Liver metastasis of a mucinous colonic carcinoma mimicking a haemangioma in T2‐weighted sequences

We report the case of a patient with a single liver metastasis of a mucinous colonic carcinoma that mimics a haemangioma in T2‐weighted sequences. Although a very high T2 signal in non‐cystic lesions is highly specific for the diagnostic of haemangioma, the use of gadolinium‐enhancement MRI is recommended. In patients with a history of neoplasia, the diagnosis of benign liver nodules should be made with caution.     

Evolution and future perspectives for reduced-size hepatic transplantation

Reduced-size hepatic transplantation has evolved into a clinically useful procedure, particularly at institutions specializing in treating pediatric patients. It is being adopted by many of the hepatic transplantation institutions in the United States as a result of its effectiveness in providing a greater number of donors for small recipients and an outcome equal to full-size hepatic transplantation. It has led to the development of "split-liver" transplantation, which is at present not universally applicable because of its complexity, but could double the supply of donors available to small patients. It is also the precursor of orthotopic auxiliary transplantation, which could become the preferred method for treating children with metabolic diseases, but no structural changes, such as cirrhosis. Finally, the knowledge gained in reduced-size hepatic transplantation will inevitably lead to transplantation using living donors, which could completely alleviate the shortage of donors for small patients.     

Choledochocholedochostomy without a T tube or internal stent in transplantation of the liver

Different techniques have been used for biliary reconstruction in transplantation of the liver. Early techniques of cholecystodoudenostomy and cholecystojejunostomy had high rates of biliary complications often with associated mortality. Today, most centers use a choledochocholedochostomy with a T tube (CC-T) or Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (RYCJ) for biliary reconstruction in hepatic transplantation with a low mortality rate but still significant morbidity. In our early experience at the University of Chicago, we used CC-T as the procedure of choice and RYCJ in the remaining instances. However, it was noted that a large number of biliary complications in the CC-T group were related to the use of T tubes, which prompted us to consider the use of primary anatomosis without tube drainage or stenting (CC). We reviewed 136 transplants with a graft survival rate of greater than two weeks. The over-all complication rates for each group were 38 CC, 18 per cent; 26 CC-T, 35 per cent, and 72 RYCJ, 21 per cent. One patient died as a direct result of a biliary complication. The main difference between CC and CC-T was early biliary complications (5 versus 31 per cent, p less than 0.02 most were T-tube related. We advocate the use of CC (without a T tube) when-possible. We recommend RYCJ whenever reoperation and biliary revision are required. We have found that both CC and RYCJ can be used safely for biliary reconstruction in hepatic transplantation.     

Visual impairment in severe and profound sensorineural deafness

The frequency of reversible and irreversible visual impairment was determined in children with severe and profound sensorineural deafness, as subnormal vision can adversely affect their educational and social development. Eighty three of 87 such children attending an audiology service were examined to assess the incidence and severity of visual impairment. Each child underwent a detailed ophthalmic assessment. The criteria for visual impairment were visual acuity < 6/9 Snellen or equivalent and/or abnormal binocular vision. Forty five had a normal ophthalmic examination (54.2%). Twenty nine had visual impairment (34.9%) and nine had ophthalmological abnormalities that did not interfere with vision (10.9%). A higher proportion of children with risk factors for visual pathology demonstrated visual impairment than those in whom there were no risk factors. None the less, 44% of visual impairment was among patients without risk factors. The results underline the need to examine all children with severe and profound sensorineural deafness soon after diagnosis and indicate that children with multiple handicaps have a greater likelihood of visual impairment (11 of 14 cases).     

Ultrasound screening of families with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Recent observations suggest that first degree relatives of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are also at risk for the development of this disorder. The first degree relatives of 130 adults with known AAA were invited to attend for an ultrasound examination. Fifty-two eligible relatives (mean age 53 years, range 41–73) from 38 families underwent sonographic screening. Using standard ultrasound criteria no participants were identified with an asymptomatic AAA. Thus, ultrasound of families of patients with AAA has a low yield and may not be useful for screening purposes.     

Early feeding problems in children with cerebral palsy: weight and neurodevelopmental outcomes

Using prospectively collected data from 13971 births enrolled in a large population-based cohort study (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: ALSPAC), the prevalence of feeding difficulties at 4 weeks and 6 months of age in 33 children subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) were investigated. It was also assessed whether early feeding difficulties could be predictive of functional and growth outcomes at age 8 years. Weak sucking at 4 weeks of age was reported in 11 of 23 children with CP and in 2206 of 12299 (18%) of the remaining population (p<0.0001), and great difficulties feeding at 6 months of age was reported in two of 21 (10%) of the group with CP and in 373 of 10941 (3.3%) of control participants (p=0.017). Feeding difficulties at 4 weeks of age were associated with the pattern of functional impairment at age 4 years (p=0.009) and at 8 years (p=0.068), being clinically underweight (p=0.01), and having speech and swallowing difficulties (p=0.005) at 8 years of age. Early, persistent, and severe feeding difficulties are a marker for subsequent poor growth, feeding, and developmental outcomes and can identify children with CP who will benefit from gastrostomy feeding.     

颅内动脉瘤栓塞后并发脑缺血的原因分析

1 临床资料我们总结2004-02/2004-06在第四军医大学唐都医院神经外科住院行栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤患者27(男12,女15)例,年龄32～72岁.