Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Wittram.
The clinical and radiological findings in a patient presenting with unilateral iliofemoral vein thrombosis caused by psoas abscess secondary to diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon are described. The causes of iliofemoral vein thrombosis and psoas abscess are reviewed.
OBJECTIVE: A prospective study to compare the MR and CT images of patients with suspected sacroiliitis and to establish the optimal MR sequences to demonstrate the changes of sacroiliitis was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients and nine controls were imaged in the axial plane, with SE T1-, T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2), T1 with fat suppression (T1WFS), and fast short tau inversion recovery (fast STIR) sequences on a 1.5 T system. The sacroiliac joints of all patients were imaged with CT. The images were evaluated by two independent radiologists. Following the blinded reading, direct comparison of T1 and T1WFS, T2, and fast STIR of the CT positive group was made to determine the optimal MR sequences. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MR images for the detection of cortical erosions and subchondral sclerosis when compared to CT images were 100 and 94.3%, respectively; interobserver variation was low (k = 0.80). T1WFS and fast STIR images were superior to T1 and T2 images, respectively, in demonstrating the changes of sacroiliitis. CONCLUSION: MRI (T1WFS and fast STIR) can replace CT in cases with a strong clinical suspicion of sacroiliitis and equivocal or normal plain radiographs.
PURPOSE: Our goal was to describe the CT appearances of Mycobacterium xenopi pulmonary infection. METHOD: A retrospective study period of 75 months was used. Eight immunocompetent patients fulfilled the American Thoracic Society criteria for M. xenopi infection and had CT scans of the thorax. CT scans were reviewed by two observers, and decisions were reached by consensus. RESULTS: Seven patients demonstrated upper lobe cavitary disease: one mass with cavity, one nodule with cavity, three consolidation with multiple cavities, and two cavities only. One patient demonstrated upper lobe consolidation only. All patients demonstrated adjacent lung architectural distortion indicating fibrosis and centrilobular nodules suggesting endobronchial spread of infection. Seven patients had a clinical history of preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that was confirmed by CT. Four patients demonstrated adjacent pleural disease. CONCLUSION: M. xenopi pulmonary infection usually affects patients with preexisting pulmonary emphysema. It predominantly affects the upper lobes, usually with cavitary opacities and evidence of fibrosis and endobronchial spread of infection.