OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at: a) evaluating radiographic procedures and estimating entrance surface air kerma in preterm neonates submitted to chest and abdominal radiography at the unit of neonatology in a public hospital of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; b) estimating the dose to organs and respective risks for cancer as a result from radiation exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients admitted to the unit of neonatology of this hospital in the period between May and September 2004 were reviewed. Anthropometric data, admission/discharge dates and radiographic studies performed were recorded for each of the patients. The calculation of the entrance surface air kerma was based on the x-ray tube output and irradiation parameters adopted for examinations. Dose to organs was calculated with the aid of the software PCXMC, and the lifetime risk for cancer, with the software IREP. RESULTS: Mean entrance surface air kerma per examination was below the diagnostic reference levels recommended by the European Community. In the most severely irradiated patients, liver, breast and stomach were the organs at highest risk for cancer, with maximum excess relative risk of respectively 3.4%, 2.3%, and 1.7%. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the need for optimization of radiographic procedures in order to reduce the risks for neonates that, in spite of being considered to be low as compared with the benefits, should be reduced to values as low as reasonably achievable.

Keywords: Patient dosimetry, Radiological protection, Pediatric radiology, Cancer risk

A case of a male, 29-year-old patient who, in a suicide attempt, has self-administered a 2 ml injection of metallic mercury into his left arm is reported. Radiological studies have shown the presence of several metallic spheres in the subcutaneous tissue of the olecranal fossa and along the veins of the left arm, with dissemination to lungs, heart, liver, spleen and brain.

Keywords: Embolism, Mercury, Radiology, Computed tomography

The authors report a case of a newborn term infant with horseshoe lung associated with supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage; such association remains unreported in the Western literature.

Keywords: Horseshoe lung, Chest radiography, Computed tomography, Angiography

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with chest radiography in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc). MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRCT scans and chest radiographs in postero-anterior and lateral views were performed in 34 patients with systemic sclerosis, according to the American College of Rheumatology preliminary criteria for the diagnosis of SSc. The prevalence of radiological findings suggestive of interstitial lung disease in SSc seen on both imaging methods was compared. RESULTS: Interstitial disease was observed on HRCT images of 31 patients (91%) and in the chest radiographs of 16 patients (47%). The most frequent findings observed on HRCT were septal lines (74%), honeycombing (56%) and parenchymal bands (26%). Chest radiographs showed reticular areas of attenuation in 11 patients (32%) and parenchymal distortion in 12% of the patients. In 18 patients (53%) with normal chest radiographs HRCT showed septal lines in 55%, ground glass in 44%, honeycombing in 38.5% and cysts in 33%. CONCLUSION: HRCT is more sensitive than chest radiography in the evaluation of incipient interstitial lung involvement in patients with SSc and can provide a justification for immunosuppressive therapy in patients with early disease.

Keywords: Lung high-resolution computed tomography, Lung diseases, Systemic sclerosis