Magnetic resonance imaging of Crohn disease: early recognition of treatment response and relapse

A patient with active Crohn disease was evaluated by MRI at admission, clinical remission, and a new relapse. The MRI-estimated disease extension correlated with surgical findings, whereas ultrasonography underestimated and a small bowel series overestimated the extension. MRI disclosed the disappearance of intestinal edema at the time of clinical remission and, in contrast to ultrasonography, showed an abscess and a fistula, confirmed by surgery, at the new relapse. Received: 30 August 1995/Accepted: 20 September 1995     

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: serial MRI with Gd-DOTA,superparamagnetic iron oxide,and Gd-EOB-DTPA

Background: To demonstrate the improved specificity of liver MRI in diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) using liver specific contrast agents. Methods: In a patient after resected adenosarcoma of the uterus a focal nodular hyperplasia was followed. Serial MRI of the liver was performed using first Gd-DOTA, followed by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) as well as Gd-EOB-DTPA. Results: During the follow-up of FNH specificity of liver MRI improved using liver specific contrast agents. The central scar as well as the pseudocapsule showed different typical contrast uptake using all three methods. Conclusion: Serial MRI of the liver with Gd-DOTA, SPIO and Gd-EOB-DTPA can exclude a malignant liver lesion. Liver biopsy of FNH can be avoided with increased specificity of MRI for FNH. Received: 15 December 1995/Accepted: 17 January 1996     

Pelvic silicone prosthesis for prevention of radiation enteritis: US and CT features

A patient with a pelvic silicone prosthesis is presented. The sonographic and computed tomographic features in such patients can be confusing and incorrectly interpreted unless the radiologist knows that the prosthesis had been inserted as a radioprotective device. Received: 3 October 1995/Accepted: 25 October 1995     

Perirenal fat necrosis secondary to hemorrhagic pancreatitis,mimicking retroperitoneal liposarcoma: CT manifestation

A case of resolving hemorrhagic pancreatitis resulting in massive left perirenal fat necrosis is reported. CT revealed a huge fat-containing mass that was thought to be retroperitoneal liposarcoma before operation. Pancreatitis with perirenal involvement is rarely encountered as a retroperitoneal mass. Received: 27 September 1995/Accepted: 25 October 1995     

Value of endorectal coil versus body coil MRI for diagnosis of recurrent pelvic malignancies

Background: To compare endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with body coil MRI in detecting local recurrence of gynecologic tumors and prostate and rectal cancers. Methods: Forty-six patients with suspected recurrent pelvic malignancies (13 gynecologic, 15 prostatic, and 18 anorectal primaries) were enrolled in the study. Axial T1- and T2-weighted body coil images and T2- and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted axial endorectal coil images were obtained on a 1.5 T system. Results of the MR examinations were compared with histogical findings and follow-up examinations with respect to the diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic confidence for assessment or exclusion of local recurrence. Results: Recurrent disease was histologically confirmed in eight patients with primary gynecologic malignancies, seven with suspected prostatic recurrence, and seven with suspected anorectal recurrence. Overall, accuracy of body coil MRI was 67% for gynecologic tumors, 36% for prostatic recurrences, and 59% for rectal recurrences. T2- and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted endorectal sequences yielded similar results, with an accuracy of 73% for depiction of gynecologic recurrence, 77% for prostatic recurrence, and 77% for rectal recurrence. The difference in accuracy between body coil and endorectal coil examinations was statistically significant (p < 0.05) only for prostatic cancer. Diagnostic confidence was, however, significantly improved (p < 0.05) in all tumors (T2-weighted endorectal coil examination was superior to T2-weighted body coil images in 71% of cases). Conclusion: Although the results of endorectal coil MRI are only slightly superior to those of body coil MRI for the detection of recurrent gynecologic and anorectal tumors, diagnosis can be made with greater diagnostic confidence in many cases. For detection of prostatic recurrence, endorectal MRI is highly recommended. Received: 27 April 1995/Accepted: 17 June 1995     

Radiologically identifiable intratumoral portal vein in intrahepatic cholangiomas: a diagnostic pitfall

Background: Although intratumoral patent portal vein (ITPV) is one of the characteristic features of benign hepatic lesions, ITPVs can be demonstrated in malignant tumors. We present the spectrum of MR and CT findings of ITPV identified in intrahepatic cholangiomas with pathological correlations. Methods: The ultrasound, CT and/or MRI findings of pathologically-confirmed intrahepatic cholangiomas were reviewed and correlated with surgical specimen or autopsy findings. Results: Intratumoral patent vessels were radiographically-demonstrated in 5 patients with intrahepatic cholangiomas. All intratumoral vessels were secondary or tertiary order portal vein branches. Some wall thickening was identified on pathological examinations. Conclusion: The radiological demonstration of intratumoral portal vein is not a specific sign of benignity. In the case of a hepatic tumor with a patent portal tract, cholangioma should be considered, as well as benign tumors or lymphoma. Received: 28 February 1995/Accepted: 29 March 1995     

