Complications from extravasated retroperitoneal barium: case report and review of the literature.

Extravasation of barium into the retroperitoneum is an uncommon complication of radiologic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. It may occur during evaluation of either the upper or lower tract. A case is presented in which the result was abscess formation, a potential delayed complication of duodenal perforation and retroperitoneal extravasation of barium.

Technetium-99m hysterosalpingography in infertility: an accurate alternative to contrast hysterosalpingography.

Thirteen infertile women who had undergone tubal surgery within the previous year for the correction of tubal obstruction, were studied with both conventional and radionuclide hysterosalpingography. The studies were performed on the same day, were interpreted independently, and the results were then compared. Three cases were excluded from analysis because of the technical inadequacy of one of the studies.

Duodenal perforation during intubation for small bowel enema study.

Use of the small bowel enema examination (enteroclysis) is increasing, and numerous reports have attested to its value, but virtually no complications have been reported. The author describes a 72-year-old man undergoing enteroclysis for weakness, anemia, and guaiac-positive stools in whom the duodenum was perforated during intubation. Radiologists should be aware of this potential complication, and inexperienced people should be supervised carefully during the procedure.

Mammography and breast implants.

Recent recommendations by the American Cancer Society have focused attention on the value of screening mammography in the detection of occult breast cancers. This has resulted in a proliferation of "walk in" and mobile mammography screening clinics and a barrage of publicity aimed at women aged 40 and over. Among these are more than a half million women who have had an augmentation mammaplasty; at least another half million are still under 40 but entering this age group incrementally.

The current evaluation of nonpalpable breast lesions.

To understand the suspected low yield of malignant neoplasms from biopsies guided by needle localization, we reviewed 122 biopsies performed from January 1985 to November 1986 at University Hospital and Arkansas Baptist Medical Center, Little Rock. The positive biopsy rates were 3.5% and 10.

Early and delayed indium 111 leukocyte imaging in Crohn's disease.

Twenty-seven patients with Crohn's disease were studied for the presence and location of activity by both early (4 h) and delayed (18-24 h) indium 111 leukocyte imaging. The results were compared with other parameters of disease activity including Crohn's disease activity index, barium studies, and endoscopy. There was a correlation between early images and Crohn's disease activity index (r = 0.

Role of delayed indium-111 labeled leukocyte scan in the management of Crohn's disease.

Comparison of nine patients with Crohn's disease who had a positive delayed (24 hr) 111indium leukocyte scan and 10 patients with negative scan showed no significant difference between the two groups for the Crohn's disease activity index, sedimentation rate, survival, complications, number of days in hospital, outpatient visits, or readmissions. Despite the apparent lack of statistical significance in Crohn's disease activity index, the scan was positive in nine of 16 patients with a Crohn's disease activity index more than 150, and none of three patients with Crohn's disease activity index less than 150. In the patients studied, there were no false-positive leukocyte scans.

Location of the vibratory segment in tracheoesophageal speakers.

The Singer-Blom tracheoesophageal puncture procedure for surgical-prosthetic voice restoration has proved to be a viable option for alaryngeal speech rehabilitation. Following tracheoesophageal puncture, occlusion of the tracheostoma shunts pulmonary air through the Blom-Singer prosthesis into the cervical esophagus. The pulmonary air passing through the cervical esophagus and into the hypopharynx causes a portion of the upper alimentary tract to vibrate in a manner similar to that of the pharyngoesophageal segment during the production of esophageal speech.

Randomized single-blind clinical trial of a rapid colonic lavage solution (Golytely) vs. standard preparation for barium enema and colonoscopy.

A randomized single-blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness and acceptance by patients of a new oral balanced lavage solution with those of a standard preparation for cleansing the colon for barium enema (50 patients) and colonoscopy (20 patients). The quality of preparation was comparable for the 2 preparations. For colonoscopy, Golytely preparation resulted in slightly better results than standard preparation.

Radiologic examination of the small intestine: review of 402 cases and discussion of indications and methods.

An analysis of the records of 300 patients who had had 370 small-bowel radiologic examinations and a subsequent 102 patients examined by fluoroscopy and enteroclysis suggests that enteroclysis (small-bowel enema) is extremely valuable in the radiologic evaluation of small intestinal disease. Our results suggest that best results are obtained if the radiologist spends adequate time to participate in and observe the studies carefully. We believe that the fluoroscopic observation of low-density barium passing through distended small bowel gives a much clearer picture of its status than routine follow-through examinations.

Intraluminal pressure measurements during barium enema: full column vs. air contrast.

Intraluminal pressure measurements were made during enema examination of 10 patients undergoing full column studies and 10 patients receiving air-contrast studies. There was no significant difference between the pressure in the distal colon of the two groups. All pressures were less than those produced by Valsalva maneuver or straight leg raising, and were generally less than those previously found to be necessary to rupture the colon.

Breast masses in young women.

Based on our review we conclude the following concerning breast masses in young women under 30 years of age: (1) Breast masses are nearly always benign. (2) Mammograms are not helpful in most patients. (3) Needle aspiration or needle biopsy is rarely indicated.

The continent ileostomy (Kock pouch): roentgenologic features.

The principles of construction of a continent ileostomy by means of a reservoir as originally described by Kock are reviewed. Roentgenologic studies in 5 patients with such reservoirs are described. There may be a correlation of incontinence with peristaltic activity as well as nipple valve extrusion.

Benign retroperitoneal emphysema associated with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

It is important to realize that retroperitoneal emphysema may be seen as a complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Because of the increased frequency of endoscopic and associated procedures, it is important to realize that these striking roentgenographic findings may be associated with a benign clinical condition that will resolve with expectant management alone. Clinically, we might be forced to differentiate this complication with pathological perforation from the original lesion or with free perforation by the instrument depending on the clinical conditions.