Tumoral calcinosis: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Objective Tumoral calcinosis is a frequently misdiagnosed disorder. This study details the radiologic and pathologic characteristics of tumoral calcinosis that distinguish it from most other entities.Design Radiologic and pathologic findings, and medical records of 12 patients with tumoral calcinosis were reviewed and compared with equivalent information about 5 patients with other calcified lesions.Patients The 12 patients ranged in age from 15 months to 62 years. Six had idiopathic tumoral calcinosis and 6 had secondary tumoral calcinosis.Results and conclusions A consistent radiologic finding for tumoral calcinosis was a dense calcified mass that was homogeneous except for a chicken wire pattern of lucencies, which correlated histologically with thin fibrous septae. Other characteristics of tumoral calcinosis included fluid-calcium levels, demonstrated in four patients, and smooth osseous erosions adjacent to the mass, demonstrated in three patients. Five cases of tumoral calcinosis were originally confused with other calcified lesions; however, the radiologic findings were characteristic of tumoral calcinosis in retrospect.     

Tumoral calcinosis associated with sarcoidosis and positive bone and gallium imaging

A 63-year-old female with biopsy proven tumoral calcinosis presented with progressive and recurrent swelling and tenderness of the right hip, thigh, elbow, and wrist. Both gallium and bone imaging demonstrated intense, congruent uptake in these areas. This is the third case of tumoral calcinosis with sarcoidosis documented in the literature. However, these are the first published bone and gallium scans in a patient with a history of sarcoidosis and tumoral calcinosis.     

Experimental side-wall aneurysms: a natural history study

We studied the natural history of canine side-wall experimental aneurysms to determine the incidence of spontaneous aneurysm thrombosis, to serve as control data for future studies focusing on development of aneurysm occlusion devices. Bilateral common carotid artery vein patch aneurysms were surgically created in eight mongrel dogs (20–25 kg). Duplex Doppler sonography was performed at 14 days and angiography between 30 and 210 days following aneurysm creation. Sonography demonstrated patency of 13 (81 %) of 16 aneurysms. Patent aneurysms ranged in size from 8 × 10 mm to 14 × 16 mm. Conventional angiography was performed in four dogs approximately 30 days following aneurysm creation; in these four, all of 7 initially patent on sonography remained fully patent. One dog underwent conventional angiography at approximately 60 days following aneurysm creation; both aneurysms in this case remained widely patent. Three dogs underwent conventional angiography at approximately 200 days following aneurysm creation; all 4 aneurysms initially patent on sonography remained fully patent. None of the three aneurysms found to be occluded on sonographs demonstrated spontaneous recanalization. The canine side-wall aneurysm model is a valid tool for testing some aneurysm-occlusion devices, because control aneurysms remain patent indefinitely. Received: 6 May 1998 Accepted: 14 October 1998     

肿瘤样钙质沉着症的临床和影像学分析

目的:探讨肿瘤样钙质沉着症的临床及影像学表现,提高本病的影像诊断水平.方法:回顾性分析6例经手术病理证实的肿瘤样钙质沉着症的临床及影像学资料.6例均行X线平片检查,2例行MRI检查.结果:6例患者主要临床表现为关节附近无痛性肿块,多发肿块2例,单发肿块4例.主要X线表现为关节周围团块状软组织钙化.MRI表现:T1WI上呈结节状不均匀低信号,T2WI上呈不均匀高信号.X线和MRI均显示邻近关节结构正常.结论:肿瘤样钙质沉着症的典型影像学表现为不侵及关节的软组织内多发钙化性肿块,平片和MRI有助于本病的诊断和鉴别诊断.     

Pitfalls in the use of spiral CT for identification of intracranial aneurysms

We describe problems encountered in our first 136 patients, with 95 aneurysms, who underwent spiral CT for investigation of possible aneurysms involving the circle of Willis and adjacent major vessels, and who had surgical and/or angiographic confirmation. There were seven false-positive cases, of which the first three could be explained by operator inexperience. There were four false negatives, all small aneurysms; two were not seen because of operator error and two were hidden by an adjacent larger aneurysm. Clip artefacts prevented diagnostic studies in six of 21 postoperative studies. One aneurysm was outside the CT field of view, being on a pericallosal artery. One basilar artery tip aneurysm was excluded from the field of the CT study because of a planning error. Inspection of the axial source images is critical if the diagnosis of small or thrombosed aneurysms is to be made. Close attention to image acquisition and computer modelling is required to reduce errors in spiral CT angiography of intracranial aneurysms. Received: 8 January 1998 Accepted: 13 May 1998     

