Diagnostic accuracy of Doppler ultrasound technique of the penile arteries in correlation to selective arteriography

In 63% of 265 patients with erectile dysfunction a relevant arterial inflow disturbance was found by Doppler ultrasound examination. Correlation between Doppler and arteriography in 58 patients showed an accuracy of 95% in detecting penile arteries and an accuracy of 91% in discovering a pathological arterial pattern (arterial anomaly or arteriosclerotic obstruction). In 15 patients the arterial inflow was measured additionally by Doppler ultrasound technique after intracavernosal injection of vasoactive drugs (IIVD) (7.5 mg papaverine and 0.25 mg phentolamine). This technique proved to be more reliable than in the flaccid state and markedly facilitated localization and assessment of pathological changes of the cavernosal arteries.     

Utility of gadolinium-enhanced MR urography in detection of bladder carcinoma

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MR urography (MRU) in detecting bladder carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective review of 107 MRU exams obtained to evaluate for possible upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma from 5/2005 to 5/2009 was performed by two experienced abdominal radiologists. Interpretation of the presence or absence of bladder carcinoma and lesion conspicuity in each imaging phase was made using 5-point confidence grading scales. Exams included 3D T1-weighted spoiled gradient-recalled echo images through the kidneys, ureters and bladder in the coronal plane during parenchymal phases and in both coronal and axial planes during pyelographic phases after intravenous administration of gadolinium and furosemide. Standard of reference was cystoscopy or cystectomy within 30 days of MRU. Statistical measures of performance, including receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (Az) values were calculated.

Results

Bladder carcinoma was present in 26/107 patients (24%). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and Az value were 73.1%, 91.4%, 86.9%, 73.1%, 91.4%, 0.89 for the first reviewer, and 84.6%, 75.3%, 77.6%, 52.4%, 93.8%, 0.86 for the second. Lesion conspicuity was superior on the parenchymal phase compared to the pyelographic phase (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

MRU obtained for suspicion of upper urinary tract TCC has a moderate accuracy in detecting bladder carcinoma.     

Diagnostic potential of virtual cystoscopy of the bladder: MRI vs CT. Preliminary report

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of the half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence for MRI cystoscopy compared with CT cystoscopy and the gold standard conventional cystoscopy. The MRI- and CT cystoscopy was performed in 29 patients with bladder tumors documented at cystoscopy and a control group using a 1.5-T unit (6-mm slice thickness) and a helical CT (3-mm collimation, pitch 1) after filling the bladder with air. Axial MRI and CT images were transferred to a workstation for application of virtual cystoscopy and compared with routine cystoscopy. Axial images and virtual cystoscopies were read by three readers for size and location of tumors. Forty-seven tumors were diagnosed at cystoscopy (12<1 cm, 35≥1 cm). The sensitivity for detection of tumors smaller than 1 cm was 88.9% at MRI cystoscopy and 100% for tumors of 1 cm or larger. These results were not statistically different from the other modalities. Three tumors smaller than 1 cm were not detected at CT cystoscopy, four not all identical at MRI cystoscopy. One tumor with a wall thickening was detected on axial CT and MR images and CT cystoscopy by all observers, but only by two at MRI cystoscopy. The MRI cystoscopy is a diagnostic modality with results comparable to conventional and CT cystoscopy. Electronic Publication     

Gadolinium-DTPA MRI in the diagnosis of a patient with leptomeningeal metastasis produced by uvular carcinoma

Summary A patient with uvular cancer presented with lower limb weakness and paresthesiae, headache, neck stiffness and multiple cranial palsies. No malignant cells were found on lumbar puncture. CT, and MRI were normal. Gadolinium-DTPA MRI disclosed multiple enhancing lesions consistent with leptomeningeal metastases. Gd-DTPA MRI is the best technique to demonstrate tumoral meningeal infiltration in cytology-negative patients suspected of having leptomeningeal metastases.     

MRI, CT, and TRUS imaging of seminal vesicle metastasis

We present a case of a testicular germ-cell metastasis in the seminal vesicle. Diagnostic imaging with transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), CT, and MRI was performed. This case emphasizes the role of MRI in the evaluation of patients with pathology in the pelvic region. Received 5 June 1996; Accepted 15 July 1996     

Prospective evaluation of MRI,C-acetate PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT for staging of bladder cancer

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ¹¹C-acetate positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and contrast-enhanced CT for bladder cancer staging, using whole-mount pathologic review of radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node specimens as the reference standard.

Materials and methods

The institutional review board approved this prospective study, which was compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Written informed consent was obtained from 16 patients with histologically confirmed bladder cancer who underwent MRI, ¹¹C-acetate PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT before radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Before imaging 4/16 patients had received intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment, 6 had received systemic chemotherapy, 3 had received both and 3 had received neither. Measures of diagnostic performance including accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were estimated separately for each imaging modality.

