Computed tomography measurements of the AP diameter, width, and cross-sectional area of the bony cervical canal were derived from cervical spine examinations of fifty-two normal adults. These quantitative parameters were then used to evaluate 80 patients with various cervical abnormalities to determine the clinical usefulness of the measurements. With the exception of spinal stenosis, quantitative cervical canal analysis was found to be of limited usefulness since normal measurements frequently occurred in the presence of significant cervical pathology.

Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is a common feature of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) which may result in impairment of pulmonary function and may be a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. Clinicopathologic observations suggest that interstitial and alveolar inflammation may appear prior to fibrosis. Using the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) technique, we have characterized the nature of the inflammatory process in the lower respiratory tracts of 19 nonsmoking scleroderma patients. Eleven of 19 patients (58%) had increased percentages of neutrophils and/or eosinophils in BAL fluid. Five of 10 patients (50%) had elevations of IgG in BAL fluid. The presence of neutrophils was associated with a decreased lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (P < 0.05) and with more advanced radiographic features of interstitial fibrosis in patients with disease of more than 1 year's duration. This study suggests that scleroderma lung involvement may be characterized by an inflammatory alveolitis and that the presence of such inflammation may relate to the severity of the pulmonary disease.

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Fifty-one patients with documented abdominal abscess cavities were treated by percutaneous abscess and fluid drainage (PAFD). Drainage catheters made of various materials in sizes ranging from 5 through 18 French (Fr) were retrospectively studied and prospectively assigned to patients. No significant difference in the success or failure of PAFD as a function of these factors was found once an 8.3 Fr catheter with 0.045-inch diameter side-holes was reached; catheters larger than this were not associated with improved patient outcome. Failues of PAFD occurred primarily with the presence of phlegmonous collections and cavities with fistulous connection to bowel.

Biliary cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas are among the rare neoplasms of the biliary ductal system. This article presents 3 adult patients in whom such large multiloculated biliary tumors were diagnosed. The characteristic features noted on ultrasonography, computed tomography, and angiography of the liver are illustrated and the literature is reviewed.