Experimental Techniques: Diagnostic Tools

1994 ◽  
pp. 271-295
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Tools

Developing an Effective Framework for the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Evaluation Process

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celeste R. Helling ◽  
Jamila Minga
Keyword(s):  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
Expressive Communication ◽  
Communication Evaluation ◽  
Communication Needs

A comprehensive augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation is critical to providing a viable means of expressive communication for nonverbal people with complex communication needs. Although a number of diagnostic tools are available to assist AAC practitioners with the assessment process, there is a need to tailor the evaluation process to the specific communication needs of the AAC user. The purpose of this paper is to provide a basis for developing an effective and clinically driven framework for approaching a user-tailored AAC evaluation process.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Gastroenterologist's Perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
Michael F. Vaezi
Keyword(s):  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Reflux Disease ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Atypical Symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a commonly diagnosed condition often associated with the typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, although it may present with atypical symptoms such as chest pain, hoarseness, chronic cough, and asthma. In most cases, the patient's reduced quality of life drives clinical care and diagnostic testing. Because of its widespread impact on voice and swallowing function as well as its social implications, it is important that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) understand the nature of GERD and its consequences. The purpose of this article is to summarize the nature of GERD and GERD-related complications such as GERD-related peptic stricture, Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma, and laryngeal manifestations of GERD from a gastroenterologist's perspective. It is critical that SLPs who work with a multidisciplinary team understand terminology, diagnostic tools, and treatment to ensure best practice.

Experimental techniques in neutron scattering

1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 255-268
Author(s):  
P. Mériel
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Scattering ◽  
Experimental Techniques

Molecular genetic markers for thyroid FNAB

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (03) ◽  
pp. 94-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. B. Musholt ◽  
T. J. Musholt
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Ultrasound Screening ◽  
Thyroid Malignancy ◽  
Thyroid Carcinomas ◽  
Molecular Genetic Markers ◽  
The Impact

SummaryAim: Thyroid nodules > 1 cm are observed in about 12% of unselected adult employees aged 18–65 years screened by ultrasound scan (40). While intensive ultrasound screening leads to early detection of thyroid diseases, the determination of benign or malignant behaviour remains uncertain and may trigger anxieties in many patients and their physicians. A considerable number of thyroid resections are consecutively performed due to suspicion of malignancy in the detected nodes. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been recommended for the assessment of thyroid nodules to facilitate detection of thyroid carcinomas but also to rule out malignancy and thereby avoid unnecessary thyroid resections. However, cytology results are dependent on experience of the respective cytologist and unfortunately inconclusive in many cases. Methods: Molecular genetic markers are already used nowadays to enhance sensitivity and specificity of FNAB cytology in some centers in Germany. The most clinically relevant molecular genetic markers as pre-operative diagnostic tools and the clinical implications for the intraoperative and postoperative management were reviewed. Results: Molecular genetic markers predominantly focus on the preoperative detection of thyroid malignancies rather than the exclusion of thyroid carcinomas. While some centers routinely assess FNABs, other centers concentrate on FNABs with cytology results of follicular neoplasia or suspicion of thyroid carcinoma. Predominantly mutations of BRAF, RET/PTC, RAS, and PAX8/PPARγ or expression of miRNAs are analyzed. However, only the detection of BRAF mutations predicts the presence of (papillary) thyroid malignancy with almost 98% probability, indicating necessity of oncologic thyroid resections irrespective of the cytology result. Other genetic alterations are associated with thyroid malignancy with varying frequency and achieve less impact on the clinical management. Conclusion: Molecular genetic analysis of FNABs is increasingly performed in Germany. Standardization, quality controls, and validation of various methods need to be implemented in the near future to be able to compare the results. With increasing knowledge about the impact of genetic alterations on the prognosis of thyroid carcinomas, recommendations have to be defined that may lead to individually optimized treatment strategies.

