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Objective: The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential radiation exposure to medical personnel by comparing results from phantom studies of two different fluoroscopic units used for ERCP, and to determine which equipment or behavior modification can reduce radiation exposure., Methods: Radiation exposures using an opaque tissue equivalent chest phantom with an abdominal insert were performed on a stationary dedicated fluoroscopy unit and a mobile C-arm unit, comparing varying equipment manipulations. Scatter radiation was recorded at 1) the patients' head, 2) where the endoscopist stands, and 3) where the equipment personnel stands., Results: Radiation exposures were significantly higher for the mobile C-arm unit, revealing a 4160-times greater dosage increase for head and neck and a 8660-times increase for body than the fixed unit. Tower position and vertically stationed lead shields facilitated exposure reduction by means of equipment manipulation. The positioning of the endoscopist away from the right corner of the units also decreased exposure., Conclusions: Dedicated stationary fluoroscopy units provide significantly less radiation exposure. Equipment and behavior modification including tower positioning down and vertical shielding are essential for reduction in radiation exposure to medical personnel.

Persistent infection of the portal vein is a rare entity with significant mortality. We present two cases of infected thombis of the portal vein, one infected with fungus and the other with bacteria, both requiring percutaneous drainage to allow a response to antibiotics. The distinction between bland thrombis, infected thrombis, portal venous air, and pneumobilia will be discussed so that suppurative pylephlebitis can be recognized more easily as drain placement appears to affect a more prompt degree of improvement than antibiotics alone.

The short-term safety of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP) injection was studied in 546 adults with known or suspected focal liver lesions. An initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography examination was followed by unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), injection of MnDPDP (5 micromol/kg), and enhanced MRI. Adverse events were reported for 23% of the patients; most were mild to moderate in intensity, did not require treatment, and were not drug related. The most commonly reported adverse events were nausea (7%) and headache (4%). The incidence of serious adverse events was low (nine events in six patients) and not drug related. Injection-associated discomfort was reported for 69% of the patients, and the most commonly reported discomforts included heat (49%) and flushing (33%). Changes in laboratory values and vital signs were generally transient, were not clinically significant, and did not require treatment. There were no clinically significant short-term risks from exposure to MnDPDP.

Introduction: Yearly evaluation of academic faculty teaching is required by institutions for advancement purposes and continued employment. The method in which these evaluations are collected may influence the outcome of that evaluation. We compared the results of three different data collection methods of faculty ratings., Methods: Diagnostic radiology residents evaluated four behaviour categories of faculty in three different ways during the 1995-96 academic year. The individual anonymous ballot was compared to two student debriefing techniques., Results: Ratings in individual categories and rankings of several of the faculty changed considerably depending upon the data gathering method. Individual anonymous ballots produced a higher average rating in all four categories evaluated. The average ratings were lowest in the closed meeting group., Discussion: The method in which evaluation of faculty are collected influences both the numerical value of the rating as well as the ranking of the teachers within the group. Evaluation outcomes are highly dependent upon the method of data collection.

We evaluated a new percutaneous biopsy technique for rapid needle localization and biopsy of transiently enhancing focal hepatic masses. Three biopsies in three patients were completed on lesions 18-22 mm in diameter by using computed tomographic fluoroscopy during intravenous contrast enhancement of the liver. All three biopsies were diagnostic.

Leiomyomas of the uterus generally have a characteristic ultrasound appearance. We present a case of leiomyoma of the broad ligament of the uterus. A 46-year-old woman who had previously undergone a hysterectomy had a pelvic mass with a whorled appearance and acoustic shadowing suggestive of a leiomyoma on sonography. Based on the sonographic appearance, a preoperative diagnosis of a leiomyoma was made despite the unusual location. Histologic examination of the excised mass revealed leiomyoma originating from the broad ligament., (Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Objective: Traditionally, barium paste has been used for performing defecography. Because this substance is not stool-like, barium defecography may not accurately represent defecatory function. Our aim was to prospectively compare the utility of a new artificial stool, "FECOM"--a silicon-filled and barium-coated, deformable device the shape and consistency of which mimicked a normal formed stool with that of barium paste., Methods: Defecography was performed after placing FECOM or barium paste in a random order in 12 healthy subjects (two men and 10 women). We evaluated the changes in anorectal angle, rectal morphology, rectal sensation, and the subjects' preference for a "stool-like" device., Results: Anorectal angle at rest, during squeeze, cough, and straining were each greater with the FECOM when compared with the barium paste (p < 0.006). Anterior rectocele (nine), mucosal intussusception (four), and incontinence (three) were identified only with barium defecography. Nine (75%) subjects preferred FECOM to barium paste (p < 0.001) and reported that expulsion of this device mimicked more closely their stools at home (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The anorectal angle is influenced by the form and consistency of stool material and is lower with barium paste. The detection of rectocele, mucosal intussusception, and barium leakage in normal subjects during barium defecography questions the significance of these findings. FECOM appears to be a realistic alternative to barium paste for performing defecography.

