Toxic dilatation of the colon.

Toxic dilatation of the colon represents the most serious complication of colonic inflammatory diseases. It is an acute transmural extension of severe inflammation resulting in decreased tissue cohesion and an increased tendency for bowel perforation. The process is characterized by dilatation and apparent radiologic thickening and nodularity of the bowel wall. Cases of toxic megacolon without dilatation occur infrequently.

Abdominal complications in organ transplant recipients.

A variety of intraabdominal complications are associated with organ transplantation. These include inflammatory changes involving the bowel, liver, and pancreas and range from technical complications associated with the surgery to organ rejection, opportunistic infections, and an increased risk of de novo malignancy in transplantation patients.

Segmental adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder. A radiologic, sonographic, and pathologic correlation.

Adenomyomatosis is a hyperplastic condition that is occasionally symptomatic. The segmental form of adenomyomatosis can result in marked wall thickening in the waist of the gallbladder, giving a characteristic "hourglass" deformity in both the oral cholecystogram and the ultrasound examination.

Effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and genial and hyoid advancement on swallowing in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and genial and hyoid advancement (GHA) are surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. These techniques enlarge the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway, reducing collapse at these levels. This study evaluated the effect of these procedures on swallowing. METHODS: Fifteen patients who had undergone UPPP and GHA were evaluated with a modified barium swallow to assess biomechanical changes in swallowing. Specifically, velopharyngeal insufficiency; changes in tongue-base movement, laryngeal elevation, and closure; epiglottic movement; and pharyngoesophageal opening were examined. A brief swallowing questionnaire was administered to assess for subjective changes in swallowing. RESULTS: Nine of 15 patients demonstrated abnormal objective swallow, of whom 5 reported normal subjective swallowing. Six of 15 demonstrated normal objective swallowing. Of these, 5 reported subjective change. CONCLUSION: UPPP with GHA may alter biomechanical events during deglutition. However, little correlation exists between subjective symptoms and objective findings. Further studies that include preoperative and postoperative modified barium swallows are needed to identify a cause-and-effect relationship.

Patient "no-shows"--a costly problem.

The cost of patients' failure to keep scheduled appointments can be significant. This article examines two methods of reducing this problem and evaluates their effectiveness: the reminder phone call and computer-generated reminder letters. The varying success rates of these two methods are discussed as they relate to several areas of the Radiology Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas.

Patient "no-shows"--are we scheduling failure?

Radiology departments may inadvertently be contributing to their patient "no show" problems. This article continues the analysis of patients' failure to keep scheduled radiology appointments first described in "Patient 'No Shows'--A Costly Problem" (Radiology Management, 11:1) and illustrates "no-show" patterns in three examination groups in the Department of Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. The study shows a strong link between patients' failure to keep appointments and the length of time between scheduling and the performance of the examination.

Evolution of the technologist specialist in gastrointestinal radiology.

Over the past few years, a program was initiated at the author's institution to train radiologic technologists to perform the fluoroscopic aspect of gastrointestinal examinations. The program was undertaken in an attempt to improve patient flow through the division, as well as in response to the decreasing number of residents being accepted into the radiology program. The results with respect to diagnostic quality of examination, improved patient flow, and patient and resident acceptance have been satisfactory.

Reassessing the role of radiology in Hemoccult screening.

During a recent regional screening program, 98 patients with a positive Hemoccult test were evaluated radiographically. Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) detected all six carcinomas and 92% of 37 polyps. DCBE was also the most cost-effective procedure. Colonoscopy dramatically increased screening costs without providing evidence to support its use in all Hemoccult-positive patients. It is recommended that DCBE be the initial diagnostic test in Hemoccult-positive patients, to be supplemented in selected patients by flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy depending on the pathology evident on DCBE and on clinical circumstances.

Achalasia secondary to nongastrointestinal malignancies.

Secondary or "pseudo" achalasia of the esophagus can mimic idiopathic achalasia radiographically and can be difficult to diagnose. Typically, it is due to invasive carcinoma involving the gastroesophageal junction, usually gastric adenocarcinoma. Occasionally, an achalasialike condition can be produced by tumors not involving the gastroesophageal junction. We report 2 cases, 1 of lung carcinoma and the other of hepatoma, in which the patients had radiographic and endoscopic changes compatible with achalasia. However, the onset of symptoms was abrupt and the patients were elderly; these are unusual features for primary achalasia. There have been several other reports of nongastrointestinal neoplasms producing a clinical and radiographic picture similar to achalasia. Although there are several theories as to the cause, our cases would support the concept that direct tumor involvement of the gastroesophageal junction is not necessary to produce significant esophageal dysmotility.

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the anus arising in condyloma acuminatum: CT demonstration.

We present two cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the anus complicating long-standing anal condyloma acuminatum. The computed tomographic (CT) findings are reviewed, and the increasing importance of malignant transformation of anal condylomas is discussed.

Radiological evaluation of gastric stapling procedures for morbid obesity.

Various gastric stapling procedures have been used in the treatment of morbid obesity. Radiology is useful for defining anatomy and detecting complications following these procedures. Examples of normal and abnormal radiographic findings after gastric stapling are presented.

