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Aim: The aim of this work was to describe the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the masticator spaces and their possible variance by means of magnetic resonance imaging MRI., Methods: We evaluated one TMJ in each of 28 volunteers (14 males and 14 females) without temporomandibular disorders. The TMJ with mouth closed was evaluated on axial, coronal and sagittal planes obtained with a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. MRI scans of the anatomic patterns of the temporomandibular region were analyzed and compared with the classical anatomy notions reported in the literature. Morphometric evaluation of the temporomandibular region and the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles was carried out., Results: MRI anatomy of the TMJ, the masticator spaces and their possible variance were accurately described. In addition, morphometric evaluation of the TMJ and the masticator spaces was performed. Statistical analysis of the measurements showed that the length of the structures related to the glenoid fossa were usually longer in the female than in the males, whereas the condyle and masticator muscles were usually greater in the males than in the females. T-tests showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the measurements of the right and left TMJ., Conclusions: In preoperative maxillofacial surgery assessment, MRI is a useful tool to reduce operating time, avert surgical complications and improve patient outcome.

Pancreatoblastoma is a very rare tumor of the pancreas, affecting children in the first decade of life. Ultrasound and CT scan may be useful but pre-operative diagnosis is often quite difficult. High level of seric alpha-fetoprotein could be suggestive of pancreatoblastoma. The definitive diagnosis is however made by histologists when an organoid structure, well encapsulated, consisting of acinar cells with zymogen-like granules and squamoid corpuscle is demonstrated, sometimes associated with mesenchymal tissue (mixed-type pancreatoblastoma). Immunohistochemical studies may help in differentiating pancreatoblastoma from papillary cystic tumors, acinar cell carcinomas and endocrine pancreatic tumors of the pancreas. We report a case of mixed-type pancreatoblastoma in a 12-year-old female patient, located in the head of the pancreas. The treatment has been surgical, consisting of a duodeno-cephalo-pancreasectomy. Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy has been performed. The patient is alive, without recurrence, four months after the operation. Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects are discussed.

The authors report 32 patients admitted to the hospital with iatrogenic bile duct stricture. Cholecystectomy with or without bile duct exploration was the most frequent (84.3%) surgical procedure responsible for the lesion, followed by BII gastric resection. Six patients had undergone one previous attempt at repair in another institution. Most patients had undergone a hepatojejunostomy, which has the procedure of choice in the last cases. Mortality and morbidity rates were 0 and 15%, respectively. The complications reported were a biliary fistula and 2 post-repair bile strictures that required one or more re-operations. During the follow-up 2 other patients developed episodes of cholangitis, treated medically. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of iatrogenic bile duct strictures are reviewed.