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This case report demonstrates a post-traumatic right sided diaphragmal hernia presenting 17 years after trauma with acute abdominal pain. An incarcerated duodenal bowel loop was radiologically suspected and confirmed by subsequent surgery.

Jejunal diverticula are rare. Enterolith ileus, the least-encountered complication among patients with jejunal diverticula, is incidentally found at surgery or during imaging studies such as radiography, CT, or endoscopy. We report the case of a 71-year-old man with enterolith ileus involving the jejunum that was initially detected using abdominal sonography and subsequently confirmed with abdominal CT and surgery. Enterolith ileus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction. Abdominal sonography may contribute to the early diagnosis of this condition., (Copyright 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is the treatment of choice for common bile duct (CBD) stones. Complication rates of 5-15%, and mortality rates of 1.0% have been reported. We report a case of gallstone ileus presenting 12 days after ERCP and ES.

Background: The appearance of gastrografin in colon within 6 hours after gastric administration rules out the need of surgery in abdominal subileus. This diagnostic management is not routinely applied in children. We present a one-year experience from the department of pediatric surgery., Material and Methods: Between April 2006 and September 2007 children with symptoms of ileus without clear indications for surgery were subjected to the study. Naso-gastric tube was inserted and 20-100 cc of gastrografin was administered. Abdominal radiograph was taken within 4-6 hours. The presence of contrast in colon allowed for conservative management. All remaining children were subjected to surgery. Newborns and children with intussusception or incarcerated hernia were ruled out of the study., Results: The study was implemented in 8 girls and 7 boys ranking in the age between 1 and 17 (mean 11) years. Thirteen children had postoperative obstruction (8 after appendectomy, 5 after other laparotomy). Two children (with Crohn disease and Schoenlein-Henoch purpura) were not operated before. Four children without appearance of contrast in colon were operated. None of the remaining eleven children required surgical intervention., Conclusions: This management is safe and effective. It brings forward decision for surgery and shortens observation in children who don't require surgical intervention.

Ectopic gallstone obstruction, gallstone ileus, due to cholecystoenteric fistula is an infrequent condition. Its occurrence as a complication of a gallbladder (GB) carcinoma is even more rare. We describe an unusual case of a GB carcinoma complicated by a cholecystoduodenal fistula leading to first gallstone obstruction in the ileum and then, later, in the duodenum, in which an accurate preoperative diagnosis was based on pathognomonic computerized tomography (CT) features. A correct diagnosis of this may be crucial and requires prompt surgical intervention; radiologists should be familiar with their classic CT appearance.

Objective: To discuss the diagnostic value of spiral computed tomography (CT) in adhesive ileus., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 patients with adhesive ileus who were diagnosed by CT and confirmed by operations. The main reconstruction method included multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) and sliding thin slab-maximum intensity projection (STS-MIP)., Results: Among all the 40 patients, localization diagnosis was correct in 32 patients (80%) and partially correct in 8 patients (20%). The main signs included: (1) dilated proximal intestinal canal and collapsed distal intestinal canal in 40 patients (100%); (2) smooth transitional zone in 39 patients (97.5%); (3) delayed enhancement of regional bowel in 33 patients (82.5%); (4) beak sign in 32 patients (80%); (5) adhesions balteum in 6 patients (15%); and (6) pseudotumor appearance in one patient (2.5%)., Conclusion: Spiral CT has an important value in detecting adhesive ileus.

Objective: Small-bowel obstruction from gallstone impaction is a pathological entity frequently observed in elderly patients with a history of cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. Diagnostic imaging plays a great role in the management of patients with suspected gallstone ileus and overall in the correct predictive diagnosis: in the last years, some experiences in radiologic diagnosis of this entity by sonography, abdominal plain film and CT, and occasionally MRI have been reported. Some questions related to gallstone ileus are to be considered: one of them is the possibility of recurrence, which increases the operatory risk in these patients. Recurrence may be due either to the presence of overlooked stones that were already in the bowel at the time of surgery but not identified and not removed or to the migration of other stones in patients not previously cholcystectomized. In cases of acute abdomen, establishing an effective conservative therapy may be a critical point. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the capabilities of helical single-detector and MDCT scanners to allow a correct diagnosis of this disease., Conclusion: Helical single-detector and MDCT may improve the diagnosis of gallstone ileus, providing important information regarding the exact number, size, and location of ectopic stones and the site of intestinal obstruction or direct visualization of a biliary-enteric fistula, to help clinicians in the therapeutic management of patients.

The primary treatment of left-sided colonic ileus due to cancer is after localisation of the tumor with water-soluble contrast enema placement of an intraluminal, self-expanding metal stent. If this treatment is unsuccessful, open resection with primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice. In the case of a perforated tumor, resection and primary anastomis may be performed if the patient s general condition is acceptable.

