The authors interviewed 211 medical residents from 44 health care institutions in which Residency in Radiology programs were accredited or had projects recognized by the National Committee of Medical Residency. During these interviews, positive and negative aspects of medical residence in radiology programs were presented along with suggestions of improvement. The residents pointed out the number of exams performed and the diversity of diseases diagnosed as the most relevant features of these programs. One of the negative features appointed by the residents was the excessive number of damaged or obsolete equipment and the lack of some equipment. The most important suggestions pointed out were the interchange of residents among health institutions and the possibility of specific radiology residency activities in scientific meetings. We hope that the aspects and suggestions presented in this paper may contribute for the improvement of Medical Residency in Radiology programs in Brazil.

Keywords: Medical Residency, Radiology, Programs evaluation

Magnetic resonance imaging scans using predefined parameters were performed in patients with silicone breast implants. The same group of patients was submitted to magnetic resonance imaging scans using surface breast coils and body coils, and the results were compared. A total of 43 single-lumen silicone-gel breast implants in 24 patients were examined. The signal-to-noise ratio was greater for the breast coil than for the body coil. Radial folds were identified with equal resolution by both coils in almost 82% of the cases on the right side and 95% on the left side. In about 5% of the cases the folds were seen exclusively when the breast coil was used. The "linguine sign" was identified almost equally with both methods. In just one case the "linguine sign" was observed only by using the breast coil. Identification of bulging or irregularity of contours were concordant using both techniques. We concluded that although magnetic resonance imaging quality is better using a dedicated breast coil, silicone breast implants can be assessed with the same diagnostic accuracy using a body coil.

Keywords: Body coil, Dedicated breast coil, Magnetic resonance imaging, Breast implants, Silicone

Hysterosalpingography is a technique used for the evaluation of the uterine anatomy and tubal patency and consequently it is primarily indicated for the diagnosis of infertility. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of the abnormalities observed on the hysterosalpingograms of infertile patients. All patients that underwent hysterosalpingographic evaluation in a period of four months were allocated. Of the 48 patients studied, 36 presented primary infertility and 12 presented secondary infertility. The patients with primary infertility presented a higher rate of uterine malformations whereas the patients with secondary infertility presented more often tubal obstruction. There were no significant complications during the hysterosalpingograms. This study demonstrates that hysterosalpingography is very useful for the evaluation of infertility, as it frequently diagnoses relevant abnormalities, it is an inexpensive technique and the complications are very rare.

Keywords: Hysterosalpingography, Infertility

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the efficacy of percutaneous needle aspiration and percutaneous catheter drainage, both guided by imaging methods, for the treatment of liver abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 52 patients referred to our service for percutaneous treatment of abdominal abscesses, 17 presented liver abscesses, 13 of which were considered noncomplex and four were considered complex (multiloculated, multiple or associated to fistulas). Percutaneous needle aspiration was performed in 7/17 patients and 10/17 patients were submitted to percutaneous catheter drainage. The method used was considered successful when there was complete abscess resolution with both clinical and laboratorial improvement. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in 82.4% of all cases. In the group submitted to percutaneous needle aspiration the rate of success was 57.1% and in the group submitted to percutaneous catheter drainage the rate of success was 100%. Successful treatment was achieved in 75% of the patients submitted to percutaneous needle aspiration for abscesses smaller than 100 ml, but in only 33.3% of the patients with abscesses between 100 and 250 ml. There was complete resolution of the abscesses with percutaneous needle aspiration in 75% of the simple abscesses and in 25% of the complex abscesses. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous catheter drainage is more effective than percutaneous needle aspiration for the treatment of liver abscesses. Needle aspiration may probably be used as a valid alternative for smaller and noncomplex abscesses.

Keywords: Liver abscesses, Percutaneous needle aspiration, Percutaneous catheter drainage

We present the quality control tests performed on a monophasic X-ray equipment and on two noninvasive monitoring systems. The results were compared with the values obtained using an invasive monitoring system and a hyperpure germanium detector, providing correction factors for utilization of the noninvasive voltage meters in the quality control program of X-ray equipment. We concluded that there is a need for periodic calibration and control.

