The teaching of Radiology in other university studies.

After the implementation of the European Space for Higher Education, the contents of the Radiology and Physical Medicine Area that were taught in the Medicine Degree have also been incorporated into the new degrees of Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and, to a lesser extent, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Logopedia, and Biomedical Engineering As a whole, the basic concepts of radiology and radiological protection are taught in Murcia in 5 different degrees with a total of 52.5 ECTS credits, participating in the training of 1219 students each academic year. This incorporation in the new degrees has tripled the number of subjects in which undergraduate teaching is taught, and doubled both the number of ECTS credits and the number of undergraduate students to whom it directs its training work. Thus, given the possible creation of new university degrees in the near future (Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy Technicians), it would be necessary to involve a greater number of accredited professionals, from different specialties, and to optimize teaching resources (bibliography, material teacher, clinical cases, etc.,) for its usefulness in the different subjects that share similar contents.

Sonographically guided triamcinolone injection for the treatment of chronic post-operative mammillary fistula.

We describe ultrasound-guided intralesional triamcinolone (ILT) injection for the management of chronic post-operative mammillary fistula (MF). Seven patients with chronic post-operative intraglandular MF were enrolled in this study. The initial response to treatment was assessed as complete in three cases; of the remaining four, three were resolved successfully with an additional ILT injection and the other had no resolution with an additional ILT injection. In five cases there was no recurrence after more than 1 year of follow-up. One patient had recurrence at 7 months, which was treated with a further ILT injection; this patient is without recurrence after a further 9 months' follow-up. This simple, safe procedure is suggested as an option for the treatment of chronic post-operative intraglandular MF and may be an alternative to surgery.

Measurement of atherosclerosis markers in patients with periodontitis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It is suggested that periodontitis enhances the process of vascular inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. The present study explores the effect of periodontitis in relation to the clinical and ultrasound markers of carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: Sixty systemically healthy patients >45 years of age (30 with chronic periodontitis and 30 without periodontitis) were studied in a university dental school. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerosis were evaluated. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasound. RESULTS: The internal carotid IMT was 0.77 and 0.81 mm in the periodontal disease and control groups, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.538). There were significant differences in the presence of carotid atheroma plaques and the severity of periodontitis (P = 0.003). In the logistic regression analysis, significant differences in terms of age and periodontitis were recorded in relation to the presence of atheroma plaques in the carotid intima. CONCLUSION: The severity of periodontitis was seen to influence the presence of carotid atheroma plaques.

Anterior urethral trauma: role of sonourethrography.

We present a case of blunt anterior urethral trauma during sexual activity in a 20-year-old man. The patient had abundant urethrorrhagia, but there were no obvious clinical data to help locate the urethral lesion. Diagnosis was established by sonourethrography (SUG), which showed a coagulum in the urethral lumen from a small haematoma in the corpus spongiosum of the proximal pendulous urethra. No lesion was observed in the sonography performed previously without urethral distension or in the retrograde urethrography performed afterwards. The utility of SUG for early diagnosis of urethral contusion is analysed, and a novel technique for performing SUG is described. We believe that this procedure should be used routinely in the initial management of patients suspected with lesions of the anterior urethra.

Galactography without discomfort using lidocaine/prilocaine anesthetic cream.

BACKGROUND: Galactography (ductography) is the technique of choice for studying pathologic nipple discharge. It is sometimes difficult or even impossible to perform cannulation of the ductal orifice because of the discomfort caused to the patient. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) containing lidocaine and prilocaine applied as a cream to reduce discomfort during galactography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 46 patients with abnormal nipple secretion underwent galactography. The patients were distributed in non-randomized form into two groups (A and B). Group A consisted of 19 patients who were treated without application of the anesthetic cream; group B consisted of 27 patients to whom the anesthetic cream was applied prior to galactography. Pain intensity was measured using a verbal description scale. RESULTS: Galactography was successfully performed in all cases in group B (n = 27) and in 15 cases (78.9%) in group A. In four patients from group A, it was initially impossible to cannulate the discharging duct because of patient discomfort and anxiety. The same patients were submitted to galactography 1 week later after application of the anesthetic cream to the areola/nipple area. In total, then, 31 cases (all 27 of group B plus four) registered 0 ( = no pain) on the verbal description scale after application of the cream. In the 19 patients of group A, the degree of pain registered was mild in 11 cases and discomforting in eight cases. CONCLUSION: The application of anesthetic cream over the areola/nipple area enables galactography to be performed without patient discomfort. It also reduces anxiety, allowing the radiologist to perform the procedure with confidence and safety, and without stress on the part of the patient or radiologist.

A new system for localization of nonpalpable breast lesions with adhesive marker plate.

The objective of this article is to present a new method of preoperative localization of nonpalpable breast lesions by means of an adhesive marker plate that makes an anteroposterior approach to the thoracic wall possible. Between January 2000 and September 2002, 41 consecutive mammographic localizations were performed with the adhesive marker plate. In most cases (n = 34) the lesions were microcalcifications. The mean age of the patients was 54.7 years. The device used consists of a square plate made of highly flexible plastic with an adhesive film on the back for firm attachment to the area of the breast surface corresponding to the approximate location of the lesion. This plate contains a network of holes and a system of radiopaque coordinates. The technique for its use is described step by step. All 41 lesions were localized: to within 5 mm or by transfixation of the lesion in 95.1% of cases (39/41) and to within 1 cm in the remaining 2 cases. Surgical excision of the breast lesions was carried out successfully in all cases, and in 56% (23/41) it was possible to use a periareolar incision. Histological findings revealed 24 benign and 17 malignant lesions. This new technique permits the localization of nonpalpable breast lesions accurately, simply, and with very little discomfort to the patient. The anteroposterior approach simplifies the surgeon's task in the management of these lesions.