Infected false aneurysms of the limbs secondary to chronic intravenous drug abuse: analysis of perioperative considerations and operative outcomes.

Purpose: To discuss the perioperative considerations and operative outcomes of 26 intravenous (i.v.) drug abusers who presented with infected false aneurysms of the limbs.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors.

Objective: Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. For patients with inoperable lung cancer, percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) under CT-guidance represents a minimally invasive treatment. It can also be applied in combination with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

US of the shoulder: rotator cuff and non-rotator cuff disorders.

Ultrasonography (US) has been shown to be an effective imaging modality in the evaluation of both rotator cuff and non-rotator cuff disorders, usually serving in a complementary role to magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder. US technique for shoulder examination depends on patient positioning, scanning protocol for every tendon and anatomic part, and dynamic imaging. The primary US signs for rotator cuff supraspinatus tendon tears are tendon nonvisualization for complete tears, focal tendon defect for full-thickness tears, a hypoechoic defect of the articular side of the tendon for an articular-side partial-thickness tear, and flattening of the bursal surface of the tendon for a bursal-side partial-thickness tear.

Freehand two-step CT-guided brain tumor biopsy: a fast and effective interventional procedure in selected patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided needle biopsy of brain lesions without a stereotactic device, and to determine the best possible indications for this technique.

Methods: From February 2001 to February 2004, 20 patients (12 men, 8 women; age 61-82 years) underwent CT-guided brain lesion biopsy. The procedure started with a brain CT scan for lesion localization and for selection of the inlet for needle insertion.

Association of hyperandrogenemic and metabolic phenotype with carotid intima-media thickness in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrinopathy of women of reproductive age, is associated with the early appearance of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. However, premature atherosclerosis of the carotid artery has not yet been demonstrated in young women with PCOS. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is considered an easy and reliable index of subclinical atherosclerosis, which is predictive of subsequent myocardial infarction and stroke.

Potentially life-threatening neck abscesses: therapeutic management under CT-guided drainage.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of CT-guided drainage of potentially life-threatening neck abscesses.

Methods: Between September 2001 and December 2003, 15 patients presented to the emergency room with potentially life-threatening neck abscesses. Their clinical condition was critical due to the abscess size (larger than 3 cm in diameter; mean diameter 5.

Percutaneous CT-guided interventional procedures in musculoskeletal system (our experience).

Percutaneous interventional procedures include a broad spectrum of minimal invasive techniques, which are a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool. In this study we present our experience in CT-guided percutaneous musculoskeletal biopsies, drainages of musculoskeletal abscesses, facet and sacroiliac joint injection and radiofrequency thermal ablation of painful metastases or osteoid osteomas.

Osseous Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV-positive patient.

A case of osseous Kaposi sarcoma in a 35-year-old man is described. The patient (HIV-positive for 8 years) suffered from cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma and presented with right-sided chest pain. He underwent a chest CT scan that revealed three osteolytic lesions involving rib and vertebra with large soft tissue masses, without cutaneous lesions at these sites.