Ultrasonic Evaluation in the Management of Postpartum Infection

To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound in the management of postpartum problems, ultrasonographic examination was performed on 98 patients with suspected postpartum infection. The study includes only those patients who did not respond to antibiotic treatment for at least 48 hours and those patients who were readmitted to the hospital with suspected postpartum infection. Echogenic tissue was found in the uterine cavity in 12 patients, and significant fluid collection was found in 24 patients. Gas collection appeared in the uterine cavity in five patients and around the uterine incision in four patients. Fluid collection was found around the uterine incision in five patients, and abscess formation under the abdominal incision was found in 11 patients. Although ultrasound was nondiagnostic in 31 of the 98 patients, information obtained by ultrasound could be used to reduce the duration of the infectious morbidity

Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Cystic Hygromas Associated with Generalized Lymphangiectasis

Ultrasonography has made possible the prenatal diagnosis of many congenital fetal abnormalities. This report describes two cases of bilateral cystic hygromas of the neck associated with generalized lymphangiectasis that were diagnosed by ultrasound. Ultrasonic scans revealed moderate polyhydramnios: thick, edematous placenta and edematous fetus with large cystic mass occupying both sides of the neck and extending to the upper chest wall, ascites, and pleural effusion at gestational ages of 21.5 and 24 weeks, respectively. In one case, chromosomal study from amniotic fluid cell culture revealed X chromosome monosomy, often associated with lymphatic anomalies. The prenatal diagnosis was confirmed at birth: both infants delivered prematurely, were stillborn, and showed gross evidence of cystic hygromas of the neck. In this lymphatic defect, chromosomal analysis may be used for the diagnosis and in genetic counseling for subsequent pregnancies

Neurosonology: An Update

Recent technological advances in diagnostic ultrasound have resulted in the development of high-resolution, portable real-time scanners. In neurological ultrasound, these devices have been particularly useful for detecting intracranial hemorrhage in premature infants. Sonography is now being used during neurosurgical procedures to help in localizing masses for resection and biopsy, as well as in the placement of shunt catheters. The applications of neurosonology and our experience with intraoperative neurosonology are reported in this review

A Case of a Ruptured Sclerosing Liver Hemangioma

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors found in the liver, typically asymptomatic, solitary, and incidentally discovered. Although vascular in nature, they rarely bleed. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a previously stable hemangioma who presented to our hospital with signs and symptoms indicative of spontaneous rupture. We review the literature, focusing on diagnosis and management of liver hemangiomas

Sonography of Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

The incidence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has increased significantly in the last few decades, probably secondary to the more widespread use of central venous lines. Those caring for patients both with and without known risk factors for thromboembolic venous disease should realize the importance of expertise in the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and management of upper extremity DVT