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AimThe purpose of this study is to describe the development of an external 3-dimensional (3D) scanner as a noninvasive method for imaging chest wall deformities. It allows objective assessment, reconstruction of the area of interest, and evaluation of the severity of the deformity by using external indexes.External 3D scanning systemThe OrtenBodyOne scanner (Orten, Lyon, France) uses depth sensors to scan the entire 3D external body surface of a patient. The depth sensors combine structured light with two classic computer vision techniques: depth from focus and depth from stereo. The data acquired are processed and analyzed using the Orten-Clinic software.Materials and methodsTo investigate the performance of the device, a preliminary prospective study (January 2015–March 2016) was carried out in patients attending our hospital chest wall deformities unit. In total, 100 patients (children and young adults) with pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum, treated by surgery or non-operative methods were included. In patients undergoing non-operative treatment, external 3D scanning was performed monthly until complete correction was achieved. In surgically treated patients, scanning was done before and after surgical correction. In 42 patients, computed tomography (CT) was additionally performed and correlations between the Haller index calculated by CT and the external Haller index using external scanning were investigated using a Student’s test (r = 0.83).ConclusionExternal scanning is an effective, objective, radiation-free means to diagnose and follow-up patients with chest wall deformities. Externally measured indexes can be used to evaluate the severity of these conditions and the treatment outcomes.

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The results of the present investigation indicate that by quantitatively determining the content of HER-2/neu oncoprotein, groups of high-risk breast cancer patients could be identified, for a more effective clinical management.

Introduction Traumatic pancreatic fistulas are, normally, secondary to a partial or complete rupture of the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality, thus a step-up approach, with priorization of a conservative or endoscopic management, is useful in selected cases. Clinical case A 74-year-old man underwent resection of a thoraco-abdominal aneurysm with placement of a vascular graft and reimplantation of visceral arteries. In the immediate postoperative period, he presented with febrile syndrome and abdominal pain. Abdominal CT was performed, observing a retroperitoneal collection of 7cm. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the collection was performed. Amylase levels in the drainage were analyzed, which were compatible with a pancreatic fistula. Pancreatomagnetic resonance imaging confirmed partial disruption of the pancreatic duct. In successive radiological studies, the persistence of the collection was observed, and the removal of the drain was prevented. ERCP was performed with insertion of a pancreatic stent (photo 1) and papillotomy with good clinical evolution. In subsequent ambulatory CT, the progressive decrease of the retroperitoneal collection was evident. The percutaneous drainage was removed. After 3 months, the pancreatic stent was removed. Discussion Diagnosis of iatrogenic traumatic pancreatic injury is difficult and requires a high degree of caution. Pancreatoresonance is the gold-standard for imaging. The transpapillary placement of pancreatic stents, in selected patients, has a high success rate.