Computed tomography of spinal tuberculosis.

CT findings of 20 proven cases of tuberculous spondylitis were reported. Vertebral fragmentation and paravertebral abscesses were found to be important findings. CT should be performed in cases without characteristic plain radiographic features and in cases that the extent of the disease is to be evaluated.

Endoscopic removal of stone in patients with retained common bile duct stone and T-tube after cholecystectomy. Is it justified?

Fifteen patients with retained common bile duct (CBD) stones and T-tube and twenty patients with CBD stones without T-tube had stones removed by endoscopic method. The result of endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone extraction, stone clearance and complication in patients with T-tube was similar to the results in patients without T-tube. The presence of T-tube did not create much difficulty in stone removal and the successful rate of 86.6 per cent (13/15) was satisfactory. Endoscopic removal of retained stones in patients with T-tube is recommended when retrieval via T-tube is not available since the later has fewer reported complications with very low mortality compared to the endoscopic technique.

Pre-operative diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma.

Preoperative diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma was reviewed with emphasis on ultrasound and CT findings. Two cases were reported. Combined use of ultrasound and CT or conventional radiographs (with demonstration of fat radiolucency) are accurate preoperative diagnostic methods. Nephrectomy or unnecessary operation can be prevented. A small asymptomatic renal mass may be incidentally detected during ultrasound examination of the liver and gall-bladder. If CT or conventional radiographs confirm the presence of fatty tissue in the tumor, diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma can be made. Then ultrasound follow-up is justified.