Objective: to analyze the possibilities of standard and additional methods for X-ray mammography (MG) in the comprehensive diagnosis of nonpalpable breast masses and preclinical cancers; to identify the important radiological signs of malignancy as predictors for the application of multislice spiral computed tomography/ magnetic resonance imaging (MSCT/MRI-MG), as well as invasive studies in premenopausal women.

Material and methods. The investigation enrolled 423 pre-menopausal patients with nonpalpable breast masses; 129 women were found to have breast cancer. The diagnosis was verified by comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination using standard and additional methods for X-ray mammography, ultra-sonography, MRI, MSCT of the breast and biopsy. Significant radiological signs of malignancy of the lesions were detected and their diagnostic value was identified.

Results. The use of additional diagnostic techniques for mammography contributes to the confident visualization of important radiological criteria for malignancy, enhances the informative value of by 5%, and promotes a decline in the number of unjustified biopsies by 11%.

Conclusion. Problems in visualizing and categorizing nonpalpable breast masses necessitate additional diagnostic techniques for X-ray mammography. The identification and confident interpretation of important radiological criteria for benign or malignant lesions increase the diagnostic value of X-ray mammography: the sensitivity from 91% to 98%, specificity from 61% to 75%. MSCT-MG and MRI-MG demonstrate even higher efficiency: contrast-enhanced (CE) MSCT–MG (100% sensitivity, 99% specificity) and CE MRI–MG (100% sensitivity, 98% specificity). Sequential radiological and morphological studies improve the quality and efficiency of diagnosis of nonpalpable breast cancer.

Objective: to evaluate the efficiency of detection of emphysema in the analysis of lung computed tomography (CT) images using the “Autoplan” program and to compare the data of quantitative analysis and clinical indicators. Material and methods. Sixty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were examined; the diagnosis was confirmed by external respiratory function evaluation; all the patients underwent inspiratory-expiratory CT using a 32-row multidetector CT scanner, followed by postprocessing in the “Autoplan” system. The features of the system were a floating threshold value, constructing a histogram, and the possibility of preserving a report and polygonal models. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate the right heart and to estimate pulmonary arterial pressure. Results. The obtained numerical values of lung density assessment (mean lung density and emphysema index) showed a high efficiency (a sensitivity of as high as 78%, a specificity of as high as 81%) in detecting emphysema. There was evidence for a relationship between the data of quantitative analysis and the values of external respiration function. Analysis of echocardiographic findings revealed that there was a relationship between emphysema index and systolic and diastolic right ventricle wall thickness (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient from -0.56 to -0.66). Conclusion. Thus, analysis of the lung density CT characteristics provides a physician with objective numerical values, which affect the progression of obstructive changes in patients and the development of signs of chronic cor pulmonale.

Objective: to compare a radiation dose obtained during standard digital radiography, tomosynthesis, and multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). Material and methods. Life-size full body pediatric anthropomorphic mannequin phantom was examined with a Fujifilm FDR Ac Selerate 200 X-ray diagnostic apparatus and a Toshiba Aquilion Prime 64 computed scanner using the Piranha dosimetry equipment, as well as Gammex planar target, for comparison of the resolution of the apparatus. The effective radiation doses were calculated for different anatomical regions with the formulas specified in the methodical instructions, using the coefficients K and Kd. Results. The tables and graphs comparing the radiation dose when using different radiation diagnostic techniques were presented. The resolution of standard digital radiography versus that of tomosynthesis was analyzed. Fluctuations of the doses obtained were associated with the difference in the volume of irradiated tissue and in the presence of the doses in the irradiated volume of organs with high radiosensitivity. Optimal physical and technical parameters of photography were proposed, which could reduce a dose load on the patient, without significantly losing the quality of films. Conclusion. The effective doses of tomosynthesis were significantly higher than those of standard digital radiography (p < 0.05) while those of (MSCT) were above those of both X-ray and tomosynthesis, and the resolution of the latter was slightly lower.

Objective: to evaluate the impact of single-stage selective arterial catheterizations during X-ray endovascular interventions to reduce obtained radiation doses in the treatment of patients. Material and methods. X-ray endovascular interventions were carried out in the operating room equipped with a flat detector digital angiography system (Axiom Artis dTA, Siemens Medical System). The impact of single-stage selective arterial catheterization procedures was analyzed during endovascular interventions for coronary heart disease and uterine myomas on the time course of changes in the collective effective radiation doses for patients in the period 2013 to 2015. Results. Analysis of the findings showed that single-stage selective coronary angiography using a universal (multipurpose) radial coronary catheter and single-stage X-ray endovascular uterine artery embolization techniques could reduce collective effective doses for patients from 5.86 persons-Sv in 2013 to 1.6 persons-Sv in 2015. Conclusion. Different single-stage selective catheterization procedures used during endovascular interventions into the coronary and uterine arteries can reduce radiation doses for patients.

The paper considers the main provisions of the 2009 RECIST guidelines (version 1.1.) criteria for a standard approach to measuring lung tumor lesions and assessing the dynamics of the tumor process during treatment. This paper contains a list of conditions for carrying out multislice spiral computed tomography, under which the latter becomes maximally reproducible for the same patient, as well as an assessment of the course of the disease does optimal.

A comparison of the possibilities of using various neurotropic radiopharmaceuticals for scintigraphic evaluation of cerebral perfusion. In the whole range of radiopharmaceuticals used to diagnose cerebral blood flow disorders, there are Ceretec (^99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine) and Neurolite (N,N-1,2-ethylenediylbis-L-cysteine-diethyl ether), which are the most optimal agents. Due to their high cost and related radiation exposure, the radiopharmaceuticals ¹²³І-IMP (¹²³I-isopropyl-iodoamphetamine) and ²⁰¹Tl-DDC (diethyldithiocarbamate) labeled with thallium-²⁰¹ virtually minimize the possibilities of being used in daily clinical practice. Fixation of ^99mTc-DDC in the brain proves to be short-term, which is insufficient for tomoscintigraphy studies. Literature has been sought in the Scopus, Web of Scince, Pubmed, EMBASE, and Russian Science Citation Index databases.

The paper analyzes indications for, frequency, safety, and efficiency of inferior vena cava (IVC) suprarenal filter implantation. The study based on the Medline database has indicated that an IVC suprarenal filter should be implanted following very strict indications, such as extensive caval thrombosis; renal vein thrombosis with a thrombus in the IVC; some vascular anomalies; a renal tumor process with a tumor thrombus in the IVC; prevention of pulmonary embolism in pregnant women with deep vein thrombosis; and prior to surgery. IVC suprarenal implantation done as clinically indicated is an effective and safe method to prevent pulmonary embolism.