Evaluation of CT findings for diagnosis of pleural effusions.

Computed tomography studies are usually used to assess patients with pleural effusions, and radiologists should be aware of the significance of different CT findings for the diagnosis of the effusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT findings for etiological diagnosis of pleural effusions. Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest of 211 patients with pleural effusion of definite diagnosis were evaluated. The CT images were evaluated for the presence and extent of pleural effusion, thickening or nodules, extrapleural fat and other changes in the mediastinum or lung. The CT scans were read by two independent observers and correlation between them was evaluated. Comparison of CT findings between benign and malignant effusions, between exudates and transudates, and between empyemas and the other parapneumonic effusions were carried out. Kappa values for most CT findings were > 0.85. Loculation, pleural thickening, pleural nodules, and extrapleural fat of increased density were only present in exudative effusions. Multiple pleural nodules and nodular pleural thickening were the only pleural findings limited to malignant pleural effusions. The signs were also more frequently seen in empyemas than in other parapneumonic effusions. Computed tomography findings can help to distinguish between transudates and exudates. Although there is some overlap between benign and malignant pleural effusions, pleural nodules and nodular pleural thickening were present almost exclusively in the latter. Although differences between CT findings of empyemas and the other parapneumonic effusions exist, there is no finding which can definitely differentiate between them.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone in pediatric patients: imaging and follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the initial clinical and radiologic manifestations and the follow-up of pediatric patients with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis affecting the temporal bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 14 patients with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis affecting the temporal bone. All patients were examined initially and sequentially with CT. In six patients, MR imaging was also done. RESULTS: Temporal bone involvement was the initial form of presentation in 12 patients. In eight patients, temporal bone involvement presented as an isolated manifestation, and in four it was associated with multisystemic involvement. In the remaining two patients, temporal bone involvement appeared during the course of the Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. Bilateral involvement was seen in four patients. In two patients, the temporal bone was affected only at the petrous apex. CT showed destruction of bone in all 14 patients and an associated soft-tissue homogeneous mass after injection of i.v. contrast material in 12 patients. CT showed a heterogeneous appearance of the soft-tissue mass in two patients. The average period of follow-up was 5 years. In seven of the 14 patients, the disease had a satisfactory evolution in which the bony lesions of the temporal bone reossified and remodeled over the course of a year. CONCLUSION: In Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, involvement of the temporal bone is usually seen on radiographs as extensive lytic lesions associated with soft-tissue masses. The lesions that remit show early disappearance of the soft-tissue mass, followed by reossification and remodeling of the involved bone. Patients with limited initial involvement of the temporal bone have a better prognosis on long-term follow-up than do patients with the multisystemic form.

Left main coronary artery patch angioplasty: midterm experience and follow-up with spiral computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Patch angioplasty is an alternative surgical technique in cases of left main coronary artery stenosis. We report our experience with this technique, with particular mention of the use of spiral computed tomography for the follow-up of our patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study we analyzed the results obtained in all 7 patients (3 women and 4 men) who were operated on with this technique in our institution between July 1992 and August 1994. Five consenting patients also underwent graft patency assessment with spiral computed tomographic imaging. RESULTS: The operation was uneventful in all patients and there were no hospital deaths. Two patients required reoperation (1 of them dying at reoperation), 1 because of restenosis of the graft and 1 because of the presence of a new stenosis in the proximal anterior descending coronary artery. The remaining 5 patients were asymptomatic after 51 +/- 2 months. Spiral computed tomographic images were artifacted and of poor quality. CONCLUSIONS: Patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery can be a valuable therapeutic method in selected cases. Conventional spiral computed tomography is not an optimal noninvasive method for the assessment of graft patency.

Idiopathic progressive osteolysis of craniofacial bones.

We present the case report of a diabetic 51-year-old male, who presented with painless mobilization of the superior incisor teeth. The X-ray study showed osteolysis, without any soft tissue mass, in craniofacial and orbital bones. In the control X-ray studies performed during the 2 years' evolution, a progressive increase in the intensity and extension of the osteolysis was observed. The diagnosis of progressive idiopathic osteolysis is one of exclusion, based mainly on clinico-radiological findings, evolution and compatible histological findings.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the skull. Case report.

Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare benign neoplasm of bone; only three cases have been reported involving the skull. The radiographic and histological aspects of a case of desmoplastic fibroma involving the parietal bone are reported.

[Esophagobronchial fistula of tuberculous origin]. / Fístula esofagobronquial de origen tuberculoso.

We present the case of an asymptomatic male in whom bilateral hilar and right paratracheal lymph node enlargement was a casual finding. An esophagogram was performed to evaluate possible mediastinal nodes and an esophagobronchial fistula was discovered. In view of the coexistence of lymph node enlargement and esophagobronchial fistula, the case was presumed to be tuberculosis, as was confirmed by sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After tuberculostatic treatment, the course was favorable. Closure of the fistula was confirmed in a later follow-up.