The effect of varying low-dose protocols on perceived image quality in multidetector CT in a rabbit model of acute appendicitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of multidetector CT (MD-CT) with low-dose protocols in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a rabbit model. Ten New Zealand white rabbits underwent ligation of the appendix. MD-CT (Siemens Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom) was performed using three low-dose protocols: 80 kV/70 mAs; 80 kV/50 mAs; and 80 kV/20 mAs. Axial and coronal reformations were performed. Three experienced radiologists evaluated the images using a four-grade score: (1) excellent; (2) good; (3) moderate; and (4) not sufficient. Diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. The overall score for the 80 kV/70 mAs was 1, for the 80 kV/50 mAs protocol 1.3, and the 80 kV/20 mAs protocol reached an overall score of 2. The coronal reformations reached with 1.1 (80 kV/70 mAs), 1.2 (80 kV/50 mAs), and 1.4 (80 kV/20 mAs) had a slightly better median score than the axial reconstructions. In cases of inconclusive ultrasound and clinical presentation, the use of MD-CT can be considered when evaluating children for suspected appendicitis.

Imaging of the scrotum in children.

Clinical examination of the scrotum is difficult due to the small size of the testes and the epididymis in infants and young children, and eliciting patients' history is challenging. Therefore imaging of the scrotum in childhood bears great importance. Ultrasound is the standard imaging technique of choice providing the clinicians with a definitive diagnosis in most cases. However, in conditions of testicular torsion and epididymoorchitis--the most common differential diagnosis of scrotal pain--ultrasound findings can be inconclusive and further evaluation is required. Since there is a large overlap between paediatric and adult pathology, differences from adults in anatomy and pathology must be considered when evaluating the paediatric scrotum.

[Diagnostic management of nipple discharge]. / Bildgebende Diagnostik bei Galaktorrhoe.

Nipple discharge may be a symptom of a variety of diseases. The importance of nipple discharge is its possible association with breast carcinoma. Not only the precise clinical evaluation but also particularly imaging evaluation by mammography, ultrasound, galactography or MR-galactography is necessary to establish the exact diagnosis and plan proper treatment. Depending on the underlying pathology--most commonly intraductal papilloma, fibrocystic changes or breast carcinoma--the optimal therapeutic regimen, such as single lactiferous duct excision on the one end and modified radical mastectomy on the other end of the spectra may be chosen.

Vertebral metastases: assessment with apparent diffusion coefficient.

The authors evaluated the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the assessment of vertebral metastases and acute vertebral compression fractures in 22 patients with known or suspected vertebral metastases. On the basis of significantly (P <.03) different ADCs, vertebral metastases (0.69 x 10(-3) mm2/sec) and pathologic compression fractures (0.65 x 10(-3) mm2/sec) can be safely distinguished from vertebral bodies (1.66 x 10(-3) mm2/sec) and benign compression fractures (1.62 x 10(-3) mm2/sec). Thus, the use of ADCs may increase the specificity of magnetic resonance imaging in these patients.