Is Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis a Subgroup of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? A Preliminary Study.

Objective: The study aimed to use the systemic lupus erythematosus risk probability index (SLERPI) to assess if patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) meet the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A total of 62 patients with IGM and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. The study included patients who were over 18 years old and had been diagnosed with IGM using a true-cut biopsy. The participants' demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded in detail. The presence of autoantibodies, such as RF, CCP, C3, C4, ANA, ENA profile, and Anti-dsDNA was documented. For the detection of SLE in IGM patients, we used the SLERPI (SLE risk probability index). Results: A total of 62 patients diagnosed with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (age 35.22 ± 8.34, BMI 27.15 ± 3.41) were compared to 55 healthy controls (age 32.54 ± 8.67, BMI 26.97 ± 3.54). The present study assessed the performance of SLERPI in IGM, and SLERPI positivity was observed in 12 out of 62 (19.4%) IGM patients. There was a significant difference in arthritis and ANA levels in the SLERPI subgroups (p < 001). Conclusions: The SLERPI index can be utilized to identify patients suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the IGM cohort.

Pituitary imaging findings in pediatric patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Objective. Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in children is a disease leading to a puberty absence. Some hypothalamic and pituitary defects cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging is routinely performed in these patients. In our study, we provide an information about pituitary pathologies associated with an idiopathic hypogonado-tropic hypogonadism in childhood. Methods. Twenty-two patients, who were admitted to the pediatric endocrine outpatient clinic of our hospital because of their undeveloped secondary sex characteristics during adolescence, were included in our study. Age, gender, history, physical examination findings, and laboratory tests were recorded in patients. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging results were examined. The criteria for the diagnosis of hypogonadism were: absence of puberty or delayed puberty, clinical signs or symptoms of hypogonadism, and presence of low or normal gonadotropin levels. Results. In the present study, 22 patients were diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The mean age of the patients was 15.90±1.09 years. Basal and stimulated luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone levels of the patients were found to be low. Prolactin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were within normal limits in all patients. The pituitary magnetic resonance imaging revealed six patients with pituitary adenoma, one with empty sella turcica, and five with pituitary hypoplasia. Conclusions. The present data showed that in the presence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities are more likely to be present in the children compared to the adult population. Thus, it can be strongly emphasized the importance of the pituitary imaging examination, especially in the idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism cases.

Diagnostic role of thyroid elastography in pediatric patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease: A prospective controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland, and both diseases are diagnosed with ultrasound findings and autoantibody height. However, ultrasound (US) findings may be normal in both diseases rarely. In some pediatric studies, it was reported that shear wave velocity values in autoimmune thyroiditis were significantly higher than normal thyroid parenchyma and it was recommended to be used as a diagnostic method. Our study will address the evaluation of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease by thyroid elastography and the role of this method in diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 20 patients with Graves' disease and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in our study prospectively. Thyroid Elastography and US were applied to all patients. RESULTS: In US, Hashimoto's thyroiditis had a hypoechoic echo pattern compared to graves' disease (p < 0.05). When shear wave velocity (SWV) value of children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease were compared with the control group, thyroid tissue showed more stiffness in both disease groups (p = 0.001). When SWV values were compared between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.73). CONCLUCION: SWV values were found to be higher in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease compared to the control group and contributes to the diagnosis of these diseases. However, the elastography technique alone is not sufficient to differentiate. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.

Assessment of Stromal Elastin Fibers in Breast Cancer and Fibroadenomas: Is There a Correlation With Ultrasound Elastography Findings?

Objective: The stiffness of a breast lesion provides information on the likelihood of malignancy. The most important factor affecting this stiffness is the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this study was to assess the elastin fiber contents of malignant breast lesions and fibroadenomas and investigate any relationship between the shear wave velocity (SWV) measured by ultrasonography, and the elastin fiber content of lesions. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with breast lesions were enrolled. The SWV values of the lesions were analyzed. Histopathological analysis of elastin in excised lesions was performed by the method of Shivas and Douglas. Breast cancer patients were reviewed according to their lymph node status and tumor diameter. The relationship between SWV value and tissue elastin fiber score was analyzed. The correlation between breast cancer grade and elastin fiber score in malignant lesions was investigated. Results: A total of 167 consecutive breast lesions in 167 patients were included in this study (75 invasive cancer, 92 fibroadenomas). High elastic fiber score was significantly more common (p = 0.001) in malignant lesions (n = 61; 81.3%) than fibroadenomas (n = 13; 14.1%). There was a negative correlation between the mean SWV and the elastin fiber score of fibroadenomas (p = 0.001). A low grade in breast cancer was associated with high elastin fiber score (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Malignant lesions tend to have higher elastin fiber scores than fibroadenomas. Elastin fiber assessment may provide additional prognostic information in malignant lesions. Changes in elastin fiber content may account for the variation in elasticity in fibroadenomas.

