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Biomedical subjects

J Halls

Publications and source records attributed to J Halls.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Sonographic findings in hepatic amebic abscess.

Sonograms of 143 hepatic amebic abscesses in 106 patients were analyzed retrospectively. A strongly suggestive but not pathognomonic pattern was noted in 54 abscesses (37.8%), consisting of (a) lack of significant wall echoes, (b) a round or oval configuration, (c) less echogenicity than the normal parenchyma, with fine, homogeneous low-level echoes throughout at high gain, (d) a location contiguous to the liver capsule, and (e) distal sonic enhancement. Most other hepatic abscesses (53.1%) had all but one or two of these features. Thirteen patients (9%) had bizarre sonographic findings. Peripheral or central areas of increased echogenicity occurred more frequently than previously reported. At normal gain settings, most lesions (53.8%) were predominantly anechoic. The above pattern and trans-diaphragmatic pleural involvement were helpful in the diagnosis.

Humans↗

Sonography of pyogenic splenic abscess.

Pyogenic splenic abscess is an uncommon lesion associated with high mortality. Diagnosis may be difficult, especially in deep-seated abscesses. Plain radiographs and nuclear medicine techniques may be helpful, but can be insufficiently specific. Sonography, which images morphologic changes, is useful in assessing splenic abscesses. Five of six abscesses had a predominantly anechoic pattern with internal foci of higher echogenicity. In one gas-containing lesion, there were high amplitude echoes throughout the abscess. The abscesses were easily distinguishable from the surrounding homogeneous normal spleen. Sonography, while not definitive, is an effective tool in reaching an early diagnosis of splenic abscess. This allows prompt splenectomy, ameliorating prognosis.

Abscess↗

Sonographic anatomy of the hepatic artery.

One hundred clinical abdominal sonographic examinations were assessed to determine the frequency with which various parts of the hepatic artery system were imaged. The common, proper, and right hepatic arteries were seen in a large percentage of cases (92%, 75%, and 73%, respectively). Sixty-one consecutive patients with dilated biliary ducts were evaluated to determine the relationship of hepatic artery branches to the biliary tree and portal venous system. Normal and variant hepatic artery anatomy is discussed. Knowledge of the hepatic artery system and its variations is useful in the sonographic assessment of problems involving the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and portal venous system.

Bile Duct Diseases↗

Bleeding peptic ulcer caused by ectopic gastric mucosa in a duplicated segment of jejunum.

The authors present a case in which a patient suffered a bleeding jejunal ulcer caused by heterotopic gastric mucosa in a congenital duplication of a segment of jejunum. This is the first case diagnosed preoperatively by two different radiographic means. These lesions were shown by both pertechnetate flow and barium small bowel studies. The rarity of these entities and the modalities used for diagnosis are described.

Adult↗

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pancreatic disease: a reassessment of the specificity of ductal abnormalities indifferentiating benign from malignant disease.

A blind study of 49 patients with narrowing of the common bile duct or pancreatic duct on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was done. The double duct sign appeared in four of eight pancreatic carcinoma patients, but also occurred in 15 of 41 pancreatitis patients. Other signs, which occurred only in carcinoma in prior studies (nodular, eccentric narrowing, and eccentric and irregular rat-tailed stenosis) also occurred in both groups. These results highlight the unreliability of utilizing morphological ductal changes as the only ERCP criteria in differentiating pancreatic carcinoma from pancreatitis. The most reliable criterion for pancreatitis was multiple stenoses in one duct. Pancreatic carcinoma cannot be diagnosed accurately if signs of pancreatitis are also present, and other examinations may be needed.

Cholangiography↗

Unusual neuroradiological features of intracranial cysticercosis.

The authors describe various new neuroradiological findings in cysticercosis cerebri. Features discussed include: (a) contrast enhancement in cysticercosis, including enhancement of an intraventricular cyst, basal meningeal enhancement, and enhancement in association with granulomatous reaction to cysticercosis; (b) positional cyst alterations, including cyst mobility and positional changes in cyst configuration; (c) neuroradiological features of foramen of Monro obstruction, which may be unilateral or bilateral, and may be due to cysts or adhesions; and (d) unusual angiographic features, including two cases of ring stains which corresponded to ring enhancement on CT, and a mycotic aneurysm associated with cysticercosis. For this study, the authors evaluated 102 cases of cysticercosis; 12 case reports are presented herein.

