[Imaging findings in cardiac masses. Part II: malignant tumors and pseudotumors]. / Hallazgos de imagen de las masas cardíacas. parte II: tumores malignos y lesiones pseudotumorales.

Malignant heart tumors are less common than benign ones. They can be primary or secondary. Secondary or metastatic heart tumors are 20 to 40 times more common than primary malignant heart tumors, which have an estimated incidence of 0.05%. Non-neoplastic pseudotumors can present as cardiac masses, with imaging characteristics than can suggest the diagnosis of a tumor. The aim of this article is to describe and illustrate malignant heart tumors and pseudotumors, stressing the CT and MRI findings that make it possible to differentiate them from benign cardiac tumors.

Imaging findings in cardiac masses (Part I): study protocol and benign tumors.

Cardiac masses represent a diagnostic challenge because decisions about treatment are based on imaging techniques. Echocardiography, magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) are fundamental for the detection, characterization, and staging of cardiac masses as well as for planning their treatment. Most primary cardiac tumors are benign; myxomas, papillary fibroelastomas, and lipomas are the most common. The location of the tumors and its characteristics on CT and MR orient the etiologic diagnosis in most cases. This article describes the protocols for CT and MR studies of cardiac masses as well as the morphologic findings, predominant locations, and most useful characteristics for characterizing benign cardiac masses and establishing the differential diagnosis with malignant cardiac tumors and non-neoplastic pseudotumors.

[Acute abdomen caused by thrombosis of the portal and superior mesenteric veins in a splenectomized hematologic patient]. / Abdomen agudo por trombosis de las venas porta y mesentérica superior en paciente hematológico esplenectomizado.

Thrombosis of the portal veins and superior mesenteric artery is a rare condition which may occur due to a wide variety of precipitating factors and is a very uncommon complication in post splenectomized hematologic patients. The case of a woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with portal and mesenteric thrombosis following splenectomy is presented. Diagnosis was established by echography and abdominal computerized tomography and confirmed following percutaneous transhepatic angiography. Local fibrinolysis of the thrombosis was performed through a percutaneous transhepatic catheter with good resolution of the process. The authors conclude that echography and computerized tomography provide useful information in this type of complications while percutaneous transhepatic fibrinolysis constitutes the treatment of choice in these patients.

[Vascular manifestations in 30 cases of Behçet's disease]. / Manifestaciones vasculares en 30 casos de enfermedad de Behçet.

Vascular manifestations on Behçet's disease (BD) vary from 25 to 65% according to different series. Affects both arteries as veins, but superficial thrombophlebitis is the most frequent disorder. Disorders with higher morbidity like deep venous thrombosis, and arterial aneurisms can appear, even in the lungs. In our series of 30 patients we found an incidence of 46% of vascular manifestations, mainly (92%) superficial thrombophlebitis. We highlight the presence of a femoral aneurism, which was resected, and discuss its evolution and response to treatment with prednisone and cyclophosphamide. We review in-depth the vascular manifestations in the Spanish and International scientific literature, paying special interest to aneurism dilatations.

Meningeal granulocytic sarcoma without evidence of leukemia. Light and ultrastructural study of one case.

An unusual case of meningeal granulocytic sarcoma without evidence of Leukemia is presented. The patient, a 40 year old female, presented with a chronic subdural haematoma. Three months later a large meningeal tumor was discovered adjacent to the previous haematoma and was found to be a granulocytic sarcoma by the use of electron microscopy. The tumor was treated by surgical excision followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient remains free of symptoms and without evidence of leukemia in the peripheral blood or bone marrow 9 months after the diagnosis was established. The ultrastructural findings in the tumor and diagnostic difficulties often encountered are emphasized.