A comparison of two or three radiographic views in the diagnosis of skull fractures.

The aim of the study is to determine whether a two rather than a three-view skull series is adequate for diagnosis of a skull fracture given a reliable history of the site of trauma. The radiographs of 50 patients who were diagnosed and managed as having sustained skull fractures were randomly mixed with 200 normal skull series and viewed independently by three observers. For all the film series viewed (a total of 1500 for the three observers), the diagnostic confidence level for two films was 94.4%, and for three films 94.6%. Of a total of 150 skull fracture series viewed as two films, 87 (58%) were correctly diagnosed with a confidence level of 92.7%. When viewed as three films, 92 (61.3%) were correctly diagnosed with a confidence level of 93%. Combined with analysis of false-positive and false-negative results, no statistical difference could be detected between a two or three film skull series. A two-view skull series has no statistically deleterious effect on either diagnostic accuracy or confidence of interpretation when compared with a three-view series given an accurate clinical history.

Biliary complications following orthotopic liver transplantation.

The gall-bladder conduit anastomosis (choledocho-cholecysto-choledochostomy) has been the most frequently used technique for the biliary tract anastomosis in the Cambridge/King's College Hospital joint liver transplantation programme since 1976. Cholangiograms and interventional biliary procedures performed over a 3 year period were reviewed retrospectively. Seventy-six of 148 patients managed post-operatively at King's College Hospital were studied (79 transplants). Cholangiograms were abnormal in 63 (80%) transplants with biliary strictures; inspissated bile formation, bile leak and T-tube malposition occurring in 50, 23, 14 and three transplants respectively. Anastomotic strictures occurred most frequently, predominantly at the proximal anastomosis, and the presence of inspissated bile and the T-tube in relation to these contributed towards subsequent biliary obstruction. Non-anastomotic strictures in the donor biliary tract were associated with a high position of the T-tube tip at or above the liver hilum. Saline irrigation of the bile ducts for inspissated bile or its removal via the endoscope were effective measures in the management of biliary obstruction but percutaneous balloon dilatation and endoscopic stent insertion for biliary strictures were found to have a limited role.