POPLITEAL ARTERY ANEURSYMS

Sagittal T-1 MRI Popliteal art aneurysm


Popliteal artery aneursyms are the most common peripheral artery aneursyms. These occur most frequently in men around 65 years of age. There is known cause for popliteal artery aneursyms, but patients with arthersclerosis, are smoker, or have diabetes are more likely to have them. Also, patients with AAA have a greater probaility to have popliteal artery aneursyms. Bilateral aneursyms are most common. Cramping and leg pain often occur in the calf below the aneursym. The popliteal artery aneursym can be felt as a pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa. Ultrasound, CTA, MRA are used to detect popliteal artery aneursyms. Surgery is preformed to repair the aneursym by grafting.

PARALABRAL CYSTS

T2-weighted axial image reveals

mass of fluid signal intensity (arrow)

in suprascapular notch consistent

with paralabral cyst.

Paralabral cysts are most common type of shoulder cysts found. There are three types of paralabral cysts: ganglion, synovial, and pseudocysts. When paralabral cysts are found they are associated with a torn glenoid labrum. The tear of the capsulolabral complex is caused by trauma to the shoulder. Unilocular of mutilocular cysts can occur due to the leakage of synovial fluid into the joint from associated trauma. Paralabral cysts can occur at any age. Most patients complain of pain or decreased range of shoulder motion. Plain radiographs do not detect paralabral cysts. MRI‘s are preformed and detect paralabral cysts hyper-intense area on T-2 weighted images and a hypo-intense area on T-1 weighted images. Cyst aspirations, surgery to remove cyst, and repair of gleniod labrum tears are most common treatments for paralabral cysts. Patients then follow up with physical therapy and return to their normal activies.

BLADDER CANCER

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the United States. The three main types of bladder cancer are transitional cell (the most common), squamous cell, and adenocarcimoma. Bladder cancer can occur at any age, but is more common in white men above the age of fifty. Fifty to eighty percent of all bladder cancers reoccur. When they return, the cancer is not necessarily the same type.

Smoking and genetics are the two main risk factors for bladder cancer. Symptoms of bladder cancer can be hematuria, painful or burning urination without the presence of a urinary tract infection, and changes in urination habits. Bladder cancer is detected by CT, ultrasound, IVP (intravenous pyelogram), cytoscopy, and biopsies. Treatment for bladder cancer is surgical removal of the affected area of the bladder, complete removal of bladder, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of any of the these treatments. Treatment is based on what stage the cancer is in. The cancer stage is determined by the amount of invasion into the bladder wall.

CROHN'S DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that causes an inflammation of the small bowel, large intestines, and colon. Early symptoms are severe abdomen pain, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, rectal bleeding, anemia, and fever. Further progression of the disease can lead to sores in the mouth, possible bowel obstructions, nutrient deficiency, fistulas, and hemorrhoids.

Diagnosing Crohn’s disease is accomplished by lab tests, small bowel follow through, endoscopic procedures, barium enemas, CTs, and MRIs. The severity of the patient’s symptoms dictates how the physicians proceed with treatment. Mild symptoms are treated with antidiarrheals. Moderate symptoms are treated with antibiotics and, corticosteroids. Severe symptoms are treated with IV corticosteroids and if medications do not control symptoms, surgery is warranted. There is no cure for Crohn’s disease.

Crohn disease. Mesenteric inflammation

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Cystic fibrosis is a lung disorder in which the lungs produce a thick sticky mucous. Early detection in infants is usually meconium plugs or ileuses, salty sweats, and failure to thrive. Later in life, the symptoms may progress to bloody sputum, clubbing of extremities, polyps in nose or sinuses, and chronic infection.

Patients with cystic fibrosis have a poor prognosis. Patients only live til into their mid 30s. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder. There are no cures, but lung transplants can give the patients a longer life expectancy.

Lab tests, chest x-rays, CT chest scans, and lung function tests (LFTs) are used to diagnosis cystic fibrosis.

Controlling cystic fibrosis requires a regiment of medications and good nutrition. Chest percussion and exercise also help to keep the lungs from producing as much mucous.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

CT SCAN

INTRO FOR WEBLOGS

Hello all! My name is Joanna Howard. I am a resgistered CT Tech working toward my BS in CT/MRI. I work full time weekend option at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. I have 2 girls.

SPONDYLOSIS

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Spondylosis is a condition of degenerative changes in the spine. Spondylosis can progress into spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is the slippage of one vertebra over another vertebra. This can occur in three different ways: forward (anterolistheis), backward (retrolistheis), or sideways (laterlistheis). Symptoms of spondylosis and spondylistotheisis are back pain, sciatica, numbness, difficulty walking, and burning sensations.

Spondylosis is most commonly caused by degenerative disc disease. It can also occur due to weakened ligaments in the lower part of the spine. The most common area for spondylolisthesis is L4-L5. Laminectomy, a surgical procedure to remove part of the lamina, is preformed to help relieve nerve impingement.