Mass-like and extensive secondary tumoral calcinosis in the neck and body of a patient on peritoneal dialysis

We present a case of extensive tumoral calcinosis in a 42-year-old female with end-stage renal disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism on peritoneal dialysis. Periarticular calcified masses demonstrating fluid-calcium levels on computed tomography and containing chalky amorphous calcified material in the absence of neoplastic cells are the salient features of tumoral calcinosis. Although renal failure is the most common cause of secondary tumoral calcinosis, there are few reported cases of this condition occurring in patients on peritoneal dialysis. This case is also unusual due to the widespread and bulky nature of the disease with involvement of the neck and its quick onset and progression.     

Intracranial aneurysms: evaluation in 200 patients with spiral CT angiography

The goal of this study was to assess the usefulness of spiral CT angiography (CTA) with three- dimensional reconstructions in defining intracranial aneurysms, particularly around the Circle of Willis. Two hundred consecutive patients with angiographic and/or surgical correlation were studied between 1993 and 1998, with CTA performed on a GE HiSpeed unit and Windows workstation. The following clinical situations were evaluated: conventional CT suspicion of an aneurysm; follow-up of treated aneurysm remnants or of untreated aneurysms; subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and negative angiography; family or past aneurysm history; and for improved definition of aneurysm anatomy. Spiral CTA detected 140 of 144 aneurysms, and an overall sensitivity of 97 %, including 30 of 32 aneurysms 3 mm or less in size. In 38 patients with SAH and negative angiography, CTA found six of the seven aneurysms finally diagnosed. There was no significant artefact in 17 of 23 patients (74 %) with clips. The specificity of CTA was 86 % with 8 false-positive cases. Spiral CTA is very useful in demonstrating intracranial aneurysms. Received: 13 April 1999 Revised: 22 March 2000 Accepted: 3 May 2000     

Radiography and scintigraphy in tumoral calcinosis.

A case of tumoral calcinosis with tumoral deposits about the knee is reported. Radiographs demonstrate juxta-articular calcific deposits about the right second and fifth distal interphalangeal joints and the left first distal tuft, both hips, both shoulders, first distal phalanx of the left foot and right knee. Radionuclide images clearly demonstrate all areas of tumoral calcinosis.     

Tumoral calcinosis causing bone erosion in a renal dialysis patient.

Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disorder manifest by large calcific periarticular masses. Associated bone destruction has been described previously only once. The radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings of bone erosion in a case of tumoral calcinosis in a renal dialysis patient are presented. Although the presence of bone destruction may suggest a neoplasm, it does not exclude the diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis.     

Tumoral calcinosis presenting as an extradural mass: MR findings and pathological correlation

Two cases of idiopathic tumoral calcinosis presenting as an extradural mass are reported. There are few reports in the literature of this pathological process presenting as extradural masses, so both cases represent very unusual locations for tumoral calcinosis. Magnetic resonance imaging features and pathological correlation of these two cases are presented. Tumoral calcinosis might be considered as a rare but possible cause of extradural mass.     

Slipped proximal humeral epiphysis: A complication of radiotherapy to the shoulder in children

Tumoral calcinosis involves formation of periarticular calcified soft tissue masses. Experimental evidence suggests a metabolic etiology with dietary restriction of calcium and phosphorus as beneficial therapy. We prospectively monitored serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) while successfully treating a patient with tumoral calcinosis. The values were compared with changes on serial radiographic and radionuclide bone and gallium images. Our work suggests using serial serum phosphate levels and the ESR as the most sensitive indications of progress in dietary treatment of tumoral calcinosis.     

Ultrasound guided aspiration of massive periarticular calcinosis in patient with scleroderma

Massive periarticular calcinosis is poorly understood process arising either primarily (tumoral calcinosis) or secondary to underlying medical conditions, including connective tissue disease, soft tissue sarcoma, and metabolic dysregulation. The calcific deposits can cause functional limitation, skin ulceration, and cosmetic deformity. Treatment of the calcific deposits depends on the underlying cause but can be problematic with resistance to surgical and non-surgical treatments. Here, we introduce a case of tumoral calcinosis secondary to scleroderma treated with ultrasound guided aspiration.     

