Morphometric analysis of suprarenal glands (adrenal glands) with multislice computerized tomography / Análisis morfométrico de glándulas suprarenales (glándulas adrenales) con tomografía computarizada multicorte

The aim of our study are to determine the shape, vertebrae level, height, volume, corpus medial and lateral branch thicknesses of AG and the distance from some neighboring structures on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images and also to determine the relationship between these data and gender, age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). The study was conducted on a total of 420 MDCT images consisted of 220 male (mean age 63.44±8.00, 50-81 years), 200 female (mean age 61.23±7.95, 50-84 years) healthy individuals. Vertebrae level of AG (VLAG), height of AG (HAG), adrenal gland volume (VAG), corpus thickness of AG (CTAG), medial section thickness of AG (MTAG) and lateral section thickness of AG (LTAG) were investigated. In our study, RAG were observed on T12 vertebrae level in 38.19 % of males and 42.5 % of females and LAG were also observed at that level in 39.55 % of the male and 51 % of the female individuals. RAG were observed in all males and 98.5 % of the females and LAG were observed 88.63 % of the males and 94 % of the females "Y" shaped. VAG were observed lower in males compared to females in age groups and VAG was observed increasing with age in males; decreased in 60-69 age group of females and increased again in 70 and plus age group. The aim of this study is to determine normal ranges of AG sizes and the relationship of each one with sex, age, height, weight and BMI.

Los objetivos de nuestro estudio fueron determinar la forma, el nivel vertebral, la altura, el volumen, el grosor de las ramas medial y lateral del cuerpo de glándulas suprarrenales (GSR) y la distancia de algunas estructuras vecinas en las imágenes de tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD) y determinar la relación entre estos datos y sexo, edad, estatura, peso e índice de masa corporal (IMC). El estudio se realizó en un total de 420 imágenes TCMD de 220 hombres (edad media 63,44 ± 8,00, 50-81 años) y 200 mujeres (edad media 61,23 ± 7,95, 50-84 años) todos sanos. Se investigó el nivel de la GSR respecto a las vértebras, la altura de GRS (AGSR), el volumen de la glándula suprarrenal (VGSR), el grosor del cuerpo, el espesor de la sección mediana de GSR (SMGSR) y el grosor de la sección lateral de GSR (SLGSR). En nuestro estudio, se observó la GSR derecha a nivel de vértebras T12 en el 38,19 % de los hombres y en el 42,5 % de las mujeres y la GSR izquierda se observó a ese nivel en el 39,55 % de los hombres y 51 % de las mujeres. La GSR se presentó en forma de «Y¼ en el lado derecho en todos los hombres y en el 98,5 % de las mujeres y en el lado izquierdo se observó en el 88,63 % de los hombres y 94 % de las mujeres. El VGSR era menor en los hombres en relación con las mujeres en los diferentes grupos de edad y aumentaba con la edad en los hombres; disminuyó en el grupo de 60-69 años de edad de las mujeres y aumentó nuevamente después de los 70 años.

A novel modified PAIR technique using a trocar catheter for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: a six-year experience.

PURPOSE: We aimed to demonstrate the success and reliability of a novel puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique in liver hydatid cysts. METHODS: Percutaneous treatment with ultrasonographic guidance was performed in 493 hepatic hydatid cysts in 374 patients. Patients were treated with a new PAIR technique by single puncture method using a 6F trocar catheter. The results of this novel technique were evaluated with regards to efficacy and safety of the procedure and complication rates. RESULTS: Out of 493 cysts, 317 were Gharbi type I (WHO CE 1) and 176 were Gharbi type II (WHO CE 3A). Of all cysts, 13 were referred to surgery because of cystobiliary fistulization. Recurrence was observed in 11 cysts one month later. Therefore, the success rate of the PAIR technique was 97.7% (469/480). Minor complications (fever, urticaria-like reactions, biliary fistula) were seen in 44 treated patients (12%, 44/374); the only major complication was reversible anaphylactic shock which was observed in two patients (0.5%, 2/374). CONCLUSION: This novel modified PAIR technique may be superior to catheterization by Seldinger technique due to its efficiency, easier application, lower severe complication rate, and lower cost. Further comparative studies are required to confirm our observations.

Morphometric Analysis of the Sacral Canal and Hiatus Using Multidetector Computed Tomography for Interventional Procedures.

