Air embolism complicating percutaneous thin needle biopsy of lung.

Percutaneous thin needle biopsy, a widely used method for diagnosis of lung conditions, is generally safe and effective. A near-fatal air embolism is reported that occurred during percutaneous thin needle aspiration biopsy of the lung. Successful treatment was accomplished by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Computed tomography of focal hepatic lesions: a blind clinical evaluation of the effect of contrast enhancement.

Hepatic CT scans in 61 consecutive patients with proved liver metastasis performed both before and after administration of contrast medium were subjected to blind analysis by two observers. In 10 patients (16%) hepatic lesions were better defined before CE and focal hepatic lesions were diagnostically visible only before CE in 8 patients (13%). Lesions were better defined following CE in 16 patients (26%) but in only 2 cases (3%) were lesions diagnostically visible only after CE.

Case report. Preoperative localization of a parathyroid adenoma using computed tomography and thyroid scanning.

We report a case of parathyroid adenoma correctly localized prior to operation by computed tomography (CT) and thyroid scanning. The use of CT and other noninvasive diagnostic modalities to aid the surgeon prior to initial operation for parathyroid adenoma is discussed.

Comparison of computed tomography, ultrasonography, and gallium-67 scanning in the evaluation of suspected abdominal abscess.

A retrospective study was made of 29 consecutive patients who were evaluated for suspected abdominal abscess by at least two of three imaging modalities: gallium-67 scanning, ultrasonography, and computed tomography. No statistically significant difference in accuracy of the findings could be demonstrated. Consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each imaging modality will often indicate which to use in an individual case.