Intramedullary spinal cord tumors: significance of associated hemorrhage at MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 35 patients with intramedullary spinal tumors were reviewed. Hypointense areas on both T1- and T2-weighted images were seen within or around eight tumors, all of which were in the cervical cord. Hypointensity at the tumor margin was seen in seven cases. Hypointensity within the tumor was seen in two cases. (One case had both types of hypointensity). In seven surgically confirmed cases, hypointensity at the tumor margin was found to be a relatively firm pseudocapsule, and hypointensity within the tumor corresponded to intratumoral hematoma. All of the tumors with hypointensity were ependymomas at histologic examination. When MR imaging shows an intramedullary tumor with hypointensity at the tumor margin, it is suggestive, but not pathognomonic, of an ependymoma.     

Duodenal neoplasms: predictive value of CT for determining malignancy and tumor resectability.

CT examinations of 25 patients with proved primary or metastatic duodenal neoplasms were retrospectively reviewed to determine if morphologic features seen on CT scans could be used to predict the benign or malignant nature of these neoplasms and to assess the effectiveness of using CT findings to predict tumor resectability. We studied 19 malignant and six benign tumors. Histologic proof was obtained by means of surgery in 20 patients and by endoscopic biopsy in five. CT features of tumor morphology were assessed in the 22 cases in which a duodenal tumor was seen on CT. These features included central necrosis, ulceration or excavation, and the location of the tumor with respect to the bowel wall. The specific morphologic features used to predict that a tumor was malignant included the presence of an exophytic or intramural mass, central necrosis, and ulceration. The only criterion used to predict that a tumor was benign was that the mass be entirely intraluminal. Whenever vascular encasement, invasion of contiguous organs other than the head of the pancreas, distant lymphadenopathy, or metastases were present, the tumor was predicted to be unresectable for cure. With the exception of three benign smooth muscle tumors, all tumors with one or more CT morphologic features indicative of a malignant neoplasm were malignant (n = 16). Three of four intraluminal masses were benign. In three cases of polypoid tumors smaller than 2 cm, a duodenal tumor was not seen on CT. Whenever extraduodenal disease was found (15 cases), the neoplasms were malignant. In the 22 cases in which a tumor was detected on CT, the sensitivity of using the presence of one or more morphologic features associated with a malignant neoplasm as a predictor was 94%; the specificity was 50%, and the accuracy was 82%. If the presence of any morphologic feature indicative of a malignant neoplasm was combined with the presence of any finding of extraduodenal disease, CT was 100% sensitive and 86% accurate for predicting that the tumor was malignant. CT appears to be reliable for predicting duodenal tumor resectability. On the basis of CT findings, 10 tumors were correctly predicted as being unresectable for cure, and 12 were predicted as being resectable; no surgery was performed in the remaining three cases. In conclusion, evaluation of the morphologic features of duodenal neoplasms is a sensitive, but nonspecific, method for predicting that a tumor is malignant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Myometrial invasion by endometrial carcinoma: assessment by MR imaging.

In patients with early-stage endometrial cancer, preoperative knowledge of myometrial tumor extension has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for assessing the depth of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer that clinically was thought to be confined to the uterine corpus. Sixty-five consecutive patients were included in the study. All patients had MR imaging before radical surgery. MR imaging findings were compared with microscopic pathologic findings in all cases. On MR images and at histologic analysis, myometrial invasion was classified as absent (tumor confined to the endometrium), superficial (less than 50% of myometrial thickness), or deep (50% or more of myometrial thickness). At histologic examination, tumor limited to the endometrium was proved in 14 cases, superficial myometrial invasion by tumor was present in 34 cases, and deep tumor invasion was demonstrated in 17 cases. In determining the presence of tumor confined to the endometrium, MR imaging had a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 96%. In the assessment of tumor with superficial myometrial invasion, MR imaging had a sensitivity and a specificity of 74%, whereas in assessing deep myometrial penetration, the sensitivity and specificity of MR were 88% and 85%, respectively. Errors in MR interpretation when determining myometrial tumor spread were more frequently overestimations rather than underestimations. Our results indicate that MR imaging is useful for the preoperative assessment of myometrial invasion in patients with proved endometrial cancer.     

Wilms' tumor to the heart: clinical and radiographic evaluation.

