Radiology
-
99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy was performed in 6 patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome and 1 patient with Rotor syndrome. In the patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome, the cholescintigrams had a characteristic pattern of delayed visualization or nonvisualization of the gallbladder and bile ducts in the presence of intense, homogeneous, and prolonged visualization of the liver. In the patient with Rotor syndrome, the hepatobiliary system was not visualized at all. It is concluded that 99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy may be helpful in the diagnosis of Dubin-Johnson syndrome and Rotor syndrome and in the differential diagnosis between these two conditions.
-
The stripe sign: a new sign for diagnosis of nonembolic defects on pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy.
A total of 47 patients who underwent both lung ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy and pulmonary arteriography were evaluated for presence on the scintigram of perfusion defects that did not extend to the lung edge, leaving a peripheral parenchymal stripe (PPS) of perfused lung between the defect and the adjacent pleural surface. Scans were scored both with and without regard for the PPS according to probability of pulmonary embolism; these predictions were then compared with the official lung scan report given initially to the referring physician. ⋯ Of the 13 patients who showed one or more PPSs, four reports would have been more accurate using the revised criteria that included the "stripe sign." In this study, visualization of a PPS in an area of defect on a perfusion lung scan was extremely accurate for predicting absence of pulmonary emboli in the specific area of the stripe. Further studies that would be needed to confirm this finding are discussed.
-
Two cases of nepheline rock dust pneumoconiosis are presented. Radiologically, this is seen as a diffuse increase in interstitial lung markings, lymphadenopathy, air-space disease, and atelectasis secondary to extrinsic compression by enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Major differential diagnoses include carcinoma of the lung, sarcoidosis, and interstitial lung disease caused by other inorganic dusts. Nepheline rock dust pneumoconiosis should be considered when the above radiological changes are observed and an occupational exposure to inorganic dust is documented.