OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between mammography findings and pathology results in patients with breast tumors associated with round calcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 16 patients with malignant breast tumors whose mammograms showed round calcifications as the sole finding. The histological types, number of calcifications and the most frequent distribution patterns were studied. RESULTS: The most common histological type of these tumors was cribriform carcinoma in 42.9% of the cases, followed by micropapillary carcinoma (23.8%), comedo (19%) and infiltrating ductaI carcinoma (9.5%). Association of two or more histological types was seen in five cases in a total of 21 tumors. Uncharacteristic distribution pattern was observed in 56% of the cases, ductal pattern in 31.5% and lobular pattern in 12.5%. Regarding the number of calcifications, more than 20 calcifications were seen in 75% of the cases, between 10 and 20 calcifications in 12.5%, and less than 10 calcifications in 12.5%. CONCLUSION: Malignant breast tumors may present round calcifications as the sole mammographic finding. These calcifications may present a lobular, ductal or uncharacteristic pattern of distribution.

Keywords: Round calcifications, Mammography, Malignant breast tumors

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main sources of information on breast cancer used by women; to determine whether there is an association between the use of specific sources and the education level or income of these women; to determine how women evaluate their own knowledge about breast cancer (self-evaluation); to determine whether this self-evaluation has affected the habit of doing breast self-examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and thirty-one women, aged 20 years or older, were randomly interviewed in a private hospital in Goiânia, GO, Brazil. RESULTS: Television was pointed out as the main source of information on breast cancer (26.5%) regardless of education level or income, followed by magazines (16.8%), talking to other people (16.2%), physicians (15.8%), newspapers (12.2%), radio (8.4%) and internet (3.9%). A chi-square test indicated association between the four most used sources of information on breast cancer and the education level and family income. CONCLUSION: Interviewed women pointed out television as their main source of information on breast cancer. Eighty-three percent of the women deemed to have average or good knowledge about breast cancer. Women who considered themselves as having good knowledge about breast cancer were more prone to perform breast self-examination at appropriate intervals.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Detection, Screening

OBJECTIVE: To review the computed tomography findings in patients with nasal cavity tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients - ten male and eight female - with nasal cavity tumors were studied using computed tomography. RESULTS: Histological types of the tumors included six epidermoid carcinoma, three malignant melanoma, two adenoid cystic carcinoma, and one case of each of the following: adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, fusiform cell sarcoma, and stesioneuroblastoma. The lesions were more frequent on the left side and middle level of the nasal cavity (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epidermoid carcimomas showed a close relationship between the lesion volume and the degree of destruction of adjacent structures. Septum involvement was different depending on the histological type of the lesion.

Keywords: Tumors, Cancer, Nasal cavities, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of computed tomography in the assessment of deep extension of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between May 1995 and December 2003 six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal were submitted to computed tomography scan at "Hospital Heliópolis", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, including axial and coronal slices with soft tissue and bone algorithms. RESULTS: Thickening of the soft tissue of the external auditory canal was seen in all patients, bone erosion and invasion of the middle ear in five (83.3%), invasion of the mastoid and parotid gland in four (66.7%), invasion of the temporomandibular joint in three (50%), and invasion of the middle cranial fossa, carotid canal and cervical lymph node enlargement in two (33.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Assessment of deep extension of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal using computed tomography is useful for clinical staging of the disease allowing better therapeutic planning for these patients.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma, External auditory canal, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: Radiography of the chest remains one of the most commonly performed examinations, although many of these procedures could be avoided if specific criteria were considered at the time of request. The aim of this study was to check if the quality of the clinical examination (physical examination) was associated with clinically significant abnormal findings in chest x-ray films. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this transversal cohort study, 142 outpatients from an university hospital (Salvador, BA, Brazil), for whom a chest x-ray was requested, were included. RESULTS: Clinically significant abnormalities were seen in less than half (46.5%) of the patients submitted to chest x-rays. Patients aged 50 years or above showed a prevalence (P) 2.8 fold higher of presenting abnormalities on chest x-ray examinations. This figure was similar (P = 2.7) in patients coming from the outpatients of a cardiothoracic or medical clinic or in patients who were on therapy for their condition (P = 2.0). However, the variable utilized for assessment of the quality of medical care showed no association with the presence of chest x-ray abnormalities or with the purpose of the request and the type of complaint reported by the patient. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the need to conduct additional studies using a different methodological approach in order to determine the impact of clinical history and physical examination accuracy on request forms of chest x-ray examinations.

