Evaluation of treatment response by multiparametric MR imaging in locally advanced rectal tumors following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of multiparametric MRI examination in determining tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced rectal tumors. METHODS: 46 patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma were included and were divided into two groups as complete responders and nonresponders based on Mandard score. On MRI, relative T2w signal intensity and ADC values obtained before and after treatment and tumour volumes in dynamic contrast enhanced images (DCI) were used to determine complete response to treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between mean ADC values obtained by single slice ADC and three circular ROI methods. There were significant differences between two groups in terms of Post-CRT ADC value, ΔADC and %ΔADC obtained by whole tumour volume ADC method (p < 0.05). There were significant differences between Pre-CRT and Post-CRT volume values. ΔV DCI and %ΔV DCI, ΔV ADC and T2w volume values were significantly lower in complete responders (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 88.9% and 91.9% (AUC = 0.943) when Post-CRT mean ADC value and Post-CRT DCI volume values were used together, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 88.9% and 94.6% (AUC = 0.949) when ΔADC and Post-CRT DCI volume values were used together. CONCLUSION: Whole tumour volume mean ADC value is the most useful method to determine treatment response. Post-CRT DCI volume measurement stands out as the most useful method in assessing complete response alone. The highest diagnostic values are achieved when the post-CRT DCI volume is combined with the ADC change value of the whole tumor volume.

Evaluation of abdominal computed tomography findings in patients with COVID-19: a multicenter study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and interrogate the relationship between abdominal CT findings and patient demographic features, clinical findings, and laboratory test results as well as the CT atherosclerosis score in the abdominal aorta. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicenter retrospective study. The abdominal CT findings of 1.181 patients with positive abdominal symptoms from 26 tertiary medical centers with a positive polymerase chain-reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were reviewed. The frequency of ischemic and non-ischemic CT findings as well as the association between CT findings, clinical features, and abdominal aortic calcific atherosclerosis score (AA-CAS) were recorded. RESULTS: Ischemic and non-ischemic abdominal CT findings were detected in 240 (20.3%) and 328 (27.7%) patients, respectively. In 147 patients (12.4%), intra-abdominal malignancy was present. The most frequent ischemic abdominal CT findings were bowel wall thickening (n = 120; 10.2%) and perivascular infiltration (n = 40; 3.4%). As for non-ischemic findings, colitis (n = 91; 7.7%) and small bowel inflammation (n = 73; 6.2%) constituted the most frequent disease processes. The duration of hospital stay was found to be higher in patients with abdominal CT findings than in patients without any positive findings (13.8 ± 13 vs. 10.4 ± 12.8 days, P < 0.001). The frequency of abdominal CT findings was significantly higher in patients who did not survive the infection than in patients who were discharged after recovery (41.7% vs. 27.4%, P < 0.001). Increased AA-CAS was found to be associated with a higher risk of ischemic conditions in abdominal CT examinations. CONCLUSION: Abdominal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 are usually associated with positive CT findings. The presence of ischemic findings on CT correlates with poor COVID-19 outcomes. A high AA-CAS is associated with abdominal ischemic findings in patients with COVID-19.

Discrimination of papillary renal cell carcinoma from benign proteinaceous cyst based on iodine and water content on rapid kV-switching dual-energy CT.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate whether rapid kV-switching dual energy CT (rsDECT) can discriminate between papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and benign proteinaceous cysts (BPCs) based on iodine and water content. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with histopathologically proven papillary RCC and 38 patients with 41 BPCs were retrospectively included. Patients with BPCs were eligible for inclusion when the cysts were stable in size and appearance for at least 2 years or proved to be a cyst on ultrasound or MRI. All patients underwent delayed phase (70-90 s) rsDECT. Iodine and water content of each lesion was measured on the workstation. RESULTS: Of papillary RCC patients, 4 (16%) were female and 20 (84%) were male. Mean tumor size was 39±20 mm. Mean iodine and water content was 2.08±0.7 mg/mL and 1021±14 mg/mL, respectively. Of BPC patients, 9 were female and 29 were male. Mean cyst size was 20±7 mm. Mean iodine and water content was 0.82±0.4 mg/mL and 1012±14 mg/mL, respectively. There were significant differences between iodine and water contents of papillary RCCs and BPCs (P < 0.001). The best cutoff of iodine content for differentiating papillary RCC from BPC was 1.21 mg/mL (area under the curve [AUC]=0.97, P < 0.001, sensitivity 96%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value [PPV] 82%, negative predictive value [NPV] 97%, accuracy 91%,); the best cutoff of water content was 1015.5 mg/mL (AUC=0.68, P = 0.016, sensitivity 83%, specificity 56%, PPV 52%, NPV 85%, accuracy 66%). CONCLUSION: An iodine content threshold of 1.21 mg/mL accurately differentiates papillary RCC from BPCs on a single postcontrast rsDECT. Despite having a high sensitivity, water content has inferior diagnostic accuracy.