Tumoral calcinosis of the temporomandibular joint region

A rare case of tumoral calcinosis, discovered in the medial pterygoid muscle and around the temporomandibular joint on a routine panoramic radiograph is presented. CT was found to be ideal for the determination of the exact location of the calcifications. The differential diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis is discussed.     

67Ga uptake in secondary tumoral calcinosis

Secondary tumoral calcinosis is a rare disorder that is most prevalent in patients with chronic renal failure. It is characterized by lobular densely calcified masses confined to the soft tissue, generally at the extensor surface of a joint in the anatomic distribution of a bursa. We describe a case of a 38-y-old man undergoing dialysis who presented with pyrexia of unknown origin and raised inflammatory markers but was otherwise asymptomatic. A (67)Ga scan was performed, on which an incidental diagnosis of secondary tumoral calcinosis was made.     

MR imaging findings of recurrent tumoral calcinosis

Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon disorder and characterized by development of calcified masses within the soft tissues near the large joints. We present a recurrent tumoral calcinosis case with radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings.     

Periprocedural morbidity and mortality associated with endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite experience and technological improvements, endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms still has inherent risks. We evaluated cerebral complications associated with this treatment. METHODS: From October 1998 to October 2002, 180 consecutive patients underwent 131 procedures for 118 ruptured aneurysms and 79 procedures for 72 unruptured aneurysms. We retrospectively reviewed their records and images to evaluate their morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (17.6%) procedure-related complications occurred: 27 and six with initial embolization of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, respectively, and four with re-treatment. Complications included 22 cerebral thromboembolisms, nine intraprocedural aneurysm perforations, two coil migrations, two parent vessel injuries, one postprocedural aneurysm rupture, and one cranial nerve palsy. Fourteen complications had no neurologic consequence. Three caused transient neurologic morbidity; 10, persistent neurologic morbidity; and 10, death. Procedure-related neurologic morbidity and mortality rates, respectively, were as follows: overall, 4.8% and 4.8%; ruptured aneurysms, 5.9% and 7.6%; unruptured aneurysms, 1.4% and 1.4%; and re-treated aneurysms, 10% and 0%. Combined procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates for ruptured, unruptured, and re-treated aneurysms were 13.5%, 2.8%, and 10%, respectively. Nonprocedural complications attributable to subarachnoid hemorrhage in 118 patients with ruptured aneurysm were early rebleeding before coil placement (0.9%), symptomatic vasospasm (5.9%), and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (5.9%); mortality from complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage itself was 11.9%. CONCLUSION: Procedural morbidity and mortality rates were highest in ruptured aneurysms and lowest in unruptured aneurysms. Morbidity rates were highest in re-treated aneurysms and lowest in unruptured aneurysms. No procedural mortality occurred with re-treated aneurysms. The main cause of morbidity and mortality was thromboembolism.     

Endovascular treatment of aneurysms on the feeding arteries of intracranial arteriovenous malformations

The association between intracranial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is well documented. Recent advances in the understanding of the haemodynamics of this association encourage an aggressive approach to these aneurysms. However, the pathophysiology of these aneurysms is not fully understood and a strategy for their management has not been established. We describe seven patients, with eight aneurysms, on the feeding arteries of AVMs. The aneurysms could be divided into those located 1. proximally on the superficial feeding artery (type I; 4 aneurysms); 2. distally on the superficial feeding artery (type II; 3 aneurysms); and 3. on the deep feeding artery (type III; 1 aneurysm). All aneurysms were treated by the endovascular procedure prior to, or simultaneously with, treatment of the AVM, using detachable coils or liquid embolic material. All aneurysms were obliterated successfully, with no adverse events. Each patient further received treatment of the AVM. None of the patients suffered intracranial haemorrhage after treatment for the aneurysms. Based on our experiences, we discuss the indications for this approach for each type of aneurysm. We believe endovascular treatment could be an important alternative for treatment of aneurysms associated with AVMs, thus reducing the risk of haemorrhage. Received: 6 October 1997 Accepted: 5 June 1998     

Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery: classification and endovascular treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We present a retrospective review of our experience in the endovascular treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms. We detail the anatomic location of these aneurysms, the technique of endovascular treatment, morphologic results, and clinical outcome. We also discuss the segmental anatomy of the PCA as it relates to the various neurologic deficits that may result from occlusion of the parent artery. METHODS: From 1993 to 1998, 20 patients (12 female, eight male; mean age, 44 yrs) harboring a PCA aneurysm were treated via an endovascular approach. One patient had two aneurysms, comprising a total of 21 lesions. Fourteen (66%) of 21 aneurysms were saccular in nature, five (24%) were giant serpentine aneurysms, and two (10%) were posttraumatic. All aneurysms were treated using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) either by selective obliteration of the aneurysm sac or by parent artery occlusion. RESULTS: Fourteen (66%) of the 21 aneurysms were successfully treated with preservation of the parent artery. In the remaining seven (33%), the parent artery was permanently occluded. The overall complication rate in this series was 15%, with a permanent morbidity rate of 10% and a 0% mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Aneurysms of the PCA are rare compared with other locations in the intracranial circulation. Saccular PCA aneurysms can be treated effectively, by use of GDC, to obliterate the aneurysm yet preserve the parent artery. Fusiform and giant serpentine aneurysms of the PCA can effectively be treated by permanent occlusion of the parent artery; in these cases, thorough knowledge of the PCA segmental anatomy is crucial in order to select the site of occlusion and to avoid major neurologic deficits.     

Anatomical and morphological factors correlating with rupture of intracranial aneurysms in patients referred for endovascular treatment

The size of intracranial aneurysms is the only characteristic shown to correlate with their rupture. However, the critical size for rupture has varied considerably among previous accounts and remains a point of controversy. Our goal was to identify statistically significant clinical and morphological factors predictive of the occurrence of rupture and aneurysm size in patients referred for endovascular treatment. We retrospectively recorded the following factors from 74 patients who presented with ruptured (40) or unruptured (34) aneurysms: aneurysm morphology (uni/multilobulated), location (anterior/posterior), maximum diameter, diameter of the neck, and the patient's age and sex. We performed stepwise discriminant, and stepwise and logistic regression analysis to identify factors predicting rupture and the size of the aneurysm at rupture. The mean diameter of the ruptured aneurysms was 11.9 ± 6.3 mm, range 3.0–33.0 mm, and that of the unruptured aneurysm 13.5 ± 5.8 mm, range 5.0–30 mm. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified aneurysm morphology (P < 0.001) and location in the intracranial circulation (P < 0.001) as statistically significant factors in predicting rupture. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that aneurysm morphology and the size of the neck were predictors of aneurysm size at rupture. Received: 30 December 1997 Accepted: 28 April 1998     

MR angiography and surgery for unruptured familial intracranial aneurysms in persons with a family history of cerebral aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We used MR angiography to determine prevalence of unruptured familial intracranial aneurysms in a prepaid medical care program. We compared surgical outcomes and the cost of treating unruptured versus ruptured aneurysms. We compared the cost of MR angiography with the cost of screening mammography and with the cost of surgically treating a ruptured aneurysm. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During a 30-month period, we performed MR angiography to show cerebral aneurysms in 63 surgical candidates who had one or more first-degree relatives with an aneurysm. Unruptured aneurysms seen on MR angiography were evaluated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and treated surgically. RESULTS: MR angiography showed nine unruptured aneurysms in six patients. Eight aneurysms were seen on MR angiography and nine were seen on DSA. Seven unruptured aneurysms were treated surgically. The mean treatment cost was 50% lower for an unruptured aneurysm than that for a ruptured aneurysm. No patient surgically treated for an unruptured aneurysm required rehabilitation, unlike 25% of patients with ruptured aneurysms. The annual total cost of MR angiography was equivalent to 2.9% of the annual cost of screening mammography. The annual cost of MR angiography equaled half the cost of treating one patient after aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSION: MR angiography showed a 9.5% prevalence of unruptured aneurysms among persons who had one or more first-degree relatives with a cerebral aneurysm. DSA confirmed 88% of aneurysms found on MR angiography. Persons with unruptured aneurysms had better treatment outcomes at lower cost than did patients treated for aneurysm rupture. The annual MR angiography cost was low compared with the cost of screening mammography and with the cost of treating one patient with aneurysm rupture.