Haemospermia: transrectalsonographic study

38 patients with age ranging between 18 - 65 years, complaining of frequent haemospermia were examined by transrectal sonography [TRS]. Abnormal findings were detected in 31 patients [82%]. 23 patients [61%] had prostatic lesions including calcifications in 8, benign hyperplasia in 7, midline cyst in 3, prostatitis in 3 and cancer in 2. Seminal vesicles lesions were detected in 16 patients [42%] including calcifications in 8, cyst in 3, primary solid malignant mass in 2, malignant infiltration from prostatic cancer in 2 and asymmetry in 1. We found that TRS is able to suggest the cause of haemospermia in the majority of patients. It is recommended as the first imaging modality in patients complaining of haemospermia

Malignant pleural mesothelioma: CT study

The computed tomographic [CT] scans of 25 patients proved to have malignant pleural mesothelioma were reviewed to asses the value of CT in evaluation of this malignancy, 10 patients were resectable and underwent thoracotomy, 15 patients were unresectable and received palliative irradiation. CT scan showed pleural thickening and irregularity in 23 patients [92%], pleural nodules in 9 [36%], pleural masses in 17 [68%], pleural calcific plaques in 10 [40%] and pleural effusion in 18 [72%], involvement of interlobar fissure in 12 [48%]. Reduced volume of the hemithorax was noted in 16 [64%] and in 14 [87%] out of 16 patients with tumor encasement and rib erosion. Local extension of the tumor into the chest wall, mediastinum and diaphragm was detected in 6 patients [24%], 4 [16%] and 3 [12%] respectively. CT helps in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and defines the extent of the tumor, thereby improving the planning of treatment

Direct coronal CT of the temporomandibular joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Direct coronal computed tomography [CT] of the temporomandibular joint [TMJ] was performed in 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and 25 control subjects. Mandibular condylar head erosions and cysts were detected in 92% of the RA group and 40% of the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of other osseous changes. Bilateral involvement of the TMJ was 80% in RA group and 28% of the control group. Erosions and cysts is of the mandibular condyle and the bilateral nature of these changes should suggest RA

Computed tomographic study of laryngeal cancer

33 patients [28 males and 5 females] with age ranging between 35 - 68 years diagnosed by direct laryngoscopy as laryngeal cancer were evaluated by computed tomography [C.T]. The diagnosis was verified by biopsy in all cases [needle biopsy in 13 cases and surgically removed specimens in 20]. CT verified lymph nodal metastases in 5 cases with clinically enlarged lymph nodes and revealed nodal metastases in 3 not palpable clinically. Direct laryngoscopy detected localised mucosal growth in one case while CT was false negative. By CT tumour penetration into the pre-epiglottic space was detected in 12 cases and into the paralaryngeal space in 29 out of 30. It was able to demonstrate definitive involvement of the cartilaginous framework in 11 cases. We concluded that CT is essential in the evaluation of laryngeal

Computed tomographic study of masses in the lacrimal gland region

The CT scans for 17 patients with mass lesions in the lacrimal gland were revised. The extent, shape and contour of the mass and its relationship to the globe and extraocular muscles are clearly seen. CT provides reliable information which can help in suggesting specific diagnosis of lacrimal gland mass in addition to the preoperative demonstration of its extension and relationship to orbital contents

Gall bladder carcinoma sonographic diagnosis

Carcinoma of the gall bladder is difficult to diagnose in its early stage owing to non-specificity of its clinical symptoms which are similar to gall stone disease. Sonographic features of 23 patients verified to have gall bladder carcinoma were reviewed. The main features were large solid mass filling the gall bladder cavity in 52% of cases, tumourous growth along irregularly thickened bladder wall in 30%, polypoid mass in 9% and fungating mass on markedly thickened wall in 9%. Associated features were gallstones in 78%, cholecystitis in 65%, liver metastases in 17%, biliary radicles dilatation in 13%, empyema in 9% and ascites in 4%. Sonography is a useful method for the preoperative diagnosis of gall bladder carcinoma