Usefulness of rapid kV-switching dual energy CT in renal tumor characterization.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether iodine content can discriminate between benign or malignant renal tumors, malign tumor subtypes, low-grade and high-grade tumors on rapid kv-switching dual-energy CT (rsDECT). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 95 patients with renal tumors who underwent rsDECT for tumor characterization between 2016 and 2018. Attenuation on true and virtual unenhanced images, absolute enhancement and enhancement ratio and iodine content of each lesion on nephrographic phase iodine density images were measured. Histopathological diagnosis was obtained following either surgery or core biopsy. RESULTS: Eighty-five tumors were renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (56 clear cell, 20 papillary, 9 chromophobe) and 10 were benign (6 angiomyolipoma,4 oncocytoma). 46 tumors were low-grade and 23 high-grade. There was significant difference between iodine content of clear cell and non-clear cell (papillary + chromophobe) RCC (p < 0.001). However, no significant iodine content differences were found between papillary and chromophobe RCC, benign and malignant tumors, low-grade and high-grade tumors. The best cut-off iodine content for differentiating clear cell from non-clear cell RCC was 3.2 mg/ml and clear cell from papillary RCC was 2.9 mg/ml with a high sensitivity and specificity. Also, significant difference was found between attenuation values of true and virtual unenhanced images (p = 0.007). Mean iodine content, absolute enhancement and enhancement ratio were highly correlated. CONCLUSION: rsDECT contributes to renal tumor characterization by showing higher iodine content in clear cell RCCs compared with non-clear cell RCCs.

Lower energy levels and iodine-based material decomposition images increase pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma conspicuity on rapid kV-switching dual-energy CT.

PURPOSE: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is used in the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but it may be inadequate in some cases. Tumor detection can be improved using rapid kV-switching dual-energy CT (rsDECT) and iodine maps. Our aim this study is to evaluate tumor conspicuity in PDAC cases using rsDECT and iodine maps. METHODS: Ninety cases with PDAC were evaluated rsDECT. Tumor contrast (HU) differences, tumor size, CNR (contrast-noise ratio), and noise were measured at 70 keV, individual CNR-energy level, and 45 keV, respectively. Quantitative differences in contrast gain ∆70-CNR and ∆CNR-45 were compared. On iodine maps, the iodine concentration measured in the tumor and parenchyma was normalized to the aorta as normalized iodine concentration (NIC) and compared. RESULTS: The median optimized viewing energy level was 51 keV. The mean ± SD tumor contrast values were 62 ± 20, 115 ± 48, and 152 ± 48 HU (p < 0.001); the largest axial diameters were 36.6 ± 5.1, 37.9 ± 4.2, and 38.3 ± 3.7 mm (p = 0.015); the CNRs were 1.83 ± 0.72, 3.37 ± 0.93, and 2.36 ± 0.56; and the image noise levels were 23.7 ± 6.8, 39.3 ± 11.6, and 59.5 ± 17.2 (p < 0.001) (p < 0.001) for 70 keV, optimized energy level, and 45 keV, respectively. The mean ± SD contrast gain ∆70-CNR was 63 ± 12; and ∆CNR-45 was 31 ± 26 HU (p < 0.001). NICtumor and NICparenchyma values were 0.62 ± 0.03 and 1.36 ± 0.05 mg/mL, respectively (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The use of low energy levels on rsDECT and iodine maps improves tumor conspicuity. This situation may be help better detection of pancreatic tumors.

Efficacy of perfusion CT in differentiating of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis and characterization of isoattenuating pancreatic lesions.

