Alan C. Winfield

Prevention of acute pelvic inflammatory disease after hysterosalpingography: Efficacy of doxycycline prophylaxis

In an attempt to minimize the infectious morbidity of hysterosalpingography, the efficacy of oral doxycycline prophylaxis was examined. The records and hysterosalpingograms of 278 consecutive women (group 1) were reviewed to correlate the radiologic findings and the development of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after hysterosalpingography. Four women (1.4%) developed PID and all four had tubal dilatation. The overall frequency of PID in women with dilated tubes was 4/35 (11%). Subsequently, 56 of 326 women (group 2) with tubal dilatation received oral doxycycline prophylaxis. No cases of PID were observed in the 56 women who had antibiotic prophylaxis (p less than 0.02) or in group 2 as a whole. The study suggests that the risk of infection after hysterosalpingography is very low when nondilated tubes are present (0/398 women of groups 1 and 2). The relative risk of PID in women with peritubal disease or proximal tubal occlusion, although apparently low, remains to be determined. Furthermore, in the highest-risk group of women with dilated tubes, doxycycline prophylaxis was effective in reducing infection after hysterosalpingography.

Observer variation in quantitative assessment of rheumatoid arthritis: Part I. Scoring erosions and joint space narrowing

Six observers, including two bone and joint radiologists, two general radiologists, and two senior radiology residents, compared scores to quantitate radiographic findings in the hands and wrists of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In the scoring system used, erosions and joint-space narrowing are graded separately. This scoring system differs from other methods in that equivocal findings are not scored, while ankylosis, subluxation, and dislocation are scored, and data from postoperative joints are included. Total radiographic scores were highly significantly correlated for all observers (R = .908-.958, P less than .001), as were subtotal scores for erosions (R = .723-.931, P less than .001) and joint-space narrowing (R = 0.843-0.966, P less than .001). Analysis of proximal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and wrist-joint scores showed highly significant correlations for all observers in each location. Highly significant correlations were found among three separate readings of two bone and joint radiologists (R = .950-.961, P less than .001). This scoring system provides highly consistent and reproducible results, even in the hands of less experienced observers.

Selective fallopian tube cannulation: Initial experience in an infertile population

We have studied a group of 19 patients presenting with proximal tubal occlusion. Seventy-three percent (22/30) of tubes attempted were successfully cannulated. Sixty-two percent (5/8) of tubes remained patent in limited follow-up at 3 to 6 months. We conclude that selective fallopian tube cannulation may provide an alternative to microsurgical tubal anastomosis in selected patients.

Response of patients to informed consent for excretory urography

The desirability of obtaining written informed consent for low-risk radiologic procedures has been the subject of controversy. A group of 80 patients was studied to evaluate the effect of informed consent for excretory urograms on: (1) incidence of contrast reactions; (2) discomfort during the procedure; (3) level of patients’ anxiety before and after the procedure; (4) patients’ perception of the procedure; and (5) desirability of informed consent from the patients’ viewpoint.Results revealed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of reactions, discomfort, perception of the examination, or anxiety level prior to the procedure. The informed consent group had a statistically greater factual knowledge of the procedure evaluated objectively (P < 0.01). Of the patients who received the written consent form, 83% regarded it as helpful and none viewed it as harmful or refused the examination. In the control group, 32% desired more information.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast: Functional T1 and three-dimensional imaging

Thirty-two patients with breast abnormalities and 10 normal volunteers were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing a 0.5-Tesla superconducting magnet imaging system. Sagittal, coronal, and transverse breast imaging with the 50-cm body coil and with a specialized 16×8 cm breast coil allowed the evaluation of a single breast. Soft-tissue contrast was clearly apparent using proton density-weighted. T1 weighted, calculated T1 images. In addition, the feasibility and potential clinical utility of three-dimensional color imaging was evaluated using computer-based interactive algorithms for edge detection of the breast and for abnormal structures within the breast. MR scan data were correlated with conventional xeromammography, ultrasound, clinical, data, and pathological specimens. In vivo and in vitro breast imaging was evaluated in a feasibility study. It was concluded that MR imaging is a most sensitive modality for the identification of breast lesions, especially when the adjacent normal tissue is primarily fat. There does appear to be significant overlap in soft-tissue contrast when the adjacent breast parenchymal tissue is fibrocystic in nature. The T1 parameter may be a relatively specific measure for identifying a malignant breast mass.

