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ACTH concentration was measured in simultaneously drawn blood samples from the left and right inferior petrosal sinuses before and after administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Such samples were successfully obtained in 20 of 21 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome on whom it was attempted. In 11 of the 20 patients there was no concentration difference between petrosal sinus and peripheral blood. But 13 of 19 patients had a unilateral central to peripheral concentration gradient greater than 1.4 after CRH administration. In the other six patients no ipsi- to contralateral gradient was demonstrable. Two of these patients had a proven ectopic ACTH-producing tumor; no adenoma was found at operation in three; on patient is awaiting operation. In 10 of 13 patients with unilateral gradient a microadenoma was found on the same side at operation. One patient had a hemi-hypophysectomy on the side of the higher gradient: hypocortisolemia developed in her postoperatively. Two other patients are awaiting operation. The results indicate that simultaneous bilateral catheterization of the inferior petrosal sinus with CRH stimulation is a highly informative examination with few side-effects and will contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome.

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52 cases with pathologic lesions in the intervertebral foramen, studied with CT, are analyzed. The most frequent lesions are intraforaminal disc herniations. These are characterized by their hyperdensity in comparison to the dural sac (34 of 34 cases) and their broad contact with the intervertebral disc space (31 of 34 cases). Foraminal size and contour are usually normal. In contradistinction to disc herniations, benign tumors often show bone erosion of the pressure-type with enlargement of the foramen. Bone infiltration was seen only in malignant lesions and in the single case of Echinococcosis. Preoperative diagnosis of vascular lesions which present with foraminal enlargement is most important for the choice of the appropriate operative approach. Correct CT diagnosis of such vascular lesions is only possible with dynamic CT.