Erythema annulare centrifugum and malignant histiocytosis—report of a case

An association of erythema annulare centrifugum with malignant histiocytosis is reported. The erythema annulare centrifugum preceded the malignant histiocytosis by 20 months but careful review of the patient led to early diagnosis of the malignancy. Monoclonal antibody studies helped to confirm the nature of the tumour.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: assessment of resectability by computed tomography and ultrasound

A retrospective review of the CT and ultrasound scans from examinations of 30 patients who had hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma) was undertaken with special emphasis placed on evaluation of hepatic distribution of tumor, vascular invasion, and extrahepatic spread. Although both CT and ultrasound detected hepatoma in 29 of 30 patients (96%), CT showed more extensive hepatic parenchymal involvement in eight of the patients. Vascular invasion was seen more frequently with ultrasound than with CT. Invasion into the main portal vein was seen by ultrasound in 11 of 30 patients (37%). Extrahepatic spread of tumor was much more frequently detected by CT and was present in 21 of 30 patients (70%). A reasoned approach to the diagnostic workup of hepatomas that will minimize invasive procedures and unnecessary surgery is presented.     

Left ventricular volumes measured by MR imaging

We assessed the potential of proton magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for accurately measuring left ventricular volumes using 15 latex casts of excised human left ventricles. The casts were submerged in water to stimulate the endocardial left ventricular cavity interface in in vivo imaging conditions. Tomographic image sections perpendicular to the long axis of the cast were obtained, spanning each cast from apex to base. Simpson's rule was used to calculate the cast volumes. Correlation between the actual cast volumes (as measured by the displacement method) and the calculated volumes using MR imaging for the 15 casts was excellent. Our data demonstrate that MR imaging accurately measures cardiac chamber volumes in this in vitro model.