Keywords: X-radiation, Quality control, Noninvasive systems

The dosimetric parameters of small diameter photon beams of a commercially available radiosurgery system were measured in a water phantom using a p-type Si photon diode. Tissue maximum ratios, total scattering factor and beam profiles at 5 and 10 cm depth were measured for 17 circular beams ranging from 5 mm to 50 mm in diameter, in 1.5 mm steps. The total scattering factor decreased slowly from 0.947 to 0.888 for the cones with diameter between 50 mm and 12.5 mm (7% variation) whereas for cones with diameter between 10 mm and 5 mm the factor decreased more steeply, from 0.854 to 0.666 (28% variation). These tissue maximum ratio data are consistent with the data published by other authors. The beam profiles measured in the x and y directions were aproximately 0.2 mm between the two directions for all cone sizes. The full widths at half maximum were within 1 mm of the nominal cone sizes.

Keywords: Diode detector, Radiosurgery, Photon beam dosimetry

The advent of high-resolution transvaginal ultrasound scanning introduced new research possibilities for patients with polycystic ovaries. The knowledge of the ovarian hemodynamics is a prerequisite for understanding the pathophysiological behaviour of polycystic ovaries. The authors consider the possibility of using color Doppler for a better definition of polycystic ovaries. The findings suggest that increased stromal blood vessels with low resistance and increased pulsatility index of the uterine arteries are to be new parameters to assist in the ultrasound diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a preliminary conclusion and further investigations are necessary to confirm this proposition.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary, Ultrasonography, Color Doppler, Blood flow

We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 9 in a fetus presenting increased translucency thickness (9.1 mm) observed on an ultrasound scan performed at 12 weeks pregnancy and confirmed by cariotype analysis of biopsy material obtained from the chorionic villi. Multiple trisomy 9 characteristic abnormalities were detected by ultrasound and confirmed by autopsy and histopathological examination. Although rare, trisomy 9 should be included in the list of chromosomic anomalies associated with increased translucency.

Keywords: Trisomy 9, Pathology, Prenatal ultrasound, Nuchal translucency, Chromosomal abnormalities

The authors report a case of a 49-year-old male patient with leiomyosarcoma of the ascending colon. The patient presented with anemia and an abdominal mass, and the symptoms progressed until a final diagnosis was made nine months later. A plain abdominal x-ray showed the presence of gas outside the bowel, in the right hypochondrium. The double contrast barium enema showed a sublevel displacement of the hepatic flexure and diverticula. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous expansive lesion below the liver containing gas, and a computed tomography of the abdomen revealed an excavated mass below the liver containing liquid, that was not filled in by contrast medium. The patient was submitted to a right hemicolectomy with ileocoloanastomosis and the histopathological analysis of the excised material revealed a leiomyosarcoma of the ascending colon.

Keywords: Leiomyosarcoma, Large bowel, Computed tomography

Fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm diagnosed by computed tomography and confirmed by anatomopathological examination. We report a case of a patient admitted at Hospital Mater Dei in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, due to fibrolamellar hepatocarcinoma, and discuss the clinical, radiological and pathological features of this disease. The conclusions reinforce the importance of radiological imaging for the detection and characterization of hepatic focal neoplasms.

Keywords: Liver neoplasms, Computed tomography diagnosis

The authors report a rare case of a 71-year-old male patient with a 9-year history of appearance of a "little node" in the right superior eyelid, which increased significantly in size in the last year. Computed tomography showed thickening of the lateral rectus muscle and adjacent soft tissues. The diagnosis after biopsy was xanthelasma.

Keywords: Eyelid xanthelasma, Computed tomography

Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) is a rare disorder characterized by deep accumulation of fat tissue, involving mainly the neck, shoulders and chest. This disease is associated with heavy alcohol intake and it is more common in men of Mediterranean origin. This disease can cause severe aesthetic deformities and progressive respiratory dysfunction. We report a case of a patient with multiple symmetrical lipomatosis and describe the clinical and radiological features of this disorder.

Keywords: Lipomatosis, Madelung's disease, Computed tomography

Primary urethral calculi are uncommon in the Western world. Stone formation is frequently associated with prior disorders affecting the urinary flow such as urethral diverticula, stenosis of the urethra and impacted foreign bodies. The authors report a case of a 77-year-old man, who complained of acute urinary retention and pain on the genital area. The diagnosis of urethral lithiasis was established and radiological studies revealed a wood cylindrical foreign body inside the stone.

Keywords: Calculus, Urethra, Foreign body