Central venoplasty followed by 'double guidewire railroad technique' as a bailout strategy in difficult tunnelled dialysis catheter insertion.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients frequently encounter challenges at the time of dialysis catheter insertion from concomitantly associated with thoracic central venous obstruction (TCVO). TCVO complicates the placement of tunnelled dialysis catheters (TDCs). In cases where TCVO is unexpectedly encountered and TDC insertion becomes difficult, central venoplasty followed by catheter reinsertion is required. This report details a novel technique to salvage a TDC that was trapped at the TCVO site after removal of the peel-away sheath. We describe the case of a 67-year-old diabetic male ESRD patient on haemodialysis since 2017, with history of multiple prior accesses, who presented with acute thrombosis of his arteriovenous fistula. TDC placement was attempted via the left internal jugular vein (IJV). Angiography revealed severe stenosis at the left brachiocephalic vein-superior vena cava confluence, necessitating venoplasty. Post-venoplasty, the TDC could not be advanced past the IJV venous entry site due to unfavourable catheter tip profile. Utilising a double guidewire railroad technique, the TDC was successfully reinserted, ensuring functional dialysis. The technique carries potential risks, which mandates careful hemodynamic monitoring and prophylactic measures. In conclusion, percutaneous placement of a TDC following a central venoplasty is at times life-saving in patients with exhausted peripheral vascular access and concomitant TCVO. In the absence of a peel-away sheath, TDC reinsertion using a double guidewire railroad technique is a helpful technique for salvaging the catheter, especially in financially-constrained settings.

Multimodality imaging of urinary tract tuberculosis.

Imaging is a key component of diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of urinary tract tuberculosis (UT TB). Tuberculosis can have a long latency, but if found early, one may have the opportunity to prevent complications such as ureteral strictures, obstructive nephropathy, contracted (thimble) bladder, renal parenchymal destruction/calcification, and renal failure. Imaging can aid in diagnosis and differential diagnoses, evaluate the extent of disease and complications, and guide image-directed biopsy, surgical planning, and evaluation of treatment response. Imaging abnormalities in the renal parenchyma and urinary tract at different stages of the disease, lymphadenopathy, and extra-urinary tract organ involvement are suggestive of UT TB. Recent advances in imaging modalities aid in UT TB diagnosis, follow-up, and guiding treatment.

Walking the Risk-Benefit Tight Rope: A Case of Post Fine Needle Aspiration Haemorrhage in Extramedullary Plasmacytoma.

BACKGROUND: Primary extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP) are rare; however, secondary forms may be seen in ~10-15% of patients with systemic multiple myeloma (MM). The diagnosis of EMP is based on the demonstration of monoclonal plasma cells in the lesion, which requires tissue sampling. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 38 year old female with MM who underwent diagnostic US at our institute. Multiple focal liver lesions were detected, which were suspicious for EMP. She underwent fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosis, following which she developed hemoperitoneum secondary to deranged clotting parameters (prothrombin time and platelet count). CT angiography revealed active hepatic capsular bleed. She was taken up for percutaneous embolisation, and the supplying vessel successfully embolised using gel foam particles. CONCLUSION: Complications may rarely occur in interventional procedures, particularly in patients with comorbidities. However, prompt diagnosis and management help prevent adverse outcomes.

Unusual Primary Neoplasms of the Adult Liver: Review of Imaging Appearances and Differential Diagnosis.

