Sonographic patterns of splenic abscess: an analysis of 34 proven cases

Background: The sonographic patterns of splenic abscess are seldom reported. We report the different sonographic patterns in 34 proven cases. Methods: From 1984 to June 2000, 42 patients were diagnosed with splenic abscess by abscess aspiration or pathologic findings of surgical specimens. Among them, 34 cases underwent sonographic studies. Results: Fifteen cases had typical abscess echo patterns that included gas in the abscess (two cases) and debris in the abscess cavity (13 cases). Five cases of abscess showed subcapsular lesions with or without echo in the lesion. Two cases of abscess showed a thickened wall mimicking a tumor with central necrosis. Two cases showed a pattern suggesting a cyst. Ten cases showed a pattern suggesting tumor: eight had multiple lesions and two had solitary lesions. Of those 10 cases, seven multifocal abscesses were hypoechoic, and two solitary and one multifocal abscess were mixed echoic. Mortality from multiple splenic abscesses was higher than that from solitary abscess (p = 0.032). Both patients with gas in the abscess expired. Conclusion: Sonography of a splenic abscess is variable. A typical pattern was seen in only 44.1% (15 of 34) of patients in our series. We suggest using needle aspiration in each suspected case. Multiple and gas-containing abscesses indicate a poor prognosis. Received: 19 October 2001/Accepted: 12 December 2001     

Contrast-enhanced sonography for differential diagnosis of an inhomogeneous spleen of unknown cause in patients with pain in the left upper quadrant.

OBJECTIVE: Second-generation contrast agents have shown spleen-specific uptake. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of contrast-enhanced sonography (CES) to demarcate splenic lesions in patients with pain in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) and an inhomogeneous splenic texture. METHODS: From October 2003 to July 2005, 31 consecutive patients with pain in the LUQ and splenic inhomogeneity on B-mode sonography were studied by CES using a second-generation contrast agent (SonoVue; Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy). The following data were retrospectively evaluated: extent of enhancement (EE) of the spleen and focal splenic lesions was determined and classified, with the EE of surrounding tissue used as an in vivo reference. Focal splenic lesions were classified after CES as round or wedge shaped, solitary or multiple, and anechoic, hypoechoic, or hyperechoic. RESULTS: The EE of the spleen after CES was anechoic (n = 1), hypoechoic (n = 1), or hyperechoic (n = 29). In 16 of 31 patients, focal lesions were seen after CES. The EE of the lesions was anechoic (n = 11) or hypoechoic (n = 5). Lesions were solitary (n = 6) or multiple (n = 10) and round (n = 5) or wedge shaped (n = 11). Final clinical diagnoses of splenic abnormalities were no specific diagnosis (n = 13), complete autosplenectomy (n = 2), splenic lymphoma (n = 5), and splenic infarction (n = 11). The CES diagnoses were confirmed by computed tomography (n = 21), scintigraphy (n = 2), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1), and clinical follow-up (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pain in the LUQ and splenic inhomogeneity, CES enables visualization of splenic abnormalities in more than 50% of the patients; in this group, splenic infarction was the most common diagnosis.     

脾淋巴瘤的超声诊断价值及其分型

目的 探讨脾淋巴瘤的超声诊断价值及其分型.方法 对31例脾淋巴瘤的临床资料、超声表现与病理进行对比分析,并行超声分型.结果 31例脾淋巴瘤中,超声提示脾淋巴瘤3例,淋巴瘤脾累及5例,诊断正确率为25.8%.31例脾淋巴瘤超声表现可分为四型:①弥漫肿大型,占12.9%(4/31),肿大的脾内未见团块或结节;②粟粒结节型,占16.2%(5/31),脾内见大小不一的低回声结节(直径≤3 cm);③巨块型,占29.0%(9/31),肿块单发,直径大于3 cm,伴或不伴中心坏死;④混合型,占41.9%(13/31),脾肿大,内可见大小不一的低回声结节与团块.结论 超声对脾淋巴瘤的诊断有较高的临床价值,必要时可行超声引导下穿刺活检.     

Splenic focal lesions as manifestation of sarcoidosis: Characterization with contrast-enhanced sonography

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with elevated liver enzyme levels in whom abdominal sonographic examination revealed a diffusely heterogeneous liver parenchyma and multiple hypoechoic subcentimetric splenic nodules. Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) revealed that the splenic focal lesions did not enhance. CT examination revealed a low-density, multinodular pattern both in the liver and in the spleen. Core biopsy of 1 hepatic nodule revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granuloma, and the patient was diagnosed with systemic sarcoidosis. CEUS has shown to be useful in the diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions, but studies referring to splenic lesions are lacking.     