The uncalibrated prothrombinase-induced clotting time test

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (04) ◽  
pp. 212-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jovic ◽  
M. Hollenstein ◽  
P. Degiacomi ◽  
M. Gautschi ◽  
A. Ferrández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Xa ◽  
Heparin Therapy ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Coagulation Cascade ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Direct Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Clotting Time ◽  
Coagulation Time ◽  
Time Test

SummaryThe activated partial thromboplastin time test (aPTT) represents one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in order to monitor patients undergoing heparin therapy. Expression of aPTT coagulation time in seconds represents common practice in order to evaluate the integrity of the coagulation cascade. The prolongation of the aPTT thus can indicate whether or not the heparin level is likely to be within therapeutic range. Unfortunately aPTT results are highly variable depending on patient properties, manufacturer, different reagents and instruments among others but most importantly aPTT’s dose response curve to heparin often lacks linearity. Furthermore, aPTT assays are insensitive to drugs such as, for example, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors among others. On the other hand, the protrombinase-induced clotting time assay (PiCT®) has been show to be a reliable functional assay sensitive to all heparinoids as well as direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs). So far, the commercially available PiCT assay (Pefakit®-PiCT®, DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. Branch Pentapharm, Basel, Switzerland) is designed to express results in terms of units with the help of specific calibrators, while aPTT results are most commonly expressed as coagulation time in seconds. In this report, we describe the results of a pilot study indicating that the Pefakit PiCT UC assay is superior to the aPTT for the efficient monitoring of patients undergoing UFH therapy; it is also suitable to determine and quantitate the effect of LMWH therapy. This indicates a distinct benefit when using this new approach over the use of aPPT for heparin monitoring.

The desperate plea of women with the nutcracker syndrome

Phlebologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
J. L. Villavicencio
Keyword(s):  
Renal Vein ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Left Renal Vein ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Nutcracker Syndrome ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Children And Young Adults ◽  
Good Number ◽  
Pelvic Congestion

Summary Objective: To increase awareness on the severe impact of the nutcracker syndrome in women with undiagnosed disease. Patients and methods: We reviewed the medical literature and analyzed six representative series with 73 patients with nutcracker syndrome. Women with left flank pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, dysmenorrhea, micro- or macrohaematuria and pelvic congestion symptoms, should be carefully investigated for evidence of meso aortic left renal vein compression. A good number of our colleagues do not believe in the existence of the nutcracker syndrome and send these patients in a long pilgrimage in search of someone who can help them to get relief to their pain. New and improved imaging techniques can assist in the diagnosis but retrograde reno-gonadal phlebography and renocaval gradient are the most reliable diagnostic tools. Results: Among an assortment of treatment techniques, renal vein transposition and endovenous stenting were the two most commonly used procedures. There are no long term studies on renal vein stenting in children and young adults. Its use in these cases should be carefully considered. The nutcracker syndrome may present with pelvic congestion symptoms and its diagnosis missed. The patient's age, severity of symptoms and haemo dynamic renal studies should guide the treatment. Conclusion: An increased awareness of the existence of the nutcracker syndrome may prevent many unfortunate undiagnosed women from spending many months and often years of suffering.

Clinical value of amino acid imaging in paediatric brain tumours

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (04) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Lang ◽  
S. Kloska ◽  
R. Straeter ◽  
C. H. Rickert ◽  
G. Goder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Gadolinium Enhancement ◽  
Tumour Grading ◽  
Enhanced Mri ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Paediatric Brain Tumours

Summary Purpose: To evaluate single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using the amino acid l-3-[123I]-α-methyl tyrosine (IMT) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as diagnostic tools in primary paediatric brain tumours in respect of non-invasive tumour grading. Patients, materials, methods: 45 children with primary brain tumours were retrospectively evaluated. IMT uptake was quantified as tumour/nontumour- ratio, a 4-value-scale was used to measure gadolinium enhancement on contrast enhanced MRI. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate IMT uptake and gadolinium enhancement in low (WHO I/II) and high (WHO III/ IV) grade tumours and to disclose a potential relationship of IMT uptake to disruption of blood brain barrier as measured in corresponding MRI scans. Results: IMT uptake above background level was observed in 35 of 45 patients. IMT uptake was slightly higher in high grade tumours but the difference failed to attain statistical significance. Grading of individual tumours was neither possible by IMT SPECT nor by gadolinium enhanced MRI. Conclusion: IMT is accumulated in most brain tumours in children. Tumour grading was not possible using IMT or contrast enhancement as determined by MRI. Neither morphological nor functional imaging can replace histology in paediatric brain tumours.

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