Prenatal diagnosis of herniated Dandy-Walker cysts. (49/217)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series is to describe the prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcome of fetuses affected with Dandy-Walker malformation in which a posterior cyst herniated through a bony defect of the occipital skull, foramen magnum, or both. METHODS: Two- and 3-dimensional sonography were used to examine 2 fetuses with poorly delineated cerebellar structures and a large posterior cystic neck mass. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was added to this evaluation as a complementary diagnostic modality. RESULTS: Three-dimensional sonography helped characterize the precise site of cyst herniation through the occipital skull or foramen magnum. Fetal MRI confirmed the sonographic findings. Neonatal MRI studies identified heterotopic gray matter as evidence of a neuronal migration disorder in both fetuses. The second fetus also had agenesis of the corpus callosum. Retrospective review of the fetal MRI (25.9 weeks' menstrual age) and 3-dimensional sonographic (18.7 weeks' menstrual age) studies confirmed ventricular wall nodularity involving the occipital horns of the second fetus. CONCLUSIONS: The antenatal detection of a large posterior cystic neck mass and a poorly defined or nonvisualized cerebellar vermis suggest Dandy-Walker malformation with a herniated cyst. Three-dimensional sonography and fetal MRI are important adjunctive methods that can be used to evaluate the herniation site and a possible neuronal migrational disorder.  (+info)

Hand-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass for occlusive disease. Early and mid-term results. (50/217)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early and mid-term results of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for aorto-iliac reconstruction. DESIGN: Prospective survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2002 and January 2004, 46 patients received an aortobifemoral bypass for advanced occlusive disease by HALS. RESULT: There was one conversion to open surgery. Mortality was 4.5%. The median return to solid oral diet took 36 h (24-182), the median hospital stay was 5 days (3-26). Primary patency rate at 1 year was 97.5%. The incidence of incisional hernia was 19.5%. CONCLUSIONS: HALS aorto-iliac reconstruction should be considered as a minimal invasive technique with good early and mid-term results.  (+info)

Dynamic MR imaging of outlet obstruction. (51/217)

The outlet obstruction syndrome encompasses all pelvic floor abnormalities which are responsible for an incomplete evacuation of fecal contents from the rectum. It has been estimated that outlet obstruction may be observed in half of constipated patients. A detailed clinical examination still represents the cornerstone of the diagnosis of these patients. However, there is general agreement that a reliable evaluation of the different pelvic floor abnormalities and the treatment decision highly depend on the imaging assessment. Traditionally, conventional defecography has played an important role in the radiological assessment of these patients but the technique is limited by its projectional nature and its inability to detect soft-tissue structures. Dynamic pelvic MR imaging using either closed-configuration or open-configuration MR systems is a rapidly evolving technique which has been gaining increased interest over the last years. The free selection of imaging planes, the good temporal resolution, and the excellent soft-tissue contrast have transformed this method into the preferred imaging modality in the evaluation of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction including rectocele, enterocele, internal rectal prolapse, and anismus.  (+info)

Cardiac luxation: an unusual complication of a log roll. (52/217)

Cardiac luxation is a rare but potentially fatal consequence of blunt thoracic trauma. We present a case of a pericardial tear with cardiac luxation following blunt chest trauma. It is hypothesised that the cardiac luxation occurred while log rolling the patient during the initial assessment. This report stresses the need to be aware of the potential for such a complication.  (+info)

Necropsy findings in a fetus with a 46,XY,dic t(X;21)(p11.1;p11.1). (53/217)

We report the findings in a fetus terminated because of multiple abnormalities diagnosed on ultrasound, including asymmetry of the limbs, a hypoplastic diaphragm, unilateral duplex kidney with a double ureter, unilateral cystic kidney, and congenital heart disease including total pulmonary atresia. Cytogenetic studies showed an unbalanced translocation of the long arm of the X chromosome to chromosome 21, resulting in a 46,XY,dic t(X;21)(p11.1;p11.1) karyotype. The cytogenetics were confirmed by non-isotopic in situ hybridisation using probes specific to pericentric alphoid repeats. Parental chromosomes were normal indicating this to be a de novo translocation. It is suggested that the inactivation of the long arm of the X chromosome has resulted in an effective monosomy for chromosome 21.  (+info)

Left paraduodenal hernia presenting as recurrent small bowel obstruction. (54/217)

Internal herniation of the small bowel is a relatively rare cause of intestinal obstruction. Left paraduodenal hernia resulting from abnormal rotation of the midgut during embryonic development is the most common form of congenital internal hernia. We report our experience in the diagnosis and management of a young male with left paraduodenal hernia presenting as recurrent intestinal obstruction. Correct preoperative diagnosis of left paraduodenal hernia had been difficult due to non-specific clinical presentations, but the advent of modern imaging technology makes early and correct diagnosis possible. Due to the risk of obstruction and strangulation, surgical treatment is indicated; however, timely intervention increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome.  (+info)

The positive predictive value of diagnostic ultrasound for occult herniae. (55/217)

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to ascertain the accuracy of diagnostic ultrasound in the assessment of the occult abdominal and groin herniae. The authors have previously demonstrated its efficacy in diagnosing the type of clinical groin herniae but occult herniae provide a further diagnostic problem. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 113 consecutive patients were referred prospectively for ultrasound examinations with clinically suspected occult herniae. All positive scans were offered surgery whilst the negative results were offered further imaging or other diagnostic tests depending on the clinical criteria. The end point for negative scans was based on 18-month follow-up or resolution of symptoms. RESULTS: Overall, 59 scans showed positive results for herniae and 56 of these had surgery. In the other three patients, two refused an operation, and one had no hernia detected at operation. In the remaining 57 scans, ultrasound offered alternative soft tissue diagnoses in 23 patients and surgical/endoscopic diagnoses accounted for a further 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound offered a diagnosis for the symptomology in 82 patients (70.6%) of which 59 were herniae. The positive predictive value for hernia is 98.3%. Twenty-six patients with no diagnosis or confirmation of herniae on follow-up showed symptom resolution in 22 cases, and four patients were treated by the pain clinic.  (+info)

Herniation of the buccal fat pad into the maxillary antrum: CT findings in three cases. (56/217)

We report the first 3 cases in which CT disclosed herniation of the body of the buccal fat pad into the maxillary antrum. Only 20 cases of traumatic herniation of the buccal fat pad have been described in the literature. In all except one instance, the buccal fat pad herniated into the oral cavity. The only previous report of herniation of the buccal fat pad into the maxillary antrum is in an article published before modern cross-sectional imaging, and the diagnosis was not made preoperatively in that case.  (+info)