OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are: (1) to standardize the sonographic biometry method to determine the size of the liver in children in order to obtain a greater precision of the section planes and to minimize operator-dependant error; (2) to test intra-observer reproducibility. CASUISTIC AND METHOD: Sonographic measurements of the liver were performed by a single examiner in 32 children (aged 0 to 6 years) with no liver or biliary system disease. The measurements were done in two different occasions (exams 1 and 2) to determine reproducibility. The section planes were based on external orientation lines related to intra-abdominal anatomic references, both extra and intra-hepatic. The values obtained in exams 1 and 2 were compared using a Student's paired t-test. The Pearson's coefficient was employed to determine the correlation among parameters as well as the correlation between the children's age and the difference in the values of exams 1 and 2. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed no significant intra-observer variability and no significant correlation between measurements' difference and children's age. In general, parameters were directly and highly correlated (r > 0.60). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the method is reproducible when performed by a same examiner. The measurements of the cranio-caudal diameter at the midsternal line and the posterior cranio-caudal diameter at the midclavicular line, based on intra-hepatic anatomic references, were precise and easier to perform than other routine measurements.

Keywords: Liver size, Biometry, Children, Ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 35% of the patients with acute appendicitis have a doubtful or incorrect preoperatory diagnosis, particularly in pregnant women and children. Ultrasonography has demonstrated to be an important means of diagnosis due to its low cost and easy access. This study is intended to show the main imaging findings of the many phases of appendicitis, thus helping the ultrasonographist to establish an early diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to June 2001, 14 patients with acute abdominal pain were submitted to abdominal ultrasound using 3.5 MHz and 7.5 MHz transducers. RESULTS: The ultrasound findings when perforation had not occurred demonstrated a noncompressible appendix, thickening and focal lack of definition of the walls. After perforation had occurred the appendix could no longer be visualized at ultrasonography. Secondary changes such as mass effect, phlegmous changes, liquefaction and abscess formation, and gas bubbles within a collection were identified. CONCLUSION: An early diagnosis of appendicitis is essential in order to minimize morbidity that is high when perforation occurs. Atypical presentations result in misdiagnosis and treatment delay. The main diagnostic challenges are retrocecal, focal or perforated appendicitis.

Keywords: Appendicitis, Ultrasonography, Computed tomography

Liver transplantations are increasingly being performed, thus requiring accurate evaluation of related complications. Ultrasonography is the first screening technique for the detection of complications of liver transplantation. The authors report the finding of fluid collection around the falciform ligament in the immediate postoperative period of liver transplantation in patients with no signs of intraabdominal sepsis. This finding was observed in 33 (94.3%) of the 35 patients evaluated. The authors consider this finding to be a normal occurrence in the immediate postoperative period of liver transplantation.

Keywords: Liver, Liver transplantation, Ultrasonography

Systemic diseases, primary orbital diseases and extraorbital lesions extending into the orbit may lead to ocular proptosis. Eleven patients with ocular proptosis caused by non previously treated extraorbital malignant tumors were studied with computed tomography. Nonepithelial neoplasms were the most common tumors (82%) including three rabdomyosarcomas (27%), three non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (27%), and other sarcomas in two patients (18%). Squamous cell carcinoma (9%), Burkitt's lymphoma (9%) and poorly differentiated carcinoma (9%) were also identified. The most common primary sites of the tumors were the sinonasal cavities (nine cases; 82%), particularly the ethmoidal sinus (five cases). Ocular proptosis was the only ophthalmic sign in four patients (36%) whereas one patient had bilateral ocular proptosis as the only sign of disease. Seventeen orbits were involved due to six patients had bilateral tumor extension into the orbits. Tumor extension into the orbits was mainly through the orbital bone (16 orbits; 94%). There was involvement of all compartments in most of the orbits (59%). The tumor was extraconal in 16 orbits. Computed tomography revealed ocular proptosis in 15 of the 17 orbits (88%), which was bilateral in four cases (eight orbits). Grade 2 ocular proptosis was observed in seven patients (47%). Forty-four regions of the face and skull were involved, excluding the orbits and the primary site of the tumor, indicating extensive loco-regional disease at the time of the diagnosis.

