Anatomy of the proximal femur as seen with three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being applied successfully to the study of the musculoskeletal system with notable recent advances, including the use of three-dimensional imaging techniques. The authors introduce three-dimensional MRI as a technique for examining proximal femoral anatomy and suggest its use as an improvement on current methods for prosthetic hip design. The proximal femurs of 14 cadavers were scanned using a three-dimensional FISP technique and the images were subsequently manipulated on a three-dimensional MRI image-processing workstation to produce rotated surface reconstructions and multiplanar reformatted images.

Tracheoesophageal fistula associated with Barrett's ulcer: the importance of reflux control.

A benign tracheoesophageal fistula occurring as a complication of Barrett's ulcerative esophagitis is described. Surgical control of gastroesophageal reflux resulted in healing of the fistula, obviating the need for a resective procedure or esophageal exclusion. Although Barrett's ulcer has been reported as a cause of acquired esophagorespiratory fistula, to our knowledge, the important role of reflux control in the management of this difficult problem has not been discussed.