Abdominal ultrasound findings of disseminated tuberculosis in AIDS

The sonographic findings of 76 patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection are described. These findings were compared with a control group of 76 HIV-positive patients without associated pathology. Those patients with tuberculosis and positive HIV titers commonly (p = 0.05) showed retroperitoneal and mesenteric adenopathies with node diameters greater than 1.5 cm (n = 27), and multiple, splenic, hypoechoic nodules between 0.5 cm and 1 cm (n = 11). Additional findings include hepatic hyperechoic nodules (n = 1) and retroperitoneal abscess (n = 1). The combination of ultrasound features can help in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients with non-specific clinical infections. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sonographic features of liver involvement by lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: The liver is one of the most frequent extranodal locations of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. Nevertheless, lymphoma constitutes only 6% to 8% of focal lesions of the liver. Few studies have evaluated the sonographic patterns of lymphoma with liver involvement. The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic features and to evaluate the accuracy of sonography for the diagnosis of lymphoma with liver infiltration. METHODS: The abdominal sonographic findings of 23 consecutive patients with histologically proven diagnosis of lymphoma with liver involvement were reviewed. RESULTS: The most prevalent sonographic features were hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Abdominal lymphoadenopathies were identified in 34.8% of cases. Liver nodules were seen in half of patients, and the most frequent sonographic appearance was as multiple small focal lesions. Differences in sonographic patterns between high- and low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma were not seen. None of the patients with Hodgkin disease had liver nodules. Concordance between sonography and computed tomography for the diagnosis of focal liver lesions was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography may contribute to the diagnosis of liver infiltration by lymphoma. The presence of multiple focal liver lesions associated with splenomegaly and lymphoadenopathies should make us consider the diagnosis of lymphoma with liver involvement. Nevertheless, the low specificity of these findings requires histologic confirmation of lymphomatous infiltration of the liver.     

Evaluation of the intratumoral vasculature of hepatocellular carcinoma by power Doppler sonography: advantages and disadvantages versus conventional color Doppler sonography

Background: To determine whether a difference exists in the relative ability of power Doppler sonography and conventional color Doppler sonography to detect the intratumoral vasculature of hepatocellular carcinoma based on lesion size and location. Methods: Sixty patients with 88 hepatocellular carcinoma lesions that showed tumor staining on angiography and were enhanced on dynamic computed tomography were evaluated. Power Doppler sonography and color Doppler sonography were used to detect the intratumoral vasculature, and their sensitivity to blood flow was evaluated. Results: Power Doppler sonography showed a superior detection rate for lesions smaller than 2 cm and located 4–8 cm from the abdominal surface in the right hepatic lobe as compared with color Doppler sonography (p < 0.01). Neither power Doppler sonography nor color Doppler sonography depicted the intratumoral vasculature of lesions located more than 8 cm from the abdominal surface (n = 14). Both color Doppler imagings exhibited a low detection rate for lesions in the left hepatic lobe (n = 31, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Power Doppler sonography should be applied in the evaluation of small or intermediate depth lesions because it is more sensitive to these lesions than color Doppler sonography, but it is not useful for left lobe and deep lesions. Received: 31 March 1999/Accepted: 14 July 1999     

Macronodular deformity of the spleen

Background and methods: Macronodular splenic deformity without a focal lesion has rarely been reported. We present three such cases and discuss the possible pathomechanism. Results: There was one case of macronodular deformity of unknown cause. In this case, the liver was elongated anteriorly over the dome of the spleen, and the markedly deformed spleen mimicked a round lesion in the left lobe of the liver. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed the major intra- and perisplenic vessels to be patent. There were two cases of macronodular deformity associated with extended portal thrombosis. In both cases, portal thrombosis extended throughout the intrahepatic and extrahepatic portal systems, and this portal flow disturbance was presumed to be the cause of the splenic deformity. Conclusion: Although very rare, thrombosis should be sought throughout the portal system when ultrasonography shows a markedly deformed spleen. Marked splenic deformity, especially in cases with an elongated liver, may mimic a liver tumor. A good understanding of its sonographic appearance may help sonographers prevent a hazardous misdiagnosis. Received: 7 August 2000/Accepted: 6 September 2000     

Intestinal tuberculosis with abdominal complications: radiologic and pathologic features