AIM: The sacral canal has been frequently used as "a passage" for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for spinal diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate morphometric analyses of the sacral canal, hiatus, and surrounding structures according to different age groups and gender by using the "multidetector computed tomography" method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multiplanar-reconstructed images from 300 adult (150 females and 150 males, between 20 and 80 years old) were divided into three groups according to age and retrospectively examined. Various anatomic measurements of the sacral hiatus, surrounding structures, and sacral canal were performed. Sacral curvature angle and lumbosacral lordotic angle were noted. RESULTS: Bony anatomic abnormalities such as absent hiatus (0.3%), complete agenesis (1%), and bony septum (2.6%) were detected in some cases. The anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the hiatus was less than 2 mm in 5% of cases. In all groups, the mean values of the hiatus AP diameter and area, and the shortest distance of the sacral canal AP diameter were shorter in the 60-80 years age group when compared with those in 20-39 years age group (p=0.01). The shortest sacral canal AP diameter was commonly located at the S2 and S3 levels in 59.2% and 33.9% of cases, respectively. The levels of maximum curvature were at S3 and S2 in 63.3% and 26.7% of cases, respectively. Median sacral curvature angles and lumbosacral lordotic angles were measured as 164° and 134°, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sacral structures have morphometric variations. Understanding of the detailed anatomy may improve the reliability of interventional procedures.

Strain elastography in the characterization of renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain elastography to differentiate renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from angiomyolipoma (AML). METHODS: Strain elastography was performed in 65 patients (mean age 55.5 years; range: 32-81) who had renal lesions (24 AMLs and 41 RCCs) prospectively. Lesions were classified according to lesion size and histological subtypes. The strain ratios of the RCCs and AMLs were evaluated by a radiologist. The area under the curve and the cut-off point were used to assess diagnostic performance. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were obtained. RESULTS: In assessing the mean strain ratio, we divided the groups in 3 according to size: (1) <20-mm lesions; (2) 20- to 40-mm lesions; and (3) >40-mm lesions; the respective mean strain ratios were: 1.5 ± 0.5 (range: 0.06-5.92), 2.8 ± 0.4 (range: 0.17-9.92), 2.7 ± 0.3 (range: 0.08-6.15). When RCCs and AMLs were compared, there was a statistically significant difference in the strain ratio among the 3 groups divided per lesion size (p < 0.01). For the strain ratio, the mean ± standard deviation was 1.1 ± 0.1 for AMLs and 3.4 ± 0.3 for RCCs (p < 0.01). When lesion subtypes were compared, there was a statistically significant difference in the strain ratio between the AML and clear cell RCC (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For assessing renal lesions, strain elastography and strain ratio values may be useful in differentiating RCCs from AMLs.

The relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and epicardial adipose tissue in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart. The relationship between coronary artery disease and EAT was shown in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. One of the established risk factor in this population is dyslipidemia. We aimed to determine the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and EAT in ESRD patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 76 ESRD patients receiving PD or HD for ≥6 months and 42 healthy subjects. EAT was measured by using an electrocardiogram-gated 64-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Atherogenic index of plasma was calculated as the logarithmically transformed ratio of the serum trigliseride to HDL-cholesterol. RESULTS: The etiology of ESRD patients was diabetic nephropathy (n = 16), chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 10), hypertensive nephropathy (n = 23), polycystic kidney disease (n = 7), nephrolithiasis (n = 5) and unknown (n = 15). There were no differences with respect to the following variables between ESRD patients and healthy subjects: age; sex; BMI; predialysis levels of DBP; serum levels of albumin, HDL-cholesterol and hemoglobin. However, ESRD patients had higher serum levels of trigliseride, hs-CRP and AIP when compared to healthy subjects. There was a statistically significant relationship between EAT, BMI and AIP in ESRD patients (r = 0.42, p < 0.001 and r = 0.25, p = 0.028, respectively). The stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, as well as BMI were independent predictors of EAT. CONCLUSION: We found a relationship between EAT as defined by MDCT and AIP in ESRD patients. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed.

