Perforación de sigma secundaria a migración de prótesis biliar / Sigma Perforation Secondary to Migration of Biliary Prosthesis

RESUMEN Introducción: La migración de una prótesis en la vía biliar es una complicación muy poco frecuente que normalmente se expulsa de forma natural, pero en raras ocasiones puede cursar con complicaciones severas. Objetivo: Describir una complicación rara por migración de una prótesis biliar. Caso clínico: Se presenta un paciente de sexo masculino de 75 años, portador de stent biliar que presenta una perforación de sigma secundaria a migración de la prótesis. Conclusiones: Las migraciones protésicas deben vigilarse y si no se eliminan de manera espontánea o el paciente presenta síntomas, se debe proceder a su retirada endoscópica o quirúrgica(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Migration of a prosthesis in the bile duct is a very rare complication normally expelled in a natural way, but on rare occasions it can lead to severe complications. Objective: To describe a rare complication due to migration of biliary prosthesis. Clinical case: A case is presented of a 75-year-old male patient with a biliary stent who presented a sigmoid perforation secondary to migration of the prosthesis. Conclusions: Prosthetic migrations should be monitored and, if they are not eliminated spontaneously or the patient presents with symptoms, they should be removed endoscopically or surgically(AU)

Tomar leche no siempre es bueno. .. un accidente que a todos nos puede suceder / Drinking milk is not always good ... ... an accident that can happen to all of us

En pacientes que se presentan con disfagia y/o odinofagia súbitas después de ingerir alimentos, debemos sospechar la ingestión de un cuerpo extraño. Los cuerpos extraños en esófago no siempre son visibles en una radiografía de cuello, por lo que debemos utilizar otros métodos diagnósticos como la tomografía axial computarizada y la gastroscopía. El presente caso ilustra la ingestión accidental del sello de un envase de leche.

In patients acute with dysphagia and/or odynophagia after ingestión of a meal, we should always suspect the ingestion of a foreign body. Esophageal foreign bodies are not always visible on X-rays and we must rely on other diagnostic methods like CT scan and endoscopy. This case ilustrates the accidental ingestion of the seal of a milk carton.

Metaplasia ósea endometrial / Endometrial osseous metaplasia

La metaplasia ósea endometrial es una patología que se presenta con poca frecuencia y causa una gran variedad de síntomas como: sangrado uterino, dolor pélvico e infertilidad. Esta última, generalmente es secundaria y junto con el antecedente previo de aborto, constituyen una pieza clave en la sospecha diagnóstica. En el estudio de esta enfermedad, es necesario el uso de ecografía transvaginal y radiografía simple abdominal. El tratamiento definitivo se realiza mediante la extracción histeroscópica del material óseo, el cual es enviado a patología para corroborar el diagnóstico. La infertilidad revierte con la extracción del tejido óseo y no se han demostrado complicaciones en gestaciones futuras. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con metaplasia ósea endometrial por su rareza e importancia en el diagnóstico diferencial de sangrado uterino(AU)

Endometrial osseous metaplasia is a rare pathology that causes a variety of symptoms such as uterine hemorrhage, pelvic pain and infertility. This last consequence is generally secondary, and along with a history of abortions, represents a key element in suspected diagnosis. It is necessary to use transvaginal ultrasound and simple abdominal radiography for the study of the disease. The final treatment is performed by hysteroscopic removal of the bone material, which is sent to the pathology laboratory to confirm diagnosis. The infertility may be eliminated with the removal of the bone material and no further complications in future pregnancies have been observed. This is the case of a patient with endometrial osseous metaplasia, which is reported because of its infrequency and importance in the differential diagnosis of uterine bleeding(AU)

