Ultrasonographic and spiral CT evaluation of simple and complicated acute cholecystitis: diagnostic protocol assessment based on personal experience and review of the literature

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify and classify the ultrasonographic and computed tomography (CT) signs of simple and complicated acute cholecystitis and to define the correct diagnostic protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 patients (23 men and 12 women; mean age 66.6 years) presenting with acute cholecystitis who were assessed by emergency ultrasonography (US) (30/35 cases) and spiral CT (12/35 cases); all patients underwent emergency surgery. The US signs were analysed and classified as major criteria (wall thickening and stratification, distension, Murphy's sign), minor criteria (bile stones, sludge, and biliary tract dilatation), and complication signs (gas collections, aerobilia, fluid collection, difficult or missed identification of the gallbladder). Imaging results were compared with histological findings (gold standard), and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPVs and NPVs) were assessed for each modality. Concordance between the US and CT findings was also evaluated for cases undergoing both examinations; additional findings provided by one or the other modality were also assessed. RESULTS: US had an accuracy of 66.6%, a sensitivity of 37.5%, a specificity of 70%, a PPV of 100%, and an NPV of 58.3%. CT had 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Concordance between US and CT was observed for diagnosis of complications, but CT provided additional findings in all cases. The majority of complicated cases undergoing US examination (68.7%) revealed more than two major criteria and one minor criterion or at least one sign of complication. CONCLUSIONS: If more than two major signs associated with one minor sign or at least one sign of complication are present at US, CT is mandatory to recognise and thoroughly evaluate the type of complication and indicate appropriate treatment.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography for demonstrating loss of multiple-layer pattern of the thickened gallbladder wall in the preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the roles of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), conventional US, CT, and MRI in differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening. We scrutinized images for the presence of the multiple-layer patterns of the thickened gallbladder walls during preoperative images (EUS, n = 22; US, n = 23; CT, n = 20; MRI, n = 15) and retrospectively correlated them with surgical results in 25 patients. The pathological diagnoses included 7 gallbladder cancers, 9 cases of chronic cholecystitis, 5 cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, and 4 cases of adenomyomatosis. Multiple-layer patterns of gallbladder wall were observed in patients with inflammatory and benign diseases by US, EUS, CT, and MRI. This pattern was demonstrated by EUS more efficiently compared with other means of imaging. All subjects with loss of multiple layers were finally diagnosed by use of EUS as having gallbladder cancer at surgery. Loss of multiple-layer patterns of the gallbladder wall demonstrated by EUS was the most specific finding in diagnosing gallbladder cancer. Received 29 July 1996; Revision received 27 November 1996; Accepted 21 January 1997     

Gallbladder blunt trauma: comparison between radiologic and anatomo-surgical findings

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and the possible role of ultrasonography (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) in a small group of patients who had a blunt abdominal trauma involving the gallbladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the US and CT findings of five patients with surgically confirmed post-traumatic gallbladder injury. The whole series consisted of 196 consecutive patients submitted to laparotomy for blunt abdominal trauma in the past 7 years. The following US and CT findings were considered at least suggestive of a possible post-traumatic gallbladder injury: pericholecystic fluid collection, ill-defined wall margin, collapsed lumen, high intraluminal density. RESULTS: At surgery, the following findings were observed: gallbladder hematoma (1 case), acute colecystitis (1 cases), gallbladder tear (3 cases), gallbladder tear associated with post-traumatic hepatic injuries (2 cases), duodenal tear (2 cases), hemoperitoneum alone (2 cases), hemoperitoneum associated with choleperitoneum (1 case), choleperitoneum alone (1 case). The US and CT findings were pericholecystic fluid collections (4 cases), ill-defined gallbladder wall margins (3 cases), collapsed lumen with intraluminal high density (1 case) and free intraperitoneal fluid collections (4 cases). They were suggestive of a possible post-traumatic gallbladder injury in all the five patients. CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic findings of our five patients were suggestive of a gallbladder damage but did not permit to distinguish minor from major injuries, the latter requiring surgical treatment. US proves to be a useful screening tool which can also help timing surgery in these patients. CT confirmed the US suspicions and also permitted accurate assessment of associated post-traumatic injuries to the liver and duodenum. Nevertheless, the clinical presentation was the most important factor as to the therapeutic management of these blunt abdominal trauma patients.     

