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PURPOSE Retrospective evaluation of postoperative long-term results after surgery of inflammatory aortic aneurysms (IAAA) with computed tomography (CT). Findings in CT were analysed with particular attention to the development of inflammatory tissue adjacent to the aneurysm site. MATERIAL AND METHODS Of 2101 patients operated on an aortic aneurysm 5.4% (114 patients) presented typical intraoperative features of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. 54 of these 114 patients (47%) were examined via computed tomography pre- and post-operatively. On an average the follow-up-study was performed 2.5 years postoperatively. RESULTS All follow-up-studies revealed a correct location of the aortic prostheses. In 85.1% of the cases there was either no or negligible persisting inflammatory tissue with a diameter of less than 2 mm. 10.6% of the patients demonstrated remaining but reduced inflammatory tissue. In 4.3% of the cases the extent of the inflammatory tissue had not changed. Aneurysms of the anastomoses (n = 4), morphologic renal changes (n = 7) and an aorto-enteric fistula were demonstrated by CT as postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS In evaluating recurrence of the aneurysm and possible complications as well as the development of the inflammatory tissue, postoperatively performed computed tomography proved a reliable diagnostic method.

Renal function was investigated by isotope nephrography in 31 pregnant women with normal kidneys during various phases of pregnancy, and in 137 women on continuous contraceptive steroids (up to eight years). The semi-quantitative parameters of zum Winkel were used. It was found that the use of oral contraceptives did not lead to any change in renal function, whereas with advancing pregnancy there was distinct excretion delay on the isotope nephrogram. The results are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. Isotope nephrography appears to be a satisfactory screening test for evaluation of renal function on each side.

The relationship between high dose progestagen treatment and changes on the intravenous urogram were studied in 27 patients. For this purpose, six specific features in the urogram were examined. Our findings in the patients available to use indicate that there is no demonstrable dilatation of the renal pelves and ureters as a result of the administration of progestational substances alone. These results are discussed in relation to the relevant literature.

The relationship between high dose progesterone treatment and pregnancy and dilatation of the upper urinary tract was investigated by doing intravenous urograms on eight female rabbits. Ten features of the urogram were studied. It was concluded that the administration of sex hormones to rabbits without any mechanical change in the ureters, did not lead to urographically demonstrable dilatation of the ureters. Negative findings in pregnant animals indicate that the mechanical situation in rabbits differs from that found in human pregnancy. The results are discussed with relation to the available literature.

7 female rabbits were given subcutaneous implants of ethinyl estradiol; 2 rabbits were given subcutaneous placebo implants. Urographic tests were performed before the implantations and 3 6 and 12 weeks after the implantations. The urethral width was measured at 11 places along the upper part of each ureter. In some cases there were significant reductions in the diameter of the ureter. It was concluded that the administration of estrogens without simultaneous mechanical manipulation does not cause dilatation of the urethra. (Summary in ENG)

Changes in renal function during pregnancy were studied by sequential scintigraphy in 16 women with normal kidneys. The examinations were carried out during the first and third trimesters. Time activity curves were obtained by a computer-assisted storage and analysis procedure, using a "region of interest" technique for renal parenchyma and renal pelvis. The study included topographic changes and the evaluation of 13 semi-quantitative parameters related to the renal parenchyma and of nine parameters related to the renal pelvis. The results were demonstrated graphically. The predominantly rightsided changes in renal function during the third trimester are discussed in relation to the relevant literature.