Neonatal Iliopsoas Abscess: The First Korean Case

Iliopsoas abscess (IPA) is rare in neonates. We present a case of neonatal IPA that was initially believed to bean inguinal hernia. A 20-day-old male infant was referred to our hospital for herniorrhaphy after a 2-day history of swelling and bluish discoloration of the left inguinal area and leg without limitation of motion. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography suggested a femoral hernia, but the anatomy was unclear. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a multi-septated cystic mass extending into the psoas muscle from the lower pole of the left kidney to the femur neck. Broad spectrum antibiotics were initiated, and prompt surgical exploration was planned. After opening the retroperitoneal cavity via an inguinal incision, an IPA was diagnosed and surgically drained. Culture of the abscess fluid detected Staphylococcus aureus, sensitive to methicillin. The patient was discharged without complication on the 17th postoperative day.

Effects of Dual-Energy CT with Non-Linear Blending on Abdominal CT Angiography

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether non-linear blending technique for arterial-phase dual-energy abdominal CT angiography (CTA) could improve image quality compared to the linear blending technique and conventional 120 kVp imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 118 patients who had accepted dual-energy abdominal CTA in the arterial phase. They were assigned to Sn140/80 kVp protocol (protocol A, n = 40) if body mass index (BMI) or = 25. Non-linear blending images and linear blending images with a weighting factor of 0.5 in each protocol were generated and compared with the conventional 120 kVp images (protocol C, n = 37). The abdominal vascular enhancements, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and radiation dose were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance test, independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Mean vascular attenuation, CNR, SNR and subjective image quality score for the non-linear blending images in each protocol were all higher compared to the corresponding linear blending images and 120 kVp images (p values ranging from < 0.001 to 0.007) except for when compared to non-linear blending images for protocol B and 120 kVp images in CNR and SNR. No significant differences were found in image noise among the three kinds of images and the same kind of images in different protocols, but the lowest radiation dose was shown in protocol A. CONCLUSION: Non-linear blending technique of dual-energy CT can improve the image quality of arterial-phase abdominal CTA, especially with the Sn140/80 kVp scanning.

Radiografia simples de abdome no diagnóstico da impactação fecal em crianças com constipação intestinal: comparação entre três escores radiológicos / Abdominal radiograph in the assessment of fecal impaction in children with functional constipation: comparing three scoring systems

OBJETIVOS: Comparar três escores radiológicos na pesquisa de impactação fecal em crianças com constipação intestinal. Verificar, ainda, se estes escores radiológicos são úteis na avaliação da terapia de desimpactação fecal e se apresentam relação com o tempo de trânsito colônico total. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Os escores de Barr, Blethyn e Leech foram aferidos por três observadores, de forma independente, em 123 radiografias de abdome. A concordância interobservador no diagnóstico da impactação fecal foi calculada para os três escores. Em 30 radiografias, foi feita a análise dos escores antes e após a desimpactação fecal. O tempo de trânsito colônico total foi calculado em 59 radiografias com o emprego de marcadores radiopacos. RESULTADOS: A concordância entre os pares de observadores, avaliada pelo coeficiente de Kappa, foi boa para os escores de Barr (0,56, 0,59 e 0,69) e Leech (0,53, 0,58 e 0,61). O escore de Blethyn apresentou menores coeficientes de Kappa (0,26, 0,32 e 0,36). Na comparação dos métodos, Leech e Barr mostraram boa correlação. Após a desimpactação fecal, houve redução estatisticamente significante (p < 0,001) dos escores, mais expressiva com o escore de Barr. Não houve relação entre os escores radiológicos e o tempo de trânsito colônico. CONCLUSÕES: Não há relação entre impactação fecal avaliada pela radiografia de abdome e o tempo de trânsito colônico total. A radiografia simples pode ser um instrumento útil ao diagnóstico da impactação fecal. O escore de Barr pode ser considerado um bom método de análise, sobretudo para avaliação da resposta ao tratamento da impactação fecal.

