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Purpose: To determine whether contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE MRA) could replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the evaluation of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the lower leg and foot. Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with symptoms of atherosclerotic disease of the leg were examined prospectively with CE MRA of the foot and the lower legs as well as with DSA from the aorta to the pedal arches. The MRA technique was focused on optimal imaging of the arteries of the foot. Results: The agreement between CE MRA and DSA for grading of stenosis was moderate to good (weighted k-values 0.48-0.80). The sensitivity of CE MRA for detection of significant stenosis (350%) was 92% and the specificity was 64% with DSA as gold standard. Conclusion: CE MRA is a fairly accurate method for the demonstration of atherosclerotic disease below the knee including the pedal arches. It can replace DSA for the assessment of distal arteries in patients with impaired renal function. However, image quality and resolution still needs to be improved before CE MRA can become the method of choice in all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-two patients with Raynaud's phenomenon of the upper extremity were examined by angiography because of suspected organic stenosis or occlusions in areas available for reconstructive vascular surgery. Different vasodilatating treatments were compared either singly or combined: blockade of the brachial plexus, intraarterial injections of phentolamine or reserpine, body warming, and orally administered alcohol. Body warming in combination with 4 mg phentolamine gave optimal vasodilatation within the shortest time and without vasospasm after local cold provocation in patients with sympathetically induced vasospasm, enabling a clear visualization of organic lesions. A proper vasodilatation was also obtained after blockade of the brachial plexus or reserpine injection combined with body warming, but not until 40 min after the start of the treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen patients with bronchial carcinoma were treated with infusions of 10 mg Mitomycin C (MMC) in the bronchial artery feeding the tumor. The treatment was repeated three times with 2-3 weeks interval between treatments. Half of the patients then received radiation to the tumor area and mediastinum. All tumors decreased in size, complete remission occurred in two and partial remission in five patients. Survival time, however, was not prolonged and esophageal complications occurred in several patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty patients with postthrombotic disease were examined by phlebography and by bilateral femoral vein pressure measurements. The degree of obstruction to venous flow was best evaluated by measuring the pressure elevation and pressure difference after exercise and the time required for these parameters to return to pre-exercise levels; pressures during rest and exercise were less conclusive indicators of obstruction. Good correspondence was found between femoral vein pressure and the severity of postthrombotic symptoms, while phleboraphy provided largely morphologic, rather than functional, information. We, therefore, consider it important to determine femoral vein pressure during and after exercise to evaluate the significance of postthrombotic iliac vein disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombectomy performed with the Fogarty balloon catheter may, in a small percentage of cases, give rise to complications. In four cases reviewed, this procedure was associated with aneurysms or arteriovenous fistulae. Careful catheter manipulation and a judicious use of fluoroscopy or angiography during the procedure can reduce the number of such complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]