US as a primary diagnostic tool in relation to negative appendectomy: six years experience

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of ultrasonography (US) on the rate of appendectomy after false-positive diagnosis of acute appendicitis (negative appendectomy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed in 736 pediatric patients (mean age, 13.2 years) who had undergone appendectomy between 1995 and 2000. Histologic data were compared in patients who underwent US with those who did not undergo imaging prior to surgery. US was performed by a radiologist or a pediatric surgeon or both. RESULTS: A total of 643 (87.4%) of the 736 pediatric patients underwent preoperative US, and 93 (12.6%) of the 736 did not undergo preoperative US. Of the 736 patients, 97 (13.2%) underwent negative appendectomy. Thirty-four (36.6%) of the 93 patients who underwent appendectomy with no preoperative US and 63 (9.8%) of the 643 patients who underwent preoperative US underwent negative appendectomy. There was a significant association between US and positive appendectomy (P <.001). CONCLUSION: US in pediatric patients suspected of having appendicitis can significantly lower the negative appendectomy rate.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evaluation with sonography.

To determine the normal postoperative appearance of gallstones in the common duct at ultrasound (US) examination, the significance of fluid collections after surgery, and the usefulness of routine postoperative scanning, US of the right upper quadrant was performed in 106 consecutive patients 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The location, volume, and appearance of fluid collections were recorded. The maximum diameter of the common duct was measured in all patients and compared with preoperative measurements in 58 patients. Small fluid collections were identified in the gallbladder fossa in 56 patients (53.0%). Fluid collections did not correlate with fever or white blood cell count. In 15 of 58 patients, the diameter of the common duct had increased on the postoperative scan. This did not correlate with alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin levels. One hundred one patients (95.3%) were discharged the day after surgery. Routine US performed the day after surgery did not alter management; the authors conclude that it is unwarranted in their group of patients.     

静脉胆道造影结合B超预测LC手术难度的临床研究

目的 :探讨静脉胆道造影 (IVC)结合B超预测腹腔镜胆囊切除 (LC)手术难度分级标准。材料和方法 :根据患者胆囊大小、形态、胆囊壁厚薄 ,Calot三角 ,胆周有无粘连及胆道显影情况 ,将LC手术难度分为三级。结果 :Ⅰ级为适应证组 ,Ⅱ级为相对适应证组 ,Ⅲ级为禁忌证组 ,与手术对照 ,IVC结合B超分组符合率 98.4%。结论 :IVC结合B超可为手术难度及病例选择提供较为全面的依据 ,对降低LC手术中转率及并发症发生率具有重要的临床价值。     

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.     

The usefulness of spiral Computed Tomography and colour-Doppler ultrasonography to predict portal-mesenteric trunk involvement in pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical utility of spiral computed tomography (CT) and colour Doppler ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of portal-mesenteric trunk (PMT) involvement in pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients with pancreatic cancer underwent preoperative assessment of the PMT with spiral CT and colour Doppler US. Five stages of vascular involvement were established. During surgery intraoperative US was performed to confirm the preoperative findings. RESULTS: Of the 95 patients observed, 82 (86.3%) underwent surgery. The sensitivity of spiral CT was 98%, specificity 79%, overall accuracy 80.2%. The positive predictive value was 87.5%; the negative predictive value 96%. The results of colour Doppler US were 92.3%, 72,7%, 72.8%, 79.5% and 88.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that spiral CT is the gold standard in detecting PMT involvement in pancreatic cancer. Colour Doppler US is useful, but adds nothing to CT. Both of these techniques improve the possibility of predicting the resectability of pancreatic cancer.     

