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Abstract: In this article an overview is given of the present knowledge of whole body MRI, MRI of the retroperitoneum, intestines and pelvis. Recommendations are based on current literature and clinical applications in daily routine focusing on efficacy rather than cost considerations. The contribution and complementary role of MRI relative to those of its competing modalities was the most important endpoint assessed. Perfusion and functional information, as well as specific contrast agents in the area of the pelvis are still considered research indications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Breast reconstruction with the lumbar artery perforator flap is indicated in patients with unfavorable abdominal donor site. In addition to their clinical experience with lumbar artery perforator free flap breast reconstruction, the authors present an anatomical study of the origin and course of the perforators., Methods: Images of multidetector computerized tomography scans were used to visualize the location of the dominant lumbar artery perforator in 20 patients. The medical files of the authors' patients who underwent lumbar artery perforator flap breast reconstruction were also analyzed., Results: Multidetector computed tomographic imaging in 20 female patients with a mean age of 47 years revealed an equal number of dominant perforators (10 left and 10 right); 60 percent were third lumbar artery perforators, 30 percent were fourth, and the remaining were second. The dominant perforators were mainly located 42.6 mm from the y axis at their origin at the transverse process, and 69.5 mm when emerging in the subcutaneous tissue. Six patients had nine successful lumbar artery perforator flaps for breast reconstruction. Average operative time was 270 minutes. Due to shortness of pedicle and mismatching between diameter of lumbar artery and internal mammary artery, vascular bypass (harvested from the deep inferior epigastric vessels) was required in 50 percent of the cases. The major complication at the donor site was seroma (80 percent)., Conclusions: The lumbar artery perforator has a constant anatomical location. The free lumbar artery perforator flap provides an ample amount of tissue for breast reconstruction; however, its major disadvantages are the small artery diameter, shortness of the pedicle, and high seroma rate at the donor site., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: The transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap provides adequate autologous tissue for breast reconstruction from the high thigh region, but flap harvest may affect the patient's activities of daily living, sexuality, and quality of life. The authors evaluated the reconstruction outcome, postoperative donor-site complications, and quality-of-life outcomes., Methods: All patients who underwent transverse myocutaneous gracilis breast reconstruction performed by the senior author (M.H.) since 2007 were included in the study. Patient files were reviewed, and a questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction., Results: Forty-nine transverse myocutaneous gracilis flaps were performed in 36 patients for breast reconstruction. Total flap necrosis occurred in two flaps (4 percent). Additional fat grafting was required in 61 percent of flaps, and donor-site complications occurred in 59 percent of patients. Wound dehiscence and infection were the most commonly encountered donor-site complications. However, by harvesting less skin and gracilis muscle, there was a statistically significant (p<0.001) lower complication rate in the last 16 patients. Twenty-two patients with at least 6 months of follow-up were included in the questionnaire study. Eighteen returned questionnaires. Most patients were happy to very happy with their result and could go about their activities of daily living. There was no statistically significant correlation between the independent variables (e.g., age, body mass index, and radiotherapy) and the dependent variables (e.g., breast satisfaction, sexuality, and donor-site morbidity). There was a statistically significant difference regarding donor-site satisfaction when comparing patients with and without donor-site complications (p=0.01)., Conclusions: Although fat grafting was often required, patients were happy with the result of their transverse myocutaneous gracilis breast reconstruction. Donor-site complications correspondence inversely to patient satisfaction., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Introduction: To reduce donor site morbidity in anterior chest wall reconstruction, a flap based on perforators of the superior epigastric artery (SEA) was developed and successfully applied in a pedicled fashion for locoregional soft-tissue reconstruction., Materials and Methods: We combined our anatomical and clinical experience with superior epigastric artery perforator (SEAP) flap with a PubMed search of the English language literature for articles published on "SEAP flap". Reference lists of the articles found were then checked for other related articles of interest. Articles were compared looking at flap indication, preoperative imaging, perforator morphology, SEA integument area, surgical approach, and outcome of the