Multidetector CT of the small bowel: evaluation after oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic capabilities of multidetector CT in the evaluation of the small bowel in different pathological conditions, with the use of oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution.

Materials And Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated 106 patients who underwent multidetector CT of the small bowel. Four groups were considered on the basis of the clinical findings: group A (48 cases), with suspected or certain chronic inflammatory disease of the small bowel; group B (16 cases), with suspected neoplastic lesion of the small bowel; group C (17 cases), patients affected by malabsorption; group D (25 cases), others: 13 cases with non-specific abdominal pain, 4 cases with occult bleeding, 8 cases affected by fever of unknown origin.

Multidetector CT and virtual endoscopy in the evaluation of the esophagus.

In this prospective study, we assessed the diagnostic capabilities of multidetector computed tomography (CT) in various esophageal pathologic conditions. Thirty-three patients underwent a multidetector CT study after esophageal distention by means of effervescent powder administered after induction of pharmacologic esophageal hypotonia. All acquired images were post-processed with two- and three-dimensional software tools.

The "Braids Lady" of Arezzo: a case of rheumatoid arthritis in a 16th century mummy.

Objective: To diagnose a probable case of rheumatoid arthritis in a mummified female body from the 16th century and to backdate the first clinical diagnosis, entering the diatribe regarding the ancientness of the disease.

Methods: Image techniques such as normal X-ray, X-ray by mammography, total body CT and high resolution CT were used. Microscopic examination by stereomicroscopy was performed.

Crohn disease of the small bowel: spiral CT evaluation after oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution.

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of spiral CT study of small-bowel Crohn disease with use of oral hyperhydration with isoosmotic solution.

Method: We prospectively analyzed 33 consecutive patients and 10 control subjects with spiral CT after oral administration of 2,000 ml of polyethylene glycol electrolyte-balanced solution. The CT diagnoses were compared with the results of conventional radiologic oral barium examination (33 cases), ileum colonoscopy (8 cases), and surgery (4 cases).