The clinical and radiographic appearances of four children with cardiac extension of Wilms' tumor and four cases from the literature are described. Four of the eight children were seen for "cardiac problems" and four for "routine" Wilms' tumor. In those "routine" cases, there were no clinical suggestions of inferior vena cava or cardiac extension. Preoperative screening for tumor extension may be crucial. However, because of the rarity of cardiac extension, it would be appropriate to screen patients by noninvasive methods such as gray scale ultrasound of the abdomen, echocardiography, or computed tomography before any invasive procedure is considered.     

Posterior fossa glioblastoma multiforme: MR findings.

PURPOSETo characterize the MR findings of glioblastoma multiforme in the posterior fossa.METHODSMR studies of nine patients with surgically proved posterior fossa glioblastoma multiforme were retrospectively evaluated. MR characteristics studied included tumor location, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and presence of intratumoral hemorrhage, as well as presence of secondary hydrocephalus or metastatic spread.RESULTSThe tumors were located in the median portion of the cerebellum or brain stem in eight cases. Six extended into the fourth ventricle. Hydrocephalus was seen in four cases. Six cases demonstrated decreased T1- and increased T2-weighted signal intensities. Three cases demonstrated mixed signal intensities suggesting intratumoral hemorrhage. All of the eight patients who received contrast showed moderate to marked heterogeneous ringlike enhancement suggesting intratumoral necrosis. Multicentric/multifocal lesions or extraaxial metastases were identified in three of the nine cases, and there was extracranial extension into the cervical region in one case.CONCLUSIONGlioblastoma multiforme is a rare tumor in the posterior fossa. Differentiating it from metastatic tumor or malignant astrocytoma was difficult. However, combination of heterogeneous and ringlike enhancement, midline location, poorly defined margin, tumoral hemorrhage, concomitant multicentric/multifocal lesions, and extraaxial or extracranial metastasis may be clues for the prospective diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme.     

Calcified bladder tumors. CT features.

CT scans of the pelvis in 132 patients with bladder tumor were reviewed. Calcifications in the bladder tumor were found in 11 men (8%) including transitional cell carcinoma (n = 6), mucinous adenocarcinoma (n = 4), and malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (n = 1). Calcifications in transitional cell carcinoma were located on the surface of the tumor in all 6 cases: they were nodular in 4 cases, nodular and arched in one, and plaque-like massive calcification in one. In mucinous adenocarcinoma multiple fine punctate calcifications were scattered within the mass in all 4 cases. The CT appearance of calcifications in bladder tumors may be helpful in predicting the histologic type of the tumor.     

3. Utility of PET and 11C-Methionine in the Paediatric Brain Tumors

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the utility of PET with 11C-Methionine in diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment efficacy in childhood brain tumors.Methods: 16 PET-studies were performed in 11 children, 4-17years old, 3 boys and 8 girls, with brain tumors or tumor suspicion. Reasons for PET-study were an unclear diagnosis of tumor (7 cases), treatment efficacy definition (5 cases) and identification of tumor recurrence (3 cases). Studies were performed after i.v. injection of 11C-Methionine (6-9 MBq/kg). MRI or CT of brain was done before the PET-study in all patients. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical follow-up or biopsy.Results: In 2 of 7 patients with suspicion of brain tumor no areas with pathological uptake of 11C-Methionine were found. In a patient with unclear tumor a benign process (ependimoma) was revealed that allowed avoiding a biopsy. A benign tumor detection in 2 patients with malignancy suspicion considerably affected treatment tactics. In 2 patients supposed benign growth was confirmed. In 2 of 3 patients with question of recurrence after surgery or radiotherapy and inconclusive MRI and CT picture malignant growth was found and in 1 patient was rejected. Repeated PET-studies in 2 patients with prolactinoma during therapy allowed prompt (within a few days) control of tumor response.Conclusion: The assessment of tumor metabolic activity in paediatric oncological practice using PET with 11C-Methionine is a reliable method in the correct indication of brain tumor origin and in prompt evaluation of treatment efficacy and control of recurrence.     

Clinical assessment of tumor clearance during radiotherapy as a prognostic factor of early glottic carcinoma.

