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Biomedical subjects

M Rafii

Publications and source records attributed to M Rafii.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

CT of osteomyelitis of the spine.

Computed tomography (CT) were performed in 17 adults with osteomyelitis of the spine. The dominant features were paravertebral soft-tissue swelling, abscess formation, and bone erosion. In two patients there were no findings indicative of osteomyelitis on conventional radiographs, but CT revealed paravertebral abscesses and bone lysis, helping to establish the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. CT was found helpful in the evaluation of the patients suspected of spinal osteomyelitis, chiefly because of its ability to detect early erosion of spongy vertebral bone, disk involvement, paravertebral soft-tissue swelling or abscess, and extension of the pathology into the spinal canal. Furthermore, CT facilitated closed-needle biopsy, helping to establish the pathologic diagnosis.

Abscess↗

CT of lumbar spine disk herniation: correlation with surgical findings.

Computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine was performed with selectively positioned 5-mm-thick axial cross sections to examine each disk level from the top of the neural foramen to the pedicle of the next caudad vertebra. One hundred consecutive patients with 116 surgical disk explorations were reviewed. There was agreement between the CT and surgical findings in 89 patients (104 explorations) in determination of presence or absence of a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). Discrepancy occurred in 12 instances (11 patients): two because of incorrect interpretations, five in previously operated patients, three in spondylolisthesis, and two in spinal stenosis. There were 97 true-positives, eight false-negatives, seven true-negatives, and four false-positives. If nine previously operated patients are excluded from the study, then CT was accurate in detection of presence or absence of an HNP in 93% of the disk explorations.

Adult↗

Computed tomography of tibial plateau fractures.

Open reduction with internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures in performed frequently. Factors that must be considered in planning treatment include the patient's age and physical condition, the presence and degree of plateau depression, the presence and degree of separation of split fragments, and the severity of fracture comminution. Twenty patients with tibial plateau fractures were studied by conventional tomography and computed tomography (CT) in order to determine the role and feasibility of CT in management of such patients. CT resulted in less discomfort to the patient and provided optimal visualization of the plateau defect and the split fragments. It proved more accurate than conventional tomography in assessing depressed and split fractures when they involved the anterior or posterior border of the plateau and in demonstrating the extent of fracture comminution. Split fragments with an oblique plane of fracture also were seen better by CT. The degree of fracture depression and separation as measured by the computerized technique was often more accurate than measurements obtained from conventional tomograms. In three patients, treatment was changed on the basis of the CT findings. In three other cases, the classification was altered without a change in treatment.

Adult↗

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Clinical signs of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy developed in a thirty-eight-year-old man with metastatic hypernephroma. Roentgenograms of the extremities detected the characteristic periosteal reaction along the radius, ulna, metacarpals, femur, tibia, and fibula, bilaterally. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is unknown; it appears to be mediated by a pathologic reflex with the vagus nerve as the afferent limb. When seen in patients with renal cell carcinoma, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy may herald the development of intrathoracic metastases.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Computed tomography of pressure sores.

Twenty-three paralyzed patients admitted for treatment of recurrent pressure sores were evaluated by computed tomography, bone scanning, gallium scanning, and sonography. Computed tomography was helpful in detecting associated peripelvic and pelvic abscesses and pelvic osteomyelitis, which were undiagnosed by all other modalities combined in more than half of the patients. Computed tomography was also useful in preoperative planning by revealing the extent of the undermining of the pressure sore, the thickness of the fibrous scar at its base, and the size and status of the adjacent muscles.

Abscess↗

Computed tomography of traumatic serosanguineous cysts.

Two patients developed traumatic peripelvic serosanguineous cysts, following pelvic fracture. A serosanguineous cyst develops when shearing forces cause separation of the skin and subcutaneous fat from the deep fascia and muscle. The space thus created is filled with serious fluid and blood, and clinically presents as soft cystic masses, appearing usually within a day or so, or rarely, after several weeks or months. Most of these lesions resolve spontaneously, or following aspiration; however, some may persist, necessitating surgical resection. Computed tomography is the modality of choice for detection and, in those cysts requiring surgery, it is helpful in revealing the exact size and location of these lesions.

Adult↗

The use of computed tomography in evaluating chest wall pathology.

Forty-nine patients with chest wall lesions were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography. Computed tomography was found to be indispensable for detecting and precisely localizing these lesions. It revealed unsuspected bone destruction and lung, pleural, and mediastinal involvement, as well as invasion of the spinal canal. In more than two thirds of the patients, CT provided additional information of clinical importance in management and, in one third, treatment was altered or the surgical approach modified because of the CT findings. Computed tomography is an essential diagnostic modality in evaluating chest wall lesions.

Adolescent↗

Use of CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsy in staging of genitourinary tumors.

