Whole body MR imaging in ankylosing spondylitis: a descriptive pilot study in patients with suspected early and active confirmed ankylosing spondylitis

Background  

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder which usually begins in early adulthood. The diagnosis is often delayed by many years. MR imaging has become the preferred imaging method for detection of early inflammation of the axial skeleton in ankylosing spondylitis.     

Uhthoff's symptom in multiple sclerosis

A case report is presented in which a patient's initial complaint is of blurred vision after exercise (Uhthoffs symptom). Visual acuity and colour vision were found to be reduced after exercise. Additional neurological signs included homonymous scotomata and delayed visual evoked and somatosensory responses. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple abnormal lesions in the brain. The significance of this symptom and its relationship to multiple sclerosis are discussed.     

A study of the influence of technical adequacy on the clinical result of moore hemiarthroplasty

The Moore and Thompson hemiarthroplasties are still commonly used for the displaced subcapital fracture in the elderly. The cemented Thompson has been claimed to be superior to the uncemented Moore prosthesis. However, the use of cement is associated with greater risks and the uncemented Moore appears to give good results in approximately two-thirds of patients.

The technical adequacy of uncemented hemiarthroplasty has rarely been considered in assessing the outcome. This study indicates that, on the basis of four radiological criteria, incorrect insertion of the prosthesis leads to a high chance of a poor clinical result at 6 months. Good results are more likely when the postoperative radiograph shows the prosthesis to have been inserted accurately. This is possible in most cases, except where the femur is grossly osteoporotic with a wide intramedullary canal. Uncemented hemiarthroplasty can produce satisfactory results but, like uncemented total joint replacement, is a more demanding procedure.     

Radiation-induced carcinoma of the penis

Two patients with carcinoma of the penis were treated with interstitial radiation. They were cured of their disease for 17 and 21 years respectively and then developed radiation-induced tumours.