Comparison of color duplex ultrasound and computed tomography scan for surveillance after aortic endografting.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) requires regular surveillance for early detection of endograft failure. CT scanning is the gold standard surveillance procedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of color duplex ultrasound (CDU) in comparison to CT scanning for detection of endoleaks and changes in aneurysmal diameter. From November 1996 to September 1999, a total of 41 patients treated by aortic endografting underwent regular surveillance with both CT scanning and CDU. There were 39 men and 2 women with a mean age of 71 years (range, 50-83). Endovascular treatment involved deployment of a straight aorto-aortic stent in 6 cases, bifurcated stent in 33, and aorta-to-unilateral iliac artery stent in 2. Stent deployment failed in one case; the procedure was conversion to open surgery. Primary or secondary endoleaks were detected in 17 patients (42%). Our findings indicated that CDU is less reliable than the CT scan for detection of endoleaks, but that reliability of CDU for surveillance of aneurysmal diameter is fair.

[Acute stomach volvulus complicating hiatal hernia revealed by common bile duct calculi]. / Volvulus gastrique aigu sur hernie hiatale révélé par une lithiase cholédocienne.

The authors report about one observation of acute gastric volvulus on paraoesophageal hiatus hernia caused by a choledocholithiasis, requiring gastrectomy and choledochotomy in emergency. On the basis of this case they sum up the main characteristics of this complication of hiatus hernia and insist on a earlier diagnosis before stage of irreversible lesions.