Correlation of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Abdominal Aortic Calcification on Plain X-ray and Pineal Gland Calcification at CT in Patients with Low Back Pain

Background: The lumbar spine, or low back, is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leades the low back susceptible to injury and pain. To find out the correlations among plain radiographic findings of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, abdominal aortic calcification & CT findings of pineal gland calcification in low back pain subjects. Material & Methods:This observational analytical study was carried out in the Department of Radiology and imaging of the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012. A total of 100 subjects attending the department of Radiology and imaging, BIRDEM for X-ray of the Lumbosacral spine and CT scan of the brain with low back pain were enrolled first for the study. A complete history was taken either from the patient or accompanying attendants. Relevant investigations reports were collected. All the information was recorded in the data collection sheet. Collected data were classified, edited, coded and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS-23.Results:The mean age of study subjects was 61.26 years with a standard deviation of the mean (SD) of 13.34 years and their age ranged from 41 to 74 years. It was observed that nearly two-thirds (61.7%) of the subjects were male and 38.3% were female and the male-female ratio was 1.6:1. It was seen that majority of the subjects had a density of the Pineal gland ranging from +51 to +150 HU. Only 4 subjects had a density of Pineal gland ranging from +351 to +1000 HU. Meant SD density of the Pineal gland among a total of 30 subjects was 136.98164.11 HU. In Group X, the density of Pineal Gland was 83,57 14.45 HU. The density of the Pineal gland was 134.65±13.23HU and 151.66+21.32 HU in Group Y and Group Z respectively. Some parameters of the degenerative disc disease and aortic wall calcification. had a significant positive association with calcification. with the density of Pineal gland calcification.Conclusions:The study was undertaken to find out the Correlation between lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, abdominal aortic calcification on plain X-ray and Pineal gland calcification at CT in low back pain subjects. The data obtained showed that the density of pineal gland calcification is statistically significant with increasing age. There was also a positive association between intradiscal calcification and density of pineal gland calcification, but no significant association among other parameters with the density of pineal gland calcification

The Role of Plain X-Ray Aiding Cochlear Implant / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To know the position and shape of implanted electrode array with plain X-ray after cochlear implantation. Methods According to the Cochlear View developed by Xu plain X-ray was taken postoperatively to obtain the best view of electrode array. Results The Medical imaging of plain X- ray taken before switching on or following the concerning of the performance could assist in the detection of electrode arrays in improper position, partial insertion or bending inside the cochlea. It helped audiologists to make decisions to switch off affected electrodes for the optimization of the program, if functioning electrodes were insufficient and recipients failed. Conclusion It is recommended to conduct post-operative X-ray examination routinely for cochlear implant recipients. Audiologists should be able to use medical imaging to identify the position of intra-cochlear electrodes and apply the information to guide the mapping work.

Comparison of Plain X-rays and OMU (Osteo-Meatal-Unit) CT Scans in Children with Chronic Sinusitis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: In general, sinusitis in children is diagnosed by clinical symptom and paranasal sinus x-ray. Sinus plain x-rays in children is simple, inexpensive, and speedy. However, it requires proper interpretative techniques, because different development of each sinus, soft tissues overlying sinuses and bony structure require precise diagnosis. This study was conducted to compare plain x-rays with OMU CT scans. METHODS: From September 1996 through August 1997, thirty nine patients who were diagnosed as sinusitis based on clinical symptoms and plain x-rays at the pediatric department of Seoul Adventist Hospital were studied. Water's view, Caldwell's view and lateral view were taken for the plain x-rays with concurrent OMU CT scans prior to treatments. RESULTS: Ten cases (25.6%) out of 39 patients showed posterior nasal drip and fourteen cases (35.9%) showed nasal obstruction. Twelve cases (30.8%) were related to allergic diseases and seven cases (58.3%) among these 12 cases were bronchial asthma. Sensitivity of plain x-ray were 88.5+/-12.9% for maxillary sinuses, and 59.9+/-13.65% for ethmoidal sinuses. CONCLUSION: When maxillary sinusitis is suspected, plain X-ray for maxillary sinuses is enough to diagnose sinusitis, but for ethmoidal sinuses it may be underestimated or overestimated in comparison with OMU CT scan. Ethmoidal sinusitis requires careful diagnosis and follow-up because it plays important roll for chronic sinusitis due to its structure. Therefore, we recommends OMU CT scan to diagnose paranasal sinusitis of children with plain X-ray.

Tremendous Skull Metastasis from Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma: Case Reort

A rare and tremendous skull metastasis from the follicular thyroid carcinoma is reported with review of the articles. Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with distant metastasis is considered a relatively progressive tumor associated with poor five-year survival rate. The insidious character of the primary growth of the thyroid carcinoma is the long latent period which supervenes between the recognition of the primary growth and its secondary metastasis. The clinicopathological features, plain X-ray and C-T findings are discussed.

Measurement of the Lumbar Spinal Canal by the Plain X-Ray Film in the Normal Korean Adults / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The significance of measurement of the spinal canal size was well recognized in case of detection of intraspinal tumor as well as diagnosis of spinal stenosis. The measurement of sagittal diameter of the lumber spinal canal by plain x-ray film is not always easy. However, the new method designed by Eisenstein made the measurement of sagittal diameter of the lumber spinal canal by plain x-ray film very easy. In order to study the range of normal values of the sagittal diameter of lumber spinal canal in Korean adults, authors measured antero-posterior and transverse diameter of the lumbar spinal canal in 290 normal Korean adults by Eisensteins method. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Mean values of sagittal diameter of the normal Korean adults male was 17.37±1.05mm at Ll, 16.43±1.12mm at L2, 15.89±1.20mm at L3, 15.45±1.24mm at L4, and 17.34±1.13mm at L5 vertebra and in female, 17.41±1.23mm at Ll, 16.45±1.20mm at L2, 16.14±1.41mm at L3, 15.40±1.32mm at L4, and 17.25±1.20mm at L5 vertebra. 2. Mean values of transverse diameter of the normal Korean adults male was 23.54±1.18mm at Ll, 24.61±1.17mm at L2, 25.78±1.41mm at L3, 27.72±1.86mm at L4, and 30.42±2.23mm at L5 vertebra and in female, 23.06±1.45mm at Ll, 23.90±1.48mm at L2, 25.21±1.53mm at L3, 26.62±1.88mm at L4, and 29.70±2.41mm at L5 vertebra. 3. In transverse diameter, it was increased more and more to the lower lumber level, the widest at L5 vertebra. 4. In sagittal diameter, it was decreased less and less to the lower lumbar level, the narrowest at L4, and increased again at L5 vertebra. 5. The difference of sagittal and transverse diameter of lumbar spinal canal at each level of lumbar spine was very significant statistically. 6. The difference of the transverse diameter of the lumber spinal canal between male and female was significant statistically but that of the sagittal diameter was not. 7. The difference of the sagittal and transverse diameter between each age group was not significant statistically.