Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on abdominal fat compartments as related to glucose and lipid metabolism in early postmenopausal women

The effects of estrogen replacement therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism as related to abdominal fat distribution were investigated in fifty-one healthy postmenopausal women aged 52-53 years. They were randomized to treatment with either estradiol 2 mg or placebo daily for three months in a double-blind design. Forty-six women continued with estradiol for another nine months in an open design with the addition of medroxyprogesterone for ten days every three months. Intra-abdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat, and intrapelvic and subcutaneous pelvic fat was estimated by computed tomography before and after one year of estrogen treatment. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, oral glucose tolerance test and analyses of blood lipids were performed after 3 and 12 months of treatment. Estrogen replacement therapy decreased body fat mass as well as intra-abdominal and intrapelvic fat, but not the subcutaneous fat compartments. LDL cholesterol decreased and HDL cholesterol increased, whereas triglycerides were not changed by one year of estrogen treatment. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were not affected by estrogen treatment. In postmenopausal women estrogen treatment for one year decreased intra-abdominal and intrapelvic fat compartments, but this was not related to changes in plasma lipid levels. Insulin sensitivity and plasma triglycerides were not affected by estrogen treatment.

Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. Primary and secondary evaluation for localization of phaeochromocytomas

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic value of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy compared with computed tomography (CT) for the localization of phaeochromocytomas in clinical practice.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparison between MIBG scintigrams and CT for localization of phaeochromocytomas in all patients successively examined with MIBG scintigraphy in Malmö from 1984 until January 1997.

SETTING

Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-four patients with clinically suspected phaeochromocytomas.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

MIBG scintigrams and CTs classified as positive or negative based on original interpretations (primary evaluation) and in a secondary evaluation by one blinded examiner are assessed through histological confirmation or clinical rule out of phaeochromocytomas.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients had surgically removed phaeochromocytomas. The remaining 39 patients had no proof of phaeochromocytomas. In the secondary evaluation, sensitivity for MIBG scintigraphy was 88% (22/25) and for CT was 100% (25/25). The specificity for MIBG scintigraphy was 89% (35/39) but only 50% for CT (18/36). Two out of a total of six extra-adrenal tumours were amongst the false-negative MIBG scintigrams.

CONCLUSIONS

MIBG scintigraphy for the localization of phaeochromocytomas is superior to CT as far as specificity, whereas CT has a higher sensitivity. After biochemical diagnosis, CT will detect most phaeochromocytomas. MIBG scintigraphy can be of value in patients who show inconclusive results with biochemical testing and CT.

Relationship between abdominal fat compartments and glucose and lipid metabolism in early postmenopausal women

The relationships between abdominal and pelvic fat compartments and glucose and lipid metabolism were investigated in early postmenopausal women. Fifty-five healthy, postmenopausal women aged 52-53 yr participated in the study. Fat distribution (intra-abdominal and sc abdominal fat, and intrapelvic and sc pelvic fat) was estimated by computed tomography. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. In a multiple regression analysis, the size of the intra-abdominal fat compartment was the only significant predictor of insulin sensitivity (r(2) = 24%; P = 0.0002). Plasma triglycerides were closely related to the size of the intra-abdominal fat compartment (r(2) = 26%; P < 0.0001), whereas plasma free fatty acid concentrations only correlated to the size of the sc abdominal fat compartment (r(2) = 18.5%, P = 0.001). In early postmenopausal women the amount of the intra-abdominal fat strongly influences insulin sensitivity and plasma triglyceride levels, whereas plasma free fatty acids are closely related to the amount of the sc abdominal fat. Accordingly, from a metabolic standpoint it seems most essential to reduce intra-abdominal fat in postmenopausal women.

Image quality and safety after iodixanol in intravenous urography; a comparison with iohexol

A double-blind, randomized phase III study compared intravenous urography in 100 adult patients receiving iodixanol 320 mgI ml-1 (Visipaque) with 99 patients receiving iohexol 350 mgI ml-1 (Omnipaque). The aim of the study was to investigate differences in image quality between a non-ionic dimeric contrast medium (CM) and a non-ionic monomer at 40 ml per patient and 60-100 ml per patient volume levels. There were no statistically significant differences between iodixanol and iohexol with respect to overall diagnostic information, which was found to be optimal in 86% and 79%, respectively. Immediately after the injection, the renal border was better delineated with iohexol than with iodixanol (p = 0.0001). Marked papillary blush occurred more often in the iodixanol group (16%) than in the iohexol group (0%), as did visualization of the collecting ducts (24% vs 5%) (p = 0.001). The incidence of adverse events was similar and low for both contrast media. In patients who received the higher doses of CM (60-100 ml), the frequency of discomfort was significantly lower after iodixanol than after iohexol (p = 0.006). We conclude that, in intravenous urography, iodixanol provides at least as good image quality as does iohexol. Iodixanol may cause less discomfort than iohexol, in particular when larger volumes of CM are injected.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome associated with postoperative primary adrenal failure

A 51-year-old Caucasian male without previous history of thromboembolic disease developed Coomb's positive haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, transient paranoid psychosis and bilateral adrenal haemorrhage with primary adrenal failure after surgery for inguinal hernia. The activated partial thromboplastin time was spontaneously prolonged, and lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies were detected. In the absence of criteria for classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the entity was classified as a primary antiphospholipid syndrome. Despite the persistence of the serological abnormalities, the patient remains well after substitution with cortisone. Primary adrenal failure due to adrenal haemorrhage can be associated with the primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Determination of the relative glomerular filtration rate of each kidney in man. Comparison between iohexol CT and 99mTc-DTPA scintigraphy

