ABSTRACT
We instituted the use of a power injector during dynamic body CT to improve control of the rate of contrast injection, to make it unnecessary for a technologist to remain in the gantry room during scanning, and to make it possible for one technologist to simultaneously perform the injection and operate the scanner. We analyzed the first 240 cases using the power injector for quality of contrast enhancement and frequency of complications, including contrast material extravasation into soft tissues. Ninety-seven percent of the studies had enhancement judged good, very good, or excellent. A technologist remained in the gantry room during some portion of the examination in only 11% of the studies. Minor contrast material extravasation occurred in two cases and major extravasation in one case, a frequency of 1.3%. None of these resulted in long-term morbidity.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/instrumentation , Equipment Safety , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/epidemiology , Humans , Injections, Intravenous/adverse effects , Injections, Intravenous/instrumentation , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Ten fetuses underwent ultrasound scanning at 7-10 weeks gestational (postmenstrual) age. In all cases, an echogenic mass measuring 0.5-1.0 cm was demonstrated within the base of the umbilical cord at its insertion into the fetal abdomen. No area with echogenicity characteristic of the small bowel was identified within the lower part of the fetal abdomen. All fetuses were reexamined 4-12 weeks later, at which time the mass in the umbilical cord was no longer seen, and normal fetal bowel was visualized in the lower abdominal cavity of the fetus. This sequence of findings appears to represent the sonographic demonstration of normal fetal bowel migration early in gestation and should not be confused with defects of the abdominal wall such as omphalocele or gastroschisis.
Subject(s)
Fetus/anatomy & histology , Intestines/embryology , Ultrasonography , Abdominal Muscles/embryology , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Umbilical Cord/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Intraoperative electron-beam radiation therapy (IRT) is being used to treat certain abdominal malignancies. Accurate determination of tumor size, depth, and extent is necessary to select a treatment cone of appropriate size and appropriate electron beam energy for the treatment portal. Fourteen patients undergoing evaluation for this treatment were examined with intraoperative ultrasonography (IUS) to aid therapy planning. IUS study required little additional time and readily delineated tumor size, depth, and relationship to adjacent structures. In two patients, the US and operative findings provided information that precluded use of IRT. The traditional method of tumor evaluation by intraoperative palpation and inspection was consistently enhanced by the use of IUS findings. IUS is a valuable adjunct that improves the accuracy of therapy planning for IRT.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Intraoperative Care , Radiotherapy, High-Energy/methods , Ultrasonography , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , LaparotomyABSTRACT
With the routine use of sonography in the evaluation of suspected gallbladder disease, the familiarity of gallbladder duplication and its differential considerations are essential. Three cases are presented: one surgically proven duplication of the gallbladder, one case in which the sonographic findings were compatible with duplication of the gallbladder, and one surgically proven intraperitoneal fibrous band mimicking a gallbladder duplication. Gallstones were present in all cases and were confined to only one of the two lobes identified in each case. The gallstones did not communicate between individual gallbladder lobes despite multiple patient positions. Contraction of the non-stone-containing lobe was present in one nonfasting patient, which is probably the best indirect sign of a double gallbladder.
Subject(s)
Gallbladder/abnormalities , Adult , Aged , Cholelithiasis/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Common artifacts seen during ultrasound examination of the fetal cranium and that may simulate pathology include hypoechoic parenchyma, noise in the near field, focal sonolucent areas, reverberation echoes and shadowing from portions of the skull base. Specific techniques can help one recognize, decrease or eliminate them.
Subject(s)
Fetus/anatomy & histology , Skull/anatomy & histology , Ultrasonics , Brain/anatomy & histology , Female , Humans , PregnancySubject(s)
Amniocentesis/methods , Adult , Chromosome Aberrations/diagnosis , Chromosome Disorders , Female , Genetic Counseling , Humans , Male , Maternal Age , Pregnancy , UltrasonicsABSTRACT
Spironoura tikasinghi sp. n. from the cecum and small intestine of a turtle, Geoemyda punctularia, from Trinidad, is characterized by having spicules 530 to 570 micronm, and a gubernaculum 310 to 340 micronm long. It is compared with other species from South and Central America, and with those reported from turtles.
