Did Röntgen discover the X ray by himself?

The historical background of the discovery of the x ray and some of Lenard's claims to priority are discussed. There is no doubt that the x ray is the sole discovery of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen.

Roentgenographic evaluation of nephroptosis.

Vertical and medial nephroptosis was assessed on 60 consecutive excretory urographic examinations. Ptosis, both vertical and medial, was seen more commonly in females, and vertical ptosis was more frequent than medial ptosis. In our series there was no significant evidence of predominance on the right side. Dietl crisis, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, oliguria, or orthostatic hypertension were not encountered. Nephroptosis was mostly asymptomatic. In those patients with symptoms, lumbar pain was common and could be either aggravated or relieved by change in position. A new sign, paradoxic displacement, is described. This could be of value to the surgeon and radiotherapist in evaluating enlargement of a huge abdominal mass - a difficulat task to assess clinically.

The roentgenographic manifestations and clinical features of lumbar spinal stenosis with special emphasis on the superior articular process.

Sixty-three cases of surgically confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis were studied with regard to the clinical manifestations, routine spine films, and myelograms. The results are compared with the data in the literature. While our clinical and myelographic findings correspond in general with those published data, we have found important features of the superior articular process seen on routine anteroposterior roentgenograms which have not been described in the literature. Two illustrative cases are presented to demonstrate such features.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The authors correlated and presented clinical, radiological and pathological findings in 6 patients with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): It is a distinct syndrome with characteristic clinical, radiological presentations and pathological findings. It is a unique response of lung to a variety of primary insults. If unrecognized, patients with this syndrome are often fatal. Its possible pathognesis is discussed.

Diabetic osteopathy of the foot and ankle.

Neuropathic osteopathy of the foot and ankle is almost always due to underlying diabetes mellitus. The "Charcot joint," or destructive type, affects the ankle or tarsal area, and the "bone absorption," or mutilating type, usually affects the forefoot. If both types are present in the feet, it is almost certain that the patient is a diabetic. While these findings are usually seen in patients with long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes, they may be the first indication of diabetes.

Hypotonic duodenography with glucagon. A clinical comparison study.

This clinical double-blind study shows that glucagon (2 mg) is a valuable agent for hypotonic duodenography. Pro-Banthine (45 mg) is slightly more effective as a hypotonic agent, but there is no doubt that its use is associated with more side effects and subsequent patient discomfort; contraindications to its use are more commonly encountered in a general hospital population.

Rectal and sigmoid involvement secondary to carcinoma of the prostate.

Three types of involvement of the rectum and recto-sigmoid by carcinoma of the prostate are reviewed through an analysis of eight cases. A fourth type with subserosal metastatic implant of the proximal sigmoid may occasionally be encountered. The roentgenographic findings are not pathognomonic, but are characteristic of extrinsic involvement of the bowel wall. When clinical symptoms are predominantly related to the bowel, carcinoma of the prostate is usually advanced. All patients presented with bone metastases, uretero-hydronephorsis, lack of function of one kidney, or both bone metastases and urinary tract obstruction. Rectoscopy and biopsy are helpful. However, biopsy specimens often show non-diagnostic features in secondary malignancy. Correct diagnosis is important, since there is a difference in treatment of primary carcinoma and of secondary involvement of the rectum by prostatic carcinoma. A diagnostic challenge exists if the patient is evaluated by barium enema examination for primary bowel symptoms, in particular, large bowel obstruction. At this time intravenous pyelography and bone survey for metastases may not be available to suggest the correct diagnosis. More widespread use of barium enema examinations in the evaluation of advanced carcinoma of the prostate is suggested, since the type of rectal disease shown on barium enema study was not clinically suspected in five of eight patients. The prognosis is usually unfavorable because of advanced carcinoma. Survival often does not exceed several months to one year. However, one of our patients is still well after three years of hormonal therapy.

Neurogenic disorders of the foot in diabetes mellitus.

Neurogenic disorders of the foot in diabetics have been found with increasing frequency in recent years, Therefore, familiarity with the spectrum of roentgen findings appears essential. Significant changes include Charcot joints of the tarsus (destructive type), and bone absorption of the forefoot (multilating type). Charcot joints have been observed in 11 patients, bone absorption in 12, and a combination of both types in 3. This combination strongly suggests a diabetic neuropathy. Pathogenesis and differential diagnosis are briefly discussed.