[en] To analyze and discuss the use of different magnetic resonance (MR) strategies with gadolinium administration in the study of bone tumors with involvement of accompanying soft tissue, and to assess the value of these techniques in the characterization of the lesions by analysing their enhanced digital images. Sixty-two bone tumors were studied by MR with Dg-DTPA-BMA using different spatial and temporal resolutions. A conventional MR study was performed in 14 lesions (10 malignant and 4 benign), a multiple-slice dynamic study in 21 (19 malignant and 2 benign) and a single-slice dynamic study in 27 (21 malignant and 16 benign). The dynamic studies afforded parametric images, calculating the uptake factors and maximum velocities. These data were related to the benign or malignant behavior of the lesions and the histological type. The conventional studies provided anatomic information on the lesion and the tumor volume. The parametric images from the dynamic studies provided data on the perfusion of the different lesions. There were no statistically significant differences between the different histological types or the uptake parameters. Nor were there significant differences in the uptake values of malignant and benign lesions. The contrast-enhanced dynamic uptake studies improved temporal resolution, providing information on the perfusion of the bone lesions. the use of parametric images makes it possible to assess the changes in the signals of the pixels over time. The benign lesions with aggressive behavior have uptake values similar to those of malignant lesions. (Author) 13 refs

[en] Melanoma of the nasal cavity is a rare tumor with a worse prognosis than cutaneous melanoma. It usually presents as nasal obstruction and/or epistaxis. The observation of a pigmented mass in the nasal cavity is highly suggestive of this lesion. Computed tomography shows a mass with nonspecific features. In magnetic resonance studies, it has a characteristics signal consisting of hyperintensity of T1-weighted images and hypointensity on T2-weighted images, depending on the amount of melanin. The treatment of choice is surgical resection. We present a case of melanoma of the nasal cavity in which endovascular embolization of the tumor was performed prior to surgical treatment. (Author) 11 refs

[en] Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is the most common mesenchymal tumor during childhood. At present, these lesions are classified as solitary myofibromatosis, congenital multiple myofibromatosis associated with multicentric lesions and no organ involvement, and congenital generalized myofibromatosis with skin and visceral involvement. The most frequent presenting sign consists of hard masses located in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, bone and/or organs. Sixty percent of these lesions are present at birth, and 88% develop during the first two years of life. The disease usually resolves spontaneously. Although the definitive diagnosis is based on the pathological study, knowledge of the radiological features of these lesions is of great value for distinguishing them from malignant mesenchymal tumor. We describe the clinical and pathological features as well as the radiological findings in a newborn with congenital IM who was born with masses in skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles, but presented no organ involvement. (Author) 15 refs

[en] To present our experience in the implementation of a standardized quality assurance system in the Radiodiagnostics Services at two hospitals of the health care network of the Basque Country Autonomous Community: the Bidasoa County Hospitals in Hondarribia, belonging to the Basque Health Service-Osakidetza, and the Maria Cristina Red Cross Hospital in San Sebastian. The first stage of this project, the ultimate purpose of which is to achieve the certification of the quality system, consisted in the detailed study of the ISO 9002 Standard, applicable to the activities of a Radiological Diagnostics Services. Following the analysis of the requirements described in the 20 sections that comprise this standard, the second stage focused on its adaptation to clinical and managerial use in our services. This involved their general revision and, as a consequence, the development-update of our Procedure and Protocol Guidelines, which constituted the core of the documental support of the so-called Quality Guidelines. This third stage, overlapping the preceding one, included the progressive implementation of the document-based conclusions, generating the corresponding records of the activities carried out. Having successfully undergone an audit for certification in which the auditors observed total compliance with the different activities as defined in the documents comprising the Quality Guidelines, both of the above mentioned services obtained the corresponding certificate issued by two different properly accredited organizations (AENOR and DET NORSKE veritas, respectively). (Author) 25 refs

[en] Self-referencing, defined as the number of times articles published in a scientific journal cite previous articles printed in the same journal, is an important indicator of quality. Our purpose was to analyze the rate of self-referencing in the journal Radiologia. All the articles published in Radiologia from 1994 to 1998 were analyzed to determine the index of references to Radiologia (IRR) and the index of articles that refer to Radiologia (IAR). these indices were also calculated for European Radiology (index of references to European Radiologia (IRER) and index or articles referring to European Radiology (IAER), a journal that is listed in the Index Medicus, for the year 1998. Between 1994 and 1998, the IRR ranged from 1.5% to 1,9%. In 1998, it was 1.8% while the IRER was only 0.9%, a difference that was statistically significant (p=0.02). In that same year, the IAR was also higher than the IAER (2.3% versus 1.6%). The rate of self-referencing in Radiologia is higher than that of European Radiology, a journal that is included in the Index Medicus and its Medline database. (Author) 13 refs

[en] The increased survival of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients achieved through continuous therapeutic advances has led to the onset of new disorders associated with the disease, as well as considerable changes in both the incidence and prevalence of those classificatory described. The association of AIDS with lung carcinoma is a controversial issue. It develops in young patients with history of smoking. It has no relation to the levels of blood CD4 lymphocyte counts, and is not diagnosed until very advanced stages, resulting in a mean survival of 10 months. The histological features most frequently correspond to those of adenocarcinoma; its is generally poorly differentiated, with a high replication rate. Knowledge of these facts is indispensable for the radiologist since lung carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis in any case in which a fast-growing lung mass is detected. This helps to orient the clinical measures, preventing diagnostic delays, with the consequent impact on the disease course and prognosis. We present four cases of lung carcinoma in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in two cases (mucinous adenocarcinoma in one of them), giant cell tumor in one and epidermoid carcinoma in the remaining patient. The plain radiographic and computed tomography findings are described and compared with those reported in the literature. (Author) 21 refs

[en] The incidence of primary tumor is greater in undescended testes than in scrotum. They are usually detected as large masses. However, there are few reports describing the radiological features of these lesions. We present two cases (a seminoma and a nonseminoma) studied by ultrasound and computed tomography. The ultrasound studies show well defined, slightly echogenic masses. In addition, computed tomography reveals areas of necrosis and calcifications. (Author) 9 refs

[en] Following a short historical introduction concerning the attendance of Spanish radiologists at international congresses, we summarize the data provided in poster form obtained from the proceedings of the meetings of the Radiological Society of North America held in 1989, 1992, 1995 and 1998. Suggestions to further this initiative are made. (Author) 6 refs

[en] Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts are venous vascular lesions that allow intrahepatic portal vessels to communicate with hepatic veins. They may present in patients with portal hypertension or b discovered incidentally; it is considered that the latter may be congenital or acquired. A noninvasive methods. Doppler ultrasound aids in the diagnosis of these anomalous communications by providing images of the vessels and the direction, velocity and volume of the blood flow through the shunt. We present four cases of intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt. (Author) 8 refs

[en] We report a case of gastric lipoma discovered incidentally during abdominal ultrasound. We review the literature concerning this unusual disease, stressing clinical and diagnostic aspects, especially the ultrasonographic features and computed tomographic findings, as well as the different therapeutic options. (Author) 11 refs