Pyogenic Hepatic Abscess: A Case Report and Literature Review on a Rare Complication of Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a frequently performed procedure. Although it is one of the safest bariatric procedures, it is like any other operation that carries significant risks and complications. Moreover, the hepatic abscess is an infrequent complication of laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, the infected late gastric leakage is a rare etiology of the hepatic abscess. We present a case of liver abscess developed one month after sleeve gastrectomy secondary to infected walled-off late-gastric leak. The case highlights this rare complication of gastric sleeve surgery. Moreover, early treatment of liver abscesses with imaging-guided drainage and intravenous antibiotics can prevent life-threatening outcomes.

Multi-detector computed tomography in the assessment of tetralogy of Fallot patients: is it a must?

BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) accounts for 10% of all CHD. It classically consists of ventricular septal defect (VSD), aortic overriding, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, and RV hypertrophy. There are many anatomic variants, associated intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies that must be taken into consideration when imaging and planning the surgical procedure needed. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), with its high spatial and temporal resolution, has a pivotal role in the evaluation of complex anatomical findings in both unrepaired and repaired TOF patients. MAIN BODY: Though MDCT has a limited role in the initial diagnosis of TOF, it is particularly important when there is a question about anatomy of pulmonary arteries (PAs) (whether sizable, hypoplastic, or atretic), presence of major aorto-pulmonary collaterals (MAPCAs) and presence of additional VSDs. Additionally, MDCT is crucial in the diagnosis of different anatomical variants of TOF. TOF patients with absent pulmonary valve classically have hugely dilated PAs which raise an important question about the degree and severity of airways compression. This question can be accurately answered by MDCT. TOF with double-outlet RV (DORV) has variable degrees of aortic override which can be assessed by MDCT. An atrio-ventricular septal defect (AVSD) is seen in about 13% of TOF cases and typically occurs in patients with Down syndrome. MDCT can assess the size and extent of inlet VSD and size of both ventricles (balanced or unbalanced AVSD). Coronary artery anomalies are common and important association. MDCT can identify the presence of a major coronary artery crossing the RVOT, a left anterior descending (LAD) from RCA, or a dual LAD. The clinical importance of these anomalies is its susceptibility to injury during ventriculotomy incision required for TOF repair necessitating changing the usual approach of surgery. Patients with reduced pulmonary blood flow undergo a systemic to pulmonary shunt. MDCT can assess the patency of the shunt, stenotic, or occluded segments. In surgically repaired TOF patients, MDCT can identify the sequalae and long-term complications including residual RVOT obstruction, conduit stenosis, RVOT patch aneurysm, RVH, and aortic root dilatation. CONCLUSION: MDCT is a safe and reliable imaging modality that provides accurate assessment of anatomical variants and associated anomalies of TOF.

Gender discrepancy in research activities during radiology residency.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of gender disparity in academic involvement during radiology residency and to identify and characterize any gender differences in perceived barriers for conducting research. METHODS: An international call for participation in an online survey was promoted via social media and through multiple international and national radiological societies. A 35-question survey invited radiology trainees worldwide to answer questions regarding exposure and barriers to academic radiology during their training. Gender differences in response proportions were analyzed using either Fisher's exact or chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty-eight participants (438 men, 420 women) from Europe (432), Asia (241), North and South America (144), Africa (37), and Oceania (4) completed the survey. Fewer women radiology residents were involved in research during residency (44.3%, 186/420 vs 59.4%, 260/438; p ≤ 0.0001) and had fewer published original articles (27.9%, 117/420 vs. 40.2%, 176/438; p = 0.001). Women were more likely to declare gender as a barrier to research (24.3%, 102/420 vs. 6.8%, 30/438; p < 0.0001) and lacked mentorship/support from faculty (65%, 273/420 vs. 55.7%, 244/438; p = 0.0055). Men were more likely to declare a lack of time (60.3%, 264/438 vs. 50.7%, 213/420; p = 0.0049) and lack of personal interest (21%, 92/438 vs. 13.6%, 57/420, p = 0.0041) in conducting research. CONCLUSION: Fewer women were involved in academic activities during radiology residency, resulting in fewer original published studies compared to their men counterparts. This is indicative of an inherent gender imbalance. Lack of mentorship reported by women radiologists was a main barrier to research.

Cardiac MRI findings of endomyocardial fibrosis (Loeffler's endocarditis) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Loeffler's endocarditis and cardiac manifestations of the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) are rare and difficult to diagnose. We report a case of in a 36 year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis with disabling dyspnea. The transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated normal systolic cardiac functions and a left ventricular apical thrombus. However, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with inversion-recovery (IR) delayed enhancement, and cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences, we were able to clearly demonstrate endocardial fibrosis, tissue inflammation, apical ventricular hypertrophy, and LV thrombus that correlate with clinical findings. We believe cardiac MRI is more useful than transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of HES and ultimately it obviated the need for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Should excretory urography be used as a routine diagnostic procedure in patients with acute ureteric colic: a single center study.

The aim of this study was to find an accurate, easily available and safe imaging modality as an alternative to intravenous urography for the diagnosis of acute urinary obstruction. This retrospective study included 332 patients, who underwent both excretory urography (EU) preceeded by plain radiograph as well as ultrasonography for evaluation of acute flank pain. There were 198 male and 134 female patients. The presence or absence of urinary stones, level of obstruction, excretion delay on EU and dilated excretory system on either or both techniques were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy for plain radiograph, ultrasonography, and for both modalities together were measured considering EU as a standard reference. The sensitivity and specificity of combined plain radiograph and ultrasound were 97% and 67%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values and accuracy rates of 92%, 99%, and 97%, respectively. Our study suggests that the combination of plain radiograph and ultrasonography yields a high sensitivity, negative predictive value, and accuracy in depiction of urinary stones. Thus, EU need not be used as a routine diagnostic procedure in patients with acute obstructive uropathy.