We discuss the case of a man with an unusual complication of gallstone disease. An 85-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with a 3-week history of abdominal pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Thoracoabdominal radiography demonstrated that the whole extrahepatic biliary tree, including the common bile duct, common hepatic duct, gallbladder, and left and right hepatic ducts, were visibly delineated by air. The operative findings revealed a small shrunken gallbladder, a fistula between the gallbladder fundus and the gastric antrum, and a cholecystohepatic fistula, corresponding to Mirizzi syndrome, type II. A large gallstone was found impacted in the jejunum. This patient seems to have developed initially a cholecystohepatic fistula. Due to the acute inflammatory process, the stone eroded through the gallbladder wall and into the gastric antrum, passing from the antrum into the small bowel, where it became impacted. We suggest that the natural history of Mirizzi syndrome does not end with a cholecystobiliary fistula but that the continuous inflammation in the triangle of Calot may result in a complex fistula involving not only the biliary tract but also the adjacent viscera.

Aim: To retrospectively establish the diagnostic criteria of gallstone ileus on CT, and to prospectively apply these criteria to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CT to confirm or exclude gallstone ileus in patients who presented with acute small bowel obstruction (SBO). Another purpose was to ascertain whether the size of ectopic gallstones would affect treatment strategy., Methods: Fourteen CT scans in cases of proved gallstone ileus were evaluated retrospectively by two radiologists for the presence or absence of previously reported CT findings to establish the diagnostic criteria. These criteria were applied in a prospective contrast enhanced CT study of 165 patients with acute SBO, which included those 14 cases of gallstone ileus. The hard copy images of 165 CT studies were reviewed by a different group of two radiologists but without previous knowledge of the patient's final diagnosis. All CT data were further analyzed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of gallstone ileus when using CT in prospective evaluation of acute SBO. The size of ectopic gallstone on CT was correlated with the clinical course., Results: The diagnostic criteria of gallstone ileus on CT were established retrospectively, which included: (1) SBO; (2) ectopic gallstone; either rim-calcified or total-calcified; (3) abnormal gall bladder with complete air collection, presence of air-fluid level, or fluid accumulation with irregular wall. Prospectively, CT confirmed the diagnosis in 13 cases of gallstone ileus with these three criteria. Only one false negative case could be identified. The remaining 151 patients are true negative cases and no false positive case could be disclosed. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT in diagnosing gallstone ileus were 93%, 100%; and 99%, respectively. Surgical exploration was performed in 13 patients of gallstone ileus with ectopic stones sized larger than 3 cm. One patient recovered uneventfully following conservative treatment with an ectopic stone sized 2 cm in the long axis., Conclusion: Contrast enhanced CT imaging offered crucial evidence not only for the diagnosis of gallstone ileus but also for decision making in management strategy.

Bowel strangulation is defined as mechanical obstruction associated with compromised blood circulation of the bowel wall. Delayed diagnosis and treatment are the main causes of the high mortality. A 90-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute abdominal pain. Plain abdominal x-ray studies were inconclusive. However, bowel strangulation was suggested by computer tomography and the diagnosis was confirmed under the laparotomy. In the case of bowel strangulation, abdominal CT is a fast, reliable and useful diagnostic tool when imaging is considered necessary before a laparotomy.

Morbid obesity is an increasing health problem, and bariatric surgery is becoming a popular treatment option. Radiologists must be familiar with performing and interpreting studies in this patient population. The typical postoperative findings of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) procedure for morbid obesity on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series are presented. An overview of the potential complications that may be diagnosed with contrast studies and computed tomography (CT) is provided in addition to a description of potential pitfalls in interpreting these studies.

Meconium obstruction of prematurity is a distinct clinical condition that occurs in very low birth weight infants, predisposing them to intestinal perforation and a prolonged hospitalization if not diagnosed and treated promptly. We report a series of 21 infants, including 2 detailed case reports, whose clinical course is indicative of meconium obstruction of prematurity. Specific risk factors are identified along with descriptions of clinical and radiologic findings, disease course, treatment, and outcome. Meconium obstruction of prematurity was more common in infants with a maternal history of pregnancy-induced or chronic hypertension, suggesting the possibility of decreased intestinal perfusion prenatally. Inspissated meconium was located most frequently in the distal ileum, making this disease process difficult to treat. Gastrografin enemas were safe, diagnostic, and therapeutic. Delay in diagnosis and treatment was associated with perforation and delay in institution of enteral feeds.

