Synthesis, Quantification, and Characterization of Fatty Acid Amides from In Vitro and In Vivo Sources.

Fatty acid amides are a diverse family of underappreciated, biologically occurring lipids. Herein, the methods for the chemical synthesis and subsequent characterization of specific members of the fatty acid amide family are described. The synthetically prepared fatty acid amides and those obtained commercially are used as standards for the characterization and quantification of the fatty acid amides produced by biological systems, a fatty acid amidome. The fatty acid amidomes from mouse N18TG2 cells, sheep choroid plexus cells, Drosophila melanogaster, Bombyx mori, Apis mellifera, and Tribolium castaneum are presented.

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma.

Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma (MCAH) is a rare cutaneous entity described as grouped erythematous to violaceous papules. Histopathologic findings include vascular proliferations with multinucleate giant cells and dermal fibrosis. We report a case of MCAH in an 83-year-old white man affecting both the right anterior thigh and left posterior calf. Additionally, the pathogenesis of MCAH and different therapeutic modalities are reviewed.

Evaluating the Patient with Right Lower Quadrant Pain.

Right lower quadrant pain is one of the most common indications for imaging evaluation of the abdomen in the emergency department setting. This article reviews important imaging findings associated with acute appendicitis as well as major differential considerations including: mesenteric adenitis, Meckel diverticulum, neutropenic colitis, right-sided diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, omental infarction, and inflammatory bowel diseaseRight lower quadrant pain is one of the most common indications for imaging evaluation of the abdomen in the emergency department setting. This article reviews important imaging findings associated with acute appendicitis as well as major differential considerations including: mesenteric adenitis, Meckel diverticulum, neutropenic colitis, right-sided diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, omental infarction, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Hearing in static unilateral vestibular schwannoma declines more than in the contralateral ear.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of static vestibular schwannomas on hearing. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of audiometric measures in 15 patients with documented nongrowth of internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle enhancing masses. METHODS: Data from patients seen in an ambulatory tertiary care setting between the years of 2002 and 2012 with a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included preexisting otologic disease, prior therapy for the schwannoma, and tumor growth. Radiology reports were reviewed to ensure nongrowth and were confirmed by taking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements ourselves. Audiologic measurements included pure tone average, enhanced pure tone average (average of .5, 1, 2, and 4 KHz thresholds), 4 KHz threshold, 8 KHz threshold, and speech discrimination. The data were analyzed using mixed effect model with unstructured variance-covariance structure. RESULTS: Difference in audiometric measures between ears significantly (P<.05) increased for all measures except 8 KHz. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous decline in hearing relative to time is exaggerated in the affected ear despite no vestibular schwannoma growth. This finding can be useful for patient counseling and treatment decision making.

Multidetector CT of emergent biliary pathologic conditions.

Various biliary pathologic conditions can lead to acute abdominal pain. Specific diagnosis is not always possible clinically because many biliary diseases have overlapping signs and symptoms. Imaging can help narrow the differential diagnosis and lead to a specific diagnosis. Although ultrasonography (US) is the most useful imaging modality for initial evaluation of the biliary system, multidetector computed tomography (CT) is helpful when US findings are equivocal or when biliary disease is suspected. Diagnostic accuracy can be increased by optimizing the CT protocol and using multiplanar reformations to localize biliary obstruction. CT can be used to diagnose and stage acute cholecystitis, including complications such as emphysematous, gangrenous, and hemorrhagic cholecystitis; gallbladder perforation; gallstone pancreatitis; gallstone ileus; and Mirizzi syndrome. CT also can be used to evaluate acute biliary diseases such as biliary stone disease, benign and malignant biliary obstruction, acute cholangitis, pyogenic hepatic abscess, hemobilia, and biliary necrosis and iatrogenic complications such as biliary leaks and malfunctioning biliary drains and stents. Treatment includes radiologic, endoscopic, or surgical intervention. Familiarity with CT imaging appearances of emergent biliary pathologic conditions is important for prompt diagnosis and appropriate clinical referral and treatment.

Throwing injuries of the upper extremity.

The overhead throwing motion is a complex sequence of maneuvers that requires coordinated muscle activity in the upper and lower extremities. The shoulder and elbow are subject to multidirectional forces and are particularly vulnerable to injury during specific phases of the overhead throwing motion. Ligamentous, tendinous, neural, and osseous pathology that may occur in the shoulder or elbow of an overhead-throwing athlete will be discussed, with an emphasis on the role of MR imaging and MR arthrography.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1.

OBJECTIVE: We will describe and illustrate various musculoskeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) encountered on imaging studies. CONCLUSION: Because NF1 is one of the most common genetic disorders, radiologists should be familiar with its imaging manifestations.