Variations in size of the bony lumbar canal in patients with prolapse of lumbar intervertebral discs.

Prolapse of the lumbar intervertebral disc is one of the commonly accepted causes of low back pain. Most patients respond well to conservative treatment, but some may not respond at all. Though the reason for this variation is not clearly understood, it is felt that a developmentally narrow spinal canal might have some relation to the persistence of backache and sciatica. The canal was therefore measured at each of the lumbar vertebral level by a method described by Jones and Thomson (1969) in 100 consecutive patients operated upon for prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs, in 100 normal patients for comparison. This method does not give direct measurements of the bony spinal canal but provides a ratio of the size of the canal to the adjacent vertebral body. We found a trend towards the presence of a narrower than normal lumbar canal in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs. It is concluded that in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs necessitating operation, the canal tends to be narrower than normal, and such narrowing enhances the effect of any disc protrusion leading to severe symptoms of backache and sciatica.     

Cerebral atrophy in younger persons: a comparative study between clinical examinations and computed tomography

Eighty-nine patients, all below the age of 50 and under suspicion of dementia underwent computed tomography. The degree of cerebral atrophy was visually estimated and also calculated using different ventricular diameters and the mean width of four cortical sulci. The degree of dementia was evaluated by a neurological specialist. No correlation between internal atrophy and the degree of dementia was found. In spite of a significant correlation between external atrophy and the degree of dementia, there was such overlap and underestimation that the value of computed tomography in quantifying atrophy in younger persons is very limited. In none of the patients did computed tomography disclose any organic cause of dementia.     

Dynamic computed tomographic assessment of the mitral annulus in patients with and without mitral prolapse

ObjectivesTo obtain 3D CT measurements of mitral annulus throughout cardiac cycle using prototype mitral modeling software, assess interobserver agreement, and compare among patients with mitral prolapse (MP) and control group.BackgroundPre-procedural imaging is critical for planning of transcatheter mitral valve (MV) replacement. However, there is limited data regarding reliable CT-based measurements to accurately characterize the dynamic geometry of the mitral annulus in patients with MV disease.MethodsPatients with MP and control subjects without any MV disease who underwent ECG-gated cardiac CT were retrospectively identified. Multiphasic CT data was loaded into a prototype mitral modeling software. Multiple anatomical parameters in 3D space were recorded throughout the cardiac cycle (0–95%): annular circumference, planar-surface-area (PSA), anterior-posterior (A-P) distance, and anterolateral-posteromedial (AL-PM) distance. Comparisons were made among the two groups, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Interobserver agreement was assessed on ten patients using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) among 4 experienced readers.ResultsA total of 100 subjects were included: 50 with MP and 50 control. Annular dimensions were significantly higher in the MP group than control group, with circumference (144 ± 11 vs. 117±8 mm), PSA (1533 ± 247 vs. 1005 ± 142 mm²), A-P distance (38 ± 4 vs. 32±2 mm), and AL-PM distance (47 ± 4 vs. 39±3 mm) (all p < 0.001). Substantial size changes were observed throughout the cardiac cycle, but with maximal and minimal sizes at different cardiac phases for the two groups. The interobserver agreement was excellent (ICC≥0.75) for annular circumference, PSA, A-P- and AL-PM distance.ConclusionA significant variation in the mitral annular measures between different cardiac phases and two groups was observed with excellent interobserver agreement.     

A comparative study to validate the use of ultrasonography and computed tomography in patients with post-operative intra-abdominal sepsis

PURPOSE: To validate abdominal ultrasonography and helical computed tomography in detecting causes for sepsis in patients after abdominal surgery and to determine improved criteria for its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive surgical patients primarily operated for non-infectious disease were included in this prospective study. Forty-one patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. All patients were suspected of an intra-abdominal sepsis after abdominal surgery. Both ultrasonography (US) and helical abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed to investigate the origin of an intra-abdominal sepsis. The images of both US and CT were interpreted on a four-point scale by different radiologists or residents in radiology, the investigators were blinded of each other's test. Interpretations of US and CT were compared with a reference standard which was defined by the result of diagnostic aspiration of suspected fluid collections, (re)laparotomy, clinical course or the opinion of an independent panel. Likelihood ratios and post-test probabilities were calculated and interobserver agreement was determined using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of an abdominal infection was 0.49. The likelihood ratio (LR) of a positive test-result for US was 1.33 (95% CI: 0.8-2.5) and for CT scan 2.53 (95% CI: 1.4-5.0); corresponding post-test probabilities for US 0.57 (95% CI: 0.42-0.70) and for CT 0.71 (95% CI: 0.57-0.83). The LR of a negative test-result was, respectively, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.3-1.3) and 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06-0.5); corresponding post-test probabilities for US 0.37 (95% CI: 0.20-0.57) and for CT 0.15 (95% CI: 0.06-0.32) were calculated. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography can be used as the imaging modality of choice in patients suspected of intra-abdominal sepsis after abdominal surgery. Because of the low discriminatory power ultrasonography should not be performed as initial diagnostic test.     