OBJECTIVES: To compare three radiological scores in the study of fecal impaction in children with constipation. To investigate whether these radiological scores are useful in the assessment of fecal disimpaction therapy and if they present a relation with total colonic transit time. METHODS: The Barr, Blethyn and Leech scores were measured by three observers, independently, in 123 abdominal radiographs. Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of fecal impaction was calculated for the three scores. In 30 radiographs, the analysis of the scores was performed before and after fecal disimpaction. Total colonic transit time was calculated in 59 radiographs with the use of radiopaque markers. RESULTS: The agreement between pairs of observers was assessed by the kappa coefficient and was good for the Barr (0.56, 0.59 and 0.69) and Leech scores (0.53, 0.58 and 0.61). The Blethyn score presented lower kappa coefficients (0.26, 0.32 and 0.36). In the comparison of methods, Leech and Barr showed a good correlation. After fecal disimpaction, there was a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) of scores, most significantly with the Barr score. There was no relation between radiographic scores and colonic transit time. CONCLUSIONS: There is no relation between fecal impaction assessed by radiography of the abdomen and total colonic transit time. Plain radiographs may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of fecal impaction. The Barr score can be considered a good method of analysis, especially to assess the response to treatment of fecal impaction.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of the Abdomen: the Imaging Findings

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare neoplasm that originates from follicular dendritic cells in lymphoid follicles. This disease usually involves the lymph nodes, and especially the head and neck area. Rarely, extranodal sites may be affected, including tonsil, the oral cavity, liver, spleen and the gastrointestinal tract. We report here on the imaging findings of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the abdomen that involved the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and colon. It shows as a well-defined, enhancing homogenous mass with internal necrosis and regional lymphadenopathy.

Ileo biliar: presentación de un caso y revisión de literatura / Biliary obstruction: presentation of a case and review of literature

Este trabajo presenta un caso de Ileo Biliar en paciente femenino de 75 años, con enfermedad de 4 días de evolución caracterizada por vómitos incontables de aspecto fecaloideo, ausencia de evacuaciones y dolor abdominal tipo cólico. Se llevó a mesa operatoria evidenciando cálculo atascado de 5 cm de longitud por 3 cm de ancho en ileon distal a 25 cm de la válvula ileocecal, con dilatación proximal de asas delgadas. Se realiza extracción del mismo mediante enterotomía y enterorrafía en dos planos. La paciente presenta evolución satisfactoria. El ileo biliar es causa de obstrucción intestinal poco frecuentre, aparece generalmente en mujeres de más de 60 años. El cálculo biliar pasa generalmente a intestino, a través de la fistulización de la pared biliar en duodeno o yeyuno, tras prolongado decúbito, produciendo la neumatización del arbol biliar. Posteriormente el cálculo emigra hasta íleon distal, donde puede quedar detenido y provocar un cuadro de obstrucción de intestino delgado.

Ultrasound measurement of liver span in Jordanian adults: a preliminary experience

One of the most frequent ultrasound requests by clinicians is evaluation of hepatic size. Clinical evaluation by percussion and palpation can be inaccurate, unreliable with significant inter-observer variation. Ultrasound remains a very important imaging modality when the liver is concerned because it is simple, practical and easy-to-use. Yet, ultrasound measurement of liver span didn't receive much attention, particularly in this region. The aims of this study were to establish a normal figure of liver span for adults in Jordan, to investigate relationships between liver span and several anthropometric factors including age, gender, weight, height, body mass index and body surface area and to standardize ultrasound measurement of liver span. A prospective study was carried out at Jordan University Hospital between March 2007 and April 2008, on non-selected population sample of 242 male and 275 female adults with age range of 18-76 years. Statistical analyses including correlation, regression and 95% confidence intervals were performed on the data to test the statistical significance of the various relationships between liver span as represented by midclavicular line longitudinal diameter on one side, and several anthropometric factors including age, gender, weight, height, body mass index and body surface area. Our results showed that all anthropometric variables contributed highly and significantly to the variation in female liver span. The same factors however, with the exception of body mass index, significantly contributed to the variation in male liver span, however to a much lesser extent than females. The best predictor of liver span was height in case of males, body surface area in case of females. And both height and body surface area when both genders are considered. The 95% liver span confidence intervals were 12.3-12.8, 11.9-12.3 and 12.2-12.5 for males, females, and both genders combined, respectively. Height and body surface area were the best determinants of liver span in males and females, respectively