Background: To investigate radiologic and pathological features of intestinal tuberculosis with abdominal complications. Methods: Twenty-two patients with 23 surgically proven complications (nine intestinal obstructions, eight perforations, three fistulae, and three intestinal bleeds) were analyzed. Medical records, radiologic studies, and pathologic examinations were reviewed with special emphasis on searching for the common features in each group of complication. Results: The most important single feature in seven of the nine patients with intestinal obstruction was the presence of stricture. In the remaining two patients, bowel adhesion was a primary cause of obstruction. In eight patients with intestinal perforation, both obstruction and ulcerations in the dilated proximal loop were the important features in six, and multiple deep ulcerations without obstruction was a primary cause in the remaining two. The common features in three patients with fistulae were focal or multiple strictures, severe adhesions, and fibrotic bowel wall. Intestinal bleeding originated from diffuse mucosal ulcerations. The abdominal complications occurred during antituberculous therapy in 10 of the 22 patients. Conclusion: Understanding the radiologic and pathologic features of intestinal tuberculosis with complications help in making an appropriate clinical decision for the treatment strategy. Close observation is necessary, especially in those patients who are acutely ill during antituberculous medical therapy. Received: 30 June 1997/Accepted 20 August 1997     

Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's hepatic lymphoma: Sonographic findings

The sonographic studies of 72 patients with pathologically proven Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's hepatic lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-eight patients (94%) had secondary hepatic lymphoma (nine of them had AIDS-related lymphoma) and four patients (6%) had primary lymphoma of the liver. Forty-six of 72 patients (64%) had diffuse hepatic involvement, and 26 of 72 patients (36%) had focal liver lesions as demonstrated by sonography. Four patterns of disease were identified: (a) hepatomegaly was depicted by sonography in 26 of the 59 patients with secondary hepatic lymphoma not related to AIDS, in two of the nine patients with AIDS-related secondary hepatic lymphoma, and in one of the four patients with primary hepatic lymphoma; (b) multiple rounded well-delineated hypoechoic liver lesions were found in 22 of the 68 patients with secondary hepatic lymphoma; (c) a large heterogeneous echoic mass, which was an evocating clue to the diagnosis of primary lymphoma of the liver, was found in the four patients with primary lymphoma of the liver; and (d) an absence of sonographic abnormalities was found in 20 of the 59 patients with secondary lymphoma not related to AIDS. Liver involvement with lymphoma should be considered in any patient who develops multiple homogeneous hypoechoic liver masses, even in the absence of known underlying lymphomatous disease.     

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombophlebitis: sonographic diagnosis

Background: We describe our experience with sonographic diagnosis of ovarian vein thrombosis, an uncommon but dangerous postpartum complication. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of seven patients in our institution who developed postpartum ovarian vein thrombophlebitis within the past 5 years. Results: In all cases the diagnosis was made by ultrasound, which showed tubular hypoechoic masses lateral to the great abdominal vessels. The postpartum ovarian vein thrombophlebitis was on the right side in six cases and on the left side in one. In five cases, it protruded into the inferior vena cava. The first three cases were referred to computed tomography after the sonographic diagnosis. In the last four cases, the diagnosis relied solely on sonography and no further evaluation was necessary. Conclusion: Sonographic examination can be diagnostic for ovarian vein thrombosis if performed very carefully in symptomatic postpartum patients. Received: 23 February 2001/Accepted: 21 March 2001     

Retroperitoneal edema: sonographic mimic of retroperitoneal fluid collection

Background: The sonographic finding of an anechoic retroperitoneal abnormality suggests a fluid collection (e.g., abscess, urinoma, hematoma). Our study was performed to evaluate cases in which this sonographic finding appeared to be a manifestation of systemic edema. Subjects and Methods: Inpatient sonograms performed over a 40-month period were reviewed for the presence of anechoic areas suggestive of fluid collection in the retroperitoneum of the flank. Records of patients with such findings were reviewed for evidence of retroperitoneal abscess, urinoma, or hemorrhage, as well as for the presence and cause(s) of peripheral edema. Results: Of the 29 patients identified with sonographic findings suspicious for retroperitoneal fluid collection, 13 (45%) had no cause for and no clinical evidence of focal retroperitoneal collection. All 13 patients had peripheral edema attributable to hypoalbuminemia, congestive heart failure, overhydration, cirrhosis, and/or the systemic inflammatory response (multiple organ failure) syndrome. Resolution of the retroperitoneal abnormality following therapy for congestive heart failure was documented in one case, and CT scan confirmed retroperitoneal edema in another. Conclusion: Anechoic regions that represent edema can be seen on sonograms of the retroperitoneum in patients with conditions that cause edema in other regions. The possibility of edema mimicking a fluid collection should be particularly considered prior to invasive procedures in the retroperitoneum. Received: 7/12/96/Accepted: 9/4/96     

