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Insights Imaging 2018 Dec 27;9(6):989-1005. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Imaging Science, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601, Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.

Thoracic hernias are characterised by either protrusion of the thoracic contents outside their normal anatomical confines or extension of the abdominal contents within the thorax. Thoracic hernias can be either congenital or acquired in aetiology. They can occur at the level of the thoracic inlet, chest wall or diaphragm. Read More

Surg Case Rep 2018 Nov 19;4(1):135. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

Background: Diaphragmatic hernias (DH) are generally classified as either congenital or acquired. Acquired DH are generally of traumatic cause, being a rare complication after hepatectomy. Although repair of a DH can be performed via laparotomy, laparoscopy, or thoracoscopy, the use of laparoscopy is rare after hepatectomy owing to the formation of scar tissue. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 25;53:154-156. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

College of Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Surgical Division, Mackay Base Hospital, Mackay, Queensland, Australia.

Introduction: Acquired diaphragmatic hernias are most commonly associated with traumatic thoracic injury and rarely heal spontaneously. Conditions that promote peritoneal seeding, such as endometriosis, are associated with spontaneous acquired diaphragmatic hernia formation. Non-traumatic acquired diaphragmatic herniation has previously been described in the context of catamenial pneumothorax, however post-menopausal endometriotic diaphragmatic herniation has not been previously reported. Read More

Urology 2019 Jan 9;123:e7-e8. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

Postoperative incisional hernia is a relatively common complication following abdominal surgery. Herniation of the kidney is a less common entity and typically occurs as a congenital or acquired diaphragmatic defect, and rare case reports have demonstrated partial flank or lumbar herniation of the kidney. Herein we present a unique case of a postoperative incisional hernia containing the entire right kidney. Read More

Pediatr Transplant 2018 12 2;22(8):e13296. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Background: ADH is a rare and potentially fatal complication following LT. In this study, a systematic review was completed to identify risk factors which may contribute to ADH.

Methods: Transplant databases at three LT programs were reviewed. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2018 Sep 11;2018(9):rjy238. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Chair of Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, PA, USA.

Diaphragmatic hernias are either congenital or acquired defects in the diaphragm that permit passing of abdominal contents into the chest cavity. Individuals with large diaphragmatic hernias associated with a gastric perforation have rarely been reported in literature and can have serious mortality rates. Herein, we present a case of gastric perforation in the setting of a significant sized diaphragmatic hernia. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Dec;29(6):674-679

6Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

OBJECTIVESurgery for severe congenital defects, such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart defects, and tracheoesophageal disorders, are life-saving treatments for many infants. However, the incidence of scoliosis following thoracoabdominal surgery has been reported to range from 8% to 50%. Little is known about severe scoliosis that occurs after chest wall procedures in infants. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Jul;84(7):1195-1196

Postoperative iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias have been reported sparingly after several thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Although rare, a delay in diagnosis can lead to life-threatening cases of strangulation or perforation, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory insufficiency. This is a case of a 78-year-old female who developed acute obstructive symptoms secondary to herniation of the distal stomach through a defect in the central tendon of the diaphragm. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Apr;97(15):e0346

Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of Tianjin, Department of Transplant Surgery, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin, China.

Rationale: Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) in pediatrics following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been seldom reported in the past.

Patient Concerns: We report successful diagnosis and treatment of three pediatric cases with DH secondary to LDLT, discuss the possible etiology, and review the relevant literature.

Diagnoses: The primary disease was biliary atresia and DH was diagnosed by computed tomography scan or x-ray of chest. Read More

An Acad Bras Cienc 2018 Jan-Mar;90(1):169-178

Laboratório de Histologia e Embriologia Animal/LHEA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia/UFRA, Avenida Presidente Tancredo Neves, 2501, Montese, 66077-530 Belém, PA, Brazil.

The wall of the diaphragm can be affected by congenital or acquired alterations which allow the passage of viscera between the abdominal and chest cavities, allowing the formation of a diaphragmatic hernia. We characterized morphology and performed biometrics of the diaphragm in the common squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus. After fixation, muscle fragments were collected and processed for optical microscopy. Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018 05;37(5):469-474

Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: In addition to substantial medical and surgical intervention, neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia often have concurrent concerns for acquired infection. However, few studies focus on infection and corresponding antimicrobial utilization in this population.

Methods: The Children's Hospital Neonatal Database was queried for congenital diaphragmatic hernia infants hospitalized from January 2010 to February 2016. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2017 Oct 20;2017. Epub 2017 Oct 20.

