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BACKGROUND: Schizencephaly is a rare developmental malformation of the central nervous system associated with cell migration disturbances. Schizencephaly can be uni- or bilateral and is divided into two morphological types. The cleft is defined as type I ("closed lips") if there are fused clefts in cerebral mantle. In type II ("open lips") the clefts are separated and filled with cerebrospinal fluid connecting lateral ventricle with the subarachnoid space. MATERIAL/METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data of patients hospitalized in the Clinical Pediatric Neurology Department of Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszow between 1998-2011. Clinical data and imaging exams were analysed in the group of children with confirmed schizencephaly. RESULTS: Schizencephaly was recognized in 32 children. Diagnosis was made in children at the ages between 2 weeks and 15 years - the majority of older children were born before the year 2000. Diagnostic imaging, most often magnetic resonance imaging, was performed in all of the children. In most cases coexistence of other CNS malformations was discovered. In only one patient there were no neurological symptoms, most of the children presented different developmental disorders and neurological symptoms - most often cerebral palsy and epilepsy. In the group of children with bilateral and type II schizencephaly certain symptoms occurred more often. CONCLUSIONS: Schizencephaly is a rare central nervous system developmental disorder, which is very often associated with other severe brain malformations and in most of the cases subsequent multiple neurological symptoms. The method of choice in diagnosis of schizencephaly is magnetic resonance, which shows the degree and type of cleft, coexisting abnormalities and allows differential diagnosis. With the increased availability of this method it is possible to recognize schizencephaly more often and earlier.
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BACKGROUND: Shoulder joint is a common site of musculoskeletal pain caused, among other things, by rotator cuff tears due to narrowing of subacromial space, acute trauma or chronic shoulder overload. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent modality for imaging of soft tissues of the shoulder joint considering a possibility of multiplanar image acquisition and non-invasive nature of the study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of partial and complete rotator cuff tears in magnetic resonance images of patients with shoulder impingement syndrome and to review the literature on the causes and classification of rotator cuff tears. MATERIAL/METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of 137 shoulder MRI examinations performed in 57 women and 72 men in Magnetic Resonance facility of the Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging at the St. Jadwiga the Queen Regional Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszow between June 2010 and February 2013. Examinations were performed using Philips Achieva 1.5T device, including spin echo and gradient echo sequences with T1-, T2- and PD-weighted as well as fat saturation sequences in transverse, frontal and sagittal oblique planes. Patients were referred from hospital wards as well as from outpatient clinics of the subcarpathian province. RESULTS: The most frequently reported injuries included partial supraspinatus tendon tear and complete tearing most commonly involved the supraspinatus muscle tendon. The smallest group comprised patients with complete tear of subscapularis muscle tendon. Among 137 patients in the study population, 129 patients suffered from shoulder pain, including 57 patients who reported a history of trauma. There was 44% women and 56% men in a group of patients with shoulder pain. Posttraumatic shoulder pain was predominantly reported by men, while women comprised a larger group of patients with shoulder pain not preceded by injury. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff injury is a very common pathology in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Isolated supraspinatus tendon injury or complete tearing is most frequent, rather than in conjunction with injuries to other rotator cuff tendons. We did not observe isolated complete tears of infraspinatus and subscapular muscle tendons.
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BACKGROUND: Isolated fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP - Solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura/localized fibrous tumour of the pleura) is a rare primary tumour of the pleura of mesenchymal origin. In most cases, it is a benign lesion. It is composed of spindle cells similar to fibroblasts and derives probably from submesothelial mesenchyme. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical symptoms, incidence, possibility of suggesting the diagnosis on the basis of imaging tests, and confirmation of the diagnosis in pathological tests with regard to studies of histochemistry examination. MATERIAL/METHODS: Clinical and morphological material obtained from 14 patients from Department of Thoracic Surgery of Subcarpathian Chest Disease Center treated between year 2004 and 2010 was analysed. In the first stage, selected cases of patients with isolated fibrous tumour of the pleura were chosen from the archives and the analysis of their medical history was carried out. Basic information about age, gender, medical history, smoking habit, physical examination and results of imaging, endoscopic and morphological examinations were noted. The second parallel component of the study was pathomorphological examinations of the surgical material obtained from the patients, including the assessment of morphology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Of the 14 examined patients, fibrous tumour occurred in 8 men and 6 women. The age range of the patients was 37-73 years, with a peak attributable to the 6(th) decade of life. In 8 patients the tumour was detected incidentally during routine examinations. In 7 patients there were no clinical signs of respiratory disease, and if present, then the most common complaint was shortness of breath. Regarding symptoms not connected with the respiratory system, anemia occurred most frequently. Fibrous tumour of the pleura was more often associated with the visceral pleura than with the parietal pleura. The largest lesion was approximately 20 cm in size. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous tumour of the pleura is a pleura-based neoplasm which is usually detected incidentally, and is often asymptomatic or poorly symptomatic. Computed tomography imaging allows to suggest a correct diagnosis. Histopathological diagnosis is based on immunohistochemical examinations.
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BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a relatively noninvasive technique of biliary and pancreatic duct imaging. MRCP technique utilizes T2-weighted sequences, in which bile is characterized by high signal intensity, whilst signal intensity of surrounding tissues is reduced. The purpose of this publication was to assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnostics of biliary dilatation. MATERIAL/METHODS: MRCP examinations of 148 patients (48 men and 100 women; the average age was 56) performed on a 1.5T Achieva Philips device in the Provincial Hospital in Rzeszow between November 2011 and April 2013 were included in retrospective analysis. Examined group was divided into three subgroups: patients after cholecystectomy, patients with cholecystolithiasis and patients without gallbladder concretions. The definitive cause of biliary dilatation was determined mainly on the basis of MRCP and ECPW examinations, and, in individual cases, during intraoperative cholangiography and laparatomy. RESULTS: Signal loss corresponding to probable concretions was identified in 34 cases. In the group of patients with cholecystolithiasis the cause of biliary dilatation was usually (45%) cholelithiasis. MRCP image was typical in 4 out of 9 malignant cases. The cause of biliary dilatation was usually (20%) a neoplasm in the group of patients without gallstones. Benign causes of biliary dilatation, apart from cholelithiasis, were identified in 16 individuals, including 4 cases in which the diagnosis was identified using MRCP, whereas in the remaining 12 cases ECPW examination proved conclusive to the final diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography enables reliable diagnosis of causes of biliary dilatation as long as they involve presence of gallbladder deposits and tumors. In benign causes of biliary dilatation, apart from cholelithiasis, MRCP picture is often atypical and therefore, the final identification of the cause of biliary dilatation is possible when this imagining method is combined with ERCP and additional tests.
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The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of patients with chronic constipation and coexisting food allergy in relation to patients with functional chronic constipation without food allergy. 325 children with chronic constipation aged 0.6-17.1 years (mean 8.0 +/- 4.3) were included into the study. The IgE-mediated food allergy was diagnosed in 179 children. Results of anthropometric measurements, rectoscopies, abdominal ultrasonographies, evaluations of colonic transit time and anorectal manometric examinations, together with clinical symptoms, were analysed and compared. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. There were no significant differences in clinical presentation, anthropometric measurements, rectoscopic, ultrasonographic, manometric and histopathological findings between both groups. In the food allergy group the total and segmental colonic transit time more frequently was prolonged, manifested usually as colonic inertia (p < 0.001). Food allergy can be clinically manifested as a chronic constipation. IgE-mediated food allergy may significantly prolong colonic transit in affected patients.