In recent years the increasing use of ultrasonography and computed tomography in the assessment of diseases causing acute abdomen and the diagnostic possibilities of magnetic resonance have decreased the role of conventional radiology techniques, especially of plain abdominal film in the diagnosis of acute abdomen. However, serial plain abdominal film is still the first diagnostic procedure used in the assessment of patients with acute abdominal pain, providing important diagnostic information if correctly performed and carefully observed. In this paper serial plain abdominal film findings related to the different types of ileus (spastic ileus, hypotonic ileus, mechanical ileus and paralytic ileus) are presented.

The authors report the case of a 93-year old woman referred to the emergency department and presenting with an intestinal obstruction. Abdominal CT reveals a biliary ileus caused by the migration and the impaction of a 3 cm gallstone in the small bowel. Surgical treatment by enterolithotomy was successful. In over 90% of cases, gallstone ileus is a complication of cholelithiasis and accounts for 25% of intestinal obstruction in patients over 65 years. To reduce morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. Abdominal CT-scan is the gold standard technique.

Aims: To elucidate the mechanism of marked stromal fibrosis in strictured colorectal carcinomas (SC) that cause complete ileus., Methods and Results: Sixteen cases of SC and 29 cases of non-strictured colorectal carcinoma (NSC) were studied. These carcinomas showed similar clinicopathological features except for bowel stricture. The stricture index (SI) showing the degree of bowel stricture was 59.8 +/- 12.1% in SC versus 20.8 +/- 24.6% in NSC (P < 0.001). The fibrosis index (FI), defined to reflect the extent of stromal fibrosis, was 56.3 +/- 8.8% in SC versus 21.9 +/- 10.6% in NSC (P < 0.001). COX-2+ myofibroblasts were detected in 13 cases (81.3%) in SC versus eight cases (27.6%) in NSC (P < 0.01). The COX-2+ myofibroblast density was 276.7 +/- 181.1 cells/mm(2) in SC versus 26.6 +/- 52.7 cells/mm(2) in NSC (P < 0.001). When all cases were divided into two groups with and without COX-2+ myofibroblasts, the SI was 48.8 +/- 19.1% in those with COX-2+ myofibroblasts versus 24.8 +/- 29.3% in those with COX-2- myofibroblasts (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: COX-2+ myofibroblasts may play an important role in extensive bowel stricture in colorectal carcinomas.

Purpose: We retrospectively compared the clinical value of plain abdominal film, abdominal sonography and abdominal CT in diagnosing gallstone ileus in 27 patients., Material and Methods: 27 patients (23 women and 4 men, age range 58-96 years; mean age 71.5 years) with surgically proven gallstone ileus were submitted to plain film, sonography and CT of the abdomen. Abdominal plain films were performed in 19 cases in upright position (postero-anterior projection), in eight cases in supine position. Abdominal US were performed with 3.5 and/or 7.5 MHz probes. CT was performed with a helical unit (slice thickness 4mm, reconstruction interval 4mm, pitch 1.5), after intravenous contrast agent (120 ml) infusion (3 ml/s, 55 s acquisition delay from bolus starting) and using a power injector. The following findings were searched on: pneumobilia, air in gallbladder, cholecysto-digestive fistula, extraluminal fluid, bowel loops dilatation, intestinal air-fluid levels, ectopic stones., Results: Plain abdominal films showed the following findings: air-fluid levels (77.78% of cases), bowel loops dilatation (88.89%), site of obstruction (44.4%), pneumobilia (37.04%), air in gallbladder (3.70%), ectopic stone (33.33%). Abdominal sonography demonstrated bowel loops dilatation (44.44%), extraluminal fluid (14.81%), ectopic stones (14.81%), gallbladder abnormalities, (37.04%), pneumobilia (55.56%). CT findings retrospectively observed were: bowel loops dilatation (92.59%), air-fluid levels (37.04%), bilio-digestive fistula (14.81%), pneumobilia (88.89%), ectopic stone (81.48%), extraluminal fluid (22.22%). The Rigler's triad, that is pneumobilia, bowel mechanical obstruction and ectopic stone detection was observed 4 times with RX (14.81%), 3 times with US (11.11%) and 21 times with CT (77.78%)., Conclusions: Air-fluid levels and bowel loop dilatation were the radiological findings more frequently observed in our series. Plain abdominal film allowed us mainly to identify signs of obstruction, US were more effective in disclosing biliary pathology, CT allowed us to correctly diagnose biliary ileus with much higher accuracy.