Keywords: Ocular proptosis, Malignant tumors, Orbital extension

We report the computed tomography findings of five patients with pathology proven pulmonary amyloidosis. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis with calcified nodules and plaques in the tracheal wall were seen in two patients. Two other patients had diffuse parenchymal disease with calcified lesions, one had reticular and nodular subpleural opacities whereas the other had nodular interlobular septal thickening and a parenchymal consolidation. The latter presented the nodular type of the disease with multiple sharp nodules scattered throughout the lungs and interspersed calcifications. The computed tomography findings observed were not specific but strongly suggestive of amyloidosis.

Keywords: Amyloidosis, Computed tomography, Lungs, Pulmonary calcifications

OBJECTIVE: To review the different types of radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion (RS/CSL) seen on clinical, mammography, and ultrasound examinations. The histopathology findings and the association of RS/CSL with atypical hyperplasia and malignancy are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients from the files of the "Centro de Diagnóstico por Imagem and Hospital Santa Rita" - Vitória, ES, Brazil, of the period between October, 1993 and December, 2001. A total of 926 non-palpable lesions of 901 patients submitted to excision biopsy after pre-surgical localization were studied. Fifty-seven patients had pathology proven RS/CSL diagnosis. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 31 to 84 years (average 49 years). There were palpable lesions in 10 patients (17.9%). The mammographic signs that suggested the need of biopsy were divided into three groups: architectural distortion (48 patients; 85.7%), stellate nodules (4 patients; 7.1%), and asymmetric densities (4 patients; 7.1%). Microcalcifications were detected by mammography alone in 14 patients (25%) and in the surgical specimen in 20 (35.7%) patients. Among 51 patients submitted to ultrasound, 17 had irregular hypoechoic areas with posterior acoustic shadowing. Of the 57 patients with RS/CSL, 42 had ductal hyperplasia, 9 had atypical ductal proliferation and 6 had infiltrative carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of RS/CSL from carcinomas can not be made using imaging methods and excision biopsy is mandatory.

Keywords: Radial scar, Breast cancer, Breast fibrocystic disease, Mammography, Breast ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to discuss the effects of the main parameters that influence image quality and the entrance skin dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pediatric chest radiographs of three different Institutions were evaluated. Tests on all x-ray equipment were performed. The skin entrance dose was assessed using thermoluminescent dosimeters. RESULTS: Only one of all x-ray equipments tested was in good operation condition. The average skin entrance dose was: (0.222 ± 0.088) mGy for children under 1 year, (0.28 ± 0.11) mGy for 1.1 to 4 years, (0.26 ± 0.13) mGy for 4.1 to 6 years, (0.23 ± 0.13) mGy for 6.1 to 10 years and (0.26 ± 0.25) mGy for older than 10 years. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the average skin entrance doses are higher than the European Community Commission reference levels and other values reported in the literature. We recommend the implantation of quality assurance programs to reduce skin entrance doses and for obtaining good quality images.

Keywords: Pediatric radiology, Skin dose, Reference levels

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a common condition in infants with 2 - 12 weeks of postnatal life. The cause of this disease remains obscure. Clinical diagnosis is based on the history of projectile, nonbilious vomiting, gastric hyperperistalsis and a palpable pyloric "tumor". The authors review the typical findings seen on upper gastrointestinal x-ray series and abdominal ultrasonography. The diagnostic criteria for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis are presented and the applications of these two methods are established on the basis of the current literature.

Keywords: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, Pylorus, Vomiting, Ultrasonography, Infants

Malignant lesions of the esophagus, other than epidermoids and adenocarcinomas, are remarkably uncommon. The authors report a case of a patient with a spindle cell carcinoma of the esophagus. This is a rare malignant tumor characterized by a large bulky lobulated mass in the middle third of the esophagus that causes relatively little obstruction in spite of its volume. A review of literature is presented.

Keywords: Esophagus, Spindle cell carcinoma, Carcinosarcoma, Pseudosarcoma

The authors report two cases of patients with Madelung's disease, a symmetric fat deposit in the neck and superior mediastinum that involves nerves and vessels. Computed tomography can reveal the fat contents of these masses and guide preoperative staging and post-surgical follow-up.

Keywords: Madelung's disease, Cervical lipomatosis, Computed tomography

The authors report a case of dendriform pulmonary ossification in a male patient who had acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. Multiple hard thorns were found at autopsy. Histology analysis demonstrated osseous tissue resembling fish sticks. We present the post mortem plain x-ray films of the lungs and the pathology findings.

Keywords: Dendriform ossification, Lungs, Pathology