To document the earlier discovery and increased detection of renal cell carcinoma, the authors reviewed cases of renal cell carcinoma detected at their institution during 1974-1977 and 1982-1985, with particular emphasis on renal tumors 3.0 cm or smaller. Only 5.3% (four of 75) of renal cell carcinomas found during 1974-1977 but 25.4% (31 of 122) found during 1982-1985 were 3.0 cm or smaller, an increase of almost five times. Of the small tumors in the 1982-1985 group 96.7% (30 of 31) were incidentally discovered, and 77.4% (24 of 31) were initially detected with computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US). In the later series 48.4% (15 of 31) of the small renal tumors were treated with partial nephrectomy. Follow-up shows no recurrences. Many more small renal tumors are being detected because of the use of CT and US. This will undoubtedly increase the cure rate of renal cell carcinoma because these tumors are being detected when they are small and do not cause symptoms. Partial nephrectomy will increasingly be used in the management of these small tumors.

Although low-dose fetal CT should never be used as the initial diagnostic modality in cases of suspected skeletal dysplasia, it is a powerful imaging adjunct that depicts the fetal bones in exquisite detail. Use of CT of fetuses at risk of skeletal dysplasia may provide clinicians with more accurate information for counseling of families regarding neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Sonographic images of the vocal cords were obtained in 41 healthy human subjects using a phased array realtime ultrasound scanner. The thyroid cartilage provides the acoustic window for sonographic visualization of the vocal cords. The false vocal cords appear as hyperechoic structures, while the true vocal cords are seen as hypoechoic structures. The symmetry of movement of the vocal cords during respiration becomes apparent on examination in real time. Sonography may prove to be a potentially useful technique for the examination of the vocal cords.

The sonographic and computed tomographic features in a case of replacement lipomatosis of the kidney are presented, along with pathologic correlation. Computed tomography demonstrated a staghorn calculus and marked atrophy of the renal parenchyma, along with diffuse increase in renal sinus and perirenal fat. Sonography showed thinning of the renal parenchyma and high-amplitude echoes throughout the kidney, corresponding to the increase in renal sinus fat. The prospective diagnosis of replacement lipomatosis, and differentiation from other causes of nonfunction of the kidney due to staghorn calculus, can be readily made.

Sonograms of six patients with adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder were reviewed and correlated with oral cholecystographic and pathologic findings. The gallbladder was visualized in four of the six patients by oral cholecystography, which also revealed intramural diverticula. Five of the six patients showed sonographic evidence of diffuse or segmental thickening of the gallbladder wall and intramural diverticula, seen as anechoic or echogenic foci within the wall. Intramural diverticula containing bile appeared as anechoic spaces; those containing biliary sludge or gallstones appeared as echogenic foci with or without acoustic shadows or reverberation artifacts. There was good correlation between sonographic and pathologic findings in three patients. The authors conclude that adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder should be suspected when (a) there is diffuse or segmental thickening of the gallbladder wall and (b) intramural diverticula are seen as anechoic or echogenic foci with or without associated acoustic shadows or reverberation artifacts.