The role of rectal magnetic resonance imaging in accurate localization and designation of colorectal cancer for optimal management: Case study.

Colorectal cancer, developing from malignant transformation of the distal gut epithelium, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. We present a gentleman in his 60s who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer during a routine screening colonoscopy with no evidence of distant metastasis on subsequent staging with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT). The outside rectal MR (magnetic resonance) imaging report localized a mass to the upper rectum. Review of the MRI at an institutional, Multidisciplinary Tumor Board designated the tumor as "rectosigmoid," straddling the rectosigmoid junction at the level of the "sigmoid take-off" (STO) or alternatively at the level of the last sigmoid artery take-off (SAT) at the origin of the superior rectal artery. The anatomic differentiation between upper rectal and lower sigmoid colon cancers carries clinical importance which is highlighted in this case report and brief literature review. Optimal anatomic localization of colorectal cancers helps direct the clinical team to tailor an individualized patient care plan.

Endoscopic and MRI response evaluation following neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer: a pictorial review with matched MRI, endoscopic, and pathologic examples.

A nonoperative management strategy, or Watch-and-Wait, following neoadjuvant therapies of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma is increasingly considered for select patients. Yet, standardized tumor response assessment to best select and surveil suitable patients remains an unmet clinical challenge. Endoscopic and MRI currently provide the most reliable tumor response estimations. However, resources illustrating variable tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapies remain limited. This pictorial review aims to provide detailed and annotated examples of common endoscopic and MRI findings of rectal cancer treatment response, while also emphasizing their respective diagnostic shortcomings and consequently, the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to optimally manage these patients.

Afferent Loop Syndrome with Intestinal Ischemia due to Internal Hernia after Whipple Operation for T2N1M0 Pancreatic Cancer.

Afferent loop syndrome is an uncommon complication of Whipple procedure. The often vague and non-specific presentation results in difficulty and/or delay in diagnosis, which may lead to bowel ischemia or perforation. CT can demonstrate characteristic features, yield the diagnosis of afferent loop syndrome, and predict the cause before surgical intervention. We present a rare etiology of acute afferent loop syndrome in a patient 6 weeks after Whipple procedure who was reportedly recovering well, which resulted in prompt surgical intervention.

Retropubic parasymphyseal cyst: A rare entity.

We report a case of a retropubic parasymphyseal cyst in a 69-year-old multiparous female with a protracted history of metastatic small bowel carcinoid (neuroendocrine) tumor. Cysts related to the pubic symphysis are uncommon, and mostly reported in subpubic location. They may be confused with primary vulvar masses, malignant bone tumors or metastatic disease. In our case, encapsulation, lack of solid components or diffusion restriction, communication with the symphysis, lack of activity on Gallium-68-Dotatate PET/CT and signal characteristics on MRI similar to those previously reported in literature for subpubic cysts all aided in eventual diagnosis. We aim to remind the reader of this rare entity and its distinguishing features on imaging.

Rare Abdominal Wall Metastasis following Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer: What Can Be Learned from the Use of Percutaneous Catheters?

In cancer care, tissue seeding after curative resections is a known potential complication, despite precautions taken during surgical treatment. We present an uncommon case of an abdominal wall metastasis along the tract of a surgical drain following gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such an occurrence in the setting of a negative staging peritoneal lavage. Aside from the rarity of such a recurrence, this instance highlights an opportunity to reevaluate best practices with regard to the extent of coverage of postoperative salvage radiotherapy. The oncologic patient provides many challenges and may require multiple catheters for drainage and at times infusion of nutrition or therapeutic agents. These foreign bodies should be scrutinized both clinically and radiographically, as they may create vulnerabilities in keeping malignant diseases contained and controlled. We provide a review of the literature with reasonable treatment options for the benefit of future patients.

Radiation-induced hepatitis masquerading as metastatic disease: the importance of correlating diagnostic imaging with treatment planning.

We are presenting a 63-year-old Caucasian male who complained of 2 months of progressive dysphagia. Upper endoscopy discovered a mass in the distal esophagus near the gastroesophageal junction. Biopsy was consistent with adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) showed extension beyond the muscularis propria, with an enlarged paraesophageal lymph node (T3N1). Initial positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) showed hypermetabolic portocaval lymphadenopathy presumed to be metastatic, but otherwise without distant disease extension. Neoadjuvant treatment included induction FOLFOX followed by 5,600 cGy over 28 fractions in combination with 5-FU and oxaliplatin. Approximately 3.5 weeks after completion, a repeat PET/CT revealed reduced uptake in both the primary esophageal mass and regional lymph nodes. Of note there were several new mass-like foci of hypermetabolism in the liver, specifically the left lobe, concerning for metastatic disease. Image-guided biopsy did not show any identifiable lesions, but sampling was performed based on anatomical landmarks. Pathology revealed benign parenchyma with minimal inflammation and mild reactive regeneration. In light of this, the patient proceeded to undergo definitive resection via robotic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy with only 1 positive lymph node. Given pleural involvement by the tumor, staging was revised to pT4aN1 with final histology characterized as adenosquamous carcinoma. Postoperative course was fairly uneventful, with a mild exacerbation of his chronic heart failure. The patient was discharged on post-operative day 7, with his feeding tube removed at his 2-week post-operative clinic visit. This scenario is of particular educational value from the standpoint that when the post-treatment PET/CT images are registered to the radiotherapy treatment planning CT and dose, the areas of abnormal uptake in the liver fall within the higher dose regions. Given this and the liver biopsy findings, caution should be exercised before declaring progressive disease following radiotherapy without first reviewing the treatment plan.

Cardiac Metastases in Neuroendocrine Tumors: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Correlation.

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cardiac metastases can be associated with complications including ventricular outflow obstruction, arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiac arrest, warranting intervention. Anatomical characterization of these lesions via cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is helpful to assess and predict the risk of complications and guide therapy. Images of 2 patients with small bowel NET related cardiac metastases are described on Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and CMR. The lesions were significantly smaller and more obscure on CMR compared with PET/CT. On CMR, T2-weighted dark blood images and late gadolinium enhancement images offered the most conspicuous detection of the NET myocardial metastases in these cases.

Image-guided percutaneous drainage vs. surgical repair of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks: is there a difference in hospital course or hospitalization cost?

PURPOSE: To identify differences in hospital course and hospitalization cost when comparing image-guided percutaneous drainage with surgical repair for gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective IRB-approved search using key words "leak" and/or "anastomotic" was performed on all adult CT reports from 2002 to 2011. CT examinations were reviewed for evidence of a postoperative gastrointestinal leak and assigned a confidence score of 1-5 (1 = no leak, 5 = definite leak). Patients with an average confidence score <4 were excluded. Type of surgery, patient data, method of leak management, number of hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, number of CT examinations, number of drains, and hospitalization costs were collected. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients had radiographic evidence of a gastrointestinal anastomotic leak (esophageal, gastric, small bowel or colonic). Nine patients were excluded due to low confidence scores. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical repair (Group A) and 103 were managed entirely with percutaneous image-guided drainage (Group B). There was no significant difference in patient demographics or number of hospital admissions. Patients in Group A had longer median hospital stays compared to Group B (48 vs. 32 days, p = 0.007). The median total hospitalization cost for Group A was more than twice that for Group B ($99,995 vs. $47,838, p = 0.001). Differences in hospital disposition, number of CT examinations, number of drains, and time between original surgery and first CT examination were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks managed by percutaneous drainage are associated with lower hospital cost and shorter hospital stays compared with surgical management.