Lactante con masa abdominal: teratoma renal vs. nefroblastoma teratoide / Lactant with abdominal mass: teratoma vs. nebroblastoma teratoid

El riñón es uno de los sitios menos comunes de localización de teratomas y otros tumores germinales. Los teratomas extragonadales son más frecuentes en la región sacro coccígea y en el mediastino. Hace once años en el Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela, fue atendida una lactante femenina de 3 meses de edad, con masa abdominal de crecimiento progresivo. La radiografía y el ultrasonido abdominal mostraron masa tumoral izquierda, con calcificaciones e imágenes de aspecto anecoico. La exploración quirúrgica demostró neoplasia quística con compromiso del riñón izquierdo. El estudio anatomopatológico reportó riñón izquierdo con neoplasia quística, multiloculada y luz ocupada por abundante líquido amarillo claro, material sebáceo, sangre y pelos. Quistes revestidos por tejidos maduros tipo epitelio plano estratificado con calcificación, queratina y epitelio mono-estratificado ciliado respiratorio, cartílago y tejido adiposo. El teratoma maduro renal es una neoplasia benigna muy infrecuente pero de buen pronóstico. El diagnóstico diferencial debe realizarse con varias neoplasias benignas y malignas de ubicación en retroperitoneo. Durante la infancia el diagnóstico diferencial más importante es con el nefroblastoma teratoide. El tratamiento de elección es el quirúrgico. La evolución del paciente motivo de este trabajo transcurrido diez años es satisfactoria.

Very rarely teratomas and tumors derived from germ cell can arise within the kidney. Extragonadal teratomas are most frequent in the mediastinum and sacrococcygeal region. In the University Hospital of The Andes Mérida, Venezuela was treated a three month old female infant with an abdominal mass. The X-ray films and the ultrasound study showed a big retroperitoneal tumor of left kidney and it was heterogeneous and had amorphous calcifications. In the surgery procedure, a multicystic tumor within the kidney parenchyma was found; the light was occupied with clear yellow liquid and fat, sebaceous and mucinous materials, hair, and blood. A cyst was involved with mature cells type stratificated with calcification queratine and epithelium mono-estratificated, ciliate respiratory, cartilage and sebaceous tissues. The teratoma renal is an uncommon neoplasm with a benign clinical course and a good prognosis. The differential diagnosis should be with some neoplasm retroperitoneal benign and malignant. During the infancy the histopathologic differential diagnosis with teratoid nephroblastoma is a mandatory. Surgery procedure should thus be the first choice for treatment. Ten years later, the evolution of the patient motive of studied in these work was satisfactory, actually she has no evidence of any tumor recurrence.

Adding liver window setting to the standard abdominal CT scan protocol: is it useful?

Hepatic lesions may be missed in the routine abdominal computed tomography [CT] scan protocol using soft tissue window setting. The ability to find these lesions is very important in the assessment of metastasis and follow-up of patients. Patients and Methods: In this study, 411 patients who underwent abdominal CT for various causes were evaluated separately by two radiologists blindly. All liver images were viewed in two different window settings, soft tissue window setting: window width [WW] of 350-400 Hounsfield unit [HU], window level [WL] of 35-50 HU, and liver window setting: WW of 150 HU, WL of 50-100 HU, at the workstation. Out of 411 patients, 181 [44%] were referred for cancer follow-up and 230 [56%] for evaluation of abdominal discomfort. Soft tissue window setting revealed no lesion in 334 [81.26%] patients, single lesion in 30 [7.31%], and multiple lesions in 47 [11.43%] patients. Liver window setting revealed no lesion in 313 [76.2%] patients, single lesion in 35 [8.5%], and multiple liver lesions in 63 [15.3%] patients. Compared to liver window, soft tissue window setting revealed 77.77% of all detectable liver lesions. Liver window showed new lesions in 22 [6.6%] of patients in whom no lesion had been found in soft tissue window setting. Therefore, liver window setting brought 5.3% increase in the diagnostic yield of CT in our series, and changed the decision for treatment in 2.4% of patients studied. Liver window setting added to the standard soft tissue setting protocol of abdominal CT at the workstation can improve the diagnosis and follow-up of patients, especially for those who have known cancer. Image review with this new setting takes a few minutes and the cost is also low; there is no added radiation exposure to patients