This article discusses how imaging of distant disease, and imaging in general, may affect the fetus. Imaging examples of primary disease will be presented of the most common malignancies for women of child bearing years who happen to be pregnant.

Objective: Quantitative analysis of either tumor volume or dynamic enhancement pattern using MR imaging has been reported as useful in the prediction of response to radiation therapy in cancer of the cervix. Because data for both analyses can be obtained in a single MR examination, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether combining both analyses can further improve the efficacy of using MR imaging to predict tumor control after radiation therapy., Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with bulky carcinomas of the cervix, stages bulky IB (n = 2), IIB (n = 6), IIIA (n = 1), IIIB (n = 9), IVA (n = 1), and recurrent (n = 1), were studied. Initial tumor volumes were calculated by outlining the area of tumor in each slice on T2-weighted images and multiplying by the slice profile. Two dynamic contrast-enhanced MR studies were obtained in each patient immediately before the start of radiation therapy and after 20-22 Gy in 2 weeks of radiation therapy. Dynamic enhancement imaging was performed at 3-sec intervals in the sagittal plane for 120 sec after rapid (9 ml/sec) i.v. injection of MR contrast agent (0.1 mmol/kg of gadoteridol) using a power injector. Time and signal intensity curves reflecting the relative signal intensity of contrast enhancement in the tumor region were generated, and the relative signal intensity of the tumor region during the early plateau phase was calculated. Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 11-35 months)., Results: The combined analysis did not improve the prediction rate of local recurrence in small-sized tumors, which responded well to radiation therapy regardless of their dynamic enhancement pattern. However, the combined analysis did improve the prediction rate of local recurrence in intermediate- and large-sized tumors (75% and 80%, respectively) over assessment by either volume analysis (33% and 60%, respectively) or dynamic enhancement pattern analysis (64% and 64%, respectively). The combined analysis was most useful in intermediate-sized tumors (40-99 cm3; 33% recurrence), significantly improving differentiation between high-risk (80% recurrence) and low-risk 10% recurrence) patients (p = .010)., Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that the combined data of both tumor morphologic (volume) and microcirculatory (dynamic enhancement pattern) parameters allow more accurate prediction of local failure in patients with advanced cervical cancer than does each individual parameter alone. Combined data appear to have the greatest potential in patients with intermediate-sized tumors, who constitute most patients (60%) and remain a challenge for outcome prediction and management.

Biofeedback therapy improves symptoms in patients with constipation and obstructive defecation. Whether it also improves anorectal function is unclear. Our purpose was to investigate prospectively the effects of biofeedback therapy on subjective and objective parameters of anorectal function in 25 consecutive patients with obstructive defecation. Biofeedback therapy consisted of pelvic floor relaxation exercises (phase I) and neuromuscular conditioning of rectal sensation and rectoanal coordination, with a solid state manometry system and simulated defecation maneuvers (phase II). The number of sessions was customized for each patient. Clinical improvement was assessed from the changes in anorectal manometry, balloon (50 cc) expulsion test, and the symptom and stool diaries. The number of therapy sessions varied [mean (range) = 6 (2-10)]. After therapy, when straining as if to defecate, the percentage anal relaxation, intrarectal pressure, and defecation index increased (P < 0.001). The balloon expulsion time, laxative consumption, and straining effort decreased (P < 0.001). Before therapy, 16/25 (64%) patients had impaired rectal sensation, and after therapy this improved (P < 0.001). After therapy, 15/25 (60%) patients reported > or = 75% satisfaction with bowel habit and 8/25 (32%) reported > or = 50% satisfaction (P < 0.001); 15/16 (94%) patients discontinued digital disimpaction. Biofeedback therapy not only improves subjective but also objective parameters of anorectal function in at least 76% of patients by rectifying the underlying pathophysiologic disturbance(s). Sensory conditioning and customizing the number of sessions may offer additional benefits.