Gastric sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis of the gastrointestinal tract is uncommon even though involvement of the liver, spleen, and adenopathy are becoming recognizable entities on computed tomography (CT). Involvement of the stomach, the most common site of sarcoidosis of the gastrointestinal tract, is usually associated with pulmonary disease. The radiologic appearances of gastric involvement are variable. Positive biopsies may be obtained in a radiologically normal stomach. Ulceration resembling peptic ulcer disease may occur, and mucosal enlargement may be minor, diffusely nodular, or significant enough to mimic Menetrier disease. In its most dramatic form, a linitis plastica appearance resembling scirrhous carcinoma has been reported. Received: 10 October 1995/Accepted after revision: 31 January 1996     

Crohn disease: CT findings after treatment

Within a period of 5 years, we followed by computed tomography (CT) three patients with Crohn disease who were undergoing treatment. From the spectrum of disease abnormalities, some subsided and others remained. Bowel wall thickening was the most common pretreatment CT finding but was somewhat altered after treatment. Received: 10 October 1995/Accepted after revision: 3 January 1996     

Hepatic involvement in hypereosinophilic syndrome: value of portal venous phase imaging

US, portal venous phase CT, and MRI-CSE (MRI with conventional spin-echo sequence) findings in three cases of hepatic involvement in hypereosinophilic syndrome are presented. These showed varied imaging findings, but portal venous phase CT showed multiple, poorly marginated, and hypodense hepatic lesions in all three cases. The result suggested that portal venous phase CT is the optimal method for depicting hepatic involvement. Received: 16 January 1996/Accepted: 30 October 1996     

Insulinoma: correlation of short-TI inversion-recovery (STIR) imaging and histopathologic findings

We studied the value of short-TI inversion-recovery (STIR) imaging for the localization of pancreatic insulinoma. Four patients (three women and one man aged 35–65 years) with surgically proven insulinoma were included in this study. All patients were examined by MR imaging with spin echo (SE) and STIR sequences. The STIR images were compared with the histopathologic findings in each case. In two patients, the tumors were markedly hyperintense on STIR images, and a 5-mm insulinoma was depicted only by this imaging method in one of the two. In the other two patients, 10-mm insulinomas were only slightly hyperintense on STIR images. The latter tumors had a higher content of collagen fibers than the former, indicating that the amount of collagen influences the signal intensity of insulinoma. Despite some limitations, STIR imaging is a useful noninvasive method for the localization of pancreatic insulinoma. Received: 11 October 1994/Accepted after revision: 10 April 1995     

Preoperative assessment of local tumor extent in advanced rectal cancer: CT or high-resolution MRI?

Background: We compared high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of tumor infiltration in surrounding structures for locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer. Methods: Twenty-six patients with operable, locally advanced rectal cancer (15 recurrent and 11 primary) were evaluated with conventional pelvic CT and 1.5-T high-resolution MRI with a quadrature phased-array coil. The images were scored for invasion of nine neighboring pelvic structures, and the results were compared with surgical and histologic findings. Results: A total of 234 structures in 26 patients was evaluated for tumor invasion. For MRI the, sensitivity was 97% and the specificity 98%; for CT, the sensitivity was 70% and the specificity was 85%. The difference in performance was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The failure most frequently made on CT was the false-positive prediction of pelvic floor and piriform muscle invasion (14), whereas MRI showed only four false-positive predictions. MRI correctly predicted all four cases of sacral bone invasion, three of which were missed by CT. MRI was accurate in 20 patients (80%) and CT in only five patients (19%). Conclusion: High-resolution MRI using a quadrature phased-array coil is highly accurate and superior to CT in predicting tumor infiltration in surrounding structures for locally advanced primary or recurrent rectal cancer and is recommended in the preoperative work-up of these tumors. Received: 21 September 1999/Revision accepted: 26 January 2000     

Transjugular retrograde obliteration for gastric varices

We evaluated the transjugular retrograde obliteration (TJO) in treatment of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. Twenty patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis were included in this study. A cobra-shaped 5 French occlusive balloon catheter was inserted into the gastric varices or gastrorenal shunt through the internal jugular vein. As the sclerosants, absolute ethanol and 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol were injected into the varices to make thrombi. In all cases, gastric varices were obliterated successfully. Endoscopic examination 3 months after treatment revealed the complete eradication of gastric varices in all cases. No major complications during or after therapy were observed. We think that TJO can be an effective method for the treatment of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. Received: 21 October 1994/Accepted after revision: 7 February 1995     

High resolution MRI of anorectal malformation in the newborn: case reports of Currarino syndrome and anocutaneous fistula

To show the accuracy of a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique with a phased array coil in diagnosing anorectal malformation, we present two neonates with Currarino syndrome and anocutaneous fistula, respectively. Anatomy was visualized correctly with this technique, but conventional MRI did not show the complete extent of the disease. The reported high-resolution MRI findings concerning these conditions are scanty. Received: 26 March 2001/Accepted: 2 May 2001     

