Metastatic disease and the nonspecific bone scan: value of spinal computed tomography.

Three cases are presented in which there were nonspecific bone scans and normal radiographs and in which spinal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated metastases. In each case, CT provided data that were crucial to patient management. Spinal CT offers important advantages, but further investigation is needed to determine whether it should be the procedure of choice in cases of scan-positive, radiograph-negative spinal foci of unknown etiology.

Radiographic anatomy of the sacrospinalis muscle.

The lateral margin of the sacrospinalis muscle was visible on 24 of 100 supine abdominal radiographs. Its course is oblique, the reverse of that of the psoas. Findings on the plain radiograph and CT are correlated.

Unusual inflammatory processes involving the colon.

Six patients with unusual inflammatory lesions of the colon are presented. Several of these cases demonstrated unusual presentations of an unusual disease. The clinical and radiologic features (which together are of paramount importance in suggesting the correct diagnosis) are discussed.

Fine-needle transhepatic cholangiography: reflections after 450 cases.

Fine-needle transhepatic cholangiography is widely accepted as the procedure of choice for direct opacification of the bile ducts. A 5-year experience with 450 cases provided the basis for refinements of clinical applications and technique leading to an improved duct opacification rate, 93%, and only a 4.8% complication rate.