From 1967 through 1985, 358 cases of early glottic carcinoma were treated with telecobalt therapy at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School. Among 278 cases treated with 2 Gy a day, the tumor response of 262 cases at 40, 50 and 60 Gy were evaluated by direct or indirect laryngoscope. The five-year local control rates of these evaluable cases of T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma were 79% and 70%, respectively. The local control rates of T1 glottic carcinoma with tumor clearance and persistence at 40 Gy were 83% (119/143) and 64% (43/67), and those of T2 cases were 86% (18/21) and 58% (18/31), respectively. The local control rates of the cases with tumor clearance and persistence at 40 Gy were same between T1 and T2 cases. The tumor clearance rates of T1 cases were significantly higher than those of T2 cases (p < 0.005). T2 glottic carcinoma had larger tumor volumes and slower tumor regression and resulted in lower control rates compared with T1 glottic carcinoma. The difference in the radiation dose of T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma with the same clearance rate was estimated as 15 Gy using logit analysis.     

Dumbbell-shaped nerve-tissue tumors of the posterior mediastinum. Apropos of 5 cases]

The authors present 5 cases of dumbbell neurogenic tumors with intraspinal extension. There were 4 neurilemmomas in four adults and 1 ganglioneuroma in one child. These tumors were benign. Neurological signs were observed in two cases. Widening of the intervertebral foramen at the level of the tumor is a very suggestive sign of dumbbell tumor confirmed by CT-Scan or MRI. Precise morphologic features must be assessed before embarking on the operation. The procedures used were: thoracotomy only in two cases, laminectomy then thoracotomy because of neurological signs in two cases, thoracotomy then laminectomy to fully remove tumor remnants in one case. No major morbidity was noted. The neurological symptoms resolved in two cases. A combined two-team approach with thoracic and neurosurgeons working together has not been used so far, but this possibility is probably the best choice for the future.     

Magnetic resonance angiography in the study of abdominal neoplasms. Preliminary experience]

This study was designed to evaluate MRA imaging as a potential non-invasive method to study vascular infiltration in patients with abdominal neoplasms. Forty-three patients with abdominal tumors proven by CT and/or MRI were examined with MRA and subsequently with angiography. Of 15 cases of liver tumor, MRA allowed poor intratumoral vascularization to be demonstrated in 1 patient only, but it always provided a characteristic sign--i.e., the complete absence of flow in the hepatic segments infiltrated by the tumor and the evidence of pericapsular neovascularization. In 8 cases portal vein involvement was observed (4 cases of compression/dislocation, 2 cases of infiltration and 2 of thrombosis). In all cases MRA allowed the relationship between tumor and venous structures to be evaluated. It also demonstrated collateral vessel formations in 8 patients with cancrocirrhosis. Two cases of thrombosis and 3 infiltrations of the vena cava were demonstrated. Neither hepatic artery nor intrahepatic arterial vascularization could be correctly evaluated. Of 10 cases of renal tumors and in 3 of adrenal tumors, renal vein infiltration was seen in 4 cases and compression in 3, with only 1 false-positive finding. In these patients and in those with retroperitoneal masses, MRA provided valuable information on the relationship between tumor and vascular structures and was useful in detecting collateral vessels. In our experience, MRA is to be considered as a complementary technique to be performed after CT or MRI when additional information is needed as to the relationship between tumor and vascular structures. In the preoperative evaluation of abdominal neoplasm, angiography remains the gold standard, in spite of its invasiveness.     

Pancreatic calcifications in malignant islet cell tumors.

Of 623 cases of malignant pancreatic tumor seen at University of Chicago hospitals over the last 30 years, 23 cases of malignant islet cell tumor were found (8 additional cases were found in the literature). Calcification, found in 2 of these cases, was characteristically discrete and nodular (calcifications found in chronic pancreatitis are typically diffuse, multiple, and punctuate). At least 7 of the 10 cases of islet cell tumor with calcification were malignant. Slow growth of the tumor, with calcified metastases, strongly suggests the diagnosis of malignancy; this combination of findings has been established in 3 cases. In 73 cases of benign islet cell tumor, no calcifications were found.     

Leydig cell tumors in adults. Value of ultrasonic diagnosis. Apropos of 7 tumors

Leydig cell tumors arise from the gonadal stroma and represent two or three per cent of all testicular tumors. They may occur at any age in contrast with germinal tumor. In adults, about 20 per cent occur with endocrine disturbance: gynecomastia or impotence. Ten per cent are malignant and few cases are bilateral. They are small, yellow, brown tumor. Reinke's crystals are observed in 50 per cent and are pathognomonic. They present no necrosis no hemorrhage, no cyst. A benign tumor is difficult to distinguish from a malignant tumor. A vascular and capsular invasion, an infiltrative margin, a bilateral or multiple tumors must evoke a malignant case. Cryptorchidism, even corrected seems to be partly responsible in tumor induction. Ultrasonography can help for a precocious and reliable diagnosis of tumors, specially in case of occult tumors (2 cases). It also helps to survey the controlateral testis (bilateral tumor: 1 case).     

