Several lesions may cause metatarsalgia whose clinical manifestations may be non-specific. Magnetic resonance imaging associated with other imaging methods and clinical data frequently can contribute to detection of these lesions, allowing a reasonably precise diagnosis to be considered. Our purpose is to describe and illustrate, by means of magnetic resonance imaging, main diseases causing metatarsalgia.

Keywords: Metatarsalgia, Foot diseases, Arthropathy, Magnetic resonance imaging

Our purpose is to present a new technique to evaluate arterial obstructions in the lower limbs by magnetic resonance using a single paramagnetic contrast agent double dose slowly administered using an infusion pump. The method is based on a software and hardware called Mobitrak available on the Philips high field magnetic resonance machines, which allows vascular evaluation of wide areas with continuous and segmentar high resolution acquisitions. An echo gradient sequence (FFE) was used, which allowed three simultaneous planning and had little overlapping on the intersections. This dynamic sequence is achieved in two phases, prior and during contrast injection, and allows signal subtraction of adjacent tissues and 3D reconstructions. The method has various advantages such as better visualization of the tibiofibular segments, study of the whole lower limb in a single patient visit, and reduction of the volume of contrast injected.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance angiography, Arterial, Technique

Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of unenhanced helical computed tomography in the diagnosis of ureteral lithiasis, to establish the frequency of the main computed tomography findings, and to assess and compare the interobserver agreement with the results of conventional intravenous urography. A prospective double-blind study was carried out in 25 patients referred for unenhanced helical computed tomography and conventional intravenous urography due to nephretic colic. Both methods were employed to evaluate the size of the kidneys, hydronephrosis and the size and location of ureteral stones. Perirenal hyperdensities, periureteral edema and the halo sign were also assessed by unenhanced helical computed tomography. In 23 of the 25 unenhanced helical computed tomography examinations (92%) and in 17 of the 25 conventional intravenous urography examinations (68%) there was agreement on the results of the two observers. In 21 of the 25 patients, there was agreement between the results of both methods. We concluded that unenhanced helical computed tomography is as efficient as conventional intravenous urography in the evaluation of patients with nephretic colic, is a reproducible method, and avoids the discomfort of the use of intravenous contrast.

Keywords: Lithiasis. Ureter. Kidney. Computed tomography.