Non-contrast renal CT scan findings: a retrospective review

To evaluate the findings of unenhanced Non-contrast Renal Computed Tomography in patients with flank pain. One hundred-seventy eight seven patients with flank pain were referred for unenhanced renal computed tomography at Prince Ali Hospital between November 2008 to February 2009. The original films of each patient were reviewed and the presence of urinary tract calculi was recorded. other urinary abnormalities were also noted. Out of 178 study population, 73 patients [41%] were reported as normal, 59 patients [33%] having hydronephrosis. The stone was located in the upper third of the ureter in 27 patients [45.8%]. Thirteen patients on the right side and 10 on the left. 12.4% were found to have various renal abnormalities. Unenhanced Renal Computed Tomography is an accurate investigation for determining the presence or abscence of urinary tract calculi in patients complaining of flank pain. It identifies renal and uretric stones; location and size. Other causes of flank pain can also be identified

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: our experience at King Hussein medical center

To describe and determine the frequency of brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings for regional involvement of brain lobes in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome. This is a descriptive study which was conducted on a total of 13 patients who were diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging to have Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome during the period between July 2009 to September 2011 at King Hussein Medical Center. Criteria for diagnosing Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome include partial or complete expression of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome pattern, reversibility of the edema on follow up images, clinical presentation of neurotoxicity and presence of underlying systemic process. Standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging sequences used were unenhanced T1-T2-FLAIR diffusion-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. The frequency of regional involvement of brain lobes in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in this series were as follows; the occipital lobe being affected with reversible vasogenic edema in all 13 patients [100%], followed by the parietal lobe in 10 patients [76.9%], frontal lobe in 8 patients [61.5%], temporal lobe in 2 patients [15.4%] cerebellar in 2 patients [15.4%] and pons in one patient [7.7%]. The involvement was almost symmetrical bilateral in 9 patients [75%] Neuroradiological findings along with clinical signs are consistent enough so that this entity should be readily recognizable which ensures early treatment, also prevention of potential complications as brain hemorrhage and infarction

Subcallosal striations: the role of FLAIR MR imaging in detecting these lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis

To evaluate the reliability of Fluid Attenuation Inversion Recovery [FLAIR] in detection of subcallosal striations in clinical Multiple sclerosis [MS] patients and determine its role as a good noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of this disease. Forty patients with clinically proved MS were examined along with 40 control patients well matched for age who presented with other indications for MRI study. Two mm Sagittal FLAIR sequence was added to the routine MRI studies of the brain. The images were reviewed for the presence of subcallosal striations. The study was conducted at King Hussein Medical Centre, Amman-Jordan from January 2005 to July 2007. All the 40 patients with clinical MS had subcallosal striations. Of the 40 without MS only four had subcallosal striations. Subcallosal striations were highly associated [P<.001] with clinical MS. FLAIR is a reliable tool for detection of subcallosal striations in MS which are not seen on routine axial MR images. However, these striations later produce the ovoid lesions visible on routine MR imaging

Immediate and delayed reactions to contrast media during intravenous urography

To highlight the incidence of both immediate and delayed reactions to the intravenous administration of urografin 70% [meglumine and NA diatrizoate] and niopam 300 [iopamidol] for urographic examination. Twelve hundred patients, over 18 years of age, who were referred to the radiology department at Queen Alia Military Hospital for non-emergency of urograph from 1st October 1996 until 30th September 1998 were examined. A specially designed questionnaire investigating reactions or side effects noticed by patients after the injection was distributed. Data were collected and analyzed. A total of 1699 patients received single injections of either urografin or niopam. Eight hundred and forty four patients received urografin 70% and 855 patients received niopam 300. Significant differences were found in the incidence of both types of reactions to the two media with respect to nausea and vomiting, arm pain, and taste in the mouth, which was commoner in patients receiving urografin 70%, whereas the incidence of delayed skin rashes and parotid swelling was commoner with niopam 300. The occurrence of a flu-like illness, so-called "iodism ", was found to be equal in the two contrast media groups. Conclusion:1. Patients seem to prefer non-ionic media, which give them a more comfortable examination. 2. Intermediate and sensitivity reactions are commoner with urografin. 3. Delayed reactions are very common with both types of media, particularly arm pain, a flu-like illness and rashes. Delayed rashes and perhaps parotitis are commoner with non-ionic media. 4. Routine use of non-ionic contrast media for urography does not appear justified