Radioactive implant migration in patients treated for localized prostate cancer with interstitial brachytherapy.

Purpose: In several of the initial patients undergoing brachytherapy at our institution radioactive implants were visible in the thorax on chest radiography. The clinical ramifications of this unanticipated finding were unclear. Thus, we investigated the incidence of brachytherapy seed migration to the chest and whether these seeds were associated with any clinical significance.

Stone disease.

Imaging studies used for the detection and characterization of urinary tract calculi are presented in this article. Comparisons of traditional imaging studies are made with noncontrast helical CT scanning, the most recent addition to stone imaging. Imaging findings for noncontrast helical CT and an approach to dealing with various combinations of CT studies are also presented.

Hemodialysis access stenosis: early detection with color Doppler US.

Purpose: To evaluate color Doppler ultrasound (US) in detection of subclinical stenosis of hemodialysis access grafts and fistulas.

Materials And Methods: Doppler US was performed in 40 consecutive patients with no clinical or laboratory findings of hemodialysis access dysfunction. To assess the presence and percentage of stenosis, the maximum systolic blood velocity and velocity ratios were measured and the US images were assessed visually.

The impact of sonography on the diagnosis of scrotal disorders.

Purpose: We assessed the impact of ultrasound on the referring urologist diagnosis of scrotal disorders.

Materials And Methods: University urologists (6 attending and 3 resident physicians) in a clinic setting completed questionnaires before and after on 35 patients with scrotal symptoms. The physicians were requested to estimate the probability (0 to 100%) of their most likely diagnosis before and after receiving the sonographic information.

Clinical value of renovascular resistive index measurement in the diagnosis of acute obstructive uropathy.

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical use of the renal resistive index in identifying patients with acute urinary tract obstruction.

Materials And Methods: Of 54 patients with suspected acute urinary tract obstruction who underwent measurements of renal resistive index 19 had unilateral obstruction documented with excretory urography and comprise our study sample. The contralateral nonobstructed kidneys served as controls.

Interactive multimedia presentations that use photo CD software for teaching.

Interactive educational programs provide an excellent adjunct to traditional lectures. Unfortunately, interactive programs often require more computer resources and financial support than are available to most educators. Photo CD technology provides individual radiologists a way to create relatively inexpensive interactive teaching programs on PCs.

Ultrasound anatomy of the normal male reproductive tract.

Ultrasound is being used with increasing frequency in the evaluation of the male reproductive tract. To detect abnormalities, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the normal anatomy and normal variations. In this article, the ultrasound anatomy of the scrotum, penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles is presented.

Using the photo CD in academic radiology.

Photo CD technology has expanded significantly since its introduction a few years ago. Because it is not strictly considered interactive multimedia, it has been largely overlooked in the medical field, but it has tremendous capabilities for image storage, retrieval, and transfer. Images can be used for both educator-assisted conferences and self teaching.

Computed tomography appearance of the prostatic fossa following radical prostatectomy.

Rationale And Objectives: We assessed the value of postsurgical computed tomography (CT) in detecting locally recurrent prostatic carcinoma and determined the most effective CT findings.

Methods: We studied 13 patients with recurrent disease (prostate specific antigen [PSA] > 0.4 ng/ml) and 11 patients with no evidence of recurrence (PSA < 0.

"Segmental" prolonged cortical nephrogram as a result of radiation damage to the kidneys.

We present two cases showing bilateral segmental delayed nephrograms secondary to radiation injury which occurred during radiation therapy for retroperitoneal adenopathy. The abnormal areas in the affected kidneys were not devoid of a nephrogram, but rather showed a persistent corticomedullary separation indicative of slowed perfusion. Linear margins not conforming to the normal renal lobular configuration were a confirmatory feature.

Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a benign condition with a sonographic appearance that may be misinterpreted as malignant.

Tubular ectasia of the rete testis is a recently recognized entity whose sonographic appearance has been described principally in the radiological literature. The sonographic features of this benign process must be appreciated by urologists as well so that is not mistaken for malignancy. We report 3 cases showing the spectrum of this process and review the literature.

Diagnosis of adrenal disorders.

This article considers the various imaging modalities that can be used in the diagnosis of adrenal disorders and their relative role in the evaluation of specific adrenal disorders. Modalities discussed include abdominal radiography, nephrotomography, ultrasound, computed tomography, arteriography, venography, adrenal venous sampling, radioisotope scanning, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Disorders dealt with include Cushing's disease, pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, sympathogonioma, and nonfunctioning adrenal tumors.

Evaluation of women with chronic voiding discomfort.

Many investigators have focused on the female urethral syndrome and its causes. The origin remains enigmatic, but the benign course of this condition is well established. We evaluated 105 patients with urethral syndrome and analyzed the necessity for a complex urologic workup.

Ultrasonic angiographic and pathologic correlation of noncystic-appearing renal masses.

The ultrasonic echo pattern of renal masses is retrospectively correlated with the angiographic vascular pattern in 36 cases where a noncystic-appearing mass was identified by either study. Pathologic or cytologic correlation was available in 31 of these masses. In carcinomas the echogenicity was usually found to correlate well with the degree of neovascularity.