Control de dispositivos intratubarios Essure mediante estudios de imágenes / Detection and control of Essure device by pelvic radiography and ultrasound

Objetivo: Comparar la efectividad en la detección y control del dispositivo intratubario (DIT) Essure por medio de la radiografía abdominopélvica y el ultrasonido. Método: Control de los primeros 5 casos de esterilización tubaria ambulatoria con Essure, después de 1 y 2 años de su inserción, mediante radiografía abdominopélvica y ecografía transvaginal. Resultados: Ambos exámenes de imágenes permitieron corroborar la presencia del dispositivo Essure en las 5 pacientes, al completar su primer y segundo año desde su inserción. Conclusión: Tanto la radiografía abdominopélvica como la ecografía transvaginal, permiten detectar y controlar la presencia del DIT Essure. El ultrasonido realizado por el ginecólogo en la consulta, puede reemplazar a la radiografía simple, como método de detección y control de los dispositivos intra-tubarios (Essure). Las ventajas comparativas permiten concluir que el ultrasonido, no irradia a la paciente y permite explorar el resto de la anatomía de los órganos sexuales internos durante el mismo procedimiento. Sin embargo, es de mayor costo que la radiografía.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness in the detection and control of Essure by pelvic radiography and ultrasound. Method: Control of the first 5 cases of ambulatory sterilization with Essure after 1 and 2 years. Detection and control by pelvic x-ray and transvaginal ultrasonography. Results: Both methods allowed corroborating the presence of the Essure device in the 5 patients, when completing their first and second year from the insertion. Conclusion: As much the pelvic x-ray as the transvaginal ultrasound allows to detect and check the presence of the Essure device. The transvaginal ultrasonography can replace the x-ray like method of detection and check of the Essure devices. The comparative advantages allow concluding that the ultrasound usually is available for the gynecologist, does not radiate the patient and allows exploring the internal sexual organs anatomy during the same act. Nevertheless, it is of greater cost than x-ray.

Rabdomiosarcoma embrionario hepatico: a propósito de un caso / Hepatic embrionary Rhabdomysarcoma: presentation of a case

El Rabdomiosarcoma es el sarcoma de tejidos blandos de origen musculoesqueléticos más frecuente en niños menores de 15 años y uno de los más comunes en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. (1) Las áreas del cuerpo más comunes donde puede alojarse este tumor son la cabeza, el cuello, la vejiga, la vagina, los brazos, las piernas y el tronco. Aunque también puede encontrarse en la próstata, el oído medio y el sistema de conductos biliares. (2) En los niños con rabdomiosarcoma embrionario, esta anomalía se encuentra en el cromosoma 11, mientras el alveolar en los cromosomas 2 y 13. (1) Se reconocen tres subtipos: embrionario, alveolar y pleomórfico. El embrionario se observa en niños y adolescentes menores de 15 años y se localiza principalmente en la cabeza y en el cuello, tracto urogenital, retroperitoneo y extremidades. Los síntomas pueden incluir una masa visible o palpable que puede ser doloroso o no, parestesia, dolor. (2) El diagnóstico se establece a través del examen físico, historia médica completa, así como estudios imagenológicos, biopsia y punción de medula ósea. (3) El tratamiento específico será dado por la localización del tumor primario y el estadio del tumor, en algunos pacientes se administra quimioterapia preoperatorio en un intento de reducir la extensión de la intervención y de preservar órganos vitales. El pronóstico se relaciona con la edad del paciente, sitio de origen, resecabilidad. (4)

