Transitional cell carcinoma with metastases to spermatic vein and spermatic cord: PET/CT imaging

Transitional cell carcinoma of the kidney with venous tumor thrombus is uncommon with only a limited number of cases published in the medical literature. The authors present a case of renal urothelial carcinoma with PET/CT imaging. PET, in addition to the demonstration of tumor thrombus in the left renal vein and inferior vena cava, showed a thrombosed left spermatic vein with metastases to the left spermatic cord and epidydimis.     

CT diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome

Forty-seven patients with nephrotic syndrome were prospectively studied for renal vein (RVT) and inferior vena caval (IVCT) thrombosis with dynamic CT. Renal venography and inferior vena cavography was performed on the 12 patients with and on 5 of the patients without CT evidence of thrombosis. Dynamic CT revealed thrombi in 12 of 47 (26%) of the cases (RVT in 8, IVCT in 5); all were confirmed by venography. In one of the cases with RVT, a thrombus in a superior branch of the left renal vein was revealed by venography but not by CT. Venography was normal in all five patients evaluated with normal dynamic CT. We believe that dynamic CT can be used to effectively examine patients with suspected RVT.     

Inferior vena cava CT pseudothrombus produced by rapid arm-vein contrast infusion

Laminar flow within the inferior vena cava can cause artifacts that may simulate thrombus if a foot-vein infusion is used. A "pseudothrombus" artifact within the suprarenal inferior vena cava produced by rapid infusion of contrast material through an arm vein is reported. This artifact was noted in 25 patients in a 6 month period and was believed to be from laminar flow of renal venous effluent of increased opacity around less opacified infrarenal caval contents. Differentiation from true thrombus can be made by the use of delayed scans as well as the increased density and relatively poor margination of the artifact.     

Horseshoe kidney associated with anomalous inferior vena cava

Horseshoe kidney associated with anomalous inferior vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly. Radiological demonstration of this combined anomaly is also uncommon, with only two cases of preisthmic inferior vena cava with horseshoe kidney in the imaging literature. We report a case of simultaneous horseshoe kidney and inferior vena cava lying anterior to the right renal moiety diagnosed by ultrasound and computed tomography. Received: 14 May 1998; Revision received: 24 July 1998; Accepted: 14 August 1998     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and staging of renal and perirenal neoplasms

Thirty-one adult patients underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after CT scans had demonstrated findings consistent with renal cell carcinoma. MR images were interpreted prospectively and independently of the CT findings. Because the CT scanning was performed at multiple institutions by many examiners, this study was not a direct comparison of CT versus MR. The preoperative diagnoses and staging of the neoplasms, as judged by MR, were compared with those obtained at laparotomy (n = 28), autopsy (n = 1), or biopsy (n = 2). Correct preoperative diagnoses were rendered in 31 patients (100%) on the basis of MR findings. The anatomic staging of 27 renal cell carcinomas was correctly performed by MR in 26 patients (86%). When compared with results of previous studies of the value of CT in the diagnosis and staging of renal neoplasms, MR appears to have several advantages in determination of the origin of the mass; the evaluation of vascular patency; the detection of perihilar lymph node metastases; and the evaluation of direct tumor invasion of adjacent organs. MR is sensitive in determining the extent of tumor thrombus and in evaluating invasion of the inferior vena caval wall. MR should assume an important role in the diagnosis and staging of renal neoplasms.     

Venous renal tumor extension: a prospective US evaluation

To evaluate the ability of ultrasonography (US) to determine venous tumor extension, we studied 120 consecutive patients with renal neoplasms. The incidence of renal vein involvement in this group was 18%; caval tumor extension occurred in 11% of the patients. Real-time US clearly visualized the entire retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) in 96% of the examinations, and the ipsilateral renal vein was well seen on 88% of the scans. Of the caval sonograms that could be evaluated (115/120), intravascular tumor thrombi were detected in all 13 cases (sensitivity and specificity = 100%). Of the assessable sonograms of the renal vein (105/120), tumor invasion was identified by US in 21 of 22 cases (sensitivity = 95.5%, specificity = 100%). Venous tumor involvement was seen with intravascular lesions of different echogenicity, which caused a neoplastic-induced renal or caval vein enlargement in most cases. Our findings show that US is of great value in the preoperative assessment of intravascular tumor extension and provides a useful alternative to inferior venacavography.     

Inferior caval venography in the assessment of renal carcinoma.

Inferior caval venography by a non-catheter technique was carried out in 30 cases of renal cell carcinoma. Occlusion of the renal vein was shown in 15 of these and occlusion of the inferior vena cava in a further three. Deformity of the vena cava by adjacent growth was found in nine instances. Renal arteriography was performed in 27 of these patients and the demonstration of the renal vein by this method has been compared with that of caval venography. The incidence of collateral veins on the arteriogram and the finding of impaired renal function as an index of renal vein occlusion has been discussed.     