Digestive Diseases Specialty, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.

A Littre's hernia is an unusual phenomenon where a Meckel's diverticulum protrudes through a potential abdominal opening. We wish to present a unique case of a 79-year-old man with respiratory distress following a fall from standing, initially managed as a haemothorax. After a chest drain was placed, bowel contents were drained from the pleural cavity and he was taken to theatre. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2017 Jul 14;2017(7):rjx135. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Emergency Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44124, Italy.

Acquired diaphragmatic hernia, non-related to trauma, is a very rare condition. It can constitute a therapeutic problem and the surgical solution is not always immediately clear. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of spleno-distal pancreatectomy for a neuroendocrine tumour performed in 2009, who came back to Emergency Room 2 years later, complaining of abdominal pain. Read More

Semin Pediatr Surg 2017 Apr 9;26(2):61-66. Epub 2017 Mar 9.

Department of Surgery, Phoenix Children׳s Hospital, 1919 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Electronic address:

Hiatal and paraesophageal hernia (HH/PEH) can be congenital, resulting from embryologic abnormalities/genetic predisposition, or acquired, most commonly after gastroesophageal surgery such as fundoplication. Minimizing circumferential esophageal dissection at the time of Nissen fundoplication has been shown to decrease the risk of acquired HH/PEH from 36.5% to 12. Read More

BJR Case Rep 2017 30;3(3):20160133. Epub 2017 Mar 30.

Department of Radiology, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK.

Hepatic herniation is a rare clinical condition. Most commonly it is associated with congenital diaphragmatic herniation or acquired through blunt diaphragmatic trauma. We present a case of a right hepatic lobe incisional hernia in a 75-year-old female who underwent partial right-sided nephrectomy 52 years previously. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2017 Mar 1;25(3):233-236. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, La Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France.

Transdiaphragmatic peritoneopericardial hernia is a rare complication after peritoneopericardial window formation, coronary artery bypass grafting using the gastroepiploic artery, or subxiphoid epicardial pacemaker insertion. We describe two different clinical presentations of transdiaphragmatic peritoneopericardial hernia in patients who had undergone recent heart transplantation. One was an exceptional case of cardiac tamponade caused by small bowel strangulation through a diaphragmatic defect. Read More

Ann Ital Chir 2016 Nov 3;87. Epub 2016 Nov 3.

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia following laparoscopic left colectomy for splenic flexure cancer. An unusual complication Diaphragmatic hernias are a migration of abdominal structures into the thorax via a diaphragmatic defect; they may be classified as congenital or acquired and acquired hernias can be hiatal, traumatic or iatrogenic, generally complications of thoracic or abdominal surgery. We report a case of iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia after a laparoscopic left colectomy for splenic flexure tumor; to our knowledge, in literature this case is the first reported. Read More

Can Vet J 2017 Feb;58(2):145-148

Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.

A foal born with assisted delivery developed rib fractures and a diaphragmatic hernia. The hernia was repaired using surgical mesh. The filly was healthy 42 months later. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018 02 27;51(2):214-218. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Surgical Sciences, Maggiore Hospital, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Objectives: To introduce a new sonographic marker of intrathoracic liver herniation in fetuses with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: In a consecutive series of fetuses with isolated CDH, an ultrasound volume of the fetal abdomen was acquired. On this volume, offline calculation of the angle formed by the midline of the abdomen (joining the center of the vertebral body to the abdominal insertion of the umbilical cord) and a second line joining the center of the vertebral body to the intra-abdominal convexity of the umbilical vein was carried out to give the umbilical vein deviation angle (UVDA). Read More

J Forensic Sci 2016 09 22;61(5):1261-5. Epub 2016 Jun 22.

Forensic Science SA, 21 Divett Place, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

Diaphragmatic defects are a relatively common and benign finding in adults which may be congenital or secondarily acquired. The case files at Forensic Sciences South Australia were reviewed over a 10-year period from July 2005 to June 2015 for all adult (>17 years) cases in which diaphragmatic hernias were identified at postmortem examination that had either caused or contributed to death. Five cases were found: age range 49-90 years (average 67. Read More

J Clin Diagn Res 2016 Apr 1;10(4):PD04-5. Epub 2016 Apr 1.

Professor, Department of Cardiology, KMC , Manipal, India .

Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH) is the herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax through a rent in the diaphragm. Acquired DH most commonly occurs following a blunt or penetrating trauma to the abdomen with former being common than the later. Very rarely DH can be spontaneous and be asymptomatic until it's very extensive. Read More

Magn Reson Med 2017 03 12;77(3):1284-1295. Epub 2016 Mar 12.

Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Purpose: To implement pulmonary three-dimensional (3D) radial ultrashort echo-time (UTE) MRI in non-sedated, free-breathing neonates and adults with retrospective motion tracking of respiratory and intermittent bulk motion, to obtain diagnostic-quality, respiratory-gated images.

Methods: Pulmonary 3D radial UTE MRI was performed at 1.5 tesla (T) during free breathing in neonates and adult volunteers for validation. Read More

Crit Care Med 2016 06;44(6):1182-90

1Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Surgery Erasmus Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 2Department of Neonatology Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Objectives: To assess neuropsychologic outcome in 17- and 18-year-old neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors.

Design: A prospective longitudinal follow-up study.

Setting: Follow-up program at the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Read More

Biomaterials 2016 Jan 14;77:320-35. Epub 2015 Nov 14.

International Research, Clinical and Education Center of Regenerative Medicine, Kuban State Medical University, Krasnodar, Russian Federation; Advanced Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine (ACTREM), Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Ear, Nose and Throat, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address:

The currently available surgical options to repair the diaphragm are associated with significant risks of defect recurrence, lack of growth potential and restored functionality. A tissue engineered diaphragm has the potential to improve surgical outcomes for patients with congenital or acquired disorders. Here we show that decellularized diaphragmatic tissue reseeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) facilitates in situ regeneration of functional tissue. Read More

J Robot Surg 2015 Dec 26;9(4):357-60. Epub 2015 Sep 26.

Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 E. 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.

Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition and is typically diagnosed prior to adulthood. Furthermore, right-sided defects are also uncommon due to the location of the liver, but can contain colon, omentum, small bowel, or rarely the kidney. Minimally invasive laparoscopic and thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repairs are associated with improved outcomes when compared to open approaches-recently, robotic-assisted repairs have been performed in children with no morbidity and minimal complications. Read More

Dev Growth Differ 2016 Jan 29;58(1):143-53. Epub 2015 Oct 29.

Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minami, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.

The neck acquired flexibility through modifications of the head-trunk interface in vertebrate evolution. Although developmental programs for the neck musculoskeletal system have attracted the attention of evolutionary developmental biologists, how the heart, shoulder and surrounding tissues are modified during development has remained unclear. Here we show, through observation of the lateral plate mesoderm at cranial somite levels in chicken-quail chimeras, that the deep part of the lateral body wall is moved concomitant with the caudal transposition of the heart, resulting in the infolding of the expanded cervical lateral body wall into the thorax. Read More

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2015 Jul 25;10(2):244-56. Epub 2015 Feb 25.

Department of Obstetrics, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.

Introduction: An individually designed strategy of comprehensive alternative hybrid and staged interventional treatment (AHASIT) can be a reasonable alternative to conventional treatment of congenital heart defects, reduce the risk of cardiac surgery or interventions performed separately, and give an additional chance for critically ill children.

Aim: To present our experience and the results of AHASIT of severely ill or borderline children referred for surgery with the diagnosis of congenital heart defects.

Material And Methods: A group of 22 patients with complex cardiac and non-cardiac pathologies was retrospectively selected and analyzed. Read More

Pediatr Transplant 2015 Sep 23;19(6):E149-51. Epub 2015 Jun 23.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.

ADH following OLT is a rare entity. Herein, we report a case of Alagille syndrome who developed ADH secondary to OLT, and possible etiological causes are discussed in light of the literature. Read More

JFMS Open Rep 2015 Jan-Jun;1(1):2055116915585020. Epub 2015 Jun 1.

Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK.

Case Summary: A cat with a chronic diaphragmatic rupture presented with neurological signs, including twitching and focal seizures. Blood ammonia level was markedly elevated and therefore neurological signs were thought to be related to hepatic encephalopathy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed that the left lateral and medial liver lobes were herniated into the thorax and multiple acquired portosystemic shunts (MAPSS) were present. Read More

Clin Ter 2015;166(2):62-4

Department "Paride Stefanini", General Surgery and Organ Transplant, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

A diaphragmatic hernia is a protrusion of abdominal structures within the thoracic cavity through a defect in the diaphragm, which can be either congenital or acquired. Diaphragmatic rupture, as a sequela following abdominal surgery, is rarely documented. Approximately 80% of the reported cases, the injury occurred on the left side. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2015 Mar;97(2):e27-9

University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Iatrogenic injury accounts for the second most common cause of acquired diaphragmatic hernias after penetrating trauma. An increased incidence of these hernias has been observed with the widespread use of laparoscopic surgery. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman who initially underwent sigmoid resection for an adenocarcinoma and a subsequent liver resection for metastasis. Read More

Rev Pneumol Clin 2015 Feb 14;71(1):60-3. Epub 2015 Feb 14.

