An abdominal computed tomographic scan was modified by inserting 10 simulated colonic polyps with use of methods that closely mimic the attenuation, noise, and polyp-colon wall interface of naturally occurring polyps. A shape-based polyp detector successfully located six of the 10 polyps. When settings that enhanced the edge profile of polyps were chosen, eight of 10 polyps were detected. There were no false-positive detections. Shape analysis is technically feasible and is a promising approach to automated polyp detection.

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In our continuing study of computed tomography (CT) in blunt abdominal trauma, we have noted some cases in which a pneumothorax was detectable on CT that had been unsuspected clinically or radiographically before CT. We draw attention to the frequency with which pneumothorax may be diagnosed on CT and emphasize the importance of properly photographing and reviewing trauma CT cases. Materials and Methods Received

The sensitivity of conventional CT colonography is limited by the percentage of the mucosal surface seen. Map projection CT colonography overcomes this problem and provides a more sensitive method with a high PPV for detecting polyps than other methods currently being investigated.

The sonographic features were reviewed in 30 cases of testicular trauma. Sonogra phy correctly diagnosed testicular rupture in 12 surgically proven cases. Two additional cases of testicular rupture were diagnosed by sonography in patients who refused surgery. One false-positive diagnosis occurred in a patient with a large scrotal hema toma. There were no known false-negative diagnoses. Discrete fracture planes often are not identified by sonography in cases of testicular rupture. However, any alteration of the normal testicular echogenicity in traumatized patients suggests testicular rupture and requires surgery. There have been a few reports documenting the usefulness of sonography in evaluating testicular trauma [5,6]. We previously reported our initial experience with 19 patients with testicular trauma [7]. Here we describe an additional 11 patients and several newer sonographic observations. Materials and MethodsThe medical and surgical records and sonograms of 30 patients with scrotal trauma seen over a 3-year period were reviewed. There were 29 cases of blunt testicular trauma and one case of penetrating trauma. Twenty-nine patients were 21-38 years old; one patient was 81. Surgery was performed in 17 patients. The interval between sonography and operation was less than 72 hr in all cases.Initially in this series, sonograms were obtained with a B-mode static scanner using a 5 MHz short-focus transducer. More recently, patients were examined primarily with either 7.5 or 10.0 MHz high-resolution real-time units.