Iohexol and 99mTc-DTPA were used in 43 patients to determine the relative glomerular filtration rate (GFR), i.e., the GFR of each kidney in percent of total GFR. The amount of any GFR marker accumulating in Bowman's space, tubuli and renal pelvis within a few minutes after i.v. injection, before any marker had left the kidney via the ureter, was defined as proportional to the GFR of that kidney. The renal accumulation of iohexol was determined by CT using 10 slices of 8-mm thickness 1 to 4 minutes after injection. The renal accumulation of 99mTc-DTPA was determined with a gamma camera within 2 minutes after injection. The correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.98. Due to the higher radiation dose from CT than from 99mTc-DTPA injection, relative GFR determination with CT should be performed when there is also a diagnostic need to reveal morphology.

Cardiac pheochromocytoma

Cardiac pheochromocytoma is a rare tumour and may be difficult to localize. We present a 32-year-old male with a cardiac pheochromocytoma that was successfully resected. An initial unenhanced CT did not reveal the tumour. MIBG-scintigraphy indicated the location, but to get full information, a dynamic contrast-enhanced CT of the chest during adequate alpha and beta blockade was essential. ECG-gated MRI gave further information about the anatomical details.

Selective nephroangiography in the dog causing renal platelet aggregation and irregular nephrographic phase

Selective renal artery injections of large single doses of the ionic contrast medium metrizoate produced an irregular nephrographic phase, 'patchy contrast medium retention', in 14 of 16 dogs. The irregular nephrographic phase was associated with a transient accumulation of platelets and fibrinogen in the kidney and with microscopically demonstrable transient thrombi in afferent arterioles and glomerular capillary tufts. These effects were followed by tubular damage, which was demonstrated in 4 of 6 dogs examined 48 hours after injection. Formation of thrombi was not demonstrated in 6 dogs given small single doses, which produced a homogeneous nephrographic phase. It is suggested that contrast medium induced endothelial damage is a pathogenetic mechanism in the development of thrombi and patchy contrast medium retention.

Renal function following nephroangiography with metrizamide and iohexol. Effects on renal blood flow, glomerular permeability and filtration rate and diuresis in dogs

The non-ionic ratio 3.0 contrast media metrizamide and iohexol used in high-dose unilateral nephroangiography in dogs produce homogeneous nephrograms and no marked effects on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and osmotic diuresis, in contrast to previously reported results using the same technique with iodine-equivalent doses of the ionic ratio 1.5 contrast medium diatrizoate (25). Iohexol affected glomerular permeability significantly less than metrizamide and diatrizoate.

Renal function following nephroangiography with diatrizoate. Effects of saline, mannitol, and diatrizoate on renal blood flow, glomerular permeability and filtration rate and diuresis in dogs

The ionic contrast medium diatrizoate used in high-dose unilateral nephroangiography in dogs produced an abnormal nephrogram, 'patchy contrast medium retention', and a marked decrease in renal blood flow in five of eight injected kidneys. Increased glomerular permeability (albuminuria), reduced glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance), and reduced osmotic diuresis were demonstrated in all selectively injected kidneys.

Renal angiography with iohexol and metrizoate

The nephrotoxicity of the ionic contrast medium metrizoate was compared with that of nonionic iohexol when used for renal angiography. Fifteen patients who underwent renal angiography with metrizoate and 15 with iohexol were studied. Serum creatinine level, Cr-51-EDTA clearance, and urine albumin level were recorded before and after angiography. Metrizoate affected renal function, as indicated both by a transient decrease in glomerular filtration rate and by a transient albuminuria. Renal function was unaffected by iohexol. Furthermore, iohexol produced less subjective discomfort than metrizoate. There appeared to be no difference in the quality of the angiograms obtained with the two media.

Diagnostic difficulties in computed tomography of brain abscesses

In a series of 26 patients with the final diagnosis of brain abscess, 24 initially presented with ring lesions on computed tomography (CT) and two with homogeneous areas of increased attenuation after intravenous contrast medium administration. Twelve had a finding, reported to be characteristic, with a center of low attenuation encircled by a smooth, thin contrast enhancing ring surrounded by marked edema. In 10 patients, the true nature of the lesion was not evident from the first CT examination. An atypical appearance with a thick walled irregular ring or areas with homogeneous increased attenuation indicated malignant tumor. Rapidly progressing changes of the CT appearance and/or supplementary clinical data permitted us to reach the exact diagnosis in most of these. Repeat studies were also valuable in the follow-up during and after conservative (antibiotic) or surgical treatment.

Tracheotomy--a satisfactory method in the treatment of acute epiglottitis. A clinical and functional follow-up study

A follow-up study, including clinical examination, X-ray and function tests, of 27 children with acute epiglottitis treated with tracheotomy at the ENT-Department, Mölndal Hospital during 1971-1975 has been performed. The function tests were an important part of the investigation and included measurement with the He-dilution technique, flow--volume curves and the forced oscillation technique. No child had any detectable tracheal stenosis or any other serious per- or postoperative complication. The only complication at all was one ugly scar on the neck. The tracheotomized patient needs very little sedation and the time spent at the intensive care unit can be shorter than for those patients treated with nasotracheal intubation.