Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: radiological and pathological findings

We report a case of a rare lymphoepithelial cyst of the body of the pancreas that developed in a woman complaining of constipation for 15 years. Ultrasonography revealed a homogeneous isoechoic lesion, while CT demonstrated a polycystic homogeneous mass with central scar and calcification. Cytological investigation of a CT-guided biopsy permitted diagnosis of lymphoepithelial cyst. The patient was operated on and had an uneventful recovery. The histological finding was of a cyst wall lined with keratinised squamous epithelium surrounded by lymphoid tissue with reactive follicular hyperplasia. The radiological findings and differential diagnosis are discussed. Correspondence to: D. Regge     

Fat containing unusual tumor of the pancreas

Fat-containing pancreatic tumors are very rare. In the literature, less than ten cases of lipoma originating from the pancreas have been reported. We present a case of pancreatic lipoma in a 65-year-old woman with findings of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in addition to a brief review of the literature.     

CT and MR imaging findings of endocrine tumor of the pancreas according to WHO classification

The pancreatic endocrine tumors are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas originating from totipotential stem cells or differentiated mature endocrine cells within the exocrine gland. Endocrine tumors are usually classified into functioning and non-functioning tumors and presents with a range of benignity or malignancy. In this article, we present the various CT and MR imaging findings of endocrine tumors of pancreas according to recent WHO classification.     

CT of blunt trauma of the pancreas in adults

In order to describe the CT findings in pancreatic injury and to evaluate the sensitivity of this technique, we performed a retrospective study. During a 5-year period (1993–1997), eight patients (five males and three females; age range 10–47 years) were investigated with CT. Endoscopicretrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was obtained in two patients, pre- and intra-operatively, respectively. Among the standard laboratory tests obtained at admission, the value of serum amylase was reviewed. The imaging findings, especially those obtained with CT, were correlated with the surgical findings, when available (in seven of eight patients). At admission, diagnosis of pancreatic injury was missed at CT in three of eight patients (37.5 %); thus, the sensitivity of CT for pancreatic injury was 62.5 %. ERCP showed rupture of the pancreatic duct in the two cases in which it was performed. Serum amylase was elevated at admission in four of eight patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 50 %. After surgery, an enterocutaneous fistula developed in one case, and was managed conservatively. One patient died from brain injury. Proper implementation of the CT technique and accurate film reading is mandatory to establish the diagnosis of pancreatic contusion. No correlation between CT features and type of outcome of surgical management could be established. On retrospective review of the CT examinations, it appeared that two of the three false-negative results could have been avoided. Therefore, proper CT technique and accurate film reading are mandatory in establishing the diagnosis of pancreatic injury. Received: 10 June 1998; Revision received: 26 October 1998; Accepted: 30 October 1998     

Thoracic spinal intradural arachnoid cyst: report of two cases and review of literature

We report two cases of spinal intradural arachnoid cyst at the thoracic level, presenting with long-standing symptoms of spinal cord compression and MRI findings that were overlooked for sometime initially. Because of the rarity of this disease, and because of the subtle changes on MRI, there was a definite delay in the diagnosis. In this report we emphasize the value of MRI and CT myelography in this disorder, and the need for them to be strongly correlated with the progression of the clinical picture.     

胰腺MRI:技术及诊断研究

目的 :探讨MR不同序列在胰腺病变诊断中的应用价值。方法 :84例胰腺检查包括 5 0例正常胰腺及 3 4例临床怀疑有病变的胰腺 ,其中包括 15例胰腺癌 ,2例胰岛细胞瘤 ,1例粘液性囊腺瘤 ,4例胰周肿瘤 ,12例胰腺炎。MR扫描序列包括常规SET1WI ;FSET2 WI ;增强前、后的脂肪抑制T1WI和GRE。结果 :3 4例异常胰腺中的 2 7例 ,增强前、后T1WI脂肪抑制像提供了最好的诊断信息 ,其次为增强后立即扫描的GRE像。未增强的GRE像极好地显示了急性胰腺炎的特征 ,SET2 WI像对胰岛细胞瘤及胰腺癌的肝转移显示较为敏感。结论 :增强前、后T1WI脂肪抑制序列及动态增强的GER序列 ,应为胰腺MRI的标准序列。     

MRI demonstration of uncal herniation caused by arachnoid cyst in the Sylvian fissure

Summary We report a case of arachnoid cyst in the Sylvian fissure which progressed to uncal herniation. MRI was shown to be superior in visualizing uncal herniation.     

