OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fetal nuchal translucency, ductus venosus, nasal bone and maternal age > 35 years by means of aneuploidy screening between the 12th and 14th gestational weeks in a high-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study involving 92 pregnant women at 12-14 gestational weeks, who were submitted to chorionic villus sampling because of high risk for trisomy 21 based on the measurement of nuchal translucency thickness (17.4%) or on maternal age > 35 years (78.3%). Before the chorionic villus sampling, fetal nuchal translucency thickness was measured, ductus venosus flow was evaluated and the nasal bone was identified. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for tests in parallel and in sequence. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 12 fetuses (13.5%); 7 (58.3%) were positive for trisomy 21. The nasal bone was present in all cases with chromosomal abnormalities. Isolated nuchal translucency, ductus venosus or maternal age showed low sensitivity (41.67-58.33%) and low positive predictive value (10-45.45%). Combined nuchal translucency + ductus venosus + maternal age showed the best results (100% sensitivity; 6.49% specificity; 14.29% positive predictive value; 100% negative predictive value). CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with >35 years of age, combined nuchal translucency + ductus venosus have showed the highest sensitivity as an indication for invasive procedure.

Keywords: Nuchal translucency measurement, Ductus venosus, Nasal bone, Maternal age, Trisomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the olfactory fossae depth according to the Keros' classification and determine the incidence and degree of asymmetry in the height and contour of the ethmoid roof. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 200 coronal computed tomography studies of paranasal sinuses performed in the period between August and December, 2006. RESULTS: According to the Keros' classification, olfactory fossae type II was most frequently found in 73.3% of cases followed by type I in 26.3% and type III in 0.5% of cases. Asymmetry in the ethmoid roof height was found in 12% of cases (24 computed tomography studies), and contour asymmetry was found in 48.5% (97 computed tomography studies), with flattening of the ethmoid roof on one of the sides. CONCLUSION: As regards the olfactory fossae depth, the Keros' type II was most frequently found. In most of cases, the ethmoid roof asymmetry was related to angulation of the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate.

Keywords: Anatomy, Nose, Nasal cavity, Computed tomography, Fovea ethmoidalis, Olfactory fossa

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for fetal nasal bone length measurements between 11 and 15 gestational weeks in a Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was developed with 171 normal pregnant women between their 11th and 15th gestational weeks. The fetal nasal bone was measured by means of transabdominal ultrasound in all of the cases. The 5th and 95th percentiles for the nasal bone length were calculated by the formula: mean ± 1.645 standard deviation. The Spearman correlation coefficient with 95% confidence interval was utilized to correlate the nasal bone length with fetal anthropometric parameters. RESULTS: The nasal bone could be measured in all of the cases with the mean length ranging between 1.69 mm and 2.94 mm. Nasal bone length demonstrated to be strongly correlated with all of the fetal anthropometric parameters (p < 0.001) and with the gestational age (R² = 0.59). CONCLUSION: Despite the preliminary character of the present study, a reference range of fetal nasal bone length was established.

Keywords: Fetal biometry, Nasal bone, Normality range, Ultrasound

Schwannomas of the sinonasal tract are rare entities that are amenable to local resection. We present a 69 year old woman with a schwannoma of the inferior turbinate that was successfully resected. Schwannomas arising from the inferior turbinate are very infrequent.

Keywords: Schwannoma, Inferior turbinate, Nasal tumours

The authors present a case of a 2-month-old infant affected by the recessive form of chondrodysplasia punctata, a rare condition radiologically characterized by severe proximal shortening and anomalous ossification (epiphyseal stippling) of the limbs. Clinical and radiological findings as well as main differential diagnoses are emphasized on the basis of data originating from a brief literature review.

Keywords: Chondrodysplasia punctata, Bone dysplasia, Peroxisomal disorders

OBJECTIVE: To describe the different presentations of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia in a revisional study of 14 computed tomography exams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have selected 14 cases of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia attended at the Head & Neck Surgery/Otorhinolaryngology Service and Diagnostic Imaging Service of "Hospital Heliópolis", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, between 1991 and 2002. Three of the following most relevant tomographic findings were analyzed: number of bones affected, predominant radiological presentation and the disease uni- or bilaterality. RESULTS: A predominance of a mixed pattern was observed in relation to the disease presentation. Also, contiguous involvement of two or more bones was observed as well as equivalence between cases of unilateral and bilateral craniofacial involvement, possibly due the fact that most patients presented the monostotic type of fibrous dysplasia. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of tomographic features of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia is of paramount importance for surgical planning and post-treatment follow-up.

