Transarterial chemoembolization can prolong survival for patients with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Asian countries, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely applied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with extra-hepatic metastasis in the absence of main portal vein thrombosis. However, its survival benefit is unclear. The study aimed to analyze the role of TACE in patients with metastatic HCC. METHODS: From 2002 to 2009, 2,165 consecutive HCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 893 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C patients, 105 who had extra-hepatic metastasis on initial presentation without main portal vein thrombosis were enrolled, including 46 who received TACE (TACE group) and 59 who received supportive treatment (control group). Factors associated with survival were evaluated by multivariate analysis. Survival between the two groups was compared by propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: Median survival in the TACE and control groups was 6.6 and 3.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, TACE [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.476, p = 0.002], tumor size >10 cm (HR = 1.606, p = 0.045), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >2,000 ng ml(-1) (HR = 1.599, p = 0.037) were factors associated with survival. After propensity score matching analysis, a better survival was noted in the TACE group (median survival 4.0 vs. 3.0 months, p = 0.029). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with tumor size ≤10 cm and AFP levels ≤2,000 ng ml(-1) had the best survival from TACE. Smaller tumor size is the only independent predictor for survival longer than 6 months in patients receiving TACE. CONCLUSIONS: TACE provides survival benefit for metastatic HCC patients. Prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to delineate the role of combining TACE with sorafenib or other treatment for metastatic HCC.

Radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in postresectional patients: prognostic factors analysis.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ablation therapies can be used for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in postresectional patients not eligible for repeat surgery. AIMS: To determine prognostic factors affecting the disease-free survival of postresectional patients after percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent HCC. METHODS: From August 2003 to December 2009, patients who had received previous hepatectomy because of HCC and suffered from tumor recurrence were included. Among them, 82 patients who received initial percutaneous ultrasound-guided RFA were included. Various host, treatment, and therapeutic-related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (64 men, mean age 64.27 years) were included. Sex (P=0.495), age (P=0.840), hepatitis marker (P=0.083), and Child-Pugh score (P=0.809) were not related to prognosis. Preresectional tumor number (P=0.502), recurrent tumor location (P=0.795), recurrent tumor number (P=0.533), pathology proved cirrhosis (P=0.889), and OKUDA stage of the primitive disease (P=0.865) were not related to prognosis, either. Survival rates were significantly related to the preresectional tumor size (P=0.008), microscopic portal vein invasion (P=0.001), recurrent tumor size (P<0.001), and preablation α-fetoprotein serum level (P=0.006). Ablation needle (P=0.373), ablation time (P=0.387), and postablation temperature (P=0.444) were not related to prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that microscopic portal vein invasion was the only factor that had a significant effect on patient survival. CONCLUSION: In patients with postresectional HCC treated with percutaneous ultrasound-guided RFA for recurrent disease, those without microscopic portal vein invasion had a significantly higher probability of disease-free survival.

Liver failure after transarterial chemoembolization for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and ascites: incidence, risk factors, and prognostic prediction.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Post-TACE liver failure may occur, especially in patients with poor hepatic reserve. Ascites is often present in patients with HCC with coexisting cirrhosis. This study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic predictors in patients with HCC and ascites receiving TACE. METHODS: A total of 614 patients with HCC were enrolled and analyzed. Liver failure was defined as an increase of serum bilirubin level (≥2.0 mg/dL), increasing or newly developed ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy within 2 weeks of TACE. RESULTS: Ascites that were present in 100 (16.2%) patients at study entry, independently predicted a poor prognosis in the Cox proportional hazard model [relative risk (RR)=1.75, P=0.004]. Post-TACE liver failure occurred in 17 (17.3%) of 98 patients with HCC who had ascites and long-term follow-up. Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B (odds ratio=10.1, P=0.038) and post-TACE gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio=10.86, P=0.006) were independent risk factors associated with liver failure in the multivariate analysis. Of the 17 patients with post-TACE liver failure, 16 (94%) died within the first year of treatment. Liver failure (RR: 2.13, P=0.029), serum α-fetoprotein level >51 ng/mL (RR=2.0, P=0.013) and poor performance status (RR: 2.17, P=0.003) independently predicted a poor prognosis in patients with ascites receiving TACE. CONCLUSIONS: Preexisting ascites increases the mortality in patients with HCC receiving TACE. In patients with HCC and ascites, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B and gastrointestinal bleeding are associated with liver failure after TACE. Post-TACE liver failure is a common event and predicts a decreased survival in patients with HCC and ascites.

