Air encircling the intussusceptum on air enema for intussusception reduction: an indication for surgery?

OBJECTIVES: The prompt identification of children in whom enema reduction of intussusception might fail and surgery is necessary is crucial in order to avoid futile repeat attempts and untoward complications. The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine whether air encircling the intussusceptum in the small bowel during air enema for intussusception reduction could serve as an indication for operation rather than repeat attempts at radiological reduction. METHODS: Imaging studies of 83 children aged 4 to 40 months with idiopathic intussusception who had air enema for intussusception reduction were reviewed for the presence of air encircling the intussusceptum in the distal small bowel. Findings were correlated with clinical course and surgical findings. RESULTS: In 12 of 83 patients, air was seen encircling the intussusceptum in the small bowel, and in 11 of these (88%) air enema failed to reduce the intussusception. In 8 of the 11, delayed repeated attempts using air enema failed to reduce intussusception. Clinical signs and their duration did not differ between those children without and those with air encircling the intussusceptum. CONCLUSION: In the presence of air encircling the intussusceptum in the distal small bowel on air enema, delayed repeated attempts for intussusception reduction are unlikely to succeed, and surgery is indicated.

Follow-up imaging studies of blunt splenic injury: do they influence management?

BACKGROUND: The exact value of follow-up ultrasonography and computed tomography in the non-operative management of blunt splenic injuries is not yet defined. Although follow-up studies have been recommended to detect possible complications of the initial injury, evidence shows that routine follow-up CT scans usually do not affect management of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether follow-up imaging influences the management of patients with blunt splenic injury. METHODS: Between 1995 and 1999, 155 trauma patients were admitted with splenic trauma to a major trauma center. Excluded from the study were trauma patients with penetrating injuries, children, and those who underwent immediate laparotomy due to hemodynamic instability or associated injuries. The remaining trauma patients were managed conservatively. Splenic injury was suspected by focused abdominal sonography for trauma, upon admission, and confirmed by CT scan. The severity of splenic injury was graded from I to V. The clinical outcome was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: We identified 32 adult patients (27 males and 5 females) with blunt splenic injuries who were managed non-operatively. In two patients it was not successful, and splenectomy was performed because of hemodynamic deterioration. The remaining 30 stable patients were divided into two groups: those who had only the initial ultrasound and CT scan with no follow-up studies (n = 8), and those who underwent repeat follow-up ultrasound or CT scan studies (n = 22). The severity of injury was similar in both groups in the second group follow-up studies showed normal spleens in 2 patients, improvement in 11, no change in 8, and deterioration in one. All patients in both groups were managed successfully with good clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: In the present series the follow-up radiological studies did not affect patient management. Follow-up imaging can be omitted in clinically stable patients with blunt splenic trauma grade I-III.

Percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy in children--summary of our experience with 57 children.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy in children has been slower to gain acceptance than in adults where it is regarded as the standard clinical practice in screening suspicious masses. OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy in the pediatric population and assess its clinical use, efficacy and limitations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-nine percutaneous image-guided needle biopsies were performed in 57 children. The age of the children ranged from 4 days to 14 years (mean 5.6 years). We used 16- to-20-gauge cutting-edge needles. Sixty-two biopsies were core-needle biopsies and 7 fine-needle aspiration biopsies. RESULTS: There were 50 malignant lesions, 10 benign lesions and 2 infectious lesions. In 55 (88.7 %) lesions the needle biopsy was diagnostic. In 7 (11.3 %) the biopsy was non-diagnostic and the diagnosis was made by surgery. Core-needle biopsy was diagnostic in 47 of 50 (94 %) of the malignant solid tumors. In 3 out of 5 children with lymphoma, an accurate diagnosis was obtained with needle aspiration. Seven children underwent a repeated core-needle biopsy, (5 for Wilms' tumor and 2 for neuroblastoma) that was diagnostic in all cases. All the biopsies were performed without complications. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy is a simple, minimally invasive, safe and accurate method for the evaluation of children with suspicious masses. These data suggest that image-guided needle biopsy is an excellent tool for diagnosing solid tumors in the pediatric population. Negative studies should be considered nondiagnostic and followed by excisional surgical biopsies when clinical suspicion of malignancy is high.

