Roentgen diagnosis of the posterior part of the base of the skull

Since the cranial nerves and the base of the skull are spatially close to each other, certain complexes of symptoms and signs give a very accurate indication of the possible location of the lesion. Basing on such neurologic-topical structuralisation, lesions of the cerebrellopontine angle, the foramen jugulare, the clivus and of the foramen magnum are discussed systematically. The various techniques of radiological imaging or examination are assessed in accordance with their diagnostic ranking, and characteristic constellations of findings are described.     

Imaging of the nerves of the knee region

Peripheral neuropathies are a frequent, but often underdiagnosed, cause of pain and functional impairment. The clinical symptoms can be subtle, and other neurologic or non neurologic clinical entities are often evoked. MRI and ultrasonography are the imaging modalities of choice for depicting nerves and assessing neuropathies. Common neuropathies in the knee area involve the saphenous, the tibial, the common peroneal and the sural nerves. The most frequent mechanisms of nerve injury in this area are nerve entrapment and nerve stretching. A perfect knowledge of the normal imaging anatomy is essential for accurate assessment of neuropathies. In this article, we will review the anatomy of the nerves around the knee, and their normal and pathological appearance.     

Exercise and the elderly

The reproductive dysfunctions seen with exercise are reviewed. The three salient problems discussed are delayed menarche, secondary amenorrhea, and cycle dysfunction (including shortened luteal or prolonged follicular phases). These problems are probably multifactorial in origin and are not caused by exercise alone. The multiple physiologic changes seen in pregnancy are influenced by an exercise load. No long-term effects of exercise in pregnancy have been documented, although areas of concern are reviewed.     

Service for Disaster Medicine of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation at the present stage

The basic documents of the history of service Disaster Medicine in the USSR and the Armed Forces of the country, employed in this branch of medical terminology, classification of emergency situations are presented. The problem of Disaster Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation at the present stage, the levels of its operations and readiness, as well as the structure and objectives of the medical detachment for special purposes are considered. The involvement of service in peacekeeping operations and medical support of local armed conflicts are assessed.     

MR contrast agents,the old and the new

Magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents are increasingly being used to help detect and characterize various neoplastic, inflammatory and functional abnormalities. The extracellular, non-specific contrast agents gadolinium chelates are by far the most widely used. Over the past few years a number of MR organ specific contrast agents have been introduced. MRI contrast agents are generally safe and well tolerated. The present review summarizes the properties, main characteristics and imaging applications of commercially available compounds as well as safety of these agents in normal and high-risk patients.     

MR contrast agents, the old and the new

Magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents are increasingly being used to help detect and characterize various neoplastic, inflammatory and functional abnormalities. The extracellular, non-specific contrast agents gadolinium chelates are by far the most widely used. Over the past few years a number of MR organ specific contrast agents have been introduced. MRI contrast agents are generally safe and well tolerated. The present review summarizes the properties, main characteristics and imaging applications of commercially available compounds as well as safety of these agents in normal and high-risk patients.     

The suprapatellar space of the knee joint in the sonogram

The findings of the suprapatellar region in sonography are described of 400 patients. The patterns in sonography of effusion, synovialitis, hemoarthros, soft tissue tumour and soft tissue necrosis, free bodies, and artificial ligaments are demonstrated. The investigation is easy and can be effected with ordinary equipment.     

Propagation of the uncertainties of sample position to the uncertainty of the counting efficiency in gamma-ray spectrometry.

The uncertainties generated by inaccurate positioning of homogeneous cylindrical samples are propagated into the uncertainty of the counting efficiency. In this work general expressions describing the uncertainty of the counting efficiency in terms of the sample and detector properties are derived. The uncertainty of the counting efficiency generated by the uncertainty of the sample-detector distance is evaluated using the point detector concept. The uncertainty generated by the displacement of the symmetry axes of the sample and the detector is evaluated using the empirical radial dependence of the efficiency for point sources. Results are presented for some counting geometries resembling counting conditions frequently used in actual measurements. The results of the evaluations are compared to experimentally measured results and are briefly discussed.     

Course of Paget's osteodystrophia deformans--exemplified by the roentgen morphology of the cranial bones

The still unknown etiology and pathogenesis of Paget's disease or Osteodystrophia deformans Paget are discussed; localisation of skeletal lesions and clinical findings of the disease are described. The skull bones are used to give an example for the 4 phases of the course of the disease, shown by X-ray pictures. Typical X-ray findings of changes in structure, pattern, size, and shape of the skull bones are compared with the pathological and anatomical picture.     

Fine-needle biopsy of the kidneys

The methods, indications, results, and complications in fine-needle puncture of the kidneys are discussed, with particular attention to cysts that have an atypical appearance in tomographic procedures. The problems of percutaneous cyst treatment and the possibilities of abscess therapy by fine-needle puncture are presented. The limited indications of using this method in solid kidneys tumors are defined, and antegrade pyelography and the differentiation of perirenal processes are discussed.     

