Correlation of splenic volume with hematological parameters, splenic vein diameter, portal pressure and grade of varices in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in children.

PURPOSE: To study the correlation between the volume of the spleen and hematological parameters, splenic vein diameter, portal pressure before shunt, portal pressure after shunt, reduction of portal pressure and grade of esophageal varices in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). METHODS: Twenty-four patients with EHPVO who underwent splenectomy with leino-renal shunt during a period of 2 years were prospectively analyzed. Splenic volumes were measured from CT scans using appropriate volumetry software. In order to standardize the difference in the size of the patients, the splenic volume was expressed as a ratio, the splenic volume index, between the actual volume as measured on the CT scan and the surface area of the body. The splenic vein diameter was measured on the CT portogram and confirmed during surgery using a caliper. The grade of esophageal varices was determined during esophageal endoscopy using the Japanese Research Society for Portal Hypertension classification. The portal pressure was measured by cannulating a venous tributary of the gastro-epiploic arcade and using a pressure transducer. RESULTS: The splenic volume, expressed as splenic volume index, ranged from 362.15 to 1,849.51 ml/m² (mean 929.23 ± 409.02). Larger splenic volumes were associated with lower hemoglobin and platelet counts and significantly lower total leukocyte counts (p = 0.0003). The portal pressures reduced remarkably following the splenectomy and leino-renal shunt; mean post-shunt pressure 20 ± 6.63 mmHg from mean pre-shunt pressure of 34.33 ± 6.21 mmHg (mean percentage reduction 43.37 ± 16.02%). There was no statistically significant correlation between splenic volume and any of the hemodynamic parameters except a weak correlation with splenic vein diameter. There was no correlation between the splenic vein diameter and the pre-shunt portal pressure; however, there was a statistically significant correlation between the splenic vein diameter and the percentage of post-shunt portal pressure reduction (p = 0.0494). CONCLUSION: Splenic volume has a weak correlation with splenic vein diameter, but does not correlate with portal pressure or the grade of varix. Splenic vein diameter has a statistically significant correlation with the percentage of portal pressure reduction following a leino-renal shunt. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the splenic volume and the total leukocyte count.

Aspergillus colonisation of pulmonary rheumatoid nodules: a rare cause of 'bull's eye' appearance.

Pulmonary rheumatoid nodules [PRNs] are a well described manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. Fungal colonisation of these nodules is a rare phenomenon. We report a case of Aspergillus colonisation of multiple cavitary rheumatoid nodules in a young female patient with long-standing seropositive RA with 'bull's eye' appearance on computed tomography [CT]. The 'bull's eye' appearance inside PRNs should raise the suspicion of possible fungal colonisation. In patients with RA, a high index of suspicion for the fungal colonisation should be considered by the clinicians treating pulmonary cavitary nodules.

Mediastinal pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis with spontaneous resolution.

A 39 year old male, chronic alcoholic for 12 years, presented with recurrent abdominal pain for last 3 years. He was admitted in our hospital with history of breathlessness, chest pain and abdominal pain for last 20 days. On investigation he had raised total leukocyte count with elevated serum amylase and lipase. Chest radiograph showed mediastinal widening and ultrasound of abdomen revealed chronic pancreatitis with peripancreatic pseudocysts. CT scan revealed extensive phlegmonous collections with cyst formation in the mediastinum which extended from the level of thoracic inlet to below the level of the diaphragm. There were in addition multiple pancreatic and lesser sac pseudocysts. Patient was stable and was hence closely observed on conservative treatment with complete abstinence from alcohol. We performed no surgical, endoscopic or radiological interventions. A repeat CT performed after 14 weeks showed almost complete resolution of the mediastinal pseudocyst. Overall adequate conservative management and timely imaging follow-up before planning any intervention helped us to see that there can be spontaneous resolution of mediastinal pseudocysts.

Tubercular oesophagocutaneous fistula.

A case of oesophageal tuberculosis complicated by an oesophagocutaneous fistual is reported. We subsequently review the literature of this exceedingly rare condition.

