OBJECTIVE: To review upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) contrast examinations in order to establish the main diagnoses and radiological findings, the actual benefits to the patients and the costs for the department of radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 270 UGI contrast examinations performed between 6/3/2001 and 12/4/2002 at the Department of Radiology of "Hospital Santa Cruz/Beneficência Portuguesa de Niterói", Niterói, RJ, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 270 examinations were reviewed. Radiological findings (anatomical, congenital, acquired, peptic or surgery related findings) were seen in 115 (42.5%) examinations while 155 (57.5%) examinations were normal. The age range was 0-12 years in 197 (72.9%) patients whereas 73 (27.1%) patients were above 12 year-old. CONCLUSION: Due to the clear benefit to the patients, UGI contrast examinations should continue to be used as an important complementary method to study UGI diseases, particularly in children and surgical cases. Therefore, we should keep in mind that UGI contrast examinations and endoscopy are complementary methods of investigation when comparing its advantages and disadvantages. UGI contrast examination is a fast, simple, and relatively low cost procedure. In addition, it presents low risk to the patients.

Keywords: Upper gastrointestinal tract diseases, Contrast examination, Differential diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To review 225 intravenous urography examinations in order to statistically analyze the main urinary tract related findings and to revalidate the usefulness of the method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective and descriptive study based on data of 225 intravenous urography examinations performed between 2/1/2002 and 29/11/2002 at the Department of Radiology of "Hospital Santa Cruz/Beneficência Portuguesa de Niterói", Niterói, RJ, Brazil. RESULTS: In a total of 225 examinations, radiological findings (anatomical, congenital, acquired, functional and others) were seen in 173 (76.9%) whereas 52 (23.1%) examinations were normal. The most common finding was calculus (35.9%), followed by dilatation of the calyceal system (9.9%). One hundred and ten patients (48.9%) were male and 115 (51.1%) were female. The youngest patient was 2-month-old and the oldest was 84-year-old. CONCLUSION: In spite of the new imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, intravenous urography still remains an important and valuable method for the investigation of the urinary tract.

Keywords: Intravenous urography, Urinary tract abnormalities, Differential diagnosis