Profil scanographique des tumeurs du pancréas dans 3 services de radiologie à Kinshasa: une série de cas rétrospective / Scanographic profile tumors from 3 radiology division in Kinshasa: retrospective serial cases

Contexte et objectif. Le pancréas étant un organe profond, son exploration clinique est parfois limitée et peu performante. Le diagnostic de ces pathologies repose principalement sur le dosage des enzymes pancréatiques (la lipasémie notamment) et l'imagerie médicale. L'objectif de la présente étude était de décrire le profil scanographique des tumeurs pancréatiques. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une série des cas documentaires menée dans 3 Services de radiologie à Kinshasa de janvier 2016 à juin 2021, ayant retenu 86 comptes rendus de tomodensitométrie (TDM) abdominale des patients avec pathologie pancréatique. Toutes les images archivées ont été relues par spécialistes en imagerie. Résultats. 66 cas de tumeurs pancréatiques ont été colligés. Le sexe masculin était prépondérant (sex-ratio H/F=1,6) avec un âge moyen de 55,7 ± 14,7 ans (16 à 92 ans). Le syndrome de cholestase (50 %) et la douleur abdominale (épigastrique) étaient les indications les plus retrouvées. Les contours étaient lobulés dans plus de la moitié des cas (56,1 %). Le canal de Wirsung était dilaté dans la plupart des tumeurs. Les tumeurs étaient résécables dans 26 % des cas. Conclusion. La TDM abdominale contribue au diagnostic des pathologies pancréatiques. Elles affectent le plus souvent des sujets âgés du sexe masculin et sont dominées par les tumeurs qui sont généralement diagnostiquées au stade non-résécable

Context and objective. The pancreas being a deep organ, its clinical exploration is sometimes limited and inefficient. The diagnosis of pancreatic pathologies is mainly based on the dosage of pancreatic enzymes (lipasemia in particular) and medical imaging. The objective of the present study was to describe the scanographic profile of pancreatic tumors in 3 radiology departments in Kinshasa. Methods. It was a retrospective serial case study conducted in 3 radiology departments in Kinshasa from January 2016 to June 2021, having retained 86 reports of abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan of patients with pancreatic pathology. Results. 66 cases of pancreatic tumors were involved. Male patients were predominant (sex-ratio M/F=1.6) and the mean age of 55.7 ± 14.7 years (range: 16 to 92 years). Cholestasis syndrome (50 %) and abdominal (epigastric) pain were the most common indications. In tumors, the contours were lobulated (56.1 %). The Wirsung duct was dilated in most tumors. The tumors were resectable in 26 % of cases. Conclusion. The abdominal CT-scan contributes to the diagnosis of pancreatic pathologies. These pathologies mostly affect male elderly subjects, are predominantly tumoral and generally diagnosed in late unresectable stage.

Ectopic liver tissue in the left hypocondrium: a case report and a literature review / Tejido hepático ectópico en el hipocondrio izquierdo: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

Ectopic liver tissue is a rare developmental abnormality. It is often asymptomatic and is commonly found incidentally, during surgery or autopsy. It has been reported in various abdominal and extra-abdominal sites, most often in the gall bladder. We are reporting an incidentally found mass in the left subdiafragmatic region, diagnosed as ectopic liver in abdominal CT and intraoperatively. We aim to assess the importance of imaging examinations in the differential diagnosis of intraabdominal masses ranging from benign to malignant entities and to point out that despite the low incidence of ectopic liver, it is necessary to be aware of this diagnostic possibility.

El tejido hepático ectópico es una rara anormalidad del desarrollo. A menudo es asintomático y generalmente se encuentra de manera incidental, durante la cirugía o la autopsia. Se ha informado en varios sitios abdominales y extraabdominales, con mayor frecuencia en la vesícula biliar. Reportamos el caso de una masa encontrada en la región subdiafragmática izquierda, diagnosticada como hígado ectópico en la TC abdominal e intraoperatoriamente. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la importancia de los exámenes por imágenes en el diagnóstico diferencial de masas intraabdominales que incluyen masas benignas como también malignas, y señalar que a pesar de la baja incidencia de hígado ectópico, es necesario tener en cuenta esta posibilidad en el diagnóstico.