Evaluation of Tc99m-glucoheptonate for SPECT functional imaging of medulloblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: Functional imaging of medulloblastoma using SPECT has been a difficult problem as this tumour does not concentrate conventional brain tumour imaging radiopharmaceuticals. This study aimed to evaluate Tc99m-glucoheptonate as a "brain tumour-seeking" radiopharmaceutical for functional imaging of medulloblastoma. METHODS: Tc99m-glucoheptonate brain SPECT was performed in 27 patients with medulloblastoma after radiation therapy and with clinical suspicion of tumour recurrence. Histological verification was obtained within 7 days in patients with a SPECT diagnosis of tumour recurrence. Patients with a SPECT diagnosis of post-radiation gliosis were clinically observed for a minimum period of one year after the SPECT study. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had increased radiotracer uptake in the primary tumour bed, suggesting tumour recurrence. Histopathology confirmed viable medulloblastoma in all cases. Thirteen patients had no increased tracer uptake in the primary tumour bed, suggesting post-radiation gliosis. They all had a clinical course consistent with post-radiation gliosis. CONCLUSION: Tc99m-glucoheptonate is an ideal SPECT tracer for functional evaluation of medulloblastoma. SPECT utilising Tc99m-glucoheptonate is a reliable diagnostic modality to differentiate tumour recurrence from post-radiation gliosis in patients with medulloblastoma.

Isolated tuberculosis of the pancreas diagnosed with needle aspiration: a case report and review of the literature.

Pancreatic tuberculosis is very rare, especially in immunocompetent patients, and represents a diagnostic challenge. The clinical features in patients with pancreatic tuberculosis are usually non-specific. The radiological features mimic pancreatic malignancy or pancreatitis. We describe a case of pancreatic tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma on Computed tomography scan. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed caseating granulomatous inflammation. The diagnosis of pancreatic tuberculosis was made and the patient was put on anti-tubercular therapy. Five months later, a repeat CT scan of the abdomen revealed resolution of the pancreatic lesion. We emphasize that tuberculosis should now be included in the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic mass. Diagnostic indicators include the association of a pancreatic mass with fever, the presence of abdominal pain and a cystic pancreatic mass in a younger patient coming from a region where tuberculosis is endemic.

Dapsone-induced eosinophilic pneumonitis in a leprosy patient.

A leprosy patient with no prior history of respiratory complaints, developed symptoms of dry cough, fever and dyspnea after six weeks of therapy. Peripheral eosinophilia and radiological evidence of pulmonary interstitial infiltrates pointed towards the possibility of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonitis. The results of relevant tests for other possible pathologies were normal. The resolution of symptoms without any intervention other than withdrawal of the drug and subsequent re-challenge proved dapsone to be the cause.

Tubercular abdominal abscess following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: case report.

As laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become one of the most commonly performed operations, radiologists increasingly encounter complications resulting from these. Late abdominal abscesses developing as a result of dropped gallstones albeit unusual, have been described. Abdominal wall tuberculosis following laparoscopy has also been reported. We report a rare case of intraabdominal and abdominal wall abscesses of tubercular aetiology associated with dropped stones following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Multidetector computed tomography of jaw lesions in children and adolescents.

Jaw lesions in paediatric and adolescent population are uncommon and can arise in odontogenic or non-odontogenic tissues. With the advent of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), algorithm for imaging jaw lesions has changed dramatically. This pictorial essay describes the imaging appearance of commonly encountered jaw lesions in children and adolescents with emphasis on MDCT findings.

Shoulder girdle lipomatosis.

Shoulder girdle lipomatosis is an extremely rare condition, with unique clinical and imaging features. We report shoulder girdle lipomatosis in a 46-year-old man who presented with a gradual soft tissue enlargement in his left shoulder. We discuss the magnetic resonance imaging features of this disease and the approach to accurate diagnosis. A review of the clinical and radiological features of shoulder girdle lipomatosis is also presented.

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland: magnetic resonance imaging appearances.

Tuberculosis involving the thyroid gland is a rare occurrence. We report a case of cytologically-diagnosed thyroid gland tuberculosis in a 21-year-old man who presented with thyroid swelling of short duration, and describe the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearances of the lesion, which to our knowledge, has not been previously described. We also report a rare complication of abscess formation in the track of the fine needle aspiration. The intermediate signal intensity of the lesions on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images may provide a clue about tuberculosis, as clinical suspicion is low due to the rarity of the disease.

Imaging in bronchopulmonary sequestration.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is an uncommon pulmonary disorder characterized by an area of non-functioning abnormal lung tissue, which receives its blood supply from a systemic artery and characteristically has no connection with the tracheobronchial tree. The abnormal lung tissue is located within the visceral pleura of a pulmonary lobe in the intralobar variety, whereas the extralobar form has its own visceral pleura. The venous drainage of the extralobar type is usually into the systemic veins, whereas the intralobar type drains into the pulmonary veins. Radiological imaging plays a vital role in establishing the diagnosis, and even more importantly, in providing to the clinician a vascular roadmap essential for surgical planning. We present here a review of bronchopulmonary sequestration and also discuss the role of various imaging methods in the early diagnosis and management of these cases.

