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About one-half of patients with meconium ileus (MI) present with a complication such as volvulus, atresia, meconium peritonitis or giant cystic meconium peritonitis. The treatment of these complications requires surgery. However, the preoperative diagnosis of complicated MI is difficult. We describe two neonates with complicated small-bowel obstruction, one with MI related to cystic fibrosis and the other not related to cystic fibrosis. In both, contrast enema depicted a spiral appearance of the distal small bowel, which at surgery proved to be the result of volvulus associated with antenatal bowel perforation. This appearance of the small bowel on contrast enema in this clinical setting has not been previously described. The recognition of this spiral appearance of the distal small bowel suggests the need for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administration for palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease in neonates has been associated with radiographically visible necrosis of brown fat about the neck and shoulder girdles. However, the natural history of this process has not been described. We present two patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease, treated preoperatively with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), both of whom developed dramatic calcific brown fat necrosis. This process slowly resolved over time in both patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keutel syndrome (KS) is a rare, autosomal recessive condition characterized by diffuse cartilaginous calcification, nasal hypoplasia, brachytelephalangy, and peripheral pulmonary stenosis. A review of the literature produced only 15 reported patients, of whom plain radiographs of the hand or a detailed report are available for review in ten. A distinctive pattern of broadening and shortening of the first through fourth distal phalanges, with sparing of the fifth distal phalanx, is seen in seven of these patients. Two additional patients with Keutel syndrome and this identical finding are presented. I suggest that this pattern of brachytelephalangy is sensitive and highly suggestive of the diagnosis of Keutel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]