彩色多普勒超声内镜、CT和腹部超声术前定位诊断胰岛细胞瘤

目的:比较彩色多普勒超声内镜(ECDUS)与螺旋CT和腹部超声(US)术前定位诊断胰岛细胞瘤的价值.材料和方法:对经内科检查定性诊断胰岛细胞瘤并准备手术切除的9例患者行术前ECDUS、US和胰腺螺旋CT增强扫描(CT)检查,并与手术和病理检查对照.结果:9例患者共发现12个病灶,均为良性,ECDUS检出10/12,US未检出,CT检出1/12,ECDUS检出病灶部位与手术所见一致,ECDUS漏诊的2个病灶,直径分别为0.4cm和0.5cm.结论:ECDUS对胰岛细胞瘤定位准确优于US、CT.但对直径小于0.5cm的病灶,定位诊断仍有困难.     

Ultrasonography in carcinoma of the gallbladder

Cholecystosonography in approximately 40,000 patients over five years in two university hospitals revealed 30 (75%) of the 40 macroscopic primary carcinomas. In 3 cases the carcinoma was obscured by gallstones with shadowing, in 3 cases the origin of a tumour mass was misinterpreted, and in 4 cases the neoplastic growth mimicked gallbladder inflammatory changes or sludge. Malignancy was incorrectly diagnosed or suggested in 25 patients. The most frequent cause of a false positive report was acute or chronic inflammation, found at surgery in 16 gallbladders. Four carcinomas of the pancreatic head were believed to be gallbladder tumours. Cirrhosis with marked gallbladder wall thickening, gastric carcinomas with metastases, a common duct carcinoma, and two cases of sludge (with normal control studies) caused a false suggestion of gallbladder carcinoma. The most frequent ultrasonographic finding in gallbladder carcinomas was a mass filling the gallbladder (15 diagnosed cases), followed by wall thickening (9 cases), and polypoid or fungating tumour (6 cases). Real-time ultrasonography is a useful method for the preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma, but considerable diagnostic problems in the differentiation from inflammatory diseases may be encountered.     

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in sports-related muscle injuries

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of traumatic muscle injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2003 to June 2004, 81 football players with a history of traumatic muscle injuries to the lower limbs were examined. US was performed shortly after the trauma (from 6 to 72 h afterwards) and MRI within a maximum of 5 days. RESULTS: MRI revealed 26 minor and 55 major traumas. MRI and US showed complete concordance in 71 patients (site, type and extent of injury). US produced ten false negative results, including six minor lesions and four major lesions. US had a sensitivity of 87.65% in the correct identification of muscle injuries; its sensitivity was 92.72% for major lesions and 76.92% for minor lesions, 57% for delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), 80% for lengthenings, 83% for contractures, 84% for strains, 87.5% for mild contusions and 100% for severe contusions. CONCLUSIONS: US is the first-line technique for examination of muscle injuries. MRI is able to reveal lesions that may be missed at US and provide a more accurate assessment of site and extent of injury.     

Pre-operative Localization of Parathyroid Adenomas: A Comparison of Power and Colour Doppler Ultrasonography with Nuclear Medicine Scintigraphy

AIM: To compare power and colour Doppler ultrasonography (US) with nuclear medicine scintigraphy (NM) in the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with biochemical evidence of PHPT underwent pre-operative US and NM for parathyroid adenoma localization. Both studies were interpreted independently without prior knowledge of the other study's findings. All patients had surgical removal of the parathyroid adenoma utilizing standard neck exploration or minimally invasive unilateral surgical techniques with rapid serum assay of circulating parathyroid hormone levels. RESULTS: All patients had single parathyroid adenomas at surgery. Prospective sensitivities for US, NM and both studies combined were 65%, 68%, and 74%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 100% each. The adenoma was localized by only one imaging modality in 16% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: US and NM provide complementary roles in the pre-operative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with PHPT.     

彩超诊断贲门癌及周围浸润与X线及胃镜对比分析

目的评价彩超、X线钡餐透视、胃镜综合应用对贲门癌及周围浸润的诊断价值以及相互关系。方法59例贲门癌患者同时采用彩超、X线、胃镜检查,将其结果与手术、病理结果对照。结果3种检查方法对贲门癌的诊断准确性无明显差异,符合率分别为88.0%,91.5%,98.3%。对周围浸润及淋巴结、肝、胰转移情况,彩超诊断42例、X线检查15例,胃镜19例,敏感性分别为71.1%,25.4%,32.2%,彩超明显优于后二者(P<0.01),且后两者均不能提示胃外淋巴结及周围脏器转移情况。结论彩超检查贲门癌具有较高的术前诊断准确性,特别是对周围浸润转移情况具有X线、胃镜难以代替的优越性。     

