This paper describes the implementation of a computational scheme in the homepage of the Laboratory of Images Analysis and Digitilization, at the Department of Electrical Engineering of the "Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos -- Universidade de São Paulo", São Carlos, SP, Brazil. This computational scheme was designed to provide an interactive tool for the remote user to generate reports and analyze mammography images via network, allowing immediate assessment of the results. The scheme was developed by inserting a bank of selected digitilized mammography images that are linked to a database containing the reports provided by radiologists. Since this process is intended to be used for training in diagnostic evaluation in mammography, a report given by a specialist is provided at the end of each evaluation for comparison with the user's report as well as the percentage of correct statements of the user. This scheme, called "Laudos Online", is intended to be used as a remote learning tool that allows the user to improve his knowledge on mammography.

Keywords: Training by the Internet, Mammography, Breast cancer, Distance learning

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the feasibility of using a negative oral contrast agent to null the bowel signal during magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen healthy volunteers with no previous history of pancreaticobiliary disease or surgery were imaged with a single-shot fast spin-echo pulse sequence, using a magnetic resonance imaging system operating at 1.0 T. Data acquisition was started before and after administration of oral contrast agent. Using the magnetic resonance images obtained before and after administration of oral contrast agent, the common bile duct, pancreatic duct and papilla were assessed and graded by two radiologists. The frequency of adverse effects and the tolerance of the contrast were also evaluated. RESULTS: All patients that found negative oral contrast agent unpleasant (73% of the cases) tolerated well the oral contrast agent. Adverse effects as abdominal pain and diarrhea were noted in 30% of the patients. In all patients the high signal intensity from the intestinal fluid was completely suppressed. The depictions of the common hepatic duct were slightly improved, whereas the depictions of the choledochus, papilla and pancreatic duct were markedly improved by the negative oral contrast agent administration. CONCLUSION: Negative oral magnetic resonance contrast agent can be an effective and safe contrast media in eliminating signal intensity of the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving the depiction of the biliary system in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Biliary system, Pancreatic duct, Contrast media

The authors report the high-resolution computed tomography findings of three sandblaster patients with acute silicosis. High-resolution computed tomography showed air space disease in all patients, with consolidation, air bronchogram, and parenchymal calcifications. Centrilobular ground-glass nodules, generally confluent, as well as calcified mediastinal and/or hilar nodes and enlarged lymph nodes were also seen in all patients.

Keywords: Acute silicosis, Pneumoconiosis, Sandblasters, High-resolution computed tomography

Malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities are rare and often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. These tumors can extend into regions such as the orbit and brain, where treatment is difficult. Ten patients with nontreated sinonasal malignant neoplasms and radiological evidence of tumor extension into the orbit and brain were studied with computed tomography. Five (50%) tumors were epithelial neoplasms whereas squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type (3 cases). The ethmoidal sinus was the most common site of origin of the tumors (40%), followed by the maxillary sinus (30%) and nasal cavity (30%). A total of 16 orbits were involved since 6 patients (60%) had bilateral orbital involvement. The tumors extended more often into the orbits through erosion of the medial and inferior orbital bones. All orbital compartments were involved in the majority of the orbits. Tumoral extension into the cranial cavity was more common through the ethmoidal (70%) and orbital roof (30%). The anterior cranial fossa was involved in 8 cases (80%), followed by the medial cranial fossa (40%) and frontal lobe (excluding the anterior fossa) (30%). Thirty-seven regions of the face, other that the site of tumor origin, orbits and cranial cavity, were involved by the 10 tumors, indicating the extensive loco-regional disease at the time of diagnosis.

Keywords: Sinonasal malignant tumors, Orbital invasion, Cranial invasion, Computed tomography

Fibrolipomatous hamartoma of nerve and macrodystrophia lipomatosa are rare conditions that present characteristic imaging findings. The plain films, magnetic resonance imaging studies and medical records of four patients were reviewed. The lesion was resected in one patient allowing histological confirmation of the diagnosis. Diagnosis was based on imaging and clinical findings in three patients who had unavailable biopsy data. We describe two cases of isolated macrodystrophia lipomatosa, one case of fibrolipomatous hamartoma and one case where both conditions were found. In the macrodystrophia lipomatosa cases plain films demonstrated enlargement of osseous and soft tissue structures in the affected limbs, with fatty streaks interspersed along the muscle fibers. The median nerve was affected in the cases of fibrolipomatous hamartoma. Magnetic resonance imaging findings included nerve fascicle thickening characterized by low signal on both T1 and T2-weighted sequences, and surrounding fat, which appears as high signal on T1 and low signal on T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation. Both nerves had a "coaxial cable" appearance on axial images. The fibrolipomatous hamartoma extended to the nerve branches, which is a typical finding. The typical imaging findings of macrodystrophia lipomatosa and fibrolipomatous hamartoma of nerve, particularly at magnetic resonance imaging examination, allowed a reliable diagnosis of these frequently coexistent conditions.

Keywords: Macrodystrophia lipomatosa, Fibrolipomatous hamartoma, Magnetic resonance imaging, Peripheral nerve disease, Median nerve

Intraspinal synovial cysts of the lumbar spine are rare and commonly associated with osteoarthritis of the facet joints, particularly at level L4-L5. Symptoms are uncommon and may include low-back pain or sciatica. These cysts are accurately diagnosed by using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis is essential for the correct management of the cysts. Several treatment options are available including rest and immobilization, computed tomography guided corticosteroids injection, and surgery in patients that are nonresponsive to other treatment methods.

Keywords: Synovial cysts, Computed tomography, Facet joints

Pseudoaneurysms are considered rare conditions. The authors describe the rarity of the occurrence of a pseudoaneurysm secondary to traumatic injury of the common carotid artery in association with a femoral osteochondroma. The importance of imaging methods, particularly computed tomography angiography, in the diagnosis of vascular pathologies are emphasized, and the literature is reviewed.

Keywords: Pseudoaneurysm, Carotid, Osteochondroma, Computed tomography angiography

The authors describe two cases of utilization of intraoperative ultrasound as an auxiliary method for surgical resection of pancreatic insulinomas. We emphasize the importance of this procedure, particularly in patients whose tumors could not be well delimited using other preoperative methods, thus avoiding unnecessary ample resections and reducing postoperative complications.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Insulinoma, Pancreas

The author reports the radiological findings in two siblings with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (mucopolysaccharide VI). Conventional radiographs of the skeleton and magnetic resonance imaging examination of the central nervous system were performed. Skeletal abnormalities in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI have already been well described by other authors and are generally similar to other mucopolysaccharides. Magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system may be helpful in the differential diagnosis, assessment of extension, and follow-up of these diseases.

Keywords: Mucopolysaccharidoses, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, Gargoylism

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is a rare neoplasm characterized by the formation of a malignant osteoid. This condition is usually described in patients aged greater than expected for other intraosseous osteosarcomas, and the thigh is the most common site. We report a clinical case of a 19-year-old female patient and review the literature. The patient presented with a mass in the right side of the neck and paresthesia of the upper limbs. The mass corresponded to an extraskeletal osteosarcoma. We discuss the clinical findings, image findings (conventional radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging), histopathology results and differential diagnosis of this condition.

Keywords: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging