OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of combining static and kinematic magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of the femoropatellar joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (40 knees) and 23 patients (43 knees) were submitted to both static and kinematic magnetic resonance imaging on a 1.5 tesla whole-body magnetic resonance scanner. The knees were positioned at 30º flexion with the quadrature knee coil at the inner end of the examination table. The patellar translation was evaluated by measurements of bisect offset, lateral patellar displacement and patellar tilt angle. The nonparametric Wilcoxon test was utilized for statistical analysis of data resulting from the static and kinematic studies in both groups. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was utilized in the comparison between healthy volunteers and patients. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.05) between static and kinematic magnetic resonance imaging for the three parameters evaluated in both groups. Among the patients the differences between static and kinematic measurements were greater than those found in the volunteers, at 30° and 20° flexion, with bisect offset and lateral patellar displacement. CONCLUSION: Static and kinematic magnetic resonance imaging, when performed in association, demonstrated that the lateral forces being exerted on the patella are higher at a knee flexion at the range between 20° and 30°, particularly in individuals symptomatic for femoropatellar instability.

Keywords: Knee, Knee joint, Patella, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Magnetic resonance imaging, Biomechanics, Chondromalacia patellae

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a model of the human lumbar vertebra for training transpedicular puncture in percutaneous vertebroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty lumbar vertebra models were constructed from methacrylate, plaster and ethyl-vinyl-acetate, using a rubber mold of human vertebrae. The intervertebral discs were made of silicone to provide anatomical similarity and fusion of five vertebrae. This model of spinal column segment was positioned within a manikin with an ethyl-vinyl-acetate lining so that direct visualization was not possible. A theoretical course was given to six trainees in radiology and neuroradiology who have tested the models with respect to parameters of similarity with the reality, performing 30 transpedicular punctures in three series of ten punctures a day, with one-week interval between the series. RESULTS: Each student performed 30 transpedicular punctures; however, eight of these punctures were disregarded because of manufacturing defects of the dummies observed during the procedures. Similarity data forms were filled in by all of the trainees following the procedures, with 100% of positive answers as regards the models similarity with the human body. CONCLUSION: It was possible to develop a training model for transpedicular puncture with a satisfactory degree of similarity with the human body, constituting an appropriate tool for training in vertebroplasty.

Keywords: Spine, Puncture, Learning, Manikin, Vertebroplasty

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating radiological findings of delayed postoperative upper gastrointestinal series in patients submitted to Fobi-Capella surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiological studies of 41 patients, six to nine months following the surgery. RESULTS: The following pathological alterations have been found: hiatal hernia (17%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (19.5%) and sliding of the silastic ring (4.8%). Least frequent findings have been the following: enterocutaneous fistula (2.4%), stenosis of the gastric pouch outlet (2.4%), bezoar (2.4%), and non-visualization of the silastic ring caused by its removal due to patient intolerance (2.4%). Anatomical alterations resulting from the surgery have been clearly demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The present study could demonstrate anatomical alterations and complications resulting from Fobi-Capella surgery.

Keywords: Morbid obesity, Gastroplasty, Upper gastrointestinal series, Bariatric surgery, Fobi-Capella

OBJECTIVE: Although the radiological features of acute appendicitis are well documented, the value of the plain radiography has not been fully appreciated yet. The present study was aimed at determining the frequency of association between acute appendicitis and a radiological sign characterized as an image of fecal loading in the whole cecum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain abdominal radiographs of 100 consecutive adult patients with acute appendicitis proved by surgery and histology were assessed. The presence of fecal loading characterized by hypotransparency in the whole cecum, and sometimes also in the ascending colon, was observed. RESULTS: The image of fecal loading in the cecum was found in 97% of cases of acute appendicitis, independently of age, gender, skin color or stage of appendicitis. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the presence of radiological images of fecal loading in the cecum may be a useful sign for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Keywords: Appendicitis, Radiography, Cecum, Fecal loading, Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating the role of computed tomography in the local clinical staging of supraglottic tumors according to the TNM classification, as well as the interobserver agreement on the detection of the tumor extent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine dossiers of inpatients of Hospital Heliópolis with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma in the period between 1988 and 1998 were retrospectively evaluated. CT studies were individually analyzed by two radiologists. The kappa test was utilized for evaluating the interobserver agreement. RESULTS: Computed tomography has played a decisive role in the upstaging of 38.5% of cases, as a result of a deep tumor extent undetected at clinical examination. CONCLUSION: Interobserver agreement was considered as excellent for vocal folds and subglottis; good for supraglottic, paraglottic and preepiglottic spaces, thyroid and cricoid cartilages and for extralaryngeal tumor extension; and regular for the base of the tongue.

