CT and MR imaging of the properitoneal fat pad: a pictorial essay.

The properitoneal fat pad is a distinctive anatomical structure located in the midline of anterior abdominal wall between the transversalis fascia and parietal peritoneum. It has variable size and configuration depending on the gender and nutritional status of individuals, but CT and MR images of the upper abdomen can readily depict its shape and adipose composition. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the CT and MRI features of normal properitoneal fat pad, and the spectrum of pathological processes that affect it among patients. This information can be relevant to the practicing radiologists and clinicians for the correct diagnosis and management of such conditions because most lesions of this fat pad produce nonspecific symptoms.

CT and MR imaging of the greater omentum: Pictorial essay.

The greater omentum is a unique anatomical structure that serves a critical function in the containment of inflammatory and infectious processes within the abdominal cavity. It is also a common site of involvement by metastases, as well as the primary location for various pathologic lesions of clinical significance. Its fibroadipose composition, large size, and position in the most anterior aspect of abdomen allow accurate visualization of the greater omentum on CT and MR images. Careful evaluation of the greater omentum can provide important clues to the diagnosis of the underlying abdominal disorder. The aim of this article is to present the normal appearance of the greater omentum, and the wide spectrum of its pathological features as demonstrated on CT and MRI of the abdomen.

Ultrasound with laparoscopy for the diagnosis of abdominal disorders in cattle / Estudo da ultrassonografia e laparoscopia para diagnóstico das desordens abdominais em bovinos

This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopy with abdominal ultrasound exams to establish accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The experimental design was a prospective clinical study. Nine adult crossbred bovines suffering from abdominal disorders were admitted to the cattle clinic for clinical examinations. Abdominal ultrasound was carried out, and complete blood counts were performed. Subsequently, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. After surgery (exploratory laparoscopy on the right or left side), animals with a severe prognosis or untreatable clinical condition were euthanised and necropsied. During laparoscopy, circumscribed reticuloperitonitis could not be detected, nor could other abnormalities in the cranioventral region of the abdomen previously observed on ultrasound and confirmed during necropsy. However, alterations due to peritoneal damage, such as adhesions, were observed dorsally in addition to alterations in macroscopic aspects of the peritoneal fluid. Exploratory standing laparoscopy through the paralumbar fossae may constitute a supplementary procedure for diagnosing abdominal disorders in cattle, but it is not suitable in cases of diseases characterised by focal lesions concentrated in the cranioventral region of the abdomen. When associated with clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound examinations, this technique may improve the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of abdominal disorders in cattle.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a laparoscopia com exames de ultrassom abdominal para estabelecer um diagnóstico e prognóstico precisos. O desenho experimental foi um estudo clínico prospectivo. Nove bovinos adultos mestiços com distúrbios abdominais foram utilizados. Os bovinos admitidos na Clínica de Bovinos foram submetidos a exame clínico, adicionalmente foram realizadas hemograma e ultrassonografia abdominal. Posteriormente, foi realizada laparoscopia exploratória. Após a cirurgia (laparoscopia exploratória no lado direito ou esquerdo), nove animais com manifestações clínicas graves e intratáveis foram sacrificados e necropsiados. Durante a laparoscopia, não foi possível detectar reticuloperitonite circunscrita, bem como outras anormalidades na região crânio-ventral do abdome, previamente observadas na ultrassonografia e confirmadas durante a necropsia. No entanto, alterações devido a dano peritoneal, como aderências, foram observadas dorsalmente. É possível que a laparoscopia exploratória em apoio quadrupedal através da fossa paralombar constitua um procedimento complementar para o diagnóstico de distúrbios abdominais em bovinos, embora não seja adequado em casos de doenças caracterizadas por lesões focais concentradas na região cranioventral do abdome. Quando associada a exames clínicos, laboratoriais e de ultrassom, essa técnica pode melhorar o diagnóstico e prognóstico preciso dos distúrbios abdominais em bovinos.(AU)