Value of CT imaging of inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of CT imaging of inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Methods A total of 100 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis were given triple-phase abdominal CT scan, and the reconstructed images of the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein were obtained and compared to the real situation during the surgical operation. The reliability of the CT evaluation of the echinococcus cyst lesion invading inferior vena cava and hepatic vein was analyzed. Results The compression displacement, half-globular, no clear demarcation between the lesion and blood vessel and narrowing of the vessel detected by CT evaluation were in accordance with the real situation under the surgical sight. However, four cases of clear demarcation between the lesion and blood vessel were affirmed wrong under the surgical sight. There were three cases of over diagnosis of vascular stenosis judgments. Conclusion The CT images of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava can clearly show the relationship between the hepatic echinococcus cyst and hepatic vein and inferior vena cava.

Review of the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative bowel obstruction / 中国实用外科杂志

Postoperative intestinal obstruction,also known as postoperative small bowel obstruction(PSBO),is the most common acute abdomen after abdominal operations. The key to the treatment is accurate determination of therapeutic strategy.While avoiding unnecessary operation,delayed operation will cause intestinal obstruction and endanger the patients. PSBO diagnosis was improved owing to the progress of imaging techniques. Contrast enhanced CT can reach 90% in the diagnostic accuracy of intestinal strangulation,necessity of emergency operation and elucidation of etiology. Intestinal decompression via small intestinal decompression tube and subsequent gastrografin challenge can promote resolution of PSBO,increase the success rate of nonoperative management,avoid operation delay,and shorten the length of hospital stay.Operation is indicated for repeated episode of PSBO to eliminating the cause and avoiding recurrence. Elective operation is preferred over emergency. Laparoscopic operation is indicated for simple adhesions,but laparotomy is indicated for complex one. Meticulous operation,either laparoscopic or laparotomic,intestinal protection and eliminating foreign material and tissue debris are the keys to the prophylaxis of PSBO.

Value of CT imaging of inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of CT imaging of inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Methods A total of 100 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis were given triple-phase abdominal CT scan, and the reconstructed images of the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein were obtained and compared to the real situation during the surgical operation. The reliability of the CT evaluation of the echinococcus cyst lesion invading inferior vena cava and hepatic vein was analyzed. Results The compression displacement, half-globular, no clear demarcation between the lesion and blood vessel and narrowing of the vessel detected by CT evaluation were in accordance with the real situation under the surgical sight. However, four cases of clear demarcation between the lesion and blood vessel were affirmed wrong under the surgical sight. There were three cases of over diagnosis of vascular stenosis judgments. Conclusion The CT images of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava can clearly show the relationship between the hepatic echinococcus cyst and hepatic vein and inferior vena cava.

Comparative study on the effects of different concentrations of Iopromide Injection on liver tissue imaging and adverse reactions / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of iopromide injection on liver tissue imaging and adverse reactions. Methods Selected 150 patients of liver without substantial disease patients, were randomly divided into A group (n=50) and B group (n=50) and C group (n=50), after the abdominal plain, Iopromide Injection injection enhanced scan of the abdominal aorta, portal vein, 5 hepatic tissue, strengthen the evaluation value and the adverse reactions were observed, compared with different concentrations of Iopromide Injection imaging effect and adverse reaction of liver tissue. Results A group was injected with 370 mg/mL Iopromide Injection after abdominal aorta was 249.21, the enhancement of portal vein was 132, B group were injected with 350 mg/mL value of 229.32 Iopromide Injection portal vein enhancement, portal vein enhancement value was 121.32, C group were injected with 300 mg/mL Iopromide Injection hepatic enhancement value was 239.21, the enhancement of portal vein was 98.32, the A group and B group, there was significant difference with C group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the three groups when injected with different concentrations of iopromide injection. Conclusion The results show that the imaging effect is better with the increase of concentration, and there is no significant difference between the patients with high concentration contrast agent and low concentration contrast agent.

Comparative study on the effects of different concentrations of Iopromide Injection on liver tissue imaging and adverse reactions / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of iopromide injection on liver tissue imaging and adverse reactions. Methods Selected 150 patients of liver without substantial disease patients, were randomly divided into A group (n=50) and B group (n=50) and C group (n=50), after the abdominal plain, Iopromide Injection injection enhanced scan of the abdominal aorta, portal vein, 5 hepatic tissue, strengthen the evaluation value and the adverse reactions were observed, compared with different concentrations of Iopromide Injection imaging effect and adverse reaction of liver tissue. Results A group was injected with 370 mg/mL Iopromide Injection after abdominal aorta was 249.21, the enhancement of portal vein was 132, B group were injected with 350 mg/mL value of 229.32 Iopromide Injection portal vein enhancement, portal vein enhancement value was 121.32, C group were injected with 300 mg/mL Iopromide Injection hepatic enhancement value was 239.21, the enhancement of portal vein was 98.32, the A group and B group, there was significant difference with C group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the three groups when injected with different concentrations of iopromide injection. Conclusion The results show that the imaging effect is better with the increase of concentration, and there is no significant difference between the patients with high concentration contrast agent and low concentration contrast agent.