Keywords: Laryngeal neoplasms, Squamous cell carcinoma, Computed tomography, Tumors staging

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by means of brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients, 32 with rheumatoid arthritis and 36 in the control group, underwent brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (B-mode ultrasound for evaluating cardiovascular risk). Afterwards, the correlation among brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation, C-reactive protein, and disease duration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated. RESULTS: The brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery in rheumatoid arthritis corresponded to 5.6 ± 9.69%, and in the control group, to 23.24 ± 5.65%, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.00001). C-reactive protein result was 4.8 ± 9.1 mg/l. The correlation among age, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation, and C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has not shown a statistically significant result. CONCLUSION: Women with rheumatoid arthritis present a significant endothelial dysfunction when compared with normal women.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Endothelial dysfunction, Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at developing and delivering a course in the modality "Internet-conducted distance education". MATERIALS AND METHODS: The theme "Sentinel lymph node, prevention, early diagnosis and biopsy - a new technique for approaching breast cancer" was utilized as an application model, and the didactic material for distance-learning was targeted to a selected audience of physicians involved in the treatment of breast cancer. The course was structured in a virtual learning environment, allowing interaction among participating students. RESULTS: The coursework took place over a 12-week period. Nine gynecologists with at least eight years of professional experience participated in some way in the course, but only two of them accomplished exercises and interacted. In the distance-education modality, the course reached eight cities in four Brazilian states. A full engagement did not occur, although most of participants have remained until the end of the course. Possibly, there was a lack of motivation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that it is necessary to break the barriers to the culture related to this form of learning. A pro-active participation of the coordinator is essential for integrating and mobilizing the participants.

Keywords: Continuing medical education, Telemedicine, Distance education, Internet, Course management system

OBJECTIVE: To utilize the grid computing technology to enable the utilization of a similarity measurement algorithm for content-based medical image retrieval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The content-based images retrieval technique is comprised of two sequential steps: texture analysis and similarity measurement algorithm. These steps have been adopted for head and knee images for evaluation of accuracy in the retrieval of images of a single plane and acquisition sequence in a databank with 2,400 medical images. Initially, texture analysis was utilized as a preselection resource to obtain a set of the 1,000 most similar images as compared with a reference image selected by a clinician. Then, these 1,000 images were processed utilizing a similarity measurement algorithm on a computational grid. RESULTS: The texture analysis has demonstrated low accuracy for sagittal knee images (0.54) and axial head images (0.40). Nevertheless, this technique has shown effectiveness as a filter, pre-selecting images to be evaluated by the similarity measurement algorithm. Content-based images retrieval with similarity measurement algorithm applied on these pre-selected images has demonstrated satisfactory accuracy - 0.95 for sagittal knee images, and 0.92 for axial head images. The high computational cost of the similarity measurement algorithm was balanced by the utilization of grid computing. CONCLUSION: The approach combining texture analysis and similarity measurement algorithm for content-based images retrieval resulted in an accuracy of > 90%. Grid computing has shown to be essential for the utilization of similarity measurement algorithm in the content-based images retrieval that otherwise would be limited to supercomputers.

