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La Radiologia Medica Aug 2023To compare conventional CT images and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) at dual-layer dual-energy CT (dlDECT) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) through...
PURPOSE
To compare conventional CT images and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) at dual-layer dual-energy CT (dlDECT) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) through quantitative analysis and to investigate the added value of VMI.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sixty-six consecutive patients with histologically documented CRC and available VMI reconstructions were retrospectively investigated. Subsequently, forty-two patients, without any colonic disease at colonoscopy, were selected as control group. Conventional CT images and VMI reconstructions at energy levels ranging from 40 (VMI) to 100 keV (VMI) in 10 keV increments, were obtained from the late arterial phase. First, signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios were obtained to select the best VMI reconstruction. Finally, the diagnostic accuracy of conventional CT and VMI in late arterial phase was evaluated.
RESULTS
On quantitative analysis, SNR and CNR were higher for VMI (19.5 ± 7.7 and 11.8 ± 6.2, respectively) with statistically significant differences compared to conventional CT (P < 0.05) and all the other VMI reconstructions (P < 0.05), except for VMI (P > 0.05). The addition of VMI to conventional CT images significantly improved the area under the curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of CRC, increasing it from 0.875 to 0.943 for reader 1 (P < 0.05) and from 0.916 to 0.954 for reader 2 (P < 0.05). The improvement was greater in the less experienced radiologist (0.068) compared to the more experienced one (0.037).
CONCLUSION
VMI has showed the highest quantitative image parameters. Furthermore, the use of VMI can lead to a significant improvement in the diagnostic performance for detecting CRC.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Retrospective Studies; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; Colorectal Neoplasms; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 37310558
DOI: 10.1007/s11547-023-01663-0 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Oct 2023To describe the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings; treatment; and outcome of cattle with mesenteric torsion (MT).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings; treatment; and outcome of cattle with mesenteric torsion (MT).
ANIMALS
61 cattle with MT between November 1, 1986, and December 31, 2019.
METHODS
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results were compared for cattle that survived versus did not survive to hospital discharge.
RESULTS
All cattle had abnormal demeanor. The most common clinical signs were tachycardia (80.3% [49/61]), tachypnea (65.0% [39/60]), and lower rectal temperature (59.3% [35/59]). Signs of colic occurred in 65.6% (40/61). The most common gastrointestinal findings were an empty or almost empty rectum (100% [59/59]), reduced or absent motility of the small intestines (96.6% [57/59]) or rumen (93.2% [55/59]), positive ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right side (91.7% [55/60]), and dilated small (49.2% [29/59]) and large intestines (spiral colon and/or cecum, 44.1% [26/59]) detected during transrectal examination. The most common laboratory findings were acidosis (82.6%, [38/46]) hypermagnesemia (74.5% [35/47]). Ultrasonographic findings included reduced or absent small intestinal motility (86.7% [26/30]) and dilated small intestines (83.8% [31/37]). The spiral colon was dilated in 32.4% (12/37) of the cattle. Eighty-two percent (50/61) of the cattle underwent right flank laparotomy and the MT could be reduced in 34.4% (21/61). Twenty-three percent (14/61) of the cattle survived to hospital discharge, and 77.0% (47/61) were euthanized before hospital discharge.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Dilated small and large intestines (spiral colon, cecum) combined with a severely abnormal demeanor and tachycardia are characteristic findings in cows with MT. Immediate surgical treatment is paramount.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Intestine, Large; Intestine, Small; Cecum; Colon; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 37451675
DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.05.0243 -
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Apr 2024Torsion of the spiral colon (TSC) describes twisting of the spiral colon around its mesentery. The present study reviewed the medical records of 58 cows and heifers with...
BACKGROUND
Torsion of the spiral colon (TSC) describes twisting of the spiral colon around its mesentery. The present study reviewed the medical records of 58 cows and heifers with TSC and described the findings, treatment and outcome.
RESULTS
All cases had an abnormal general condition, and the main vital sign abnormalities were tachycardia (72.4%), tachypnoea (67.2%) and decreased rectal temperature (51.8%). Signs of colic were seen in 62.1% of the cows. The most common intestinal abnormalities were an empty or almost empty rectum (96.6%), reduced or absent rumen motility (93.2%), positive ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation on the right side of the abdomen (87.9%), reduced or absent intestinal motility (84.5%) and dilatation of the large intestines (spiral colon and/or caecum, 70.7%) diagnosed by transrectal palpation. The main biochemical changes were hypermagnesaemia (70.8%), hypocalcaemia (70.8%), and acidosis (66.7%). Haemoconcentration was found in 63.8%. The main ultrasonographic findings were reduced to absent small intestinal motility (83.3%), dilated small intestines (69.6%) and ascites (66.7%). The spiral colon was dilated in 44.0% of the cows and the caecum in 24.0%. The actual site of torsion could not be visualised. Based on the clinical findings, TSC was diagnosed in 22.4% and caecal dilatation in 50.0% of the cows. A tentative diagnosis of small intestinal ileus was made in another 10.3% of the cows, and a definitive diagnosis of small intestinal ileus in 17.3%. Fifty-three cows underwent right flank laparotomy, and the TSC could be reduced in 26. Twenty-six of the 58 (44.8%) cows were discharged and 32 (55.2%) were euthanased before, during or after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Acute illness, a sparse amount of faeces in the rectum and dilated spiral colon and caecum are characteristic findings of TSC. The final diagnosis often relies on the surgical or postmortem findings. Cattle with TSC should be treated surgically without delay. The prognosis is guarded with a survival rate of 44.8%.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Female; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Cattle Diseases; Colon; Ileus
PubMed: 38622685
DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00738-w -
Pharmaceutics Sep 2023Dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technique that allows for the simultaneous printing of two polymeric filaments and the design of complex...
Dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technique that allows for the simultaneous printing of two polymeric filaments and the design of complex geometries. Hence, hybrid formulations and structurally different sections can be combined into the same dosage form to achieve customized drug release kinetics. The objective of this study was to develop a novel bicompartmental device by dual-nozzle FDM for colon-specific drug delivery. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were selected as matrix-forming polymers of the outer pH-dependent and the inner water-soluble compartments, respectively. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was selected as the model drug. Drug-free HPMCAS and drug-loaded PVA filaments suitable for FDM were extruded, and their properties were assessed by thermal, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, and texture analysis techniques. 5-ASA (20% /) remained mostly crystalline in the PVA matrix. Filaments were successfully printed into bicompartmental devices combining an outer cylindrical compartment and an inner spiral-shaped compartment that communicates with the external media through an opening. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray tomography analysis were performed to guarantee the quality of the 3D-printed devices. In vitro drug release tests demonstrated a pH-responsive biphasic release pattern: a slow and sustained release period (pH values of 1.2 and 6.8) controlled by drug diffusion followed by a faster drug release phase (pH 7.4) governed by polymer relaxation/erosion. Overall, this research demonstrates the feasibility of the dual-nozzle FDM technique to obtain an innovative 3D-printed bicompartmental device for targeting 5-ASA to the colon.
PubMed: 37765330
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092362 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Mar 2024Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor that often leads to intestinal obstruction, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Early and accurate diagnosis of...
BACKGROUND
Colon cancer is a common malignant tumor that often leads to intestinal obstruction, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Early and accurate diagnosis of colon cancer and associated ileus is crucial for timely treatment and improved patient outcomes. Various diagnostic methods, including MSCT and MRI, are currently used in clinical practice. However, the optimal imaging approach for accurate diagnosis remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVE
To study the value and accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing colon cancer obstruction.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 cases of colon cancer and ileus patients admitted to the Hai'an Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to July 2020. The cases were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, with 50 cases in each. The control group was diagnosed with MSCT, and the experimental group was diagnosed with MRI based on the control group. The positive and negative detection rates, test accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were compared between the 2 groups. The area under the curve (AUC), quality of life (QOL) score, and mental status scale in non-psychiatric settings (MSSNS) score were calculated with the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) and compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS
The test accuracy, positive detection rate, negative detection rate, test specificity, sensitivity, and AUC of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the results were statistically significant (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the QOL and the MSSNS scores between the 2 groups (P > .05).
CONCLUSION
MSCT combined with MRI has a high application value in diagnosing colon cancer obstruction patients, and can significantly improve the test's accuracy, specificity and sensitivity.
PubMed: 38466066
DOI: No ID Found -
Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie Aug 2023The development of capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) revolutionized minimally invasive examination and treatment of small bowel diseases....
The development of capsule endoscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) revolutionized minimally invasive examination and treatment of small bowel diseases. Limitations of DAE are a great time expenditure and low rates of complete enteroscopy. Recently motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) was introduced with shorter procedure times and concurrently greater insertion depths. MSE is also the first device that opens up the possibility to achieve complete enteroscopy in a relevant number of cases by the unidirectional, peroral approach.To our knowledge we present the first published case of complete enteroscopy by retrograde MSE in a 35-year-old female without prior abdominal surgery with direct endoscopic visualization of the pyloric ring. The patient suffered from colonic polyposis syndrome. For the exploration of both colorectum and the small bowel we performed retrograde MSE under propofol sedation. After 60 minutes of advancement, we achieved complete enteroscopy by retrograde identification of the pyloric ring. The procedure could be finished after withdrawal of the endoscope and cold snare polypectomy of 3 small colonic adenomas without any adverse events. Total procedure time was 82 minutes. The patient was discharged one day after the procedure without complaints.It has been proven already that great insertion depths are achievable by retrograde MSE, but this case shows for the first time that even a complete enteroscopy is possible. In conclusion, primary retrograde MSE with no need of tracheal intubation might be a key to more effective, time-preserving, and cost-effective concepts of small-bowel endoscopy in the future.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Ileocecal Valve; Colonic Polyps; Pylorus; Colonoscopy; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Capsule Endoscopy
PubMed: 36343640
DOI: 10.1055/a-1949-8148