Introduction: The main role of the radiologist in the management of patients with suspicion of small bowel obstruction is to help triage patients into those that need immediate surgical intervention from those that require medical therapy or delayed surgery. Ultrasound examination is usually considered not helpful in bowel obstruction because of air in the intestinal lumen that interferes the evaluation of the intestinal loops, however recently some Authors attested the increasing important role of sonography in the acute abdominal disease. Aim of our report is to demonstrate the value of free fluid detected by US in differentiating between low and high-grade small bowel obstruction., Materials and Methods: The study is based on 742 consecutive patients who presented symptoms of the acute abdomen; all patients had undergone initial serial abdominal plain film and US examinations prior to any medical intervention. We reviewed the imaging findings of 150 cases in whom small bowel obstruction was clinically suspected and confirmed at surgery. We consider the following radiographic and US findings: dilatation of small bowel loops; bowel wall thickness; presence of air-fluid levels; thickness of valvulae conniventes; evidence of peristalsis; presence and echogenicity of extraluminal fluid. We looked at the value of extraluminal peritoneal fluid at US examination in differentiating low and high-grade small bowel obstruction based on the surgical outcome., Results: In 46 patients altered peristaltic activity, thin bowel walls, fluid filled loops with hyperechoic spots in the bowel segment proximal to obstruction were noted at US, whereas radiographic features were: moderate dilatation of small bowel loops, with thin bowel wall and evidence of numerous and subtle valvulae conniventes; presence of air-fluid levels was also noted. In 70 other patients, US examination revealed all the findings described in the precedent cases and also the presence of free extraluminal fluid; abdominal plain film showed an increased dilatation of small bowel loops with moderate thickened wall and air-fluid levels. In 34 other patients US examination revealed the presence of thick-walled loops, hypoperistalsis and a larger amount of free extraluminal fluid. Radiographic findings in these patients were: horizontal featured and markedly dilated small bowel loops presenting parietal thickness, presence of intraluminal fluid stasis and evidence of thickened, sparse and incomplete valvulae conniventes. At surgery etiology of small bowel obstructions was various, but most of cases related to adhesions (70 cases). The presence of extraluminal fluid were confirmed at surgery in 104 patients., Conclusions: Our experience using sonography in suspicion of SBO (small bowel obstruction) suggests the usefulness of this imaging modality to differentiate a functional or obstructive ileus, demonstrating the evidence of intestinal peristalsis. Furthermore, the presence of a large amount of fluid between dilated small bowel loops suggests worsening mechanical small bowel obstruction, that requires not a medical therapy but immediate surgery.

Twenty-five per cent of obstructions in patients 70 years and over could be caused by gallstone ileus. Due to the variable clinical symptomatology, diagnosis can be delayed and results in poorer outcome than expected for this benign pathology. Early CT evaluation improves the accuracy of diagnosis. Based on a review of twelve cases, the typical imaging features and pitfalls will be reviewed.

An unusual case of choledocholithiasis followed by gallstone ileus documented by serial computed tomography is reported. A 91-year-old woman underwent gastrostomy because she repeatedly developed aspiration pneumonia, and a common bile duct stone was detected. She and her family refused surgery once symptoms resolved. One year later, she presented with increasing, intermittent abdominal pain and nausea. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a common bile duct stone with inflammatory changes, but the patient still refused surgery. Three months later, she was admitted with abdominal pain and vomiting. On admission, plain abdominal radiographs demonstrated proximal small bowel obstruction. A long ileus tube was inserted through the gastric fistula. Two days after admission, gallstone ileus was diagnosed on abdominal computed tomography based on the presence of pneumobilia, disappearance of the common bile duct stone, fluid-filled bowel loops, and the discovery of an impacted stone in the small bowel. Ten and 15 days after admission, repeated computed tomography demonstrated the impacted stone in the terminal ileum. Seventeen days after admission, a laparotomy was performed, and a 5x3-cm gallstone was removed through an ileotomy.

Mechanical intestinal obstructions caused by gallstones occur in approximately 1% to 2% of cases. In most of the patients, the obstruction occurs at the ileocecal valve. However, gallstones may cause obstruction anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the sigmoid colon. Laparoscopically assisted enterolithotomy can be used as a treatment method. This report describes a case in which a gallstone blockage caused a mechanical obstruction in an atypical location, which was successfully treated with a laparoscopically assisted approach.

A few hours after a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) dive at 30 meters depth, a 49 years-old man complained of diffuse abdominal pain with nausea and vomitus. A laparotomy was performed 36 hours after a conservative treatment because of persistent mechanical small bowel obstruction. The last ileal loop was strangulated between a mobile ceacum and a long sigmoid loop. The man never had previous abdominal surgery. In absence of intestinal necrosis, a caecopexy was done and there was no post-operative complications. The gas distension during the ascension following the Boyle-Mariotte law and its distribution induced in this man with a special anatomy a mechanical small bowel obstruction. The treatment of mobile caecum and the literature of abdominal barotrauma is reviewed.