Limiting overhead views in double-contrast colon examinations does not affect diagnostic accuracy.

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate whether reducing overhead (technician-performed) films in double-contrast colon examinations had any effect on diagnostic accuracy. Only 4 overhead films were obtained routinely: supine, both decubitus, and prone cross-table rectal views. A high detect rate was maintained, comparable to our accuracy when 7 or 8 overhead films were obtained. Our study confirms that with double-contrast colon examinations, the need for overhead films is diminished. A significant decrease in cost, radiation exposure, and examination time can be obtained. We continued to use this method without any noticeable decrease in diagnostic accuracy.

A reappraisal of upper gastrointestinal response to low-dose glucagon.

Although glucagon is the most commonly used pharmacologic agent for gastrointestinal studies, its exact effects on upper gastrointestinal examinations have not been properly elucidated. A large study by our group did redemonstrate glucagon's significant effect on gastrointestinal motility. However, gastric distention and coating are not improved by glucagon, nor does it have a predictable effect on gastric emptying. Duodenal visualization does appear to be enhanced by the drug. Patient age, weight, and sex are not significant factors in glucagon's response, although they are variables that have an effect on UGI examinations. This article will review physiologic considerations in upper gastrointestinal examinations, with emphasis on glucagon's pharmacodynamics.

Dysphagia in patients with gastric cancer and a normal esophagram.

Five patients presented with dysphagia but did not have abnormal esophageal motility or morphology on the esophagram. Each was found to have a malignant gastric tumor which did not appear to involve the gastroesophageal junction, and this was confirmed surgically in 2 cases. In 2 patients, diagnosis was delayed as a result of failure to examine the stomach following a normal esophagram. In the absence of abnormal esophageal motility, changes involving the gastroesophageal junction, or cerebral metastases, it is postulated that the dysphagia represented a nonspecific regional response to functional obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract secondary to an infiltrating neoplasm of the stomach. The fact that the esophagram was normal emphasizes the possibility that gastric lesions in patients with dysphagia may be missed when only a routine esophagram is employed. The authors recommend that the stomach be examined when no apparent cause for dysphagia can be discerned above the gastroesophageal junction.

Barrett's esophagus: radiological and clinical considerations.

We reviewed the radiographic findings in thirty patients with columnar-lined (Barrett's) esophageal mucosa. Gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 90%, hiatal hernia in 83%, stricture in 80% and esophageal ulceration in 33%. Superficial nodular mucosal changes were detected on 50% of the air contrast esophagrams. Prominence of this pattern may be associated with dysplastic or early malignant change. In addition, four conditions associated with secondary lower esophageal sphincter incompetence were identified in our patient group. These were scleroderma, previous myotomy for achalasia, previous gastric surgery and long-term indwelling nasogastric tubes.

Radiographic abnormalities in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an unusual condition of unknown cause in which there is eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract usually accompanied by a peripheral eosinophilia. Rarely, it can also involve the esophagus. Recently, the authors have encountered 3 cases of eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus. All patients had a strong history of allergies. Two of our patients have had upper esophageal strictures, as have 2 other previously reported cases. This appears to be the most common manifestation. One patient had polypoid lesions of the esophagus as well as of the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Motility disturbances may also be present. Although steroid treatment may be beneficial, the esophageal strictures usually require mechanical dilatation to relieve submucosal fibrosis. This entity should be considered in any patient who has an esophageal disorder in the presence of either a strong history of allergy or peripheral eosinophilia.

Gastric polyps: radiological evaluation and clinical significance.

Gastric polyps were found in 81 out of 4,692 consecutive radiological examinations (1.7%) and 103 out of 2,656 endoscopic examinations (3.9%) over a 19-month period. Polyps were more frequent in older patients and in women. Of 98 pathologically diagnosed lesions, 73 (74%) were hyperplastic and only two (2%) were adenomatous; most others were submucosal. Gastric polyps were rarely associated with carcinoma; only one patient had an area of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ, which was removed by polypectomy. The double-contrast technique had a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing gastric polyps. The location and number of lesions were relatively good indicators of pathology, but size and radiographic characteristics were not. The authors suggest that although radiology has a role in initial detection and screening, endoscopy should be the method of choice for further evaluation and follow-up. Histological identification is possible only with biopsy, and preferably polypectomy. The infrequent association with malignancy suggests that surgery is unnecessary in most cases.

Aberrant insertion of the common bile duct into an accessory pancreatic duct: cholangiographic demonstration.

Variations in the pancreatic ductal anatomy result from abnormalities in embryological development of the pancreas from ventral and dorsal buds. We describe a case in which cholangiography demonstrated insertion of the common bile duct into an aberrant pancreatic duct. To our knowledge, this finding has not been previously reported in the literature.

Rectal diverticulosis: a case report and review of the literature.

The occurrence of rectal diverticulosis is rare. We report the incidental finding of a large rectal diverticulum in a patient receiving an air-contrast barium enema. The presence of uncomplicated rectal diverticulosis is probably of little clinical significance. However, there can be associated complications such as inflammation and perforation, and potential confusion with rectal carcinoma.