Results

MRI correctly staged 56% of patients (9/16), overstaged 38% (6/16) and understaged 6% (1/16). CT correctly staged 50% of patients (8/16), overstaged 44% (7/16) and understaged 6% (1/16). In 9 patients, ¹¹C-acetate PET/CT showed uptake within the bladder wall; the uptake was true-positive in 7 patients and false-positive in 2 patients. Of the remaining 7 patients, 5 had true-negative and 2 had false-negative PET/CT results for cancer in the bladder wall. For all modalities, staging accuracy was reduced in patients with a history of prior intravesical and/or systemic chemotherapy.

Conclusion

In staging bladder cancer, MRI, ¹¹C-acetate PET/CT and CT displayed similar levels of accuracy. For all modalities, a history of intravesical and/or systemic chemotherapy affected staging accuracy.     

A rare case of penile epidermoid carcinoma

Penile neoplasms are rare. The main goal of our case report is to demonstrate the important role of imaging in local and regional cancer extension assessment, to guide the treatment plan. We report a case of penile epidermoid carcinoma in a 54 year old uncircumcised man, with a history of chronic smoking, presenting with a mass in the base of the penis.     

The value of shear wave elastography in the quantification of corpus cavernosum penis rigidity and its alteration with age

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to measure corpus cavernosum (CC) penis rigidity with shear wave elastography (SWE) in healthy volunteers and to evaluate the change of rigidity with age.MethodsSWE was performed in 60 healthy volunteers (age range 20–71, mean 47 ± 12,83 years). Volunteers were divided into 2 groups by age (Group 1 age <50, group 2 age ≥50). We assessed SWE in 3 parts of penis (proximal, middle and glans penis) on both sides of CC. All values of SWE (in kilo Pascal) were noted along with volunteers’ ages. The measurements were done both with transverse (T) and longitudinal (L) sections. We compared all SW values of penis parts and their alterations with age.ResultsThe shear wave elastography values of CC penis increased with increasing age (p < 0,01). There was no significant difference between both sides of CC penis (p < 0,05). We calculated no significant difference between T and L sections of all parts of penis (p < 0,05).ConclusionsSWE can provide noninvasive quantitative data of CC penis rigidity and its alteration with age. These data may create a new approach in the evaluation process and treatment options for penile pathologies.     

Skeletal muscle metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: clinicoradiological features

AIM: To define the clinicoradiological characteristics of skeletal muscle metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with skeletal muscle metastasis was undertaken between January 1999 to December 2001. Patients suspected of having a metastasis on radiological examinations, and subsequently proven to have metastatic disease on histological examination were included in study. The clinical presentation and radiological features of five patients with skeletal muscle metastasis from bladder tumours were reviewed from hospital records. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had skeletal muscle metastasis from various primaries. Of these five patients had previous or concurrent primary tumours in the bladder. Patients were aged between 27-70 years (mean 52 years), and all had persistent, localized pain with or without accompanying swelling. The muscles involved were psoas in three patients, adductor muscles of thigh in one and rectus abdominis in one. Four patients had radical cystectomy with urinary diversion (two ileal conduit and two orthotopic sigmoid neobladder). One patient presented with bladder tumour and concomitant muscular metastasis. All patients underwent helical computed tomography (CT) before confirmation of diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or biopsy. The typical appearance of low-density enhancing lesions on CT was mistaken for abscess in two patients and failure to respond to conservative treatment led to suspicion of metastasis. Diagnosis was proven histologically in all patients (FNA in three and biopsy in two). All patients had palliative chemotherapy (Mitomycin, Vincristine, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide). Two patients had local palliative 3500 rad radiotherapy for persistent pain. Mean survival was 8 months (range 6-12 months). CONCLUSION: Muscular metastasis from urothelial tumours typically presents with persistent localized pain with or without swelling. The characteristic low-density, ring-enhancing lesions on CT in a patient with previous or concomitant urothelial tumours should raise the suspicion of metastasis until proven otherwise. Prognosis is dismal.     

CT and MR imaging of laryngeal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: A case report

Laryngeal metastasis is an extremely rare condition. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous report on a laryngeal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma, which describes on details of the CT and MR imaging findings. A male patient in his 80s. Laryngoscopy revealed reddish-colored masses in the right false vocal cord and in the subglottic larynx. CT and MR imaging of this case showed multiple hypervascularized lesions with a wash-out effect in the supra and subglottis of the larynx and in the right intervertebral foramen of the cervical spine. Angiography revealed a hypervascular tumor consistent with the subglottic lesion. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings were compatible with laryngeal metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma. A history of postoperative renal clear cell carcinoma about 7 years ago was later confirmed, which was not stated at the time of the initial imaging evaluation. It is a possible differential diagnosis in cases of multiple hypervascular masses in the head and neck region with a history of renal carcinoma. In particular, if the contrast-enhancement pattern of the lesion on the dynamic CT is similar to that of renal cell carcinoma. It is also important to reconfirm the patient''s medical history, including postoperative status.     

