Comparison of various noninvasive techniques for evaluating deep venous thrombosis

A series of noninvasive vascular tests was performed on groups of normal individuals (Group I) and on patients with chronic deep vein thrombophlebitis (Group II) to determine the relative specificity and sensitivity of the tests. Results indicate that the simpler tests, requiring a minimum of equipment and technique are as effective as certain of the more sophisticated procedures.

Thoracic outlet syndromes--application of microcirculation techniques and clinical review

The thoracic outlet syndromes of the upper extremities consist of many disorders. The most important two are the costoclavicular syndrome (compression of neurovascular structures between the clavicle and the first rib) and the scalenus anticus syndrome (compression of these structures within the scalene triangle). Congenital abnormalities of the clavicle, congenital small thoracic outlet, high first rib, cervical ribs of all configurations, pectoralis minor and pectoralis major syndromes, and others may occur. The costoclavicular syndrome and scalenus anticus syndrome have been considered the most prevalent compression syndromes and are amenable to surgical or medical treatment. Quantitative measurements of the microcirculation of the fingertip were examined with the shoulders and head in various positions to provide quantitative information relative to the costoclavicular and scalenus anticus syndromes. A laser instrument was ideal for this purpose, for results were quantitative and no counterpressure was applied during the measurement. The technic applied was highly successful in separating quantitatively the normal individuals from those with either costoclavicular syndrome or scalenus anticus syndrome.

Influence of local and environmental temperatures on cutaneous circulation with use of laser Doppler flowmetry

The purpose of this study was to determine a standard set of conditions for detecting peripheral arteriosclerosis with ischemia. One series of studies was done to determine the influence of room temperature on peripheral flow in healthy subjects and patients with peripheral vascular disease. The room temperature was varied from 30 degrees to 35 degrees C. The temperature from 24 degrees to 30 degrees C had only minor effects on the circulation. Thus, it seemed appropriate to use a room temperature in the lower range, usually 23 degrees C. Another series of studies showed the effect of changing skin temperatures locally at the finger tip or toe tip on the plantar and volar surfaces in healthy subjects and in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Results showed that as temperature was increased from 10 degrees to 45 degrees, there was a marked increase in the finger and toe circulations, which was considerably greater in the normal subjects as compared with those with digital disease. The ideal temperature at which to work as a routine is 40 degrees C as opposed to the lower temperatures, which did not separate healthy subjects from patients with peripheral vascular disease. A third experiment was done to study normal subjects and patients by using the finger circulation as control against the toe circulation when the conditions were a local skin temperature of 40 degrees C and a room temperature of 23 degrees C. A toe-finger index was established to detect abnormalities in the circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Successful imaging of human cancer with indium-111-labeled phospholipid vesicles

Twenty-four patients with proven primary and/or metastatic cancer received single intravenous injections of phospholipid vesicles containing 0.5 mCi of Indium-111. Gamma camera scintigraphy 1 to 72 hours later visualized tumors in 22 patients (92%), including carcinomas of breast, lung, colon, prostate, kidney, cervix, thyroid, and soft tissue sarcoma, lymphoma, and melanoma. Tumor sites that were identified included soft tissues, bone, lung, liver, lymph node, and spinal cord. There were only two false-positive images in metastatic sites and four false-negative images in metastatic sites. Overall sensitivity for tumors in 97 individual sites was 85%, whereas specificity was 96%. Unsuspected areas of malignancy were seen in the lumbar subdural space, pleura, liver, thyroid, and lung. Besides tumor accumulations, homogeneous uptake was observed in normal liver and spleen. Radiation doses to these two organs were 2.2 and 2.9 cGy/0.5 mCi In-111, respectively. Whole body radiation dose was 0.3 cGy/0.5 mCi. The use of Indium-111-labeled vesicles permits a wide variety of human tumors in primary and metastatic sites to be imaged without toxicity and with radiation doses comparable to other radionuclide scanning techniques.

The noninvasive laboratory--history and future of thermography

A brief history of thermography and recent developments in instrumentation have been reviewed. Important applications are related to thrombophlebitis, the cerebral circulation, peripheral arterial abnormalities and medical-legal situations.

The noninvasive laboratory: history and future of thermography

A brief history of thermography and recent developments in instrumentation have been reviewed. Important applications are related to thrombophlebitis, the cerebral circulation, peripheral arterial abnormalities and medical-legal situations.

Cardiac function and hemodynamic parameters after pentaerythritol tetranitrate: assessment by a noninvasive radionuclide technique

The availability of a relatively small computer with programming providing multiple-gated acquisition capability (MUGA) permits the measurement of ejection fraction and evaluation of ventricular wall motion without the need for invasive techniques. It is probable that the various nitrates available--nitroglycerin, PETN, and isosorbide dinitrate--have somewhat different hemodynamic effects, and that the radionuclide technique can assist in determining these differences and may help to predict which agents might be most appropriate in specific situations.