Ultrasound Imaging of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: A Pictorial Review.

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease characterized by endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity. Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) indicates the presence of ectopic endometrium between the peritoneum and the skin, including subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle layers, often following obstetric and gynecological surgical procedures. AWE is a not infrequent gynecological surgical complication, due to the increasing number of cesarean sections worldwide. In this pictorial review, we discuss the importance of medical history and physical examination, including the main ultrasound features in the diagnosis of AWE.

A pilot study of brisk walking in sedentary combination antiretroviral treatement (cART)- treated patients: benefit on soluble and cell inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic HIV infection is associated with low-level inflammation and increased risk of chronic diseases and mortality. The objective was to assess the effects of moderate intensity exercise on metabolic and inflammatory markers in HIV-infected treated persons. METHODS: This was a pilot study enrolling cART-treated, sedentary persons with metabolic complications in a 12-week protocol, consisting of three sessions per week of 60 min brisk walking with (strength-walk group) or without (walk group) 30 min circuit-training. Assessments at baseline and week 12 (W12) included body morphometrics and total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; lipid and glucose blood profile; plasma level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, interleukin-18 (IL-18), soluble CD14, and CD38 and HLA-DR expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included and 35 (71%) completed the program: 21 in the walk and 14 in the strength-walk group. At W12, significant improvements were observed of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and total cholesterol both overall and in the walk group, and of LDL cholesterol in both training groups. In the whole group, significant reductions were observed in hsCRP, IL-6, D-dimer, IL-18, and of CD8+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ cell frequencies. HsCRP and CD8+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ frequency decreased significantly in both training groups when examined separately whereas IL-6 and D-dimer in the walk group only. CONCLUSIONS: Brisk walking, with or without strength exercise, could improve lipid profile and inflammatory markers in chronic HIV infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12615001258549, registered 17 November 2015, "retrospectively registered" Web address of trial: http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12615001258549.aspx.

Apparent diffusion coefficient in the evaluation of side-specific extracapsular extension in prostate cancer: Development and external validation of a nomogram of clinical use.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to develop a nomogram of clinical utility based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from diffusion-weighted imaging to predict extracapsular extension (ECE), and to validate externally its clinical utility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 men (70 for the creation and 31 for external validation of the nomogram) underwent 1.5T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging followed by radical prostatectomy at 2 different institutions. ADC values were assessed for normal and pathological tissue. Clinical and pathological variables were investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses on 70 patients and logistic regression coefficients were used to develop our nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal ADC cut off for ECE. The nomogram was then externally validated on 31 patients at another institution. RESULTS: At univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with ECE: pathological ADC and Gleason at biopsy (P<0.001) along with tumor volume and ECE at imaging (P = 0.003). At multivariate analysis, pathological ADC (P = 0.027), tumor volume (P = 0.011), and biopsy Gleason (P = 0.040) maintained their independent predictor status and were included in our nomogram together with normal ADC and ECE at imaging. Our nomogram showed a significant higher sensitivity (88%) than T2-weighted imaging (54%; P = 0.010). External validation resulted in an overall accuracy of 81%. CONCLUSIONS: ADC represents a potential imaging biomarker to predict side-specific ECE in patients with prostate cancer. Our nomogram could improve the current diagnostic pathway and possibly the therapeutic approach for this disease.

Disseminated Rhodococcus equi infection in HIV infection despite highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Rhodococcus equi (R.equi) is an acid fast, GRAM + coccobacillus, which is widespread in the soil and causes pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections in immunocompromised people. In the context of HIV infection, R.equi infection (rhodococcosis) is regarded as an opportunistic disease, and its outcome is influenced by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of HIV-related rhodococcosis that disseminated despite suppressive HAART and anti-rhodococcal treatment; in both cases there was no immunological recovery, with CD4+ cells count below 200/µL. In the first case, pulmonary rhodococcosis presented 6 months after initiation of HAART, and was followed by an extracerebral intracranial and a cerebral rhodococcal abscess 1 and 8 months, respectively, after onset of pulmonary infection. The second case was characterized by a protracted course with spread of infection to various organs, including subcutaneous tissue, skin, colon and other intra-abdominal tissues, and central nervous system; the spread started 4 years after clinical resolution of a first pulmonary manifestation and progressed over a period of 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our report highlights the importance of an effective immune recovery, despite fully suppressive HAART, along with anti-rhodococcal therapy, in order to clear rhodococcal infection.

