The CT findings in 16 patients with histologically proved primary central nervous system (CNS) reticulum cell sarcoma (RCS) showed this malignancy to have predilection for the basal ganglia and thalamus, the periventricular white matter, the corpus callosum, and the vermis cerebelli. In 43% of patients with untreated tumor it presented as multifocal lesions; in each of these patients the basal ganglia were involved in conjuction with another site. In the other 57% of patients with untreated tumor presenting as solitary lesions the basal ganglia, the corpus callosum, and the frontal lobe were sites of predilection. Such solitary lesions may be indistinguishable from other tumors. Contrast enhancement of RCS was characteristically homogeneous with rare lucency, even in very large lesions.

Two cases demonstrating the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of inferior vena cava (IVC) duplication are presented, and the embryological, clinical, and radiological significance are discussed. Knowledge of caval anomalies can prevent misinterpretation of mediastinal masses, iliac occlusion with venous collaterals, or paravertebral lymph node enlargement. A duplicated IVC can be distinguished from para-aortic lymphadenopathy either by recognition of renal vein drainage or through intravenous contrast enhancement of the venae cavae.

Three cases of aortic aneurysm adjacent to the tip of the umbilical artery catheter are described. The clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and proposed pathogenesis are discussed. Mycotic aneurysms in childhood are infrequent but serious threats to life, requiring early recognition and prompt therapy. The appearance of a progressively enlarging middle or posterior mediastinal mass in a child with a history of septicemia should suggest a mycotic aneurysm.

Traumatic splenic cyst is one of many diagnostic choices when a mass is found in the left upper quadrant. In the appropriate clinical setting, demonstration of an intrasplenic, unilocular, avascular, homogeneous, fluid-filled mass with a smooth, sharply marginated wall should suggest a splenic cyst. On pathological examination, an epithelial lining implies a developmental origin. More commonly, no such lining is found and old trauma is assumed to be the etiology.

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