Radiology
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On a supine chest radiograph, the only sign of pneumothorax may be a deep lateral costophrenic angle on the involved side. Seven cases where this finding was present are reviewed and the importance of this sign to radiologists and clinicians is stressed.
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The CT appearance of the vascular, ligamentous, and neural tissues in the spinal canal was studied in 50 patients and 5 cadavers. In some patients, iodinated contrast medium was first injected into the ascending lumbar veins, nucleus pulposus, or theca. Positive identification of spinal soft tissues on the CT image was made by reference to cadaver dissections. The spinal cord, nerves, root sheaths, retrovertebral plexus, epidural and basivertebral veins, posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum, intervertebral disks, and vertebral arteries can be demonstrated by CT, indicating its value in the diagnosis of disease of the cord, disk, and epidural space.
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Comparative Study
Relative efficacy of radiographic and radionuclide bone surveys in the detection of the skeletal lesions of histiocytosis X.
Radionuclide studies have been considered a more sensitive indicator of the presence of the bony lesions of histiocytosis X in children than have radiographic bone surveys. Our results suggest that the opposite is true. ⋯ Results of radionuclide studies did not correlate with age or sex of the patient, presence or duration of symptoms, radiographic appearance, or anatomic location of lesions. Our results suggest that the radiographic skeletal survey is more sensitive than radionuclide studies in detecting the skeletal lesions of histiocytosis X.
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The design and implementation of a program to investigate remote quality assurance testing for film mammography is described. The measurements included tube output, x-ray machine and processor stability, and film quality. Mammography phantoms and film sensitometric strips were distributed monthly to 24 regional hospitals. ⋯ It was found that x-ray machine useful beams could be reliably measured using nonscreen films. The main utility of the phantom was to identify cases of poor image quality. The measurements performed on the phantom image could not be used to diagnose specific causes of poor images.
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Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a severe form of venous thrombosis presenting as an edematous, painful, purplish-blue lower extremity. Its rapid recognition as venous thrombosis rather than arterial insufficiency is important in avoiding gangrene and other life threatening complications. Three cases illustrating the presentation of this disorder are reported.