The radiological appearance of common primary hepatic tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is widely recognized. Hepatic masses with unusual histology are occasionally encountered, but seldom suspected on imaging. However, many possess characteristic imaging findings, which when assessed along with the clinical and demographic background and serum tumor markers, may enable a prospective diagnosis. This review attempts to familiarize the reader with the clinicopathological characteristics, imaging manifestations, and differential diagnosis of these unusual liver tumors in adults. Biphenotypic primary liver carcinoma is suspected in masses showing distinct areas of HCC and CCA-type enhancement pattern in cirrhotic livers. Fibrolamellar carcinoma occurs in young individuals without underlying chronic liver disease and shows a characteristic T2-hypointense scar frequently showing calcification. Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors are differentials for any arterial hyperenhancing mass in the noncirrhotic liver, particularly in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Multifocal subcapsular tumors showing target-like morphology, capsular retraction and "lollipop" sign are suspicious for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. On the other hand, multiple hemorrhagic lesions showing patchy areas of bizarre-shaped arterial phase hyperenhancement are suspicious for angiosarcoma. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is suspected when patients with immunosuppression present with solitary or multifocal masses that insinuate around vessels and bile ducts without causing luminal narrowing. Intense diffusion restriction and low-level homogeneous or target-like enhancement are also ancillary features of PHL. Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor shows uptake on Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT. Although a straightforward diagnosis may be difficult in these cases, awareness of the characteristic imaging appearances is helpful in suspecting the diagnosis.

Utility of first order MRI-Texture analysis parameters in the prediction of histologic grade and muscle invasion in urinary bladder cancer: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the utility of first-order MRI-texture analysis (TA) parameters in predicting histologic grade and muscle invasion in urinary bladder cancer (UBC). METHODS: After ethical clearance, 40 patients with UBC, who were imaged on a 3.0-Tesla scanner, were retrospectively included. Using the TexRADTM platform, two readers placed freehand ROI on the sections demonstrating the largest dimension of the tumor, evaluating only one tumor per patient. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Mann-Whitney U test and ROC curve analysis were used to identify statistical significance and select parameters with high class separation capacity (AUC >0.8), respectively. Pearson's test was used to identify redundancy in the results. RESULTS: All texture parameters showed excellent ICC. The best parameters in differentiating high and low-grade tumors were mean/ mean of positive pixels (MPP) at SSF 0 (AUC: 0.897) and kurtosis at SSF 5 (AUC: 0.828) on the ADC images. In differentiating muscle invasive from non-muscle invasive tumors, mean/ MPP at SSF 0 on the ADC images showed AUC >0.8; however, this finding resulted from the confounding effect of high-grade histology on the ADC values of muscle invasive tumors. CONCLUSION: MRI-TA generated few parameters which were reproducible and useful in predicting histologic grade. No independent parameters predicted muscle invasion. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: There is lacuna in the literature concerning the role of MRI-TA in the prediction of histologic grade and muscle invasion in UBC. Our study generated a few first-order parameters which were useful in predicting high-grade histology.

Unveiling the confusion in renal fusion anomalies: role of imaging.

Renal fusion anomalies are common congenital anomalies of the urogenital tract and have their genesis in the early embryonic period. They are classified into partial fusion anomalies (e.g., crossed fused ectopia, and horseshoe kidney) and complete fusion anomalies (e.g., fused pelvic kidney). Horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion anomaly and is characterized by the presence of two distinct functioning kidneys on either side of the vertebral column, with fusion occurring at the inferior poles in majority of the cases. Crossed fused ectopia is characterized by the presence of an ectopic kidney that crosses the midline and fuses with the orthotopic contralateral kidney, whereas fused pelvic (pancake) kidney is a complete fusion anomaly characterized by extensive medial fusion of both kidneys in the pelvis. Fusion anomalies are often associated with abnormalities of renal rotation, migration, and vascular supply, which predispose the kidneys to a number of complications and create difficulty during retroperitoneal surgeries and interventions. They are also associated with other congenital abnormalities of the urogenital tract, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and skeletal system. Hence, a thorough understanding of the etiopathogenesis and radiological features of fusion anomalies is important for directing patient management. This review summarizes the embryological basis, clinical presentation and imaging approach to renal fusion anomalies, followed by detailed anatomical and radiological description of the morphological types, and the complications associated with these anomalies.

Male genital tract tuberculosis: A comprehensive review of imaging findings and differential diagnosis.