胰岛素瘤的超声诊断:与其他诊断方法比较

目的:探讨超声等方法对胰岛素瘤的定位诊断价值。材料和方法:对42例经过手术和病理证实的胰岛素瘤患者术前定位诊断的各种方法进行回顾性分析,并与其他诊断方法对比分析其各自的定位符合率。结果:定位诊断符合率分别为B超31%(13/42)、EUS55.6%(5/9)、IOUS100%(10/10)、超声引导下PTPC100%(3/3)、CT59.5%(25/42)、MRI50%(6/12)、选择性DSA27.3%(3/11)及ASVS90%(9/10)。彩超(CDUS)对胰岛素瘤良、恶性有鉴别作用。结论:遵循循序渐进原则,先后选用B超(含CDUS)、EUS、CT等已可解决80%以上的定位诊断,然后再做MRI及ASVS;对仍未作出定位者,只要定性诊断明确即有手术探查指征,因为IOUS能提供可靠的定位信息。     

Contribution of cholescintigraphy to the early diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in intensive-care-unit patients

Thirty-two intensive care unit patients (78% on long-term total parenteral nutrition) suspected of having acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) were studied prospectively. All of these patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography and cholescintigraphy with technetium-99m mebrofenin. Morphine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg) was administered only if the gallbladder was not visualised after 1 h (16 patients). The final diagnosis was reached after clinical improvement, or upon the discovery of another aetiology for the symptoms presented, or on the basis of histopathology following cholecystectomy (when this was performed). We analysed the contribution of individual cholescintigraphic findings (I: non-visualisation of the gallbladder during the first 60 min of the examination; II: persistent non-visualisation of the gallbladder 30 min following morphine administration; III: non-visualisation of the small bowel for at least 90 min) and their various combinations. We obtained a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity rate 100% using the interpretative criteria ”I and II or III”. Excluding obstructive syndrome (”I and II”), the sensitivity and specificity figures were 70% and 100% respectively (28 patients). We had no false-positive results in our patient population. Cholescintigraphy was found to complement ultrasonography, which had either good sensitivity (93%) and poor specificity (17%), when at least two of the three major signs were present (sludge, thickened wall, gallbladder distension), or poor sensitivity (36%) and good specificity (89%) when all three signs were present. We conclude that cholescintigraphy is a useful tool for early diagnosis of AAC in critically ill patients, in whom ultrasonography alone does not provide enough information to permit a sufficiently early decision regarding the use of surgery. Received 1 April and in revised form 1 June 1999     

Contribution of cholescintigraphy to the early diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in intensive-care-unit patients.

Thirty-two intensive care unit patients (78% on long-term total parenteral nutrition) suspected of having acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) were studied prospectively. All of these patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography and cholescintigraphy with technetium-99m mebrofenin. Morphine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg) was administered only if the gallbladder was not visualised after 1 h (16 patients). The final diagnosis was reached after clinical improvement, or upon the discovery of another aetiology for the symptoms presented, or on the basis of histopathology following cholecystectomy (when this was performed). We analysed the contribution of individual cholescintigraphic findings (I: non-visualisation of the gallbladder during the first 60 min of the examination; II: persistent non-visualisation of the gallbladder 30 min following morphine administration; III: non-visualisation of the small bowel for at least 90 min) and their various combinations. We obtained a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity rate 100% using the interpretative criteria "I and II or III". Excluding obstructive syndrome ("I and II"), the sensitivity and specificity figures were 70% and 100% respectively (28 patients). We had no false-positive results in our patient population. Cholescintigraphy was found to complement ultrasonography, which had either good sensitivity (93%) and poor specificity (17%), when at least two of the three major signs were present (sludge, thickened wall, gallbladder distension), or poor sensitivity (36%) and good specificity (89%) when all three signs were present. We conclude that cholescintigraphy is a useful tool for early diagnosis of AAC in critically ill patients, in whom ultrasonography alone does not provide enough information to permit a sufficiently early decision regarding the use of surgery.     

Nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy: comparison with clinical outcome

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the frequency of a nonvisualized fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy and to determine its prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal transvaginal ultrasonography (US) was performed in 29,749 consecutive pregnant women at 14-16 weeks gestation. A nonvisualized fetal gallbladder was defined if the gallbladder could not be depicted during two targeted examinations within 1 week. In such cases, women were offered an amniocentesis for fetal karyotype and hepatic enzyme analysis. Repeat transabdominal fetal US was performed at 22-26 weeks' gestation. If the gallbladder was still not depicted, US was performed postnatally. RESULTS: The gallbladder was not visualized in early pregnancy in 34 fetuses (0.1%; incidence of one in 875 pregnancies). Associated structural malformations were detected in 14 of 34 (41%) fetuses, five of which also had an abnormal karyotype. Pregnancy was terminated in nine of these 14 fetuses. In the remaining five patients who continued pregnancy, the gallbladder was detected later in pregnancy in four. However, only one infant was healthy. Nonvisualization of the gallbladder as an isolated finding was noted in 20 of 34 (59%) fetuses, all of which had a normal outcome. The gallbladder was detected later in pregnancy in 11 of these fetuses and after birth in two neonates, while no gallbladder was detected after delivery in five other neonates. Two patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy is uncommon but associated in many cases with other fetal anomalies.     

Intraoperative ultrasound localization of nonpalpable breast cancers: A valuable aid during breast-conserving surgery

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of intra-operative ultrasonography (US) for localization of nonpalpable breast cancer that could be visualized with preoperative US.

Patients and methods

We prospectively assessed 57 nonpalpable sonographically detected and biopsy-proved breast cancers in 57 patients. US localization of breast cancers was performed in the OR by the radiologist immediately before definitive surgery using either injection of blue dye or placement of a guide wire after marking of the skin overlying the lesion with a marking pen. Tumor identification, the correlation with tumor diameter on preoperative US, analysis of resection margins, and the need to perform surgical re-excision were analyzed.

Results

US correctly localized all lesions at surgery. Re-excision due to positive resection margins was necessary in four patients (7%) including three patients with ductal carcinoma-in situ (DCIS) and one patient with invasive disease at the surgical margin. Mastectomy was necessary in one patient (1.7%) due to multifocal invasive carcinoma. Thus, the re-excision rate was 8.7% (5 of 57).

Conclusion

US in the operating room is an attractive alternative guiding tool of localizing nonpalpable breast cancers that have been seen on preoperative US improving the process of image-guided surgery.     

Preoperative staging of gastric cancer: comparison of endoscopic US and dynamic CT

Fifty consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma proved by means of biopsy underwent preoperative staging with endoscopic ultrasonography (US). Dynamic computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen was performed before surgery in 33 of the patients. In all 50 patients, the TNM classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer was used to compare the imaging findings with pathologic findings in specimens resected at surgery. When the depth of tumor penetration was evaluated, the findings at endoscopic US and those at pathologic examination were concordant in 46 of 50 patients (92%), and the findings at dynamic CT and those at pathologic examination, in 14 of 33 patients (42%) (P less than .00042). Evaluation of regional lymph node metastases showed a concordance of 78% with endoscopic US and 48% with dynamic CT (P less than .038). Overall determination of stage with both dynamic CT and endoscopic US showed a concordance of 73%, compared with a concordance of 45% for dynamic CT alone (P less than .028).     

Primary torsion of the greater omentum: Color Doppler sonography and CT correlated with surgery and pathology findings

Primary torsion of the greater omentum is a rare cause of acute abdomen commonly diagnosed at surgery performed for appendicitis. We report nine cases of omental torsion who underwent surgery and correlate their preoperative color Doppler ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) findings with the surgical and pathological findings to assess the value of US and CT in the diagnosis of omental torsion. US findings of omental torsion correlated with the operative and pathological findings in seven patients and the diagnosis was missed in two patients suspected to have ruptured appendix. CT findings of omental torsion correlated with the operative and pathological findings in all five patients who did CT. US and CT scanning are useful for preoperative diagnosis of omental torsion.