Thorn synovitis: CT diagnosis

A case of monoarticular arthritis due to a retained thorn about the left knee is presented. In this case CT was helpful to localize precisely the thorn within the joint whereas other modalities such as plain films, gallium scan, and 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone scan were negative.     

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with urinary tract hemangiomas.

Genitourinary hemangiomas in 2 children with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome are reported. The presence of cutaneous hemangiomas should alert urologists to the possibility of urinary tract hemangiomas inpatients with gross hematuria. Transurethral manipulation of bladder hemangiomas should be avoided because of the danger of excessive hemorrhage, the treatment of choice being partial cystectomy.     

Pelvic lipomatosis: diagnosis using computed tomography.

Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare, benign disease in which the characteristic roentgenographic findings may mimic those of pelvic malignancy. In the past more than two-thirds of reported cases have been explored surgically for diagnosis. We present 2 cases to demonstrate how the definitive diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis can be made with the aid of computed tomography to avoid invasive techniques.     

Ectopic atrial rhythms in the primate

P-wave polarity was studied in small primates during electrical stimulation of both atria. Negative P-waves in Leads II, III, and aV_F were obtained during stimulation of the lower right atrium near the inferior vena cava, the lower anterior left atrium near the inferior pulmonary vein, and the infero-posterior left atrium. The P-R interval was affected inconsistently. These studies confirm findings originally observed in the canine and human heart, and call for caution in making the diagnosis of “coronary rhythm” and “left atrial rhythm.” The term “ectopic atrial rhythm” seems preferable.