Gerota versus Zuckerkandl: the renal fascia revisited.

In the medical literature, Gerota fascia is frequently used as a general term to describe both the anterior and posterior pararenal fascia. However, Zuckerkandl's name is also often used to describe either the anterior or posterior fascia. To resolve this confusion, the authors reviewed the original works by Gerota and Zuckerkandl. In 1883, Zuckerkandl described the posterior renal fascia but did not recognize the presence of the anterior renal fascia. In 1895, Gerota documented the presence of the anterior renal fascia and clearly assigned Zuckerkandl's name to the posterior renal fascia. Thus, the terms Zuckerkandl fascia and posterior renal fascia are synonymous, as are Gerota fascia and anterior renal fascia.

Self-localization in US of appendicitis: an addition to graded compression.

Graded-compression ultrasound (US) of the right lower quadrant (RLQ) has been a valuable addition to the diagnostic evaluation of acute appendicitis. In an effort to expedite the sonographic evaluation and improve diagnostic accuracy, a method of self-localization was added to the standard graded-compression examination. A total of 236 patients with signs of appendicitis were studied. Eighty-five percent (121 of 142) of the patients with proved appendicitis were able to decisively self-localize their pain. Of the patients without appendicitis who still had significant disease in the RLQ, 88% (29 of 33) were able to self-localize their pain, with an accuracy rate of 86% for significant disease. Among patients without significant disease, only 15% (nine of 61) self-localized their pain. This "sonographic self-localization sign" reduced the time of the examination and was a valuable addition to standard graded-compression US of the appendix.