Renal artery angioplasty: increased technical success and decreased complications in the second 100 patients

In 200 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), a significant increase in primary success rate (P less than .02) and a concomitant decrease in complications were noted in the second 100 patients. The primary success rate increased from 93% to 97%, and the incidence of total complications fell from 20% to 13%. The incidence of complications requiring surgery fell from 5% to 2%, and the incidence of renal failure declined from 10% to 5% of the patient population. Variables that contributed to improvement in the procedure included new approaches to crossing arterial stenoses, increased use of digital imaging, less contrast material used in each case, better hydration of patients, and increased use of vascular sheaths at the puncture site.     

Automated breast sonography using a 7.5-MHz PVDF transducer: preliminary clinical evaluation. Work in progress

Breast ultrasound imaging performed with an automated machine was carried out in 89 patients, and images obtained with a conventional ceramic single-focus 4-MHz transducer and a 7.5-MHz polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) transducer were compared. The 7.5-MHz PVDF transducer improved overall image quality in 77% of patients and had equal penetration in 83%. It yielded greatly increased diagnostic information in 43% of 81 masses and improved visualization of calcification in 57% of 14 lesions in which calcium was visible on mammograms.     

Ethmoid sinus disease: CT evaluation in 400 cases. Part III. Craniofacial resection

Of 400 patients with ethmoid sinus disease, 18 had undergone craniofacial resection. This operation is an aggressive surgical procedure directed at total en bloc extirpation of tumors that extend through the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. Recent advances in surgical technique have made it the procedure of choice for sinonasal tumors that extend through the cribriform plate, fovea ethmoidalis, and orbital roof. Specifically, this operation has had excellent results in patients with esthesioneuroblastomas. Radiologists must be aware of the possible pitfalls in interpreting the postoperative computed tomographic scans and the findings that suggest tumor recurrence.