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Introduction: This study was undertaken to determine the usefulness of transverse spiral tomography with the Cranex-Tome apparatus in diseases of the temporomandibular joint and in implantology., Material and Methods: The temporomandibular joint was studied in 35 patients. Pathologic bony structures, osteophytes, and abnormalities of the joint space were found in 34 patients. A malignant tumor was detected in one patient. In the case of the temporomandibular joint, spiral pantomography appears to offer superior results to conventional radiography by filtering out all structures superimposing on the joint. In addition, 14 patients qualified to receive 60 endosseous implants were studied. Pantomographs of the maxilla and mandible, as well as tomographs were used to measure the height and width of the alveolar process prior to selection of the implant. The precision of imaging of structures important to the implantologist was assessed., Results: Transverse spiral radiographs of the alveolar process gave a clear view of the mandibular canal, mental foramen, and fundus of the maxillary sinus. Measurements of the height and width of the alveolar process appearing on transverse spiral radiographs created a precise basis for the selection of an implant with the right length and diameter.

The usefulness of helical multidetector computed tomography in diagnosis of some laryngeal and tracheal diseases was presented. Also, the benefits of CT applications in the evaluation of the treatment results were emphasized. Based on the CT images the value of the CT in laryngeal neoplasms, laryngeal and tracheal stenosis and vocal cord paralysis was confirmed. The excellent precision and resolution is helpful in qualification for suitable therapy due to the cancer. In laryngeal and tracheal stenosis helical MDCT helps to choose the treatment strategy as well. In case of vocal cord paralysis this technique is useful in evaluation of the treatment results and prognosis according to the ventilation efficacy.

On the basis of case of 78 years old female patient being on chronic hemodialysis we present the usefulness of spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm complicating arterio-venous fistula for hemodialysis as well as usefulness of endovascular stent for closing such pseudoaneurysm.

The paper presents new ways of visualizing internal structures of the large intestine. Use of spiral computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with appropriate software leads to imaging that can be compared with colonoscopy or double contrast enema. The authors discuss patients' preparation, methods for CT and MRI variants, indications, advantages and costs.

This review is devoted to imaging techniques of kidney and renal vasculature including evaluation of renal artery stenosis, parenchymal renal diseases, living-related renal donor candidates and preoperative evaluation of abnormal renal masses for nephron sparing surgery. Special interest is paid to the advantages of spiral CT in naphrology and transplantology.

Failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVFf) still remains the "Achilles'heel" of chronic haemodialysis (HD) programme. Therefore, early, potentially non-invasive diagnosis and prompt surgical correction of AVFf are needed. For these purposes spiral computed tomographic angiography (SCTA) was used for evaluation of clinically suspected AVFf in 19 patients (10M/9F, aged 58.6 +/- 14.6 years, on HD for 34.4 +/- 29.3 months). SCTA was performed using Marconi MX8000 scanner covering whole AVF. After intravenous administration to the peripheral vein of the other leg of 100 ml of non-ionic lomeron 350 contrast (3 ml/s), axial CT images were obtained helically covering whole surface of AVF. Time delay was measured by Trigger function. Maximum Intensity Projections (MIP), 4D-Angio and virtual endoscopy (VE) techniques were used for reconstruction. MIP images demonstrated contrast-enhanced vascular structures and other high-density tissues (calcifications). VE enabled non-invasive simulation of endoscopic procedures and interactive intravascular navigation. Total number of 24 SCTA were performed. We found normal patency of AVF in 5 patients. In the remaining 14 subjects, the following abnormalities were found: stenosis of AVF at the site of anastomosis or in distal segment of efferent vein in 6 SCTA examinations, dilatation in 7 SCTA, acute or chronic thrombosis of AVF in 9 SCTA procedures including total occlusion of AVF in 2 cases. In 2 cases pseudoaneurysms of AVF were found. In 7 SCTA examinations more than one reason of AVFf was found. Photographs of every AVF complication are presented. We noted only one complication of SCTA-rupture of venous vessel on the opposite arm during contrast injection. There were no hypersensitivity reactions to the contrast.

Diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) we can use many investigations. We are presenting analysis of pulmonary artery investigations performed using spiral CT during 18 months in the J. Jonston hospital in Lubin. There were 38 PE cases diagnosed. They were complicating following states: surgical intervention, lower limbs profound thrombophlebitis, COPD, chronic circulatory insufficiency, neoplastic disease, oral contraceptive drugs and unknown. PE affected 0.1% surgical departments patients (that means 0.2% subjected to operation), and 0.4% internal diseases departments patients. 16 cases, i.e. 42% were connected with operative procedures. The largest group of internal medicine departments patients with PE were those suffering from severe chronic airway obstruction (9 cases per 27), chronic circulatory insufficiency (3 per 27), lower limbs profound thrombophlebitis (4 per 27). This data shows, as important problem is PE differential diagnostics of patients suffering from severe internal diseases especially and an important role of spiral computer tomography in it.

In this article the current imaging techniques that may be helpful in diagnosing pulmonary embolism are reviewed. The controversy concerning the optimal diagnostic algorithm of the disease is also covered.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to assess usefulness of multislice spiral computed tomography--MSCT (Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom, Siemens) in non-invasive assessment of the potency of coronary artery bypass grafts both venous and arterial grafts as well as stents., Methods: The study was performed using the MSCT method with Heart View Software with retrospective electrocardiographic gating. Nonionic, hypo-osmolar contract media was infused into a peripheral vein to highlight the coronary arteries and bypasses. All patients, due to clinical indications, underwent coronary and bypass angiography., Material: Two group of patients (82 persons) in total were evaluated: after aorto-coronary bypassing (Group I--57 persons, incl. 40 males and 17 females) and after stent implantation (Group II--25 persons, incl. 19 males and 6 females). The patients were referred to invasive diagnostics for recurrence and aggravation of clinical symptoms., Results: In group I, the patency of 187 bypasses was evaluated (21 arterial and 166 venous). In MSCT, was found in 131 of the bypasses patency (114 venous and 4 arterial). 56 bypasses, (52 venous and 4 arterial) were obstructed. In the bypassography performed were obstructed 53 (5 venous and 3 arterial), 134 bypasses were patent (116 venous and 18 arterial). In the bypass patency assessment using MSCT compared to coronarography, specificity of 94.7% and sensitivity of 92.4% were achieved. In group II, patency was evaluated in 26 stents: 21 implanted to native vessels and 5 in venous bypasses. 19 stents in native vessels were found patent, whereas 2 were obstructed. In the coronary bypasses performed, patency was confirmed in 19 stents and 2 were obstructed. In MST obstruction was demonstrated in 4 stents in coronary bypasses, which was confirmed in bypassography. One stent was assessed patient in both methods., Conclusion: The MSCT method is useful for assessment of patency of venous and arterial bypasses as well as stents.