Aesthetic surgery of the buttocks: imaging appearance.

Familiarity with the imaging appearance and potential complications of buttocks aesthetic surgery is important for radiologists. In this review, we illustrate the spectrum of imaging features after buttocks implants, liposuction, fat injections and silicone injections. Complications such as fat necrosis, abscess, and silicone migration are also presented.

Outside the inside: a review of soft-tissue abnormalities seen on thoracoabdominal computed tomography.

In this review, we illustrate the computed tomographic features of thoracoabdominal soft-tissue abnormalities, which may be easily overlooked and often can provide important information regarding systemic processes. Examples include necrotizing fasciitis, heterotopic ossification, fat necrosis, benign and malignant neoplasms, endometriosis, and collagen vascular disease as well as systemic and congenital pathology.

Imaging features of intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic causes of hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a relatively common disorder which affects approximately 5% to 15% of women. It is defined by excessive growth of terminal hair in women, which primarily affects areas dependent on androgens, such as the face, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Hirsutism can be caused by a variety of etiologies, which are most often not lifethreatening. However, in some cases, hirsutism can be an indicator of more serious underlying pathology, such as a neoplasm, which may require further elucidation with imaging. Within the abdomen and pelvis, adrenal and ovarian pathologies are the primary consideration. The goal of this manuscript is to review the etiologies and imaging features of various intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic causes of hirsutism.

Utility of the coned-down lateral view of the lumbosacral spine.

OBJECTIVE: At certain institutions and radiology practices, a routine lumbar radiographic exam may include 3 views: AP, lateral, and coned-down lateral of the lumbosacral junction. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the third coned-down-lateral view adds significant diagnostic information regarding pathology at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes patients (n = 74) who had a 3-view radiographic exam of the lumbar spine, as well as a CT or MRI within six months. The AP and lateral views were reviewed by three radiologists, both with and without the use of the third, coned-lateral view. Subsequently, the CT and MRI performed within 6 months was reviewed, and the results compared. The primary outcome was detection of abnormal alignment and disc disease at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. RESULTS: For the combined findings of alignment and disc disease at each L4-L5 and L5-S1, there was disagreement between the 2-view and 3-view exams on 18 (of 296) evaluations. Of these 18, the 2-view and the 3-view exam each made positive findings on 9. By the binomial test, there is no evidence that either the 2-view or the 3-view exam tends to make more findings than the other (p = 1). Compared to CT/MRI, the 2-view exam agrees on 74.7 % of evaluations and the 3-view exam agrees on 75.3 %. There is therefore no evidence that the 3-view exam is more accurate than the 2-view exam. CONCLUSION: Elimination of the coned-down lateral view could reduce radiation exposure and imaging-related costs while maintaining diagnostic quality.

Colostomy on CT and fluoroscopy: What the radiologist needs to know.

Colostomies are commonly created in conjunction with colorectal surgery performed for both malignant and benign indications. Familiarity with the different types of colostomies and their normal imaging appearance will improve radiologic detection and characterization of colostomy complications. The radiologist plays a large role in assessment of colostomy patients either via fluoroscopic technique or multidetector computed tomography (CT) in order to help identify ostomy complications or to aid the surgeon prior to colostomy reversal. In this article, we will review: (1) the types of colostomies and indications for their creation; (2) the proper radiographic technique of ostomy evaluation; and (3) the potential complications of colostomies and their imaging manifestations.