Case of anaphylaxis and four cases of allergic reaction following Gd-DTPA administration.

Although Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) is considered to be safe and well tolerated by patients, we have seen adverse reactions in 5 of 344 cases. This paper reports those five cases of reactions to intravenous Gd-DTPA injection.

Imaging of congenital esophageal cysts in adults.

The radiologic imaging of esophageal cysts (EC) in adults is described. These rare cysts, often detected incidentally on routine chest radiographs, seldom produce symptoms, but they may cause precordial sensations, arrhythmias, and dysphagia. They may also bleed and become malignant. As surgical excision is the treatment of choice, the preoperative diagnosis must be exact. For this, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endoscopic ultrasound seem to be the imaging methods of choice even if a plausible diagnosis can be advanced on computed tomography (CT). Chest x-ray or esophagus roentgenogram have little differential diagnostic value.

Computed tomography of the thymus of children under 10 years.

The CT appearance of the mediastinum of 27 patients under 10 years of age was analysed retrospectively, paying special attention to the anterior mediastinum and thymus. None of the patients had thymic disease. The purpose of the study was to record features which might be regarded as characteristic of the normal thymus. The lateral contour of the thymus was clearly seen. There were no infiltrations, but in one case there were displacements due to a prominent thymus. All the thymus glands appeared to be homogeneous. The use of contrast medium helped in distinguishing the thymus from other mediastinal structures; its use is well justified in studying the anterior mediastinum.