[Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the required minimum in the diagnosis of abdominal and retroperitoneal space-occupying lesions].

OBJECTIVE: to determine the advantages of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) over contrast-free studies in the differential diagnosis of hepatic, renal, and pancreatic space-occupying lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A team of experienced radiologists retrospectively used CT data of patients with different space-occupying lesions of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space (liver, kidney, and pancreas). RESULTS: The diagnostic value of CT of the liver, kidney, and pancreas substantially decreases without using radiopaque contrast agents; at the same time not only the differential diagnosis, but also visualization of some neoplasms are frequently impossible. CONCLUSION: The potential benefit of contrast-enhanced CT virtually always outweighs the risks associated with the injection of a contrast agent.

[The virtual modeling of the robotic-assisted operations in abdominal surgery].

The experience of single institution of 43 robotic-assisted operations in the abdomen and retroperitoneal space has been analyzed. The problem of port placement conditioned the preoperative computed 3D-modelling of the operative course. The procedure allowed to optimize the movements of the robotic manipulators, decrease the risk of organ injury and overall incidence of intra- an postoperative complications.