No abstract

The new correction method is a simple tool for excluding intrinsic influences on the enhancement of lesions. Quantitative enhancement evaluation with this method of the influence of intrinsic factors enables accurate differentiation between renal clear cell carcinoma and renal papillary carcinoma.

Recent developments in ophthalmology such as balloon dilatation, stent implantation, laser therapy and endoscopy of the lacrimal drainage system raise the need for a detailed anatomical knowledge of this system. In this study morphometric measurements of the lacrimal drainage system were performed with thin-section axial computed tomography (CT) examinations in 147 patients with no signs of pathology related to the lacrimal drainage system. The mean length of the nasolacrimal duct measured 11.2 +/- 2.6 mm (range: 6-21 mm), the narrowest diameter was 3.7 +/- 0.7 mm (range: 2-7 mm). The mean length of the nasolacrimal sac was 11.8 +/- 2.5 mm (range: 6-18 mm). The width of the nasolacrimal sac did not exceed 4 mm unless filled with air. In 43 (29.3%) of the subjects air was visible within the nasolacrimal sac or duct. The knowledge of the morphometry of the lacrimal drainage system enables the ophthalmologist to plan intervention on the lacrimal drainage system precisely and avoid unnecessary manipulations.

The aim of this study was to determine if a saline solution flush following low dose contrast material bolus improves parenchymal and vascular enhancement during abdominal multiple detector-row computed tomography (MDCT). Forty-one patients (24 men and 17 women; mean age 49 years, age range 27-86 years) underwent abdominal MDCT (collimation 4x5 mm, 15-mm table increment, reconstruction interval 5 mm, gantry rotation period 0.8 s) with a single- as well as with a double syringe power injector. Indication for examination were benign and malignant tumors and inflammatory diseases. Patients received 100 ml nonionic contrast material (300 mgI/ml) alone or pushed with 20 ml saline solution. Mean enhancement values for both protocols were measured in the liver, the spleen, the pancreas, the renal cortex, the portal vein, the inferior vena cava and the abdominal aorta. Double syringe power-injector protocol led to significantly higher parenchymal and vascular enhancement than single syringe power-injector protocol (p<0.05). The improvement in mean enhancement of the liver was 9 +/- 9 HU, of the spleen 8 +/- 10 HU, of the pancreas 7 +/- 9 HU, and of the renal cortex 8 +/- 20 HU. The improvement in mean enhancement of the portal vein was 10 +/- 17 HU of the inferior vena cava 8 +/- 13 HU and of the abdominal aorta 10 +/- 17 HU. The use of a double syringe power injector with saline flush following contrast material bolus significantly improves parenchymal and vascular enhancement during contrast-enhanced abdominal MDCT with low iodine doses.

Results of stent placement for treatment of benign biliary strictures are not encouraging. However, the patient population is too limited to allow final conclusions.