Arl Van Moore

Initial experiences with percutaneous and transurethral ablation of postoperative ureteral strictures in children

A transurethral or percutaneous procedure was used in 11 children and 1 young adult in an attempt to correct obstruction at the site of previous pyeloplasty, ureteroenterostomy or vesicoureteral reimplantation into the bladder. When a guide wire could be passed through the obstructed segment a balloon would always pass over the wire. The balloon could then be inflated to dilate the narrowed area. Five patients in whom the obstruction was detected and treated in this manner within a few months after the initial operation exhibited relief of obstruction and these good results have persisted. The exception to this generalization is a 5-year-old girl who did not experience durable improvement in obstruction when treated 3 months after ureteral implantation. Four additional children with ureteral strictures diagnosed 1 to 4 years postoperatively also were not improved by dilation, even when a post-dilation stent (usually a double-J catheter) was used for 6 to 8 weeks. Two boys with recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after pyeloplasty underwent percutaneous resection of the ureteropelvic junction. In 1 boy the hook electrode and cautery were used and stenosis recurred, apparently due to thermal injury. In the other boy a sharpened hook electrode was used to incise the ureteropelvic junction, which has stayed open for 18 months, and he is our longest followup.

Chest Radiographic-Pathologic Correlation in Adult Leukemia Patients

A radiographic-pathologic correlation study of adult leukemia patients was conducted to determine the frequency and radiographic appearance of leukemic involvement and related complications within the chest. One hundred thirteen autopsy protocols were examined. Radiographic correlation was obtained in 60 of these cases. Autopsy pulmonary findings included hemorrhage in 74% of the cases, infectious infiltrates in 67%, edema or congestion in 57%, and leukemic infiltration in 26%. Only 5% of the chest radiographs were normal. Alveolar or interstitial abnormalities were identified in 90%, pleural effusion in 40%, and lymphadenopathy in 17%. Correlation demonstrated pulmonary infection to be by far the most common cause of radiographic opacity. Because of its frequent occurrence, high associated mortality, and potential reversibility, pneumonia must always be considered first in the differential diagnosis of radiographic opacity in these patients.

Computed tomography of benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities

Thirteen patients with benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities were evaluated by CT. The relationship of the lesion to specific muscle groups and fascial planes was defined better by CT than on plain radiography or angiography. Computed tomography without contrast enhancement demonstrated well circumscribed masses of lower attenuation value than the surrounding muscle. Eight of the 11 patients who received intravenous injection of contrast material showed characteristic punctate or curvilinear structures within the mass, which had attenuation values similar to normal blood vessels. The characteristic CT features of benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities are presented.

CT diagnosis of cystic hygroma of the neck.

Cystic hygromas of the neck can simulate other benign lesions and occasionally extend into the mediastinum. Using computed tomography, we were able to confirm the suspected diagnosis, exclude other diagnostic considerations, and clearly demonstrate absence of mediastinal extension.

Percutaneous dissolution of renal calculi using ultrasonic litholapaxy.

The surgical treatment of renal calculi has been markedly changed by percutaneous manipulation and ultrasonic dissolution. The low morbidity and decreased cost of this procedure make it an obvious choice over classic surgical operations. We report our experience with percutaneous ultrasonic stone dissolution in 23 patients.

CT differentiation of thoracic aortic aneurysms from pulmonary masses adjacent to the mediastinum

Paramediastinal masses adjacent to the aorta require a diagnostic evaluation to differentiate between tumor and aneurysm. It has been suggested that neoplasm may enhance sufficiently to be confused with a vascular structure or that a clot filled aneurysm may simulate a neoplasm by not filling with contrast medium. Five patients, two with thoracic aneurysms, two with malignancy, and one with a malignancy and an aortic dissection, are presented in whom bolus injection computed tomography (CT) was able to distinguish between aneurysm and mass. The CT examination also accurately visualized the point of communication of the aneurysm with the aorta, defined the relationship of the aneurysm to vital mediastinal structures for planning surgical resection, and helped plan the approach for percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration when tumor was suspected. Bolus injection CT represents a rational alternative to aortography for mediastinal paraaortic masses.

Computed tomography of cystic neck masses.

Computed tomography (CT) of the neck has been primarily applied to the assessment of malignant disease with few reports describing its utility in benign conditions. The authors report 13 cases of cystic neck masses evaluated by CT. Pathological conditions included brachial cleft cyst, laryngocele, thyroglossal duct cyst, cavernous lymphangioma, necrotic lymphadenopathy, and asymmetric jugular veins. Computed tomography was helpful in correctly predicting the etiology by determining the exact location of these masses in relation to the normal anatomic structures in the neck.

Recurrent rectal carcinoma in an asymptomatic patient.

Pelvic recurrence is a common cause of symptoms and mortality in patients who have undergone surgical resection of rectal carcinoma. Diagnosis by physical examination and standard radiologic techniques is usually only possible when the recurrence becomes symptomatic because of its advanced state. Previous reports have documented the ability of computed tomography (CT) to depict accurately pelvic recurrence of rectal carcinoma in the symptomatic patient. Surgical resection of recurrence is usually noncurative but appears to result in a more prolonged survival if performed in the asymptomatic patient. We report a case of pelvic lymph node recurrence suggested by CT and confirmed by CT guided needle biopsy in an asymptomatic patient. Diagnosis of recurrence at this early stage by CT, supplemented with CT guided biopsy, may offer the patient an increased chance of survival following surgical resection.

Radiology practice models: the 2008 ACR Forum.

The 2008 ACR Forum brought together a diverse group of participants from clinical radiology, radiology leadership and practice management, managed care, economics, law, and entrepreneurship in Washington, DC, in January 2008 to discuss current models of radiology practice and anticipate new ones. It addressed what forces shape the practice of radiology, how these forces are changing, and how radiology practices can most effectively respond to them in the future.

Leadership in Radiology: The 2007 ACR Forum

The 2007 ACR Forum highlighted the importance of cultivating leadership, identified key traits of effective leaders, and outlined a number of practical steps the ACR, radiology leaders, and the field as a whole can take to promote leadership. If we heed this message, we can develop the abilities of people who will provide effective leadership for radiology organizations and assume even wider leadership roles in medicine and health care.