Calculating the renal output efficiency as a method for clarifying equivocal renograms in adults with suspected upper urinary tract obstruction.
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Even though the main indication for neuroendoscopic management of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is the presence of an aqueductal block, recent reports suggest the possible efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETVS) in idiopathic NPH. We present 14 cases with apparently idiopathic NPH treated by ETVS, and report on the low rate of success (21 %). A closer analysis of the successful cases reveals possible elements which may explain the good outcome, and should be taken into consideration when defining the best strategy to address NPH.
We have developed a new fine-caliber (2.09 mm outer diameter) endoscope for peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy. The endoscope contains one image transmission fiber, 12 light guide fibers (the transmitter of light from the light source) and a working channel (a lumen for the guide wire and rinsing). The working channel, whose bore is 0.72 mm, is located centrally within the endoscope. The endoscope can be introduced reliably into the bile and pancreatic ducts using the same techniques as those for endoscopic nasobiliary drainage through the instrumental channel of a duodenoscope for examination without pretreatment of the papilla of Vater. Two patients with lesions of the pancreatic duct and seven patients with lesions of the bile duct suspected or detected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were examined. Direct inspection of the biliopancreatic duct not only provided enough information to make a definite diagnosis, but also revealed lesions that were not detectable by ERCP or other examinations.
Amongst 737 sonographic and CT examinations of women aged 18 to 60 years of age, seven cases of ectasia of the left ovarian vein were found (0.95%). The aetiology and significance of this finding in the context of the "compression syndrome of the left renal vein" are discussed. The value to sonography in elucidating this condition is stressed.
BACKGROUND: Stents have been placed through malignant pancreatic strictures, mainly to alleviate pain of presumed obstructive origin. Self-expanding metallic stents have major advantages over plastic stents when used for treatment of malignant biliary strictures. However, there are few reports of their use in patients with malignant pancreatic duct strictures, especially those with complications related to ductal obstruction. METHODS: Self-expanding metallic stents were placed in the pancreatic ducts of 3 patients with obstructive complications of pancreatic cancer: smoldering pancreatitis, a disrupted pancreatic duct with pseudocyst caused by open surgical biopsy, and a disrupted pancreatic duct with fistula and resultant liver abscess. All 3 patients had metallic stents placed concomitantly in the biliary tract; one had enteral stents placed as well. Clinical and pathology records and imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. OBSERVATIONS: In all cases, there was resolution of the specific clinical problem and reasonable survival (1.5 years in one patient). CONCLUSIONS: The use of self-expanding metallic stents for treatment of certain obstructive complications of pancreatic tumors is feasible and effective.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to define the relationships between the short saphenous vein (SSV) and the fasciae of the leg, including the muscular fascia (MF) and the membranous layer (ML) of the subcutaneous tissue. METHODS: Fascial relationships of the SSV were evaluated by means of dissection in 30 cadaveric limbs and by means of duplex sonography in 270 healthy limbs from living subjects. RESULTS: All along the leg, the SSV courses in a flat compartment delimited by the MF and the ML. Neither results from dissection nor results from sonographic examination demonstrated piercing of the MF by the SSV. A hyperechoic lamina similar to a ligament connects the SSV to the fasciae by which it is encased. An SSV tributary and collateral vessels course out of this space and are devoid of any fascial wrapping. CONCLUSIONS: The SSV does not correspond to the classical description of a "superficial" vein. In fact, from the anatomical point of view, the SSV is an interfascial vein, because it is encased by two connective fasciae, just like the greater saphenous vein. Fascial relationships of the SSV suggest that muscular contraction potentially influences the caliber and hemodynamics of the SSV. In addition, the ML is arranged as a sort of mechanical shield that could counteract dilative pathologic conditions in varicose limbs.
The gross and microscopic findings of an atuopsied case of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis are presented. The source of the pseudodiverticula is shown to be pathologically dilated pre-existing excretory ducts of the submucosal glands, with which the pseudodiverticula often remained in continuity. Unlike what has been previously reported but poorly documented, the submucosal glands themselves did not contribute to the structure of the pseudodiverticula, the number of duct-gland units was not increased, and the thickening of the wall of the esophagus was the result of submucosal fibrosis, not hypertrophy of the muscularis propria. The etiology of this entity remains unidentified.
Adult polycystic kidney disease has been found in association with pathological dilatation of the seminal vesicles in six patients. These men appeared normal on clinical examination, but had azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. They were investigated by scrotal exploration with vasography, renal and transrectal ultrasound scans (TRUS), and percutaneous puncture of the seminal vesicles in one case, before and after resection of the ejaculatory ducts. This revealed that the gross dilatation of the seminal vesicles was not caused by obstruction, but appeared to be due to atonicity (megavesicles). These ultrasonic appearances, when described previously, were incorrectly thought to be due to seminal vesicle cysts.
Hydrocephalus is a pathological dilatation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-containing ventricles of the brain. Damage to periventricular white matter is multifactorial with contributions by chronic ischemia and gradual physical distortion. Acute ischemic and traumatic brain injuries are associated with calcium-dependent activation of proteolytic enzymes. We hypothesized that hydrocephalus is associated with calcium ion accumulation and proteolytic enzyme activation in cerebral white matter. Hydrocephalus was induced in immature and adult rats by injection of kaolin into the cisterna magna and several different experimental approaches were used. Using the glyoxal bis (2-hydroxyanil) method, free calcium ion was detected in periventricular white matter at sites of histological injury. Western blot determinations showed accumulation of calpain I (mu-calpain) and immunoreactivity for calpain I was increased in periventricular axons of young hydrocephalic rats. Proteolytic cleavage of a fluorogenic calpain substrate was demonstrated in white matter. Immunoreactivity for spectrin breakdown products was detected in scattered callosal axons of young hydrocephalic rats. The findings support the hypothesis that periventricular white matter damage associated with experimental hydrocephalus is due, at least in part, to calcium-activated proteolytic processes. This may have implications for supplemental drug treatments of this disorder.
