INTRODUCTIONWe compared the effectiveness of different types of non-commercial neutral oral contrast agents for bowel distension and mural visualisation in computed tomographic (CT) enterography.

METHODS90 consecutive patients from a group of 108 were randomly assigned to receive water (n = 30), 3.8% milk (n = 30) or 0.1% gastrografin (n = 30) as oral contrast agent. The results were independently reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to the contrast agents used. The degree of bowel distension was qualitatively scored on a four-point scale. The discrimination of bowel loops, mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds were evaluated on a 'yes' or 'no' basis. Side effects of the various agents were also recorded.

RESULTS3.8% milk was significantly superior to water for bowel distension (jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum), discrimination of bowel loops (jejunum and ileum), mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds (ileum and terminal ileum). It was also significantly superior to 0.1% gastrografin for bowel distension, discrimination of bowel loops, mural visualisation and visualisation of mucosal folds (jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum). However, 10% of patients who received 3.8% milk reported immediate post-test diarrhoea. No side effects were documented for patients who received water and 0.1% gastrografin.

CONCLUSION3.8% milk is an effective and superior neutral oral contrast agent for the assessment of the jejunum, ileum and terminal ileum in CT enterography. However, further studies are needed to explore other suitable oral contrast agents for CT enterography in lactose- or cow's milk-intolerant patients.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Contrast Media ; pharmacology ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Milk ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Water

Local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been widely used in clinical practice due to its minimal invasiveness and high rate of cure. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used because its treatment effectiveness. However, some serious complications can arise from percutaneous RFA. We present here a rare case of hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade secondary to an anterior cardiac vein (right marginal vein) injury during RFA for treatment of HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/radiography/*surgery ; Cardiac Tamponade/*etiology ; *Catheter Ablation ; Fatal Outcome ; Hemorrhage/*etiology ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Intraoperative Complications/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Interventional ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare chronic disease with paucity of symptoms in contrast to the imaging findings. We present a case of a 24-year-old Malay man having an incidental abnormal pre-employment chest radiograph of dense micronodular opacities giving the classical "sandstorm" appearance. High-resolution computed tomography of the lungs showed microcalcifications with subpleural cystic changes. Open lung biopsy showed calcospherites within the alveolar spaces. The radiological and histopathological findings were characteristic of PAM.
Biopsy ; Calcinosis/*diagnosis/surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn/*diagnosis/surgery ; Humans ; *Incidental Findings ; Lung Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery ; Male ; Pulmonary Alveoli/pathology/radiography ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Young Adult