Service de chirurgie thoracique et vasculaire, hôpital d'instruction des armées Percy, 101, avenue Henri-Barbusse, 92140 Clamart, France.

Lung hernias are rare and their pathogenesis is few described. They are defined as the protrusion of lung parenchyma through the chest wall: intercostal space, inter-costo-clavicular, supra-clavicular or diaphragmatic hiatus. Lung hernias are classically divided into congenital and acquired hernias. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2015 Feb;94(6):e507

From the Division of Liver Transplantation and Liver Research, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department (AEAE), Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt; Cardiovascular Medicine Department (AS); Pharmacology Department (AAE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Department of internal medicine (SKAN), United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates; and Chest and ICU Department (SB), Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Egypt.

Diaphragmatic injury is an uncommon traumatic injury (<1%). Although most diaphragmatic injuries can be obvious (eg, herniation of abdominal contents on chest radiograph), some injuries may be subtle and imaging studies can be nondiagnostic in many situations. Patients with diaphragmatic hernia either traumatic or nontraumatic may initially have no symptoms or signs to suggest an injury to the diaphragm. Read More

Case Rep Surg 2014 17;2014:456053. Epub 2014 Aug 17.

The Stanley Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, 56 Franklin Street, Waterbury, CT 06706, USA.

Acquired abdominal intercostal hernia (AAIH) is a rare disease phenomenon where intra-abdominal contents reach the intercostal space directly from the peritoneal cavity through an acquired defect in the abdominal wall musculature and fascia. We discuss a case of a 51-year-old obese female who arrived to the emergency room with a painful swelling between her left 10th rib and 11th rib. She gave a history of a stab wound to the area 15 years earlier. Read More

Open Microbiol J 2014 11;8:71-7. Epub 2014 Jul 11.

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Research Unit for Neonatal Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Morbidity due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease is still high in infants and children worldwide during the first two to five years of life. Certain categories of high-risk infants with increased morbidity and mortality attributed to RSV disease have been identified and are included in national recommendations for prophylaxis with the monoclonal RSV antibody palivizumab. Most guidelines recommend palivizumab for preterm infants born less than or equal to 32 weeks gestational age with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, those born between 33 and 35 weeks gestational age with additional risk factors, and infants and children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2014 18;5(9):601-4. Epub 2014 Jul 18.

Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Introduction: Posttraumatic diaphragmatic rupture (PTDR) is a rare complication of thoracoabdominal injuries. In the emergency phase, it is generally treated via wide laparotomy. The laparoscopic approach is controversial and it is reserved for the chronic type of PTDR. Read More

Prenat Diagn 2014 Dec 22;34(13):1262-7. Epub 2014 Aug 22.

Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Cluster Organ Systems, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate cardiac function in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using speckle tracking.

Method: Case-control study assessed cardiac contractility in consecutive fetuses with CDH. Controls were anatomically normal fetuses, adjusted for gestational age. Read More

Hernia 2014 Oct 13;18(5):607-15. Epub 2014 Mar 13.

1st Institute of General Surgery, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,

Purpose: The protrusion of abdominal viscera through an intercostal space under an intact diaphragm is a very rare condition. The aim of this study is to elucidate the etiology, clinical features, and therapeutic options on what several authors call "abdominal intercostal hernia" (AIH).

Methods: A typical case of AIH of the 9th left intercostal space in a 48-year-old man is presented. Read More

Int Med Case Rep J 2014 12;7:23-5. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

Department of Surgery, Klinikum Leverkusen, Leverkusen, Germany.

Purpose: Diaphragmatic hernias (DHs) are divided into congenital and acquired hernias, most of which are congenital. Among acquired DHs, up to 80% are left-sided, only a few iatrogenic DHs have been reported, and bilateral hernias are extremely rare. For diagnostic reasons, many DHs are overlooked by ultrasonography or X-ray and are only recognized at a later stage when complications occur. Read More

Exp Toxicol Pathol 2014 Mar 4;66(2-3):125-8. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; Center for the Study of Animal Sciences (CECA), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address:

Background: Schwannoma is a tumor of the nervous system composed by Schwann cells. It can occur naturally in several tissues of the body in both humans and animals. Diaphragmatic hernia can be congenital or acquired and is defined as a protrusion of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity. Read More

Pediatr Crit Care Med 2013 Jul;14(6):580-6

Cardiac Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.

