Pre-operative Computerized Tomography was performed prior to second look operations in 10 cases to check for cholesteatoma after combined approach tympanoplasty. Three independent opinions were obtained on the CT scans and compared with the operative findings.This small series failed to demonstrate reliable pre-operative radiological detection of cholesteatoma. There was disappointing inter-observer agreement in interpretation of the CT scan

The maximum diameter of the common bile duct was measured on 85 normal intravenous cholangiograms carried out on children between the ages of 1--14 years. There was a close correlation between bile duct width and the patient's age, but a poor correlation with weight. The range of bile duct widths in each age group is tabulated as a guide to diagnosing biliary dilatation in childhood.

Twenty-eight patients undergoing routine antenatal screening by ultrasound were found to have a fetus with a major urological abnormality. In addition, two babies suspected of having an enlarged bladder were found post-natally to be normal. Seven of the 28 pregnancies were terminated before 26 weeks' gestation as a result of the ultrasound findings and all these fetuses had lethal renal abnormalities. Of the remaining 21 babies, four died of renal failure following delivery. Fifteen of the 17 babies who are alive and well had an ultrasound scan before 24 weeks' gestation. Only one of these scans revealed the abnormality. In the remaining patients the abnormality was first detected after 28 weeks. No patient had surgery in utero. Our data suggest that renal abnormalities detected prior to 24 weeks' gestation are associated with severe renal impairment. It appears that the role of antenatal drainage procedures may be of limited value.

The development of an intracerebral pneumatocele following ventricular catheterization for benign intracranial hypertension is described. The importance of skull radiography in the diagnosis of this previously unreported complication ist emphasized. This case demonstrates that air can accumulate without the need to implicate increased pharyngeal pressure, and despite raised intracranial pressure.