Uterine lipoleiomyoma: MRI appearances

A case of uterine lipoleiomyoma demonstrated on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is described and usefulness of MRI is discussed in diagnosing this entity. Received: 28 June 1996/Accepted: 25 July 1996     

CT and MR findings of torsion of greater omentum: a case report

We report a case of torsion of the greater omentum, which occurred in a 39-year-old man with an adhesive inguinal hernia. Preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a characteristic whirling fatty mass occupying the middle and lower abdomen anteriorly. MR imaging also showed difference of intensities in the twisted omentum, suggesting the presence of the pathological conditions of edema or congestion. Received: 25 May 1995/Accepted: 12 July 1995     

Bowel herniation through the torn diaphragm: II. Intestinal herniation

Five cases of intestinal herniation through the torn diaphragm are presented. Plain radiography, single-contrast examination, and ultrasonography show some simple features that either have not been previously published or need restatement. Some pitfalls that still delay diagnosis are also shown. Received: 28 March 1995/Accepted: 4 May 1995     

Evolution of the infected abdominal aortic aneurysm: CT observation of early aortitis

Infected aortic aneurysm is an uncommon, life-threatening disease. Early surgical treatment is crucial to survival. An early diagnosis could be made on CT in suspected cases, although CT features of infectious aortitis overlap with retroperitoneal fibrosis, hemorrhage, and lymphadenopathy. We report the case of an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm and describe the additional potentially useful CT finding of early infectious aortitis, which helps localize the abnormality to the aortic wall. Received: 7 August 1995/Accepted: 12 September 1995     

A primary carcinoid tumor of the kidney: a case report and review of the literature

Background: Primary carcinoids are found mostly in the gastrointestinal tract. Primary carcinoid tumor of the kidney is rare; only 28 patients have been reported. Because of the rarity of the lesion, its radiological and clinicopathological features are not well characterized. At the same time, its prognosis and histogenesis is unknown. Methods: A 62-year-old patient presented with a carcinoid tumor on the isthmus of the horseshoe kidney. Radiological, clinicopathological, and immunohistochemical tests were performed. The tumor was resected. Results: Two years later, metastasis were observed in the liver. The metastasis were treated with percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy (PET). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary renal carcinoid tumor present on the isthmus of the horseshoe kidney and the first case of carcinoid liver metastasis to be treated with PET. Received: 21 August 1995/Accepted: 31 August 1995     

Abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy: MR imaging findings

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic tool in abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Methods: MRI studies of 11 patients with histologically proven abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy were reviewed with regard to anatomic distribution, size, shape, degree, and pattern of enhancement and relation of the lesions to adjacent structures. Results: The most common site of involvement was the periportal area (n= 6), followed by the peripancreatic (n= 5), mesenteric (n= 1), and paraaortic (n= 1) areas. Eight patients were readily diagnosed as having tuberculous lymphadenopathy on abdominal computed tomography. Three patients had a heterogeneously enhancing masslike lesion adjacent to the pancreas and were initially diagnosed as having cystic tumor of the pancreas. On MRI, 11 lesions showed T1 iso- or hypointensity and central T2 hyperintensity. Two lesions showed T1 iso- or hypointensity and central T2 hypointensity. The lesions with different T2 signal intensities showed different patterns of enhancement on contrast-enhanced dynamic studies. The relations between the enlarged lymph nodes and adjacent bile ducts or vascular structrues were well depicted on MRI. Conclusion: MRI was useful in differentiating enlarged lymph nodes abutting the pancreas initially diagnosed as cystic neoplasms on abdominal computed tomography. RID=" ID=" <E5>Correspondence to:</E5> M.-J. Kim Received: 9 May 2000/Accepted: 14 June 2000     

Thoracic esophageal carcinoma: evaluation in the sagittal section with magnetic resonance imaging

Among 54 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma (53 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenosquamous carcinoma), the usefulness of MR sagittal imaging for evaluating local extent (T factor) was examined by measuring the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the tumor. The MR examination was performed using ECG gated scans with a 3 mm slice at 1.5 Tesla. T1-weighted sagittal images were obtained. In 10 patients the appearance of the esophagus was normal, and in 44 patients a tumor was detected in the sagittal section. Thirty-seven lesions were histologically proved (Tis, 1; T1, 3; T2, 3; T3, 15; T4, 15). Lesions classified as <T2 were not visible, and the appearance of the esophagus was normal. The tumors detected in sagittal section were T3 (15 tumors) or T4 (15 tumors). The mean diameter of T4 lesions (34.0 ± 7.9 mm, range 24–57 mm) was larger than that of T3 lesions (25.0 ± 4.4 mm, range 18–33 mm) (p < 0.05). Only two masses with an AP diameter > 30 mm were resected. They were located in the lower esophagus. It is concluded that lesions detected in MR sagittal images might be T3 or T4 tumors, and masses of >30 mm might extend to adjacent organs, although two tumors with an AP diameter < 25 mm also invaded the trachea. Received: 30 August 1995/Accepted: 10 October 1995