Scintigraphically negative skip metastasis in osteosarcoma

The accurate pre-operative evaluation of the intramedullary extent of osteosarcoma is essential, as it determines the level of bone resection. Radiographs, isotope bone and MR imaging scans have been considered as reliable in detecting skeletal metastasis and skip lesions. We report a case of osteosarcoma of the distal femur with a large skip lesion proximally which was not visualized by either routine radiography or bone scintigraphy, and was not included within the scan field on the initial MR imaging scan. The implications on patient management and possible reasons for failure of imaging to reveal the skip metastasis are discussed. Received 7 October 1996; Revision received 9 January 1997; Accepted 7 February 1997     

阴茎癌MRI表现(附20例分析)

目的 探讨阴茎癌的MRI影像学特点.方法 选取我院确诊的20例阴茎癌影像学资料并分析其影像学特点.结果 20例阴茎癌,病理均为鳞癌,4例(4/20,20％)位于阴茎头,10例(10/20,50％)位于冠状沟,4例(4/20,20％)位于包皮,2例(2/20,10％)位于双侧阴茎海绵体.2例(2/20,10％)广泛转移(...     

Isolated fat-containing pancreatic metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma

We report a case of a 50-year-old male with isolated pancreatic metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in which chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging detected the presence of fat, and which mimicked fatty replacement. A solitary metastatic pancreatic tumor originating from HCC is very rare. Furthermore, we believe that this is the first report of fat-containing pancreatic metastasis from HCC.     

CT and MR features of sclerosing mesenteritis mimicking a mesenteric metastasis from the carcinoid tumor

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare and benign inflammatory entity characterized by fibrofatty thickening of the mesentery. To our knowledge, there are only a few reports on the features of sclerosing mesenteritis on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT). In this present case, MR imaging demonstrated tissue characterization of fibrosis, and partial maximum intensity projection (MIP) and three-dimensional angiography images obtained using multislice CT clearly revealed the extent of the tumor and the vascular appearance affected by the mass. However, a mesenteric metastasis from the carcinoid tumor may show such imaging features. Therefore, when encountering such a case, we suggest that a tentative diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis be made, followed by a biopsy for intraoperative histopathologic analysis to avoid aggressive surgery.     

Colonic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: helical-CT demonstration

Clinically evident colonic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rare. In the present study a hypervascular sigmoid mass was demonstrated on arterial-phase helical CT using a water enema in a patient who had suffered left nephrectomy 8 years previously for RCC. The intense and early enhancement of the lesion suggested the possibility of a solitary colonic metastasis from RCC, a diagnosis which was pathologically confirmed. Received: 22 October 1998; Revised: 22 April 1999; Accepted: 7 May 1999     

Non-visualization of sentinel lymph nodes in penile carcinoma

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence and cause of non-visualization of sentinel lymph nodes on preoperative lymphoscintigrams for penile cancer and its implications for further management.Methods Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed after injection of ^99mTc-labelled nanocolloid in 123 clinically node-negative penile carcinoma patients. Anterior dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was performed during 20 min immediately after tracer injection. Subsequently, 5-min anterior and lateral static images were obtained 30 min and 2 h post injection.Results Lymphatic drainage to both groins was seen in 98 patients (79%), unilateral drainage in 23 patients (19%) and no drainage at all in two patients (2%). Thus, in 27 (11%) of 246 groins, no sentinel node was visualized. The amount of administered tracer dose was associated with non-visualization (p=0.01). Unilateral drainage was initially interpreted as a normal physiological phenomenon. After the occurrence of a tumour-positive node in a non-visualized groin, we explore non-visualized groins by blue dye mapping and intraoperative palpation. Sentinel nodes were retrieved in four out of eight such groins, of which one contained metastasis.Conclusion In penile carcinoma patients, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy visualizes a sentinel node in 89% of groins. Visualization depends on the administered tracer dose. It is worthwhile to explore non-visualized groins. Sentinel nodes can be intraoperatively identified in more than half of these cases.     

Penile fracture: MRI demonstration of a urethral tear associated with a rupture of the corpus cavernosum

We report a case of traumatic urethral tear associated with a rupture of the corpus cavernosum, demonstrated on MRI. We discuss the potential role of a non-invasive preoperative assessment by MRI. Received 10 February 1997; Revision received 5 June 1997; Accepted 6 June 1997