We attempt to critically assess the advantages and limitations of computed tomography in the evaluation of structural abnormalities of the vertebrae, the intervertebral disks, and the contents of the spinal canal on the basis of our experience in 1250 patients who underwent CT scan of the spin during recent 3 years. In its clinical applications, narrowing of spinal canal, intervertebral disk herni-ation, tumors and inflammation, trauma and change following trauma are especially discussed.The results suggest that the CT scan of the spine should not be regarded as a primary examination.Plain film studies of the spine are still necessary for this purpose.CT in the diagnostic work-up of the patient with suspected abnormality of the spine, is a secondary procedure to better define, localize, and characterize the disease process.The information obtained from CT studies of the spine is typically much greater than can be derived from plain film and tomograms of the same region.

This paper reviewed the 100 cases with definite bone and joint lesions selected from among 3764 burn in-patients. The clinical appearence, blood and urine chemistry determinations, blood cultures, gross and histological examination of autopsy, surgical and biopsy specimens were studied with emphasis on the analyses of the X-ray appearence of various lesions. The lesions were classified, according to their X-ray appearence, into four types:alteration limited to the bone, alterations involving periarticular structures, alterations involving the deformity of the bone and joint in growth. The pathogenesis and radiological findings of the osteoporosis, acromutilation of the fingers as well as incidence and pathogenesis of heterotopic para-articular ossification were analysed and discussed.

Objective To evaluate left ventricular function of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) transplantation with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Methods Forty-eight male patients with AMI were divided into experimental group and control group (each n=24). PCI was performed within 24 hours after attach. Patients in experimental group received autologous BMMNC transplantation 7-14 days after PCI. Conventional echocardiography and TDI were performed before and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak systolic (S_a, S_m), early diastolic (E_a, E_m) and late diastolic (A_a, A_m) mitral velocities and regional myocardial velocities were obtained with conventional echocardiography or TDI, and compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference of each index between two groups before operation. Compared with the control group, S_a, S_m, E_m, E_a/A_a and Em/Am improved significantly in experimental group at each follow-up time point; LVEF and E_a were significantly higher than those of control group 3 and 6 months after treatment. Conclusion Combination of PCI and autologous BMMNC transplantation is more helpful to improve regional and global cardiac systolic and diastolic function after myocardial infarction, which can be quantitatively evaluated with TDI.