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An extensive liver rupture developed in a 50-year-old woman after she received severe blunt injuries in a criminal assault. Nonsurgical management of the liver injury led to recovery of the patient despite a serious blood loss and multiorgan failure. However, 3 months after the injury a complete left bile duct stenosis with liver dysfunction and two hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms were found. Biliodigestive bypass restored normal liver function.
The innervation pattern of port-wine stains was investigated using indirect immunohistochemistry with antibodies to protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and neurofilament (NF). The pathologically dilated vessels in the middle and deep dermis were found to have defective innervation with only single or no nerve fibers in their vicinity, while other structures in the skin showed a normal density of fibers. NSE- and PGP-like immunoreactive (-LI) nerve fibers were observed innervating vessels with a normal morphology and other structures in the skin, such as sweat glands and hair follicles, as free nerve endings and in nerve bundles. The nerve bundles were often seen to pass the ectatic vessels without giving off any branches. CGRP-LI nerve fibers were detected running toward epidermis, whereas no fibers were found around the ectatic vessels. NF-LI fibers were seen innervating normal vessels in dermis, while in relation to the dilated vessels, no or only occasional fibers were observed. The lack of innervation may be of importance for the development of the disease as a result of decreased tonus of the vessels and/or a loss of neuronal trophic factors.
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PURPOSE: We present our experience performing ureteroscopy in prepubertal children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of children 12 years or younger who underwent ureteroscopy at 2 institutions between 1993 and 2003. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, operative technique, surgical outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 39 boys and 32 girls underwent 34 flexible and 47 rigid ureteroscopies. Retrograde access was obtained in 77 procedures, while 4 were performed via an antegrade approach. Mean age was 7.5 years (range 1 to 12) and mean followup was 2.2 years (0.5 to 10). Endoscopic lithotripsy was performed in 65 cases, with a success rate of 98%. A ureteral stent was placed postoperatively in 55 patients. Endoscopic incision was performed for a ureteral stricture in 3 patients and for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 6. An obstructing fibroepithelial polyp was found in 2 patients, 1 underwent removal of a foreign body and 4 did not have intraluminal pathology. Dilation of the ureteral orifice was required in 23 cases (30%). There were no intraoperative ureteral injuries. One patient had development of a ureteral stricture (complication rate 1.3%) that was successfully treated endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid and flexible ureteroscopy can be performed safely and effectively in prepubertal children. Successful outcomes can be obtained for calculi that are similar to those in the adult population. Ureteroscopic treatment can be effective in selected children with intraluminal obstruction. To our knowledge this is the largest series in the literature to document outcomes of ureteroscopy in this age group.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by pathological dilation of the aorta. While inflammatory responses have been implicated in TAA pathogenesis, the causal relationships remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate potential causal associations between inflammatory cytokines, plasma metabolites, and TAA risk using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We conducted bidirectional two-sample MR analysis utilizing genome-wide association study data from 91 inflammatory cytokines (n = 14,824), 1400 plasma metabolites (n = 8299), and TAA (n = 385,857). The inverse-variance weighted method served as the primary analytical approach, with comprehensive sensitivity analyses performed to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Two-step MR analysis was employed to explore potential mediating roles of plasma metabolites. Single-cell sequencing analysis was utilized to detect cell type enrichment and elucidate cellular functions of identified cytokines. Additionally, we conducted an analysis to identify druggable proteins as potential therapeutic targets for TAA. MR analysis revealed that genetically-determined increases in C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) (odds ratios [OR] = 1.149, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.009-1.309, P = .037) and fibroblast growth factor 5 (OR = 1.101, 95% CI: 1.013-1.196, P = .024) were associated with elevated TAA risk. Conversely, C-C motif chemokine 20 (CCL20) (OR = 0.870, 95% CI: 0.759-0.996, P = .043) and CD40L receptor (CD40) (OR = 0.906, 95% CI: 0.827-0.992, P = .033) demonstrated inverse associations with TAA risk. Two-step MR analysis identified potential mediating metabolites: the phosphate to linoleoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol ratio for CXCL10, thyroxine and X-24585 for FGF-5, and the creatine to carnitine ratio for CCL20. Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed enrichment of these cytokines in specific cell types and pathways relevant to TAA pathogenesis. Drug-gene interaction analysis identified CXCL10, CCL20, and CD40 as potential targets for treatment of TAA. This study provides robust genetic evidence supporting causal relationships between specific inflammatory cytokines and TAA risk, with plasma metabolites potentially mediating these effects. CXCL10 and FGF-5 were identified as potential risk factors, while CCL20 and CD40 may confer protective effects. These findings offer novel insights into TAA pathogenesis and suggest potential targets for intervention. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate these results across diverse populations.
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Echocardiographic findings in a patient with ventricular septal rupture and anterolateral wall aneurysm complicating myocardial infarction are presented. The findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterization and surgery. Using M-mode ultrasonocardiography one was able to demonstrate and localize the aneurysm as well as the ventricular septal defect which presented as an oblique interventricular communication appearing only during systole. Thus echocardiography supplemented the invasive examinations in exactly revealing the site of ventricular septal rupture. Other echocardiographic features of ventricular septal rupture were right ventricular dilatation, pathological septal motion and abnormal tricuspid valve motion as recently reported by other authors.