Cystic Fibrosis below the Diaphragm: Abdominal Findings in Adult Patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disease in the white population. Mutation of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene on chromosome 7 results in production of abnormally viscous mucus and secretions in the lungs of patients with CF. A similar pathologic process occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and hepatobiliary system. Inspissated mucus causes luminal obstruction and resultant clinical and radiologic complications associated with the disease process. Pancreatic involvement can result in exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, pancreatic atrophy, fatty replacement, or lipomatous pseudohypertrophy. Acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic calcification, cysts, and cystosis also occur. Hepatic manifestations include hepatic steatosis, focal biliary and multilobular cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Biliary complications include cholelithiasis, microgallbladder, and sclerosing cholangitis. The entire digestive tract can be involved. Distal ileal obstruction syndrome, intussusception, appendicitis, chronic constipation, colonic wall thickening, fibrosing colonopathy, pneumatosis intestinalis, gastroesophageal reflux, and peptic ulcer disease have been described. Renal manifestations include nephrolithiasis and secondary amyloidosis. The educational objectives of this review are to reveal the abdominal manifestations of CF to facilitate focused analysis of cross-sectional imaging in adult patients. Life expectancy in patients with CF continues to improve because of a combination of aggressive antibiotic treatment, improved emphasis on nutrition and physiotherapy, and development of promising new CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulators. As lung function and survival improve, extrapulmonary conditions, including hepatic and gastrointestinal malignancy, will be an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Awareness of the expected abdominal manifestations of CF may assist radiologists in identifying acute inflammatory or neoplastic conditions. (©)RSNA, 2015.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: illustrated guide to systematic radiologic diagnosis and staging according to guidelines of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignancy that predominantly occurs in the setting of cirrhosis. Its incidence is rising worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma differs from most malignancies because it is commonly diagnosed on the basis of imaging features alone, without histologic confirmation. The guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) are a leading statement for the diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma, and they have recently been updated, incorporating several important changes. AASLD advocates the use of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, which combines validated imaging and clinical predictors of survival to determine stage and which links staging with treatment options. Each stage of the BCLC system is outlined clearly, with emphasis on case examples. Focal liver lesions identified at ultrasonographic surveillance in patients with cirrhosis require further investigation. Lesions larger than 1 cm should be assessed with multiphasic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Use of proper equipment and protocols is essential. Lesions larger than 1 cm can be diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma from a single study if the characteristic dynamic perfusion pattern of arterial hyperenhancement and venous or delayed phase washout is demonstrated. If the imaging characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma are not met, the alternate modality should be performed. Biopsy should be used if neither modality is diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma. Once the diagnosis has been made, the cancer should be assigned a BCLC stage, which will help determine suitable treatment options. Radiologists require a systematic approach to diagnose and stage hepatocellular carcinoma with appropriate accuracy and precision.

A predictive model of suitability for minimally invasive parathyroid surgery in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism [corrected].

