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Pancreatic cysts are increasingly being identified by cross-sectional imaging studies. Pancreatic cystic lesions comprise a spectrum of underlying pathologies ranging from benign and pre-malignant lesions to frank malignancies. Magnetic resonance imaging with cholangiopancreatography is a non-invasive imaging modality used for the characterization of cystic pancreatic lesions. This article will review the most common pancreatic cystic neoplasms and the utility of MR imaging in the characterization of these cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatix is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered substantial equivalent to silicone gel sheeting for the prevention and management of hypertrophic scars and keloids. A 90-day prospective study evaluated the efficacy of Dermatix, silicone gel sheeting, and a combination of these treatments in improving scars for 30 patients. Each patient had a bilateral scar that served as an untreated control. The outcome measures included profilometry analysis of scar topography before and after punch biopsies of the control and treated scars, symptoms associated with the scars, and patient evaluations of the ease of treatment. The results showed better resolution and improvement of scars with Dermatix treatment or the combined use of Dermatix and silicone gel sheeting than with silicone gel sheeting alone. Wound erythema was reduced, and collagen architectural reorientation was demonstrated histologically. Patients rated Dermatix as easier to use than silicone gel sheeting. Both Dermatix and silicone gel sheeting reduced symptoms of itching, irritation, and skin maceration. The results of this study indicate that Dermatix is a useful treatment for the management of abnormal scarring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to report the sensitivity, cytological diagnoses, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features, complications, clinical impact, and long term follow-up of a large single-center experience with endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of benign and malignant solid liver lesions.: MethodsA database of cytologic specimens from EUS-FNA was reviewed to identify all hepatic lesions aspirated between January, 1997, and July, 2002. Procedural indications, prior radiographic data, patient demographics, EUS examination results, complications, and follow-up data were obtained and recorded.: ResultsEUS-FNA of 77 liver lesions in 77 patients was performed without complications. Of these 77 lesions, 45 (58%) were diagnostic for malignancy, 25 (33%) were benign, and seven (9%) were nondiagnostic. A total of 22 lesions were confirmed as negative for malignancy by follow-up (mean 762 days, range 512–1556 days) or intraoperative examination; however, seven lesions could not be classified as benign or malignant. Depending on the status of the seven unclassified lesions, sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of malignancy ranged from 82 to 94%. When compared with benign lesions, EUS features predictive of malignant hepatic masses were the presence of regular outer margins (60% vs 27%; p = 0.02) and the detection of two or more lesions (38% vs 9%; p = 0.03). Of the 42 patients with malignancy identified by EUS-FNA and other available imaging records, EUS detected the malignancy in 41% of patients with previously negative examinations. For the 45 subjects with cytology positive for malignancy, EUS-FNA changed management in 86% of subjects.: ConclusionEUS-FNA of the liver is a safe and sensitive procedure that can have a significant impact on patient management. Prospective studies comparing the accuracy and complication rate of EUS-FNA and percutaneous fine needle aspiration (P-FNA) for the diagnosis of liver tumors are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]