Urogenital tuberculosis is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Genital organ involvement occurs as a continuum of urinary tract tuberculosis and often presents a diagnostic challenge due to the non-specific nature of the symptoms. Delay in diagnosis may lead to complications such as infertility and perineoscrotal sinuses. Imaging plays an important role in raising timely suspicion of tuberculosis. In this article, we describe the imaging findings of male genital tuberculosis and the differential diagnosis. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) is the best modality for assessing the epididymis, testis, scrotum and vas deferens, whereas MRI is optimal for evaluating the prostate, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts. Epididymis is the most common site of genital tuberculosis, and presents as a nodular lesion limited to the tail or as diffuse enlargement. The proximal vas deferens is also frequently involved due to anatomical contiguity and shows diffuse or nodular thickening. Advanced cases may show pyocele formation and scrotal wall sinuses. Testicular involvement is almost always secondary to epididymal tuberculosis and presents as single or multiple nodules, diffuse enlargement, or the 'miliary' pattern. Isolated testicular involvement should raise suspicion of malignancy. Tuberculosis of the prostate is often asymptomatic. The most common imaging manifestations are nodules and the diffuse forms, which may later evolve into abscesses. Fibrosis and calcification occur with healing. Seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct involvement with fibrosis may cause infertility. Awareness of the imaging findings would enable the radiologist to raise timely suspicion, so that prompt treatment is initiated and complications are prevented.

MRI-Targeted Prostate Biopsy: What Radiologists Should Know.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic biopsy, the current gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer, suffers from low sensitivity for clinically significant cancer. The use of diagnostic multiparametric MRI has increased the relevance of targeted biopsy techniques such as MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy and direct (in-bore) MRI-guided biopsy, which have higher detection rate for clinically significant cancer. Although primarily used in patients who remain at high clinical suspicion for prostate cancer despite a negative systematic biopsy, with the increasing use of upfront diagnostic MRI, these biopsies are expected to replace routine systematic biopsies. This pictorial essay aims to enhance our understanding of the concepts of these biopsy techniques so that they can be performed safely and provide maximum diagnostic yield.

MR texture analysis in differentiating renal cell carcinoma from lipid-poor angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance texture analysis (MRTA) in differentiating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from lipid-poor angiomyolipoma (lpAML) and oncocytoma. METHODS: After ethical approval, 42 patients with 54 masses (34 RCC, 14 lpAML and six oncocytomas) who underwent MRI on a 1.5 T scanner (Avanto, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) between January 2011 and December 2012 were retrospectively included in the study. MRTA was performed on the TexRAD research software (Feedback Plc., Cambridge, UK) using free-hand polygonal region of interest (ROI) drawn on the maximum cross-sectional area of the tumor to generate six first-order statistical parameters. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to look for any statically significant difference. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done to select the parameter with the highest class separation capacity [area under the curve (AUC)] for each MRI sequence. RESULTS: Several texture parameters on MRI showed high-class separation capacity (AUC > 0.8) in differentiating RCC from lpAML and oncocytoma. The best performing parameter in differentiating RCC from lpAML was mean of positive pixels (MPP) at SSF 2 (AUC: 0.891) on DWI b500. In differentiating RCC from oncocytoma, the best parameter was mean at SSF 0 (AUC: 0.935) on DWI b1000. CONCLUSIONS: MRTA could potentially serve as a useful non-invasive tool for differentiating RCC from lpAML and oncocytoma. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: There is limited literature addressing the role of MRTA in differentiating RCC from lpAML and oncocytoma. Our study demonstrated several texture parameters which were useful in this regard.

Prostate MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy: a review of the state of the art procedure.

Prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer and population-based screening programmes are being increasingly adopted worldwide. Screening-positive patients undergo routine transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic biopsy, which is the current diagnostic standard for prostate cancer. However, systematic biopsies suffer from poor sensitivity, especially for the tumors of the anterior prostate and apex as well as in large volume glands. In the past decade, MRI-guided targeted biopsies have come up, which utilize the multiparametric capability of MRI to target lesions for sampling. MRI/TRUS fusion biopsies combine the advantages of MRI-targeting with that of real-time guidance made possible by TRUS. MRI-TRUS fusion biopsies are being increasingly used in men with high clinical suspicion of prostate cancer who have had prior negative systematic biopsies. A large number of fusion biopsy platforms are currently available commercially. Although the basic workflow is similar, there are differences in the operational software, biopsy routes offered, TRUS acquisition technique, type of correction applied at the time of fusion and in the probe tracking hardware. The article describes the current role and indications of MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy followed by a discussion on the workflow, patient preparation, biopsy procedure and complications.

Urinary diversions: a primer of the surgical techniques and imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: The article attempts to describe the indications, classification, and surgical anatomy of the commonly performed urinary diversion procedures, followed by the imaging protocol and radiological appearances of the normal postoperative anatomy and complications related to these procedures. CONTENTS: Diversion procedures are used to reroute urine after cystectomy and in patients with refractory neurogenic or outlet obstruction of the urinary bladder. Broadly, these can be classified as continent and incontinent diversions. Patients with urinary diversions frequently undergo radiological investigations for the detection of complications. Commonly, a loopogram or pouchogram is performed few weeks after the surgery to look for leak, whereas CT or MRI is used for long-term follow-up. Postoperative complications can be early (within 30 days of the surgery) or delayed and include leaks, collections, strictures, calculi, parastomal hernia, small bowel obstruction, and oncologic recurrence. CONCLUSION: A variety of urinary diversion procedures are commonly performed and interpretation of the postsurgical anatomy can be overwhelming for the general radiologist. This article provides a basic understanding of the normal anatomy as well as a thorough discussion on the imaging protocol and radiological appearances of the potential complications associated with these procedures.

Mesenteric Tuberculosis Masquerading as Carcinoid Tumor on Conventional Imaging and DOTANOC Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: Uncommon Presentation of a Common Disease.

Carcinoid tumor of the mesentery has a classical imaging morphology. A specific diagnosis can often be provided on the basis of clinical history, elevated serum neuroendocrine markers, and uptake on somatostatin receptor-based radiotracer studies. Although a number of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions may mimic carcinoid tumor on many of these modalities, uptake on 68Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is considered specific. We report a case of a 28-year-old male presenting with a mesenteric mass along with elevated serum neuroendocrine markers and uptake on DOTANOC PET/CT, all suggestive of carcinoid tumor. However, the histopathologic examination after surgical resection revealed necrotizing granulomas consistent with tuberculosis (TB). This case highlights the great masquerader that TB can be and stresses the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for TB, especially in endemic areas.

Role of MR texture analysis in histological subtyping and grading of renal cell carcinoma: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: The study evaluated the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture parameters in differentiating clear cell renal carcinoma (CC-RCC) from non-clear cell carcinoma (NC-RCC) and in the histological grading of CC-RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional ethical approval, this retrospective study analyzed 33 patients with 34 RCC masses (29 CC-RCC and five NC-RCC; 19 low-grade and 10 high-grade CC-RCC), who underwent MRI between January 2011 and December 2012 on a 1.5-T scanner (Avanto, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). The MRI protocol included T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI; at b 0, 500 and 1000 s/mm2 with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps] and T1-weighted pre and postcontrast [corticomedullary (CM) and nephrographic (NG) phase] acquisition. MR texture analysis (MRTA) was performed using the TexRAD research software (Feedback Medical Ltd., Cambridge, UK) by a single reader who placed free-hand polygonal region of interest (ROI) on the slice showing the maximum viable tumor. Filtration histogram-based texture analysis was used to generate six first-order statistical parameters [mean intensity, standard deviation (SD), mean of positive pixels (MPP), entropy, skewness and kurtosis] at five spatial scaling factors (SSF) as well as on the unfiltered image. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the texture parameters of CC-RCC versus NC-RCC, and high-grade versus low-grade CC-RCC. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. A 3-step feature selection was used to obtain the best texture metrics for each MRI sequence and included the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: The best performing texture parameters in differentiating CC-RCC from NC-RCC for each sequence included (area under the curve in parentheses): entropy at SSF 4 (0.807) on T2WI, SD at SSF 4 (0.814) on DWI b500, SD at SSF 6 (0.879) on DWI b1000, mean at SSF 0 (0.848) on ADC, skewness at SSF 2 (0.854) on T1WI and skewness at SSF 3 (0.908) on CM phase. In differentiating high from low-grade CC-RCC, the best parameters were: entropy at SSF 6 (0.823) on DWI b1000, mean at SSF 3 (0.889) on CM phase and MPP at SSF 5 (0.870) on NG phase. CONCLUSION: Several MR texture parameters showed excellent diagnostic performance (AUC > 0.8) in differentiating CC-RCC from NC-RCC, and high-grade from low-grade CC-RCC. MRTA could serve as a useful non-invasive tool for this purpose.