超声技术在肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓诊断中的应用

目的:探讨常规超声、彩色多普勒超声、超声造影及术中超声在肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的诊断及临床分型中的应用价值。方法:对7例肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的患者进行常规超声、彩色多普勒超声检查,其中3例行超声造影检查,3例行术中超声检查。所有病例均经手术及病理证实。结果:所有下腔静脉栓子均为癌栓,癌栓分型为Ⅱ型4例,Ⅲ型2例,Ⅳ型1例。结论:超声技术对肾癌合并下腔静脉癌栓的诊断与鉴别诊断具有重要价值,并且能够脉对癌栓进行准确分型,对临床手术治疗及预后判断具有指导性意义。     

Testicular tumors manifested as inferior vena cava thromboses. Case reports

Four cases of asymptomatic testicular tumors with inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement are reported. All patients were referred to our hospital with non-specific abdominal pain and abdominal US revealed an inferior vena cava thrombosis. CT showed an IVC thrombus extending from the first to second lumbar vertebrae and also retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 3 patients. Scrotal US demonstrated intratesticular tumors.
IVC thrombosis may result from asymptomatic intratesticular tumors (single or multiple). Because of that, scrotal US is of paramount importance as a routine screening test in patients who radiographically demonstrate caval thrombosis.     

Detection of inferior vena cava abnormalities by computed tomography.

The diagnostically useful computed tomography (CT) findings in five new cases of inferior vena cava thrombosis are reported. These findings include: (a) inhomogeneous density of the inferior vena cava, usually best demonstrated after contrast medium injection; (b) caval density less than aortic density; (c) rim enhancement which may be seen with both caval thrombosis and tumor invasion; and (d) enlargement of the vena cava if accompanied by at least one or more of the above findings. A bolus injection of contrast medium followed immediately by CT helps to make some of the above described findings more prominent. In selected patients, this injection should be made into the femoral vein.     

Obstruction of the inferior vena cava: a multiple-modality demonstration of causes, manifestations, and collateral pathways.

This article explores the causes and manifestations of obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with a multiple-modality approach. Caval obstruction may be due to thrombus, extension of a tumor, extrinsic compression, or intrinsic caval disease. Evaluation of the IVC should be tailored to the individual circumstance; no single modality is best in all situations. Although magnetic resonance offers multiplanar imaging, vena cavography or ultrasound are often necessary to exclude intraluminal tumor extension. Computed tomography is sensitive for intracaval thrombus and compression but does not delineate the hepatic IVC well. Nuclear venography demonstrates well the resultant collateral pathways, which can be separated into the deep, intermediate, superficial, and portal systems. Despite the clear visualization of these pathways with this modality, congenital caval anomalies, such as caval interruption with azygos continuation, can be confused with acquired caval disease.     

"Hot spot" on hepatic scintigraphy and radionuclide venacavography.

Seven patients showing a localized area of increased uptake (hot spot) on 99mTc sulfur colloid liver scans are described. Four also had dynamic studies. In five patients the hot spot was associated with superior vena caval obstruction, in one it was associated with inferior vena caval obstruction, and in one with a hepatoma. Although a hot spot on static liver images usually indicates superior vena caval obstruction, the addition of radionuclide venacavography is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. A hot spot in the liver area in a radionuclide venogram of the lower limbs suggests inferior vena caval obstruction with collaterals via the liver.     

肉瘤样肾细胞癌的CT表现及手术病理所见

目的 :探讨肉瘤样肾细胞癌的CT表现与临床病理基础 ,提高对肉瘤样肾细胞癌的认识。方法 :对经手术病理证实的 6例肉瘤样肾细胞癌的CT和临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 :所有病例均表现为肾实质性肿块 (右肾 4例 ,左肾 2例 )。平扫为分叶状、等密度或略高密度不均质实性肿块。有灶性坏死区 ,增强后不均匀轻度强化 ,与正常实质分界不清。全部病例侵犯肾周间隙达肾周筋膜。 4例侵犯肾静脉或 /和下腔静脉。 3例区域淋巴结转移。 2例远处转移。术后3月内复发 2例。半年内 4例因复发或 /和远处转移而死亡。结论 :肉瘤样肾细胞癌少见 ,多为分叶状、密度不均、边界不清肿块 ;极易侵犯周围组织、肾静脉或下腔静脉并出现淋巴结或远处转移 ;恶性度极高 ,愈后极差。CT是发现病灶、判断预后可靠和准确的方法之一。确诊依靠术前细针穿刺活检。     

