Prevalence of thyroid hemiagenesis: ultrasound screening in normal children.

Unlabelled: While performing a systematic ultrasound study of the thyroid gland volume for the evaluation of iodine deficiency in 2845 normal Belgian school children, we found an absence of the left lobe in 6 children (4 girls and 2 boys). There was no association with other thyroid malformations or dysfunction.

Conclusion: This first systematic ultrasound evaluation of thyroid hemiagenesis in normal children established a prevalence of thyroid hemiagenesis of 0.

[Computed tomography-guided diagnostic puncture in abdominal pathology].

Technological improvements (short-time acquisition and reconstruction, CT, spiral technique) together with better puncture material and a general trend towards less invasive surgical procedures have had a combined effect to a wider scope of applications for percutaneous punctures under CT-guidance. In this paper, we analyze and discuss recent data in the literature on puncture material, indications and results. The relevant choice of the needle model and its diameter, depending on the organ and suspected pathology, as well as the point of entry and the puncture track are key factors granting procedure safety, ambulatory use and good diagnostic results.

Calcified, cystic brain metastases.

Calcifications are uncommon in metastases. Adenocarcinoma, osteopenic, osteosarcoma, lung and breast carcinoma can be the origin. A rare case of calcified cystic brain metastasis deriving from papillary cystadenocarcinoma is reported.

The radiologic investigation of dysphagia.

The fundamentals of the radiologic investigation of dysphagia using barium are described. Emphasis is given on videofluoroscopy. The clinical perspective of the dysphagic patient as well as the methods of examination are described.

Ossifying fibroma of the long bones. Radiological diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management implications.

We report a case of ossifying fibroma of the long bones (OFLB). This lesion, occurring mainly during the first decade of life, typically affects the tibial diaphysis and clinically presents as a painless bony enlargement. Radiographic features include an osteolytic cortical expansion, containing diffuse calcifications, and separated from the medullary by a thick cortical rim.