PURPOSE: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is routinely used in the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but it may be inadequate in some cases, especially mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP) and isoattenuating pancreatic lesions. Perfusion CT (pCT) may help resolve this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pCT could help differentiating PDAC from MFCP and in characterization of isoattenuating pancreatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 89 cases of pancreatic lesions detected by MDCT and further analyzed with pCT. Sixty-one cases with final pathological diagnosis PDAC and 12 cases with MFCP were included from the study. Blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability surface area product (PS) maps were obtained. Perfusion values obtained from the lesions and normal parenchyma were compared. RESULTS: Compared with normal parenchyma, BV, BF, PS were lower and MTT was longer in PDAC and MFCP (p < 0.05). Compared with MFCP, BV, BF, PS were lower and MTT was longer in PDAC (p < 0.001). Compared with normal parenchyma, BV, BF, PS were lower and MTT was longer in isoattenuating lesions, (p < 0.001). Cutoff values of 7.60 mL/100 mL, 64.43 mL/100 mL/min, 28.08 mL/100 mL/min for BV, BF, PS, respectively, provided 100% sensitivity and specificity and 7.47 s for MTT provided 98.3% sensitivity, 80% specificity for distinguishing PDAC from MFCP. CONCLUSION: pCT is a useful technology that can be helpful in overcoming the limitations of routine MDCT in diagnosing PDAC and characterization of isoattenuating lesions.

CT features of asymptomatic heterotopic pancreas in jejunal mesentery.

Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is localized pancreatic tissue that has no relation to orthotopic pancreas and has its own channel and vascular structures. Usually, the submucosa is located in the upper gastrointestinal tract; mesenteric placement is rarely reported. It is frequently asymptomatic and is detected incidentally in imaging, laparotomies, or autopsies. Rarely, pancreatitis may be the cause of small bowel obstruction, massive gastrointestinal bleeding, and malignant transformation. However, this has usually been reported in localized submucosal HP cases. The imaging findings are typical, and the diagnosis can be verified without the need for a histopathological diagnosis. In this case report, we aimed to present the imaging findings of asymptomatic HP located in the proximal jejunum mesentery of a 44-year-old woman. To avoid unnecessary surgical procedures, the characteristic imaging findings of HP are understood and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses seen in the mesentery.

A rare cause of acute abdomen in the ED: Chemotherapy-induced pneumatosis intestinalis.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and portomesenteric venous gas (PVG) refers to the presence of air within the intestinal wall and portomesenteric vessels. Most of the time, it is associated with mesenteric ischemia that requires immediate surgical intervention as it has high mortality rate. It may also be seen secondary to various conditions, including infections, surgeries, and some chemotherapeutic drugs. A 61-year old-male was admitted to our emergency department complaining of abdominal pain after chemotherapy. Radiological evaluation of the patient demonstrated massive PVG and PI. Patient underwent urgent surgery due to the possibility of intestinal ischemia and infarction, but no necrosis was identified Chemotherapeutic drug-induced PI and PVG was the final diagnosis. Although PI and PVG are signs of mesenteric ischemia and intestinal necrosis most the of time, chemotherapeutic drugs may also cause PI and PVG rarely. Recent history of chemotheraphy and absence of any mesenteric vascular occlusion may be the diagnostic clue.

Embryonal Testicular Cancer with Duodenal Metastasis: Could Nausea and Vomiting be Alarm Symptoms?

AIM: Duodenal metastasis of testicular cancer is an uncommon condition in clinical practice. Here, we have reported a case of this nature. BACKGROUND: Testicular cancers are among the most seen cancer types among young men. Metastasis of testicular cancer generally occurs through hematogenous and lymphatic drainage. Gastrointestinal (GI) metastasis of testicular cancer has been reported rarely. CASE REPORT: A duodenal mass was seen in esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination in a man who was admitted into hospital for medical treatment of resistant nausea and vomiting. He was previously diagnosed with testicular cancer. Computed tomography (CT) views were compatible with primary duodenal tumor. The duodenal mass was compatible with germ cell neoplasm metastasis. He received chemotherapy regime which includes cisplatin, paclitaxel, and ifosfamid. Nausea and vomiting symptoms decreased and metastatic mass and lymph nodes were regressed. CONCLUSION: Duodenum metastasis of testicular cancer can be treated with a chemotherapy regimen, and patients can improve radiologically and symptomatically without the need of any surgery. Physicians should keep in mind that GI metastasis of testicular cancer may present with nausea and vomiting symptoms. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Duygulu ME, Kaymazli M, Goren I, Yildirim B, Sullu Y, Nural MS, Bektas A. Embryonal Testicular Cancer with Duodenal Metastasis: Could Nausea and Vomiting be Alarm Symptoms? Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(2):198-201.