The comparison of diagnostic value between endoscopic ultrasonography and computer tomography in periampullary lesions / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and abdominal CT (CT) in diagnosis of periampullary lesions and to make comparison between the two procedures. Methods The patients suspected of surrounding lesions of ampullary from 2009 to 2013 in our hospital were included in this study. All the patients received both EUS and abdominal CT. The accuracy rate of these two examination methods was compared. Results 151 patients were confirmed as surrounding lesions of ampullary, including choledocholithiasis, ampullary tumors, ampullary inflammation, tumors of the pancreatic head and pancreatic cysts. The accuracy rate of these diseases was 83.6%, 90.6%, 6.5%, 100.0%, and 100.0%for EUS;while was 52.2%, 56.3%, 43.5%, 91.3%, and 100.0%for abdominal CT. The tatal accuracy rate for diagnosing periampullary lesions by EUS was significantly higher than that by abdominal CT (84.1% vs. 59.6%). Conclusions Endoscopic ultrasonography has higher value in diagnosis of periampullary lesions, and its accurate rate was higher than that of abdominal CT.

Effects of Dual-Energy CT with Non-Linear Blending on Abdominal CT Angiography

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether non-linear blending technique for arterial-phase dual-energy abdominal CT angiography (CTA) could improve image quality compared to the linear blending technique and conventional 120 kVp imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 118 patients who had accepted dual-energy abdominal CTA in the arterial phase. They were assigned to Sn140/80 kVp protocol (protocol A, n = 40) if body mass index (BMI) or = 25. Non-linear blending images and linear blending images with a weighting factor of 0.5 in each protocol were generated and compared with the conventional 120 kVp images (protocol C, n = 37). The abdominal vascular enhancements, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and radiation dose were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance test, independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Mean vascular attenuation, CNR, SNR and subjective image quality score for the non-linear blending images in each protocol were all higher compared to the corresponding linear blending images and 120 kVp images (p values ranging from < 0.001 to 0.007) except for when compared to non-linear blending images for protocol B and 120 kVp images in CNR and SNR. No significant differences were found in image noise among the three kinds of images and the same kind of images in different protocols, but the lowest radiation dose was shown in protocol A. CONCLUSION: Non-linear blending technique of dual-energy CT can improve the image quality of arterial-phase abdominal CTA, especially with the Sn140/80 kVp scanning.

Colitis isquémica: una manifestación poco frecuente en el lupus eritematoso sistémico / Ischemic colitis: an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Se presenta el caso de una adolescente con colitis isquémica, patología poco frecuente en este grupo etario, que se agrava ante la presencia del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Una paciente de 20 años, con diagnóstico de LES desde los 6 años, consultó por fiebre, dolor abdominal en el flanco y la fosa ilíaca derecha, y diarrea de 48 hs de evolución. Se asumió como gastroenteritis aguda pero, ante la persistencia del dolor, la aparición de vómitos incoercibles y la distensión abdominal, se decidió su internación. La radiografía de abdomen mostró asas distendidas, abundante materia fecal, sin niveles hidroaéreos. La ecografía mostró erosiones y ulceraciones, edema y hemorragia en la submucosa del colon descendente. La tomografía computarizada (TC) evidenció una lesión isquémica en el colon derecho. La colitis isquémica es una patología grave, infrecuente en los jóvenes. Los signos y síntomas, la TC de abdomen y la colonoscopia son los elementos de elección para el diagnóstico.