Adult↗

CT of inflammatory disease of the psoas muscle.

Computed tomography (CT) findings in eight cases of psoas inflammatory disease are described retrospectively. Because of its exquisite retroperitoneal imaging capabilities, CT proved to be an ideal tool in evaluating suspected disease in this area. Clinically, the deep position of psoas abscesses has made diagnosis problematic. In addition, many radiographic signs of psoas inflammation have provided only indirect evidence, such as displacement of the ureter or alteration of the psoas margin. The organ-specific information available with CT makes detection more efficient and diagnosis more certain. Especially when coupled with percutaneous aspiration biopsy, CT has proved an effective and rapid means of diagnosing and guiding the therapy of psoas abscess.

Abscess↗

Intravenous cholangiography and sonography in acute cholecystitis: prospective evaluation.

Twenty-seven patients with clinically suspected acute cholecystitis were prospectively evaluated for supporting evidence with intravenous cholangiography and gray scale sonography. Twenty of these fulfilled criteria for inclusion in the study. Sonography was found to be helpful in all 20 patients (100%). Intravenous cholangiography could be performed in 16 patients (four patients had elevated bilirubin greater than 4 mg/dl). Of these 16, cholangiography was diagnostic in nine (56.3% accuracy). Because of the superiority of sonography and the morbidity and mortality associated with intravenous cholangiography, the study was terminated. Consequently, it is believed sonography is superior to intravenous cholangiography in the evaluation of suspected acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗

Amebiasis: unusual radiographic manifestations.

Unusual radiographic manifestations of amebiasis have not previously been emphasized in the literature. These unusual manifestations often mimic other, more common disease entities. A recent case of urinary bladder-cervical amebiasis prompted a review of other unusual manifestations of amebiasis. Over a 25-year period, unusual cases involving the musculoskeletal, genitourinary, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems have been encountered. Primary amebiasis of any organ may occur without clinical evidence of gastrointestinal or hepatic involvement. These unusual cases illustrate the clinical spectrum of amebiasis and will clarify aspects of this interesting disease entity.

Amebiasis↗

Perforation in malignant disease of the stomach.

Perforation of the stomach occurring as a complication of malignant disease is a rare event. Patients often present with a prior history suggestive of benign gastrointestinal disease followed by an abrupt episode of abdominal pain. Silent perforations are unusual, but do occur. The radiographic criteria of the ulcer crater suggest benign disease in the majority of cases an it is only when there is a definitive operation the differentiation from benign disease is difficult and multiple biopsies of the ulcer are necessary. Perforation is a catastrophic complication and survival beyond one year is uncommon.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Noncalcified echinococcal liver cyst.

A large echinococcal cyst containing clear fluid was seen as a lucent defect within the liver on the plain radiograph. It had no fatty or calcific contents. No similar cases could be found in the literature.

Adult↗

Gray-scale ultrasonography of hepatic amoebic abscesses.

Retrospective analysis of the ultrasonograms of 42 hepatic amoebic abscesses in 34 patients was performed. All lesions were less echogenic than normal liver. All but 1 were contiguous with the liver capsule and had slight distal sonic enhancement. Twenty-three were predominantly homogeneous with fine, low-level echoes. This pattern is highly suggestive of hepatic amoebic abscess. Nineteen abscesses did not show this pattern and could not be diagnosed based on ultrasonographic criteria.

Humans↗

Cholecystokinetic cholecystography: comparison of the effect of intramuscular ceruletide to a fatty meal.

A comparison study of 80 patients using either intramuscular ceruletide or a fatty meal to contract the gallbladder after oral cholecystography is described. The maximum mean percentage reduction of the gallbladder area was significantly greater with ceruletide (59%) compared to a fatty meal (29%). At all time intervals, a 40% or more reduction in gallbladder area occurred in a higher percentage of patients receiving ceruletide, with improvement in cystic and/or common duct visualization occurring at an earlier time than with a fatty meal. There were no adverse effects after gallbladder contraction when large or small calculi were present.

Ceruletide↗