The diagnostic dilemma: a clinician's viewpoint

The prevalence of renovascular hypertension appears to be increasing, particularly in older patients with generalized arteriosclerosis, hypertension and impaired renal function. While clinical clues remain extremely useful in identifying patients at increased risk, older screening tests have been largely abandoned in favor of angiographic methods that provide visual identification of renal artery lesions. Renal scintigraphic techniques, with or without angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, offer the potential for providing accurate measurements of renal function, and may be particularly useful in identifying critical renal arterial stenosis. In assessing the future role of scintigraphy, careful clinical validation of these correlations will be necessary, as will determinations of their usefulness in patients with renal insufficiency and those with bilateral renal artery stenosis. The role of adrenal scintigraphy in the localization of adrenal tumors is also reviewed. Their cost-effectiveness, limitations in sensitivity and specificity compared to current diagnostic technologies, and potential applications are discussed.     

Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: a diagnostic dilemma

The diagnosis of PE in pregnancy poses a challenge due to pregnancy-related physiological changes. Missing the PE or wrongly treating a pregnant woman for PE has serious clinical consequences. There has been concern over the use of radiation-based imaging modalities due to risk of teratogenicity and oncogenicity. This review is focused on various diagnostic options and risks of radiation to the fetus and mother from radiation-based procedures.     

Retroperitoneal well-differentiated inflammatory liposarcoma: a diagnostic dilemma

We present a case of retroperitoneal well-differentiated inflammatory liposarcoma that was extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images showed a 5-cm homogeneous soft-tissue mass with a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient and without fat component in the retroperitoneum. Minimal fat stranding was detected around the mass. The preoperative working diagnosis was malignant lymphoma or inflammatory pseudotumor, whereas the final diagnosis after surgery was well-differentiated inflammatory liposarcoma. As a result, only a large component of lymphoid infiltration was recognized as a tumor preoperatively, and minimal fat stranding represented a component of lipoma-like liposarcoma. In this entity, a lipomatous component could easily be missed on radiologic imaging because of the conspicuity of lymphoid infiltration. We should consider the possibility of this variant when we evaluate a retroperitoneal tumor.     

Tumor-induced osteomalacia: a case of diagnostic dilemma

Tumor-induced osteomalacia is typically caused by benign mesenchymal tumors of vascular or skeletal origin. Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) by these tumors is associated with decreased resorption of phosphate in the renal tubules. This phosphate wasting leads to the characteristic findings of hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphaturia. Chronic hypophosphatemia causes abnormal mineralization of bone, increased alkaline phosphatase and, in the longer term, osteomalacia. Localization and resection of the FGF-23-secreting tumor offers the best chance of cure. We report a case of a 74-year-old woman diagnosed with numerous fractures on bone scintigraphy. Bone biopsy confirmed osteomalacia. Biochemical investigations showed hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphaturia, and increased alkaline phosphatase, suggesting the presence of an FGF-23-secreting tumor. Biochemistry also showed hyperparathyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Thyroid and parathyroid scintigraphy were performed and showed separate areas of focally increased tracer uptake in the neck. The patient underwent octreotide scintigraphy to localize an alternative site of tumor. This showed focally increased tracer uptake in the neck and in the abdomen. The patient underwent a hemithyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, and adrenalectomy. Histopathology showed a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, a parathyroid adenoma, and an adrenal adenoma. Postoperatively the patient showed rapid symptomatic and biochemical improvement.     

Ultrasound screening of renal cell carcinomas

The increasing number of incidentally by ultrasound detected small renal cell carcinomas raises the question of the practicability and efficacy of a systematic screening for renal cell carcinoma by ultrasound. A two year screening program for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was established for the general population (age > 40 years) in two cities, Mainz and Wuppertal. In cooperation with different health insurers, the organizers recruited general practitioners, internists and urologists in private practice who were experienced in and equipped for performing renal ultrasound. The screening was offered in the form of a cost free renal ultrasound in the first year and a re-examination in the second year. For any equivocal/positive renal mass, a reference ultrasound was provided the urology departments at the two university hospitals. 9959 volunteers participated in the screening program (49% male, 51% female) in the first year. The mean age was 61 (40-94) years. 79% of these participants returned for re-examination in the second year. Thirteen (0.1%) subjects were found to have a renal mass, of which nine were RCC. The sensitivity of the program was 82% (one year of follow-up). The predictive value was 2% for equivocal findings on initial exam and 50% for positive findings. The incidence of other abnormal findings was 12%. The screening program was well accepted by physicians in private practice and by the eligible population. The method proved effective, especially if equivocal findings were re-studied by reference sonography before further imaging studies such as CT and MRI were performed.     