We present the case of an adolescent with ischemic colitis, an infrequent pathology in this age group, worsened in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient, aged 20, was diagnosed SLE at 6. She consulted for fever, abdominal pain in the side and right iliac fossa and diarrhea lasting 48 hours. It was assumed as acute gastroenteritis but given the persistent pain, incoercible vomiting and abdominal distension she was hospitalized. The abdominal X-ray showed distended loops, abundant feces, without airfluid levels. The ultrasound showed erosions and ulcerations, edema and bleeding in the descending colon submucosal layer. The CT scan evidenced an ischemic lesion in the right colon. Ischemic colitis is a severe condition, infrequent in young individuals. Signs, symptoms, abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy are the elements of choice for the diagnosis.

Detecting the Recurrence of Gastric Cancer after Curative Resection: Comparison of FDG PET/CT and Contrast-Enhanced Abdominal CT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) for detecting the recurrence of gastric cancer. We performed a retrospective review of 139 consecutive patients who underwent PET/CT and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT (CECT) for surveillance of gastric cancer after curative resection. Recurrence of gastric cancer was validated by histopathologic examination for local recurrence or serial imaging study follow-up with at least 1 yr interval for recurrence of distant metastasis form. Twenty-eight patients (20.1%) were confirmed as recurrence. On the patient based analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET/CT (53.6%, 84.7%, and 78.4%, respectively) and those of CECT (64.3%, 86.5%, and 82.0%, respectively) for detecting tumor recurrence except in detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Among 36 recurrent lesions, 8 lesions (22.2%) were detected only on PET/CT, and 10 lesions (27.8%) only on CECT. PET/CT had detected secondary malignancy in 8 patients. PET/CT is as accurate as CECT in detection of gastric cancer recurrence after curative resection, excepting detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Moreover, additional PET/CT on CECT could improve detection rate of tumor recurrence and provide other critical information such as unexpected secondary malignancy.

Pancreatitis aguda como complicación infrecuente de parotiditis: Reporte de un caso

La pancreatitis aguda como complicación de parotiditis es infrecuente y ha sido reportada esporádicamente en adolescentes en asociación post vacunación. Paciente femenino, 15 años de edad, presentó malestar general, fiebre >39ĈC, aumento de volumen en región submaxilar, diagnosticándose parotiditis. Una semana después, se asocian nauseas, vómitos y dolor abdominal en epigastrio, irradiado en banda. Examen físico: febril, deshidratada, aumento de volumen en región submaxilar y retroauricular bilateral, abdomen doloroso en epigastrio y flancos. Hallazgos de laboratorio: elevación de amilasas, lipasas, transaminasas y leucocitosis, ingresa con diagnósticos de pancreatitis aguda por parotiditis. Ultrasonido abdominal (USA) normal. La tomografía abdominal evidencia edema peri pancreático (estadio B de Balthazar). Evolucionó tórpidamente las siguientes 24 horas, asociándose hematemesis. Ingresó a terapia intensiva, recibió antibioticoterapia endovenosa con Meropenem y Ciprofloxacina, nutrición parenteral y cuidados propios de su estado. Es egresada cuatro días después en condiciones satisfactorias.

Acute pancreatitis as a complication of mumps is rare and has been sporadically reported in association with teens post vaccination. Female patient, 15 years old, presented with general malaise, fever> 39 Ĉ C, increased volume in submaxillary region diagnosing mumps. A week later, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain in epigastrium were associated, like band. Physical Examination: febrile, dehydrated, increased volume in bilateral auricular and submaxillary region, abdomen and flank pain in epigastrium. Laboratory findings: elevated amylase, lipase, transaminases, and leukocytosis, admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis mumps. Abdominal ultrasound (U.S.): normal. Abdominal CT evidenced peripancreatic edema (Balthazar stage B). Torpidly evolve in the following 24 hours, associated hematemesis. Admitted to intensive care, she received intravenous antibiotics with Meropenem and Ciprofloxacin, parenteral nutrition and care of their own state. She graduated after four days in a satisfactory condition.

Pneumatosis coli / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Preoperative Diagnosis and Medical Treatment of Pelvic Actinomycosis