CT-guided needle aspiration biopsy has been used for staging of genitourinary tumors. The display of structures provided by CT is particularly suited for complex anatomic sites such as spine, pelvis, thorax, permitting selection of the shortest and safest route for the needle, away from the aorta, vena cava, and pleural surface. Another advantage of CT is its ability to detect soft tissue components of the tumors and the presence of central necrosis therefore targetting the biopsy toward the part of the lesion with the greatest diagnostic yield.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Computerized tomography of pelvic osteomyelitis in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Computerized tomography (CT) was performed in 19 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had large pressure sores and in whom other complications were suspected. CT detected the depth, extent, and degree of undermining of the edges of the pressure sores in 19 of 27 lesions. Conventional radiography detected four cases of pelvic osteomyelitis. CT detected eight additional cases of pelvic osteomyelitis, as well as eight clinically unsuspected peripelvic and intrapelvic abscesses. Technetium-99m bone scanning was not very helpful because of localization in chronic proliferative changes of bone and widespread foci of myositis ossificans, as well as in osteomyelitis. Gallium-67 scanning detected only one of six abscesses. It was not very helpful because of confusion of abscess and osteomyelitis with intense soft tissue swelling and cellulitis, which are often associated with pressure sores in patients with chronic SCI. CT was found to be, by far, the modality of choice for detection of pelvic osteomyelitis and abscess in patients with SCI.

Abscess↗

Pathologic fracture in systemic mastocytosis. Radiographic spectrum and review of the literature.

Systemic mastocytosis is a multiorgan disease that most commonly affects the skin and skeletal system. Radiographically, the skeletal changes in the majority of patients consist of either a wide-spread mixture of bone lysis and osteosclerosis or generalized osteoporosis. The osteoporotic form is less well known but may lead to severe generalized demineralization and pathologic fractures. Mast cells secrete a number of substances, two of which (heparin and prostaglandins) are believed to have a role in the induction of osteoporosis. Sclerotic lesions are induced by another mast cell by-product, histamine. One hundred seventy-eight cases of bony mastocytosis have been reported in the literature, including the four patients in the present report. Special staining procedures are necessary for identification of mast cells. Diagnosis may be delayed in patients who do not have the skin lesions (urticaria pigmentosa) and in the osteoporotic form of the disease.

Adult↗

The impact of CT in clinical management of pelvic and acetabular fractures.

Thirty-eight consecutive patients admitted to the hospital with pelvic and acetabular fractures underwent CT examination. The axial plane of CT is shown to be the most suitable for evaluation of these fractures. The fracture pattern is readily demonstrated, facilitating fracture classification. The degree of fracture fragment displacement and rotation, hip joint stability, and intra-articular osseous fragments can be determined. A number of unsuspected fractures were detected, including five sacral and four anterior acetabular wall fractures; the latter were due to extension of superior ramus fractures. Soft tissue injuries included several hematomas, serosanguinous cysts in one patient, and bladder laceration in one patient. It is concluded that in patients with pelvic fracture CT examination is the method of choice following preliminary radiographic evaluation, if further radiographic investigation is deemed necessary.

Acetabulum↗

Bilateral acetabular stress fractures in a paraplegic patient.

Advances in rehabilitation programs have enabled many paraplegic persons to take part in activities in which the risk of trauma and skeletal injuries is comparable to that in the general population. Stress or spontaneous fractures are known to occur mainly as a result of severe osteoporosis and uncontrollable motion following removal of leg braces. However, stress fractures due to repeated minor trauma or prolonged physical activity have not been previously observed in paraplegic persons. In this report, bilateral acetabular stress fractures are described in a young paraplegic man during the course of ambulation therapy. The pattern of ambulation in these patients, who attempt to walk with crutches while their legs are placed in braces, is one contributing factor to stress fracture. Because of the paucity of physical findings and absence of pain, these fractures may go unrecognized, which can lead to more serious complications.

Acetabulum↗

Computed tomography of pressure sores, pelvic abscess, and osteomyelitis in patients with spinal cord injury.

Nine patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and large pressure ulcers and other possible complications, were evaluated by computed tomography (CT), conventional radiography, tomography, bone scanning, gallium scanning, and sonography. CT revealed the depth, extent, and relationship of the ulcer-bed to the underlying structures in all 9 patients. CT also positively identified unsuspected intra- and extra-pelvic abscess and pelvic osteomyelitis in 4 patients each. Other modalities identified only 2 of these complications. We believe CT is the modality of choice for evaluation of these complications in SCI patients, because of its superior ability in evaluation of pressure sores and detection of pathologic changes in soft tissue and bone in the pelvic region.

Abscess↗

Rupture of a non-rheumatoid popliteal cyst: a syndrome mimicking thrombophlebitis.

Rupture of a popliteal cyst and dissection of its contents into the calf may produce pain, swelling, a positive Homan's sign and other findings closely resembling thrombophlebitis of the calf. The correct diagnosis is not often made, and the patient is subjected to needless long term anticoagulant therapy with its potential complications. To avoid this, it is essential that this possibility be kept in mind in all patients in whom the diagnosis of thrombophlebitis is considered. The history of preexisting arthritis of the knee, joint effusion and popliteal cyst are strongly suggestive of a ruptured popliteal cyst. This diagnosis can be verified by arthrography, ultrasonography, computed tomography and radionuclide scanning. Arthrography is preferred because it reveals superior anatomic detail thereby making differentiation between an encapsulated calf cyst, with smooth walls, and rupture, with irregular feathery margins, possible. Three illustrative cases are presented and the literature is reviewed.

Adult↗