The intraperitoneal injection of an aqueous suspension of cell wall fragments from group A streptococci induces a chronic intermittent arthritis in rats that is associated with the persistence of cell wall material in joint tissues. The radiographic techniques utilized to study this experimental model are described and the radiologic findings encountered during the natural history of the disease are presented. The progressive erosive synovitis of this model is similar to that seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

Renal lymphatics play a prominent role in physiological and pathologic states. However, intrarenal microlymphatic morphology has not been well established in humans. We have developed microangiographic techniques for studying microlymphatic morphology. Lymphatics were identified by location, presence of valves, and histologic characteristics in 4 patients (3 presented here and 1 reported previously), all of whom had congestive cardiac states. The renal lymphatics begin in the cortical interstitium near glomeruli and run adjacent to afferent arterioles and interlobular arteries. They drain into arcuate and interlobar vessels and then into hilar lymphatics. They also originate in and drain the medullary structures in the area of the vasa recta. Our study details the microlymphatic morphology in humans and confirms the similarity of human lymphatics to those studied extensively in pigs and dogs.

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN) is thought to be an inflammatory condition of the fallopian tubes and is strongly associated with infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The diagnosis is best made radiographically at hysterosalpingography (HSG), where the characteristic finding consists of multiple nodular diverticular spaces in close approximation to the true tubal lumen. We reviewed 1,194 HSGs performed over a five year period and identified 45 patients who had SIN (4%). There was a high rate of primary infertility (37.5%) and ectopic pregnancy (9.4%). Of 70 involved tubes, 62 (89%) had evidence of associated inflammation on historic, radiologic, surgical, or histologic grounds. We conclude that SIN is a disorder most likely acquired during the fertile years, and that the lesion is either a direct consequence of infection or that--once present--it predisposes the patient to subsequent infections.

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Collateral vessel formation to the kidney was induced by renal artery stenosis or embolization in six dogs. Extracts from control and collateral-forming kidneys were assessed for their ability to promote a vascular response in the hamster cheekpouch. The highly significant response evoked by particulate and soluble fractions of cytoplasm from collateral-forming kidneys suggests a humoral element in collateral vessel formation.