Phylloides tumor: findings on mammography, sonography, and aspiration cytology in 10 cases.

Phylloides tumor is a rare fibroepithelial breast tumor that occasionally has unpredictable clinical behavior. In nine cases of histologically benign tumors and one case of malignant phylloides tumor, the findings on physical examination, mammography, sonography, and aspiration biopsy were correlated retrospectively with the histologic diagnosis of resected specimens. Mammograms showed a round or lobulated benign-appearing opacity in nine cases; one small tumor was missed mammographically. Sonography depicted all tumors as mostly solid masses. Sonographic features included low-level internal echoes, either uniform or scattered; smooth contours; and no significant posterior shadowing. Intramural cysts were shown in six cases. Neither mammography nor sonography allowed reliable differentiation between benign and malignant phylloides tumors. Aspiration biopsy permitted accurate diagnosis of seven benign tumors. The malignant phylloides tumor was classified as a malignant tumor, but the definite differentiation from a carcinoma could not be made. Two histologically benign phylloides tumors were misdiagnosed as carcinomas. Although uncommon, phylloides tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mammographically benign-appearing breast masses, especially if sonography shows intramural cysts within a well-defined solid lesion. Aspiration cytology is unreliable because of the inhomogeneity of the tumor; both intraoperative frozen section and permanent sections are needed for correct histologic diagnosis.     

Reactive mesenchymal proliferation.

One hundred and thirteen cases in the files of the Netherlands Committee on Bone Tumors were diagnosed as heterotopic soft tissue ossification. Myositis ossificans was diagnosed in 62, ossifying hematoma in 21, and pseudomalignant osseous tumor of soft tissues in 30 cases. Antecedent trauma was present in 37%, 46% and 7%, respectively. Myositis ossificans arose in the large muscle groups of the thighs and upper arms; when closely related to the shaft of a bone, periosteal reactions were more outspoken. Pseudomalignant osseous tumor of soft tissues was located in the hands, feet, and pelvis, some cases were not in muscle groups and some were almost periosteal. Ossifying hematoma was located in the upper and lower legs and usually in close relation to bone. The three entities belong to the same kind of reactive mesenchymal proliferative process. The radiologic and histologic patterns are reflections of whether the lesions are closely localized to bone shafts or in soft tissues, e.g. in muscles and therefore the term "reactive mesenchymal proliferation" is preferred to myositis ossificans, pseudomalignant osseous tumor of soft tissues and ossifying hematoma. Diagnostic problems are encountered in early phases when cellularity, mitotic activity, and infiltrative spread suggest malignancy. Recognition of these reactions in early phases is important to avoid mutilating surgery.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma in the pediatric age group.

Forty-five consecutive cases of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma were studied as to age at onset, histological type, primary site, stage of disease when first seen, method of treatment, and survival. It appears that rhabdomyosarcoma is a relatively radiosensitive tumor which can be controlled locally with radiation alone or in combination with surgery to excise the bulk of the tumor mass. On the other hand, chemotherapy must necessarily play a major role in treatment since most cases are first seen in the late stages of the disease. Close cooperation among a wide range of specialists, such as the pediatrician, radiation therapist, pediatric oncologist, pathologist, and surgeon is essential to accomplish a maximum therapeutic effect in the unfortunate children who develop this relatively rare but aggressive tumor.     

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection of small malignant tumors of the liver. Results in 20 patients

The effectiveness of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy was investigated in 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (six cases), or hepatic metastases (twenty-five cases). 131 ethanol injections were performed between december 1987 and march 1990 for 30 lesions. Indications for this procedure included inadequate response to conventional treatment and tumor diameter less than 5 cm. Histopathologic examination, performed in all cases, showed that the tumor was completely necrotic in 16 cases, partially necrotic in 8 cases and not modified in 6 cases (one patient was not evaluable). Alpha-feto-protein and CEA levels were decreased in 12/17 cases. 16 patients were still alive at the end of the study (the mean follow-up period was 11.3 months). We conclude that ethanol injection may be a valuable treatment for small hepatic tumors.     

