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Advancements in both surgical and less invasive techniques have improved our ability to safely screen, diagnose, and treat disease within the abdomen and pelvis. Endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, interventional radiology, and laparoscopy have revolutionized the art of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders over the past 30 years. Key advances include direct inspection of bowel lumen, biopsy of suspected disorders, and treatment of abnormalities, including removal of mucosal lesions, dilatation, and stent placement of strictures. Radiologists must be aware of the complications resulting from a variety of gastrointestinal, radiologic, and surgical procedures. This article reviews the imaging findings related to incorrectly placed stents, intestinal and esophageal perforations, misplaced instruments, and fluid collections secondary to interventional procedures.

• Neuromuscular dysfunction of the cricopharyngeus muscle is becoming increasingly recognized as a cause of dysphagia, particularly in the growing geriatric population. The disorder may occur primarily, or as part of a generalized neurologic syndrome. This debilitating and potentially lethal type of dysphagia, formerly managed by nasogastric tube or gastrostomy feeding, is usually correctable by simple section of the cricopharyngeus muscle. We report a series of six successfully managed patients to illustrate important aspects of diagnosis and treatment.(Arch Otolaryngol 101:726-729, 1975)

Gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU) and thin-needle cholangiography (TNC) were performed in 35 consecutive patients with unexplained jaundice. The status of the biliary tree was correctly assessed by GSU in 33 of 35 cases (94%); in two patients technical difficulty prevented definitive assessment. Neither false-positive nor false-negative results were encountered. There were no discrepancies between the results of GSU and TNC. We conclude that GSU provides a safe, highly reliable method of assessing the jaundiced patient and should be the preferred initial procedure in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with jaundice when the major diffential lies between the medical and surgical types. If GSU does not demonstrate a dilated biliary system, TNC is unnecessary, and other diagnositc studies should be undertaken.(JAMA 238:1041-1044, 1977)

Excellent visualization of the biliary tree can be obtained by the transjugular technique of direct cholangiography as predictably as by the abdominal approach. However, serious complications related to biliary-venous communication have occurred. If more effective antibiotic coverage cannot be devised, the procedure would seem to be contraindicated in patients with a history of prior cholangitis.