Purpose: Tumor size estimated by pelvic examination (PE) is an important prognostic factor in cervical cancer treated with radiation therapy (RT). Recent histologic correlation studies also showed that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides highly accurate measurements of the actual tumor volume. The purpose of this study was to: (a) compare the accuracy of PE and MR in predicting outcome, and (b) correlate tumor measurements by PE versus MR., Methods and Materials: Tumor measurements were performed prospectively in 43 patients with advanced cervical cancer. MR and PE were performed at the same time intervals: (a) at the start of RT, (b) after 20-24 Gy/2-2.5 weeks, (c) after 40-50 Gy/4-5 weeks, and (d) at follow-up (1-2 months after RT completion). PE measured tumor diameters in anteroposterior, lateral, and craniocaudal direction, and PE-derived tumor size was computed as maximum diameter, average diameter, and ellipsoid volume. MR-derived tumor size was calculated by summation of the tumor areas in each section and multiplication by the section thickness. Tumor regression during RT was calculated for each method as percentage of initial volume. The measurements were correlated with local failure and disease-free survival. Median follow-up was 29 months (range: 9-56 months)., Results: Prediction of local control: Overall, tumor regression rate (rapid versus slow) was more precise than the initial tumor size in the prediction of outcome. MR provided a more accurate and earlier prediction of local control (at 2-2.5 weeks, and at 4-5 weeks of RT) than PE (only at follow-up). Based on the initial tumor size, MR was also better than PE in predicting disease-free survival and local control, particularly in large (> or = 100 cm3) tumors. Size correlation: Tumor size (maximum diameter, average diameter, volume) by PE and MR did not correlate well (r = 0.51, 0.61, and 0.58, respectively). When using MR measurements as a reference, PE tended to overestimate intermediate-size (40-99 cm3) tumors., Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that increased precision of tumor volume measurement leads to more accurate and earlier prediction of outcome in cervical cancer. MR tumor volumetry may be useful as an adjunct to PE in selected cases, and holds the potential to impact therapeutic decision-making.

Background: Treatment of malignant pancreatic and/or biliary strictures requires tissue diagnosis. Since cytologic brushings at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) of these strictures has a poor sensitivity for malignancy (30-83%) (see ME Ryan. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1991;37(2):139-143; and MB Cohen, Wittchow RJ, Johlin FC, et al. Mod Pathol 1995;8:498-502), tissue diagnosis must be obtained by another route. We report our experience of percutaneous biopsy of malignant pancreatic and/or biliary strictures even when no radiographic mass is present., Methods: At ERCP, five patients demonstrated pancreatic and/or biliary duct strictures, had atypical cytological brushings, and had their strictures stented. No mass to account for the strictures could be identified on CT. These five patients underwent percutaneous biopsy of the persistent material by CT within 10 days of the ERCP., Results: Two patients had adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. One patient had malignant lymphoma and another had cholangiocarcinoma. One patient had inflammatory cells and was followed., Conclusions: If the diagnosis of malignancy cannot be made at the time of the ERCP sampling, then our experience suggests that a percutaneous biopsy should be performed even if a mass is not present using the stent as a target.

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and significance of pulsatile Doppler waveforms in lower limb veins. We used Doppler sonographic data from the common femoral vein. In the first of two groups, the findings in 250 patients were correlated with the presence of cardiac decompensation on concurrent chest radiographs. In the second group, the findings in 81 patients were correlated with the presence of tricuspid regurgitation on Doppler echocardiograms. A venous Doppler sonographic examination was considered normal if spontaneous anterograde phasic flow was present and pulsatile if flow had a cyclic retrograde component. In group 1, 21% had pulsatile waveforms whereas 24% had cardiac decompensation. In group 2, 36% had pulsatile waveforms and 43% had tricuspid regurgitation. A statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of these abnormal waveforms and cardiac decompensation or tricuspid regurgitation, with sensitivities of 57% and 54%, specificities of 91% and 78%, positive predictive values of 66% and 66%, negative predictive values of 87% and 69%, and accuracies of 82% and 68%, respectively. In a subgroup of 55 patients who had both tests for correlation and in whom both were in agreement, the sensitivity of venous Doppler sonographic examination for detecting pathologic cardiac conditions was 79%, specificity was 87%, positive predictive value was 83%, negative predictive value was 84%, and accuracy was 84%. In 77 patients with pulsatile waveforms, including 24 without concurrent chest radiographs or echocardiograms, 63 (82%) had no prior history of cardiac disease. When correlated separately with chest radiograph or Doppler echocardiography, the test is not very sensitive in the diagnosis of cardiac disease; however, when both correlating tests are performed and are in agreement, all diagnostic parameters of the venous Doppler sonographic test, including sensitivity, become fairly high. The presence of pulsatile lower limb venous Doppler flow should alert the sonologist that a pathologic cardiac condition may be the culprit, especially in patients who have no such prior diagnosis.