Absence of the lateral and third ventricles associated with holoprosencephaly.

We describe a 6-month-old boy suffering from motor and mental retardation. All radiological features were suggestive of holoprosencephaly with no identifiable lateral or third ventricles and fusion of the thalami.

A Pancreatic Fistula after the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular surgical weight-loss procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity. There are some complications regarding this procedure in the literature. This report presents a pancreatic fistula (PF) case, which has not been previously seen.

Cholangiocarcinoma Arising from a Type VI Biliary Cyst: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Cystic dilatations of the cystic duct which are suggested as type VI biliary cysts are very rare and many of them go unrecognized or are confused with other cysts until the operation although they are obvious on imaging studies. They can present with fusiform or saccular dilatations and can be accompanied by common bile duct dilatations. It is important to identify these cysts as they share the same characteristics as the other biliary cyst types and can be complicated with malignancy. We herein present a very unusual case of a cholangiocarcinoma arising from a type VI biliary cyst in a 58-year-old female patient and review the literature. The patient presented with jaundice, weight loss, and abdominal pain. On imaging, the cystic duct and common bile duct were fusiformly dilated and had a wide communication. There was a mass filling the distal parts of both ducts. The patient was urgently operated on after perforation following ERCP. Histopathology was compatible with a type VI biliary cyst and an associated cholangiocarcinoma.

Comparison of intrahepatic vein-to-liver parenchyma and intercostal muscle-to-liver parenchyma strain ratios in the assessment of liver fibrosis: which one should we use?

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to investigate whether there is a difference in diagnostic value between vein to parenchyma strain ratio (VPSR) and muscle to parenchyma strain ratio (MPSR). METHODS: VPSR and MPSR were calculated via sonoelastography, and were recorded for comparison with histopathology. ROC analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank correlation test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study included 59 cases of individuals who underwent biopsy (29 women, 30 men). When the threshold value for VPSR was set at 3.23, the sensitivity was 96.2% and the specificity was 83.3% (p < 0.001, F ≥ 1). When the threshold value was set at 3.01 for MPR, the sensitivity was 88.7% and the specificity was 83.3% (p < 0.001, F ≥ 1). The areas under the curve values were VPSR 0.95 and MPSR 0.92 for F ≥ 1, VPSR 0.94 and MPSR 0.92 for F ≥ 2, and VPSR 1.00 and MPSR 0.76 for F = 3 (p < 0.001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.75, and a high positive concordance was found between VPSR and MPSR (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a high positive correlation was observed between two strain ratios, and VPSR was found to be more reliable than MPSR in determining liver fibrosis.

Bowel and mesenteric injury in blunt trauma: diagnostic efficiency and importance of experience in using multidetector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficiency of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the detection of blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries (BBMI), and the role of different experience levels in using MDCT. METHODS: This study included a test group of twenty-seven patients with surgically important BBMI in whom the diagnoses were confirmed after surgical intervention (23 men and 4 women; mean age, 40.7±16.2; range, 18-76), and a control group of twenty-one matched patients without BBMI who underwent laparotomy for trauma during the same time period (16 men and 5 women; mean age, 38.9±14.5; range, 20-68) and sixteen-detector computed tomography prior to surgery. Intraoperative findings were compared with MDCT findings. RESULTS: High accuracy, specificity, and positive predictive values in MDCT findings with respect to intraperitoneal free air, mesenteric air, thickened (>4-5 mm) and defected bowel wall, increased contrast enhancement on bowel wall, and mesenteric hematoma were found among others (p<0.01). Sensitivities and specificities of the diagnosis of BBMI by the resident and staff radiologist was 74% and 71%, and 85% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MDCT displays BBMI with high sensitivity and specificity, and can predict the need for surgery. Experience in radiology is an important factor for appropriate interpretation of the MDCT findings.

