Transluminal balloon angioplasty of infrahepatic caval anastomotic stenosis following liver transplantation: case report.

Treatment of an infrahepatic caval anastomotic stenosis with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty is described in a patient 5 weeks after liver transplantation. Pressure measurements confirmed the significance of the obstruction and the success of the dilatation procedure.

Percutaneous transfemoral placement of the Kimray-Greenfield vena cava filter.

In 109 patients in whom inferior vena caval interruption was indicated to prevent pulmonary embolism, Kimray-Greenfield (K-G) filters were inserted from a percutaneous transfemoral approach, 94 from the right common femoral vein and 15 from the left common femoral vein. All attempts at transfemoral filter insertion were successful except in two patients in whom a left common femoral approach was used. No complications occurred during insertion. In four patients, clinical evidence of femoral vein thrombosis ensued within 48 hours of filter insertion. There were no complications related to filter migration, and in 97% of patients the alignment was satisfactory. The percutaneous transfemoral route is a rapid and effective method for inserting K-G filters. The most frequent postinsertion complication was femoral vein thrombosis (ten patients), but only two patients suffered permanent sequelae.

Increased MR signal intensity in skeletal muscle adjacent to malignant tumors: pathologic correlation and clinical relevance.

Increased signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images has been demonstrated in skeletal muscle adjacent to neoplasms. Clinical significance of this sign was evaluated by reviewing MR images of 50 patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Increased signal in adjacent muscle was present in 22 patients, including 13 of 25 with primary or secondary malignancies of the musculoskeletal system. Biopsy specimens from the affected area in 11 of these 13 patients revealed edema (n = 8) more often than tumor invasion (n = 3). Nine of 25 patients with nonneoplastic processes had increased signal intensity in skeletal muscle because of infection, myositis, or hematoma. In patients who have not undergone previous surgery or radiation therapy and are without an inflammatory mass, increased signal intensity may be a useful indicator of malignancy.

Aneurysmal bone cysts: MR imaging at 1.5 T.

Two patients with aneurysmal bone cysts of the pelvis were imaged using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging device. Findings included multiple internal septations, cysts with fluid-fluid levels of varying intensity, and an intact rim of low-intensity signal completely surrounding the lesion. These findings allow a specific diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst to be made.

Direct sagittal CT of the temporomandibular joint.

An apparatus for direct sagittal computed tomography (CT) of the temporomandibular joint is described. Direct sagittal CT allows visualization of the meniscus and of osseous changes of the mandibular condyle without the technical problems and limitations associated with sagittal reformations from axial scans. The device can be constructed easily and economically and adapted to most CT installations.