OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the increase in specificity of dual isotope myocardial perfusion gated SPECT (^99mTcsestamibi/ thallium-201), a highly sensitive method to detect viable myocardium, with addition of data on contractile reserve simultaneously acquired by low-dose dobutamine gated SPECT, similarly to echocardiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 260 myocardial segments were assessed in 13 patients with myocardial infarction referred for investigation of myocardial viability before undergoing revascularization. Cellular integrity and contractile reserve were evaluated by dual isotope perfusion myocardial gated SPECT with thallium rest and redistribution images and post-stress ^99mTc-sestamibi gated-SPECT images under basal conditions and with low-dose dobutamine. The improvement in the contractile performance detected by post-revascularization ^99mTc-sestamibi gated SPECT was the parameter considered for determining myocardial viability. For the purpose of results analysis, the functional parameters of the myocardial segments were quantified at the different phases of the study and stratified according to their viability for a later post-revascularization functional comparison. RESULTS: In the statistical analysis, systolic wall thickening demonstrated to be a relevant parameter in the evaluation of myocardial contractile reserve by this method, with a tendency of improvement in the specificity (84%), demonstrating higher values than those observed in the literature. CONCLUSION: This method tends to present an effective contribution in the assessment of myocardial viability.

Keywords: Left ventricular dysfunction; Dobutamine; Scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of endoleak cases and their respective classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors developed a retrospective study of endoleaks diagnosed at their institution in the period between 2005 and 2009. Twenty cases were included to illustrate the different types of endoleaks. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the patients were men, and the ages ranged from 43 to 91 years (mean, 76.3 years). Thirteen cases were observed in the infrarenal abdominal aorta, four in the thoracic aorta, two in the iliac artery, and one in the carotid territory. Ultrasonography was the method utilized for diagnosis in three cases, and computed tomography in the other 17 cases. Classification: 60% type I, 25% type II, 15% type III. Other endoleak types were not observed in the present series. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and correct classification of endoleaks are crucial for an appropriate management of cases. The knowledge of endoleaks subtypes is fundamental in the education of physicians specialized in radiology and imaging diagnosis as well as for vascular surgeons.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Therapeutics; Complications; Diagnostic imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Breast Cancer Control Program Information System (SISMAMA) implemented in 2009 by the Brazilian Health Ministry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving the analysis of 1,000 requisition forms and results of mammograms performed by SUS – Sistema Único de Saúde (the Brazilian unified public health system) in the cities participating in the present study, during the period from August to October/2009. The study covered the qualitative analysis of the information sent through the data processing and the deviations resulting from the failure or inappropriateness in the forms filling. RESULTS: The most frequent issue was data omission, particularly regarding data on previous surgeries, achieving 302 omissions (30.2%). CONCLUSION: Despite the necessity of adjustments because of the time elapsed between the system creation and implementation, such adjustments do not affect directly the system’s validity. Errors in data input in the Health Ministry database corresponded to the failure in the provision of information relevant for reports completion, and the lack of familiarity and capacity of professionals involved in this process and in the forwarding of data regarding mammography results.

Keywords: SISMAMA; SISMAMA analysis; SISMAMA review.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at demonstrating the value of computed tomography enterography (CT enterography) and how this imaging method can be useful in the diagnostic elucidation and assessment of patients with small bowel diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 35 patients submitted to CT enterography in a 16-row multidetector CT equipment from May/2008 to March/2009. All the patients received intravenous and neutral oral iodinated contrast agents (polyethylene glycol). Main indications were: Crohn’s disease, diarrhea of undetermined origin and suspicion of neoplasia. RESULTS: A good correlation was observed between CT enterography findings and clinical, laboratory and endoscopic data related to the disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease. In 15 cases alterations compatible with Crohn’s disease were identified, nine of them suggesting disease activity. A diagnosis was achieved in the majority of the patients with diarrhea. Carcinoid tumors were identified in two patients. CONCLUSION: CT enterography is a simple and effective method in the evaluation of inflammatory/neoplastic small bowel diseases, particularly in cases of Crohn’s disease, indicating disease activity. One of the main advantages of this method is the possibility of evaluating associated mesenteric and extraintestinal alterations.

Keywords: Enterography; Computed tomography; Small bowel; Crohn’s disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapies utilized in the authors’ institution for management of high-grade extremity sarcomas, analyzing the overall survival rates following multidisciplinary treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study developed in the period from 1993 to 2007 with 36 patients diagnosed with stages IIb/III, submitted to postoperative external beam radiotherapy, with or without boost dose, utilizing high-dose brachytherapy. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients underwent surgery followed by adjuvant external beam radiation therapy. Four patients (11%) received boost dose with brachytherapy, and seven (19%) received chemotherapy. The average dose for radiotherapy was 50 Gy (CI 95%: 47–53 Gy), and the four patients with brachytherapy boost received doses ranging from 16.2 to 35 Gy. Chemotherapy was indicated for seven patients (19%) with positive margins. Fifteen patients (42%) presented local or distant recurrence, and all of them progressed to death. Twenty-one patients (58%) remain with no clinical/radiological evidence of local/distant recurrence. The mean follow-up time was 88 months (IC 95%: 74–102). The overall seven-year survival rate was 80%. CONCLUSION: Combined surgery and radiotherapy is an effective treatment with excellent outcomes in cases where brachytherapy is associated, with improved overall survival rates.

Keywords: Sarcoma; Radiotherapy; Brachytherapy; Chemotherapy; Conservative treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To search in the internet for freeware medical image viewers capable of running as a PACS (picture archiving and communication system) client, and to evaluate their main functions as well as the feasibility of their use in personal computers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Google search engine and specialized sites were utilized in the search for freeware softwares for Windows. The authors have found about 70 and among them 11 were able to run as PACS clients. Six were selected for analysis: ClearCanvas Workstation, KPACS, Onis, Synedra View Personal, Mito and Tudor DicomViewer. Sixteen functions selected according to the authors’ needs were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the six applications, two presented 10 of the 16 functions, and one of them presented only two. Three perform MPR (multiplanar reconstruction), one performs MIP (maximum intensity projection), two perform VR (volume rendering), two can run as a PACS server, two can create CDs, one performs images fusion, three allow the use of multiple monitors and only one is not compatible with Windows 7. CONCLUSION: Although several freeware applications are available, no one of them is complete. It is up to the users to analyze and select the software that best suits their needs. However, Onis, Synedra and ClearCanvas stand out because of their own peculiarities. The use of freeware image viewers is entirely feasible in the radiologists’ daily routine.

Keywords: DICOM; PACS; Medical images viewer; Teleradiology; Radiology information systems.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of health surveillance actions on the quality of mammographic images in the Paraíba State, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen mammography services were required by the Health Surveillance Agency to apply quality tests according to the Ministry of Health Ordinance no. 453/98. Specifically designed breast phantoms were utilized for quality assessment. Each service was given a score corresponding to the images quality. The achievement of a minimum rating level of > 70% for quality items was considered as fundamental. Scores for images quality in these services were analyzed in the period from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: The percentages of mammographic centers that met the essential quality criterion were: 1999 (25%), 2000 (77%), 2001 (82%), 2002 (77%) and 2003 (81%). CONCLUSION: The obtained results demonstrate a significant progress in the quality of diagnostic images produced by the mammography services after the implementation of images quality control programs.

Keywords: Mammography; Quality control; Breast cancer; Health surveillance.

It is known that the aging of the world population during the twentieth century and the beginning of this new century is a first-order challenge for nations, especially in the socio-economic field. An important aspect of the aging of global population is that, for older age groups, the prevalence of degenerative diseases is also higher, including malignancies. On the other hand, among the population of patients with cancer, half of these patients will receive radiation therapy at some point in their illness and their individual characteristics can somehow influence the prognosis, the indication and daily doses of treatment prescriptions. In this context, the health assistance for the elderly patient with cancer should be seen as an important challenge, mainly due to two factors: an increased demand for treatments, in quantitative terms, and physiological characteristics unique to this population, which can influence the therapeutic decision-making. This review proposes a discussion of some relevant aspects of both the physiology of the elderly, which may influence the course of radiation therapy, as well as of some technical advances in radiotherapy, which can in turn benefit these patients by offering, for example, lower toxicity, greater effectiveness and speed.

Keywords: Radiotherapy; Elderly.

Fistula in ano is an uncommon condition that has a tendency to recur despite seemingly appropriate surgery. Recurrent fistula in ano is usually caused by infection that was missed during surgical exploration. Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to accurately demonstrate the anatomy of the perianal region as well as the fistula’s relationship with the pelvic diaphragm and ischiorectal fossa, allowing the classification of fistulas into five types. Magnetic resonance imaging depicts infectious foci in the perianal region better than any other investigation modality, including surgical exploration. Magnetic resonance image-guided surgery helps to reduce postoperative recurrence by 75% in patients with complex disease.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Fistula; Perianal; Sphincter; Abscess; Infection.

Morel-Lavallée lesion is a degloving injury of the interface between the subcutaneous fat and the underlying fascia. This lesion is characterized by the development of a fluid collection that, although originally described in the thigh, it has also been described in other anatomical sites. The authors report the case of a patient with Morel-Lavallée lesion in the knee after trauma and describe the main characteristics of the lesion.

Keywords: Knee trauma; Bursitis.

The authors report a case of a 71-year-old male patient diagnosed with Paget’s disease of sacrum. Imaging study was performed with radiography, scintigraphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. The patient progressed with a good response to monthly treatment with ibandronate 150 mg, presenting a significant reduction in biochemical markers of disease.

Keywords: Osteitis deformans; Paget’s disease of bone; Sacrum; Metabolic bone diseases; Bone resorption.