Renal cell carcinoma invading the right ovarian vein: multidetector computed tomography and ultrasound Doppler findings

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and Doppler ultrasound findings of a renal cell carcinoma invading the right ovarian vein are presented. An MDCT study performed for evaluation of macroscopic hematuria showed a heterogeneously enhancing malignant thrombus in the right ovarian vein that was in continuity with inferior vena cava and right renal vein thrombi of identical characteristics. Further investigation with Doppler ultrasound confirmed these findings and showed arterial blood flow of low resistance within the ovarian vein and inferior vena cava thrombi. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of MDCT and Doppler ultrasound findings of a renal cell carcinoma invading the right ovarian vein.     

A new technique to avoid suprarenal placement of kimray-greenfield filters: Technical note

A new technique that avoids suprarenal Greenfield filter placement was used in 2 patients with an inferior caval thrombus extending up to the renal veins. The caval thrombus was pulled down with the aid of a modified Dormia wire basket inserted via a transfemoral approach, while the Kimray-Greenfield filter was introduced from a transjugular approach and placed in an infrarenal position.     

Neoplastic thrombosis from a uterine cancer via the ovarian vein. Venous collateralization via the vasa vasorum in occlusions of the renal vein and the inferior vena cava

Renal vein and inf. vena caval occlusion by neoplastic thrombus mediated by the ovarian vein from an occult uterine carcinoma is an extraordinary diagnosis. The special angiographic feature consists in demonstrating the renal venous drainage via vasa vasorum of the renal vein and inf. vena cava.     

Imaging primary and secondary tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava: multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a severe medical condition with very poor prognosis unless the patient is treated with surgical resection. It can be caused by a primary leiomyosarcoma originating in the vessel wall or by intraluminal extension of tumor thrombus into the IVC from an adjacent organ. We reviewed 21 cases of tumoral thrombus in the IVC including primary leiomyosarcoma of the IVC (2 cases), renal cell carcinoma (14 cases), adrenocortical carcinoma (2 cases), primary adrenocortical leiomyosarcoma (1 case), hepatocellular carcinoma (1 case), and retroperitoneal metastasis (1 case). The most common findings of IVC tumor thrombus by multi-detector CT and magnetic resonance imaging will be discussed, including scanning protocols and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.     

Colour Doppler ultrasound assessment of the inferior vena cava in patients with Wilms' tumour

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of colour flow Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing inferior vena caval (IVC) extension of tumour thrombus in patients with Wilms' tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 3-year period from June 1994 to June 1997, 74 patients with Wilms' tumour were referred to our institution. In this retrospective study we reviewed the preoperative colour flow Doppler ultrasound reports of 64 of these patients and compared the reports with the intra-operative findings in 51 patients who underwent surgery. RESULTS: Vena caval extension of tumour thrombus was present in 12 patients (18.7%) and in six of these patients (9.4%) there was also atrial extension of the tumour. Colour flow Doppler ultrasound correctly diagnosed IVC extension of tumour thrombus in nine patients and correctly predicted the cranial extent of the tumour thrombus in eight patients. CONCLUSION: Colour flow Doppler ultrasound has an overall positive predictive value of 73.4% in assessing IVC patency and correctly diagnosing IVC extension of tumour thrombus, in patients with Wilms' tumour. However, non-diagnostic ultrasound examinations can occur in over 20% of patients.     

下肢深静脉血栓形成的介入治疗研究

目的：探讨下肢深静脉血栓形成介入治疗方法与疗效。方法：对81例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者,采用下腔静脉放置滤器,静脉内置管注入尿激酶溶栓剂和利用介入器材破栓、抽栓及球囊扩张等综合治疗技术,观察疗效,并对相关资料和继发病症进行分析总结。结果：痊愈62例,明显有效13例,有效4例,无效2例,总有效率达97.5%,放置下腔静脉滤器76例。置管时间19 d,平均6.8 d。结论：综合介入治疗是治疗下肢深静脉血栓安全、有效和微创方法,值得推广运用。     

Retrograde venous invasion causing vertebral metastases in renal cell carcinoma

A case of renal cell carcinoma is presented with renal vein and inferior vena cava tumour/thrombus extension and vertebral metastases centred on the basivertebral veins at three contiguous levels in the low thoracic spine. MRI demonstrated tumour in the intervertebral veins, suggesting that the vertebral deposits were due to retrograde venous spread. To our knowledge, vertebral metastatic deposits due to retrograde venous spread in renal cell carcinoma have not been previously demonstrated directly on imaging. A review is given of the venous anatomy relevant to this mode of spread.