Takayasu's disease and atherosclerosis.

The aortic arch syndrome characterised by diminished or absent pulses in the arteries arising from the aortic arch has many etiologies, such as syphilitic aortitis, dissection of the aorta, atherosclerosis and Takayasu's arteritis. The diagnostic criteria of Takayasu's arteritis often do not mention histological investigations. We observed a case of an aortic arch syndrome, presenting as a classical case of Takayasu's arteritis but caused by a severe form of atherosclerosis.

Hypofixation on bone scintigraphy in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

We report an adult case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. In contrast to the usual findings in adults, three phase bone scintigraphy showed decreased bloodflow and bloodpool with hypofixation on delayed steady state bone scan of the affected lower limb. In spite of various therapeutic attempts severe dystrophy developed.

A porcelain gallbladder affecting the assessment of bone mineral content.

Dual-photon absorptiometry is a reliable method for the assessment of bone mineral content (BMC). The presence of focal bone disease, degenerative joint disease, or aortic calcifications may complicate the evaluation of BMC and may lead to erroneous findings. The misleading effect of a porcelain gallbladder is described.

Assessment of vertebral mineral content by means of a single-crystal scintillation camera.

Increasing interest in bone mass has led to dedicated commercial dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) instruments. We describe a method for the measurement of the mineral content of the lumbar spine using a scintillation camera. The most appropriate source(s) and collimator were investigated.

Abdominal microaneurysms in rheumatoid arthritis.

A 55-year-old man presented with systemic vasculitis complicating long-standing classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Digital and cutaneous vasculitis, together with widespread microaneurysms on both renal and coeliac arteries, were found. The simultaneous presence of these different patterns of vasculitic lesions in a single patient, affecting small as well as medium size vessels with aneurysm formation, emphasizes the value of angiographic studies in evaluating RA.

Gold-induced aplastic anemia.

Three patients receiving gold salt treatment for rheumatoid arthritis developed severe aplastic anemia. All three patients experienced remission of their disease at the time of the occurrence of marrow aplasia. Reviewing data on these patients and recent literature indicate that fatal marrow aplasia seems to occur more frequently in sero-negative women who respond well to therapy with gold salts.