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Purpose: To prospectively compare the diagnostic accuracy of duplex ultrasonography, captopril renography, computed tomography angiography (CTA), and 3D Gd magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in diagnosing hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis (RAS). Material and Methods: The standard of reference was measurement of transstenotic pressure gradient. Fifty-eight hypertensive patients with suspicion of RAS were evaluated, when possible, by all five techniques. Sensitivity and specificity to detect RAS were compared for each technique on both a patient and kidney basis. Discrepancies were evaluated separately and classified as borderline, method dependent, or operator dependent. Results: The prevalence of RAS was 77%. The sensitivity/specificity of ultrasonography, captopril renography, CTA, and MRA in detecting kidneys with RAS was 73/71%, 52/63%, 94/62%, and 93/91%, respectively. Ultrasonography had a significantly lower sensitivity than CTA and MRA (P<0.001) but higher than captopril renography (P = 0.013). Borderline RAS was the main cause for discrepancies. Conclusion: MRA and CTA were significantly better than duplex ultrasonography and captopril renography in detecting hemodynamically significant RAS. The ultrasonography criteria for RAS based on the evaluation of renal peak systolic velocity and renal/aortic ratio are questionable. Captopril renography cannot be recommended for assessing RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To validate a method for calculating split renal function from computed tomography (CT) compared with gamma camera renography, and to test a new method for the measurement based on a volume-rendering technique. Material and Methods: Thirty-eight patients, aged 65.7 +/- 11.6 (range 37.8-82.1) years, who had undergone both CT angiography and gamma camera renography for a suspected renal artery stenosis were included in this study. Split renal function was calculated from the CT examinations by measuring area and mean attenuation in the image slices of the kidneys, and also by measuring volume and mean attenuation from a 3D reconstruction of the kidneys. Gamma camera renography with 99mTc-MAG3 with or without captopril enhancement was used as a reference. Results: The 2D CT method had good correlation with renography (r=0.93). Mean difference was 4.7 +/- 3.6 (0-12) percentage points per kidney. There was also excellent correlation between the two CT methods (r=1.00). Conclusion: CT is equivalent to renography in determining split renal function, and the measurement from the CT examination can be made more quickly and equally accurately with a 3D technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whole body computed tomography in trauma (WBCTT) is a standardized CT examination of trauma patients. It has a relatively high radiation dose. Therefore, well-defined clinical indications and imaging protocols are needed. This information regarding Nordic countries is limited. Purpose: To identify Nordic countries' WBCTT imaging protocols, radiation dose, and integration in trauma care, and to inquire about the need for common Nordic guidelines. Material and Methods: A survey with 23 multiple choice questions or free text responses was sent to 95 hospitals and 10 trauma centers in and outside the Nordic region, respectively. The questions were defined and the hospitals selected in collaboration with board members of "Nordic Forum for Trauma and Emergency Radiology" (www.nordictraumarad.com). Results: Two Nordic hospitals declined to take part in the survey. Out of the remaining 93 Nordic hospitals, 56 completed the questionnaire. Arterial visualization is routine in major trauma centers but only in 50% of the Nordic hospitals. The CT scanner is located within 50 m of the emergency department in all non-Nordic trauma centers but only in 60% of Nordic hospitals. Radiation dose for WBCTT is in the range of 900-3600 mGy × cm. Of the 56 responding Nordic hospitals, 84% have official guidelines for WBCTT. Eighty-nine percent of the responders state there is a need for common guidelines. Conclusion: Scanning protocols, radiation doses, and routines differ significantly between hospitals and trauma centers. Guideline for WBCTT is presently defined locally in most Nordic hospitals. There is an interest in most Nordic hospitals to endorse new and common guidelines for WBCTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Oncogenic osteomalacia (OOM) is a rare syndrome caused by a tumor that produces a phosphaturic factor: fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). These tumors can be extremely difficult to localize because they are small, slow growing and cause no local symptoms. Patient and methods: Venous sampling for detection of a gradient of FGF23 has been used to limit the area of further imaging. We describe a case of OOM in a 73- year old woman, with two years of spontaneous fractures, severe musculoskeletal pain and phosphate wasting. Results: Her serum FGF23 level was increased and whole-body intravenous sampling (11 sites) revealed a FGF23 gradient from the right leg. The second sampling indicated that the source of FGF23 was below the knee, but imaging studies, including magnetic resonance imaging and octreotide scintigraphy, were not conclusive. A third sampling demonstrated increasing FGF23 the more distal one came in the lower leg. Imaging of the forefoot finally identified a 10 mm tumor that was removed. Histopathological examination showed a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of mixed connective tissue type. The phosphate level and symptoms improved in days after surgery. Conclusion: Repeated determinations of a venous gradient of FGF23 may be used to localize tumors of OOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate trauma triage criteria in terms of compliance, undertriage, and overtriage and identify risk factors for mistriage., Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, all consecutive trauma patients at a University Hospital in Sweden in 2012 were included. Patients were stratified into three groups on the basis of trauma team activation (full trauma team, limited trauma team, and no trauma team). Case records were reviewed for mechanism of injury, vital signs, and injuries. Compliance with alert criteria was evaluated and injury severity score combined with the Matrix method was used for assessment of overtriage and undertriage., Results: A total of 1424 trauma patients were included in the study. Seventy-three (5.1%) patients activated a full trauma team, 732 (51.4%) a limited trauma team, and 619 (43.5%) did not activate any trauma team. Undertriage was 2.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-3.8%] and overtriage was 34.2% (95% CI: 23.5-46.3%) in the complete cohort. Compliance with 'trauma triage criteria' was assessed by comparing actual alerts with what was estimated to be the correct alert levels on the basis of prehospital case records. Compliance with full trauma team criteria was 80% (68-88%), limited trauma team was 54% (51-58%), and no trauma team was 79% (76-82%). Assuming full compliance with trauma criteria, the Matrix method resulted in an undertriage of 2.3% (95% CI: 1.6-3.3%) and an overtriage of 42.6% (95% CI: 32.4-53.2%)., Conclusion: The overtriage and undertriage in this study is in line with the recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. However, better compliance with trauma alert criteria would result in fewer trauma team activations without affecting patient safety.

