Combined isotope ventriculography and lumbar myelocisternography in the diagnosis of communicating syringomyelia. Case report.

Several investigative procedures are currently used to diagnose communicating syringomyelia. The combination of isotope ventriculography and lumbar myelocisternography has never proposed nor carried out to verify this condition. We feel that this is a safe and valuable procedure to identify a patent central canal communicating with the fourth ventricle and is worth considering when diagnosing communicating syringomyelia.

Myelography with metrizamide in the study of the lumbosacral tract.

The authors report their experience with Metrizamide (Amipaque) in the myelographic study of the lubosacrale) in the myelographic study of the lumbosacral tract. They compare their results with those obtained with other hydrosoluble contrast agents and correlate them with surgical findings. Metrizamide appears to be preferable to other hydrosoluble contrast agents due to its better radiological definition and because of the lower frequency of complications related to its use.

[Hepatic scintigraphy and laparoscopy in the diagnosis of the metastatic liver neoplasms. Comparative studies in 112 cases]. / Scintigrafia epatica e laparoscopia nella ricerca delle metastasi del fegato. Osservazioni comparative in 112 casi

Personal experience of hepatic scintigraphy and laparoscopy in the diagnosis of secondary tumors of the liver is reported. The usefulness of both the techniques, associated, is proved by the small number of cases (2,98%) where metastases remained undiagnosed before surgery. Considering only the results of scanning, a larger number of "false positive" is noted, while those of laparoscopy are more often "false negative".

[Value and limitations of intravenous cholangiography in the diagnosis of the main bile duct diseases. Studies in 209 cases controlled surgically]. / Valore e limiti della colangiografia endovenosa nella diagnostica delle affezioni della via biliare principale

The value and limits of i.v. cholangiography were appraised in the light of the surgical picture in 209 patients. Exact preoperative diagnosis was possible in many cases, while no more than dilatation of the main bile duct was demonstrable in others. False negatives mainly concerned lithiasis of the common duct without jaundice, whereas false positive lithiasis was primarily observed in papilitis and cephalopancreatitis.

Laparoscopic cholangiography in the diagnosis of cholestasis: experience with 103 cases.

The results of 103 laparoscopic cholangiographies performed in patients with cholestasis are reported and the technique used is described. Minimal or no secondary effects were noted. A correct diagnosis was reached in 92 cases, 53 of which presented cholestasis of an extrahepatic nature and 39 of intrahepatic origin. In the latter group, the technique made exploratory laparotomy unnecessary. The procedure allows a roentgenologic examination of the biliary system, a direct evaluation of the liver and gallbladder and, if necessary, a liver biopsy.

The radiologic "Target sign" of septic pulmonary embolism in a case of acute myelogenous leukemia.

The authors report the appearance of septic pulmonary embolism in a case of acute myelogenous leukemia. The pulmonary lesions are characterized radiographically by the uncommon appearance of central densities suspended within thin-walled pseudocystic air spaces. A possible pathogenic mechanism explaining these radiographic findings is discussed. Such images must be distinguished from those of a fungus ball or tuberculous cavities.

[Magnetic resonance imaging in non-Q wave infarction]. / Localizzazione con risonanza magnetica nucleare dell'infarto non Q.

The aim of this study is to evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) as a clinical tool to identify the site of non-Q myocardial infarction, when other techniques are inadequate. Ten patients underwent MR examination 3 - 15 days after the onset of symptoms. The examinations were performed with a General Electric 1.5 Tesla II unit, by means of ECG-gated MR imaging. The 10 patients were 35 to 56 years of age, 9 were men. In 5 patients it was the first myocardial infarction, in 5 patients the second. MR allowed us to identify the site of myocardial infarction: 5 inferior, 1 posterior, 2 postero-inferior, 1 apical, 2 subendocardial. Thus the MR examination is suggested in non-Q myocardial infarction to detect the site and the extent of the infarct. The MR is useful when echocardiography is technically non adequate or when it is not possible to identify regional wall motion abnormalities. We suggest to use this technique in patients with coronary artery bypass and in patients with multiple infarctions.

Hydatid disease: MR imaging study.

Fifteen patients with hydatidosis, 13 with hepatic echinococcosis and two with isolated lesions of the spleen and the shoulder, were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of the 13 patients with hepatic hydatidosis, four had secondary peritoneal lesions, and one also had involvement of the dorsal spine. The presence of a hypointense rim and a multiloculated or multicystic appearance are distinctive features. When evaluating the viability of hydatid cysts the authors found that MR imaging findings were not particularly valuable, as the MR imaging signs (daughter cysts and detachment of the membranes) are rare and are also evident at computed tomography and ultrasound examinations. T2 measurements were not useful due to the wide range of values obtained. Despite these limitations, MR imaging is still an important technique in the study of echinococcosis to depict the presence of a rim as a characteristic sign and to obtain a complete anatomic evaluation.