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm occurring after catheterization of the femoral artery is associated with significant morbidity. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has recently emerged as a potential first-line therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. METHODS: After attempted treatment with external compression had failed, eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm were treated with thrombin injection. Treatment performed between 2 and 9 days following arterial puncture. The study group comprised seven males and one female ranging in age from 23 to 89 years (median 70). Seven had undergone cardiac catheterization with or without intervention, and five were receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs. Arterial pseudoaneurysm resulted from femoral vein catheterization in one patient. Using a sterile technique and real-time Doppler ultrasound guidance, a dilute solution of bovine thrombin (average dose 250 units, range 100-600), was slowly injected directly into the pseudoaneurysm until cessation of flow was seen. Patients were allowed to walk within 2 hours of the procedure and were followed up clinically and by color Doppler ultrasound during the admission. RESULTS: Cardiac catheterization had been inadvertently performed via the superficial or profunda femoris arteries in four of the eight patients. Thrombin injection was initially successful in all eight patients without complication. Thrombosis occurred immediately in every case. Early recanalization of pseudoaneurysm occurred in one patient despite repeat thrombin injection and attempted ultrasound-guided compression. He eventually required surgical repair. The final success rate was 87.5% (7/8). CONCLUSION: Faulty puncture technique is an important risk factor for the development of post-catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection is a safe, rapid, well-tolerated, inexpensive and successful therapy. If initial external compression with a sandbag fails to result in thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm then thrombin injection should be considered as first-line therapy. If unsuccessful, it does not preclude the use of alternative treatment modalities. Further study is necessary to assess the long-term effects of thrombin injection.

The use of rectal ultrasound for the correct diagnosis and treatment of rectal villous tumors.

BACKGROUND: One of the difficulties associated with surgery for rectal villous tumors (RVT) is the finding of invasive adenocarcinoma after transanal excision (TAE) and the possible need for more radical procedures or adjuvant therapy. Improved preoperative evaluation may eliminate this dilemma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in establishing the correct diagnosis of RVT. METHODS: All patients with biopsy proven RVT, who were referred for TAE, underwent preoperative TRUS in addition to the routine evaluation. If invasion beyond the submucosa was suspected by TRUS, multiple biopsies were taken before any surgical intervention in order to exclude invasive cancer. If no invasion was noted, biopsies were avoided and a TAE was performed. The final pathology results were compared with both the preoperative diagnosis and TRUS results. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (19 female, 16 male; mean age 67.5 years, range 36 to 88) were studied. The mean distance of the distal extent of the lesion above the anal verge was 5.8 cm (1.5 to 6). In 27 patients, the tumor was limited to the submucosa (uT0, uT1) on TRUS and, therefore, TAE was performed. In 26 of 27 patients (96%), pathology examination confirmed the presence of RVT without evidence of malignancy. One patient was found to have invasion of the muscularis propria and required postoperative radiation therapy. In 8 patients (23%), TRUS showed extension beyond the submucosa; 3 of these patients had uT2 lesions, 4 had uT3 tumors, and 1 had perirectal nodes. These 8 patients underwent repeated biopsies with the finding of invasive adenocarcinoma in 7. Two patients underwent abdominoperineal resection, 3 had a low anterior resection, and 3 had a TAE. Final pathology confirmed the preoperative diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma in 7 patients. In the 1 patient with a uT2 lesion and negative biopsies, the final diagnosis was RVT with no evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative TRUS provides an accurate diagnosis of RVT. In conjunction with TRUS-directed biopsies, directed management of these tumors could be achieved.

Sonographic features of horseshoe kidney: review of 34 patients.

