MRI-based detection of renal artery abnormalities related to renal denervation by catheter-based radiofrequency ablation in drug resistant hypertensive patients.

Objectives: Endovascular renal denervation (RDN) using catheter-based radiofrequency (RF) ablation has emerged as a potential treatment option for drug-resistant hypertension. Its efficacy is currently under debate. We aimed to evaluate the capability of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the effects of RDN on the renal arterial wall in patients presenting with drug-resistant hypertension.

3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.

Methods: Eighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol. Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence.

Internal hernia of the broad ligament: CT diagnosis for laparoscopic management.

One per cent of cases of mechanical occlusion of the small intestine are caused by internal hernias, the rarest type being an internal hernia through the broad ligament of the uterus, and representing approximately 5% of cases. While "conventional" treatment of mechanical occlusions of the small intestine is based on laparotomy, a laparoscopic approach is feasible in nearly half of cases, with an acceptable rate of morbidity. Preoperative diagnosis has for a long time been difficult but the usefulness has recently been emphasized of computed tomography.

Seasonal and habitat abundance and distribution of some forensically important blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Central California.

Seasonal and habitat calliphorid abundance and distribution were examined weekly for two years (2001-2003) in Santa Clara County, California, using sentinel traps baited with bovine liver. Of the 34,389 flies examined in three defined habitats (rural, urban, and riparian), 38% of the total catch represented Compsomyiops callipes (Bigot) and 23% represented Phormia regina (Meigen). Other flies collected in this survey included Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Calliphora latifrons (Hough), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), and Lucilia mexicana (Macquart), which is a new record for the area.

Recurrent bleeding within 24 hours after uterine artery embolization for severe postpartum hemorrhage: are there predictive factors?

Purpose: To retrospectively identify predictive factors of recurrent bleeding within 24 h after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Materials And Methods: A total of 194 patients underwent UAE for PPH between August 1999 and April 2009 at our institution. Twelve patients experienced recurrent bleeding within the next 24 h; a second attempt at UAE was thus necessary, which was successful in 10 cases.