BACKGROUND: Improved preoperative localizing studies have facilitated minimally invasive approaches in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Success depends on the ability to reliably select patients who have PHPT due to single-gland disease. We propose a model encompassing preoperative clinical, biochemical, and imaging studies to predict a patient's suitability for minimally invasive surgery. METHODS: For the purposes of the present study, 180 consecutive patients were included for analysis. A 5-variable model based on preoperative ionized serum calcium (>1.4 mmol/l), intact parathyroid hormone level (≥ 2 times the upper limit of normal), positive sestamibi scan for a single affected gland, positive ultrasound scan for a single gland, and concordance between the two imaging modalities for single-gland disease at a similar location was employed, where a score of 1 was allocated for each variable present. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients, 62 (34%) underwent bilateral exploration, 63 (36%) underwent unilateral exploration, and 55 (30%) underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. The results showed that 92% had single-gland disease, 3% had double adenomas, and 5% had hyperplasia. Biochemical cure was achieved in 98.9%. Mean follow-up was 153 days (range: 80-342 days). With the predictive scoring model, a score of ≥ 3 had a positive predictive value of 100% for single-gland disease. CONCLUSIONS: A scoring model encompassing preoperative biochemical and imaging data can be successfully employed to predict suitability for minimally invasive surgery in the majority of patients with single-gland disease.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the kidney: a single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Focal renal masses are typically evaluated by means of triphasic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI scan but use of iodinated contrast or gadolinium is unsuitable for some patients. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an imaging alternative in this scenario but has limited availability in Ireland. AIM: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate experience with selective use of CEUS for non-invasive characterization of focal renal masses in a tertiary referral institution in Ireland, with a particular focus on cystic renal lesions and the influence of CEUS on final Bosniak classification and treatment outcomes. METHODS: All cases of renal CEUS between 2009 and 2017 were identified. Imaging history, patient records, histopathology reports, urology conference notes, clinical follow-up details, details of lesion progression or stability on surveillance, biopsy and/or resection details and pre- and post-CEUS Bosniak scores were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients underwent renal CEUS (7 solid renal lesions, 21 cystic renal lesions and 3 'indeterminate' renal lesions). After CEUS, the CEUS-modified Bosniak score was upgraded in nine patients and downgraded in two patients. All three lesions upgraded from Bosniak III to IV were renal cell carcinomas. One of two lesions downgraded from Bosniak IV to III was resected (cystic nephroma) and the other showed no progression after 19 months of surveillance. CONCLUSION: CEUS is a valuable alternative to CT in assessing complex cystic or solid renal lesions where iodinated CT contrast or gadolinium is inappropriate. CEUS can also refine the Bosniak category of atypical cystic renal lesions and help facilitate treatment decisions.

MRI-directed cognitive fusion-guided biopsy of the anterior prostate tumors.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed cognitive fusion transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided anterior prostate biopsy for diagnosis of anterior prostate tumors and to illustrate this technique. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with previous negative TRUS biopsy, but high clinical suspicion of occult prostate cancer, prospectively underwent prostate MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Patients with a suspicious anterior lesion on MRI underwent targeted anterior gland TRUS-guided biopsy with cognitive fusion technique using sagittal probe orientation. PIRADS version 1 scores (T2, DWI, and overall), lesion size, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, and prostate gland volume were compared between positive and negative biopsy groups and between clinically significant cancer and remaining cases. Logistic regression analysis of imaging parameters and prostate cancer diagnosis was performed. RESULTS: Anterior gland prostate adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 18 patients (46.2%) on targeted anterior gland TRUS-guided biopsy. Clinically significant prostate cancer was diagnosed in 13 patients (33.3%). MRI lesion size, T2, DWI, and overall PIRADS scores were significantly higher in patients with positive targeted biopsies and those with clinically significant cancer (P < 0.05). Biopsies were positive in 90%, 33%, and 29% of patients with overall PIRADS scores of 5, 4, and 3 respectively. Overall PIRADS score was an independent predictor of all prostate cancer diagnosis and of clinically significant prostate cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Targeted anterior gland TRUS-guided biopsy with MRI-directed cognitive fusion enables accurate sampling and may improve tumor detection yield of anterior prostate cancer.

Management of visceral interventional radiology catheters: a troubleshooting guide for interventional radiologists.

Visceral interventional radiology catheters can be difficult to exchange or remove for a variety of reasons. These reasons include exit of the guide wire through the side holes of the catheter, blockage of the catheter, difficulty unlocking the pigtail, retention of the string after catheter removal, migration of the string ahead of the guide wire, catheter fracture, and snaring of an adjacent stent by the pigtail. Secure fixation of the catheter to the skin is important. A technique that allows secure fixation without direct puncture and suturing of the catheter to the skin is recommended. If a catheter falls out or is inadvertently removed, access can occasionally be regained and the catheter can be replaced without repuncture. The timing of catheter removal is based on the clinical condition of the patient and the daily output from the catheter. "Tractography" is a useful study before removal of any catheter that requires a mature tract for removal, particularly cholecystostomy catheters and transpleural catheters. In biliary catheter exchange, the most vital issue is the position of the side holes of the catheter. If an abscess cavity remains large after catheter drainage, the catheter can be repositioned or a second catheter can be placed.