Radiology
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Forty-six silicone rubber catheters were placed in the inferior vena cava (IVC) of 40 patients via a translumbar approach. No patient suffered retroperitoneal bleeding as determined by means of clinical observation (n = 46), computed tomography (CT) (n = 31), or autopsy (n = 5). Twenty-four catheters were removed after a mean of 51 (range, 2-137) days. ⋯ Ten catheter malpositions resulted in venous access failure. Five of these catheters were replaced, four were repositioned, and one spontaneously resumed the original position. It is concluded that percutaneous placement of silicone rubber catheters in the IVC is a satisfactory alternative when catheter placement in the subclavian vein is not feasible.
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The use of an air enema for diagnosis and treatment of intussusception has recently gained popularity. The current end point for reduction is the reflux of air into the terminal ileum. ⋯ Thus, reflux of air alone cannot be relied on as the sole criterion for reduction. Close examination of the cecum for a persistent filling defect is imperative to exclude unsuccessful reduction.
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The diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments of the wrist was assessed in 43 patients with chronic wrist pain. Forty-one patients underwent correlative arthrography. Twenty-three patients underwent arthroscopy or arthrotomy or both. ⋯ MR imaging could also be used effectively to evaluate tears of the intercarpal ligaments, particularly the scapholunate ligament. Disruptions of the extrinsic ligaments, articular cartilage defects, and subluxations of the distal radioulnar joint were also well demonstrated. MR imaging is an effective procedure in assessing patients with chronic wrist pain.
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Twenty-six normal orbits (16 subjects) and seven patients with suspected orbital disease were studied with color Doppler flow imaging CDFI). Arterial structures consistently identified included the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary branches. The terminal lacrimal branch was seen in the majority of orbits (n = 19). ⋯ Vascular lesions were excluded in two patients with orbital masses. Bilaterally enlarged superior ophthalmic veins were identified in a patient with unilateral symptoms suggestive of a varix; CDFI results were confirmed with computed tomography, but orbital venograms were interpreted as normal. These findings suggest that CDFI may be helpful in the evaluation of suspected vascular orbital disease.
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To assess the value of tenography of the peroneal tendon sheaths and of arthrography of the tibiotalar joint for the diagnosis and classification of recent ruptures of the lateral ankle ligaments, the authors performed a prospective study on 108 patients with inversion trauma of the ankle. All patients underwent tenography. Arthrography was performed if results of tenography were negative. ⋯ Tenography proved to be reliable in the diagnosis of injuries of the calcaneofibular ligament (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 87%-94%). The positive predictive value of tenography in combination with arthrography was 100% for the diagnosis of lateral ligament ruptures. The authors conclude that a combination of arthrography and tenography is a reliable method for diagnosing recent ruptures of the lateral ankle ligaments and for differentiating between isolated ruptures of the talofibular ligament and combined lesions of both the talofibular and the calcaneofibular ligaments.