Objectives. We aimed to develop and assess the reliability of a novel MRI-based scoring system for reporting the severity of MRI findings in children with suspected JDM. Methods. Nine consultant paediatric radiologists independently assessed and scored 40 axial and 30 coronal thigh MR images of children with suspected JDM on two occasions using the juvenile dermatomyositis magnetic resonance Imaging Score (JIS). JIS was calculated for both reads for each plane and each limb, with possible scores ranging from 0 (normal) to 100 (severe). Inter-and intraobserver agreement was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and two-and one-way random effects models, respectively. Bland-Altman plots of the difference in JIS against the average JIS were also produced for each rater. Results. Overall, the interobserver reliability and agreement was good-for axial images, JIS ranged from 46.8 to 61.0 [ICC = 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.92)] for the left limb and 47.9-61.4 [ICC = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.92)] for the right limb. For coronal images, JIS ranged from 56.7 to 65.1 [ICC = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.95)] for the left limb and 55.7 to 66.8 [ICC = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.94)] for the right limb. The intraobserver reliability and agreement was good, with ICC ranging from 0.90 to 0.94. Conclusion. JIS is a semi-objective scoring system with potential to serve as a reliable biomarker of disease severity and response to therapeutic interventions in children with JDM.

Objective: To determine the value of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder radiograph (KUB) in the diagnosis of urolithiasis using unenhanced helical computerized tomography (UHCT) as the gold standard.Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 100 consecutive patients being investigated for suspected urolithiasis. All patients presented with acute renal colic and had a KUB and UHCT within a 3-hour period. UHCT and KUB pairs were assessed separately by 2 radiologists in consensus who were blinded to the clinical details of the patients and the results of the other tests and examinations. The presence, location, number, and size of stones were recorded. Each UHCT and KUB pair was then compared for concordance on a stone-by-stone basis.Results: KUB was concordant with the gold standard UHCT in only 50% of patients (11 positive, 39 negative), giving a sensitivity of 18.6%, a specificity of 95.1%, a positive predictive value of 84.6%, and a negative predictive value of 44.8%.Conclusion: KUB has a very low sensitivity for the detection of urolithiasis, although specificity is acceptable.

Horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion anomaly and the patients are prone to a variety of complications, such as stone disease, pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction, trauma, infections and tumours. As result of the abnormal anatomy of a horseshoe kidney, imaging and treatment pathways vary substantially from the normal kidney. In this review, we describe the role of modern imaging in depicting horseshoe kidneys and their complications, in tandem with the role the interventional radiologist plays in treating these patients.

Our study has shown that ultrasound-guided localisation and removal of Implanon™ rods is safe, practical and highly successful. Over a 4-year period, 119 patients had successful, uncomplicated removal of their subdermal devices.The technique is particularly useful for removal of the device when it is not palpable or when an attempt at removal of a palpable device has not been successful.

We describe a case of calvarial tuberculosis with an associated extra-dural collection. This presentation has rarely been reported in the literature and the magnetic resonance imaging features are not well documented.

Aim: To radiologically determine if intramuscular (IM) injections into the buttocks are truly intramuscular.Materials and methods: This was a prospective study conducted during a 6 month period beginning in October 2004. Fifty inpatients were recruited from a single tertiary referral hospital. Approval was obtained from the hospital research ethics committee and informed written consent was acquired from all participants. Prior to computerised tomography (CT), each patient received an IM injection of their prescribed medication along with I mL of air into the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks. CT images were subsequently analyzed by two radiologists to determine the position of the injected air bubble and to assess whether it was intramuscular or subcutaneous in position. Body mass index (BMI), distance to injection site, subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness were also measured.Results: Overall, only 32% (n= 16/50) of patients had intramuscular injections, with the majority of injections (68%, n=34/50) being subcutaneous. When analysed by gender, 56% (n= 14/25) of males had intramuscular injections while in females, the efficacy rate was significantly lower at 8% (n = 2/25).Conclusion: The majority of assumed intramuscular injections are actually subcutaneous. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A 62-year-old male patient was referred with a 6-hour history of abdominal pain and a palpable abdominal mass consistent with an aortic abdominal aneurysm, which had been demonstrated by grayscale ultrasound at another hospital.

An 80-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with a 5-day history of a swollen left calf. She had no apparent risk factors for a DVT. She was a non-smoker, active and independent in her daily life. She was not on any medication and had no previous history of a DVT or pulmonary embolus. Her past medical history consisted of surgery to her right leg 20 years ago for melanoma. Physical examination demonstrated widespread swelling of the left calf with a 3-cm difference in calf circumference. Doppler ultrasound confirmed the presence of an extensive thrombus involving both the left common femoral vein extending proximally above the inguinal ligament. In view of the lack of risk factors and extensive nature of the thrombus, a pelvic ultrasound was performed. This demonstrated a 12.8-cm mass of low reflectivity within the pelvis, lying adjacent to the uterus. An MRI of the pelvis was performed to further evaluate the nature of the mass. On axial T2weighted images the mass was predominantly of high signal centrally with a rim of peripheral low signal. The mass in the pelvis caused compression of the left external iliac vein (Fig. 1). Below this level thrombus was seen involving the left external iliac vein and common femoral vein (Fig. 2). The patient underwent surgery and the mass was successfully removed. The patient was discharge home well on oral anticoagulant therapy after an uneventful recovery.

No AccessJournal of UrologyLetters to the Editor1 Sep 2004RE: MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SEMINAL VESICLE CYSTS AND ASSOCIATED ANOMALIES T. Persaud, F. O’Brien, J.A. Thornhill, and W.C. Torreggiani T. PersaudT. Persaud More articles by this author , F. O’BrienF. O’Brien More articles by this author , J.A. ThornhillJ.A. Thornhill More articles by this author , and W.C. TorreggianiW.C. Torreggiani More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000136273.43543.1aAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail "RE: MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SEMINAL VESICLE CYSTS AND ASSOCIATED ANOMALIES." The Journal of Urology, 172(3), pp. 1199–1200 Departments of Radiology and Urology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland© 2004 by American Urological Association, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 172Issue 3September 2004Page: 1199-1200 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2004 by American Urological Association, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information T. Persaud More articles by this author F. O’Brien More articles by this author J.A. Thornhill More articles by this author W.C. Torreggiani More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...