US in pubalgia.

There is considerable confusion over the word "pubalgia" with regard to the definition and the etiological causes of this condition. The term pubalgia should be used to indicate disabling pain affecting the pubic region in people who practise sports. Pubalgia affects 10% of those who practise sports and it is particularly prevalent in football players. According to the literature, about 40% of cases of pubalgia are caused by overuse of the symphysis pubis with progressive lesions affecting the rectus abdominal muscles, adductors (rectal-adductor syndrome) and the symphysis itself (osteitis pubis and joint injury). An initial study of the tendons is carried out by ultrasound (US) whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed to study the bones and joints.Another 40% of cases of pubalgia are caused by "sports hernia" defined as anteroinferior abdominal wall insufficiency. These alterations can only be identified at dynamic US examination.About 20% of cases of pubalgia are caused by diseases of the neighboring structures or joints such as diseases of the hip, iliopsoas, hamstring, sacred iliac or nerves, or by urogenital diseases.

Oncologic results of laparoscopic renal cryoablation for clinical T1a tumors: 8 years of experience in a single institution.

OBJECTIVES: To review the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) for small renal masses (SRMs) <4 cm. METHODS: The present study was an observational, retrospective analysis of LRC in 123 patients. The indications for LRC were solid SRMs of the kidney <4 cm in diameter diagnosed on preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging as an enhancing mass. Follow-up was determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Local recurrence after LRC was defined as an enlarging or persistently enhancing treatment site on follow-up imaging. RESULTS: A total of 131 SRMs in 123 patients (91 men and 32 women) were treated from September 2000 to June 2008. The mean tumor size was 2.14 ± 0.86 cm (range 0.5-4). Biopsy cores from the 123 patients revealed clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 69 patients (56.1%), papillary RCC in 8 (6.53%), chromophobe RCC in 3 (2.4%), mucinous, tubular, and spindle RCC in 1 (0.8%), oncocytoma in 27 (21.9%), angiomyolipoma in 5 (4.1%), and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in 1 patient (0.8%). The biopsy findings were nondiagnostic (fibrotic/necrotic tissue) in 9 cases (7.3%). The mean follow-up was 46.04 ± 25.75 months (median 41, range 12-96). In 44 patients with RCC and a mean follow-up of 61.3 ± 13.76 months, the cancer-specific survival rate was 100% and the overall survival rate was 93.2%. None of the 53 patients (RCC plus those with nonmalignant lesions) who had follow-up >5 years developed radiographic recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have confirmed that LRC can be considered a safe and intermediate-term effective method to treat SRMs.

Laparoscopic cryoablation of solid renal masses: intermediate term followup.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) in select cases of small renal neoplasms. We evaluated the oncological results with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since September 2000, at our department 37 patients with a mean age of 64 years (range 29 to 89) have undergone LRC for computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) documented renal masses. Mean lesion diameter was 25.7 mm (range 10 to 60). According to tumor position in 22 cases the procedure was performed transperitoneally and in 15 it was done retroperitoneoscopically. Postoperative followup included MRI on postoperative day 1, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery, and annually thereafter. Moreover, 6 months following the surgical procedure biopsy of the site of the treated neoplasm was performed. RESULTS: The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed in all cases. Mean operative time was 194 minutes (range 120 to 300) and mean blood loss was 165.3 ml (range 20 to 900). Final histological evaluation revealed renal cell carcinoma in 29 cases and oncocytoma in 6, while 2 were reported as indefinite. All patients were discharged home after a mean of 3.8 days (range 3 to 7) and returned to normal social life after a mean of 7.3 days (range 5 to 9). Early and postoperative complications were evaluated. Mean diameter of the cryolesion on postoperative day 1 on MRI was 48.2 mm and it progressively decreased during followup. Of the 35 patients with at least 6 months of followup computerized tomography guided biopsy was performed in 25, who were negative for neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: LRC for small renal masses appears to be a safe, reproducible, minimally invasive technique. Medium term followup in our series is encouraging, although further studies and prolonged followup are needed to access properly the role of this surgical technique.