RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Intravenous urography (IVU) is considered an integral imaging component of the nephro-urological work-up in a wide array of clinical settings. At our institution there is an open-access policy with regard to requesting IVU studies. METHODS: In a prospective, blinded observational study we undertook to assess the diagnostic yield of IVU with respect to the source of referral (i.e. Urology, Nephrology, GP, A & E, other speciality) and the presenting features, such as renal colic, haematuria, bladder outflow obstruction, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) etc. Two hundred consecutive patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 23% of tests were positive. There was a highly significant difference in diagnostic yield between the groups (P<0.001 for both referral source and test indication). A positive result was most likely after referral by a kidney specialist (37.1%) and when the test indication was renal colic (42%) or haematuria (32%). The yield was <15% in all other circumstances, with 94.9% and 92.1% of GP- and other hospital speciality-initiated IVUs being negative. When investigating recurrent UTI, 91.7% of tests were negative and 86.2% were negative when the indication was bladder outflow obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that an open access policy for IVU is not justified, especially when cost and the risk associated with contrast media and radiation exposure are taken into account. Our study supports the abandonment of routine IVU in the investigation of UTI and bladder outflow obstruction.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The accuracy of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance venography (GdMRV) in identifying visceral venous abnormalities was assessed in patients before they underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with portal hypertension underwent GdMRV and transcatheter venography prior to OLT or TIPS. The gadolinium dose was 0.5 mL/kg (0.25 mmol/kg), administered by rapid hand injection. Coronal 3D spoiled gradient-echo GdMRV was performed in a single breath-hold. Four blinded reviewers retrospectively evaluated coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) images, while two reviewers evaluated the MIPs and multiplanar reconstructions. Abnormalities that could affect transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or transplantation were noted and compared with the results of corresponding catheter venograms read by a separate blinded reviewer. RESULTS: Abnormalities were identified by GdMRV with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 97% for the right hepatic vein, 86% and 100% for the main portal vein (MPV), 42% and 99% for the right portal vein, 54% and 94% for the left portal vein, 61% and 96% for the superior mesenteric vein, and 74% and 91% for the splenic vein. Varices and shunts were correctly identified with a sensitivity of 96%. Multiplanar reconstruction increased MPV sensitivity to 100%. CONCLUSION: Vascular abnormalities that affect TIPS and OLT can be identified by GdMRV. Multiplanar reconstruction increased the accuracy to 100% for the MPV.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the CT characteristics of primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum. CONCLUSION: The presence of peritoneal masses, extensive omental calcification, and the absence of an ovarian mass on CT--particularly in postmenopausal women--is highly suggestive of primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum and should alert the radiologist to the possibility of this diagnosis.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors' purpose was to determine whether computed tomographic (CT) attenuation values of fluid in breast cysts could be in the range of values for soft tissue and could be correlated with protein content of the fluid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aspirate samples from 10 simple breast cysts were analyzed for protein content, and CT attenuation values were calculated by means of a breast phantom. A corrected attenuation value for breast-cyst fluid was calculated by using sterile water as a control. RESULTS: The mean corrected attenuation value for the cyst aspirate was 28.1 HU; most simple cysts have an attenuation value of only 10 HU. Protein concentration ranged from 0.9 to 2.4 g/dL. A significant, almost linear relationship was noted between protein content and attenuation value of cyst fluid (r = .85, P < .01). CONCLUSION: The CT attenuation values of breast cysts can be in the range of those of soft tissue. This high attenuation value is correlated with the high protein content of breast-cyst fluid. Therefore, an apparent circumscribed soft-tissue mass seen within the breast at CT may represent a simple cyst.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of power Doppler sonography to distinguish between hypoechoic fluid and synovium in patients with suspected tenosynovitis. Gray scale sonography and power Doppler sonography were performed on 26 tendons in 24 patients with tenosynovitis and 30 tendons in five asymptomatic volunteers. Peritendinous blood flow was graded on a scale of 0 to 3 and the percentage of the hypoechoic rim that contained blood flow was also noted. In the symptomatic group, flow was demonstrated in more than 50% of the peritendinous hypoechoic rim in 17 of 26 tendons. A positive correlation was found between the power Doppler sonographic grade and the percentage of the rim that had flow. These results suggest that a significant proportion of the hypoechoic rim probably represents vascularized synovium rather than complex fluid.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To evaluate use of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in detection of vascular complications of liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen liver transplant recipients suspected to have vascular complications were evaluated with gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography by using a three-dimensional spoiled gradient-echo breath-hold technique during the arterial and venous phases of a high-dose (42 mL) bolus injection of gadolinium contrast material. Conventional angiography (n = 11) and surgery (n = 3) were used as the standard of reference. The transplant hepatic artery, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, hepatic veins, and inferior vena cava (IVC) were evaluated for thrombosis or stenosis by two radiologists. RESULTS: Ten vascular complications were identified with conventional angiography or surgery: transplant hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 3) or stenosis (n = 3), portal vein stenosis (n = 1) or occlusion (n = 2), and suprahepatic IVC stenosis (n = 1). All 10 complications were correctly diagnosed with MR angiography. There was agreement between results of MR angiography and conventional angiography or surgery in 58 of 62 vessels evaluated (94%). There was minor disagreement in four vessels (6%). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography may have the potential to enable accurate diagnosis of vascular complications of liver transplantation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the CT appearances of sclerosing peritonitis (SP) in patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and to compare these findings with the CT appearances in a control group of CAPD patients who did not develop SP. METHOD: The CT findings in 10 patients with SP were compared with those from a "control group" of 71 patients without SP who were on long-term CAPD and had also undergone at least one CT examination. Particular reference on CT examination was made to the appearance of the peritoneum and small bowel and the presence or absence of loculated fluid collections. RESULTS: Peritoneal abnormalities (calcification/thickening) were noted in 100%, loculated fluid collections in 90%, and small bowel abnormalities (tethering/dilatation) in 60% of the patients with SP. In the control group of patients, peritoneal abnormalities were noted in only 7%, loculated fluid collections in 15%, and small bowel dilatation in 5.7%. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal thickening, peritoneal calcification, loculated fluid collections, and tethering of the small bowel appear to be diagnostic of SP. In a small group of patients with follow-up CT scans, new, or progression of, CT findings correlated with the clinical severity of SP.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of dual-phase imaging in the assessment of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors (NFITs). METHOD: Six patients with histologically and biochemically proven NFIT were evaluated by arterial and portal venous dual-phase helical CT. Scan delay was 20 s for the arterial phase and 70 s for the portal phase. Each phase was assessed by consensus reading and specifically evaluated for tumor conspicuity, hepatic metastases, vascular encasement by tumor, and presence of lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Overall, tumor conspicuity was greater in the arterial phase (5/6) than in the portal venous phase (1/6) with a mean tumor/normal pancreas attenuation difference of 31.8 HU in the arterial phase compared with 19.2 HU in the portal venous phase. The arterial phase detected a total of 17 liver metastases compared with 9 seen in the portal phase. Lymph node enlargement was noted in three patients, which, although visible in both phases, was more easily discernible in the arterial phase. Venous encasement by tumor was better evaluated on the delayed portal venous phase than the arterial phase. CONCLUSION: Dual-phase helical CT scanning leads to improvement in the detection and staging of NFITs.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of dual-phase imaging in the assessment of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors (NFITs). METHOD: Six patients with histologically and biochemically proven NFIT were evaluated by arterial and portal venous dual-phase helical CT. Scan delay was 20 s for the arterial phase and 70 s for the portal phase. Each phase was assessed by consensus reading and specifically evaluated for tumor conspicuity, hepatic metastases, vascular encasement by tumor, and presence of lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Overall, tumor conspicuity was greater in the arterial phase (5/6) than in the portal venous phase (1/6) with a mean tumor/normal pancreas attenuation difference of 31.8 HU in the arterial phase compared with 19.2 HU in the portal venous phase. The arterial phase detected a total of 17 liver metastases compared with 9 seen in the portal phase. Lymph node enlargement was noted in three patients, which, although visible in both phases, was more easily discernible in the arterial phase. Venous encasement by tumor was better evaluated on the delayed portal venous phase than the arterial phase. CONCLUSION: Dual-phase helical CT scanning leads to improvement in the detection and staging of NFITs.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Heterotopic grey matter is an abnormality of neuronal migration that has been reported in association with refractory epilepsy. In this study we reviewed the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging records of all patients undergoing MR scanning for evaluation of intractable epilepsy and identified sixteen patients who had grey matter heterotopia. The distribution of the grey matter heterotopia was periventricular in 9 patients, laminar in 3 and was in a "band" form in 4 patients. Congenital anomalies associated with grey matter heterotopia in this study included polymicrogyria in one patient and absence of the corpus callosum in 2 patients. Grey matter heterotopia is an important MR finding in patients with intractable epilepsy.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

We describe the radiographic imaging modalities that were used in the first twelve consecutive patients who have undergone simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) at our institution. The total number of examinations undertaken in this study included ultrasound (n = 22), radionucleide scanning (n = 19), cystography (n = 14), computed tomography (n = 2) and magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1). Eighteen percent (5/22) ultrasound examinations were abnormal (perirenal collection [n = 4], peri-pancreatic collection [n = 1]. Two collections required aspiration and were confirmed as lymphocoeles. Cystography showed ureteric reflux in two patients and radionucleide DTPA scanning revealed a delay in the excretory phase in 20% of patients. CT was used in two patients with SPK and demonstrated large peri-pancreatic collections. No episodes of rejection or late graft pancreatitis were noted in this series. We discuss the role of radiographic imaging in detecting early graft failure and also in defining the surgical complications that may arise following transplantation. We also outline the merits and disadvantages of each imaging modality. We conclude that the most useful initial imaging techniques in the evaluation of patients following SPK are ultrasound including Doppler and nuclear medicine.

Asunto(s)