Roentgen diagnosis of the medial part of the base of the skull

The median section of the base of the skull offers many diagnostic problems in radiology. Findings of the plain radiographs and tomographs, of computed tomography and angiography are demonstrated in cases of space-occupying growths of the sella region, lesions of the fossa temporalis and of the region of the pyramid of the medulla oblongata, from a differential diagnostic viewpoint. Sequelae of traumas are discussed separately.     

Quality assurance from the viewpoint of the x-ray film industry]

The parameters of a film-screen-combination are listed in the directive to section 16 of the german X-ray Regulation. These parameters are determined by methods described in DIN standards and published by the manufacturer. Comparable but less precise parameters are determined in the Acceptance Test. For physical reasons it is not possible to determine the speed of an X-ray film or the intensification factor of a screen separately. The films, screens and processing chemicals delivered by the members of the manufacturer association ZVEI are kept below a deviation (expressed as relative contribution to the system speed S) of +/- 10% for the majority of products, the upper limit is +/- 15%. Poor storage and transport conditions may adversely affect the quality of X-ray films. A special labeling of the film box shall serve to guarantee safe distribution channels. The processing conditions are adjusted at the Acceptance Test according to the manufacturers recommendations. The Constancy Test of film processing serves to maintain these correct conditions. Methods deviating from the DIN-method are of limited (Bayerische method) or no value (Stuttgart method).     

The light output and the detection efficiency of the liquid scintillator EJ-309

The light output response and the neutron and gamma-ray detection efficiency are determined for liquid scintillator EJ-309. The light output function is compared to those of previous studies. Experimental efficiency results are compared to predictions from GEANT4, MCNPX and PENELOPE Monte Carlo simulations. The differences associated with the use of different light output functions are discussed.     

The automatization of the control over the processes determining the risk of HIV-infection spreading among servicemen

The possibilities of the control over the processes determining the HIV-infection spreading risk are considered. In the view of that the automated system which enables to evaluate risk factors predetermining the appearance of new infection cases was proposed. These factors are systematised in a multilevel database. On the basis of the statistical analysis of the risk factors situations of the spread of the HIV infection are revealed and analysed and measures for their liquidation are worked out promptly. The system is universal and can be used for the prevention of the beginning of other extreme situations caused by the spread of different infections. The examples of the comparative analysis of the risk of sexual behaviour in various groups of servicemen are given.     

Articular Fractures of the Dome of the Talus

Osteochondral fractures of the talar dome are often overlooked because the symptoms are similar to ankle sprains. The most common site of fracture is on either the superolateral or superomedial margin of the dome. Lateral lesions are caused by inversion and dorsiflexion of the ankle, while medial lesions result from inversion and plantar flexion. Careful inspection of x-ray films is the only way to diagnose an acute injury. Surgical treatment is usually required to avoid a long period of immobilization.     

Imaging the neonatal heart--essentials for the radiologist

Modern radiological imaging provides precise diagnosis in congenital heart disease (CHD). The most important and readily available radiological examination is still chest radiography. The diagnostically most important imaging method is echocardiography. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have gained much ground over the more invasive cardiac catheter angiography, which is still needed in more complex conditions and for interventional procedures, which are performed more frequently. This article is focused on imaging of the neonatal heart. Basically, characteristics of the chest radiograph in CHD are illustrated. To establish an understanding of CHD haemodynamics are reviewed. It is not the role of the radiologist to make a detailed anatomic or physiologic diagnosis on the basis of a plain film, but the radiologist should be aware of changes in a neonatal chest X-ray that CHD can cause and should point out that the child might have CHD thus initiating further work-up.     

CT of the main ligaments of the cervico-occipital hinge

Summary The results of a CT-anatomical correlative study of the main ligaments of the cervico-occipital hinge are reported. CT criteria of normal ligamentous structure of this region are presented in axial, coronal and sagittal views with a special attention to the transverse ligament of the Atlas. Examples of pathological transverse ligaments are illustrated and emphasis is laid upon the better statement CT allows in such cases.     

Imaging of the posterolateral corner of the knee

The structures of the posterolateral corner of the knee are increasingly recognized as fulfilling an important role in maintaining knee stability. The posterolateral aspect of the knee is stabilized by a complex anatomy of osseous, myotendinous and ligamentous structures. Unrecognized injuries to this part of the knee are a cause of failure of cruciate ligament reconstruction. This review focuses on the anatomy and common injury patterns involving the posterolateral corner of the knee, with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging.     

Scatter correction in scintigraphy: the state of the art

In scintigraphy, the detection of scattered photons degrades both visual image analysis and quantitative accuracy. Many methods have been proposed and are still under investigation to cope with scattered photons. The main features of the problem of scattering in radionuclide imaging are presented first, to provide a sound foundation for a critical review of the existing scatter correction techniques. These are described using a classification relating to their aims and principles. Their theoretical potentials are analysed, as well as the difficulties of their practical implementation. Finally, the problems of their evaluation and comparison are discussed. Correspondence to: I. Buvat     

Radiologic patterns of the metastatic tumours of the large intestine (author's transl)]

The metastatic tumours of the large intestine are not unfrequent. In the majority of cases they are due to the direct invasion from endo or retro peritoneal tumours, especially of the stomach and the pancreas. The radiologic findings of such lesions are described, and a correlation is made with the pathologic, pathogenetic and clinical aspects.