Keywords: Fibrous dysplasia of bone, Skull, Face, Facial bones, X-ray computed tomography

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sinonasal complex to identify the main findings and to determine the diseases in this area. An accurate analysis of the local extent and tumoral dissemination through computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging plays a significant role in the therapeutic planning, also affecting the prognosis.

Keywords: Nasal sinuses, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: To review the computed tomography findings in patients with nasal cavity tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients - ten male and eight female - with nasal cavity tumors were studied using computed tomography. RESULTS: Histological types of the tumors included six epidermoid carcinoma, three malignant melanoma, two adenoid cystic carcinoma, and one case of each of the following: adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, fusiform cell sarcoma, and stesioneuroblastoma. The lesions were more frequent on the left side and middle level of the nasal cavity (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epidermoid carcimomas showed a close relationship between the lesion volume and the degree of destruction of adjacent structures. Septum involvement was different depending on the histological type of the lesion.

Keywords: Tumors, Cancer, Nasal cavities, Computed tomography

We report a case of Camurati-Engelmann disease in a 32-year-old male patient. This patient was submitted to radiological evaluation including plain X-rays, bone scintigraphy and computed tomography, which showed typical findings of this syndrome and uncommon aspects seen only in cases of severe bone involvement.

Keywords: Camurati-Engelmann disease, Progressive diaphyseal dysplasia

The authors report a case of congenital hydrocolpos due to vaginal malformation (vaginal septae) associated with ectopic ureter and renal displasia. Several imaging diagnostic procedures (ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, intravenous urography and computed tomography) were performed. A review of the literature on hydrocolpos and its association with urinary malformations is also presented.

Keywords: Hydrocolpos, Vaginal malformation, Renal displasia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of deep tissue extension of malignant tumors of the nasal cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients diagnosed with malignant tumors of the nasal cavity were retrospectively evaluated at the Departments of Diagnostic Imaging and Head and Neck Surgery of the "Complexo Hospitalar Heliópolis", São Paulo, Brazil, between 1990 and 2000. All cases were confirmed by histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Extension to the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was identified in six patients, extension to contralateral nasal cavity, orbit and lamina cribosa in five patients, extension to nasal pharynx and masticator space in two patients, extension to cavernous sinus, anterior/middle cranial fossa, pterygomaxillary fossa, inferior/superior orbital fissure, frontal sinus, contralateral ethmoid sinus, contralateral lamina cribosa, hard palate and pterygopalatine fossa in one patient. CONCLUSION: It is important to precisely assess the local extension and spread of tumor by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in order to plan the approach to treatment, which will influence the prognosis.

Keywords: Nasal cavity, Malignant neoplasm, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

We report a case of a 2 years and 8 months-old child with the recessive form of craniometaphyseal dysplasia. Clinical and radiological features as well as the main differential diagnosis are discussed and compared with data from a brief literature review.

Keywords: Craniometaphyseal dysplasia, Bone dysplasia, Bone sclerosis, Nasal obstruction

Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare benign disease (incidence 1:1,000,000), characterized by an osteochondral overgrowth affecting one or more epiphyses. Generally, the age of onset is between two and 14 years. The characteristic imaging findings are sufficient for the diagnosis. Surgical excision of the lesion is only indicated in cases where a functional limitation is present.

Keywords: Epiphysis; Osteochondrodysplasia; Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica; Trevor disease.

Cleidocranial dysostosis is a rare genetic syndrome with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The most common manifestations include clavicular aplasia or hypoplasia, open fontanelles and abnormal dentition. The present report describes two familial cases whose late diagnosis was made by means of clinical and radiographic findings. The treatment was radical, with complete surgical teeth extraction and making of total dental prosthesis.

Keywords: Cleidocranial dysplasia; Hypoplasia of clavicles; Supernumerary teeth.