Early identification of poor responders to transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, HCC patients may have an even shorter survival after TACE. This study aimed to identify poor responders to TACE at an early stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 624 and 122 patients with HCC undergoing TACE and best supportive care (BSC), respectively, were analyzed. Poor responders were defined as patients who died after TACE or had viable tumor(s), but not eligible for further treatment at 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 102 (16%) patients were identified as poor responders. Poor responders had a significantly decreased long-term survival than other patients receiving TACE and a tendency of higher risk of mortality than patients receiving BSC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.054, respectively). The comparison of 24-month survival showed significantly worse outcome in poor responders than patients receiving BSC (p = 0.04). Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level >40 ng/mL (p = 0.024) and albumin level 3.8 g/dL (p = 0.016), Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class B (p = 0.011), performance status 1 (p < 0.001), total tumor volume (TTV) >65 cm(3) (p = 0.001), and vascular invasion (p = 0.005) were independent risk factors predicting poor response at 3 months in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among the four HCC staging systems, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification showed the highest predictive accuracy for the identification of poor responders. CONCLUSIONS: Poor responders have an increased risk of mortality due to rapid disease progression after TACE. Advanced BCLC stages may better predict a poor response to TACE.

Comparison of radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria: a propensity score analysis.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was designed to compare the long-term survival of HCC patients within the Milan criteria who underwent RFA or TACE. In all, 315 RFA patients and 215 TACE patients with HCC within the Milan criteria were analyzed. Propensity scores were generated to select matched patients. For the propensity model, 101 patients were selected from each arm of the study. Independent prognostic predictors were determined with the Cox proportional hazards model. The long-term survival was significantly better for the RFA group in the univariate survival analysis (P = 0.048). In the Cox model, the following were identified as independent predictors of poor prognosis (TACE was not): age > 69 years (P = 0.026), serum α-fetoprotein level > 20 ng/mL (P = 0.003), ascites (P < 0.001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 1 (P = 0.004), total tumor volume (TTV) > 8.2 cm³ (P = 0.020), and vascular invasion (P = 0.023). With similar baseline patient characteristics generated in the propensity score model, there was no significant difference in the long-term survival rates of the 2 groups of patients. A subgroup analysis showed that among patients with a TTV < 11 cm³, the RFA group had significantly better long-term survival than the TACE group (P = 0.032). In conclusion, TACE and RFA lead to comparable long-term survival rates for HCC patients within the Milan criteria. Patients with a smaller TTV (<11 cm³) are likely to benefit more from RFA treatment. Further studies are needed to compare RFA and TACE in patients with early-stage cancers.

Survival rates are comparable after radiofrequency ablation or surgery in patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Differences in efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (SR) are not clear for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From 2002 to 2007, 419 patients with HCCs ≤5 cm were enrolled consecutively in the study. Among these patients, 190 and 229 patients received RFA and SR, respectively, as their first treatment. Factors were analyzed in terms of overall survival and recurrence by multivariate analysis and propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: The SR group had younger age, a higher male-to-female ratio, higher prevalence of hepatitis B virus, lower prevalence of hepatitis C virus, better liver function reserve, and larger tumor size than the RFA group. The cumulative 5-year overall survival rates were 79.3% in the SR group and 67.4% in the RFA group. During the follow-up period, tumors recurred in 244 patients in a median time of 14.5 ± 15.7 months. Before propensity-score matching, the RFA group had shorter overall survival time (P = .009) and higher tumor recurrence rate (P < .001) than the SR group. After matching, RFA was comparable to SR in overall survival time (P = .519), but the RFA group still had a greater incidence of tumor recurrence (P < .001). In patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 HCC, RFA was as effective as SR for overall survival time and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with small HCCs have a higher rate of tumor recurrence following RFA than surgery, but overall survival rates are comparable between therapies. RFA is as effective as surgery in patients with BCLC stage 0 HCC.

Sonographic and computed tomography findings of intra-abdominal desmoid tumor.

Intra-abdominal desmoid tumor is rare and seldom reported in the literature. It can grow large before causing symptoms, such as obstructing bowel loops or urinary system. Here, we present a 29-year-old male who suffered from intra-abdominal desmoid tumor, and describe its imaging findings on ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography. This tumor usually presents as a large homogeneous hypodense solid mass on computed tomography, and demonstrates mild enhancement after contrast medium administration. Although rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with a large abdominal mass.

