The complementary role of gallium citrate imaging and computed tomography in the evaluation of suspected abdominal infection.

Fifteen patients with a suspected abdominal abscess were examined by both gallium-67 and computed tomographic scanning. The Ga-67 scan was a useful screening examination, correctly identifying all eight cases of infection, whereas the CT scan missed one case of a pericecal phlegmon. Misdiagnosis of infection by Ga-67 scan occurred in 2/8 cases without infection but the CT scan correctly identified all noninfected patients.

Computed tomographic angiography of the body.

Large and medium-sized blood vessels can be identified on extracranial computed tomographic (CT) scans when a combination of infusion and bolus injection of conventional contrast material is administered. The cases illustrated in this report show that CT angiography can sometimes offer clinically useful information not present on CT scans obtained without contrast injection.

The effect of gastrografin and glucagon on CT scanning of the pancreas: a blind clinical trial.

The effect of Gastrografin and glucagon on pancreatic CT scanning was studied in a blind clinical trial. Twenty-five patients had a pancreatic CT scan performed on an 18-second scanner and a repeat pancreatic CT scan following administration of Gastrografin and glucagon. The results were statistically significant: decreased streak artifacts; improved pancreatic head, body and tail delineation; and improved overall pancreatic visualization.

Radionuclide imaging of bowel infarction complicating small bowel intussusception in dogs.

Technetium-99m (99mTc)-pyrophosphate was investigated for use as an indicator of intestinal infarction in intussuscepted bowel. Irreducible intussusceptions were created in eight adult mongrel dogs. Technetium-99m-pyrophosphate was then injected intravenously 24 and 48 hrs later for external scanning.

Thermographic assessment of intestinal viability following ischemic damage.

Reactive hyperemia has been shown to be a characteristic of viable ischemic tissue that has been revascularized. A segment of small bowel was made ischemic by arterial occlusion and the ischemia maintained for 2 1/2 hrs (ischemic, viable bowel) or 8 hrs (ischemic, nonviable bowel) before circulation was restored. Thermograms and surface temperature measurements of exposed ischemic and non-ischemic bowel segments were obtained before and every five minutes after revascularization.

CT scanning and ultrasound in the evaluation of pancreatic pseudocysts: a preliminary comparison.

A retrospective review of 12 surgically proved cases of pancreatic pseudocyst was performed. CT correctly demonstrated 6/8 uncomplicated pseudocysts and 4/4 infected pseudocysts. Ultrasound identified 7/8 uncomplicated and 2/4 infected pseudocysts.

Ultrasonographic appearance of gas-containing abscesses in the abdomen.

This report describes the sonographic appearance of six gas-containing abdominal abscesses. Gas-containing abscesses may appear as densely echogenic masses with acoustical shadowing, but may also be seen merely as regions of acoustical shadowing or as an echogenic mass. A hypothesis is advanced that the appearance of gas-containing abscesses as echogenic masses may be due to a "microbubble" constrast effect.

Loculated pneumoperitoneum simulating gas in the bowel wall.

The radiographic appearance of intramural bowel gas can be simulated by extraserosal gas bubbles loculated within adhesions.

The portal venous tree simulating dilated biliary ducts on computed tomography of the liver.

Intrahepatic portal veins may be identified on routine computed tomography (CT) of the liver. These venous structures appear as linear and branching, low-density regions in the liver which appear to converge at the porta hepatis. Intrahepatic portal veins may simulate the appearance of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts.

An experience with a LeVeen ascites shunt.

A patient with intractable ascites was treated by placement of the LeVeen peritoneovenous shunt. Shunt failure was caused by malpositioning of the venous limb in the inferior vena cava. This was demonstrated by injection of water-soluble contrast material into the venous limb.

Thermoelectrically Cooled GaAIAs Laser Illuminator.

Required operating wavelengths in GaAs injection lasers have generally determined the operating temperature, preventing the use of optimum refrigeration systems. Recent advances in GaAIAs injection lasers have produced high efficiency lasers with selectable wavelengths from 0.8 microm to 0.