Characteristic MRI findings of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma dedifferentiated from clear cell renal carcinoma: radiological–pathological correlation

PurposeTo evaluate MRI findings of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC).Material and MethodsEleven patients with pathologically proven SRCC dedifferentiated from clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) underwent preoperative renal MRI. The MRI findings were compared with histological findings. On MRI, the following findings were evaluated: the presence and distribution of areas showing heterogeneous iso to high signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2HIA) and conspicuously low SI areas (T2LIA) compared to normal renal cortex, areas showing high SI on T1-weighted images and unenhanced areas on dynamic contrast-enhanced images, disruption of pseudocapsule, and the SIs of T2HIA and T2LIA on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and SI ratios to muscle on dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE) were compared between T2HIA and T2LIA using the t test.ResultsThe distribution of T2HIA and T2LIA was as follows: a mixed pattern alone in five, nodular T2LIA pattern alone in one, both mixed and nodular T2LIA patterns in four, and a separated pattern in one. Disruption of the pseudocapsule was seen in all cases. The imaging findings suggesting intratumoral hemorrhage and necrosis were seen in 18% and 63%, respectively. The SIs of T2HIA and T2LIA were low intermediate and high on DWI, respectively. T2LIA and T2HIA corresponded to the components of SRCC with abundant fibrosis and CCRC, respectively. T2LIA showed significantly lower enhancement at all DCE phases and a lower ADC value than T2HIA.ConclusionThe presence of T2LIA corresponding to the area showing a hypovascular nature and markedly restricted diffusion might be characteristic findings of SRCC. Intratumoral hemorrhage and necrosis were seen, but they were not specific findings.     

Multidetector computed tomography in the evaluation of cirsoid aneurysm of the scalp—a manifestation of trauma

Cirsoid aneurysms of the scalp are a rare abnormality with severe cosmetic deformity and possibly of severe hemorrhage. They present as a diagnostic and management challenge, but evaluation with multidetector computed tomography is useful in the diagnosis and treatment planning of these clinically complex disorders of the extracranial circulation. We present a case report of a 38-year-old New Caledonian male who had a large pulsatile mass in his scalp, which had progressively increased in size since the age of 17 years. The clinical and imaging features are outlined, in addition to treatment and prognosis.     

Renal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a rare tumor indistinguishable from renal cell carcinoma—report of two cases

Renal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare soft-tissue tumor of controversial etiology with a potential for local recurrence after incomplete surgical resection. The radiological findings in renal IMT are not well described. We report two cases in adults with a renal mass treated with nephrectomy on suspicion of malignancy.     

Metachronous pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma: Role of imaging in a review of 17 cases with surgical correlation

Purpose

To describe the imaging features of pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

Patients and methods

Retrospective study of 17 patients with isolated metachronous pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma with surgical and pathological correlation.

Results

The preoperative diagnosis was made on ultrasound in 13 cases. Contrast-enhanced CT showed intense tumor enhancement at the arterial phase, mostly homogeneous but sometimes heterogeneous. There were multiple lesions in six cases. Following complete surgical resection, survival was fairly good.

Conclusion

Long-term follow-up with CT obtained in the arterial and portal venous phases is mandatory. The arterial phase acquisition is essential for the diagnosis of pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma.     

Sonography of injury of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow—initial experience

Objective The purpose of this study is to describe the sonographic appearance of injuries of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow.Design and patients Eight non-professional male baseball pitchers, ages 13–35 years, with medial elbow pain and clinical suspicion of ulnar collateral ligament injury, were referred for imaging. All eight underwent sonography of the affected and contralateral asymptomatic elbow, and six also underwent MR imaging. Neither valgus stress nor power Doppler was used during the sonographic examinations. Time from onset of symptoms to imaging was 1.5 weeks to 6 months. Three patients had surgical confirmation of their injuries, with time from imaging to surgery of 2 days to 9 months.Results In four patients, the UCL was ruptured, manifest sonographically in three cases as discontinuity of the normally hyperechoic ligament with anechoic fluid in the gap and in one case as non-visualization of the ligament with heterogeneous echogenicity in the expected location of the ligament. Two adolescent patients had avulsions of the UCL from the medial epicondyle, with sonographic demonstration of the avulsed echogenic bony fragment in both cases. One patient had a mild sprain, manifest as mild thickening and decreased echogenicity of the ligament sonographically compared with the contralateral normal elbow, with mild surrounding hypoechoic edema. The eighth patient had a small partial tear of the deep surface of the distal aspect of the ligament, visualized as a hypoechoic focus between the deep surface of the ligament and its ulnar attachment.Conclusion Tears of the ulnar collateral ligament are manifested sonographically as non-visualization of the ligament or alteration of the normal morphology.     