The diagnosis of the pelvic actinomycosis is seldom made preoperatively because of no reliable or specific clinical manifestation which has tendency to mimic advanced gynecological malignancy and the relative infrequency of the disease. To explore the method for improvement of preoperative diagnosis and possibility of avoiding the surgical management of pelvic actinomycosis, we collected and summarized the data of age, parity, state of menopause, history of intrauterine device (IUD) use, symptoms, laboratory findings, radiologic findings, provisional diagnosis and treatment from 14 cases diagnosed pathologically and treated in Hanyang University Hospital from 2000 to 2007. Eleven (78.6%) of 14 cases were IUD users. Most common complaints were lower abdominal pain (71.4%) and vaginal discharge (57.1%) which were followed by fever (28.6%) and back pain (28.6%). Four cases (28.6%) were identified as pelvic actinomycosis before operation and in 3 cases (21.4%) malignancy was provisional preoperative diagnosis. Pelvic actinomycosis was suspected via abdominal computed tomography (CT) or cervicovaginal cytology and confirmed via endometrial biopsy or fine needle aspiration biopsy. Two cases that were diagnosed before operation and received only antibiotics therapy had no recurrence. It was suggested that pelvic actinomycosis could be suspected via abdominal CT and cervicovaginal cytology in IUD users, and endometrial biopsy and fine needle aspiration biopsy may help establish the diagnosis before the operation. Adequate preoperative antibiotics therapy could make extensive exploratory surgery avoided or conservative surgery feasible.

Usefulness of FAST for Evaluation of Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: We planned to determine the diagnostic capability of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) in cases of blunt abdominal injury (BAI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of FAST sheets was performed from April 2002 to December 2004. During the study period, 135 BAI patients were evaluated with FAST at the Emergency Department of Bundang CHA Hospital. Of this group, twenty-eight patients were excluded, leaving 107 patients for analysis. Abdomen CT (computerized tomography) or exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of hemoperitoneum. At the secondary survey, patients underwent a three-view FAST examination (LogicQ; General Electric, Waukesha, USA) by an emergency physician, followed within 2 hours by an abdomen CT or exploratory laparotomy. The FAST examination was considered positive if it demonstrated evidence of free intra-abdominal fluid. RESULTS: There were 45 true-positive FAST examination, 57 true-negatives, 1 false-positive, and 4 false negatives (sensitivity 91.8%, specificity 98.3%, positive predictive value 97.8%, negative predictive value 93.4%). The area under the ROC curve was 0.951 for the FAST examination. CONCLUSION: FAST is a highly reliable method for screening patients suspected of having BAI for the presence or absence of hemoperitoneum.

Usefulness of FAST for Evaluation of Blunt Abdominal Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: We planned to determine the diagnostic capability of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) in cases of blunt abdominal injury (BAI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of FAST sheets was performed from April 2002 to December 2004. During the study period, 135 BAI patients were evaluated with FAST at the Emergency Department of Bundang CHA Hospital. Of this group, twenty-eight patients were excluded, leaving 107 patients for analysis. Abdomen CT (computerized tomography) or exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of hemoperitoneum. At the secondary survey, patients underwent a three-view FAST examination (LogicQ; General Electric, Waukesha, USA) by an emergency physician, followed within 2 hours by an abdomen CT or exploratory laparotomy. The FAST examination was considered positive if it demonstrated evidence of free intra-abdominal fluid. RESULTS: There were 45 true-positive FAST examination, 57 true-negatives, 1 false-positive, and 4 false negatives (sensitivity 91.8%, specificity 98.3%, positive predictive value 97.8%, negative predictive value 93.4%). The area under the ROC curve was 0.951 for the FAST examination. CONCLUSION: FAST is a highly reliable method for screening patients suspected of having BAI for the presence or absence of hemoperitoneum.

Causes of Under-staging in Patients with Gastric Cancer That was Proven to be Unresectable after a Laparotomy: Correlation with CT Findings

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of under-staging in patients with advanced gastric cancer that was proven to be unresectable after a laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 gastric cancer patients who had undergone a diagnostic laparotomy between 2001 and 2005. For the preoperative evaluation, spiral CT and multidetector-row CT were performed. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of patients and compared the image findings and the results of surgery. The causes of under-staging were divided into 3 groups; patient factor, CT factor, and interpretation factor. RESULTS: Grossly, there were 12 cases of Borrmann type-III tumors and 13 cases of Borrmann type-IV tumors. The most frequent histologic type was poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (8 cases) and signet ring cell carcinomas (7 cases). There were 13 cases of adjacent organ invasion, and the pancreas was the most frequently invaded organ (9 cases). There were 17 cases of peritoneal metastasis, and 3 cases of distant lymph node metastasis. For the cause of under-staging, there were four cases of patient factor, 19 cases of interpretation factor, and 9 cases of CT factor. In three cases, the cause of under-staging could not be identified. CONCLUSION: CT interpretation factor was the most frequent cause of under-staging in the preoperative diagnosis with gastric cancer patients. Therefore, more cautious CT interpretation is necessary to avoid unnecessary laparotomies in gastric cancer patients.