Advantages of nonionic contrast agents in adult urography

Nonionic radiographic contrast agents have a reported advantage of decreased contrast osmolality. Before clinical significance can be attributed to this lower osmolality, an observed difference must be documented. In a randomized double-blind study with 55 patients, Iohexol, a new nonionic contrast agent, is compared with Renografin 60 for use in adult urography. Hemodynamic parameters, serum and urine chemistries, including osmolality, were recorded before and after contrast injection. Radiographic quality and adverse reactions were recorded. This study focused on the change in urine osmolality (delta Osm) from pre- and post-injection urine specimens. The group receiving nonionic contrast agents had an average delta Osm of 65 mOsm/L while those receiving the ionic agent had an average delta Osm of 120 mOsm/L. This significant difference in urine osmolality is discussed with respect to the observed advantage in radiographic quality and the lower incidence of adverse reactions noted in the group receiving nonionic contrast material.

Clinical Correlates of False-Negative Fine Needle Aspirations of the Breast in a Consecutive Series of 1005 Patients

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast is a useful diagnostic tool in the management of lesions of the breast. However, false-negatives invariably occur and can detract from the usefulness of the technique. The current study of 16 patients with false-negative FNA of the breast from a consecutive series of 1,005 patients was undertaken in an attempt to better understand the clinical correlates most often associated with false-negative diagnoses. Pre-FNA physical examination and mammographic findings were correlated with the gross and microscopic features of these 16 patients. All 16 patients had palpable findings. Mammographic abnormalities were divided into three categories--highly suspicious for malignant tumor (n = 7), indeterminate (n = 3) and negative (n = 4). Mammograms were not available for two patients. The carcinomas ranged in size from 0.8 to 6.5 centimeters (mean of 1.9 centimeter). Thirteen of 16 carcinomas were 2 centimeters or less. Of the small tumors, histologic factors revealed no special type (NST) in six patients and special type carcinoma in seven patients. The notably large tumor (6.5 centimeters) was of high grade and demonstrated an unusual diffusely infiltrative pattern histologically extending between normal mammary lobules. Overall, special type carcinomas comprised seven of 16 patients. All of these carcinomas, as well as six of nine NST were paucicellular, that is, more than 20 percent area containing tumor cells. The current study supports the findings of others that small tumor size, paucicellularity and special type histologic factors contribute to false-negative diagnoses of FNA of the breast.

Carcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube is a rare neoplasm that constitutes less than 1% of gynecologic malignancies. Although the triad of menorrhagia, leukorrhea, and pain is said to be pathognomonic, preoperative diagnosis of this lesion is most unusual. The radiographic appearance at hysterosalpingography has only rarely been described in the English literature previously [1–3]. This therefore is an unusual documentation of the preoperative appearance of fallopian adenocarcinoma by hysterosalpingography and sonography.

Adenocarcinoma in a sigmoid conduit: Case report

The increased risk of developing adenocarcinoma in the sigmoid colon after ureterosigmoidostomy has been acknowledged for some time. Development of adenocarcinoma in colonic conduits isolated from the fecal stream is rare. We report a case of adenocarcinoma arising in a sigmoid conduit that probably represents a metachronous adenocarcinoma of the colon.

Ureteral abnormalities in women with endometriosis

High-volume intravenous urography was performed in 63 women with surgically proven endometriosis. Subtle abnormalities were found in 15.9% of these women. No patient had urologic symptoms, and there was no evidence of hydroureter or ureteral obstruction on the IVP. Long-term follow-up study will be required to determine whether or not these lesions will progress and cause ureteral obstruction.