[Optimization of radiological scoliosis assessment]. / Optimización del estudio radiológico de la escoliosis.

Most scoliosis are idiopathic (80%) and occur more frequently in adolescent girls. Plain radiography is the imaging method of choice, both for the initial study and follow-up studies but has the disadvantage of using ionizing radiation. The breasts are exposed to x-ray along these repeated examinations. The authors present a range of recommendations in order to optimize radiographic exam technique for both conventional and digital x-ray settings to prevent unnecessary patients' radiation exposure and to reduce the risk of breast cancer in patients with scoliosis. With analogue systems, leaded breast protectors should always be used, and with any radiographic equipment, analog or digital radiography, the examination should be performed in postero-anterior projection and optimized low-dose techniques. The ALARA (as low as reasonable achievable) rule should always be followed to achieve diagnostic quality images with the lowest feasible dose.

Optimización del estudio radiológico de la escoliosis / Optimization of radiological scoliosis assessment

La mayoría de las escoliosis son idiopáticas (80%) y ocurren más frecuentemente en adolescentes y en el sexo femenino. La radiografía simple es el método de imagen de elección, tanto en el estudio inicial como en el seguimiento evolutivo, pero tiene el inconveniente de utilizar radiaciones ionizantes. Las mamas quedan en el campo de exposición durante estos estudios repetidos. Los autores presentan una serie de recomendaciones para optimizar la técnica de las exploraciones y los equipos radiográficos, tanto analógicos como digitales, para evitar dosis de irradiación innecesarias a los pacientes y reducir el riesgo de cáncer de mama en los pacientes con escoliosis. Cuando se utilizan equipos analógicos siempre debe utilizarse protector mamario plomado y, en todos los equipos, sean analógicos o digitales, hay que realizar la radiografía en proyección posteroanterior y con técnicas optimizadas de baja dosis. Hay que seguir siempre el principio ALARA (as low as reasonable achievable) para obtener imágenes diagnósticas de calidad con la dosis lo más baja posible (AU)

Most scoliosis are idiopathic (80%) and occur more frequently in adolescent girls. Plain radiography is the imaging method of choice, both for the initial study and follow-up studies but has the disadvantage of using ionizing radiation. The breasts are exposed to x-ray along these repeated examinations. The authors present a range of recommendations in order to optimize radiographic exam technique for both conventional and digital x-ray settings to prevent unnecessary patients' radiation exposure and to reduce the risk of breast cancer in patients with scoliosis. With analogue systems, leaded breast protectors should always be used, and with any radiographic equipment, analog or digital radiography, the examination should be performed in postero-anterior projection and optimized low-dose techniques. The ALARA (as low as reasonable achievable) rule should always be followed to achieve diagnostic quality images with the lowest feasible dose (AU)

US of the tunica vaginalis testis: anatomic relationships and pathologic conditions.

Extratesticular lesions are common incidental findings at ultrasonography (US) among men and boys. Most lesions originate from or depend on the tunica vaginalis, a mesothelium-lined sac with a visceral layer and a parietal layer. The tunica vaginalis is formed when the superior portion of the processus vaginalis closes during embryologic development. Abnormal closure of the processus vaginalis leads to congenital anomalies of the tunica vaginalis, such as complete or partial patency of the processus vaginalis, spermatic cord hydrocele, and inguinoscrotal hernia. The proximity of the visceral layer to the testis explains the reactive involvement seen in epididymo-orchitis, with resultant pyocele or abscess formation. The tunica vaginalis also may be affected by inflammatory and traumatic disorders such as scrotal calculi, fibrous pseudotumor, or hematocele. These lesions manifest as solid or heterogeneous tumorlike masses. Lesions of mesothelial origin, such as adenomatoid tumor, tunica cyst, and mesothelioma, may involve the tunica vaginalis. Entrapped mesenchymal cells can lead to lipoma, leiomyoma, or sarcoma, although these tumors are uncommon in the tunica vaginalis. US is not useful for differentiating between benign and malignant tumors; however, some characteristic findings may help in planning the best surgical approach. Knowledge of the embryologic development, anatomic relationships, and pathologic disorders of the tunica vaginalis is essential to narrow the differential diagnosis of an extratesticular lesion. In most cases, US findings in combination with clinical assessment can indicate whether nonsurgical management or testis-sparing surgery is warranted.

Sonographic findings of mesenteric panniculitis: correlation with CT and literature review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of mesenteric panniculitis (MP) and correlate them with CT findings. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical, CT, and sonographic findings in 26 cases of MP in our hospital between January 1997 and July 2003. We also reviewed the sonographic features of MP previously described in the literature. RESULTS: The sonographic findings were well correlated to CT in 24 of 26 patients (92%). In these 24 cases, abdominal sonographic examination revealed a hyperechogenic, well-defined fatty mass (corresponding to the pseudocapsule CT sign) in the root of the mesentery, displacing the bowel loops. We found a clear interface between MP and normal intra abdominal fat. Examination with color Doppler sonography revealed the nondeviated mesenteric vessels within the mass. The persence of MP improved sonographic transmission in 9 obese patients and enabled the retroperitoneal vessels to be clearly visualized. Sonography was unable to demonstrate the preservation of the fat nearest the mesenteric vessels corresponding to the "fatty halo" sign on CT. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is useful in the diagnostic workup for MP. The characteristic sonographic features of MP (well-defined mass, homogeneous hyperechogenicity of the mass, nondeviated vessels within the mass, and displaced bowel loops) correlate well with CT findings.