Transanal endoscopic total mesorectal excision: technical aspects of approaching the mesorectal plane from below--a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for low rectal cancer can be technically challenging. This report describes our initial experience with a hybrid laparoscopic and transanal endoscopic technique for TME in low rectal cancer. METHODS: Between December 2012 and October 2013, we identified patients with rectal cancer < 5 cm from the anorectal junction (ARJ) who underwent laparoscopic-assisted TME with a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) technique. A standardized stepwise approach was used in all patients. Resection specimens were examined for completeness and measurement of margins. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics and short-term postoperative outcomes were examined. All values are mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Ten patients (8 males; median age: 60.5 (range 36-70) years) were included. On initial MRI, all tumors were T2 or T3, mean tumor height from the ARJ was 28.9 ± 12.2 mm, mean circumferential resection margin was 5.3 ± 3.1 mm , and the mean angle between the anal canal and the levator ani was 83.9° ± 9.7°. All patients had had preoperative chemoradiotherapy, TME via TAMIS, and distal anastomosis. There were no intraoperative complications, anastomotic leaks, or 30-day mortality. The pathologic quality of all mesorectal specimens was excellent. The distal resection margin was 19.4 ± 10.4 mm, the mean circumferential resection margin was 13.8 ± 5.1 mm, and the median lymph node harvest was 10.5 (range 5-15) nodes. CONCLUSIONS: A combined laparoscopic and transanal approach can achieve a safe and oncologically complete TME dissection for low rectal tumors. This approach may improve clinical outcomes in these technically difficult cases, but larger prospective studies are needed.

The critical role of CT angiography in the detection and therapy of lower gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Lower gastro-intestinal bleeding (LGIB) is defined as a bleeding site localised in the colon or anorectum. (1) In the past, the diagnosis of LGIB has been a serious challenge for the radiology department because of its possible intermittent character, making it difficult to pinpoint the bleeding site. Patients with a LGIB will typically have undergone a long diagnostic work-up before they end up on the interventional radiology department. The development of multi-detector computed tomography (CT) has made radiological diagnosis of LGIB easier. CT is not only able to localize the active bleeding site but may also demonstrate the vascular anatomy and the underlying cause, hereby directing further management and guiding therapeutic interventions, as will be illustrated in both of our cases.

MR enterography in children with Crohn disease: results from the Belgian pediatric Crohn registry (Belcro).

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic Resonance enterography (MRE) is an imaging modality avoiding ionizing radiation and the discomfort associated with enteroclysis. The results of MRE at diagnosis in the patients of the Belgian pediatric Crohn registry (Belcro) are compared to endoscopical and histological results. METHODS: Results of MRE, endoscopy and histology were obtained from the medical charts and assigned to one of the following segments: jejunum, ileum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon or rectosigmoid. MRE images were reviewed in a blinded way by 4 radiologists with specific interest in pediatric MRE. RESULTS: From the Belcro registry, twenty-two patients underwent a MRE during their work-up for Crohn disease. The results of endoscopy, histology and MRE were concordant (either all negative or positive) in the ileum in 16/18 patients and in the rectosigmoid, descending colon, transverse colon and ascending colon in resp 9, 8, 8 and 8/22 patients. In the non-concordant cases (MRE colon negative but endoscopy and/or histology positive), MRE could not reflect the subtle endoscopic or histologic lesions such as erosions that were described.In 4 cases where ileocaecal valve intubation was impossible ileal MRE findings were abnormal. MRE detected ileal stenosis, jejunal lesions and fistula in resp 4/22, 3/22 en 2/22 patients. The 100% and 75% interobserver agreement was resp 50-82% and 773-100% according to the different intestinal segments. CONCLUSIONS: MRE is a promising imaging modality avoiding radiation in Crohn disease. It should probably become the technique of first choice for the evaluation of extensive small bowel disease in children with Crohn disease.

Avascular necrosis of the epiphysis of the first metatarsal bone.

We report a case of avascular necrosis of the epiphysis of the right first metatarsal in a 6-year-old boy. Radiographs showed sclerosis, collapse and a crescent sign in the epiphysis. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and scintigraphy. Arch support was the therapy of choice. Six months after the onset of symptoms, a definite reossification was present. To our knowledge, this is the first radiological report of avascular necrosis of the epiphysis of the first metatarsal bone in the world literature, which prompted a review of the osteochondroses and their etiology.

Ectopic localisation of adrenal cortex.

We present a case of concurrence of ectopic adrenal cortex with a renal cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of the accessory adrenal tissue was made by CT-guided biopsy. With this case report, we draw attention to a specific differential diagnostic problem, policy and to the MR characteristics of ectopic adrenal cortex.