Ultrasound with laparoscopy for the diagnosis of abdominal disorders in cattle

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopy with abdominal ultrasound exams to establish accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The experimental design was a prospective clinical study. Nine adult crossbred bovines suffering from abdominal disorders were admitted to the cattle clinic for clinical examinations. Abdominal ultrasound was carried out, and complete blood counts were performed. Subsequently, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. After surgery (exploratory laparoscopy on the right or left side), animals with a severe prognosis or untreatable clinical condition were euthanised and necropsied. During laparoscopy, circumscribed reticuloperitonitis could not be detected, nor could other abnormalities in the cranioventral region of the abdomen previously observed on ultrasound and confirmed during necropsy. However, alterations due to peritoneal damage, such as adhesions, were observed dorsally in addition to alterations in macroscopic aspects of the peritoneal fluid. Exploratory standing laparoscopy through the paralumbar fossae may constitute a supplementary procedure for diagnosing abdominal disorders in cattle, but it is not suitable in cases of diseases characterised by focal lesions concentrated in the cranioventral region of the abdomen. When associated with clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound examinations, this technique may improve the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of abdominal disorders in cattle.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a laparoscopia com exames de ultrassom abdominal para estabelecer um diagnóstico e prognóstico precisos. O desenho experimental foi um estudo clínico prospectivo. Nove bovinos adultos mestiços com distúrbios abdominais foram utilizados. Os bovinos admitidos na Clínica de Bovinos foram submetidos a exame clínico, adicionalmente foram realizadas hemograma e ultrassonografia abdominal. Posteriormente, foi realizada laparoscopia exploratória. Após a cirurgia (laparoscopia exploratória no lado direito ou esquerdo), nove animais com manifestações clínicas graves e intratáveis foram sacrificados e necropsiados. Durante a laparoscopia, não foi possível detectar reticuloperitonite circunscrita, bem como outras anormalidades na região crânio-ventral do abdome, previamente observadas na ultrassonografia e confirmadas durante a necropsia. No entanto, alterações devido a dano peritoneal, como aderências, foram observadas dorsalmente. É possível que a laparoscopia exploratória em apoio quadrupedal através da fossa paralombar constitua um procedimento complementar para o diagnóstico de distúrbios abdominais em bovinos, embora não seja adequado em casos de doenças caracterizadas por lesões focais concentradas na região cranioventral do abdome. Quando associada a exames clínicos, laboratoriais e de ultrassom, essa técnica pode melhorar o diagnóstico e prognóstico preciso dos distúrbios abdominais em bovinos.

Características de la cirugía videolaparoscópica de urgencia en niños de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Characteristics of the emergency videolaparoscopic surgery in children from Santiago de Cuba province

Introducción: los pacientes con afecciones abdominales agudas pueden ser operados de urgencia por medio de técnicas quirúrgicas de mínimo acceso, entre ellas las videolaparoscópicas. Objetivo: identificar las principales características de la cirugía videolaparoscópica en niños. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo de 189 pacientes con afecciones abdominales agudas, operados de urgencia por cirugía videolaparoscópica en el Servicio Pediátrico de Cirugía del Hospital Docente Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba, de marzo del 2000 a diciembre del 2012. Resultados: se obtuvo un predominio del grupo etario de 10-14 años (36,5 %) y del sexo masculino (57,1 %); asimismo, la tasa de complicaciones se incrementó en los menores de 10 años, fue de 10,3 % en los menores de 4 años y resultó considerable en los preescolares (66,7 %). Primaron las causas no ginecológicas como indicación de intervención quirúrgica (86,7 %) y la apendicitis aguda como afección abdominal (65,4 %), la cual además presentó el mayor número de complicaciones. Por otra parte, el índice general de conversiones, la incidencia de complicaciones y la estadía hospitalaria fueron bajos. Conclusiones: la cirugía videolaparoscópica de urgencia en el niño es una opción terapéutica factible en Santiago de Cuba, con una baja tasa de complicaciones y una estadía hospitalaria de corta duración.

