Small-bowel obstruction from adhesive bands and matted adhesions: CT differentiation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings that can help to differentiate small-bowel obstruction (SBO) due to adhesive bands from SBO caused by matted adhesions.

Materials And Methods: CT scans of 67 consecutive patients with adhesive SBO caused by either surgically confirmed adhesive bands or matted adhesions were analyzed. CT findings were compared between the two groups with regard to simple obstruction patterns (single abrupt transition zone, beak sign, "fat notch" sign), patterns of closed-loop obstruction (two adjacent beaks, C-shaped bowel, radial distribution of mesenteric vessels), the location of the obstruction in the abdominal cavity, and the presence of a whirl sign and a "small-bowel feces" sign.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with severe acute pancreatitis in a context of decreased ADAMTS13 activity: a case report.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a severe multisystemic microvascular disease defined by the association of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute renal failure, fever, and neurological disorders. The pathophysiology has recently been elucidated by the discovery of a von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13) deficiency involved in platelet aggregation and ischemia. The association between TTP and acute pancreatitis (AP) has rarely been reported, described either as a cause or a consequence.