Structural and functional abnormalities in lungs in patients with achalasia.

Dilatation and oesophageal body aperistalsis in achalasia can lead to stasis which in turn can induce repeated microaspiration. It is therefore conceivable that patients with achalasia may also have abnormalities in lungs secondary to repeated episodes of microaspiration. There is a lack of systematic study on involvement of lungs in patients with achalasia. Thirty patients with achalasia underwent pulmonary function tests (spirometry, and carbon mono-oxide diffusion capacity) and high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the chest. The mean age of patients and mean duration of disease were 33.5 +/- 10.9 years and 28.1 +/- 27.3 months respectively. Regurgitation was present in 22 (73.3%) of them. Respiratory symptoms in them were dry cough in 17 (56.6%), and chest pain in 18 (60%). The oesophagus was dilated in 26 (86.6%) and 13 (43.3%) had residue in oesophagus. Sixteen (53.3%) patients had either anatomical changes as seen on HRCT or functional changes as observed on pulmonary function tests. Of those with functional abnormalities, five (16.6%) and one (3.3%) had restrictive and obstructive airways disease respectively. While evidence of tracheo-bronchial compression by dilated oesophagus was present in eight (26.6%), 10 (33.3%) patients had parenchymal lung disease [nodular opacities in five (16.6%), ground glass appearance six (20%), patchy pulmonary fibrosis five (16.6%), air trapping two (6.6%), consolidation and bronchiectasis one (3.3%) each]. There was a significant association between presence of regurgitation and dilatation of oesophagus (P = 0.032). More than half (53.3%) of patients with achalasia have structural and/or functional abnormalities in lungs.

PET/CT localisation of a scapular haemangiopericytoma with tumour-induced osteomalacia.

Oncogenic osteomalacia, or tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO), is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterised by hypophosphataemia, phosphaturia, inappropriately low serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D for hypophosphataemia. TIO is caused by mesenchymal tumours that secrete phosphaturic substances, leading to increased renal wasting of phosphates. These tumours are very small in size and grow slowly. Localisation of these tumours has always been difficult with the available biochemical and imaging techniques. At times, despite all efforts, the tumour could not be localised. We report our experience with a 42-year-old woman with TIO where whole-body magnetic resonance imaging could not localise the tumour, a scapular haemangiopericytoma. PET/CT was helpful in the localisation of the tumour which, when surgically removed, resulted in the normalisation of biochemical parameters with clinical improvement.

Congenital salivary fistula of accessory parotid gland: imaging findings.

UNLABELLED: We report the imaging findings in a rare case of an accessory parotid gland fistula. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An eight-year-old boy was presented with complaints of serous discharge from his left cheek since birth. As part of the radiological investigation, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography sialography with fistulography, and digital sialography with fistulography were performed. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the exact location of an accessory parotid gland but failed to demonstrate the accessory duct. The presence of an accessory gland was well delineated on computed tomography fistulography and computed tomography sialography. Fistulography revealed a small accessory parotid duct and gland. No communication between the ductal systems of both glands was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: In such cases, pre-operative imaging (with sialography, magnetic resonance sialography and computed tomography sialography with fistulography) is helpful for exact delineation of the ductal anatomy. To the best of our knowledge, only four previous cases of congenital accessory parotid gland fistula have been reported in the English literature.

Symptomatic perineural extension of fungal sinusitis in an immunocompetent person: imaging features.

Perineural spread is a rare mode of spread for fungal infection, even more so in immunocompetent individuals. We report a 21-year-old immunocompetent man in which symptomatic perineural extension of aspergillosis along the maxillary division of trigeminal nerve was accurately diagnosed on imaging.

Esophageal duplication cyst causing unilateral hyperinflation of the lung in a neonate.

Esophageal duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies. Frequently asymptomatic, they may cause respiratory distress and feeding difficulties in infants. Unilateral hyperinflation of the lung due to compression of the bronchus by the cyst is rare. We report a case of a 4-day-old male neonate presenting with respiratory distress who had an esophageal duplication cyst causing obstructive hyperinflation of the right lung. The nature of the cyst was confirmed after surgery.