We reviewed eight cases of gastrointestinal duplication cysts to determine whether the combination of an echogenic inner mucosal layer and hypoechoic outer muscular layer could be seen consistently enough to be of diagnostic value. We compared our findings to those seen in twenty-seven other abdominal cysts and conclude that when identified together, the two layers are highly suggestive, if not completely diagnostic of enteric duplication cysts.

Because the human vision system cannot distinguish the broad range of gray values that a computer visual system can, computerized image analysis may be used to obtain quantitative information from ultrasonographic (US) real-time B-mode scans. Most quantitative US involves programming an off-line comput-I Ironi the 1)cpartrnents of Radiology. Arkansas Childrens hospital and tniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (J.W.A.

A retrospective study of sixty consecutive cases of proven intussusception with attempt at contrast enema reduction was performed to evaluate currently proposed contraindications to such reduction. When patient age, duration of symptoms, presence of small bowel obstruction and presence of a dissection sign were considered alone, none of the findings indicated irreducibility. Our overall reduction rate was 72% with a complication rate of 3%. This is similar to previously reported series and we concur with more recent publications that the only contraindications to non-surgical reduction of intussusception are free intraperitoneal air, peritonitis or evidence of infarcted bowel. Only when we encountered a combination of symptoms being present for greater than 48 hours and the presence of both small bowel obstruction and a dissection sign was reduction likely to be unsuccessful. However, the presence of a prognostic indicator occurring alone should not be considered a contraindication.

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The nutcracker phenomenon is characterized by compression of the left renal vein typically between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. It is an uncommon and often undiagnosed condition that has the potential to cause a range of symptoms including hematuria and abdominal or flank pain. The term nutcracker syndrome refers to the clinical manifestations of the nutcracker phenomenon. Diagnosis can be made with Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or venography. Management can range from conservative treatment in the pediatric population due to high spontaneous remission rate to surgical and endovascular interventions. We discuss the case of a previously healthy young female who presented with abdominal pain. Diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome was made based on imaging. The patient was managed conservatively. This case highlights the importance of considering nutcracker syndrome in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with abdominal and flank pain.