Copper recovery and cyanide oxidation by electrowinning from a spent copper-cyanide electroplating electrolyte.

Copper-cyanide bleed streams arise from contaminated baths from industrial electroplating processes due to the buildup of impurities during continuous operation. These streams present an elevated concentration of carbonate, cyanide and copper, constituting a heavy hazard, which has to be treated for cyanide destruction and heavy metals removal, according to the local environmental laws. In the Brazilian Mint, bleed streams are treated with sodium hypochlorite, to destroy cyanide and precipitate copper hydroxide, a solid hazardous waste that has to be disposed properly in a landfill or treated for metal recovery. In this paper, a laboratory-scale electrolytic cell was developed to remove the copper from the bleed stream of the electroplating unit of the Brazilian Mint, permitting its reutilization in the plant and decreasing the amount of sludge to waste. Under favorable conditions copper recoveries around 99.9% were achieved, with an energy consumption of about 11 kWh/kg, after a 5-h electrolysis of a bath containing copper and total cyanide concentrations of 26 and 27 g/L, respectively. Additionally, a substantial reduction of the cyanide concentration was also achieved, decreasing the pollution load and final treatment costs.

US and CT findings in biliary obstruction due to tuberculous adenitis in the periportal area. 2 cases.

Ultrasound and CT findings in two patients with biliary obstruction due to tuberculous adenitis in the periportal space and hepatoduodenal ligament are reported.

Elastofibroma dorsi: MR and CT findings.

Elastofibroma dorsi is a benign, pseudotumoral soft tissue lesion of the periscapular area. The characteristical findings in magnetic resonance images and computed tomography usually allow the diagnosis and prevent radical surgery. We report the MR and CT findings of elastofibroma dorsi in four women presenting as an elongated soft tissue mass intermingled with fat, between the ribs and the serratus muscle, deep to the inferior angle of the scapula.

Periportal-peripancreatic tuberculous adenitis. US and CT findings.

We present ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) findings in 7 patients with periportal and peripancreatic tuberculous adenitis. In US scans, hypoechoic adenopathies were found in 6 patients while in the other one a hypoechoic, poorly marginated mass was seen. CT studies showed hypodense (25-35 HU) enlarged lymph nodes with immediate postcontrast peripheral rim enhancement in 3 patients. An infiltrating inhomogeneous mass was present in other patient and soft tissue density lobulated masses were found in delayed postcontrast scans of 2 patients. The US findings are of no help in distinguishing tuberculosis from other causes of adenitis. The CT appearance has been variable and only the hypodense nodes with peripheral enhancement in postcontrast scans are suggestive of this entity.

Multicystic fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. CT appearance.

An unusual case of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLHCC) presenting as multiple intrahepatic lesions of cystic appearance on the computed tomography (CT) study is described.

Aortic dissection presenting as acute pancreatitis: CT diagnosis.

A 42-year-old male developed epigastric pain and elevation of serum amylase of 2045 U/L. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT disclosed inflammatory changes involving the pancreas and peripancreatic tissues and findings indicative of aortic dissection. The possibility of aortic dissection should be considered in the management of patients with acute pancreatitis.

MRI of pseudocoarctation of the aorta: morphological and cine-MRI findings.

We report a case of pseudocoarctation of the thoracic aorta diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Morphological spin-echo findings and cine-MRI performed by gradient-echo multiphase images are reported. No other more invasive examinations were needed to establish the diagnosis of pseudocoarctation and to differentiate from other aortic abnormalities.

MR findings in hereditary spherocytosis.

The magnetic resonance findings of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with bone marrow reconversion, and reticuloendothelial hemosiderosis in a 50-years-old are reported. Radiologic finding of extramedullary hematopoiesis was the first step to the diagnosis of previously unknown hereditary spherocytosis.

[Alveolar lipoproteinosis treated by bronchopulmonary lavage]. / Lipoproteinosis alveolar tratada con lavado broncopulmonar.

Alveolar lipoproteinosis is a rare disease, a review of the Spanish Medical Index for 1971 to June 1994 showing only 9 reported cases. The intra-alveolar deposit of lipoprotein-type matter produces severe hypoxemia and favors infection by opportunistic germs. Treatment with massive bronchial lavage (MBL) removes the matter from the alveolar space, improves gas exchange and decreases the risk of infection. We report a case of primary alveolar lipoproteinosis treated with MBL in which the patient developed infections by Aspergillus fumigatus before lavage and after starting steroid treatment. The procedure was performed without complications, with significant clinical and gasometric improvement. The natural evolution of this disease is poorly understood. Spontaneous remissions have been observed, and as MBL is not a risk-free procedures, its use in treatment is controversial. We believe that when severe hypoxemia is present, MBL should be used early, when the risk is slight; MBL improves gas exchange and probably reduces the risk of opportunistic infection.

[Malignant pancreatic oncocytoma]. / Oncocitoma pancreático maligno.

A pancreatic oncocytoma in a 77 year old man is described. A CT scan showed liver metastases three years earlier. The patient died from complications after surgery for a perforated duodenal ulcer, and at autopsy a primary tumor in the tail of the pancreas and several liver metastases were found. The morphologic and biologic features of this unusual tumor are discussed.

[Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage secondary to heparin treatment: a case report]. / Hemorragia suprarrenal bilateral, secundaria a tratamiento con heparina: descripción de un caso.

Bilateral suprarenal haemorrhage (BSH) has not been often described as a cause of chronic suprarenal insufficiency. The diagnosis before death is difficult and it was rare until the CAT scan became a routine diagnostic tool. Of 25 cases reported since 1981, 23 were diagnosed by CAT scan. We report a case of a patient that developed bilateral suprarenal haemorrhage (BSH) during heparin therapy for pulmonary embolism. The early clinical picture resembled a septic shock, and the diagnosis of Addison disease was made later. We reviewed the medical literature and we emphasized the clinical problems in which we should suspect the diagnosis of BSH, where early therapy with steroids may be critical to save the patient's life.