[Pulmonary sequestration detected by ultrasound].

Pulmonary sequestration is part of the spectrum of bronchopulmonary foregut anomaly. It is a rare type of congenital malformation in which a mass of pulmonary tissue is separate from the normal lung and receives its arterial supply directly from the systemic circulation. Angiographic demonstration of a systemic artery leading to the sequestrated lung has usually been used to diagnose this condition. In the past 10 years cases of this rare anomaly have been detected and diagnosed by ultrasonography in the pre- and postnatal period. We describe a very rare case of intraabdominal, extralobar pulmonary sequestration detected in the antenatal period. Ultrasonography showed a hyperechoic subdiaphragmatic mass above the left kidney, near the aorta. In the mass were 2 echo-free vascular structures. 2 arterial branches originating from the abdominal aorta which traversed the subdiaphragmatic mass. The near-diaphragmatic location of many pulmonary sequestrations provides an excellent acoustic window for sonographic detection. MRI can help in the diagnosis when ultrasonographic findings are equivocal. Ultrasound and MRI will soon replace aortic angiography in the diagnosis of this condition in the pre- and postnatal period, pulmonary sequestration should be included in the differential diagnosis of upper abdominal masses identified by ultrasonography.

[Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst: endoscopic cysto-enterostomy].

Pancreatic pseudocysts occur in 20% of cases of chronic pancreatitis. Spontaneous resolution is seen in about 9% of the cases, but most cysts persist and frequently cause complications, such as compression of adjacent organs or infection. Endoscopic cysto-enterostomy has recently been reported as a new nonsurgical invasive approach. We present a 40-year-old alcoholic man with a large pancreatic pseudocyst compressing the distal choledochus and pancreatic duct, who was treated successfully by endoscopic cysto-duodenostomy.

Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus: diagnosis with the aid of computed tomography.

A case of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis is described which was observed with high resolution computed tomography (CT). The significant CT findings in cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) include irregular filling defects within a widened enhancing cavernous sinus. Concomitant findings are unilateral or bilateral swelling of the orbital soft tissues and sinusitis.

Intermittent superior caval venous syndrome due to permanent transvenous electrode.

A 75-year-old man began suffering from intermittent episodes of superior caval venous syndrome, seven years after implantation of an endocardial pacemaker via the right cephalic vein. The obstruction of the superior caval vein was confirmed by venography and computed tomography of the chest. Changes of the intrathoracic pressure were considered to be the mechanism responsible for the intermittence of the syndrome.

Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia complicated by mucocele: the role of radionuclide scintigraphic methods in the diagnosis.

A rare case of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia complicated by mucocele is described. Pre-surgical diagnosis was assisted by blood-pool scintigraphy and bone scanning, with special emphasis on the vertical skull view. Other noninvasive methods like x-rays and cranial computed tomographic scans are also illustrated.

Short-term thrombosis after transvenous permanent pacemaker insertion.

In order to assess prospectively the incidence and significance of venous thrombosis early after permanent transvenous pacemaker implantation venographic studies were carried out in 40 consecutive patients. The venograms performed between 1 and 6 months (mean 4 months) after the implantation were normal in 31 patients (77%), in six patients (15%) they showed partial venous obstruction and in three patients (8%) total obstruction. Between 6 and 12 months (mean 9 months) the venograms of five patients, that were previously normal, showed partial venous thrombosis. No changes were found in the venograms performed later. Only two of 14 patients with thrombosis of the great veins was clinically symptomatic and developed arm edema, that resolved spontaneously within about a month. No difference in incidence of abnormal venograms was found according to the type of insulation, the polarity of the electrode and the route of entry.

Exogastric neurilemmoma presenting as acute abdomen: role of computed tomography in diagnosis.

A case of subserosal gastric neurilemmoma is hereby presented. This reported case is unique in its clinical presentation including the appearance of acute abdomen and fever subsequent to unremarkable and uneventful upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The tendency of neurilemmoma to cause mucosal ulceration with fistula formation probably led to this clinical presentation. The role of computed tomography in establishing diagnosis of exogastric tumor is emphasized.

Multiple ophthalmic anomalies and digital hypoplasia.

Multiple congenital eye and hand anomalies occurred in a young female born to normal but consanguineous parents. Both eyes were microphthalmic with severe corneal, iris lens pathology. Ultrasonography revealed multiple echos from the vitreous. The ocular findings are suggestive of retinal dysplasia. A skeletal dysplasia, presenting as distal phalangeal hypoplasia, was found in both hands. There was no history of intrauterine exposure to drugs. This appears to be a unique association of congenital malformations, without other systemic involvement. Diagnostic and genetic implications are discussed.