MRI of the female pelvis at 3T compared to 1.5T: evaluation on high-resolution T2-weighted and HASTE images

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of MRI of the female pelvis using high‐resolution T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) and the half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) technique at 3 Tesla (T) compared to 1.5T, while focusing on the uterine body and cervical anatomy.

Materials and Methods

A total of 19 healthy women underwent pelvic MR scans on 3T and 1.5T scanners. Axial and sagittal T2W (voxel size of 0.6 × 0.8 × 2 mm) and sagittal HASTE images were obtained. The images were evaluated qualitatively for overall image quality, contrast in the uterine zonal appearance and cervical structure, image inhomogeneity, and artifacts. A quantitative evaluation was performed regarding zonal contrast and image inhomogeneity.

Results

On T2WI, the image contrast in the uterine cervix and vagina were significantly higher at 3T than at 1.5T, although there was no significant difference in the overall image quality or contrast in the uterine zonal appearance. Image inhomogeneity was more prominent at 3T, and motion artifact was more severe at 1.5T.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that MRI of the female pelvis at 3T may potentially provide excellent images of the uterine cervix on high‐resolution T2WI. New techniques to reduce inhomogeneity are thus called for. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:527–534. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

肾实质切开联合气压弹道碎石治疗肾内型肾盂鹿角形肾结石

目的探讨肾实质切开联合气压弹道碎石治疗肾内型肾盂鹿角形肾结石的临床疗效和操作体会。方法自2007年5月至2008年12月采肾实质切开联合气压弹道碎石治疗肾内型肾盂鹿角形肾结石6例。结果结石取净率为83．5％,患者术后恢复良好,均无并发症发生。结论采用肾实质切开联合气压弹道碎石治疗肾内型肾孟鹿角形肾结石,有减少肾功能损害及术中出血量,降低复杂肾结石的手术难度和手术风险,降低结石残余率等优点,且气压弹道碎石机是输尿管肾镜及膀胱镜配套设备,不需另外购买,可一机多用,值得推广应用。     

Large retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking a cystic ovarian mass in a patient with Hansen's disease

We present a rare case of retroperitoneal cystic schwannoma of the pelvis in a patient with Hansen's disease that mimicked an ovarian cyst. Due to economic constraints and because the lesion was assumed to be of ovarian origin, the patient did not undergo any cross-sectional imaging other than sonography. Sonographically guided fine needle aspiration of the cystic lesion was inconclusive. A cystic schwannoma was diagnosed at laparotomy.     

肾输尿管全长切除治疗上尿路肿瘤的两种手术方法比较

目的 评价先经尿道切除膀胱壁段输尿管的肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的临床效果.方法 回顾性非随机对58例局限性上尿路移行细胞癌的患者进行比较研究,25例用电切镜先经尿道切除膀胱壁段输尿管后再行腰部切口行肾输尿管切除,33例采用常规的腰部或第11肋间切口肾输尿管切除后再做下腹部切口行膀胱袖状切除.比较两组手术时间、出血量和膀胱肿瘤的复发率.结果 经尿道切除膀胱壁段输尿管的手术时间明显短于标准的两个切口的手术时间(平均112与186min,P<0.05),出血量明显低(平均108与251ml,P<0.01).随访6～51个月时,先经尿道切除膀胱壁段输尿管膀胱内肿瘤复发4例(16%),两个切口手术组膀胱内肿瘤复发6例(18%).结论 先经尿道切除膀胱壁段输尿管的肾输尿管切除治疗上尿路移行细胞癌创伤小、手术时间短、出血量少,并不增加膀胱肿瘤的复发率,是局限性上尿路肿瘤的有效手术方法之一.     

Reoperative laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: comparison with open surgery

PURPOSE: We assessed the feasibility of pediatric redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty in comparison to redo open pyeloplasty for safety, efficacy, operative time, blood loss, postoperative analgesic requirements, length of hospitalization, complications, need for readmission and subsequent procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients undergoing reoperative pyeloplasty between June 2003 and July 2006. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (11 redo pyeloplasties) were divided into 2 groups, ie those undergoing redo open (4) and laparoscopic (6) pyeloplasty. Groups were similar in age, sex, weight, laterality, and number and type of prior interventions to repair ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Surgical time for redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty was longer than for redo open pyeloplasty (290 vs 203 minutes, p<0.05). Success rate was the same in both groups (80%). The redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty group had a shorter hospital stay (mean 2.5 vs 4.6 days, p<0.05), decreased use of parenteral narcotics (0.2 vs 5 mg/kg, p<0.01), and a trend toward decreased oral narcotics (0.2 vs 2.1 mg/kg, p=0.09) and fewer complications (0 vs 4, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the feasibility of redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the pediatric population. In experienced hands pediatric redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty can be performed safely with a success rate similar to that of open surgery, and it may provide a faster recovery with decreased narcotic requirements and morbidity. Further studies are needed to better define the role of laparoscopic pyeloplasty for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the pediatric population.     