Purpose: This study investigated sequential changes in tumor blood supply using magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging and assessed their significance in the prediction of outcome of patients with advanced cervical cancer. The purpose of this project was to devise a simple, noninvasive method to predict early signs of treatment failure in advanced cervical cancer treated with conventional radiation therapy., Methods and Materials: Sixty-eight MR perfusion studies were performed prospectively in 17 patients with squamous carcinomas (14) and adenocarcinomas (3) of the cervix, Stages bulky IB (1), IIB (5), IIIA (1), IIIB (8), and IVA (1), and recurrent (1). Four sequential studies were obtained in each patient: immediately before radiation therapy (pretherapy), after a dose of 20-22 Gy/ approximately 2 weeks (early therapy), after a dose of 40-45 Gy/ approximately 4-5 weeks (midtherapy), and 4-6 weeks after completion of therapy (follow-up). Perfusion imaging of the tumor was obtained at 3-s intervals in the sagittal plane. A bolus of 0.1 mmol/kg of MR contrast material (gadoteridol) was injected intravenously 30 s after beginning image acquisition at a rate of 9 ml/s using a power injector. Time/signal-intensity curves to reflect the onset, slope, and relative signal intensity (rSI) of contrast enhancement in the tumor region were generated. Median follow-up was 8 months (range 3-18 months)., Results: Tumors with a higher tissue perfusion (rSI > or = 2.8) in the pretherapy and early therapy (20-22 Gy) studies had a lower incidence of local recurrence than those with a rSI of < 2.8, but this was not statistically significant (13% vs. 67%; p = 0.05). An increase in tumor perfusion early during therapy (20-22 Gy), particularly to an rSI of > or = 2.8, was the strongest predictor of local recurrence (0% vs. 78%; p = 0.002). However, pelvic examination during early therapy (20-22 Gy) commonly showed no appreciable tumor regression. The slope of the time/signal-intensity curve obtained before and during radiation therapy also correlated with local recurrence. Follow-up perfusion studies did not provide information to predict recurrence., Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that two simple MR perfusion studies before and early in therapy can offer important information on treatment outcome within the first 2 weeks of radiation therapy before response is evident by clinical examination. High tumor perfusion before therapy and increasing or persistent high perfusion early during the course of therapy appear to be favorable signs. High perfusion suggests a high blood and oxygen supply to the tumor. The increase in tumor perfusion seen in some patients early during radiation therapy suggests improved oxygenation of previously hypoxic cells following early cell kill. Radiation therapy is more effective in eradicating these tumors, resulting in improved local control. Our technique may be helpful in identifying early-while more aggressive therapy can still be implemented-those patients who respond poorly to conventional radiation therapy.