胃肠道间质瘤的螺旋CT诊断

目的探讨螺旋CT对胃肠道间质瘤的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的25例胃肠道间质瘤螺旋CT的特点。结果良性9例,恶性16例。胃部18例,食管1例,空肠4例,回肠2例,均为单发病灶。CT表现:(1)平扫,表现为圆或类圆形肿块影,9例良性肿块,8例边界清晰,16例恶性中11例边界不清,7例边缘呈分叶状,2例可见小钙化。(2)增强,25例肿瘤实质可见强化,以动脉期强化明显,但静脉期强化范围较动脉期广,其中15例肿块边缘模糊。结论螺旋CT是检查胃肠道间质瘤的一种重要手段,平扫结合增强检查有利于良恶性的判断,并对临床治疗及预后有着重要的指导价值。     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver: CT, clinical, and pathologic findings in 39 U.S. residents.

PURPOSE: To review clinical, pathologic, and computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in noncirrhotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical, pathologic, and imaging findings were retrospectively evaluated in 39 patients with HCC in noncirrhotic liver. Helical multiphasic CT scans obtained with 125 mL of contrast medium at a rate of 4 or 5 mL/sec were reviewed for morphologic features such as tumor size, margins, and hemorrhage and degree of enhancement. RESULTS: All patients (25 men, 14 women; mean age, 61 years) were U.S. residents; none had an Asian surname. Twenty-four patients (62%) had no identifiable risk factors; 34 (87%) were symptomatic. HCC was proved and cirrhosis excluded with biopsy in all cases. HCC was moderately (n = 32) or well (n = 6) differentiated in 97% of cases and poorly differentiated in one. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was elevated in 26 patients. Large tumors (mean diameter, 12.4 cm) were depicted at CT in all cases. Thirty-two patients had a solitary or dominant mass. At CT, tumor margins were well defined in 21 patients, with a lobulated surface in 33. Calcifications were depicted in 11, hemorrhage in 10, fat in four, dilated intrahepatic bile ducts in 17, and abdominal lymphadenopathy in eight. In 38 patients, tumors were heterogeneous with areas of necrosis. HCC was hypoattenuating on nonenhanced images in 34, heterogeneously hyperattenuating at arterial phase in 38, and hypoattenuating at portal phase in 35 patients. CONCLUSION: HCC developed in the absence of cirrhosis or known risk factors and typically appeared as a large symptomatic hepatic tumor with clinical, laboratory, and CT features that distinguish it from most other hepatic masses.     

Multiple myeloma: appearance at MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations of the lumbar spine and clinical and laboratory findings in 32 patients with multiple myeloma were reviewed. On T1-weighted images, signal intensity (SI) of the vertebrae approximated that of muscle in 14 cases and was intermediate (between the SIs of muscle and fat) in 18. Definite foci of decreased SI were seen in eight cases (25%), and foci of increased SI, representing fatty infiltration, were seen in 12 (38%). On T2-weighted images, SI approximated that of muscle in 17 cases and was intermediate in 15. Definite foci of increased SI were seen in 17 (53%). Of 38 vertebral compression fractures (including 18 in nine additional patients), foci of abnormal SI consistent with tumor on either T1- or T2-weighted images were seen in 19 cases (50%). There was no correlation between MR imaging findings and laboratory or bone marrow findings. Foci of presumed tumor were better or exclusively shown on T2-weighted images in 11 of 17 patients (65%) with identifiable focal disease. Other suggestions of multiple myeloma on T1-weighted images may be the absence of fatty replacement or a generalized decrease in SI.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with venous invasion. Sonographic-angiographic correlation

Ultrasound was correlated with angiography for assessment of tumor extension to the intrahepatic inferior vena cava, hepatic veins, and portal vein branches in 15 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 85 cases of hepatic metastases. Sonography revealed intraluminal tumor thrombus in 5 cases of HCC (33%), which were confirmed by angiography (sensitivity and specificity = 100%), and in 1 case of hepatic metastases (1%). Sonography was superior in depicting veins obscured or nonopacified on angiography, which in turn demonstrated arteriovenous shunting not appreciated on sonography. Used as the initial procedure for evaluation of venous extension of HCC, ultrasound can suggest the histology (though this must be confirmed by biopsy) and determine the feasibility of resection.