Internal Hernia After Laparoscopic Antecolic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the incidence and presentations of internal hernias (IH) after laparoscopic antecolic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) at our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 594 patients who underwent laparoscopic antecolic RYGB at our institution between December 2004 and December 2010. RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-four patients underwent laparoscopic antecolic RYGB with a mean follow-up of 50.5 months. Thirty-six patients developed 37 IH (6.2 %) requiring surgical intervention. Mean age of IH patients was 36.9 years. Thirty-one out of 36 were female. Mean preoperative BMI was 44.3 Kg/m(2). The mean time of presentation after their RYGB was 25.9 months. The mean % excess body weight loss at time of presentation was 54.0 %. Twenty-five out of 37 of IH occurred at Petersen's space; 9/37 IH occurred under the jejunojejunostomy; three patients had hernias at both locations. Mesenteric swirling was the most common CT scan finding in 20/36 (55.6 %). Six out of 36 CT were initially read as normal; however, on retrospective review by a radiologist, abnormalities indicating IH were found in 4/6. Patients presented with different degrees of acuity: 6/37 with chronic abdominal pain and 28/37 with acute abdominal pain. Bowel necrosis was found in 3/37. CONCLUSION: IH is a serious and potentially fatal complication of RYGB. Presentation can vary from chronic abdominal pain to bowel necrosis. CT is helpful in providing diagnosis; however, careful attention to the specific signs of small bowel volvulus, such as mesenteric swirl sign, should be given. IH should be considered in RYGB patients who present with even vague symptoms.

A radiologic review of common breast disorders in pregnancy and the perinatal period.

The imaging changes in the breast associated with pregnancy and the perinatal period may not only deviate from the baseline appearance for each patient, but may also mimic disease or confound evaluation of disease. The hormonal changes can influence a range of disorders, from benign or inflammatory changes to malignant tumors. Moreover, outcomes differ from those of similar pathologies in nonpregnant patients, owing to either physiological changes or delays in diagnosis and treatment. Ultrasonography is the preferred imaging modality for evaluation during pregnancy and lactation, as its sensitivity for carcinoma is nearly 100% (Sabate JM, Clotet M, Torrubia S, et al, 2007; Radiographics 27 suppl 1:S101-S124). Therefore, an understanding of the specific pregnancy-associated pathologies and their radiologic appearances is indispensable to the interpreting radiologist.