[Value of spiral CT in diagnosing metastatic lymph node in lower lip cancer]

The aim of the research was to es timate the efficiency of the computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing meta stasis of submandibular and submen tal lymph nodes (level 1) in patients with diagnosed lower lip cancer. CT of neck lymph nodes was con ducted in 31 patients with diagnosed lower lip cancer. The total of 136 lymph nodes were identified, of which 16 were diagnosed as metastatic in histopathological examination. T investigated parameters were: shape, size (longitudinal and axial diameter and the surface of the cross-sections), presence of the fatty hilus, and level of enhancement after introvascular contrast agent administration. Correlation between the level of enhancement in the primary tumor and the enhancement in the metastatic lymph nodes was observed; density values before and after the admini stration of the contrast agent were in both cases at a similar level. It was also found that the best criterion in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes is the minimal axial diameter: for this parameter, the highest accuracy (74%) was observed for the value of 6 mm. As for the surface of the cross-sections of the lymph node, it was found that the best criterion is the axial cross-section surface: the accuracy of 74% was ob tained for the surface of 38mm2.

[Standardisation of the MRI and US images evaluation in the diagnostics of rheumatoid arthritis within the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints]

In Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it is very important to recognize pathologic condition and to start proper treatment as early as possible to lessen its consequences. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography are the best imaging modalities because they depict early stages of this disease and allows to control response to treatment. MRI depicts also bone oedema, which is a strong predictor of further progression. The process of standardization is needed in assessing both MR and US pictures. Standardization allows to compared both examinations of the same patient in different time and examinations of different patients. An aim of this article is to present: MR protocols of hand and wrist MR examinations for rheumatologic demand and standards of results, according to worldwide OMERAC RAMRIS 2002 and supplemented by tenosynovitis system; proposals for US examination of hands in rheumatoid patients.

[A case of sepsis in ILBW infant caused by Bacillus cereus]

Bacillus cereus is an aerobic or facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod which is ubiquitous in the environment. The incidence of neonatal infections is very low. The clinical course is serious, usually life- threatening or permanently damaging the central nervous system. The immature immune system, subjected to invasive procedures, increases the morbidity risk in this age group, especially in extremely low birth weight infants. Diagnostic difficulties and insusceptibility to ''first- line'' antibiotics can delay effective therapy and increase the risk of its failure. We report a 730 g preterm neonate, delivered at 27 weeks gestation with late- onset sepsis due to Bacillus cereus. The disease course was complicated by development of brain abscesses. We describe the clinical course of infection, diagnostic difficulties and the treatment. After the 140 days of hospitalization and relatively long period of therapy with different antibiotics, the patient was discharged from hospital in good condition. Despite of transmission of infection to the central nervous system, the introduced therapy prevented severe neurological disabilities as confirmed during the evaluation according to the Bayley Scale of Infant Development, performed at 29 months of life.