. For positive extravasation, patients were treated by coil embolization; and in negative extravasation, patients were treated with intra-arterial vasopressin infusion. The two groups were compared for clinical parameters, hemodynamics, laboratory findings, endoscopic characteristics, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients had detectable contrast extravasation (positive extravasation), while 31 patients did not (negative extravasation). Fifty-six patients survived from this bleeding episode (overall clinical success rate, 71%). An elevation of hemoglobin level was observed in the both two groups; significantly greater in the positive extravasation group compared to the negative extravasation group. Although these patients were all at high risk of dying, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in the positive extravasation than in the negative extravasation (20% versus 42%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested that successful hemostasis (odds ratio [OR] = 28.66) is the most important predictor affecting the mortality in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Visualization of contrast extravasation on angiography usually can target the bleeding artery directly, resulting in a higher success rate to control of hemorrhage.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Angiography ; *Embolization, Therapeutic ; Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/*radiography ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/mortality/radiography/*therapy ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Hemostatics/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Radiography, Interventional ; Treatment Failure ; Vasopressins/*administration & dosage ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPost-operation pain is a very subjective phenomenon. The aim of this study was to find out the effects of acupuncture or electro-acupuncture on post-cesarean pain.

METHODSSixty women, who had had spinal anesthesia during cesarean section at the Department of Obstetrics of China Medical University Hospital, were randomly assigned to the control group, the acupuncture group, and the electro-acupuncture group. After the operation, we applied subjects with acupuncture or electro-acupuncture on the bilateral acupuncture point, San Yin Jiao (Sp6), and the patient controlled analgesia (PCA). The first time of requesting morphine, the frequency of PCA demands in 24 hours, and the doses of PCA used were recorded double blindly. In addition, monitoring the subjects' vital signs, the opioid-related side effects, and the pain scores was done.

RESULTSThe results showed that the acupuncture group and the electro-acupuncture group could delay the time of requesting morphine up to 10 - 11 minutes when compared with the control group. The total dose of PCA used within the first 24 hours was 30% - 35% less in the acupuncture group and the electro-acupuncture group when compared with the control group, which was indicated in statistical significance. However, there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the electro-acupuncture group. The electro-acupuncture group's and the acupuncture group's pain scores were lower than the control group's within the first 2 hours. Both were statistically significant. However, two hours later, there were no significant differences of the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between either of the treatment groups and the control group. Finally, the incidence of opioid-related side effects, such as dizziness, was less in the acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that the application of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture could definitely delay the time of requesting pain relief medication after cesarean section and decrease the PCA doses used within the first 24 hours.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Morphine ; therapeutic use ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Pregnancy