Horseshoe kidney is a difficult sonographic diagnosis, especially if the isthmus is not seen. The purposes of this report are to review the sonographic images in 34 patients with proven horseshoe kidney, to discuss the limitations of ultrasonography in demonstrating the anomaly, and to identify features that would alert the examiner to the possibility of a horseshoe kidney. Among 34 patients, the isthmus was noted in 27. Of the 67 kidneys studied, 52 (78%) were judged to be low-lying, and in 24 (36%) the sonographic images suggested malrotation with anteriorly pointing pelvis. Additional sonographic features seen in the 67 kidneys included a bent or curved configuration of the kidney in the long axis (58%), tapering and elongation of the lower pole (60%), and a poorly defined inferior border of the kidney (84%). These features should suggest the presence of a horseshoe kidney and direct the examiner to search for the isthmus.

Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma in patients with concomitant thyroid nodular disease.

We have previously demonstrated the role of high-resolution ultrasonography (US) in preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and no thyroid abnormalities. The present study prospectively evaluated the possible additional value of 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) in patients with PHPT and concomitant multinodular thyroid disease (MND). Patients with PHPT underwent US and MIBI scintigraphy prior to neck exploration. Imaging data were correlated with the site and pathology of the parathyroid tissue removed and were analyzed separately for patients with MND and those with a normal thyroid gland. Among 77 patients with a solitary parathyroid adenoma at surgery, 40 had concomitant MND, whereas 37 patients had no morphologic changes in the thyroid gland, on US or at surgery. Prior to surgery, MIBI scintigraphy depicted 58 of the 77 adenomas (75%) and US localized 51 (66%): the combined sensitivity was 87% (67/77). Among the 37 patients with no thyroid nodules, MIBI located 29 (78%) and US identified 30 (81%) of the adenomas; the combined sensitivity was 89%. In the 40 patients with MND, MIBI identified 29 adenomas (73%) and US localized only 53% (21/40); the combined sensitivity was 85%. Overall, the positive predictive value (PPV) of MIBI for detecting a solitary parathyroid adenoma was 94%, for US it was 88%, and with the two tests combined it was 97%. In patients with no thyroid abnormalities, the PPV of MIBI and US was 97%, but it decreased to 91% and 78%, respectively, in patients with MND. Two patients with false-positive findings on both MIBI and US had associated thyroid disease. Hence MIBI scintigraphy contributes to localization of a solitary parathyroid adenoma mainly in patients with concomitant MND. The combined MIBI and US modalities result in sparing these patients bilateral neck exploration.

Immunostaining of Lewis X in cells from voided urine, cytopathology and ultrasound for noninvasive detection of bladder tumors.

PURPOSE: We examined the use of immunostaining of the Lewis X antigen in exfoliated cells from voided urine samples, cytopathology and bladder ultrasound for noninvasive detection of bladder tumors as a potential substitute for cystoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 260 patients were included, of whom 80 were evaluated because of irritative symptoms or hematuria and 180 were examined during followup visits after resection of bladder tumors. Voided urine samples were obtained from each patient for immunocytology and cytopathology. Bladder ultrasound and cystoscopy were performed. Biopsies were obtained whenever a bladder tumor was seen or if carcinoma in situ was suspected. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining was done on cytocentrifuge slides, using the P12 monoclonal antibody against the Lewis X antigen. RESULTS: Cystoscopy and biopsies revealed bladder tumors in 84 patients. Immunocytology of 1 urine sample resulted in a sensitivity of 79.8% and a specificity of 86.4%. The diagnosis of primary carcinoma in situ by immunocytology was correct in 100% of the cases. The examination of 2 consecutive urine samples detected 95.1% of the tumors. False-negative results occurred in a few cases with small, superficial, low grade tumors. Cytopathology and bladder ultrasound resulted in a sensitivity of 47.6 and 66.7%, and a specificity of 97.7 and 97.2%, respectively. The results of immunocytology of 2 urine samples were equivalent to the combination of immunocytology of a single urine sample, cytology and ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Immunostaining of the Lewis X antigen is significantly more sensitive than cytopathology for the detection of low grade as well as high grade tumor cells in voided urine. Immunocytological evaluation of 2 consecutive voided urine specimens for the Lewis X antigen is the most sensitive method currently available for noninvasive detection of transitional cell tumors. This assay may replace cystoscopy for detection of bladder cancer.