Solitary (unicameral) bone cyst

The fallen fragment sign is a prominent radiologic feature in a minority of cases of unicameral bone cyst (20% in this series). This sign is always associated with pathologic fracture. Intramedullary fracture fragments may be single or multiple and may or may not be entirely dislodged from overlying periosteum. The finding appears limited to unicameral bone cysts in patients with open physes. When present, the fallen fragment is a pathognomonic finding as it defines the interior of the cyst as nonsolid. This is particularly helpful in cases where absence of the cyst wall secondary to fracture can simulate an intramedullary malignancy with cortical erosion.     

CT and US of the pancreas

The diagnostic capabilities of pancreatic imaging continue to improve with technological advancements in computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To update the practicing radiologist, this article summarizes the current literature on pancreatic imaging, with particular emphasis on CT and US. Pertinent clinical considerations of the disease entities are included, along with illustrative material from the authors' experience.     

Posttraumatic spinal subarachnoid cyst

A case of posttraumatic compressive subarachnoid cyst of the thoracic spine studied by MR, myelography, and myelo-CT is reported. This cyst was surgically confirmed and treated by shunting. Correspondence to: A. Weill     

Cardiac hydatid cyst: 2 case reports

Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease that is still prevalent in regions that rear farm animals, notably along the Mediterranean coast. The liver and lungs are most commonly involved. Cardiac hydatidosis has been reported infrequently even in countries in which hydatid disease is endemic. This entity must be known because when undiagnosed and untreated, the risk of fatal complications increases. We report 2 cases of cardiac echinococcal cysts in young men. The first case is an incidentaloma in a patient admitted for pancreatitis. The second case is about a patient admitted for dyspnea. CT scan and MRI were performed showing intraventrucular cystic mass with a calcified wall which was very suggestive of a hydatid cyst diagnosis. We would like to emphasize the relevance of imaging in this context and shade some light on imaging diagnostic tools.     

Flopping pleural cyst

We describe a patient with a large cyst of pleural origin a flopping movement within the pleural space with chaniging bodyposture. CT was of considerable value in determining the free movement of this lesion as well as suggesting its particular location and nature. Correspondence to: R.N. Sener     

Nonfunctioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas: possibilities of spiral CT characterization

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of spiral CT to adequately characterize the nonfunctioning endocrine tumors (NFETs) of the pancreas, distinguishing this lesion from the other pancreatic tumors. The spiral CT examinations of 21 cases of histologically proven NFETs, along with those of 29 cases of other pancreatic tumors and tumor-like lesions, were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion by two radiologists, in order to correctly classify the lesions, highlighting the typical signs reported in the literature. Discordant cases were further analyzed in the presence of a third radiologist. The final diagnosis was acquired by means of a majority or overall consensus. The histopathologic examination was considered the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CT were calculated. After the consensus evaluation, the correct diagnosis was reached in 72% of cases, with 10% of nonspecific diagnoses of solid pancreatic tumor and 18% of wrong diagnoses. The sensitivity and specificity of spiral CT in identifying NFETs were 66.6 and 82.7%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 73.7 and 77.4%, respectively. In up to 70% of cases the NFET demonstrates a typical aspect of a mass hyperdense in the arterial contrastographic phase eventually associated with hyperdense hepatic metastases in more than half of the patients. This finding does allow the diagnosis of NFET but without certainty indeed, since other tumors can show a similar densitometric behavior and among them particularly the ductal adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, both the solid, hypovascularized NFETs, and the cystic form, cannot be differentiated from the other solid and cystic tumors of the pancreas.     

Inferiorly located retrobulbar hydatid cyst: CT and MRI features

Orbital hydatid cyst is rare. Hydatid cysts in other organ systems are not mentioned in the previous papers emphasizing an orbital hydatid. Four cases of inferiorly located retrobulbar hydatid cysts have been reported previously. We present a rare inferiorly located retrobulbar hydatid cyst case in a Turkish child that also had multiple hydatid lesions in the lungs and the liver. We present the orbital CT and MRI findings. Preoperative diagnosis is important to avoid cyst rupture. Although hydatid disease is prevalent in South America, Australasia, the Middle East and Mediterranean countries, increased travel-isolated cases can be seen anywhere in the world.     

