Diagnosis and grading of chronic pancreatitis by morphological criteria derived by ultrasound and pancreatography.

The most commonly used modalities in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis are ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). Computed tomography scanning is only of value in severe chronic pancreatitis. Both ultrasound and pancreatography are capable of showing ductal changes in mild forms of the disease, but comparison of the two methods has been difficult.

US-guided percutaneous pancreatography: experience in 75 patients.

Seventy-five patients underwent ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous pancreatography during a 3 1/2-year period. Pancreatography was successful in 67 patients, and there were no significant complications. The technique, which is easy to perform, was primarily employed to assist localization of pancreatic masses at fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Role of immunoblotting in the diagnosis of culture negative and enterococcal endocarditis.

Serum samples from patients with endocarditis and septicaemia due to Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus bovis, and Streptococcus sanguis were immunoblotted against antigenic extracts from all four species. In E faecalis endocarditis there was a strong IgM response to E faecalis antigenic bands of 112, 88-90, and 45-47 Kd and a strong IgG response to 88-90 and 45-47 Kd bands. In E faecium endocarditis there was a pronounced IgG response to an E faecium band of 82-90 Kd.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasonography in gastroenterology.

Endoscopic ultrasound is a new technique in which high-frequency, high-resolution real-time ultrasound images are obtained from within the gastrointestinal tract by use of an ultrasound probe incorporated into the tip of a fibreoptic endoscope. Forty patients were scanned for gastrointestinal indications. In six patients the scans were technically unsuccessful, in three of these because of difficulties with the prototype instrument.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: pancreatic and biliary tumors.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 240 patients with suspected pancreatic or biliary tumors between 1978 and 1984. Between 1978 and 1982, using only sonographic guidance, the sensitivity of the technique was 66.7% for pancreatic and 40% for biliary tumors compared with 79.

Endoscopic ultrasonography of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts.

Endoscopic ultrasonography has been applied to 30 patients with suspected pancreatitis. All were difficult clinical problems which had not been resolved by conventional ultrasonography. CT scanning, and pancreatography.

Ultrasound as a screening procedure for methotrexate-induced hepatic damage in severe psoriasis.

Methotrexate has been of proven value in the management of patients with severe psoriasis. Its long-term use, however, can be complicated by progressive hepatic damage which has necessitated regular liver biopsies. We have looked into the efficacy of liver ultrasonography as a non-invasive screening procedure to select those patients who may be developing liver changes.

Five years' experience of fine-needle aspiration biopsy: 454 consecutive cases.

Four hundred and fifty-four unselected consecutive patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy between 1978 and 1983 were reviewed restrospectively. The overall sensitivity of the technique in the diagnosis of malignancy was 77%. When pancreatic and biliary masses were excluded, the sensitivity was 84%.

Invasive ultrasound imaging.

Ultrasound imaging is an invaluable method of diagnosis in soft tissues. In a single decade, technological progress has converted a technique practised by a few enthusiasts into a high resolution tool accessible to any clinician. The equipment cost is low and the technique does not involve ionizing radiation, is noninvasive, and is comfortable for the patient.

Congenital short pancreas: a report of two cases.

We report two adult cases with partial agenesis of the pancreas. Their radiological features, including endoscopic retrograde pancreatography are demonstrated. The significance of developmental anomalies involving the pancreas is emphasised.

Cystic fibrosis: ultrasonographic findings in the pancreas and hepatobiliary system correlated with clinical data and pathology.

Abdominal ultrasonography was performed on 35 adult patients with proven cystic fibrosis. Thirty-three patients showed pancreatic abnormalities. The most marked ultrasonographic features were increased parenchymal echogenicity, atrophy, non-visualisation of the duct and cyst formation.

Pancreatography in chronic pancreatitis: international definitions.

Terminology in classification of pancreatograms was discussed at a recent international workshop on chronic pancreatitis. A new terminology based on morphological radiographic appearances and a new classification to describe the severity and localisation of pancreatogram changes were agreed. Pancreatograms in chronic pancreatitis are graded as normal or equivocal, or as showing mild, moderate, or marked changes, either diffuse or local.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration cytology in pancreatic cancer.

Fifty-five patients underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration from the pancreas. Adequate material was obtained from 33 of the 41 patients with pancreatic malignancy. A cytological diagnosis of cancer was made in 31 (94%) of these; the overall clinical success rate was 75.

The use of ultrasound in geriatric medicine.

Ultrasonography is now a well-established diagnostic technique and the initial screening procedure of choice in a variety of clinical situations. Its non-invasive nature makes it particularly suitable for the investigation of elderly patients. The uses of the technique are reviewed and the results of scanning 96 elderly patients over a period of 21/2 years are described.