Fluid–fluid levels in ovarian teratomas

Background: We evaluated the imaging features of ovarian teratomas containing fluid–fluid levels on ultrasonography (US). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed US examinations of two groups with 805 masses (370 benign ovarian teratomas and 435 nonteratomatous adnexal masses). Results: In 27 teratomas and eight nonteratomatous adnexal masses, fluid–fluid levels were detected on US. According to the echogenicity of each layer, 27 teratomas were classified as three types: 1, supernatant hypoechoic and dependent hyperechoic layers (n= 16); 2, supernatant hyperechoic and dependent hypoechoic layers (n= 8); and 3, supernatant hypoechoic and dependent hypoechoic layers with bright fluid interface (n= 3). In eight (30%) of 27 teratomas, US showed floating nodules at the interface, five of which had posterior acoustic shadowing. All eight nonteratomatous adnexal masses showed type 1 fluid–fluid levels. Conclusion: The fluid–fluid level seen on US is strongly suggestive but not pathognomonic of dermoids. Fluid–fluid levels with supernatant hyperechoic and dependent hypoechoic layers, supernatant hypoechoic and dependent hypoechoic layers with bright interface, and a floating nodule might pathognomonic findings of benign ovarian teratomas. Received: 8 December 2000/Accepted: 7 February 2001     

脾梗死的超声诊断

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声及超声造影诊断脾梗死的价值.方法 58例脾梗死患者接受彩色多普勒超声检查,其中8例接受超声造影检查,分析其彩色多普勒及超声造影表现.结果 二维超声可见39例脾梗死患者表现为脾脏增大,脾实质内单发或多发楔形低回声区,11例表现为脾脏增大,周边单发或多发类圆形或不规则型低回声区,7例表现为脾脏内单发或多发境界不清高回声不均区,1例仅表现为脾脏增大及脾实质整体回声不均.彩色多普勒示低回声区及高回声不均区内均未探及血流信号.超声造影可见脾内不规则或楔形的"充盈缺损"区.结论 超声造影及彩色多普勒超声对脾梗死的诊断具有重要价值.     

肉芽肿性小叶性乳腺炎超声表现

目的探讨肉芽肿性小叶性乳腺炎(GLM)的高频超声图像特征。方法对23例以乳腺包块就诊,经术前超声及手术病理证实为GLM患者的病例资料进行回顾性分析。在灰阶声像图上观察肿块大小、形状、边界、内部回声及后方回声。应用彩色多普勒血流成像(CDFI)观察病灶内部及其周围血流分布和供应情况。结果23例GLM患者(均经手术后病理证实)均为经产妇,年龄20～43岁。灰阶声像图显示12例表现为连续或不连续的不规则管状结构样低回声区,低回声区周围为高回声;5例表现为单发或多发、边界相对清楚、不均质低回声结节或肿块,其内可伴无回声区;5例表现为病变区腺体结构紊乱,未见明确边界,内部回声强弱不一,病变内可见无回声区;1例表现为边界模糊、形态不规则的低回声实质肿块伴后方回声衰减。23例中患处皮肤层增厚8例,6例伴有皮肤破溃,窦道形成。CDFI示22例(22/23)病变内部及周边动静脉血流信号明显增加。结论GLM病变的超声表现具有一定的特点,但这些表现不具有特征性,确诊仍需病理学检查。     

Small hepatic nodules in cirrhosis: ultrasonographic, CT, and MR imaging findings

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the imaging findings of pathologically-proved small hepatic nodules 2 cm in size or smaller detected with ultrasonography in cirrhotic patients with suspected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We evaluated sonographically detected 32 small hepatic nodules which were pathologically confirmed in 23 consecutive cirrhotic patients who were suspected of having HCC. Twenty-six lesions were confirmed with ultrasonographically-guided aspiration needle-core biopsy, and six with definitive surgery. Ultrasonographic examination records were retrospectively reviewed. CT, and MR images obtained with various imaging techniques were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists in a blind fashion. Results: The 32 hepatic nodules were comprised of seven focal fatty changes, two large regenerative nodules, three low-grade dysplastic nodules, five high-grade dysplastic nodules, and fifteen HCCs. Ultrasonography showed various echogenicity for the hepatic nodules. The signal-intensity characteristics with T1-weighted spin-echo, in-phase gradient-recalled-echo, and dynamic MR imagings may be useful in distinguishing HCC from nonHCC nodules. Conclusions: Nearly half of small hepatic nodules detected with ultrasonography were nonHCC nodules. Ultrasonographic findings may not be reliable in characterizing small hepatic nodules in cirrhosis. CT and MR imaging obtained with the various techniques are still insensitive to these hepatic nodules. RID="ID="<e5>Correspondence to:</e5> M. Kanematsu Received: 25 August 1997/Revision accepted: 19 November 1997     

