Despite the availability of endoscopy, radiological examination remains an essential method in the investigation of Crohn's disease. Various authors agree that it has an accuracy of 75% (1, 8, 14, 20). In our experience accuracy is somewhere between 70 and 85%. These figures depend on the fact that in about 16% histology is also unable to make a definite diagnosis. Crohn's disease of the large bowel is of significance since it is often misinterpreted as ulcerative colitis, because in 10% of cases there is no involvement of the terminal ileum. The final diagnosis depends on the summation of the individual features whose individual significance must be considered. Malignant involvement of the peritoneum, which has not been extensively described in the radiological literature, may result in changes in the wall of the colon and lead to an appearance resembling Crohn's disease, with consequent errors in diagnosis.
The diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma is based on double-contrast barium enema and endoscopy. However, in contrast to computed tomography (CT), these modalities do not permit a precise preoperative prediction wether a tumour is limited to the bowel wall or has spread into surrounding tissue. To improve the detection of colorectal neoplasms by CT we prospectively studied the use of intrarectally administered water for CT scan in 16 patients with colorectal cancer proved by barium enema and endoscopy. The water repletion technique allowed an improved depiction of the large bowel wall, and the primary tumour was demonstrated by CT in all cases. Furthermore the use of water prevented artifacts which was helpful in the evaluation of the liver for suspected metastases.
Regional cerebral blood flow reduction was measured in 84 patients with CVI using 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT. 53 patients received 1 g acetazolamide to evaluate cerebrovascular reserve capacity. Differentiating between hemispheric (87%) and vertebrobasilar ischaemia (64%) revealed markedly increased sensitivity for the provocative test with acetazolamide. In 62% of high grade but asymptomatic carotid stenoses a haemodynamic effect was demonstrated with acetazolamide and thereby the indication for surgery was supported.
Eighty-seven unselected gall stones were examined radiologically and by ultrasound in vitro. No relationship of diagnostic value could be established between the amount of calcification and stone demonstration, the sonogram being influenced by the size of the stone, its surface contour and its position in the ultrasound beam. Sonography is therefore not suitable for selecting those patients on whom litholysis could be carried out. Sonography appears to be useful only in a negative way by establishing the exact size of the concretion.
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