Objectives: Extracorporeal life support is a resource-intense treatment offered to the sickest patients. We aimed to investigate long-term survival rates and late deaths.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Read More

Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2013 Jul;4(4):149-55

Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Studies, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, UK.

Diaphragmatic hernias that are diagnosed in adulthood may be traumatic or congenital in nature. Therefore, respiratory specialists need to be aware of the presentation of patients with these conditions. In this report, we describe a case series of patients with congenital and traumatic diaphragmatic hernias and highlight a varied range of their presentations. Read More

Pediatr Pulmonol 2014 May 18;49(5):490-502. Epub 2013 Jun 18.

Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca and University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.

Objective: To achieve a consensus of opinion among an expert group of pediatric pulmonologists regarding the appropriateness of the off-label use of palivizumab for some pediatric patients with severe respiratory diseases.

Methods: A two-round modified Delphi technique was used. A 43-item self-administered questionnaire grouped into seven clinical scenarios was developed. Read More

Urology 2013 Oct 2;82(4):922-4. Epub 2013 May 2.

Department of Urology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address:

The thoracic cavity is the rarest location of all the renal ectopic sites. We report a rare case of an acquired thoracic kidney associated with a previous congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a child with nephrotic syndrome. Although only 13 cases of the thoracic kidney in the pediatric age group have been described in worldwide reports during the past 25 years, we present the first to be associated with a recurrent diaphragmatic hernia. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013 Aug 16;42(2):140-8. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.

Objectives: To present a systematic approach for evaluating the fetal pharynx and larynx based on two- and three-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US and 3D-US) modalities, describing the sonographic appearance and function of the fetal upper respiratory tract and measuring the anatomical components of the pharynx and larynx.

Methods: Gravidae presenting from the late first trimester to mid-gestation for routine booked examinations with structurally normal singleton fetuses of confirmed gestational age were enrolled. Transabdominal 2D-US was performed for anatomical and functional evaluation of the pharynx and larynx. Read More

Phys Med Biol 2012 Sep 5;57(18):5749-63. Epub 2012 Sep 5.

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

A cone beam micro-CT has previously been utilized along with a pressure-tracking respiration sensor to acquire prospectively gated images of both wild-type mice and various adult murine disease models. While the pressure applied to the abdomen of the subject by this sensor is small and is generally without physiological effect, certain disease models of interest, as well as very young animals, are prone to atelectasis with added pressure, or they generate too weak a respiration signal with this method to achieve optimal prospective gating. In this work we present a new fibre-optic displacement sensor which monitors respiratory motion of a subject without requiring physical contact. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2012 May-Jun;67(3):198-200

ICU dept, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium.

Acute cardiac arrest during pregnancy is a rare but devastating event. Major causes are haemorrhagic, septic or anaphylactic shock, trauma, pulmonary or amniotic fluid embolism, and congenital or acquired cardiac disease. We present a case of massive intrathoracic migration of viscera through a left diaphragmatic hernia in a pregnant multipara, causing acute obstructive shock and cardiac arrest. Read More

Eur J Med Res 2012 Jun 14;17:16. Epub 2012 Jun 14.

National Institute for Infectious Diseases Prof, Dr, Matei Bals, Str, Calistrat Grozovici, No, 1, 2nd District, Bucharest, Romania.

We report the case of an adult patient recently diagnosed with cirrhosis. The ultrasound evaluation described a multinodular inhomogeneous liver, requiring a magnetic resonance imaging scan for further characterization. The performed magnetic resonance imaging examination confirmed the diagnosis of cirrhosis associated with portal hypertension and detected a vascular left transdiaphragmatic hernia. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2012 ;891:9-39

Prenatal Cell and Gene Therapy Group, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.

Prenatal gene therapy aims to deliver genes to cells and tissues early in prenatal life, allowing correction of a genetic defect, before irreparable tissue damage has occurred. In contrast to postnatal gene therapy, prenatal application may target genes to a large population of stem cells, and the smaller fetal size allows a higher vector to target cell ratio to be achieved. Early gestation delivery may allow the development of immune tolerance to the transgenic protein, which would facilitate postnatal repeat vector administration if needed. Read More