Fluid collections developing after pancreatic transplantation: radiologic evaluation and intervention.

The usefulness of real-time sonography, duplex sonography, computed tomography (CT), cystography, diagnostic aspiration, and percutaneous drainage in the diagnosis and treatment of peri-pancreatic-transplant fluid collections was retrospectively assessed in 46 recipients of extraperitoneal pancreatic transplants. Forty-four abnormalities were identified in the extraperitoneal space at sonography, including four pancreatic pseudocysts associated with malfunction of the pancreatic duct, seven abscesses, six hematomas, nine urinomas, six early postoperative fluid collections that spontaneously resolved, six cases of pancreatitis, and six cases of vascular occlusion. Sonography (including pulsed Doppler sonography) was the procedure of choice in detecting fluid collections and diagnosing pancreatitis, rejection, vascular thrombosis, and pancreatic duct malfunction.

Teleradiology image transmission system: diagnostic accuracy at three matrix sizes for various types of images.

The interpretability of transmitted digitized radiographic images is an important factor in the operation and use of teleradiology systems. Matrix size may influence diagnostic accuracy of the interpretation. Commercially available equipment has certain built-in image enhancement controls that may increase the interpretability of the image received.

X-File: a program for maintaining a radiographic teaching file.

Software designed for entry, retrieval, and maintenance of radiographic case-file data on a microcomputer offers considerable help in maintaining such records in a radiology department. The case files are based on the Index for Roentgen Diagnoses, published by the AmericanCollege of Radiology. The terms and code numbers of the index are included in the software, so that the user need only enter the diagnostic term desired; the code numbers and exact terminology are assigned automatically.

Diagnostic accuracy of a teleradiology image transmission system.

Teleradiology is the remote interpretation of digitized radiographic images by physicians. The images are usually transmitted over telephone lines, but satellite communication has also been used. The interpretability of the transmitted image is an important factor in the operation and use of teleradiology systems.

Innocuous gas collections in pancreatic allografts demonstrated by computed tomography.

Over a 4-year period, 6 pancreatic abscesses were found in 37 patients who had combined renal and segmental pancreatic transplants. An additional 4 patients who were nontoxic at the time of their computed tomographic (CT) examinations had innocuous gas collections, either in the pancreatic allograft or the surrounding peripancreatic tissue. The possible etiology of this gas formation is discussed.

Computed tomography of omental liver packs.

Hypodense liver lesions with attenuation coefficients indicative of fat density were seen on CT of three patients followed up for suspected metastatic spread of gastrointestinal malignancy. Knowledge of previous hepatic surgery using omental packing for hemostasis in the setting of liver trauma or lobectomy was useful in preventing a false-positive interpretation of postoperative complications.

Neutropenic colitis: evaluation with computed tomography.

The computed tomography findings of 10 patients with neutropenic colitis are described and illustrated. Seven of these patients had leukemia, one had lymphocytic lymphoma, and two had systemic lupus erythematosus. All patients had colon wall thickening which was either isodense with the normal bowel tissue or showed areas of intramural low density.

Pancreatic transplantation: scintigraphy, US, and CT.

Twenty-one patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus received simultaneous renal and segmental pancreatic transplants. A retrospective analysis of 112 real-time ultrasound (US) images, 108 technetium-99m glucoheptonate scinti-scans, 55 computed tomography (CT) scans, and 11 cystograms was performed. Complications that were observed included pancreatic transplant rejection, pancreatitis, arteriovenous occlusions, hemorrhage, abscesses, and extravasation at the pancreaticocystostomy site.

Male pelvic hemangiopericytoma on computed tomography.

A case of hemangiopericytoma in the male pelvis is presented in which computed tomography demonstrated a well-circumscribed, homogeneous enhancing mass with feeding vessels.

Networking of microcomputers in the radiology department.

A microcomputer may be installed in any of several areas in a radiology department or office to automate data processing. Such areas include the reception desk, the transcription office, the quality-control station, and remote or satellite radiography rooms. Independent microcomputers can be interconnected by networking, using small hardware and software packages and cables, to effect communication between them, afford access to a common data base, and share peripheral devices such as hard disks and printers.

Gated cardiac tomographic visualization of coronary artery calcification.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is usually detected by fluoroscopy or on cine films during coronary angiography, but measurement of the calcification is not possible. Gated tomography of the heart provides a full sized image with high contrast spatial resolution of 0.1 mm and low contrast spatial resolution of 0.

Missouri Automated Radiology System: a dynamic, interactive diagnostic and management system for radiant images.

Missouri Automated Radiology System has functioned in full support of the Department of Radiology for more than 7 years. For the past 5 years, MARS has functioned as a minicomputer system on a DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) PDP-15 computer. While continuing to effectively support the department, in daily use by 20 staff and 15 resident physicians, MARS has continued to function in a research and development mode.