Bernard A. Birnbaum

Acute cholangitis: CT evaluation.

The CT findings of 23 patients with proven acute ascending cholangitis were retrospectively evaluated. Computed tomography confirmed the clinical diagnosis and detected the site and etiology of the obstructive process in the majority of patients. Biliary dilatation consistent with the clinical suspicion of acute cholangitis was present in 18 patients (78%), the level of the obstruction was detected in 15 patients, and the etiology of the obstructive process was visualized in 14 cases. Five patients presented with air in the biliary tree and three patients had liver abscesses. There was no good correlation established between jaundice, biliary infection, and the presence or degree of biliary dilatation. Biliary obstruction and acute cholangitis can develop before biliary dilatation is detected. In addition, CT showed limitations in establishing the etiology of the obstructive process, particularly in failing to detect 7 of 17 cases of cholesterol biliary stones.

Asymmetry of the renal nephrograms on CT: significance of the unilateral prolonged cortical nephrogram.

The normal renal nephrogram as seen on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is reviewed, and the etiologies and diagnostic significance of the asymmetric renal nephrograms, characterized by a unilateral prolonged cortical nephrogram, are discussed.

Techniques for multimodality image registration

The authors describe the development of techniques used for cross-modality correlation of medical images. To accomplish this goal, software routines were developed which automate and standardize the comparison of images within and between three-dimensional tomographic imaging modalities. Data from phantoms and clinical studies reflect the success of this technique.<<ETX>>

Graphical interface for medical image processing

We have developed a graphical interface which allows users of varying levels of computer experience and proficiency to manipulate medical image-processing data with “point-and-click” ease. The power which had formerly been associated with protocols and shell scripts has been combined with the flexibility and “user-friendliness” of buttons and dialog boxes.