Acoustic regulations for hospital bedrooms - Comparison between selected countries in Europe

Regulatory acoustic requirements for hospitals exist in several countries in Europe, but many countries have either insufficient regulatory limits or only recommendations. The main purpose of limit values is to ensure optimal acoustic conditions for patients under treatment and for personnel for the various tasks taking place in many different rooms, e.g. bedrooms, examination and treatment rooms, corridors, stairwells, waiting and reception areas, canteens, offices, all with different acoustic needs. In addition, some rooms require special considerations like psychiatric rooms and noisy MR-scanning rooms. The extent of limit values varies considerably between countries. Some specify a few, others several criteria. The findings from a comparative study carried out in selected countries in various geographical parts of Europe show a diversity of acoustic descriptors and limit values. The paper includes examples of criteria for reverberation time, airborne and impact sound insulation, noise from traffic and from service equipment. The discrepancies between countries are discussed, aiming at potential learning and implementation of optimized limits for more room types. In addition to regulations or guidelines, some countries have hospitals included in national acoustic classification schemes with different acoustic quality levels. Indications of such classification criteria will be included in the paper.

Optimal scanning concentration of MR imaging for tumor-bearing nude mice with SPIO-shRNA molecular probe

The objective of this study is to investigate the signal changes and optimal scanning concentration of MRI in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing nude mice by SPIO-shRNA molecular probes. 30 BALB/c tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 mice in each group. At the given scanning time (before and 27 h after injection), the caudal vein was respectively injected with iron content of 6 mg·kg−1, 12 mg·kg−1, 18 mg·kg−1, 24 mg·kg−1, and 30 mg·kg−1, and MR examination was simultaneously performed to measure signal intensity changes of tumor tissue and contralateral muscle tissue in each concentration group. After each examination above, the nude mice were sacrificed immediately, and the tumor and muscle tissues were removed for HE and Prussian blue staining,and observed under light microscope. Nude mice in 6 mg, 12 mg and 18 mg groups all survived after probe injection, but some nude mice died in 24 mg and 30 mg groups after probe injection or during scanning. The signal changes of T2WI and T2*WI sequences were the most obvious in MR scanning sequences. Compared with other groups, the signal intensity of the tumor tissue in 18 mg, 24 mg and 30 mg groups were most obvious (P < 0.05), while the 18 mg, 24 mg and 30 mg groups reached no statistical difference (P > 0.05 ); HE staining indicated that structural disorder of tumor tissue as well as increase of nuclear atypia. Prussian Blue staining showed that blue-stained iron particles were present in each experimental group,and the most densely distributed were in 18 mg,24 mg and 30 mg groups. Tumor tissue could be well labeled with SPIO-shRNA molecular probes, and the optimal MR scanning concentration (iron content) is 18 mg·kg−1.

Comparison between magnetic resonance hysterosalpingography and conventional hysterosalpingography: direct visualization of the fallopian tubes using a novel MRI contrast agent mixture

Background Magnetic resonance hysterosalpingography (MR-HSG) is a promising technique in the work-up of female infertility. Few existing MR-HSG studies focus on the comparison between MR-HSG with gold standard examination. Purpose To compare the diagnostic value of MR-HSG with conventional HSG in patients receiving both exams in one day. Material and Methods This study included 33 infertile women who completed pelvic MR scanning, HSG, and MR-HSG in that order. A traditional HSG contrast agent (iohexol) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (1 mL gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) blended with 100 mL iohexol) were used to achieve image enhancement. Inter-observer and inter-modality agreements of HSG and MR-HSG exams were assessed. The results were calculated by using the kappa test. Three radiologists who were blinded to the clinical data independently reviewed the MR images. Extratubal abnormalities were analyzed. Results A total of 62 fallopian tubes of 33 women were included in the study. MR-HSG imaging findings to depict tubal patency were similar to these of HSG (AUC 0.911, sensitivity 0.821, specificity 1.000, positive predictive values 1.000, and negative predictive values 0.872). Pairwise inter-observer agreement among three observers and inter-modality agreement of the diagnosis were excellent (mean kappa 0.863 and 0.835, respectively). In addition, 29 extratubal abnormalities in 21 patients were found on pelvic MR scanning. Conclusion MR-HSG and HSG demonstrated similar results in assessing tubal patency. Because it offers the comprehensive assessment of female pelvic structures, and avoids ionizing radiation, MR-HSG may be used as an alternative imaging technique for evaluation of female infertility.

CAUDAL ANESTHESIA DURING BRACHYTHERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER (CASE REPORT)

The case report of anesthesia during brachytherapy for prostate cancer in patient with spinal comorbidity and neurological deficits has been presented. It has been shown that caudal anesthesia with MR-scanning, palpation of anatomical landmarks and ultrasonography navigation might be a method of choice in this patients.

The Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Chronic Paraproctitis (Preliminary Results)

Aim.Investigation of possibilities of magnetic resonance imaging as a whole, as well as different modes of MR scanning (without intravenous contrast, with intravenous contrast, with the use of diffusion-weighted imaging) in the diagnosis of cryptogenic fistulas of the rectum.Materials and methods. In the study were included 50 patients with cryptogenic fistulas of the rectum (21 women and 29 men). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs.Results.The sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of the primary fistulas was 100%. With regard to secondary fistulas MRI sensitivity was 91.7%, specificity was 94.3%. The sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of chronic abscesses paraproctitis was 82.6%, specificity was 95.2%. The sensitivity of the method in the visualization of internal opening was 95.5%, specificity was 80.0%. The sensitivity of the method in the diagnosis of external openings was 91.7% and specificity was 100%. In the analysis of separates MR scanning mode we didn’t find statistically significant differences between them (p < 0.05). Conclusions.Magnetic resonance imaging has a high diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis of cryptogenic perianal fistulas. We didn’t find statistically significant differences between MR scanning modes.