The Usefulness of the Abdominal Computerized Tomography for the Diagnosis of Childhood Obesity and Its Correlation with Various Parameters of Obesity / 소아과

PURPOSE: Abdominal obesity is encountered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the anthropometric cut-off value to estimate the cardiovascular risk, has not been suggested. This study was designed to find the relationship between the abdominal fat and various parameters of obesity to find the cardiovascular risk factors related to abdominal obesity and to establish practical methods to measure them. METHODS: Twenty seven obese Korean adolescents of moderate to severe degree and 22 healthy adolescents were enrolled. The body mass index (BMI), arm circumference and skinfold thickness were measured. Furthermore, blood lipid, sugar, insulin and four different cytokines' levels were checked and the distribution of body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness by abdominal ultrasonography (US) and the total and intra-abdominal fat area by abdominal computerized tomography (CT) were measured in the obese group. RESULTS: The most accurate method to measure abdominal fat in children is abdominal CT and the fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance was strongly correlated with it (r=0.954). It was also correlated with arm circumference, fat thickness measured by abdominal US, BMI, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride level. CONCLUSION: Abdominal CT is the most accurate method to measure intra-abdominal fat, and it can be replaced by abdominal US for cost effectiveness. The screening methods that can be used at school or in outpatient basis include bioelectrical impedance, waist/hip ratio, and arm circumference. The cardiovascular risk factors include leptin, triglyceride and insulin level.

Is Routine Chest X-ray Useful in Detection of Pulmonary Metastases after Curative Resection for Colorectal Carcinoma?

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional chest radiography and abdominal CT for early detection of pulmonary metastases after curative surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 138 cases of pulmonary metastases from a group of colorectal-cancer patients, who were recruited from 1994 to 2002 at Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, and who had been surgically treated with a curative resection. RESULTS: The detection rates for pulmonary metastases were 34.1% by conventional chest radiography, 50.0% by abdominal CT, and 15.9% by other means. For stage I and II tumors, conventional chest radiography was superior to abdominal CT (45.7% vs. 34.3%, P<0.05) for detecting pulmonary metastases. On the contrary, for stage III tumors, abdominal CT was superior to conventional chest radiography (55.3% vs. 30.1%, P<0.05). Compared with stage I and II, pulmonary metastases in stage III had a tendency to be more numerous, bilateral, and extra-pulmonary. They also had a low detection rate by conventional chest radiography and a higher detection rate by abdominal CT, and they were associated with poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional chest radiography is no more useful in detecting early pulmonary metastases after curative colorectal surgery than abdominal CT, especially for stage III tumors. We propose the use of routine chest CT or extended abdominal CT for screening of occult lung metastases in stage III colorectal cancer patients.

Decision Making by CT Grading in Blunt Hepatic Injury Patient

BACKGROUND: Because of increased number of traffic and industrial accidents, the incidence of blunt abdominal injury patients has increased. Recently, abdominal computed tomographic(CT) scans have been widely used in emergency departments for initial diagnostic workups on patients with blunt hepatic injuries. The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between abdominal CT scans and the clinical outcomes and to recommend a direction for the management of blunt hepatic injury. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 66 patients with blunt hepatic injuries who underwent abdominal CT scans and were treated at the Department of Emergency Medicine of Dankook University Hospital during the period from January 1998 to December 2000. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square(x2) test, Spearman correlation test, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square(x2) test and Fisher's exact test; a value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Based on CT scans, we graded the liver injuries by using the system of the Organ Injury Scaling Committee of American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Grade II injuries(28 cases, 42.4%) were the most common in this study. Most patients with injuries above grade III were managed surgically, and CT grades correlated well with operative treatment and initial fluid resuscitation. Initial shock status correlated with the CT grade, but did not correlate with operative management. For nonoperative management, as the CT grade increased, the amount of blood transfusion also increased. Increasing liver enzyme did not correlate with CT grade. The mortality rate was 9.1%, and the most common cause of death were hypovolemic shock due to massive bleeding. CONCLUSION: Non-operative management is the first choice of treatment in low grade blunt hepatic injury(CT grade I, II, and III). For cases above grade IV hepatic injury, the key points of operative management were the hepatic injury itself and it's complication.