Mesenteric fat necrosis simulating a carcinoma of the cecum.

Fat necrosis in the mesentery is an unusual complication of an adjacent inflammatory process. This report demonstrates a case of fat necrosis resulting in multiple irregularly firm masses measuring up to 4.5 cm. in diameter which produced extrinsic pressure on the cecum and ascending colon, simulating a carcinoma radiographically and at surgery. The fat necrosis was caused by chronic appendicitis in association with pylephlebitis.

Lymphoreticular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: roentgenographic features.

Recent advances have permitted close correlation of characteristic roentgen signs with the pathophysiologic alterations in lymphoreticular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The background of primary and secondary immunoglobin disorders with gastrointestinal manifestations is reviewed. The roentgenographic alterations in the small bowel of the enteropathic immunoglobulin deficiency syndromes and in lymphoma of the small bowel, stomach, and colon are discussed and illustrated in detail.

Colonic polyp detection: role of roentgenography and colonoscopy.

In order to determine the relative yields of colonoscopic and radiologic examinations of the colon, the following guidelines are suggested: (a) prospective data collection; (b) a standard, effective colon cleansing regimen; (c) colonoscopic and radiologic examiners of comparable expertise; (d) examiners should be unaware of each other's findings; (e) a suitable method for demonstrating false-negative findings and for resolving conflicting findings between the two examinations; and (f) indexing of the study findings as to lesion size, lesion location, quality of colon cleansing, and examiner's level of confidence. The two examinations should be used as complementary diagnostic procedures.