Pelvimetry by digital radiography

We studied the ability of digital radiographs generated on a computed tomography scanner to replace conventional pelvimetry. Two digital radiographs were usually sufficient to measure the maternal pelvis. The antero-posterior (AP) digital radiograph allowed measurement of the transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet, the interspinous distance and the intertuberous diameter. These three distances were corrected for magnification after reference to the lateral digital radiograph. The lateral radiograph gives the AP diameter of the pelvic inlet and the low sagittal diameter. Dosimetry studies demonstrated that maternal skin doses and fetal gonad doses were very low. Pelvimetry using digital radiography is a simple procedure which offers the advantage of low radiation exposure to both fetus and mother and a high accuracy of measurement.     

Computed tomography of the infratemporal fossa in primary jaw pathology

Due to the anatomical relationship of the jaws to the infratemporal fossa this area is readily involved in pathological processes of the jaw. Conventional radiographs play a limited role in demonstrating this region. A variety of primary diseases of the jaws, namely hereditary, developmental, infective, benign and malignant tumours with extension into the infratemporal fossa, are presented. Computed tomography is an excellent method for showing both osseous and soft-tissue components which include bony destruction, new bone formation, soft tissue calcification, inflammatory and malignant processes affecting the muscles and fat in the infratemporal fossa.     

The thoracic paraspinal shadow: a review of the appearances in pathological conditions

Alterations of the thoracic paraspinal shadow may give valuable information about pathological conditions of the spine, the paraspinal soft tissues, pleura and lungs. The causes of a distorted paraspinal shadow are reviewed and the main conditions illustrated by 15 selected cases.     

Urographic findings in adults with chronic pyelonephritis

The radiological findings in a cohort of 138 adults with chronic pyelonephritis are presented and the following conclusions made. Scarring is commoner in the right kidney than the left and is found in the upper, middle and lower poles with decreasing frequency from above down. Agreement between observers in the grading of scarring in urograms taken without standardisation or routine tomography, is sufficiently high to justify the continued use of the intravenous urogram as a screening test but is not high enough to detect any progression of scars in the group over a 6.5-year period. Repetition of urograms seldom reveals the development of calculi or other new abnormalities and is not justified as a clinical routine. The combination of extensive bilateral renal scarring and proteinuria is associated with the worst renal function.     

Examination of the temporomandibular joint by direct sagittal computed tomography

Direct sagittal computed tomography, using our own modification, demonstrates well the position of the disc, movement of the mandibular condyle and its position relative to the mandibular fossa as well as bone and soft-tissue abnormalities of the temporomandibular joint.     

The two-film barium meal in the exclusion of coeliac disease

Prospective experience over five years is described in assessing the two-film barium meal as a test for the exclusion of untreated celiac disease in children in order to try to make jejunal biopsy unnecessary. 287 meals were examined in children between 3 months and 10 years of age with a variety of gastro-intestinal symptoms and signs that might be attributed to celiac disease. From the two-film barium meal the calibre and transverse mucosal folds of the upper small bowel were measured. In 48 children with untreated coeliace disease there were only three (6%) with negative two-film barium meals. In 45 children with malabsorption from causes other than coeliac disease, there were four (9%) with negative two-film barium meals. It is concluded that the two-film barium meal is a reasonably reliable test for the exclusion of untreated coeliac disease in children. It is simple, cheap, safe and economical of radiological time, and it compares favourably in accuracy with other screening tests, other than jejunal biopsy.