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Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is a modern vascular imaging technique which allows the noninvasive and direct imaging of vessels. The authors aimed at evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of MRA in the study of pathologic conditions in the neck and intracranial vessels; spatial resolution of the technique was also investigated. Twenty-four healthy volunteers and 82 patients suffering from various diseases of the head and neck vessels were included in the study. First of all, MRA capabilities were investigated in visualizing normal vessels of both neck and intracranial circle. The diagnostic accuracy of the method was then evaluated in the study of vascular diseases, and the results compared with conventional/digital angiographic findings. The comparison demonstrated how stenoses and atherosclerotic plaques tend to be overestimated by MRA because of technical artifacts inherent to the technique itself, whereas vascular ulcerations and aneurysms are frequently underestimated. However, this data was steady and therefore evaluable--the exact knowledge of the artifacts making diagnosis reliable. The diagnostic and technical problems relative to the various vascular diseases are discussed. Finally, several hypotheses of diagnostic iter are suggested.

A total number of 117 cervical herniated disks was observed in 103 patients. Among these, 30 underwent surgical treatment. A comparison is made between CT findings and myelographic and surgical data. Purpose of the investigation is to define the reliability of CT in the diagnosis of cervical herniated disk. The morphology, level and tomographic localization into the vertebral canal are described. Moreover the possible association with spondylosis and "narrow canal" is stressed. The diagnosis was correct in all operated cases (100%). The topographic description too was correct in all cases. In 3 patients the level-diagnosis was mistaken. CT shows a higher degree of sensibility and specificity than myelography in the diagnosis of herniated disk in the cervical spine.

The authors describe the CT findings in 57 patients suffering from various non-neoplastic disease of the larynx: chronic laryngitis, pseudotumor, paralysis, post-traumatic lesions, laryngocele, cyst. CT is usefull in evaluating site and extension of the disease, as well as its relations with the surrounding tissues. The densitometric evaluation and the functional tests are important in differential diagnosis with malignant neoplasms.

Right ventricular arrhythmogenic dysplasia is a rare cardiomyopathy which involves the right ventricle either totally or partially. Up to now diagnoses have been based on Ecg, hemodynamics, angiography and echocardiography. This paper deals with the first 7 patients examined also by means of Computed Tomography. The CT picture is well defined and rather accurate. The most important elements are: total (6/7) or partial (1/7) enlargement of the right ventricle; thinning of right ventricular myocardium (6/7); marked increase in subepicardial fat limited to the right ventricular wall (7/7); right ventricle hypokinesia (7/7). A good correlation exists between CT, echographic and traditional methodologies findings. Because of its densitometric evaluation, CT is much more precise in the demonstration of fatty degeneration. Moreover, it can be very useful in differentiating intracardiac thrombi from hypertrophic papillary muscles and trabeculae.

A systematic investigation was carried out on 93 patients suffering from laryngeal tumours who underwent computed tomography and xeroradiography. A comparison is made between CT, xerographic, clinical and endoscopic findings. The value is stressed of functional informations obtained from CT performed during quiet breathing and phonation. The outstanding value of CT is the accuracy in definition of tumor extension and involvement of the laryngeal and paralaryngeal tissues. CT can be useful in diagnosis of regional lymph nodes metastases. The correct evaluation of the tumour is greatly helpful in surgical treatment and radiotherapy planning.

The CT picture of the normal larynx was studied in 15 volunteers free from laryngeal disorders and in 142 patients examined at the level of the neck for a variety of pathological conditions. The investigation was carried out during normal breathing and during phonation. The diagnostic importance of these two functional attitudes is stressed. Tomographic anatomy was described according to axial planes: suprahyoid, hyoid, subhyoid, supraglottic, glottic and subglottic. In addition to the laryngeal structure, the cartilaginous skeleton and the anatomical formations surrounding the larynx were also investigated. CT was found to be a very useful and accurate tool for studying the delicate structures which form the larynx.

The possibility of a radiological diagnosis of supradiaphragmatic localizations of malignant lymphoma are discussed, with particular reference to the employment of special techniques: xeroradiography, bronchography, selective arteriography. A number of examples are presented in detail.

Two hundred-twelve patients with clinical suspect of herniated disk in the lumbar spine were examined by computed tomography (CT). Eighty-one patients underwent a surgical operation. The CT findings were correlated with myelographic and surgical findings. The CT diagnosis of herniated disk were intraoperatively confirmed in seventy-three patients (90,1%). The authors expose constant and accurate CT findings of herniated disk. CT should be considered as an excellent screening procedure for the diagnosis of herniated disk.

Thirty patients with myocardial infarction were studied using Digital Subtraction Ventriculography with Intravenous injection (DSVIV) between 3 and 6 days from myocardial infarction and were checked after 30 and 90 days. The variation of ejection fraction in the controls was not important. The wall motion provided precise indications regarding the infarctual regions. Digital subtraction ventriculography seems to be a very interesting tool in the study of the left ventricle in the evolution of myocardial infarction, thanks to a low invasivity, providing data on ventricular function.

In 9 of 12 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation computed tomography was performed. In 5 of them CT was obtained also before the surgical treatment. In all patients angio-CT technique was performed, while the ECG-gated technique was employed only before surgery. CT shows changes in morphology of both atria but over all of the right one, and rotation of the heart on the longitudinal axis. The conditions of the pericardium are particularly well demonstrated: in 5 cases pericardial effusion was observed, 3 times localized and 2 times diffuse. Only in 1 patient a small thrombus in the right atrium was demonstrated. CT allows the possibility to obtain simultaneously information on mediastinum, lungs and pleura. Pleural effusion, pulmonary infections and mediastinal complications are easily demonstrated.