Positron emission tomography in the investigation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Endoscopic and radiologic studies are frequently required in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to determine disease activity, extent of disease, and delineating disease type. Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18-fluoro-deoxyglucose to identify metabolically active tissues may offer a simple noninvasive alternative to conventional studies in identification and localization of active intestinal inflammation in children with IBD. The aim of this study was to assess the value of PET in identifying active intestinal inflammation compared with conventional endoscopic and radiologic studies, including small bowel follow-through and colonoscopy.

Testicular torsion revisited.

Ultrasound is routinely used for the assessment and diagnosis of testicular torsion. It has proven to be a reliable and necessary diagnostic tool for the urologist. Problems, however, can arise in the form of misdiagnosis when the basic pathophysiology and clinical presentation of testicular torsion are not clearly understood.

Ultrasound of the carotid arteries: a pictorial review.

Stroke secondary to atherosclerotic disease remains one of the leading causes of death. Ischemia from severe, flow limiting stenosis due to atherosclerotic disease involving the extracranial carotid arteries is implicated in approximately 20-30% of strokes. An estimated 80% of strokes are thromboembolic in origin, often with carotid plaque as the embolic source, usually involving the internal carotid artery within 2 cm of the carotid bifurcation.