Article Abstract:
Fertilization of a human ovum (egg) normally occurs within the fallopian tube, and the fertilized ovum continues down the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. In some cases, however, the fertilized ovum adheres to the fallopian tube, resulting in a tubal pregnancy. In very rare cases (only 6 reported cases since the original 8 reported in 1933) the fetus attaches to the liver. Data on the fetus and the nature of the placenta in these cases have only been sparsely reported. The current case of a 23-year-old black female allowed the diagnosis and evaluation of this type of extrauterine pregnancy using sonography (ultrasound imaging), CAT scanners (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound, CT, and MRI have never before been used on a case of intrahepatic pregnancy. All techniques, including the simpler and less costly ultrasound were diagnostic; however, CT and MRI were better able to show the anatomy of the placenta and fetus.
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Article Abstract:
CT and MRI scans appear to be effective non-invasive methods for detecting lymph node metastasis from cervical cancer. Researchers used a technique called meta-analysis to evaluate 17 studies that evaluated CT scans for detecting metastasis, 10 that evaluated MRI scans, and 17 that evaluated an invasive test called lymphangiography. Lymphangiography involves injecting a dye into the bloodstream to image various parts of the body using X-rays. All three techniques were equally effective but MRI and CT are not invasive.
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Article Abstract:
Years of research on back pain has revealed that many patients have no identifiable injury and no treatment is completely effective for all patients. Using X-rays or MRI scans to find the cause of the pain may be costly and ineffective also. Many people experience temporary pain in some part of their body and in many cases, it goes away without treatment. What the patient needs are strategies for coping with the pain.
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