In contrast to US and CT, T1-weighted MR imaging and (1)H MR spectroscopy strongly correlate with histopathologic steatosis assessment and are able to demonstrate differences across steatosis grades. T1-weighted dual-echo MR imaging and (1)H MR spectroscopy had the best diagnostic accuracy in depicting hepatic steatosis.

Thyroid volume was measured by ultrasonography in 50 healthy adults (25 males, 25 females, age 20-70 years) living in the non-iodine deficient area of Amsterdam. Thyroid volume was 10.7 +/- 4.6 ml (mean +/- SD, range 2.7-20.4 ml). No relation was found between thyroid volume and any of the following parameters: plasma TSH, T4, T3, thyroglobulin (Tg), urinary iodine excretion, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Thyroid volume in males (12.7 +/- 4.4 ml) was greater than in females (8.7 +/- 3.9 ml, p = 0.0014), but no sex difference was observed in the ratio of thyroid volume to body weight (males, 0.16 +/- 0.05 ml/kg; females 0.13 +/- 0.06 ml/kg; NS). Thyroid volume was positively related to body weight, but not to age. We conclude that the sex difference in thyroid volume is due to the difference in body weight between males and females. Lean body mass is presumably the most important physiological determinant of thyroid size in subjects living in a non-iodine deficient area.

The aim of this study was to assess the additional role of diagnostic laparoscopy combined with laparoscopic ultrasonography in the staging of patients with pancreatic head malignancy. Between January 1993 and June 1994, 73 patients with stage I cancer of the pancreatic head determined by preoperative investigation (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and Doppler ultrasonography) were eligible for laparoscopic ultrasonography. The peritoneal cavity was investigated for peritoneal deposits, intrahepatic metastases, malignant infiltration of the portal and superior mesenteric vessels, and N3 lymph node metastases. All patients without histologically proven metastases proceeded to laparotomy. Seventy patients were eligible for evaluation. Sixteen of the 21 patients with distant metastases were diagnosed by laparoscopy with ultrasonography. Forty-nine patients had surgical exploration and trial dissection to assess local resectability. Twenty-nine patients (41 per cent) had resectable pancreatic head tumours. The positive predictive value of local ingrowth as determined by laparoscopic sonography was 93 per cent. Laparotomy was avoided in 19 per cent of patients and the preoperative stage was changed in 41 per cent. Laparoscopy including ultrasonography was effective in staging pancreatic head malignancy.

No abstract

General rightsIt is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulationsIf you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: http://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.