Soluble TWEAK independently predicts atherosclerosis in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk is increased in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and also found to be ongoing in renal transplant (Rtx) patients. As a sign of atherosclerosis, increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been widely accepted as a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in CKD patients. A novel markers, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were introduced as potential markers in inflammatory disorders including CKD. The role of Rtx in terms of atherogenesis is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sTWEAK, NLR and CIMT in Rtx patients without overt CVD and to compare these results with those obtained from healthy subjects. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis in which CIMT measurements, NLR and serum TWEAK levels were assessed in 70 Rtx patients (29 females; mean age, 40.6 ± 12.4 years) and 25 healthy subjects (13 females, mean age; 37.4±8.8 years). RESULTS: sTWEAK levels were significantly decreased (p=0.01) and hs-CRP, NLR and CIMT levels of Rtx patients were significantly increased compared to healthy subjects (p<0.0001, p=0.001, p<0.0001, respectively). sTWEAK was also found to be decreased when eGFR was decreased (p=0.04 between all groups). CIMT was positively correlated with sTWEAK and NLR in Rtx patients (r=0.81, p<0.0001 and r=0.33, p=0.006, respectively). sTWEAK was also positively correlated with NLR (r=0.37, p=0.002). In the multivariate analysis only sTWEAK was found to be an independent variable of increased CIMT. CONCLUSION: sTWEAK might have a role in the pathogenesis of ongoing atherosclerosis in Rtx patients.

Cystic and cavitary lung lesions in children: radiologic findings with pathologic correlation.

A number of diseases produce focal or multiple thin-walled or thick-walled air- or fluid-containing cysts or cavitary lung lesions in both infants and children. In infants and children, there is a spectrum of focal or multifocal cystic and cavitary lung lesions including congenital lobar emphysema, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, pleuropulmonary blastoma, bronchogenic cyst, pulmonary sequestration, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, airway diseases, infectious diseases (bacterial infection, fungal infection, etc.), hydatid cysts, destroid lung, and traumatic pseudocyst. For the evaluation of cystic or cavitary lung lesion in infants and children, imaging plays an important role in accurate early diagnosis and optimal patient management. Therefore, a practical imaging approach based on the most sensitive and least invasive imaging modality in an efficient and cost-effective manner is paramount. We reviewed the conventional radiographs and computed tomography findings of the most common cystic and cavitary lung lesions in infants and children.

Predictors of kidney dimensions measured by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in 930 middle-aged and elderly patients.

PURPOSE: A few studies investigated renal size using computed tomography (CT) in middle-aged and elderly patients while taking renal function into account. Thus, we aimed to assess kidney dimensions and their predictors in patients without known renal disease by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: This is a 6-month-long prospective observational study. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated with Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formulas. Pole-to-pole kidney length (R1) was determined from coronal and sagittal oblique images. Kidney length (R2), width (R3), and parenchymal thickness were measured in axial slices. RESULTS: The data of the 930 patients were included in this study. CG-eGFR was more closely correlated with R1, R2, and R3 than MDRD-eGFR. CG-eGFR, female gender, and presence of diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of R1 size in logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: Kidney sizes diminish with advancing age. CG-eGFR shows a better correlation with kidney dimensions compared with MDRD. Overall, age was a stronger determinant of eGFR than renal dimensions.

Relationship between Plasma Pentraxin-3, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Atherosclerosis in Renal Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Atherosclerosis and inflammation are the most important risk factors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) was shown to predict inflammation and atherosclerosis in ESRD patients. However, the role of renal transplantation (Rtx) in terms of atherogenesis is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between PTX-3, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Rtx patients and healthy controls. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 29 Rtx patients (12 females, 40.1 ± 11.9 years) without overt CVD and 19 healthy subjects (9 females, 36.9 ± 8.9 years), testing the relationship between CIMT, assessed by ultrasonography, and selected biomarkers. RESULTS: CIMT, PTX-3, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels of Rtx patients were found to be significantly higher compared to healthy subjects. CIMT was positively correlated with age, creatinine, uric acid, triglyceride, PTX-3, hs-CRP, and NLR, and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in all participants. In Rtx patients, CIMT was positively correlated with age, BMI, serum phosphorus, low-density lipoprotein, and hs-CRP. The multivariate analysis revealed that hs-CRP was found to be an independent variable of CIMT in Rtx patients. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that inflammation and atherosclerosis persist in Rtx patients. Serum hs-CRP might be a useful marker to assess these parameters in this population.