64层螺旋CT尿路成像与静脉尿路造影对照分析

目的探讨64层螺旋CT尿路成像(CTU)与静脉尿路造影(IVU)对泌尿系病变的应用价值。方法 130例临床疑诊泌尿系病变的患者,先进行IVU,再行64层螺旋CT尿路成像检查,通过工作站进行多种后处理,比较两者结果。结果 IVU诊断正常3例,诊断泌尿系结石95例,其中肾结石50例,输尿管结石44例,膀胱结石1例,输尿管外压病变2例,泌尿系畸形6例,肿瘤7例,感染性病变1例。CTU诊断正常2例,诊断泌尿系结石106例,其中肾结石60例,输尿管结石45例,膀胱结石1例,外压病变4例,泌尿系畸形9例,肿瘤20例,感染性病变17例。对于泌尿系结石、畸形的诊断两种方法无统计学差异(P>0.05),对于泌尿系肿瘤、感染的诊断两者有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论 64层螺旋CT通过多种后处理方法,既可全景显示泌尿系的形态结构,也可观察局部病变细节,对泌尿系各种疾病的诊断有重要的临床价值;而对于泌尿系单纯结石性梗阻亦可采用IVU。     

Comparative study of computed x-ray tomography and saccoradiculography in the diagnosis of early lumbar disk herniation. Apropos of 50 surgically-proven cases

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy using the two methods showed scanner imaging to provide superior results, with confirmation of herniated disc in 90 p. 100 cases based on purely discal semiological features. Limitations of the method result from the absence of epidural fat (narrow lumbar canals). A new hierarchy of radiological explorations in resistant lumbosciatica is proposed.     

Spinal abnormalities in pediatric patients: MR imaging findings compared with clinical, myelographic, and surgical findings

Eighty-one pediatric patients with a variety of spinal disorders, including suspected dysrhaphism, scoliosis, neoplasia, and neurofibromatosis, underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The results were retrospectively compared with those of myelography followed by computed tomography (CT) and surgery. In patients with dysrhaphism, most abnormalities, including hydromyelia, inclusion tumors, and sites of cord tether, were demonstrated with MR imaging. Diastematomyelia and small hydromyelic cavities were indistinguishable on routine coronal and sagittal T1-weighted images; axial images with T2 weighting were optimal for this differentiation. MR imaging did not enable direct visualization of a thickened filum or evaluation of tethering with a thin, dorsally positioned neural placode. Congenital or severe scoliosis required lengthy studies with multiple planes of imaging or myelography and CT. Milder curvatures were readily evaluated with MR imaging, and neoplastic lesions, with the exception of intrathecal tumor seeding, were adequately defined.     

53例颅脑创伤患者耳部损伤的临床表现与多层螺旋CT发现的相关性研究

目的探讨颅脑创伤病人耳部损伤的临床表现与多层螺旋CT发现的相关性。方法对53例颅脑创伤疑有耳部和面神经管损伤的患者进行了耳部CT扫描和3D图像重组,统计、分析各型颞骨骨折CT所见与临床症状、体征的相关性。结果本组53例颞骨骨折,其中纵行骨折34例(64.2%),混合性骨折14例(26.4%),横行骨折5例(9.4%);内耳完整型48例(90.6%),内耳受损型5例(9.4%)。脑挫裂伤或(和)脑内血肿21例:其中单侧颞叶损伤11例、双侧5例,弥漫性轴索损伤1例,脑干损伤1例;硬膜外或(和)硬膜下血肿8例,蛛网膜下腔积血6例。结论多层螺旋CT(MSCT)3D成像技术立体、直观、真实地再现了耳部及面神经管细微、复杂的影像学解剖和病理改变,可为临床早期诊断,及时选择合理、恰当的治疗方案以及预后评估等提供较好的影像学依据。     

Radionuclide imaging, computed tomography, and gray-scale ultrasonography of the liver: a comparative study.