Keywords: Chest radiography, Clinical examination, Accuracy, Efficiency

OBJECTIVE: To develop an acceptance testing protocol for magnetic resonance imaging systems and to show which and how phantoms could be used to collect data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The definition, procedure, analysis and the acceptation criteria were created for each of 15 selected tests. RESULTS: These tests allow the evaluation of technical specifications stated on the manufacturer's sales proposal and to establish reference values to be used in subsequent constancy tests. CONCLUSION: Future quality assurance programs in magnetic resonance imaging should consider employing tests similar or equal to the ones described in this paper.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Quality control

OBJECTIVE: To present the solidly established traceability structure for ionometric standards and for thermoluminescent dosimetry system that ensures reliability of the Dosimetry Quality Assurance Program and is aimed to certify the highest level of accuracy of the measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thermoluminescent powder dosimeters (DTL 937) placed into plastic capsules and packed in specific kits for each intended application were mailed to the participant centers. RESULTS: The results of the intercomparisons performed between "Laboratório de Ciências Radiológicas da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro" and EQUAL-ESTRO for the beam of 60Co gamma rays, expressed for (1sigma), and the results of the dose absorbed measurements obtained with the chambers of the Program EQUAL and the chambers of the Dosimetry Quality Assurance Program were lower than 0.5%. CONCLUSION: Based on these results we concluded that the Dosimetry Quality Assurance Program reached the desired level of reliability to allow its implementation.

Keywords: Quality assurance, Radiotherapy, Dosimetric intercomparison, Thermoluminescent dosimetry, TLD

Intussusception is a medical emergency that occur with higher frequency in children under 2 years of age. Diagnosis can be difficult as the classical triad of abdominal pain, jelly stools and palpable abdominal mass is seen in less than 50% of the patients. However, the diagnosis of intussusception can be established with variable degree of accuracy using plain abdominal x-ray films, ultrasound, computed tomography or barium (or air/saline) enema. Some of these imaging methods are also useful during treatment of this condition. The authors present a review of the literature and a pictorial essay of the imaging findings in patients with intussusception. In addition, a discussion on the current and controversial issues related to the treatment of intussusception is presented.

Keywords: Intussusception, Children, Pediatrics, Imaging

The aim of this study is to review the anatomy and main pathologic conditions affecting cranial nerve III using imaging studies, particularly magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging methods are essential in the evaluation of patients with suspected lesions of the oculomotor nerve once signs and symptoms are unspecific and a large number of diseases can affect cranial nerve III. A brief review of the literature is also presented.

Keywords: Isolated disfunction of oculomotor nerve, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, mammography and ultrasound findings of three cases of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. This disease can mimic breast carcinoma on clinical and mammographic examinations. However, ultrasound examinations showing multiple clustered and often contiguous tubular hypoechoic lesions in young women with history of recent lactation suggest the diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.

Keywords: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, Mammography, Ultrasound

Mediastinal neoplasms of mesenchymal origin are rare, accounting for less than 6% of these tumors. Most of these tumors are liposarcomas, although cystic lesions are uncommon. The authors present a case of a 58-year-old woman with progressively worsening dyspnea since she was 52-years-old. Laryngeal stridor was auscultable and a chest CT scan showed a cystic lesion in the posterior mediastinum. The tumor was resected and the histological examination revealed myxoid liposarcoma.

Keywords: Computed tomography scan imaging, Medistinal tumors, Myxoid liposarcoma

The authors review the main findings of primary adrenal lymphoma on abdominal and brain computed tomography (CT) scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and report a rare case of a 72-year-old male patient with deterioration in mental status progressing from recent memory loss to disorientation and ultimately dementia in a period of two months. The patient was investigated using imaging methods including brain (without intravenous administration of iodinated contrast media), chest and abdomen (pre and post intravenous administration of iodinated contrast media) CT scans and brain MRI (pre and post intravenous administration of gadolinium). Brain CT scan showed slightly hyperdense nodules adjacent to the lateral ventricles. No gross abnormalities were seen on the chest CT scan. CT of the abdomen showed solid nodules on both adrenals. Brain MRI showed diffuse nodular enhancement of the ependyma of the fourth ventricle, third ventricle, frontal and temporal horns, atria and body of the lateral ventricles. Definitive diagnosis was made by immunohistochemical study of the biopsed adrenal. After a comprehensive review of the literature the authors concluded that CT and MRI are essential methods for the detection and accurate evaluation of primary adrenal lymphomas, particularly when there is involvement of the central nervous system. MRI is more sensitive in the detection of extracerebral lesions in the epidural and subdural spaces, especially after intravenous administration of gadolinium.

Keywords: Adrenal lymphoma, Central nervous system metastases, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

The authors report a case of neurofibromatosis type I, characterized by multiple plexiform neurofibromas in the retroperitoneum and pelvis. Computed tomography showed markedly hypodense lesions involving mainly the psoas and the paravertebral regions, findings which could mimic other diseases such as abscesses and lymphadenopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful to better evaluate the extension and internal structure of the neurofibromas.

Keywords: Neurofibromas, Plexiform, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging