OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate sonographic features of thyroid gland in patients with thyroiditis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a nine-month period, 38 patients previously diagnosed with thyroiditis by the Ultrasound Unit of "Instituto de Radiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, were studied. Thirteen-six of these patients were women in the age range between 17 and 78 years. The following variables were observed and studied: thyroid volume, echogenicity, echotexture, and the presence of level VI chain lymph nodes (pre-tracheal, the preferential site of thyroid drainage), besides the gland dimensions. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had goiter; 37 of 38 thyroid glands presented heterogeneous echotexture and diffuse hypoechogenicity. Thyroiditis was diagnosed by laboratory tests in all patients. Level VI chain (pre-tracheal) lymph nodes were observed in 28 cases, all of them with reactional features. Of these cases, ten patients were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy, and the cytological result indicated inflammatory reaction. No case of nodule-simulating focal thyroiditis was found. CONCLUSION: The thyroid gland sonographic hypoechogenicity and heterogeneity, in association with the presence of cervical chain lymph nodes, constitute findings of great importance in the diagnosis of thyroiditis when correlated with clinical and laboratory tests findings.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Thyroid, Thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the most significant features of parosteal osteosarcoma and to describe the most frequent findings on conventional radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed including 26 cases of patients with parosteal osteosarcoma from the archives of "Clube do Osso", Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, with analysis of main clinical and radiological findings. RESULTS: The disease was prevalent in female patients in the third decade of life. Main clinical findings were the increase in volume on the site of the tumor (77% of cases) and local pain (68% of cases). The most frequent site of tumor was the popliteal fossa (40%), and metaphyseal involvement has occurred in 92% of cases. The most frequent radiological findings were densely mineralized lesions on juxtacortical locations, and irregularly thickened adjacent host cortex (92.3%), with adherence areas being observed in 88.5% of cases, besides lobular (50%) or irregular (38.5%) tumor margins. Also, a radiolucent line between the tumor and the adjacent bone (48%), a denser mineralization on the basis than in the periphery of the tumor (42.3%), and a small rate of periosteal reaction (15.4%) were found. CONCLUSION: Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are important modalities for identifying some aspects of parosteal osteosarcoma, conventional x-ray is essential in the initial evaluation of this type of lesion, most frequently allowing differential diagnosis with other surface bone lesions.

Keywords: Parosteal osteosarcoma, Bone radiology

OBJECTIVE: To describe the general findings of lymphoma and their histological patterns in patients less than 20 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two cases (16 male and 6 female, mean age 11.5 years) from the digital archive of computed tomography at the Cancer Control Center of "Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro", Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, were retrospectively analyzed in the period between March 2003 and July 2005. Of these 22 cases, 12 were Hodgkin's and 10 were non-Hodgkin's. RESULTS: Overall, mediastinal lymphadenomegaly was the most frequent finding (59%), with predominance in the Hodgkin's subgroup (75%), followed by hepatosplenomegaly (50%) and cervical and retroperitoneal lymphadenomegaly (27.3%). The Hodgkin's subgroup presented a prevalence of lymphadenopathy, in many lymph node chains, followed by hepatosplenomegaly (50%). One case was found with unilateral tonsillar mass, pulmonary ground-glass opacities, and renal nodules. In the non-Hodgkin's subgroup, the disease was predominantly extranodal, characterized by hepatosplenomegaly (50%), thickening of the intestinal wall (40%), pleural effusion (30%), pulmonary nodule (20%), ascites (10%), pericardial effusion (10%) and mixed bone lesions (10%). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography is an extremely useful method for detection, staging and follow-up of lymphomas, with alert findings like mediastinal lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, unilateral tonsillar mass and thickening of intestinal wall.

