Radiological prevalence of lumbar intervertebral disc calcification in the elderly: an autopsy study

 Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro radiological prevalence of lumbar intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) in the elderly and its relation to osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and methods. Lumbar spine segments comprising L2–4 were resected from 60 cadavers (30 males, 30 females; average age 67 years) and investigated with high-contrast radiography and computed tomography (CT). Results and conclusions. IDC was found in 58.3% of the patients using high-contrast radiography and in 46.7% of the patients using CT. IDC prevalence and OA grades in the lumbar spine and right hand were found to increase with age. IDC prevalence and OA grades for L2–3 were not significantly different from those for L3–4. No significant sex difference was found for IDC prevalence and OA grades. The results indicate that IDC is significantly underestimated in vivo by conventional radiography and that intervertebral disc calcification may be a common phenomenon in aging. The exact relation of IDC to OA remains undetermined.     

Radiological diagnosis of colorectal polypi and carcinomas which have not progressed]

Provided examination conditions are optimal, we are now able to detect changes of the wall of the colon from about 5 mm diameter upwards and thus to further clarify the diagnosis and to initiate appropriate treatment. Hence, the demand for early or timely diagnosis can be met by means of x-ray diagnosis in respect of processes of the colon.     

胸部结节病的影像诊断

目的:分析各期胸部结节病影像表现,探讨其诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析23例胸部结节病患者的胸片,CT及临床资料,病理证实11例,临床治疗证实12例。结果:1期双侧肺门和纵隔淋巴结肿大10例,仅右侧肺门淋巴结肿大伴纵隔淋巴结肿大2例,结合临床胸片与CT诊断正确率无差异,均为83.3%。Ⅱ期双侧肺门和纵隔淋巴结肿大伴肺内病变9例,Ⅲ期肺呈纤维化改变2例,结合临床胸片与CT诊断正确率分别为46%,57%,两种检查方法有明显差异(P<0.05)。结论:胸片是诊断结节病的基础,并易于临床随访,1期胸部结节病例可经胸片确诊。HRCT提高了影像学诊断本病的准确性和可靠性。     

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of a splenic metastasis

Effective local ablation of large tumors with radiofrequency has been made possible by recent advancements. Tumor ablation with radiofrequency has been described mainly in the liver, but also recently in the kidney, adrenal gland, lung, and breast. A rapidly growing splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma was effectively treated percutaneously, with US guidance. Focal splenic disease may not be a common indication for ablation; however, further work is necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure in this setting.     

腹茧症的影像诊断

目的探讨腹茧症的影像特点，提高术前诊断水平。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的腹茧症6例，术前均进行立位腹部X线平片和腹部CT检查，4例同时行胃肠道钡剂造影，复习其影像表现。结果6例立位腹部X线平片中3例诊断为肠梗阻。4例胃肠道钡剂造影，均可见小肠交错盘绕成团，呈“菜花”状或“手风琴”状表现。6例CT检查，均可见小肠聚集成团，其周围可见膜样的囊状物将其包裹。结论对患者进行胃肠道造影时观察到“菜花”状征象，或CT检查时观察到小肠聚集成团被一层膜样物包裹，应考虑到腹茧症的可能。     

Radiological diagnosis of Klatskin's tumour

Patients with Klatskin's tumour present clinically unspecific symptoms such as painless jaundice and cholangitic discomfort. The only curative treatment is R0 resection of the tumour. To allow stage-specific therapy, accurate tumour staging is indispensable, the first step of which is abdominal sonography. If there is a suspect finding, cross-sectional imaging techniques like MRI or MDR-CT are used to clarify or stage the lesion, respectively. To estimate resectability, MRI together with MRC and MRI angiography are superior to MDR-CT. Biopsy using ERC is required before starting any specific treatment. If therapeutically relevant peritoneal carcinosis is clinically suspected although not radiologically confirmed, PET should also be performed. The value of PET/CT has to be evaluated in further studies. For optimal treatment, close cooperation between clinicians and radiologists is necessary.