Epidemeología de la apendicitis aguda en el área pediátrica en el Hospital Dr. Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz IVSS: durante el periodo enero 2001-enero 2006 / Epidemeology of the acute appendicitis in the pediatric area in the Hospital Dr. Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz: period january 2001-january 2006

En este trabajo se presenta una revisión de cinco años (2001-2006) de pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda ingresados al servicio de pediatría del Hospital Dr. Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz para determinar datos epidemiológicos para tal fin se diseño un estudio respectivo y descriptivo, el cual reporto un total de 143 pacientes el grupo etario mas afectado estuvo entre los 10-11 años con 50 de los casos revisados que representa 34.96 por ciento.

Hemorragia digestiva masiva; trombosis venosa mesentérica / Massive gastrointestinal bleeding mesenteric venous thrombosis

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 9 años (D.M.I.) que sufrió una hemorragia digestiva baja, masiva, que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico de urgencia donde se encontró una malformación vascular que comprometió inicialmente el territorio duodenal y que finalmente correspondió a una trombosis de la vena mesentérica superior de causa no precisada.

Mediciones ultrasonográficas y de tomografía computada de adiposidad y alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a obesidad en niños / Measurements by ultrasound and computerized tomography of adiposity and metabolic complications of obesity

Introducción. La obesidad infantil es un problema de salud pública de prevalencia creciente y consecuencias a futuro. El compartimiento adiposo intraperitoneal estaría asociado a factores de riesgo metabólicos propios de la obesidad. No existe una estandarización de mediciones de tejido adiposo en imágenes en niños. Objetivos. Estudiar la asociación entre mediciones de tejido graso abdominal con insulinemia, en niños. Sujetos y Métodos. Se estudiaron 37 escolares prepuberales obesos (IMC ? p95), de ambos sexos, entre 6 y 12 años, con técnicas antropométricas, imagenológicas (US y TC) y de laboratorio (glicemia, insulinemia). Resultados. Las mediciones del tejido adiposo abdominal mediante US presentaron altas correlaciones con las mismas mediciones por TC (r= 0,79; p< 0,001). Las estimaciones de adiposidad visceral por US (r=0,56) y TC (r=0,53) tuvieron mejor correlación con insulinemia que las variables antropométricas, (IMC, r= 0,33; perímetro abdominal, r= 0,42). Conclusiones. La US aparece como una excelente herramienta disponible para la estimación de depósito adiposo intraperitoneal, que identifica de forma precoz alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a obesidad en niños.

Prevalência de artefatos em exames de ressonância magnética do abdome utilizando a seqüência GRASE: comparável com as melhores seqüências rápidas? / Prevalence of artifacts in abdominal magnetic resonance imaging using GRASE sequence: a comparison with TSE sequences

OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência global de artefatos na seqüência gradient and spin echo (GRASE), por tipo e grau do artefato, em exames de ressonância magnética de abdome; realizar comparação entre as seqüências GRASE e duas seqüências TSE previamente selecionadas como aquelas com melhor relação sinal-ruído e menor incidência de artefatos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo prospectivo, autopareado, em 86 pacientes submetidos a ressonância magnética de abdome superior, sendo adquiridas a seqüência GRASE com sincronizador respiratório e supressão de gordura e seis seqüências TSE ponderadas em T2. Dentre as seis seqüências TSE, foram previamente selecionadas aquelas com melhor relação sinal-ruído e menor número de artefatos, que foram as realizadas com supressão de gordura e com sincronizador respiratório, sendo uma com bobina de corpo (seqüência 1) e outra com bobina de sinergia (seqüência 2). A análise das imagens foi realizada por dois observadores em consenso, quanto a presença, grau e tipo de artefato. Posteriormente os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, através do teste de Friedman e do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: A freqüência absoluta de artefatos nas seqüências utilizadas foi de 65,02 por cento. Os artefatos mais encontrados nas três seqüências estudadas foram os de respiração (30 por cento) e de pulsação (33 por cento). Apenas 3 por cento dos casos apresentaram algum tipo de artefato que dificultava a análise das imagens. As freqüências de artefatos nas diversas seqüências foram: GRASE, 67,2 por cento; seqüência TSE 1, 62,2 por cento; seqüência TSE 2, 65,5 por cento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na freqüência de artefatos encontrados nas seqüências GRASE e nas seqüências TSE (p = 0,845; NS). CONCLUSÃO: As seqüências GRASE e TSE ponderadas em T2 com sincronizador respiratório e com supressão de gordura, independentemente da bobina utilizada, apresentam freqüentemente artefatos, porém com incidência semelhante e ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall frequency of artifacts per type and grade using the GRASE sequence in abdominal magnetic resonance; to compare GRASE sequences with two previously selected TSE sequences as well as sequences with best signal-noise ratio and lower incidence of artifacts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective self-paired study was carried out in 86 patients submitted to upper abdominal magnetic resonance using a GRASE sequence obtained upon respiratory triggered and fat suppression and six TSE T2-weighted sequences. Among the six TSE sequences, those bearing the best signal-noise ratio and lower number of artifacts were previously selected, which consisted of those performed with fat suppression and respiratory triggering: one using a conventional body coil (sequence 1) and a second sequence using a synergy coil (sequence 2). Image analysis was carried out by two observers upon consensus regarding the presence, grade and type of artifact thereon. Subsequently, data were statistically analyzed using the Friedman test and chi-square. RESULTS: The absolute frequency of artifacts in all sequences was 65.02%. Most common artifacts in the three sequences analyzed were breathing (30%) and pulsation (33%) artifacts. Only in 3% of the cases artifacts interfered with the analysis of the images. The frequency of artifacts in the different sequences was: GRASE, 67.2%; TSE sequence 1, 62.2%; TSE sequence 2, 65.5%. There was no significant statistical difference between artifact frequency seen with GRASE and TSE sequences (p = 0.845; NS). CONCLUSION: GRASE and TSE T2-weighted, respiratory triggered, fat suppressed sequences often produce artifacts, notwithstanding the coil, although, with similar frequency and generally without interfering with the evaluation of the images.

Cuerpos extraños en recto: algoritmo de resolución / Rectal foreign bodies: algoritm of resolution

Introducción: El hallazgo de cuerpos extraños en recto introducidos por vía anal presenta mayor incidencia. La demora en la consulta, la permanencia del objeto, los intentos diagnósticos y terapéuticos para la extracción de los mismos, desencadenan lesiones como edema de la mucosa, espasmo del esfínter anal, laceraciones y eventual perforación rectal. Diseño: Revisión bibliográfica para protocolizar el manejo y la resolución de la extracción de cuerpos extraños en recto introducidos por vía anal, dada la diversidad de opciones terapéuticas posibles. Pacientes y Métodos: Se presentan 2 casos de cuerpos extraños alojadados en el recto, tratados en el Sector de Coloproctología del Hospital Español de Buenos Aires. Conclusiones: Nuestra propuesta es el desarrollo de un algoritmo para la resolución de este evento. Los principios son: 1- radiografía de tórax frente y de abdomen posteroanterior y lateral; 2- procedimiento con anestesia en quirófano; 3- extracción transanal siempre que sea posible; 4- laparotomía sólo como último recurso; 5- rectosigmoideoscopía sistemática postextracción y 6- evaluación inmediata y alejada de la continencia anal.