Comparative evaluation of the mandibular distraction zone using ultrasonography and conventional radiography.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) for the evaluation of bone formation in the mandibular distraction wound and to compare this with radiographic evaluation, which is currently the standard modality. Twenty-two patients underwent mandibular distraction (30 sides) with a variety of distraction devices. The wounds were assessed with plain radiographs and USG at established time intervals. Estimates of bone formation using a semiquantitative bone fill score were made for radiographs and USG. USG bone fill scores were correlated with radiography scores. At week 4 the difference between the scores was statistically significant (P=0.01); at all other time points, USG and radiography scores were comparable. At week 4, USG scores were significantly higher than the corresponding radiography scores, indicating that USG is an earlier indicator of calcification in the distraction zone as compared to radiography. USG evaluation of the distraction osteogenesis (DO) zone has many inherent advantages over conventional methods. The results of this study indicate that USG is an accurate non-invasive technique that may prove to be useful in assessing the mandibular DO regenerate in patients.

Low insertion of a cystic duct into the common bile duct as a cause for a malpositioned biliary stent: demonstration with multidetector computed tomography.

Anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary system are common. Adequate knowledge of such variations and an appropriate roadmap before any surgical, endoscopic or percutaneous procedure/intervention help in preventing associated complications. Multiple imaging modalities can depict the anatomy of the extrahepatic biliary tree. High resolution magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography are increasingly used to delineate the hepatobiliary system. Multidetector computed tomography allows for high-speed volume scanning with an excellent spatial and temporal resolution. It also allows for multiplanar reconstructions in virtually any plane, with isotropic resolution. We describe an unusual complication of biliary stenting in a 62-year-old man with low insertion of a cystic duct, resulting in the inadvertent placement of the common bile duct stent into the cystic duct. This was demonstrated well by multidetector computed tomography and confirmed thereafter, during surgery.

Pleural and transdiaphragmatic retroperitoneal metastasis developing two and half years after resection of invasive thymoma.

We report transdiaphragmatic pleural and retroperitoneal metastasis developing two and half years after resection of invasive thymoma (Masaoka stage III; WHO type B1, lymphocyte-rich) in a 34-year-old man. Post-surgery, he received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) one year post-surgery did not reveal any local recurrence or metastasis. He remained asymptomatic throughout. A follow-up CT done two and half years later revealed an enhancing retrocrural-retroperitoneal (posterior pararenal space) soft tissue mass measuring 12 cm x 10 cm x 6 cm. Another enhancing deposit was found in the left pleural space. This lesion was found infiltrating into the subjacent lung. Both these deposits were resected along with wedge resection of the affected subsegment of the lung. Histopathology confirmed these lesions to be metastases from the lymphocyte-rich thymoma.

Intracystic tetracycline therapy for hypofunctioning cystic thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVES: Hypofunctioning benign cystic thyroid nodules are a common occurrence in iodine deficient region. There are reports of resolution of recurrent thyroid cysts with tetracycline instillation. Hence we conducted a study in 20 patients with hypofunctioning benign cystic thyroid nodules to document response to intracystic instillation of tetracycline as a primary modality of treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients were thoroughly investigated for the presence of malignancy clinically, radiologically and cytologically. One milliliter of tetracycline was instilled under ultrasonographic guidance. Response to therapy was assessed clinically and ultrasonographically at one, three, six and 12 months. RESULTS: Study group comprised of five male and 15 female patients with mean age 30 +/- 8 years. Initial mean volume of nodules was 15 +/- 7 ml (6 to 27 ml), which was decreased to 3 +/- 3 ml at one month, 2 +/- 3 ml at three months, and 1 +/- 2 ml at six months. Maximum number of patients (75%) responded within three months, however two patients required reaspiration and reinstallation of tetracycline. Ultrasonography revealed fibrotic scar as thick wall with internal echodensities in six patients (30%) six month after sclerotherapy. There was high rate of patient satisfaction, as cosmetically tetracycline did not leave any scar, which was unavoidable with surgery. Six patients (30%) reported mild pain after injection, and one patient developed redness at the site of injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intracystic tetracycline sclerotherapy is highly effective as primary mode of treatment in hypofunctioning benign cystic thyroid nodule in selected group of patients not at high risk of malignancy.

FOLLICULAR MONITORING: COMPARISON OF TRANSABDOMINAL AND TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHY.

Transabdominal sonography (TAS) and Transvaginal sonography (TVS) were compared for follicular monitoring in 73 patients of infertility. These patients were referred for follicular monitoring in normal and stimulated cycles from infertility clinic. Patient compliance and acceptance was excellent for TVS technique as compared to TAS technique. The overall resolution of ovarian and follicular anatomy was much better in TVS. With TAS only 35.6% had good visualisation of follicles as compared to 80.8% (p<0.05) in TVS. TVS offered advantage of much better detection rate of smaller follicles (<10mm) and higher accuracy in assessing number of follicles.

TRANSVAGINAL SALINE INFUSION SONOHYSTEROGRAPHY: INITIAL RESULTS.

Transvaginal sonohysterography was carried out with dynamic instillation of normal saline in the uterine cavity in fourteen infertile patients. Sonohysterography was found to be simple, accurate and specific in delineating endometrial cavity lesions like polyp, submucosal myoma, intrauterine synechiae and endometrial hyperplasia.

TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHIC STUDY OF FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS IN SPONTANEOUS AND CLOMIPHENE CITRATE CYCLES.

A study of 186 infertile women was carried out to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate on the follicular dynamics. All patients underwent transvaginal sonography over at least 02 consecutive cycles-spontaneous followed by clomiphene stimulated cycle. Clomiphene citrate resulted in higher average follicular diameter on all corresponding days as compared to spontaneous cycles. Multifollicular response was common in clomiphene stimulated cycles.

Undescended testis: evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging.

We describe our experience of prospective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in patients of undescended testis, with a 1.5 T equipment using body coil. There were thirty two patients, aged 1.5 to 14 years with a mean age of nine years. Surgical follow up was obtained for thirty one patients. We were able to indicate the position of 26 testes in 22 patients and absence of five testes in three patients. MRI was falsely positive and negative for five and two testes, respectively. Testicular tissue at ectopic site was identified by presence of characteristic signal intensity pattern, mediastinum testis and its location along empty spermatic canal in cases of inguinal testis either singly or in combination. MRI was able to detect atrophic changes in four testes, confirmed on surgery. The study concludes that MR imaging is useful in the localization and tissue characterization of a non palpable testis. However, it is not sensitive enough for complete exclusion of the diagnosis of an undescended testis. Thus a surgical or laproscopic exploration may be needed further in selective cases for the management of patient.