Presacral epidermoid cyst: imaging findings with histopathologic correlation

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the imaging characteristics of presacral epidermoid cysts and correlate the imaging findings with the histopathologic findings. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed sonographic, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance examinations in four consecutive patients with a pathologically proven presacral epidermoid cyst. Imaging findings of the presacral epidermoid cyst were correlated with the histopathologic findings. Results: In all four patients, sonography showed a presacral mass with a heterogeneous low echogenicity, and computed tomography showed a discrete well-defined hypodense presacral mass with a thin wall. In the three patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging, the mass showed a heterogeneous low signal intensity on the T1-weighted image and a high signal intensity with multiple small foci of low signal intensity in the nondependent portion of the mass on the T2-weighted image. These imaging findings correlated well with the pathologic results. Aggregates of keratinous material contributed to these imaging findings. Conclusion: In the diagnosis of the presacral epidermoid cyst, sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings may be helpful. Received: 16 May 2000/Accepted: 14 June 2000     

Endoscopic ultrasound and intraductal ultrasound in the diagnosis of small pancreatic tumors

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) in the detection of small pancreatic tumors. Methods: EUS was performed in 166 patients with verified pancreatic disease. IDUS was performed in 46 patients. A microprobe was introduced into the main pancreatic duct through the papilla of Vater using the duodenoscope. Results: EUS was valuable in the detection of small pancreatic tumors. Ductal adenocarcinomas smaller than 1 cm were demonstrated as a hypoechoic mass with a central irregular hyperechoic area. EUS and IDUS were useful in the characterization of intraductal paillary tumors (ductectatic mucinous tumors). EUS demonstrated nodular excrescences, and IDUS depicted papillary proliferation of the duct epithelium, which are characteristic of carcinomas and adenomas but not of hyperplasia. Internal architecture of cystic neoplasms was clearly depicted by EUS, and differentiation of serous and mucinous tumors was readily achieved. A tumor as small as a 5-mm islet cell was demonstrated on EUS because islet cell tumors are very hypoechoic. Conclusion: EUS and IDUS are relatively noninvasive procedures and are useful in the detection of small tumors and differentiation of pancreatic diseases. Received: 0/0/0/Accepted: 0/0/0     

Differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions with gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and clinical features.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether focal epididymal lesions can be differentiated on gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and clinical features. METHODS: This was a retrospectiveanalysis of 60 focal epididymal lesions in 57 patients. Focal epididymal lesions were classified into 3 groups: nonspecific epididymitis (n = 43), tuberculous epididymitis (n = 10), and benign epididymal masses (n = 7). The following gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and clinical features were analyzed: size, location, echogenicity, and heterogeneity of the lesion; hypoechoic or hyperechoic rim presence; hydrocele presence; degree of blood flow in the lesion; patient's age; duration of symptoms; and scrotal tenderness. RESULTS: Lesions were larger in patients with tuberculous epididymitis than in those with either nonspecific epididymitis (P = .007) or benign epididymal masses (P = .0017). The hypoechoic or hyperechoic rim of the lesion was more common in patients with benign epididymal masses than in those with nonspecific epididymitis (P = .002). The degree of blood flow in the lesion was greater in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P = .0019) or benign epididymal masses (P < .001). The duration of symptoms was shorter in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P < .001) or benign epididymal masses (P = .0092). The frequency of scrotal tenderness was higher in patients with nonspecific epididymitis than in those with either tuberculous epididymitis (P < .001) or benign epididymal masses (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Gray scale sonographic, color Doppler sonographic, and some clinical features may be helpful for differential diagnosis of focal epididymal lesions.     

Splenic lymphoma: differentiation from splenic cyst with ultrasonography

Background and Methods: Lymphoma can be nearly anechoic and mimic a cyst on ultrasonography (US). To investigate whether this phenomenon occurs at the level of the spleen, we analyzed the US findings of 38 cases of splenic lymphoma and 16 cases of splenic cyst. Results: (1) With regard to shape, echogenicity of the lesion, and mode of posterior echo, there was no difference between splenic lymphomas and splenic cysts. However, the boundaries of the lesions were indistinct in splenic lymphomas and distinct in splenic cysts. (2) Blood flow signals and vascular penetration were seen exclusively in splenic lymphomas. Conclusion: The mode of boundary echo (distinct or indistinct) distinguishes splenic lymphomas from splenic cysts. Color Doppler US increases the diagnostic confidence of US. Received: 25 September 2000/Revision accepted: 27 December 2000