Infectious versus non-infectious causes of oligoarticular inflammatory arthritis: A prospective study from a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Oligoarticular arthritis (inflammation of upto 4 joints) has a wide range of infectious and non-infectious etiologies. The aim of our study was to identify the features which could help in the differentiation of infectious from non-infectious arthritis. The study was prospective and observational, and included 100 patients with oligoarticular inflammatory arthritis. The final diagnosis was made using standard diagnostic criteria and the patients were categorized into infectious and non-infectious groups. Among the 100 patients who were recruited, the following final diagnosis were made: peripheral spondyloarthritis (n = 37), axial spondyloarthritis (n = 11), tuberculosis (n = 19), brucellosis (n = 6), septic arthritis (n = 6), gouty arthritis (n = 5), early rheumatoid arthritis (n = 5), non-tubercular mycobacteria (n = 2), SLE (n = 2), post-chikungunya arthritis (n = 2), acute lymphocytic leukaemia (n = 1), pachydermoperiostosis (n = 1), sarcoidosis (n = 1) and juvenile idiopathoic arthritis (n = 1). The patients were categorized into two groups: infectious (33) and non-infectious (60). The presence of monoarthritis, clinically-significant weight loss, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and erosive arthritis were significantly more common in the infectious group as compared to the non-infectious group.

Prospective analysis of factors predicting feasibility & success of longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy in men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: : Microsurgical reconstruction for idiopathic obstructive azoospermia is a challenging procedure, and selection of appropriate patients is important for successful outcomes. This prospective study was done to evaluate the ability of scrotal ultrasound measurements to predict the surgical feasibility and determine factors that could predict a patent anastomosis following vaso-epididymal anastomosis (VE) in men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia. METHODS: : In this prospective study, men diagnosed with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia, scheduled for a longitudinal intussusception VE, underwent a scrotal ultrasound measurement of testicular and epididymal dimensions. During surgery, site and type of anastomosis, presence of sperms in the epididymal fluid and technical satisfaction with the anastomosis were recorded. All men where VE could be performed were followed up for appearance of sperms in the ejaculate. Ultrasound parameters were compared between men who had a VE versus those with negative exploration. Predictive factors were compared between men with or without a patent anastomosis. RESULTS: : Thirty four patients were included in the study conducted between September 2014 and August 2016 and a VE was possible in only 19 (55%) patients. Of these 19 patients, six had a patent anastomosis with one pregnancy. Preoperative ultrasound measurements could not identify patients where a VE could not be performed. Motile sperm in the epididymal fluid was the only significant predictor of a successful anastomosis. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: : Forty five per cent of men planned for a VE for idiopathic obstructive azoospermia could not undergo a reconstruction. Ultrasound assessment of testicular and epididymal dimensions could not predict the feasibility of performing a VE. The presence of motile sperms in the epididymal fluid was the only significant predictor of a patent VE in our study.