Background Renal artery duplex ultrasound (RADUS) is an established method for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis (RAS), but there is no consensus regarding optimal RADUS criteria. Purpose To define optimal cutoff values for RADUS parameters when screening for RAS using intra-arterial trans-stenotic pressure gradient measurement (PGM) as reference. Material and Methods The renal arteries of 58 consecutive patients evaluated for renovascular hypertension were examined by RADUS and PGM. Conclusive measurements with both methods were obtained in 76 arteries. Hemodynamically significant RAS was defined as PGM ≥15 mmHg and was found in 43 of the 76 arteries. RADUS parameters included renal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the renal-aortic ratio (RAR) of flow velocities. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) and Youden's index were used to calculate optimal RADUS criteria for RAS. Results When traditional RADUS criteria for RAS were used, with a combination of PSV ≥180 cm/s and RAR ≥3.5, the sensitivity was 62% and the specificity was 91%. When RADUS criteria were optimized for sensitivity, then RAR ≥2.6 alone resulted in a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 69%. Conclusion The RAR ≥2.6 is a more sensitive criterion than traditional RADUS criteria when screening patients with clinical suspicion of RAS.

The aim with the present study was to examine the relationship between the subcomponents in working memory (WM) and mathematical performance, as measured by the National tests in a sample of 597 Swedish third-grade pupils. In line with compelling evidence of other studies, individual differences in WM capacity significantly predicted mathematical performance. Dividing the sample into four groups, based on their mathematical performance, revealed that mathematical ability can be conceptualized in terms of different WM profiles. Pupils categorized as High-math performers particularly differed from the other three groups in having a significant higher phonological ability. In contrast, pupils categorized as Low-math performers were particularly characterized by having a significant lower visuo-spatial ability. Findings suggest that it is important for educators to recognize and acknowledge individual differences in WM to support mathematical achievement at an individual level.

Background: Whole body computed tomography (WBCT) is an important adjunct in trauma care, which is often part of standard protocol in initial management of trauma patients. However, WBCT exposes patients to a significant dose of radiation. The use of WBCT was assessed in a modern trauma cohort in Sweden., Methods: A two-center retrospective cohort study was performed. All consecutive trauma alert patients at a university hospital (July-December 2008), and a rural county hospital (January 2009- December 2010) were included. Patients were stratified into three groups (high, intermediate and low risk) based on documented suspected injuries at primary survey at the site of accident or at the emergency department. Injury severity score (ISS) was calculated. Case records were reviewed for clinical and radiological findings at the time of trauma, and during a ≥36 months of follow-up period to identify possible missed injuries., Results: A total of 523 patients were included in the study (university hospital n = 273; rural county hospital n = 250), out of which 475 patients (91.0 %) underwent radiological examinations, 290 patients (55.4 %) underwent WBCT, which identified trauma related findings in 125 patients (43.1 % of those examined). The high-risk group (n = 62) had a mean age of 38.5 years (21.1 SD). Mean ISS was 16.48 (18.14 SD). In this group, WBCT resulted in a positive finding in 38 (74.5 %) patients. In the intermediate-risk group (n = 322; mean age 37.66, 20.24 SD) ISS was 4.42 (6.30 SD). A positive finding on WBCT was found in 87 of the intermediate group patients (44.8 %). The low-risk group (n = 139; mean age 32.5 years; 21.4 SD) had a mean ISS of 0.84 (1.57 SD) with no positive findings on WBCT and no missed injuries in medical records at ≥36 months., Discussion: The risk of developing radiation induced cancer is significant for young people if exposed to relatively high dose radiation as is the case in WBCT. WBCT in high-energy trauma is important for planning of treatment in severely injured patients while it can be questioned in the seemingly not injured where it is used mainly to permit early discharge from the ED., Conclusions: Risk stratification criteria could in this retrospective study identify high energy trauma patients not in need of radiological imaging. WBCT in high-energy trauma does not affect patient care if the patient is mentally alert, not intoxicated nor shows signs of other than minor injuries when evaluated by a trauma-team. The risk of missing important traumatic findings in these patients is very low. Observation of the patient with reexamination instead of imaging may be considered in this group of often young patients where radiation dose is an issue.