Keywords: Content-based image retrieval, Texture analysis, Image registration, Grid computing

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating the occupational exposure of nursing staff in charge of inpatients undergoing 131I therapy during 11 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The exposure situations were classified according to a questionnaire answered by three nursing attendants, correlating the procedures with activities, distances and amount of time in the iodotherapy room. Records of received doses by two types of dosimeters were evaluated over two subsequent periods. In both periods the nursing attendants received instructions about radiological protection. RESULTS: In usual situations, their amount of time in the iodotherapy room was in compliance with the standard time established by the service. In unusual situations, where the patient needed assistance for mobility, the exposure period was above the standard. However, this exposure occurs casually (only one or two times a year). During the period between 1993 and 1999 (dosimetric films) there were ten dose records, all of them at record level. From 2000 to 2003 (thermoluminescent dosimeters) ten dose records were also obtained, with only one of them at the investigation level. During this study period, the mean 131I activity was doubled. CONCLUSION: Despite the increased levels of activity there was no significant increase in dose to nursing attendants.

Keywords: Occupational exposure, Effective dose, External individual monitoring, Iodo-therapy

The iliopsoas compartment, a posterior boundary of the retroperitoneum, is comprised of the psoas major, psoas minor and iliac muscles. The symptoms picture in patients presenting with pathological involvement of this compartment may show a wide range of nonspecific clinical presentations that may lead to delayed diagnosis. However, in the search of an etiological diagnosis, it is already known that inflammation, tumors, and hemorrhages account for almost all the lesions affecting the iliopsoas compartment. By means of a retrospective analysis of radiological studies in patients with iliopsoas compartment lesions whose diagnosis was confirmed by anatomopathological evaluation or clinical follow-up, we have reviewed its anatomy as well as the main forms of involvement, with the purpose of identifying radiological signs that may help to narrow down the potential differential diagnoses. As each lesion is approached we will discuss the main radiological findings such as presence of gas in pyogenic abscesses, bone destruction and other bone changes of vertebral bodies in lesions secondary to tuberculosis, involvement of fascial planes in cases of neoplasms, and differences in signal density and intensity of hematomas secondary to hemoglobin degradation, among others. So, we have tried to present cases depicting the most frequent lesions involving the iliopsoas compartment, with emphasis on those signs that can lead us to a more specific etiological diagnosis.

Keywords: Iliopsoas muscle, Psoas muscle, Computed tomography, Abscesses, Neoplasms

The authors perform a revisional and iconographic study of the lacrimal system by means of radiological methods, namely, conventional radiography, linear tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Image methods are essential to define diagnosis and therapy, considering that besides demonstrating alterations of the lacrimal system, they may indicate the patients with better prognosis associated with the surgical approach. Considering the lower cost, lower radiation dose, low rate of complications, and level of information that can be obtained dacryocystography by means of linear tomography is recommended as the initial investigation method.

Keywords: Dacryocystography, Lacrimal system, Obstruction of the lacrimal system

Laryngoceles are fairly unusual diseases defined as anomalous saccular dilatation of the laryngeal ventricles. The usual classification divides laryngoceles into internal, external and mixed types. Internal laryngoceles are those located medially to the thyrohyoid membrane and usually compress the false vocal cords causing hoarseness or airway obstructive symptoms. External laryngoceles extend through the thyrohyoid membrane, presenting as cervical masses; and mixed laryngoceles present both the internal and external components with their respective symptoms. Diagnosis is usually defined by computed tomography and/or laryngoscopy. This is a report of a case of mixed laryngocele diagnosed by ultrasonography in a patient referred for investigation with a history of palpable cervical mass.

Keywords: Laryngocele, Cervical mass, Ultrasonography, Laryngoscopy

In this case report we discuss a focal nodular hyperplasia diagnosed in a female, six-year old patient, as well as her follow-up from the diagnosis to the present time. Imaging techniques, particularly hepatosplenic scintigraphy and computed tomography, are essential for the diagnosis. Also, a literature review is presented.

Keywords: Focal nodular hyperplasia, Scintigraphy, Computed tomography, Ultrasonography