Percutaneous renal intervention: comparison of 2-D and time-resolved 3-D (4-D) ultrasound for minimal calyceal dilation using an ultrasound phantom and fluoroscopic control

The rapid advances made by ultrasound in recent years have increasingly taken 3-D ultrasound (3DUS) and 4-D ultrasound (4DUS) from the research setting to the patient's bedside. There are still unexplored areas like renal percutaneous intervention, where 4DUS has yet to be proven an effective tool. Ultrasound-only guidance in renal percutaneous access is used in selected well-dilated pelvi-calyceal systems (PCS), and fluoroscopy is often utilized as an adjunct. Our aim was to compare 2-D and 4-D guidance for punctures, with fluoroscopy as control, using an in vitro ultrasound phantom. Agar and latex were the tissue-mimicking materials used for the construction of the phantom. The latex targets were designed to simulate multidirection-facing minimally dilated renal calyces. Two interventional fellows punctured the "calyces" using first 2DUS and then 4DUS guidance, making use of a different set of targets each time. The time to puncture, time to introduction of wire, quality of puncture (judged on fluoroscopy) and global rating of both modalities were documented. There was no significant difference between the times to puncture using 2DUS (1.8 min) and 4DUS (2 min). Nor was there a significant difference in the quality of puncture. 4DUS had a higher median difficulty rating. The multiplanar reformatted (MPR) longitudinal and transverse images were found to be the most useful for needle guidance. Cross hairs in all MPR images were not just useful in aligning the images on target but also as surrogate targets. The phantom was found to be robust, with only one instance of air introduction after 30 punctures. We have found that 4DUS is at least as good as 2DUS in terms of quality of punctures in vitro. The technology still has some way to go as frame rates, transducer size and resolution improve.     

Reconstruction with pasteurized autograft-total hip prosthesis composite for periacetabular tumors

BACKGROUND: With the development of preoperative adjuvant treatment, imaging techniques, and improvement of surgical technique, limb salvage is now possible even in patients with pelvic tumors. However, reconstruction after periacetabular resection is complicated and challenging. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of pasteurized autograft-total hip composite in pelvic reconstruction with regard to graft survival, union, graft-related complications, and functional outcome in 14 patients with periacetabular tumor. RESULTS: The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of the pasteurized bones were 64.3% and 32.1%, respectively. Major complications that necessitated graft removal included infection in three, fracture in two, and loosening in three patients. The average functional score of seven long-term successful patients was 25.6 (85.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the high complication rate, pasteurized autograft can be considered as an option for periacetabular reconstruction in the selected patients who meet the following criteria. First, iliopectineal and ilioischial lines are radiologically intact; second, the tumor volume is small (preferably less than 100 ml).     

16层螺旋CTU诊断老年原发性肾盂和输尿管移行细胞癌

目的: 探讨16层螺旋CT尿路造影(CTU)技术诊断老年原发性肾盂和输尿管移行细胞癌的价值.材料和方法: 回顾性分析42例老年人CTU检查和经手术病理证实的13例原发性输尿管与3例肾盂移行细胞癌的CTU影像特点,年龄69～82岁,病例均采用10mm层厚和层间距行腹盆部CT增强扫描,并获得原始图像,图像经1.25mm层厚和50%的重叠处理后传送至工作站进行图像后处理.结果: 42例CTU成功率93%,16层螺旋CTU能够清晰显示尿路肿瘤的大小、形态、范围和与其周围组织结构的关系,螺旋CT扫描结果与术中所见一致.结论: 16排螺旋CTU具有扫描速度快、憋气时间短、侵袭性小的特点,同时可多平面、多方位、立体地显示尿路病变,特别适用于老年性尿路疾病的诊断和筛选.     

Acetabular fractures,anatomy and implications for treatment

Acetabular fractures are relatively uncommon and their definitive treatment tends to be focused on specialist major trauma centres. This can make both accurate diagnosis and management challenging, particularly in hospitals where they are rarely seen. Contemporary management of these injuries owes a lot to the work of Judet and Letournel undertaken in the 1970s. The key to understanding these injuries is to know the embryology and development of the pelvis and then be able to appreciate its three-dimensional structure from two-dimensional X-rays. This can then be overlaid with the Judet classification and the action of force vectors encountered in various mechanisms of injury. It is also important to realise the ageing demographics of this group of patients and the complexities this adds to classification and ultimately treatment. Finally, the presence of an acetabular fracture is often seen in association with a number of other injuries. It is imperative that these are appropriately and contemporaneously diagnosed so that a comprehensive management plan may be instituted to give the best outcomes. However, even with optimal management the prognosis is guarded with a majority of patients suffering some degree of functional loss and this must be made clear to the patient from the outset.     

反位手法在非线阵探头盆腔超声检查中的使用价值

目的 旨在探讨常规手法和部位探测不能清晰显示所查脏器或疾病时,而使用反位手法的临床价值。方法 对650例超声所查器官或诊断不明的病人,采用反位手法进行检查,并进行阳性结果对比。结果 650例病人中,有630例（96．8％）超声图像得到不同程度的改善,其中明显改善546例,占84％,稍改善84例,占12．9％。结论 使用反位手法为一些常规手法和部位不能清晰显像的病例提供了一条便捷、准确的诊断手段。