[Radiodiagnosis of ureteral and bladder hernia. A further case contribution]. / Radiodiagnostica delle ernie ureterali e vescicali. Ulteriore contributo casistico.

The radiologic features of ureteral and bladder hernias are poorly known. These hernias can be located in 5 compartments, being extremely rare in 2 of them--the chest and lumbar sectors, where only 2 cases are reported in literature. In the other 3 compartments--i.e., ischiatic, crural and inguinal sectors--bladder and ureteral hernias are less uncommon findings. Over a relatively short period of time, 5 bladder hernias were observed--3 ischiatic, 1 inguino-scrotal and 1 crural cases--and 1 double ureteral hernia, which was inguinal on the right-hand side and ischiatic on the left-hand side. Thus, we reviewed the main urographic and cystographic signs on the basis of a previous report by one of us. In discussing the new cases, we emphasize the importance of a few typical diagnostic signs, which follow: asymmetry and anomalous location of herniated organs, ureter protrusion beyond the pelvic bones outline, the presence of ureteral spiral ("curlicue sign"), and bladder walls indentation.

[Comparison of iopamidol 150 and 370 with the same iodine dosage (37 g) in urography]. / Confronto tra iopamidolo 150 e 370 alla stessa dose di iodio (37 g) nell'urografia.

Two different volumes of iopamidol (250 and 100 ml, respectively) containing 37.5 and 37 g of iodine in different concentrations (150 mgI/ml and 370 mgI/ml) were injected in the same time (10 minutes) with varying injection rates, to compare diagnostic effectiveness, image quality, distension of the collecting system, and influence of the better iodine concentration. Sixty patients of both sexes were randomly subdivided into two groups. Their renal function, blood pressure and pulse rate were normal. Their weight ranged 55-85 kg, not to change the distribution volume of the contrast medium. None of them had been given iodine compounds recently. Radiographs were taken 2, 5, 15, 25, and 30 minutes after the end of the injection. The image quality of nephrograms, pyelograms, bladder views and the degree of collecting system filling were evaluated by a blind study, using grading scores (0 to 3). In both groups image quality and degree of filling were satisfying; the volume of injected iopamidol had poor significance. The clinical findings confirm that, with a nonionic contrast medium, iodine concentration in the collecting system is the most important factor for image quality.

[Use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis]. / Impiego dell'ecotomografia nella diagnosi di appendicite acuta.

To date, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) has been made primarily on clinical grounds and imaging techniques have been considered less useful. This paper is aimed at evaluating US utility in the diagnosis of AA. US scans of the appendix, after Puylaert, were obtained in 30 healthy subjects (group A), in 49 patients with recurrent pain in the iliac fossa (group B), and in 28 patients with clinical signs highly suggestive of AA (group C). In none of the subjects in group A was the appendix seen. Neither was it demonstrated in the patients in group B, all of whom underwent surgery and never presented with suppurating, phlegmonous, gangrenous, perforating AA and/or abscess. In the patients in group C, 20 of whom had a positive histology for AA, US demonstrated 17 true positive, 8 true negatives and 3 false negatives. We consider as useful in the diagnosis of AA the following US signs: 1) the appendix cannot be demonstrated, in which case AA is to be excluded; 2) the appendix can be seen and is still, non-compressible and exhibits thickened walls; 3) the appendix contains fecaliths. The latter 2 findings are suggestive of AA. Thus, US of the appendix is useful (100% specificity in group B) in excluding AA when clinical diagnosis is questionable, but the method proves less reliable (85% sensitivity in group C) when clinical presentation is more definite.

[Arthrography of the ankle joint]. / Die Arthrographie des oberen Sprunggelenks.

Arthrography of the ankle joint was first carried out by Johnson and Palmer at the Military Hospital in Stockholm in 1940. Arthrography can be used for judging the integrity of the articular cartilage, of osteochondritis dissecans, arthritis or adhesive capsulitis. The literature shows, however, that more than 95% of the patients on whom this examination has been performed had suffered from acute trauma.

[Radiological study of the neoplastic bladder]. / Lo studio radiologico della vescica neoplastica.

Radiological methods useful in the examination of bladder tumours are reviewed, with particular reference to preoperative evaluation in accordance with the system. Examples are drawn from a personal series.

[Critical review of the complications of lymphography]. / Rassegna critica delle complicanze da linfografia.

The literature and 552 personal cases are surveyed in an account of the complications associated with direct adenolymphography. The radiographical pictures of several cases are also presented.