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Biomedical subjects

A Hollerweger

Publications and source records attributed to A Hollerweger.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Diverticulitis of the appendix vermiformis: ultrasonographic appearance].

AIM: To describe the sonographic findings in acute diverticulitis of the vermiform appendix. A case report and a review of literature are used to present the sonographic appearance, special clinical aspects and the pathogenesis of this rare entity. CONCLUSION: Acute diverticulitis of the vermiform appendix presents certain sonographic features, which allow preoperative diagnosis and differentiation from acute appendicitis and right colonic diverticulitis.

Acute Disease↗

Adult celiac disease: US signs.

PURPOSE: To examine whether distinct ultrasonographic (US) signs exist in patients with adult celiac disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a partly retrospective study, abdominal sonograms were obtained in 11 patients with adult celiac disease. Fifty matched control subjects also were examined. After the patients had fasted overnight, they were examined with 2-4-MHz abdominal and high-frequency 5-10-MHz linear-array US transducers. RESULTS: The authors found several US pathologic signs in patients with untreated disease, including abnormal fluid-filled small intestine in all 11 patients, flaccid and moderately dilated small-bowel loops (2.5-3.5 cm) in eight, slight diffuse thickening of the small-bowel wall (3-5 mm) in seven, increased peristalsis of the small intestine in eight, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (anteroposterior diameter 5-10 mm) in nine, dilated caliber of the superior mesenteric artery or portal vein in seven, free fluid in the abdominal cavity in five, and increased echogenicity of the liver in six. None of these signs was present in the control group. CONCLUSION: There are several US signs associated with adult celiac disease. None of the signs identified is specific, but a combination of signs is characteristic and indicates suspicion of this disease in a high percentage of cases. US could help to avoid diagnostic delay, especially in patients who have atypical clinical presentations.

Adult↗

Color Doppler sonography of normal breasts: detectability of arterial blood vessels and typical flow patterns.

In a prospective study, 200 healthy female breasts were examined using color Doppler sonography to study the detectability and the resistive indices (RIs) of arterial vessels. In each breast, we attempted to detect two to three vessels and recorded the frequency spectrum with RI of each vessel. Blood vessels (n = 522) could be demonstrated in 196 (98%) breasts. Continuous diastolic flow (RI < 1) was found in 520 (99.6%) vessels. The mean RI of premenopausal women was 0.64; that of postmenopausal women was 0.70. This difference is highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001), but there is a marked overlap between the RIs of both groups. The variation in RI values of all women (up to 0.45), as well as in the breasts of the same woman (up to 0.31), was considerable. We conclude that modern color Doppler devices permit the detection of blood flow in the breast with regularity. Continuous diastolic flow (RI < 1) is a typical flow pattern. The variations of RI between women, and even for the same woman, are remarkable. The mean RI of premenopausal women is lower than the value for postmenopausal women.

Arteries↗

New signs of breast cancer: high resistance flow and variations in resistive indices evaluation by color Doppler sonography.

In a prospective study, color Doppler sonograms (CDS) were performed in 142 patients with solid breast lesions (64 carcinomas, 53 fibroadenomas, 25 miscellaneous breast diseases). Exclusively intratumoral RI were determined, with only the highest and lowest value in the various vessels of a tumor being considered. We found that an RI < 0.80 is typical for benign breast conditions, but also frequently occurs in malignant lesions. A significant difference was seen for higher RIs. An RI > or = 0.80 was seen to be an indicator of malignancy with high specificity (96%) and a sensitivity of 55%. Moreover, RI differences in malignant lesions were markedly greater than in benign lesions. An RI difference > or = 0.20 among vessels of one tumor was a malignancy indicator with very high specificity (97%) but relatively low sensitivity (39%). An RI > or = 0.80 and RI differences > or = 0.20 are specific Doppler ultrasound (US) malignancy indicators.

Adult↗

[Ultrasonography of the normal vermiform appendix].

AIM: To study the detectability and the appearance of the vermiform appendix with ultrasound in asymptomatic adults. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 300 patients, selected without regard to age, sex and weight. We tried to visualize the appendix with a 3.5 MHz annular array and a 5 MHz linear array transducer. RESULTS: In 63% of the patients the appendix was clearly visualised. The main reasons for non-visualisation were obesity with insufficient ultrasound penetration (38%) and the caecum laying in pelvic or atypical position (24%). In 31%, no cause was apparent but we assume that the appendix often lies behind the caecum. The sonographic image showed an aperistaltic target originating at the caecum, and ending blindly. In 42% of cases the appendix was ovoid in transverse section; in 32%, round; and in 26% both forms were found within one appendix. Intraluminal gas was visible in 86%. The mean transverse diameter was 5.2 mm (min. 3 mm, max. 13 mm) and in 76% the transverse diameter was lower than 6 mm. CONCLUSION: The sonographic detectability, the appearance and the size of the normal appendix show considerable variations.

Adult↗

[Spontaneous fatty tissue necrosis of the omentum majus and epiploic appendices: clinical, ultrasonic and CT findings].

UNLABELLED: To describe US and CT findings of primary epiploic appendicitis and segmental infarction of the omentum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1986 through 1996 thirteen patients presented with these pathological findings at our institution (6 patients with greater omental infarction and 7 patients with epiploic appendicitis). US (n = 13) and CT findings (n = 7) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: US revealed moderately hyperechoic, ovoid lesions adherent to the peritoneum. On CT scans the masses appeared as areas of fat with slightly increased attenuation and sometimes with hyperattenuating peripheral rims. Secondary omental or appendiceal involvement caused by inflammation of adjacent organs has to be excluded. CONCLUSION: Segmental infarction of the omentum and primary epiploic appendicitis have characteristic US and CT features that enable the correct diagnosis.

Adipose Tissue↗