The authors categorized 125 spinal lesions in cancer patients and 127 lesions in patients with back pain according to their location in the vertebra on single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) images. Forty-four lesions were metastases, all in patients with known malignancy. Lesions in the apophyseal joints were all benign. Lesions manifesting as abnormal uptake projecting beyond the vertebral body surface were osteophytes. Thirty-seven percent of the lesions detected in cancer patients were categorized in either of these two benign categories. Lesions showing focal or diffuse uptake in the body were usually benign (96% and 87%, respectively). Lesions showing uptake in the body and pedicle were usually metastases (83%). When abnormal uptake was seen in both the body and posterior elements but with an intervening normal pedicle, benign disease was the most common cause (93%). It was concluded that the location of lesions on tomographic images provides useful information for differentiation between malignant and benign lesions in the vertebrae.

Male breast disease comprises a wide spectrum of benign and malignant processes. We present the spectrum of diseases encountered at our institution over the past 7 years (2007-2013) and correlate their radiological and histopathological appearances. Gynaecomastia is the most frequently encountered disease due to its association with a variety of causes. Male breast malignancies, though rare, must be considered. The most frequently encountered pathological characteristic is invasive and the predominant histologic subtypes are infiltrating ductal carcinomas.

C = capacitance; ε = permittivity; EIS = electrical impedance scanning; R = resistance; σ = conductance; SMM = 99m Tc-sestamibi scintimammography; Z = magnitude.Available online http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/6/2/69 IntroductionElectrical impedance scanning (EIS) maps are a measure of the electrical properties of an object made through surface measurements. The information is obtained quickly and comfortably, and the method shows promise for detecting cancers that may have previously gone undetected. The technology of electrical impedance measurements in the detection of disease has become a topic of great interest for engineering and physiological scientists. Electrical properties of biological tissues Electrical properties of living tissueInterest and experimentation in the electrical properties of tissues began in the late 1800s. This interest has evolved into a branch of physiology and the research has lead to insight into various mechanisms. This section provides an overview of some electrical terminology that is used in tissue impedance studies.First are basic explanations of resistance (R), conductance (σ), permittivity (ε) and capacitance (C). Resistance is a property that opposes current flow, and conductance is the inverse of resistance. Capacitance is a property that opposes a change in voltage or electric potential across an object and acts to store energy. A capacitor consists of two conductors, each oppositely charged and separated by a dielectric material. Permittivity is a property of the dielectric material and reflects the ability of charges in the material to move in response to an electric field. Capacitance is a function of the permittivity and the physical geometry of the object. For example, the capacitance formula for a two-plate capacitor is C = εA / d, where A is the area of each plate and d is the distance between them. The complex impedance (Z) of an RC series circuit can be described as Z = R + jX c , where X c = 1 / ωC (ω = 2πf, where f is frequency). The representation of the impedance can also be in the form of polar coordinates with Z = Z / θ, where Z is the magnitude and θ is the phase angle of the impedance. Z is the square root of R 2 + X c 2 and θ = arctan(X c / R). Permittivity and thus capacitance are usually considered to be constant values, independent of frequency. AbstractThe present paper focuses on electrical impedance scanning. The basic science behind the new modality, measurements of breast tissue impedance in vivo and in vitro, and the studies performed with a newly available commercial machine are discussed. Electrical impedance scanning has been generating interest for several reasons, including comfort to the patient, the relatively low cost, and studies suggest that it may be effective in detecting disease in mammographically dense breasts.

This article provides an overview of atypical femoral fractures with a highlight on their radiographic findings. Potent antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates or denosumab have been associated with the development of such fractures. However, at this time, a causal association has not been conclusively established. Atypical femoral fractures are insufficiency fractures, which frequently present with bone pain. Early identification of characteristic radiographic features and withdrawal of antiresorptive therapy may prevent the development of completed atypical femoral fractures.