Predictive value of small bowel radiography for recurrent Crohn Disease

Small bowel radiographs of 53 patients who had remote surgery for Crohn disease were reviewed. In 10 of these, the radiographic studies could be compared with pathologic specimens from recent reoperations. The correlation of radiographic features and photographic and histopathologic alterations in these specimens was very close. Normal radiographs were found in 21 patients. In the other 32 patients, various types of inflammatory lesions were recorded. Submucosal edema was seen as broad folds in 23 patients, as irregular folds in 10 patients, and as absence of mucosal folds in nine patients. Superficial ulcerations were seen in 22 patients. Transmural lesions were seen in 14 patients but were seldom pronounced. Patients with normal postoperative small bowel radiographs had no signs of clinical recurrence, whereas 27% (4/15) of those with submucosal edema and superficial ulcerations had clinical signs of recurrence. In 87% (13/15) of patients with transmural lesions, there was clinical recurrence. Local progression could be documented in two of 20 patients. There were no instances of axial progression. Postoperative small bowel radiography seems to have useful predictive value for recurrent Crohn disease.     

Herniography in atypical inguinal hernia

In patients with unclear groin pain herniography has revealed hernia in 36% of the patients with a normal physical examination. Most of the hernias detected on herniography are of indirect, direct or femoral type. The former two are found predominantly among men and the latter among women. These types of hernia are defined herniographically according to their location and shape. Whether or not a hernia is present is usually obvious although small hernias may be obscured by pelvic bone and contrast medium in the inguinal fossae and pouch of Douglas. In most patients the hernias are conspicuous and easy to classify correctly. Problems may, however, arise in the precise definition of some types of hernia. In this respect positive contrast herniography contributes to the pre-operative evaluation in patients with inguinal hernia. The aim of the present report is to describe some less well-known herniographic findings. The clinical impact of the particular findings is discussed.     

Weight loss and brown adipose tissue reduction in rat model of sleep apnea

Background -  

Obesity is related to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), but its roles in OSAHS as cause or consequence are not fully clarified. Isocapnic intermittent hypoxia (IIH) is a model of OSAHS. We verified the effect of IIH on body weight and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of Wistar rats.