flaps., Results: The four best perforators were most frequently encountered in an area 2 to 6 cm from the midline and 0 to 10 cm below the xiphoid process. The territory of the SEAPs depends on the location of the perforator. Controversy exists in the current literature concerning preferable SEAP flap orientation. Although tip necrosis is the major complication, this can often be treated conservatively without affecting outcomes or can even be avoided by limiting flap length to the anterior axillary line and the zone below the midpoint between the xiphisternum and the umbilicus., Conclusion: The SEAP flap provides a useful approach for reconstruction of defects of the anterior chest, or of the abdominal wall. As a perforator or adipocutaneous flap, the flap is reliable and easy to raise, and spares donor site morbidity., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Purpose: Subcostal scars pose a risk of upper abdominal flap ischaemia when raising a free abdominal flap. The aim of this study was to describe a clinical approach to increase flap reliability and donor site healing in the presence of transverse abdominal scars while harvesting lower abdominal free flaps., Methods: A total of 11 patients who had subcostal scars and one who had an extended subcostal scar (rooftop or chevron incision) underwent free abdominal flaps for breast reconstruction. Preoperative radiological imaging was used to evaluate the blood supply to the planned flaps. A classification of clinical approaches (I-IV) was used. When the cranial (the abdominal closure) flap width was equal to or greater than half length, a caudal (the breast) flap could safely be harvested (Type I); if not, the cranial flap was enlarged by more caudal flap planning (Type II), an oblique design of the free flap (Type III) or by lowering the free flap marking more distally (Type IV) with a sparing of the peri-umbilical perforators to preserve blood supply to the caudal (abdominal closure) flap., Results: Unilateral free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps were successfully harvested in eight and two cases, respectively. In two cases, a bipedicled DIEP/SIEA flap was harvested for unilateral breast reconstruction. Slight abdominal wound slough occurred in one patient; however, no ischaemia resulted in flaps or at donor sites., Conclusions: Using a pragmatic approach to flap design, based on clinical classification, we have found that both flap and donor site morbidity can be avoided in patients who have previous upper abdominal scars., Level of Evidence: IV, Therapeutic., (Copyright © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The anterolateral thigh flap is currently the frontline choice for head and neck reconstruction. The authors used a chimeric anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of a through-and-through oropharyngeal defect. Because of the absence of suitable recipient vessels in the proximity of the defect, the authors recruited the internal mammary vessels. To gain extra pedicle length, the authors converted the chimeric anterolateral thigh flap into a sequential iatrogenic chimeric anterolateral thigh flap. This new flap concept consists essentially of the division of the skin paddle of the anterolateral thigh that is based on two perforators, and the creation of a sequential chimeric flap by reconnecting the pedicles in the opposite order. A functionally good and aesthetically pleasing result was obtained.

Introduction: The management of bladder rupture depends on its anatomical location., Material and Methods: Case report and review of the pertinent English language literature., Results: A 56-year-old man with history of an anterior rectum resection with partial cystectomy presented with signs of acute renal failure, and later with a tender, distended abdomen. Work-up including serum and ascites biochemistry, cystoscopy, and CT cystography diagnosed urinary ascites. The small intraperitoneal bladder rupture was treated conservatively via continued urinary drainage under urinary antibiotic prophylaxis until closure., Conclusion: A conservative treatment of a small intraperitoneal bladder perforation is possible under certain conditions.

Purpose: To evaluate the technique and safety of percutaneous radiopaque gold marker placement in the liver before external stereotactic radiotherapy for intrahepatic tumors., Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients were included in this study. One gold marker per patient was placed using a computed tomographic fluoroscopy procedure. Follow-up was carried out with a multislice computed tomographic scan., Results: A marker was placed in the center (n = 6) or in the periphery (n = 7) of the target lesion. No immediate complications were noted. Long-term follow-up showed changes in coil position relative to liver anatomy in 4 cases; all 4 markers were placed in the center of the target lesion. No other long-term complications were seen., Conclusions: Radiopaque markers can be placed safely in liver lesions before external stereotactic radiotherapy. However, marker displacement can occur early, thereby compromising the precision of the planned treatment. The decreased size of the tumor as a response to therapy was responsible for late migration in this small series.