Atypical lipoma, a diagnostic dilemma

Although lipomas are one of the most common soft tissue tumors found in the body, atypical lipomas remain a puzzling diagnostic dilemma. Their differential diagnosis from malignant lesions is imperative, but more important is understanding the correct surgical treatment. A thorough review of the literature, the pathology of the entity, and several illustrative cases are presented.     

Intramuscular hemangioma of the foot: a diagnostic dilemma

Intramuscular hemangioma is a rare but important cause of pain and potentially decreased performance in athletes. These benign tumors occur more often in the lower extremity and usually present during the first three decades of life. Symptomatic intramuscular hemangiomas usually present with pain and swelling, which often worsen with activity. Diagnosis can be difficult, resulting in frustration and prolonged activity limitations for these patients. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings can often suggest the diagnosis. Recommended treatment is usually wide total excision, but there are certain cases in which excision is not possible. In difficult areas such as the hands or feet, a sclerosing agent can be injected into the hemangioma to reduce the size of the hemangioma, decrease pain, and improve function.     

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of mandibular condyle: a diagnostic dilemma

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is increasing worldwide and so are its consequences. Its oral manifestations are infrequent, occurring in approximately 3% of all cases. Although the primary lesion occurs as a pulmonary infection, the extrapulmonary infections have also shown an increase over the past few years. These infections generally involve the head and neck through haematogenous or lymphatic routes. The clinical presentation may be as an ulcer, granuloma, orofacial TB, TB of the salivary glands or tuberculous lymphadenitis. Rarely, secondary oral manifestations associated with pulmonary infection are seen, which can appear as lesions on the gingiva, palate, lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, frenulum and in the jaw bones. Owing to the rarity of orofacial TB, it seldom arouses clinical suspicion, especially when a positive history of a systemic infection or therapy is denied. Tuberculous involvement of the mandibular condyle is even rarer, and only two such cases are reported so far, both in English-language literature. Further, the diagnosis of such a case is extremely difficult as there are no specific signs pathogonomic of infection. The only manifestation may be a localized painful swelling of the jaw. The presented case is of osteomyelitis of the mandibular condyle in a 20-year-old male patient in whom TB was later suspected. In this case report the role of diagnostic techniques is emphasized as the osteomyelitis of the condyle has the risk of being easily missed owing to its atypical signs and symptoms and atypical radiographic appearance.     

Aortic dissection,a diagnostic dilemma: Case report

A case of type I (type A) aortic dissection proved by postmortem examination could not be fully delineated relative to the type of dissection by dynamic CT as well as three positive contrast aortograms. Small tears in the ascending aorta and their strategic locations can escape even intensive radiologic evaluation. We present a case in which medical therapy was provided and, inappropriately, surgery was not performed.     

Fibrous dysplasia localized to spine: a diagnostic dilemma

Fibrous dysplasia of the spine is uncommon, especially in monostotic form. Isolated vertebral involvement in polyostotic form is very rare. We report a case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia with lesions localized to dorso-lumbar spine in a 45-year-old rheumatoid arthritis patient. No associated appendicular lesions, cutaneous manifestations or endocrinopathies were seen. The extreme rarity of this type of lesion can pose a diagnostic dilemma, and biopsy is required for diagnosis. The association with rheumatoid arthritis in our case seems to be a chance occurrence.     

