Imaging manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum.

Objective: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, found in 2% of the population in autopsy studies. Most patients remain asymptomatic during their lifetime. Complications of Meckel's diverticulum are reported to occur in approximately 4-40% of patients and include inflammation (diverticulitis), hemorrhage, intussusception, small-bowel obstruction, stone formation, and neoplasm.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the gallbladder: spectrum of abnormalities.

Various pathologies involving the gallbladder can manifest clinically, producing nonspecific clinical symptoms and making diagnosis difficult and challenging. Real-time sonography is the most widely used diagnostic study for the gallbladder and the primary screening examination of choice. With increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), gallbladder pathology is frequently seen.

Retroperitoneal masses: magnetic resonance imaging findings with pathologic correlation.

Primary retroperitoneal masses are a rare but diverse group of benign and malignant processes. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is playing an increasing role in evaluating retroperitoneal soft-tissue masses. Since the MR imaging features of most retroperitoneal soft-tissue masses are nonspecific, prediction of a specific histologic diagnosis remains a challenge for the radiologist.

Value of magnetic resonance imaging in muscle trauma.

While most muscle injuries are recognized clinically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the ideal noninvasive test to assess their extent and severity, which impacts therapy and influences prognosis. Typical examples of these injuries include muscle contusions, lacerations, sprains, and delayed onset muscle soreness. For other less common traumatic muscle conditions (exertional compartment syndrome, muscle herniation, and traumatic denervation), the clinical findings are often subtle or ambiguous and MRI will indicate the correct diagnosis.

Peripheral nerve injuries in weight training: sites, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Direct trauma, compression caused by muscle hypertrophy or other soft tissue changes, or excessive stretching of a peripheral nerve in the upper extremity may lead to uncommon-but potentially serious-complications. Clinicians are seeing more of these injuries as weight training, power lifting, bodybuilding, cross-training, and general physical conditioning with weights become more popular. Symptoms of pain, weakness, paresthesia, or palsy; physical exam findings; electromyography; and nerve conduction studies are used to make the diagnosis.

Esophageal Dilation / Dilators.

Esophageal dilation is the treatment of choice for most patients with esophageal dysphagia (functional and mechanical). Multiple forms of esophageal dilators are available. Mechanical dilators (guidewire/nonguidewire assisted) are the major forms of dilators used.

The obstetrics and gynecology clerkship: building a better model from past experience.

Objective: The study was undertaken to identify factors contributing to the poor student perception of the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.

Study Design: Third-year medical students at the University of Michigan complete an annual questionnaire about the overall quality of their clinical experiences. In addition, at the end of each rotation, the students complete an evaluation form assessing various aspects of their learning experience.

Aortic intimal tears: detection with spiral computed tomography.

Purpose: To determine the frequency, locations, and sizes of aortic intimal tears detected using spiral computed tomography (CT).

Methods: CT scans (26 single detector and 26 multidetector studies) from 52 patients with an unoperated aortic dissection and a patent false lumen were evaluated on a workstation. The number, location, and size of aortic tears were recorded and compared between the following groups: acute and chronic dissection, type A and type B, and single detector and multidetector studies.

Pediatric renal pelvic fullness: an ultrasonographic dilemma.

Purpose: We conducted a prospective study to define normal renal pelvic size in children.

Materials And Methods: Institutional Review Board approved consent was obtained to perform renal ultrasound during excretory urography (IVP) scheduled for medical management. Mean patient age (17 females, 11 males) was 5.

Aortic dissection: CT features that distinguish true lumen from false lumen.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine which CT findings are reliable indicators of the true or false lumen in an aortic dissection.

Conclusion: The beak sign and a larger cross-sectional area were the most useful indicators of the false lumen for both acute and chronic dissections. Features generally indicative of the true lumen included outer wall calcification and eccentric flap calcification.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Hypertension.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most widely prescribed medications. Their effect on blood pressure has been monitored, and many small studies have determined a potential relationship between their use and elevation of blood pressure. These drugs may affect blood pressure by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which may affect arteriolar smooth muscle tone and natriuresis.

Conservation laryngeal surgery for malignant tumors of the larynx and pyriform sinus.

Conservation surgery for cancers of the larynx and pyriform sinus is an expansive and complicated subject. A great deal of technical expertise and clinical judgement are required for appropriate surgical and oncologic outcomes. In the appropriate setting, surgery continues to play an important role in voice preservation for patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Reconstruction of nasal alar defects.

Objective: To evaluate aesthetic and functional results of reconstruction of the nasal alar subunit using free cartilage grafts with an interpolated cheek or forehead flap and a vascularized mucosal flap when required.

Setting: University-based facial plastic surgery practice.

Patients: A case series of 50 patients with primary alar defects undergoing nasal alar reconstruction.

Partnerships in work redesign.

Nursing and other health care professionals, departments, and communities must integrate as partners for work redesign. Prescription refills and lab results are examples to exemplify partnerships and cost-effectiveness. Team strategies are discussed within the nursing functions of telephone triage and the coordination of patient flow, including implications for nurse administrators.

Imaging of meniscal cyst of the knee in three cases.

Three cases of solitary meniscal cyst in the knee have recently been diagnosed in our departments using ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI). Two cysts involved the lateral and one the medial meniscus. The appearance of these lesions on ultrasound and MR images is shown.