Brainstem disconnection.

Brainstem disconnection is a very rare neonatal abnormality, with only seven cases reported. We report a unique case of a neonate who presented at delivery with hypertonia, dysmorphic facial features, and respiratory distress, as well as numerous musculoskeletal and genitourinary abnormalities. MRI of the brain showed disconnection between the pons and medulla with cerebellar hypoplasia and absent cerebellar peduncles.

Peritoneal and pleural ports for management of refractory ascites and pleural effusions: assessment of impact on patient quality of life and hospice/home nursing care.

Purpose: Patients with end-stage malignancies often have refractory ascites or pleural effusions requiring repeated paracenteses or thoracenteses. Subcutaneous peritoneal and pleural port catheters are an alternative therapeutic option. We evaluate the clinical utility of this approach and the impact on quality of life (QOL) and home/hospice care.

Endometrial microcalcifications detected by ultrasonography: clinical associations, histopathology, and potential etiology.

Endometrial microcalcifications are uncommon, with alleged clinical implications ranging from innocuous to ominous. We reviewed the histopathologic slides from 29 patients who had endometrial echogenic foci on pelvic ultrasound and found many endometrial microcalcifications. The extent of microcalcifications in each specimen was graded on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 3.

Colonoscopy findings in end-stage liver disease patients with incidental CT colonic wall thickening.

Objective: Colonic wall thickening may occur in patients with end-stage liver disease. This study was conducted to correlate colonoscopy with CT-detected colonic wall thickening in this group of patients to assess their radiologic and clinical relevance.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that CT findings of colonic wall thickening in end-stage liver disease should be considered benign, and colonoscopy is unnecessary for the evaluation of malignancy or colitis unless it is clinically indicated.

Endometrial and endocervical micro echogenic foci: sonographic appearance with clinical and histologic correlation.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the clinical and histologic importance of small echogenic foci seen in the endometrium/endocervix on pelvic sonography.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 62 women, aged 28 to 81 years, who had echogenic foci of the endometrium and endocervix. Patients' medical records were accessed to review pertinent obstetric and gynecologic information.