Transmission computed tomography (CT), gray-scale ultrasonography, and scinitillation-camera imaging were compared for detection of intrahepatic space-occupying processes. Fifty patients with suspected liver disease were studied by the three modalities. In the 35 cases with confirmed abnormalities, the madalities were rated on a scale of 0 to 5 in terms of their detection value; Each modality was found to have definite advantages and disadvantages. The mean score of ultrasound was highest (3.61), followed by nuclear medicine (3.11) and then CT (2.77). The combination of ultrasound and nuclear medicine identified all lesions, whereas CT alone or in combination with another technique occasionally failed to detect abnormal foci. In the future, the relative efficacy of these procedures may change with improved imaging technology and increased interpreter experience.     

Acute disease of the aorta. Diagnosis by computed tomography and ultrasonography

CT and ultrasonography, alone or in combination, have partially replaced aortography for the detection of abnormalities of the native and grafted abdominal aorta. In our medical center, ultrasonography is used to detect or confirm the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm and to determine its size, extent, and relationship to the renal arteries. We usually choose CT to assess suspected rupture of the native aorta and complications of the grafted aorta, such as occlusion, leakage, false aneurysm, or perigraft infection. Acute disease of the abdominal aorta can be detected or excluded using these relatively noninvasive imaging techniques.     

The Leriche syndrome. A comparative investigation using angiography, computed tomography and ultrasonography

Nine patients with Leriche syndrome were examined with angiography, computed tomography and routine abdominal ultrasonography. The diagnosis was readily obtained with angiography and computed tomography, while ultrasonography conducted with a linear array real time scanner failed to establish essential features of the disorder. This is mainly because the thrombosed portion of the aorta does not produce any striking alteration of the echo structure of the vessel. Contrast computed tomography defines the abnormalities of the aorta in great detail.     

Calcified herniations of the thoracic disk: role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in surgical planning.

Herniations of thoracic disks are uncommon, and their surgical management can be challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly becoming the method of choice for assessing degenerative disease in thoracic disks. However, calcification may be difficult to detect with MRI and plain films alone. The authors report a case in which MRI and myelography underestimated the true extent of disk calcification, the detection of which would have altered the initial surgical approach.     

Pelvic inclination and spatial orientation of the acetabulum. A radiographic, computed tomographic and clinical investigation

In a study of 40 young adults the pelvic inclination measured by a specially constructed inclinometer was found to be the same in the supine and standing positions when related to the horizontal and frontal planes, respectively. Consequently supine CT measurements of the hip are also representative of corresponding standing angles. The variations of the acetabular anterversion and the sector angles on CT of the hips in 5 adult corpses were measured by angulating the gantry in increments of 5 degrees to +/- 20 degrees. An approximate linear relationship was found for all parameters, the acetabular anteversion varied 0.5 degree with 1 degree pelvic rotation, and the sector angles 0.7 degree. A theoretic mathematical model for the variation of the acetabular anteversion outside the measured range employing a sine curve is introduced.     

A comparative study of the patello-femoral joint on axial roentgenogram,axial arthrogram,and computed tomography following arthrography

After arthrography 71 young patients with pain in the knee had a computed tomography (CT) examination. The form of the patella is classified according to the method of Wiberg [12] and on CT 50% of them do not correspond to the type described on the axial roentgenogram. The position of the patella can be examined on CT with a relaxed knee in 15 degrees of flexion. The patellar cartilage is easier to assess on CT: congruity, regularity, imbibition of contrast material, and thickness are studied.     

A comparative study of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the evaluation of migraine

Seventy-four patients with classic migraine were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast enhanced head CT scanning. Patients chosen for the study ranged in age from 9 to 39 years with a mean age of 28 years. All had documented symptoms of classic migraine for over two years. Nineteen of the seventy-four patients (26%) had multiple foci of bright signal in the brain on T2 weighted MRI. None of these parenchymal abnormalities were detected on CT scans. Twenty-six patients (35%) had both MRI and CT demonstration of focal or generalized ventricular enlargement or sulcal prominence. These atrophic findings were shown equally well by both modalities. Ten patients (14%) with atrophic changes showed concomitant small bright foci of T2 signal abnormality. An additional migraine patient with homonymous hemianopsia had a large occipital lobe infarct which was seen as a region of bright T2 signal abnormality on MRI. Typical CT characteristics of an acute infarct were demonstrated.