Sebnem Orguc

To retrospectively document the reported computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations that were left behind in our radiology department, to calculate their cost, and to determine possible sources of waste in order to draw attention to this subject. The reported and billed CT and MRI examinations for 2003 that were not taken from the radiology department were documented, and the percentage they represented of all CT and MRI performed that year were determined. The total cost of the examinations, including contrast media, was calculated. In all, 200 CTs out of 4390 and 95 MRIs out of 7003 were left behind in the radiology department during 2003. Total cost of the examinations, including the contrast media, was 31,320 YTL. The percentages of CT and MRI examinations left behind in the radiology department were evaluated in this preliminary report. Since we did not find any similar study in the literature, we could not comment on the limits of acceptabil...

Mammographic screening is an effective tool for the early detection of breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase mammographic density and thus may hinder early detection of small tumours. We undertook this study to determine and compare the frequency and degree of change in mammographic density in postmenopausal women in HRT using two different methods: the classical Wolfe classification and a new semiquantitative method, which we named as the comparison wheel. This study included 285 women, 206 under hormone treatment, and 79 control subjects. All women underwent baseline mammographic study before the beginning of treatment. Mean interval of the follow up mammograms was 16 months. The methods were compared in evaluating the effects of three types of hormone therapies on mammographic density. The frequency of change was only significant in the combined hormone replacement group when Wolfe classification was used. However, the frequency of increase i...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of spiral computed tomography (CT) and 3-D imaging models in measuring total and segmental liver volume in potential living donors. A prospective study was undertaken to assess the correlation between the volumes of potential donor livers determined via helical CT and the actual volumes measured during operation in 150 donor candidates. Left-lateral segment (S2,3) or left-lobe (S2,3,4) transplantation was performed in 36 cases with 96 right-lobe liver transplants (S5,6,7,8). Ten donor candidates were refused owing to inadequate liver volumes, and 8 for other reasons. The regression analysis model showed a significant correlation between the preoperative CT estimates of graft volume and intraoperative weight measurement of harvested grafts in living liver donors (F: 5525.37; P < .05); 97.7% of changes in CT volume were explained by differences in graft mass (R2: 0.977). Preoperative estimation of segmental volumes of the donor liver is necessary to avoid donor-recipient size disparity, thereby preventing hepatic failure of donors after harvesting. It has a major impact on donor selection and type of surgical management. The accuracy of helical CT was high to determine total and segmental liver volumes.

Spinal tumors consist of a large spectrum of various histologic entities. Multiple spinal lesions frequently represent known metastatic disease or lymphoproliferative disease. In solitary lesions primary neoplasms of the spine should be considered. Primary spinal tumors may arise from the spinal cord, the surrounding leptomeninges, or the extradural soft tissues and bony structures. A wide variety of benign neoplasms can involve the spine including enostosis, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, giant cell tumor, and osteochondroma. Common malignant primary neoplasms are chordoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and osteosarcoma. Although plain radiographs may be useful to characterize some spinal lesions, magnetic resonance imaging is indispensable to determine the extension and the relationship with the spinal canal and nerve roots, and thus determine the plan of management. In this article we review the characteristic imaging features of extradural spinal lesions.

We report a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis associated with an abscess in the lateral aspect of the pons associated with perineural spread of disease via the trigeminal nerve. Contrast enhanced MRI was useful in depicting the extent of the disease and suggesting perineural spread. A pathological diagnosis of mucormycosis was established by means of rhino-orbital punch biopsy.