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Thirty patients with suspected pericardial effusions, or with cardiac enlargement of unknown cause were examined by computer tomography. In 19 cases a diagnosis of pericardial effusion or haematoma was made. All these cases were confirmed by echo cardiography or transthoracic puncture. The accuracy of computer tomography diagnosis did not depend on the aetiology, but could be increased by contrast enhancement. The computer tomographic criteria are enumerated and compared with those of echo cardiography. Examples of the most important differential diagnoses are discussed.

The radiological changes in the kidneys and skeleton in primary oxalosis in a patient are described. Crystalline calcium oxalate deposits, which are a secondary phenomenon, are responsible for the findings, which are of great significance both functionally and prognostically. Hyperoxalaemia is due to an enzyme defect, which leads to hyperoxaluria; this causes a reduction in renal function and can lead to rapid progression of the condition.

Typical eye changes in dialysis patients, which have been attributed to an osmotic disequilibrium, are elevated IOP, retinal edema or detachment, and cataract. This paper reports on a 66-year-old aphakic patient on intermittent hemodialysis, who developed corneal changes that may also be consequential to a disequilibrium. During hemodialysis treatments she repeatedly developed corneal swellings and bullous detachment of the corneal epithelium. These changes were always reversible during the period between treatments. Examination with the reflecting microscope demonstrated an endothelial cell density of 600/mm2, which is assumed to be the threshold density capable of maintaining corneal integrity under normal conditions, but is inadequate under the osmotic stress induced by hemodialysis. Methods of treatment are discussed.

The results obtained by MR tomography in 30 patients after renal grafting are compared with the clinical and histological data in respect of corticomedullary contrast (CMC). In 22 patients with regular functioning of the transplant the CMC was normal at 19.4%. Eight MR examinations yielded a clearly reduced CMC below 14%. In 7 of these 8 patients it was possible to prove histologically the existence of an acute tubular necrosis or of a transplant rejection. Noninvasive MR tomography yielded an early indication for treating the acute renal transplant rejection without being able to differentiate between such a rejection and acute renal failure.