Parathyroid adenoma after radiation in an 8-year-old boy.

We describe an 8-year-old boy who had asymptomatic hypercalcemia 4 years after radiotherapy involving the left orbit and lungs. A right parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed, and normocalcemia was achieved after its removal. Routine monitoring of serum calcium and phosphate levels is recommended for children after head and neck irradiation.

Unusual spontaneous hepatic vein to paraumbilical vein shunt in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome and cirrhosis: a case report.

A very unusual portosystemic shunt was identified using color flow Doppler sonography in an adult male with Budd-Chiari syndrome and cirrhosis secondary to a hypercoagulability state. Hepatofugal blood flow was demonstrated between the middle hepatic vein and a recanalized paraumbilical vein, resulting clinically in prominent periumbilical veins. The clinical and radiological features are described.

High-resolution ultrasonography: highly sensitive, specific technique for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma in the absence of multinodular thyroid disease.

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the role of preoperative ultrasonography (US) for parathyroid lesion localization in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) prior to initial surgery. Fifty-two consecutive patients with PHPT, diagnosed in our institution within a period of 2 years, were referred for preoperative US and subsequently for bilateral surgical neck exploration. The combination of a confirmatory pathologic report and normalization of blood calcium concentration for a period of at least 3 months was considered an operative success. In 50 patients (96.2%) a single parathyroid adenoma was excised, and in one patient (1.9%) hyperplasia of three glands was found at surgery. In the one surgical failure, no parathyroid pathology was identified in the neck; therefore the operative success in this series was 98%. The sensitivity of preoperative US was 83% with a specificity of 100%. In the absence of thyroid multinodular disease (MND), the sensitivity of preoperative US increased to 90%, whereas in patients with MND the sensitivity was only 64%. Our findings support the notion that patients with PHPT should be investigated with US before initial surgery. Bilateral surgical exploration is warranted in patients with MND. In the absence of such thyroid pathology, an US finding positive for adenoma should allow the surgeon to perform unilateral neck exploration only, with consequent reduction of operation time and postoperative complications.

Multiple parenchymal liver metastases as the first site of recurrent ovarian carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

The incidence of clinically detectable parenchymal liver metastases in patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma has been infrequently reported, but autopsy findings indicate that they are the second most common site of distant metastases in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The case of a 58-year-old patient who developed parenchymal liver metastases as the first site of recurrent ovarian carcinoma is presented. The different spreading routes of this malignancy, as well as a review of the incidence of liver metastases are discussed.

Screening for prostate cancer.

In an attempt to detect prostate cancer when the tumor is still confined to the prostate, a screening program was established. We studied the efficacy of digital rectal examination (DRE) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the early detection of prostate cancer. One thousand men aged 50-75 years underwent DRE and serum PSA determination. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies were obtained in each case of a suspicious DRE. Six systematic biopsies were performed if the PSA level was > 10 ng/ml, even if DRE and transrectal ultrasonography revealed no areas suspicious of cancer. A suspicious DRE was noted in 11.5% of the subjects; 16% had elevated levels of serum PSA (> 4 ng/ml) and 3.9% had serum PSA > 10 ng/ml. Biopsies were obtained from 90 patients, of which 31 were positive for prostate cancer. The cancer detection rate was 2.2% for DRE, 2.0% for PSA > 10 ng/ml, and 3.1% for the two methods combined. Clinical staging revealed that in 29 of the 31 patients with prostate cancer, the tumor was confined to the prostate: Stage A in 9 cases and stage B in 20 cases. Only two patients had clinically advanced cancer, and 22 patients underwent radical prostatectomy. Pathological examination disclosed biologically significant tumors in 91% of the cases in terms of tumor volume and grade. Although there is little evidence that screening will result in the reduction of the disease-specific mortality rate, early detection of prostate cancer by DRE, serum PSA, and transrectal ultrasound should be encouraged.