Small renal cell carcinomas: correlation of size with tumor stage, nuclear grade, and histologic subtype

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to correlate the size of renal cell carcinoma with tumor stage, nuclear grade, and histologic subtype in patients treated using partial or radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 213 consecutive renal cell carcinomas resected at our institution from 1995 through 1999. Three groups of lesions stratified by size (< or = 3 cm, > 3-5 cm, > 5 cm) were compared with regard to pathologic findings. Statistical significance was assessed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of 50 lesions 3 cm or smaller, 19 (38%) had extension outside the renal capsule (T3 or T4) and 14 (28%) were a high nuclear grade (Fuhrman grade 3 or 4). Lesions 3 cm or smaller and those greater than 3 cm to 5 cm did not differ statistically with regard to T stage or nuclear grade. Lesions larger than 5 cm showed a statistically higher T stage (p < 0.001) and nuclear grade (p = 0.001) than the other smaller lesions. More non-clear cell tumors were found in the two groups of smaller lesions (p = 0.105) but without statistical significance. The majority (58%) of the tumors were asymptomatic and had been detected incidentally on cross-sectional imaging. Lesions larger than 5 cm were significantly more likely to be symptomatic (p < 0.001). Seventy-nine percent of the tumors 3 cm or smaller were incidental, and these lesions did not differ significantly from the symptomatic lesions with regard to stage, grade, or histology. CONCLUSION: In our study population, renal cell carcinomas up to 3 cm, including asymptomatic lesions, showed a significant incidence of high nuclear grade and tumor extension beyond the renal capsule; these findings support aggressive management of small lesions. Symptomatic status was not an adequate discriminator to guide management. A longitudinal study is necessary to further evaluate the efficacy of current patterns of therapy.     

Hepatic adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia: a diagnostic dilemma

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) and Hepatic Adenoma (HA) remain difficult diagnostic problems due to their variable imaging appearances. Five new cases are presented, illustrating this variability, and the current literature is reviewed. Ultrasonography is a sensitive modality for their detection but is otherwise non-specific. On computer tomography, the presence of a scar suggests FNH, whilst haemorrhage suggests HA. However these features are seen in only a small number of cases. Radionuclide (colloid) scanning aids considerably in FNH but a definitive role has not been found in HA. Angiography is helpful, providing anatomical information, sometimes diagnostic (septated blush in FNH, hypovascular areas in HA) and able to discern benign from malignant lesions. Where imaging is not definitively diagnostic, percutaneous biopsy is indicated if FNH is suspected and surgical biopsy if HA is felt likely.     

Mesenteric panniculitis versus pancreatitis: a computed tomography diagnostic dilemma

A case of mesenteric panniculitis is described in a patient with CT features mimicking pancreatitis. Emphasis is on the important CT features for accurate diagnosis.     

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery: a diagnostic dilemma

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare malignancy arising from the multipotential mesenchymal cell of the intima of the pulmonary artery. Due to its rarity and nonspecific clinical symptoms, the correct diagnosis and proper management are often delayed. Furthermore, it is frequently misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism, mediastinal mass, pulmonary stenosis and lung cancer. Therefore, it is important to consider primary leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery a possibility when a persistent filling defect is present in the pulmonary artery and there is no response to optimal anticoagulation treatment. Radiologic findings such as a unilateral mass continuously filling the pulmonary artery, inhomogenous enhancement, vascular distension, extravascular invasion into adjacent structure or uptake in the area of tumor on the FDG-PET can be helpful when differentiating pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) from chronic thromboembolism.     

Diagnostic imaging of renal sarcomas and sarcomatoid renal cell carcinomas

Renal sarcomas and sarcomatoid renal cell carcinomas are extremely rare neoplasms of the kidney. The Authors reviewed the pathological files and report the features of 12 renal sarcomas and 22 sarcomatoid carcinomas. Leiomyosarcomas and liposarcomas were the most common tumors among the sarcomas, while sarcomatoid carcinomas presented different proportions of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. The findings of diagnostic imaging modalities, including plain film and intravenous urography (with nephrotomography), arteriography, ultrasonography and computed tomography, are reported. The findings enable the diagnosis of the nature of these masses. However, the actual experience does not allow a prospective diagnosis of renal sarcoma or of sarcomatoid carcinoma. The mesenchymal nature of the tumor may be suspected when the capsular or sinusal origin is evident, a fatty component is seen within a large aggressive mass and when a hypovascular mass with capsular vessels is seen in angiography. Correspondence to: L. Dalla-Palma