Keywords: Lymphoma, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of BI-RADS™ categories 3, 4 and 5 in non-palpable breast masses assessed by mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with BI-RADS categories 3, 4 and 5 nonpalpable breast masses identified by mammograms were submitted to complementary ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging studies, besides excisional biopsy. In total, 30 biopsies were performed. The lesions as well as their respective BI-RADS classification into 3, 4 and 5 were correlated with the histopathological results. The predictive values calculation was made by means of specific mathematical equations. RESULTS: Negative predictive values for category 3 were: mammography, 69.23%; ultrasound, 70.58%; and magnetic resonance imaging, 100%. Positive predictive values for category 4 were: mammography, 63.63%; ultrasound, 50%; and magnetic resonance imaging, 30.76%. For category 5, positive predictive values were: mammography and ultrasound, 100%; and magnetic resonance imaging, 92.85%. CONCLUSION: For category 3, the negative predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging was high, and for categories 4 and 5, the positive predictive values of the three modalities were moderate.

Keywords: BI-RADS, Breast cancer, Mammography, Predictive value

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in the psychosocial profile of medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging, to evaluate the professional aspirations and inner motivation driving their choice of the specialty of radiology and diagnostic imaging, as well as whether their professional satisfaction level improves the doctor-patient relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 26-question questionnaire including the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale was completed by medical trainees and residents. RESULTS: Self-esteem is above average for 39.6% of the respondents; aptitude for medicine or personal realization has motivated the choice of 38.7% of the students; for 50.9% of the respondents, the patients understand and assimilate the information received from doctors; 77.4% of the doctors are able to clarify the patients doubts. CONCLUSION: In terms of psychosocial profile, there is no difference between medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging. Professional aspirations and inner motivation have played equivalent roles in the specialty choice of medical trainees and residents. Medical residents are better prepared to succeed in a doctor-patient relationship than trainees.

Keywords: Medical residency, Motivation, Profile, Doctor-patient relationship

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the early response of uveal melanomas in patients treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between April 2002 and July 2003, 20 patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma were submitted to ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. The calculated dose delivered at the apex of the tumor ranged between 55 Gy and 100 Gy. Patients with lesions greater than 5 mm were submitted to transpupillary thermotherapy concomitantly with ophthalmic plaque insertion. RESULTS: As regards the lesions site, 75% of the lesions were located in the choroid, 15% in the iris, and the remainder 10% in the ciliary body. In a median 19-month-follow-up, the progression-free survival for brachytherapy was 69%, and 87% for associated brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy. A significant tumor height reduction was observed after treatment. No patient was submitted to enucleation. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results show that ruthenium-106 brachytherapy is an appropriate method for conservative treatment of patients with uveal melanomas in terms of local management, ocular and visual acuity preservation with an acceptable complications incidence rate.

Keywords: Uveal melanoma, Ruthenium plaque therapy, Conservative therapy, Brachytherapy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate both immediate and late effects of fractionated cobalt-60 teletherapy over the mean percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae in rats mandibles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals sampling (n = 45) was divided into three groups with 15 specimens each: group 1 - submitted to fractionated teletherapy (60 Gy) and sacrificed following the last irradiation dose; group 2 - the specimens were submitted to the same procedure as group 1, however were sacrificed 30 days after finishing radiotherapy; group 3 - non-irradiated specimens, control group. The radiotherapy protocol consisted of a course of 30 radiotherapy sessions, fractionated in 2 Gy/day-doses, totalling 60 Gy. After specimens perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde, the left hemimandibles were histologically processed and 5 mm serial sections were hematoxylin-eosin stained. Duplicate calculation of the mean percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae was performed in the areas adjacent to the first and second molar roots with the Image Tool software. RESULTS: The analysis of variance supplemented with the Turkey's multiple comparison test indicated that irradiated groups 1 and 2 showed no difference, presenting higher rates of empty osteocyte lacunae (p = 0.005) in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSION: Fractionated cobalt-60 teletherapy causes an increase in the number of osteoplasts in bone tissues of rats' mandibles.

