Osteoarticular amyloidosis caused by dialysis

The accumulation of amyloid in the bone and joint system has recently been recognized as a peculiar disease in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis (5 years at least), especially in those who use cuprophan membranes. The pathology of amyloidosis is characterized by deposits of amyloid (beta 2-microglobulin mainly) in the bone, in the synovia, and in pericapsular soft tissues. The skeleton of 46 long-term hemodialysis patients (19 males and 27 females) was studied by X-ray: bone and joint abnormalities due to amyloid deposition were observed in 45% of cases. The shoulder, hip, and wrist were the most frequently involved joints. Destructive spondyloarthropathy was present in 15% of cases. The radiographic patterns of AOD are generally divided into axial and peripheral lesions. In the appendicular skeleton abnormalities include: well-defined lytic areas (geodes), pathologic fractures, marginal erosions, and periarticular soft tissue swelling. Destructive spondyloarthropathy is frequently present in the cervical spine (85% of our cases), and is characterized by narrowing of the intervertebral space, marginal erosion, and subchondral bone sclerosis of the vertebral body.     

Radiologic findings of osteoarticular infection in paracoccidioidomycosis

Objective  

To report the radiological abnormalities of osteoarticular involvement in paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM).     

Radiologic aspects of lunatomalacia

A radiological classification of lunatomalacia, based upon the chronological radiologic manifestations in 93 patients is presented. Compression fractures were not seen as the initial event. Fifty-seven per cent of the patients had a short ulna (ulna minus variant). The presence of ulna minus variant was especially observed in the younger patients. In 16 patients suffering from a lunate fracture and in 20 patients with lunate or perilunate luxations, lunatomalacia did not develop. Immobilization as treatment of the disorder resulted in a progressive course in all patients, but one, an 8-year-old girl. The lesion of the lunate was arrested and tended to heal following radial osteotomy in all patients.     

Radiologic aspects of pneumonectomies

Pneumonectomy is very important in the treatment of bronchial cancer and is responsible for considerable changes in thoracic images. A study based on 28 pneumonectomy cases has enabled us to define the normal radiographic and scanographic features of pneumonectomy sites as well as the main specific complications. Primary follow-up consists of standard X-rays, while computed tomography allows a good analysis of the anatomical course. Computed tomography is also useful in late medical follow-up, especially when a recurrence is noticed clinically.     

Radiologic aspects of inverted papilloma

A series of 42 patients with inverted papilloma is presented. Of these, 38 patients had radiologic examinations. Thirty patients had comparable radiologic examinations in the form of X-ray of the sinuses and/or tomography and/or CT scan. The preoperative findings were compared and related to the extent of the tumor at surgery. Clinical examination combined with CT appears to be the optimal preoperative procedure. Follow-up should include CT in order to allow comparison with postoperative status and, preferably, also with preoperative radiologic findings.