Right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm ruptured into the gallbladder demonstrated by magnetic resonance angiography.

Rupture of a right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm into the gallbladder is very rare. We demonstrated a 20-mm dumbbell-shaped pseudoaneurysm in the gallbladder lumen by using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in a 73-year-old man with acute right upper abdominal pain. Inflammation of the gallbladder caused by calculous cholecystitis, which leads to biliary leakage and erodes the right hepatic artery, could have been the cause.

Selecting an optimal staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of 5 currently used prognostic models.

BACKGROUND: Selecting an appropriate staging system is crucial to predict the outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The optimal prognostic model for HCC is under intense debate. This study investigated the prognostic ability of the 5 currently used staging systems, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP), Japan Integrated Scoring (JIS) system, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM), and Tokyo score, for HCC. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008, 1713 prospectively enrolled HCC patients were compared for their long-term survival by using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) according to the staging or scoring methods of these 5 models. RESULTS: The mean and median follow-up duration was 18 and 14 months, respectively. Among all patients, the CLIP staging system had the lowest AIC value in comparison with other systems in the Cox proportional hazards model, followed by the Tokyo score, JIS score, BCLC staging system, and TNM staging system. Patients undergoing curative treatment had a significantly better survival in comparison with patients undergoing noncurative treatment (P < .001). When the predictive accuracy of the staging systems was analyzed according to treatment strategy, the CLIP staging system had the lowest AIC value and remained the best prognostic model in patients undergoing curative (801 patients) and noncurative (912 patients) treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The CLIP staging system is the best long-term prognostic model for HCC in a cohort of patient with early to advanced stage of HCC. Its predictive accuracy is independent of the treatment strategy. Selecting an optimal staging system is helpful in improving the design of future clinical trials.

A new prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on total tumor volume: the Taipei Integrated Scoring System.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The currently used staging systems for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not satisfactory. The optimal prognostic model for HCC is still under intense debate. This study aimed to propose a new staging system for HCC based on total tumor volume (TTV) and to compare it with the currently used systems. METHODS: A total of 2030 HCC patients undergoing different treatment strategies were retrospectively analyzed. TTV was defined as the sum of the volume of each tumor [(4/3)x3.14x(radius of tumor in cm)(3)]. The discriminatory ability of the TTV-based staging system and the four current systems, including the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP), Japan Integrated Staging system, and Tokyo system, was examined by comparing the Akaike information criterion (AIC) using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A higher TTV correlated well with the decreased survival in HCC patients (p<0.001). Among the 12 TTV-based staging systems, the TTV-Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP)-alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combination provided the lowest AIC value. The TTV-CTP-AFP model consistently showed a better prognostic ability in comparison to the current four staging systems. In 936 HCC patients receiving curative treatment, the TTV-CTP-AFP model provided the second best predictive accuracy following the CLIP score. Alternatively, in 1094 patients undergoing non-curative treatment, the TTV-CTP-AFP model exhibited the smallest AIC value. CONCLUSIONS: TTV may be a feasible tumoral prognostic predictor for HCC. In this single-hospital study that included patients with early to advanced cancer stages, the TTV-CTP-AFP model provides the best prognostic ability among 12 TTV-based and currently used staging systems.

Transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and renal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is often present in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acute renal failure (ARF) may occur after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) owing to radiocontrast agent. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of ARF and prognostic predictors in HCC patients with preexisting renal insufficiency undergoing TACE. METHODS: A total of 566 HCC patients undergoing TACE were enrolled. Renal insufficiency was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m. RESULTS: In a mean follow-up duration of 18+/-16 months, 231 (40.8%) patients undergoing TACE died. Renal insufficiency that was present in 134 (23.7%) patients at baseline, independently predicted a poor prognosis in the Cox proportional hazards model [risk ratio (RR): 1.47, P=0.012]. Of them, 13 (10%) and 6 (5%) patients had transient and prolonged ARF after TACE, respectively. Post-TACE gastrointestinal bleeding [odds ratio (OR): 16.54, P=0.001] and higher Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) scores (> or =2; OR: 4.22, P=0.02) were independent risk factors for ARF in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. In the Cox model, prolonged ARF (RR: 3.28, P<0.001) and higher CLIP scores (> or =2; RR: 2.13, P<0.001) were independent poor prognostic predictors for HCC patients with renal insufficiency receiving TACE. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding and higher CLIP scores are associated with the development of ARF in patients with HCC and renal insufficiency undergoing TACE. Higher CLIP scores and renal insufficiency, either preexisting before TACE or as a complication of TACE, are poor prognostic predictors in HCC patients receiving TACE.