Keywords: Radiotherapy, External beam radiation therapy, Late effects, Radiation damage, Osteoradionecrosis, Rats

OBJECTIVE: Entrance skin dose, effective dose, and imaging quality in chest radiographs of adult patients have been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been developed in eight institutions - seven public hospitals (two of them philanthropic institutions) and one private - in the cities of Agra dos Reis, Cabo Frio, Campos dos Goytacazes, Itaperuna, Niterói, Recife and Rio de Janeiro. Entrance skin dose and effective dose have been evaluated in 735 chest radiographs obtained in posteroanterior/anteroposterior and lateral projections. As regards imaging criteria, 44 radiographs have been evaluated. RESULTS: Variations of up to nine times in entrance skin dose, and six times in effective dose have been detected for a same type of projection. Also, significant discrepancies have been found in values resulting from radiographic techniques employed. Besides, imaging quality has not been good since the rate of compliance with imaging criteria was only 55%. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for improvement/standardization of procedures in conventional radiology; this can be achieved by implementing a quality control and assurance program in the department of radiology, including training of technicians, x-ray equipment calibration, and sensitometric control of films processors.

Keywords: Chest x-ray, Quality control, Dosimetry

OBJECTIVE: To develop of a software tool for evaluation and control of sensitometric curves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A method was developed for obtaining high- and low-contrast films sensitometric values, with no need to define wedge steps. RESULTS: The software named Sensito was implemented and tested utilizing data of sensitometric strips from conventional radiology, hemodynamics, and mammography departments. The feasibility of analyzing sensitometric curves from these areas remained evidenced with no need of user-dependent adjustments, and with no deviation in the evaluated sensitometric parameters and variations. CONCLUSION: The software allows the creation of a database including sensitometric curves from different processors in a same institution, easily generating gamma curves of a register and constant charts of the evaluated sensitometric characteristics, constituting an important tool for sensitometric control.

Keywords: Automatic processor, Sensitometric curve, Sensitometry

Necrotizing enterocolitis is one of the most frequent and severe gastrointestinal emergencies occurring in the neonatal period. Once necrotizing enterocolitis is suspected a simple abdominal x-ray is a routine examination and this film will play an essential role in the diagnosis of the disease and the follow-up care of the patient, as well as in the detection of complications. In the present study we reviewed the pertinent literature and described the radiological findings, illustrated with cases from our institution. We concluded that the radiological diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis done at all stages contributes for an immediate therapeutic management, reducing the complications and improving the patient's survival.

Keywords: Necrotizing enterocolitis, Newborn, Radiological diagnosis

Uterine malformations are unusual findings in the clinical practice of gynecology. Statistics regarding this abnormality are flawed, and there is a lack of standardization of the pertinent terminology, besides difficulty in the diagnosis. Starting in the 1980's, ultrasound became a procedure indispensable to the clinical practice in the field of tocogynecology, modifying concepts and procedures, and bringing an important contribution to this specialty. The advent of endocavitary transducers, amplitude and spectral color Doppler, as well as the increasing improvement in the imaging quality, has contributed to this progress. Over the last ten years, much has been studied, published and discussed about the role of the three-dimensional ultrasonography. The authors review the topic and emphasize the importance of this method as a diagnostic modality.

Keywords: Uterine malformations, Müllerian malformations, Three-dimensional ultrasonography

Orthoradiographic measurement employing the "Farill technique" is a routine study in the majority of radiological services. For more than half a century, this method has been widely utilized by specialists in several areas for both measuring and treating differences in length between lower extremities. Nevertheless, technical procedural details during examination and measurements evaluation have usually been neglected or ignored, affecting the final results and consequently the effectiveness of this method. The present study is aimed at publicizing the details standardized by the authors, restoring accuracy to the technique, besides discussing it in comparison with other methods.

Keywords: Farill, Orthoradiographic measurement, Lower extremities, Difference

The pancreas is rarely affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, probably because of the presence of pancreatic enzymes, and only few cases are reported. The differential diagnosis with pancreatic carcinoma represents a challenge because of clinical and radiological similarities. We report the case of a 39-year-old male patient presenting weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Radiological workup with abdominal computed tomography has demonstrated lesions in the pancreatic tail and spleen. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological analysis following laparotomy.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Pancreas, Computed tomography