Efficiency of apparent diffusion coefficients in differentiation of colorectal tumor recurrences and posttherapeutical soft-tissue changes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in differentiation of colorectal tumor recurrences and posttherapeutical soft tissue changes. METHODS: For this prospective study, 30 patients (22 males, 8 females; age range 30-81 years; mean age 61±12 years) who underwent surgery for colorectal tumors and had a mass detected by computed tomography (CT) and/or MRI during follow-up examinations were divided into 2 groups [17 patients (Group 1) with recurrence and 13 patients (Group 2) with benign fibrosis/granulation tissue]. Final diagnoses were based on histopathological examination in 14 patients and clinical follow-up at least 6 months in the remaining 16. In the latter, the diagnosis of recurrence was made in cases in which the lesion was larger on follow-up CT and MRI; recurrence was ruled out in cases of stable or shrinking lesions without any increase in tumor markers. DW-MRI was performed in the axial plane, for two different b values (b=0 and 800 s/mm(2)). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured by manual delineation of regions of interest on ADC maps. RESULTS: The median ADC values were 1.07 × 10(-3)mm/s(2) (min: 0.82, max: 2.05) and 1.91 × 10(-3)mm/s(2) (min: 1.51, max: 2.22) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. A statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups (P<0.001). When the threshold value used to determine whether the lesions recurred was 1.48 × 10(-3)mm/s(2) based on ROC analysis, the sensitivity was 82% and the specificity was 100%. There were three patients with a false-negative diagnosis, and the primary histopathological diagnosis of all was mucinous adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Because recurrences in mucinous adenocarcinomas have high ADC values, they may show overlap with benign lesions. In the detection of the local recurrence of colorectal neoplasms, with the exception of mucinous adenocarcinomas, ADC measurements are reliable imaging techniques.

[The role of abdominal computed tomography in determining perforation findings and site in patients with gastrointestinal tract perforation]. / Gastrointestinal kanal perforasyonlarinda perforasyon bulgularinin ve yerinin saptanmasinda karin bilgisayarli tomografisinin rolü

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the role of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in determining perforation findings and site in patients with gastrointestinal tract perforation. METHODS: Preoperative abdominal CT scans of 47 patients who had surgically proven gastrointestinal tract perforation between July 2007 and July 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The presence of free air, leakage of contrast material, wall thickness, wall discontinuity, abscess, free fluid, and phlegmon were investigated for each patient. The site of perforation was estimated in light of these findings and compared with the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Perforation sites were determined correctly in 85.7% of patients with gastroduodenal perforation, 85.7% of patients with small bowel perforation, 69.2% of patients with large bowel perforation, 100% of patients with rectum perforation, 90.9% of patients with appendix perforation, and 82.9% of all patients according to the abdominal CT findings. The most common CT finding in gastrointestinal tract perforation was free fluid, with a rate of 89.4%. The rates of other findings were as follows: free air 76.6%, segmental wall thickening 48.9%, wall discontinuity 25.5%, abscess 12.8%, and phlegmon 10.6%. Of 30 patients who received oral contrast, 7 (23.3%) had extraluminal contrast leakage. CONCLUSION: CT is very effective in determining gastrointestinal tract perforation findings and the site of perforation.

Simplified gyral pattern with cerebellar hypoplasia in Sedaghatian type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia: a clinical report and review of the literature.

We report on a patient with Sedaghatian type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SSMD) who presented with metaphyseal dysplasia, congenital atrioventricular block, simplified gyral pattern, hypogenesis of corpus callosum, and severe cerebellar hypoplasia. We want to emphasize that in this rare congenital lethal skeletal dysplasia with unknown etiology, central nervous system malformations might be a major component of the disorder and should be evaluated in detail to possibly uncover the underlying pathophysiology.

Assessment of the Effects of Curacel and Bone Wax on the Acute Oroantral Opening Site by means of Computer Tomography and Histopathology.

PURPOSE: In this study, the effects of Curacel TM oxidized regenerated cellulose and bone wax on the healing bone were compared to each other by means of CT based bone density measurement and histopathological evaluation. METHODS: The bone density measurements of the control group were significantly higher than those of both Curacel and bone wax groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between Curacel and bone wax. Histopathologically, the bone wax group showed more osteoblastic activation than Curacel group. For all measurement parameters (osteoblastic activation, osteoclastic activation, fibrous connective tissue, osseous trabeculae), Curacel and bone wax groups had worse results than control group. It is concluded that Curacel has no superiority over bone wax in terms of osseous healing in the oroantral region. There is no need to use oxidized regenerated cellulose or bone wax for small oroantral openings since the healing is better without any intervention. In addition, bone density measurement and histopathological evaluation were consistent in terms of osseous healing of the oroantral opening.