Introduction: the patients with acute abdominal disorders can have emergence surgeries by means of minimal access surgical techniques, among them the videolaparoscopic surgeries. Objective: to identify the main characteristics of the videolaparoscopic surgery in children. Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross sectional and retrospective study of 189 patients with acute abdominal disorders, and emergency videolaparoscopic surgeries was carried out in the Pediatric Surgery Service at the Teaching Southern Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from March, 2000 to December, 2012. Results: a prevalence of the age group 10-14 (36.5%) and of the male sex (57.1%) was obtained; likewise, the complications rate was increased in those under 10 years, it was 10.3% in those under 4 years and it was considerable in the preschool children (66.7%). The non gynecological causes prevailed as indication of surgical intervention (86.7%) and the acute appendicitis as abdominal disorder (65.4%), which also presented the highest number of complications. On the other hand, the general conversions index, the complications incidence and the hospital stay were low. Conclusions: the videolaparoscopic surgery of emergency in the boy is a feasible therapeutic option in Santiago de Cuba, with a low incidence rate of complications and a hospital stay of short duration.

Características de la cirugía videolaparoscópica de urgencia en niños de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba / Characteristics of the emergency videolaparoscopic surgery in children from Santiago de Cuba province

Introducción: los pacientes con afecciones abdominales agudas pueden ser operados de urgencia por medio de técnicas quirúrgicas de mínimo acceso, entre ellas las videolaparoscópicas. Objetivo: identificar las principales características de la cirugía videolaparoscópica en niños. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo de 189 pacientes con afecciones abdominales agudas, operados de urgencia por cirugía videolaparoscópica en el Servicio Pediátrico de Cirugía del Hospital Docente Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba, de marzo del 2000 a diciembre del 2012. Resultados: se obtuvo un predominio del grupo etario de 10-14 años (36,5 por ciento) y del sexo masculino (57,1 por ciento); asimismo, la tasa de complicaciones se incrementó en los menores de 10 años, fue de 10,3 por ciento en los menores de 4 años y resultó considerable en los preescolares (66,7 por ciento). Primaron las causas no ginecológicas como indicación de intervención quirúrgica (86,7 por ciento) y la apendicitis aguda como afección abdominal (65,4 por ciento), la cual además presentó el mayor número de complicaciones. Por otra parte, el índice general de conversiones, la incidencia de complicaciones y la estadía hospitalaria fueron bajos. Conclusiones: la cirugía videolaparoscópica de urgencia en el niño es una opción terapéutica factible en Santiago de Cuba, con una baja tasa de complicaciones y una estadía hospitalaria de corta duración(AU)

Introduction: the patients with acute abdominal disorders can have emergence surgeries by means of minimal access surgical techniques, among them the videolaparoscopic surgeries. Objective: to identify the main characteristics of the videolaparoscopic surgery in children. Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross sectional and retrospective study of 189 patients with acute abdominal disorders, and emergency videolaparoscopic surgeries was carried out in the Pediatric Surgery Service at the Teaching Southern Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from March, 2000 to December, 2012. Results: a prevalence of the age group 10-14 (36.5 percent) and of the male sex (57.1 percent) was obtained; likewise, the complications rate was increased in those under 10 years, it was 10.3 percent in those under 4 years and it was considerable in the preschool children (66.7 percent). The non gynecological causes prevailed as indication of surgical intervention (86.7 percent) and the acute appendicitis as abdominal disorder (65.4 percent), which also presented the highest number of complications. On the other hand, the general conversions index, the complications incidence and the hospital stay were low. Conclusions: the videolaparoscopic surgery of emergency in the boy is a feasible therapeutic option in Santiago de Cuba, with a low incidence rate of complications and a hospital stay of short duration(AU)