Purpose: Clinical evaluation of tumor size in cervical cancer is often difficult, and clinical signs of radiation therapy failure may not be present until well after completion of treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate early indicators of treatment response using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for quantitative assessment of tumor volume and tumor regression rate before, during, and after radiation therapy., Methods and Materials: Thirty-four patients with cervical cancer Stages IB [5], IIB [8], IIIA [1], IIIB [14], IVA [3], IVB [1], and recurrent [2] were studied prospectively with four serial MR examinations obtained at the start of radiation therapy, at 2-2.5 weeks (20-24 Gy), at 4-5 weeks (40-50 Gy), and 1-2 months after treatment completion. Tumor volume was assessed by three-dimensional volumetric measurements using T2-weighted images of each MR examination. The volume regression rate was generated based on the four sequential MR studies. These findings were correlated with local control, metastasis rate, and disease-free survival. Median follow-up was 18 months (range: 9-43 months)., Results: The tumor regression rate after a dose of 40-50 Gy correlated significantly with treatment outcome. The actuarial 2-year disease-free survival was 88.4% in patients with tumors regressing to < 20% of the initial volume compared with 45.4% in those with > or = 20% residual (p = 0.007). The incidence of local recurrence was 9.5% (2 out of 21) and 76.9% (10 out of 13), respectively (p < 0.001). Analysis by initial tumor volume showed that this observation was valid in patients with initial volumes between 40 and 100 cm3. Analysis by FIGO stage confirmed this observation in all patients except those with Stage IB., Conclusion: Sequential tumor volumetry using MR imaging appears to be a sensitive measure of the responsiveness of cervical cancer to irradiation. Treatment response can be assessed as early as during the course of radiation therapy by measurement of initial tumor volume and regression rate at 40-50 Gy. In patients with large (> 40 cm3) and advanced (Stage > or = IIIA) tumors, this technique may be helpful in supplementing the clinical examination for response assessment. The identification of patients at high risk for treatment failure may ultimately lead to improved clinical outcome.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the sensitivity of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in detecting incontinence in women with a history of leakage, the positive and negative predictive values of VCUG for stress incontinence, and how often a history of leakage is accompanied by urethrocele on VCUG and to correlate urethral anatomic measurements with the presence of urethrocele and stress incontinence on VCUG., Subjects and Methods: A total of 159 women with incontinence or voiding dysfunction were evaluated by VCUG and urodynamic study (UDS)., Results: VCUG detected stress incontinence in 76% of women with a specific history of stress incontinence. Of 61 women with genuine stress incontinence proven on UDS, only 37 (61%) were identified on VCUG, yielding a positive predictive value of 56%. Twenty-one of 29 women without genuine stress incontinence on UDS but with apparent stress incontinence on VCUG had detrusor instability on UDS, so that urge incontinence was falsely diagnosed as stress incontinence. VCUG had a negative predictive value of 74%. In 40 women with urethroceles, 26 had stress incontinence on VCUG. The anatomic changes in posterior urethrovesical angle, urethral descent, and urethral inclination denote urethroceles but do not correlate with the presence of stress incontinence., Conclusion: In the evaluation of stress incontinence, VCUG is limited because of detrusor instability producing urge incontinence and therefore resulting in false-positive stress incontinence. The anatomic measurements of posterior urethrovesical angle change, urethral descent, and urethral inclination as well as the presence of urethrocele have limited ability in predicting stress incontinence.

Rationale and Objectives: Satisfaction of search (SOS) occurs when a lesion is "missed" after detecting another lesion in the same radiograph. The authors investigated the SOS effect in abdominal contrast studies., Methods: The authors measured detection of 23 plain film abnormalities in 43 patients who had plain film and contrast examinations. Each plain-film and contrast study was examined independently by 10 radiologists in two sessions, with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas estimated with the computer program RSCORE-J (University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA) for each condition., Results: Observers more often missed plain film abnormalities present on contrast studies but also made fewer false-positive (FP) responses. There was no change in ROC area, but decision criteria grew more conservative., Conclusions: The reduction of detecting plain-film abnormalities in contrast examinations differs from the SOS effect of other imaging studies. The reduction in true-positive (TP) and false-positive (FP) rates suggests that a different cause may underlie these misses.

Captopril renal scintigraphy is a well-known noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension. The authors present a case of a patient with malignant hypertension whose captopril renal scintigraphy suggested bilateral and equal renovascular hypertension. His renal angiogram, however, demonstrated no renal artery stenosis or abdominal aortic atherosclerotic disease. False-positive captopril renal scintigraphy has been reported but can usually be attributed to the patient's hypotensive episode after captopril administration, volume or salt depletion, or chronic glomerulonephropathy. This patient demonstrated mild blood pressure changes after captopril administration and was not volume or salt depleted. His creatinine was 1.6 mg/dl on admission but demonstrated appropriate renal function on subsequent noncaptopril renal scintigraphy.

Side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy is a safe and effective surgical technique to improve biliary drainage in selected patients. The segment of common bile duct between the anastomosis and the ampulla of Vater may act as a stagnant reservoir or sump. When debris, stones, or infected bile accumulates in the sump, usually because of malfunction of the ampulla of Vater, recurrent abdominal pain or symptoms of cholangitis, pancreatitis, or biliary obstruction may develop. This uncommon (0.14-1.30%) complication is known as the sump syndrome. On imaging studies, diagnostic findings are debris or stone(s) in the common bile duct. Suggestive findings are dilated bile or pancreatic ducts, and changes due to pancreatitis, cholangitis, or liver abscess. Patients with this syndrome frequently have multiple imaging studies before the condition is recognized. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the imaging findings of this syndrome.