Regression of hepatic tumors during transdermal estradiol replacement therapy.

A 39 year-old patient with long-standing diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis had been treated for over twenty years with oral contraceptives (OCs). A year prior to admission to the gynecological ward, an ultrasonographic examination revealed three hepatic lesions, which were not reported in previous liver sonography. These lesions progressed during OC use, over the next six months. Liver function tests were normal. Liver scan, CT and ultrasound imaging techniques supported the diagnosis of solid hepatic tumors. These lesions developed concomitantly to long-term use of OCs, therefore discontinuation of therapy was mandatory. Six months later, the patient was hospitalized due to pelvic pain. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy (the right adnexa had been removed years before). Due to the patient's young age, hormone replacement therapy was indicated. The preferred preparation was transdermal estradiol due to the fact that systemic absorption has no hepatic first-pass effect and therefore exerts minimal influence on liver enzymes and functions. Serial ultrasonographic examinations, performed while under treatment with transdermal estradiol, showed complete regression of the hepatic lesions over a period of two years. Our report demonstrates regression of multifocal hepatic tumors despite transdermal estradiol replacement therapy.

The clinical utility of transrectal ultrasound and digital rectal examination in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The development of high definition transrectal ultrasound probes has led to an increased interest in the ability of transrectal ultrasound of the prostate (TRUS) to assist in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. The present study was designed to examine the correlation of TRUS with digital rectal examination (DRE). The study group comprised 471 patients in whom the results of (a) DRE, (b) TRUS, and (c) histology of tissue obtained by transrectal biopsy of the prostate (TB), were all available. In those patients where both TRUS and DRE were negative, but prostate specific antigen (PSA) was greater than 10 micrograms ml-1, six random biopsies were performed. In all other cases the biopsies were TRUS directed to the suspicious lesion. There were 142 cases in whom both DRE and TRUS were negative or only mildly suspicious of malignancy. TB in these cases was positive for cancer in 17 cases (12%). In a further 126 cases, TRUS was positive for cancer, while DRE demonstrated no suspicious nodule. TB was positive in only 17 of these cases (13.5%). Similarly, in the 31 cases in which DRE was positive but TRUS was negative, TB was positive in only three cases (10%). In the 172 cases in whom both DRE and TRUS were positive, 99 biopsies were positive (57.5%). It was concluded from this study that DRE remains the most valuable single examination in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. TRUS increases the sensitivity of DRE if both are positive. When there is a discrepancy between the two examinations, the biopsy yield is low. When both are positive, a high cancer yield is obtained, TRUS having added value in directing the biopsy needle to the suspicious site. TRUS is thus a valuable adjunct to DRE in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The ultrasound appearances of intramural bowel gas: the bright ring appearance and the effervescent bowel. A report of three cases.

Bowel necrosis is a serious condition with a very high mortality rate. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better chance for survival. Ultrasound is a primary imaging technique in the diagnosis of the acute abdomen. Three cases are presented in which bowel wall gas could be demonstrated on ultrasound. In all cases there was computed tomographic and either operative or post-mortem correlation. In each case there was a "bright ring" appearance of the affected bowel when the ultrasound examination was carried out in transverse section. In one case, small bubbles were seen arising from the deep surface of the bowel.

Pancreatic pseudocyst: successful treatment by percutaneous external catheter drainage.

A pseudocyst of the pancreas in a 6-year-old girl persisted for 2 months despite bowel rest and nutritional support. Following percutaneous introduction of a catheter into the cyst under ultrasound guidance and external catheter drainage for 11 days, the pseudocyst resolved completely and permanently. Nonoperative percutaneous techniques for drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts in children may be an effective alternative to surgical intervention.