Grey-scale and Doppler ultrasound of normal testes and extratesticular structures--a pictorial review.

Recent advances in ultrasound technology has led to the development of high resolution transducers, typically 7 to 10 MHZ, with grey-scale, pulsed wave duplex Doppler, colour Doppler and even power Doppler capabilities. Computed tomography, scintigraphy and magnetic resonance may be used to image the testis, but ultrasound is the most sensitive imaging modality available for demonstration of scrotal contents. Ultrasound has the additional advantages that it is relatively cheap and widely available, and does not involve the use of ionizing radiation. Real time grey-scale ultrasound provides good cross-sectional images, whilst pulsed Doppler and colour Doppler ultrasound provide quantitative and directional information on vascular flow within the testis. We have presented a pictorial review of normal findings encountered in sonographic imaging of several testes, as well as anatomical variants, and emphasized the importance of their recognition using various ultrasound techniques. We have also briefly reviewed ways of optimizing the images obtained from ultrasound scanners.

Isolated penile metastasis from bladder carcinoma.

Metastases of the penis are uncommon, with only approximately 300 cases reported since 1870. In up to 70% of patients, the primary tumour is located in the urogenital tract. Furthermore, isolated metastases of the penis are exceptionally rare. We report a case of solitary squamous cell metastasis of the penis presenting with painful swelling initially thought to be inflammatory in origin. The CT and MR imaging findings are presented with a short review of the literature.

Rare bone infections "excluding the spine".

Bone infections are usually due to haematogenous spread from distant infected organs. Spread of local sepsis or contamination of open wounds are less frequent routes of infection. The commonest cause of osteomyelitis is Staphylococcus aureus. The term rare bone infections refers to diseases where only a few percent affect bone or diseases which are essentially rare; these include bacteria, fungi, parasites and non-specific conditions. Common examples are tuberculosis, salmonellosis, brucellosis, hydatidosis, madura, actinomycosis, aspergillosis and American fungal infections. Certain bone infections have become exceedingly rare, particularly atypical mycobacteria, viral embryopathies and spirochaetes. Rare bone infections are encountered in many parts of the world commonly in the tropics and in the U. S. Immunocompromise and ease of travel can lead to increased incidence. A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Specific laboratory diagnosis is not always possible. Radiographs, computed tomography, isotope studies and magnetic resonance are useful but may not make the diagnosis. Aspiration or biopsy is necessary. Rare bone infections may simulate non-infective bone lesions.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation - Value of color Doppler sonography and MRI.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.

Spontaneous gun pellet migration in the brain.

Majority of airgun injuries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are accidental and involve children and adolescents. Potentially lethal penetrating injuries to the head often result from airguns. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice to determine the location of the pellet, and any associated brain parenchymal damage or haematoma formation. CT is also useful in demonstrating the fracture at the entry site of the pellet and any bone fragment which may be propelled into the brain. Although there have been a few case reports of spontaneous migration of metallic foreign body within the brain in the world literature, this case highlight the speed with which it can occur, even in a patient on complete bed rest.