Diabetes mellitus as an independent prognostic predictor and its association with renal dysfunction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often have coexisting cirrhosis, which may predispose to the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic HCC patients may have renal insufficiency and a subsequent worse outcome. This study investigated the interaction between DM, cirrhosis and renal dysfunction and the impact of these factors on HCC. METHODS: A prospective database of 1713 HCC patients was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 392 (22.9%) patients were diabetic. Diabetic patients had a significantly higher Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, model for end-stage liver disease score and serum creatinine level, but had significantly lower serum albumin, sodium, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin levels. The serum creatinine level progressively increased and correlated well with increasing CTP class in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. After a mean follow-up of 18+/-16 months, DM was shown to be an independent predictor of mortality in the Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for other predictors [hazard ratio (HR): 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.42]. Diabetic patients more often had renal insufficiency, defined as serum creatinine>1.5 mg/dl (17.3 vs 8.3%, P<0.0001). Renal insufficiency was an independent prognostic predictor in diabetic patients (HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.57-3.24) but not in non-diabetic patients, because it was significantly associated with the severity of cirrhosis in the non-diabetic group (P<0.001) but not in the diabetic group (P=0.143). CONCLUSIONS: DM is associated with inadequate liver reserve and independently predicts decreased survival in HCC patients. Both advanced cirrhosis and DM are associated with renal insufficiency, which is a poor prognostic predictor for HCC.

Renal failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and ascites undergoing transarterial chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND: Ascites is often present in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhosis may predispose to renal dysfunction. Acute renal failure (ARF) may occur after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC because of radiocontrast agents. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of ARF and prognostic predictors in HCC patients with ascites undergoing TACE. METHODS: A total of 591 HCC patients receiving TACE were enrolled. RESULTS: In a mean follow-up duration of 19+/-17 months, 239 (40.4%) patients undergoing TACE died. Ascites, which was present in 91 (15.4%) patients at entry, independently predicted a poor prognosis in the Cox proportional hazard model [risk ratio (RR): 1.71, P=0.002]. Of these, 11 (12.6%) of 87 patients with complete follow-up developed ARF after TACE. Serum albumin level <3.3 g/dl (odds ratio: 7.3, P=0.009) was the only independent risk factor associated with ARF in the logistic regression analysis. ARF (RR: 2.17, P=0.036), alpha-fetoprotein >400 ng/ml (RR: 1.84, P=0.04), multiple tumours (RR: 2.11, P=0.013), tumour size > or = 5 cm (RR: 2.32, P=0.006) and serum sodium level <139 mmol/L (RR: 2.4, P=0.005) were independent poor prognostic predictors for HCC patients with ascites receiving TACE. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing ascites is associated with increased mortality in HCC patients receiving TACE. In HCC patients with ascites, hypoalbuminaemia is associated with the occurrence of post-TACE ARF. Post-TACE ARF is a poor prognostic predictor in this subset of HCC patients.

Percutaneous transgastric computed tomography-guided biopsy of the pancreas using large needles.

AIM: To assess the safety, yield and clinical utility of percutaneous transgastric computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of pancreatic tumor using large needles, in selected patients. METHODS: We reviewed 34 CT-guided biopsies in patients with pancreas mass, of whom 24 (71%) had a direct path to the mass without passing through a major organ. The needle passed through the liver in one case (3%). Nine passes (26%) were made through the stomach. These nine transgastric biopsies which used a coaxial technique (i.e. a 17-gauge coaxial introducer needle and an 18-gauge biopsy needle) were the basis of this study. Immediate and late follow-up CT images to detect complications were obtained. RESULTS: Tumor tissues were obtained in nine pancreatic biopsies, and histologic specimens for diagnosis were obtained in all cases. One patient, who had a rare sarcomatoid carcinoma, received a second biopsy. One patient had a complication of transient pneumoperitoneum but no subjective complaints. An immediate imaging study and clinical follow-up detected neither hemorrhage nor peritonitis. No delayed procedure-related complication was seen during the survival period of our patients. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic biopsy can be obtained by a transgastric route using a large needle as an alternative method, without complications of peritonitis or bleeding.

Percutaneous drainage of large subcapsular hematoma of the spleen complicating acute pancreatitis.

