Demineralization after balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate cement: a histological evaluation in ten patients.

Purpose: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) with calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is increasingly being used for spinal surgery in younger patients. In routinely performed follow-up CT scans we observed considerable areas of demineralization in CPC processed vertebrae in several patients. To rule out infections or inflammations histological examinations were planned for these patients.

Manifestations of juvenile polyposis syndrome in SMAD4 mutation carriers of a kindred.

The autosomal dominantly inherited juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) leads to the development of multiple hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and is a precancerous condition. In a large family with a newly identified SMAD4 mutation (c.543delC), we describe the clinical manifestations of JPS.

Pneumatosis coli--an underrecognized lesion mimicking neoplastic disease.

Pneumatosis (cystoides) intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas in the bowel wall and can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. It may be harmless or life-threatening, depending on the etiology which includes infectious and drug-induced colitis, bowel ischemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. The lesion has additionally been described following endoscopy.