Unusual facet cyst containing struvite and hydroxyapatite

This case report describes a patient with severe back pain and radiculopathy. She was found to have a facet cyst within the lumbar spine that appeared to contain calcium on MRI and CT. Upon aspiration the cyst was found to contain calcium ammonium phosphate (struvite) and calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). Ammonia production in the presence of urease-producing bacteria is responsible for the production of struvite in the human body. We postulate that there was a prior infection of the facet with urease-producing bacteria, thus accounting for the production of the struvite within the facet cyst. Received: 29 June 2000 Revision requested: 18 August 2000 Revision received: 27 September 2000 Accepted: 27 September 2000     

Solitary plasmacytomas of the occipital bone: a report of two cases

The radiological appearances of two cases of solitary plasmacytoma in the occipital bone are described. One arose in the lateral part and the other in the squama. They showed characteristic radiological features on CT, MRI and angiography. Bone scintigraphy and gallium scintigraphy were also available. Solitary plasmacytoma of the skull is a rare condition and usually occurs in the calvarium. The skull base is an extremely rare site and only four cases have been reported. The literature of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull is reviewed. Received 26 April 1996; Revision received 12 July 1996; Accepted 18 August 1996     

Papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas in a teenage boy

We present a case of a 13-year-old boy with a left-sided abdominal mass which proved to be a papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. This low-grade malignant lesion of young patients is very rare, and exceedingly rare in males. The prognosis following resection of this tumor is good. We present the ultrasound and computed tomographic picture of this lesion, as well as the gross and microscopic pathology. Received: 10 July 1998; Revision received: 13 November 1998; Accepted: 11 January 1999     

Sonographic diagnosis of the ruptured hydatid cyst of the kidney

The clinical and radiological features of one case of renal hydatid disease communicating with collecting system are described. Introduction of hydatid elements into the renal pelvis due to rupture was accompanied by six episodes of renal colic. Although the sonographic features of renal hydatid disease have been described extensively, direct demonstration by ultrasonography of hydatid cyst ruptured into the renal pelvis has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. The diagnosis has also been confirmed at surgery. Received 12 October 1995; Revision received 25 March 1996; Accepted 4 April 1996     

CT features of malignant mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas

This study is aimed at evaluating which pre-operative findings at CT are prevailingly associated with histologically malignant appearance of mucinous cystic tumor (MCT) of the pancreas. The CT examinations of 52 female patients affected with pathologically proved MCT were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists, blinded to the histopathological assessment of the biologic behavior (either benign or malignant). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify the most important features associated with the malignant nature of MCT. Calcifications in the wall and/or in the septa, thick wall, and septations resulted in the most important features associated with malignancy. The simultaneous presence of all these radiological signs constitutes an almost "certain" marker of malignancy, being the risk equal to 0.95, whereas the simultaneous presence of at least two of them entails a risk of malignancy ranging from 0.56 to 0.74, according to the type of morphological features. On the other hand, the absence of the mentioned radiological features entails a negligible risk of malignancy (0.02). Mucinous cystic tumors characterized by multilocular macrocystic architecture, with thick wall and calcifications in the wall and/or the septa, present the highest risk of malignancy, and advocate prompt surgical intervention. When those signs are absent, the probability of malignancy is lower. In this case a non-operative management is possible.     

Comparison of Multidetector CT and Gadobutrol-Enhanced MR Imaging for Evaluation of Small,Solid Pancreatic Lesions

ObjectiveTo compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and MRI for lesion conspicuity, as well as the detection and characterization of small solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs).ResultsThe sensitivity of MRI for "detection of SPL per se" was significantly higher than that of CT in both reviewers: 92.7% (179/193) and 97.9% (189/193), respectively, for reviewer 1 (p = 0.031) and 90.7% (175/193) and 99.5% (192/193), respectively, for reviewer 2 (p < 0.001). In addition, MRI provided better lesion conspicuity than MDCT for both reviewers (p < 0.001). However, CT and MRI did not show significant difference in sensitivity for "detection of SPL in consideration of secondary features", specificity for SPL detection, and differentiation of PDAC vs. non-PDAC (p > 0.05). The accuracies of CT and MRI for making a specific diagnosis were as follows: 85.7% (210/245) vs. 86.9% (213/245), respectively, for reviewer 1 (p = 0.736), and 91.8% (225/245) vs. 93.5% (229/245), respectively, for reviewer 2 (p = 0.454).ConclusionMRI showed better lesion conspicuity than MDCT, but did not show significantly different diagnostic performance compared with MDCT for detecting and characterizing small SPLs.