The splenic complications associated with acute or chronic pancreatitis are rare, including splenic vein thrombosis, arterial pseudoaneurysm, subcapsular splenic hematoma, and splenic rupture. The management for subcapsular splenic hematoma in pancreatitis remains controversial. We herein report a rare case of large subcapsular splenic hematoma complicating acute pancreatitis, which was successfully treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage. A 32-year-old male suffered from intermittent epigastric pain radiating to his back. Acute pancreatitis complicated with subcapsular splenic hematoma (15.0 x 13.0 x 9.5 cm) was shown on abdominal computed tomography (CT). He underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the splenic hematoma. The size of the splenic hematoma had reduced to 9.5 x 2.3 cm 10 days later. After 4-week drainage of the hematoma, the abdominal pain improved and the patient was discharged. Follow-up abdominal CT 6 months later showed that the subcapsular splenic hematoma had almost completely resolved. The post-drainage course was smooth, and the patient had no abdominal symptoms at the 1-year follow-up.

Reappraisal of right portal segmental ramification based on 3-dimensional volume rendering of computed tomography during arterial portography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and describe the segmental ramification patterns of the right portal vein (RPV) according to the Couinaud system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2004 and June 2005, 127 patients with hepatic tumors underwent computed tomography during arterial portography with a 16-slice multidetector computed tomography. The final analysis included 90 patients without RPV thrombosis or obvious vascular distortion. The ramification patterns of RPV were verified by 3-dimensional portograms using volume-rendering technique. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (83.3%) had bifurcation of the main portal vein, 12 (13.3%) had trifurcation, and 3 (3.3%) had the right posterior portal vein (RPPV) arising from main portal vein. A total of 5 segmental types and 3 subsegmental subgroups of RPV ramification patterns were clarified: type I, the classic ramification pattern with right anterior portal vein (RAPV) branching to S8/S5 and RPPV branching to S7/S6 (63; 70%); II, two separate segmental branches to S7 and S6 without a definite main stem of RPPV (18; 20%); III, "whisk-like" ramification pattern of RPV (2; 2.2%); IV, RAPV branching to S8 alone and RPPV to S5, S6, and S7, consecutively (5; 5.6%); and V, RPV first branching to S8/S5 and then to S7/S6 after a common path (2; 2.2%); subgroup a with dorsocranially directed branches arising from P8 and supplying S8 posterior to the right hepatic vein (28; 31.1%); subgroup b with RPPV branching to the dorsal part of S5 (11; 12.2%); and subgroup a + b, combination of the aforementioned 2 subgroups (45; 50%). In most patients, RAPV had dorsocranially directed branches posterior to the right hepatic vein (73; 81.1%), and RPPV gave off branches to the dorsal part of S5 (56; 62.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of these ramification patterns could be helpful for more accurate anatomical resection of right hemiliver and preoperative planning, although some variants are present.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas with an unusual sonographic appearance.

We present a case of primary pancreatic small cell carcinoma with an unusual sonographic feature. A 75-year-old woman presented with poor appetite and weight loss. Abdominal sonographic examination revealed a diffusely enlarged pancreas with relative increased echogenicity and smooth contour. CT also confirmed the diffuse infiltrative pattern of the tumor. The diagnosis was confirmed via sonographically guided biopsy. The tumor was composed of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm infiltrating the pancreatic tissue, consistent with small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Primary pancreatic small cell carcinoma rarely presents as the diffuse infiltrating type. These unusual sonographic features must be differentiated from other pancreatic tumors presenting as diffuse pancreatic enlargement.

Epiploic appendagitis of the rectosigmoid junction: demonstration with transrectal sonography.

A 24-year-old man presented with lower abdominal pain that had been present for 18 hours. Physical examination revealed mild tenderness in the lower abdomen. Digital rectal examination revealed a tender point approximately 9 cm above the anal verge. Transrectal sonographic examination demonstrated an ovoid echogenic noncompressible mass surrounded by a hypoechoic halo attached to the wall of the rectosigmoid junction. A diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis was made on the basis of sonographic findings and was subsequently confirmed with contrast-enhanced CT.

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus.

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an uncommon but aggressive tumor with fatal prognosis. We present 2 male patients with a history of dysphagia for a period of time and describe the imaging features of esophagograms and chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Both were proved by endoscopic biopsy. One of them underwent surgical resection. Primary malignant melanomas of the esophagus should be included in the differential diagnosis of bulky and polypoid masses that expand the esophagus without causing obstruction on esophagograms and chest CT scan.