Hürthle cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of thirteen cases

BACKGROUND: Hürthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid is a variant of follicular cancer which has been considered by many as a more aggressive disease than the usual well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. AIM: To investigate the clinico-pathologic characteristics, treatment and outcome of Hürthle cell carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a 7-year period, 13 patients (seven male, six female; mean age at diagnosis 48.4+/-13.2 years) with HCC were treated and monitored at the Ankara University. The measured diameter of the tumours varied from 1 to 6 cm in diameter with pathological examination. Three of the HCC had extra thyroid invasion, five had intrathyroid invasion, and five were encapsulated. One of the patients had a history of low-dose external radiation to the head and neck in childhood. Treatment consisted of a total thyroidectomy in 12 patients, and a near total thyroidectomy in one patient. At surgery, lymph node metastases were present in three patients and lymph node dissection were performed in these patients. Distant metastases were detected in only one patient (lung metastasis). RESULTS: All patients had radioiodine ablation therapy for residual thyroid tissue. Twelve of the 13 patients were ablated with a single dose of 131 I (3.7-5.5 GBq). A second dose of radioiodine therapy was required in only one patient who had lung metastases and this patient is still being followed up. After a median follow-up period of 85 months, there was no recorded mortality due to the disease and 12/13 of the patients were categorized as disease free (criteria for ablation were a negative I whole-body scan and very low serum thyroglobulin levels). CONCLUSION: We did not find higher incidences of local recurrences, distant metastases or mortality rates compared to well differentiated thyroid carcinomas. HCC of the thyroid and well differentiated thyroid carcinomas have similar biological behaviour. Their treatment should be similar, including total or near-total thyroidectomy plus modified cervical node dissection when there is lymph node involvement. Radioactive iodine therapy and suppressive laevothyroxin therapy should follow.     

Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography for assessment of renal allograft dysfunction—initial results

Objectives  

To evaluate MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as non-invasive diagnostic tool for detection of acute and chronic allograft dysfunction and changes of organ microstructure.     

Multidetector CT: a new gold standard in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism? State of the art and diagnostic algorithms

PURPOSE: From the early 90s, spiral CT technology has considerably changed the diagnostic capability of Pulmonary Embolism (PE), giving a direct vision of intravascular thrombi. Further technological progress has strengthened its diagnostic impact leading to an essential role in clinical practice. The advent of Multi-Detector CT (MDCT) has subsequently increased the reliability of this technique to the point of undermining the role of pulmonary angiography as the gold standard and occupying a central position in diagnostic algorithms. The aim of this paper is to appraise this evolution by means of a meta-analysis of the relevant literature from 1995 to 2004. RESULTS: The review of the literature showed the sensitivity and specificity of CT to have increased from 37-94% and 81-100% (single-detector CT) to 87-94% and 94-100% (4-channel multidetector CT), especially thanks to the possibility of depicting subsegmental clots, with an interobserver agreement of 0.63-0.94 (k). CONCLUSIONS: CT is one of the most reliable and effective methods in the diagnosis is PE, with the advantage of being extremely fast and providing alternative diagnoses. Recent improvements in MDCT technology confers the highest value of diagnostic accuracy with respect to other imaging modalities such as scintigraphy, angiography, MRI, D-dimer assay and Doppler US.     

Ultrasonography plus direct radiography of the abdomen in the diagnosis of renal colic: still a valid approach?]

PURPOSE: The authors analyze whether the imaging approach consisting of ultrasonography and plain film in patients with renal colic is still of value when urography is replaced by unenhanced helical CT (UHCT) in unsolved cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight hundred and three consecutive patients were investigated with US following hydration and KUB, 164 of whom (20.4%) subsequently underwent UHCT (42 with the aim of mapping the excretory pathway and 122 (15.2%) because US and KUB were not considered as fully diagnostic). RESULTS: The 42 patients with detectable ureteral stone (plus possible hydronephrosis) on KUB + US and subsequently examined by UHCT to plan interventional treatment all had a positive UHCT examination. In 62 patients the diagnosis following KUB + US was uncertain (possible stone or possible hydronephrosis) and UHCT depicted the stone and/or the hydronephrosis in 34. In 60 patients the combination of KUB + US was negative but colic recurred and UHCT was positive in 17 patients. DISCUSSION: The comparison of the present results with a previous study in which KUB and US were followed by IVU in unsolved cases underscores the value of the first approach with KUB and US. The need for further diagnostic investigations when KUB + US are either not conclusive or negative and colic recurs is also confirmed. On the basis of our present data and in agreement with the literature IVU can be safely replaced by UHCT. CONCLUSIONS: It is authors' opinion that in settings where KUB, US and UHCT are available throughout the 24 hr the approach consisting of KUB plus US and UHCT in unsolved cases can be preferred in view of its on lower cost and above all lower X-ray dose to patients as compared to UHCT as the sole investigation.     

Multiphase renal CT in the evaluation of renal masses: is the nephrographic phase necessary?

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of eliminating the nephrographic phase from the four-phase renal computed tomography (CT) imaging to a three-phase protocol without affecting its diagnostic value. Thirty patients undergoing four-phase renal CT scans for assessment of renal lesions (> 10 mm) were included in the study. A three-phase renal CT, without nephrographic phase, had similar diagnostic ability to a four-phase renal CT in the detection and characterization of renal lesions. A three-phase CT (plain, corticomedullary, and excretory phase) is therefore adequate in the clinical diagnosis of renal lesions.     

Bilateral thalamic infarction—a rare manifestation of dural venous sinus thrombosis

Bilateral infarctions of the thalamus account for only a small fraction of ischemic strokes and carry a poor prognosis. These infarcts rarely have a venous etiology. A case secondary to straight sinus thrombosis is presented. Difficulties in considering the diagnosis and its radiological appearances are discussed. A simple imaging pathway including computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance imaging including a susceptibility-weighted sequence is presented in order to facilitate determination of the exact etiology in order to optimize therapy accordingly.