Purpose: A transcutaneous port (T-port) has been developed allowing easy exchange of a catheter, which was fixed inside the device, using the Seldinger technique. The objective of the study was to test the T-port in patients who had percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD)., Methods: The T-port, made of titanium, was implanted using local anesthesia in 11 patients (mean age 65 years, range 52-85 years) with biliary duct obstruction (7 malignant and 4 benign strictures). The subcutaneous part of the T-port consisted of a flange with several perforations allowing ingrowth of connective tissue. The T-port allowed catheter sizes of 10 and 12 Fr., Results: All wounds healed uneventfully and were followed by a stable period without signs of pronounced inflammation or infection. It was easy to open the port and to exchange the drainage tube. The patient's quality of life was considerably improved even though several patients had problems with repeated bile leakage due to frequent recurrent obstructions of the tubes. The ports were implanted for a mean time of 9 months (range 2-21 months). Histologic examination in four cases showed that the port was well integrated into the soft tissue. Tilting of the T-port in two cases led to perforation of the skin by the subcutaneous part of the ports, which were removed after 7 and 8 months., Conclusion: The T-port served as an excellent external access to the biliary ducts. The drainage tubes were well fixed within the ports. The quality of life of the patients was considerably improved. Together with improved aesthetic appearance they found it easier to conduct normal daily activities and personal care. However, the problem of recurrent catheter obstruction remained unsolved.

Purpose: CO2 gas has been proposed for use instead of iodinated contrast media in angiographic examinations in patients at risk of developing renal failure from contrast media. The influence of intraarterial injection of CO2 with small added amounts of ioxaglate (200 mgI/mL) or ioxaglate alone on renal function in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis was studied in a prospective, randomized study., Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-three patients underwent renovascular intervention (n = 83) and/or renal angiography (n = 40) for suspected renal artery stenosis. Patients with a serum creatinine concentration less than 200 micromol/L (n = 82) were randomized prospectively to receive CO2 with small added amounts of ioxaglate (n = 37) or only ioxaglate (n = 45). Patients with serum creatinine levels greater than 200 micromol/L (n = 41) were not randomized and initially received CO2. Serum creatinine concentrations were measured within 1 day before and 1 day, 2 days, and 2-3 weeks after the procedure., Results: The amount of injected CO2 did not relate to an increase in serum creatinine level. In the randomized groups, and also when the whole patient sample was considered, the amount of injected iodine was significantly correlated (P = .011) with an increase in serum creatinine level and a decrease in estimated creatinine clearance after 2 days. Among the randomized patients, one in the CO2 group and three in the ioxaglate group had a more than 25% increase in serum creatinine level within the first 2 days after the intervention., Conclusion: The risk of impairment of renal function is lower after injection of CO2 with small amounts of added ioxaglate compared with injection of a larger amount of ioxaglate alone. The larger the amount of administered iodinated contrast medium, the greater the risk of development of renal failure.

Radiologically demonstrable pancreatic endocrine tumors are a frequent requirement for exploration in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN-I). Such delayed intervention is accompanied by a 30% to 50% incidence of pancreatic endocrine metastases. This study explores biochemical tumor markers and operative findings in relation to preoperative pancreatic radiology in 25 MEN-I patients. They underwent pancreatic surgery with (n = 19) or without (n = 6) radiologic signs of primary tumor and absence of metastases upon conventional examination, including OctreoScan testing (n = 10). Biochemical diagnosis required an increasing elevation of at least two independent pancreatic tumor markers. Tumor diameters averaged 1.1 cm (0-5 cm) and 0.9 cm (0.2-1.5 cm) in the patients with and without positive preoperative radiology, respectively. These investigations never displayed more than one of the consistently multiple tumors, and the results were falsely positive in 26%. Preoperatively unidentified regional or hepatic metastases were found at surgical exploration in 26% of patients with radiologic localization and in none of the others. Limited pancreatic tumor involvement necessitated intraoperative absence of metastases and pancreatic lesions /= 7 mm in diameter. Conventional pancreatic imaging is insensitive and nonspecific for recognizing even substantial pancreatic tumors associated with MEN-I.