Does ARFI elastography complement B-mode ultrasonography in the radiological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and invasive ductal carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a chronic, unpleasant autoimmune inflammatory condition and is clinically and radiologically often confused with breast malignancy. PURPOSE: To investigate the contributions of qualitative and quantitative aspects of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography to the differential diagnosis between IGM and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in the breast. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-four women with IDC and 39 with IGM were included in the study. Shear wave velocity (SWV) was calculated for all lesions using quantitative elastography. Next, each lesion's correspondence on qualitative elastographic images to those on the B-mode images was evaluated: pattern 1, no findings on elastography images; pattern 2, lesions that were bright inside; pattern 3, lesions that contained both bright and dark areas; and pattern 4, lesions that were dark inside. Pattern 4 was subdivided into 4a (dark area same size as lesion) and 4b (dark area larger than lesion size). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: The mean SWV based on ARFI elastography was 3.78 ± 1.26 m/s for IGM and 5.34 ± 1.43 m/s for IDC lesions (P < 0.05). Based on qualitative ARFI elastography, IDC lesions were mostly classified as pattern 4b, while IGM lesions were mostly classified as pattern 1 or 2 (P = 0.01). Evaluation of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of ARFI elastography yielded a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 84%. CONCLUSION: ARFI elastography may facilitate the differential diagnosis between IGM and IDC.

Anterior Cerebral Artery and Anterior Communicating Artery Variations: Assessment with Magnetic Resonance Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Although anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and anterior communicating artery (AcomA) variations have been frequently investigated by contrast-enhanced angiography, the number of studies performed with magnetic resonance angiography is quite low. Our aim in this study is to investigate ACA and AcomA variations with time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA). METHODS: Source and maximum intensity projection images of 581 adult patients (273 males, 308 females) who were scanned for intracranial arteries with the TOF MRA method were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: We found the typical configuration rate of the ACA and AcomA complex to be 40.6%. The most common structural anatomic variations out of typical configuration were AcomA aplasia (18.9%) and AcomA hypoplasia (17.9%), respectively. The least frequent variation that we found was duplicated AcomA (0.9%). When we examined gender comparatively, unilateral A1 segment aplasia was found to be higher in males and azygos ACA was found to be higher in females (P = 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, in which we used the TOF MRA technique, we detected high rates of anatomic variations of ACA and AcomA. This method, which is noninvasive, does not require contrast material and does not contain ionizing radiation, can be preferred especially in the evaluation of patients with kidney disease and contrast allergy.

Treatment Results of Intralesional Steroid Injection and Topical Steroid Administration in Pregnant Women with Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is an inflammatory and chronic benign breast disease that has proven difficult to diagnose and treat. Since most treatment modalities cannot be used in pregnant patients, the choice of treatment is more difficult and the need for surgery is more pressing. In this first and innovative study, we assess the results of local corticosteroid therapy of IGM in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant women with IGM were evaluated between June 2017 and May 2019. The six pregnant women were treated using intralesional steroid injections and topical steroid administration. The treatment response was evaluated, both clinically and radiologically, at the end of 2 weeks and once more at the end of 1 month. RESULTS: The median patient age was 26 years. The mean duration of complaints was 4.3 months. The median number of children was 2, and the mean breastfeeding time was 41 months. The predominant complaints at onset were a breast mass or local pain and inflammation in four (66.7%) patients and a breast mass with pain and without signs of local skin inflammation in two (33.3%) patients. Diagnosis was made using a tru-cut biopsy in two patients, and with an incisional biopsy in four patients who had abscess drainage and fistulation to the skin. Five (83.3%) patients achieved a complete response, and one (16.7%) patient responded only partially after the first course of treatment. A second course of treatment was given to the patient with partial response. All patients achieved complete response at the end of the second course of treatment. The mean follow-up time was 19.5 months. During the follow-up period, one patient experienced a recurrence at 4 months after giving birth, and she then received a third course of treatment. Topical and systemic side effects of the corticosteroids were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: While the state of pregnancy generally precludes the use of most drugs, the use of local corticosteroid in the treatment of IGM is effective in terms of treatment response, treatment duration, need for surgery, and reduced recurrence and side effects.

Evaluation of distal femoral cartilage by B-mode ultrasonography and shear wave elastography in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative change in articular cartilage is one of the most important factors in the development of osteoarthritis. Shear wave elastography can be used to identify pathologic cartilage. PURPOSE: To evaluate distal femoral cartilage by shear wave elastography in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (study group) and 20 volunteers with the same demographic characteristics but without symptomatic knee pain (control group) were included in the study. A total of 80 knee joints of 40 individuals were evaluated. At the medial, intercondylar, and lateral condylar levels distal femoral cartilage thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography and stiffness was measured by shear wave elastography. RESULTS: The medial, intercondylar, and lateral cartilage thickness measurements were similar between the two groups and no statistically significant difference was observed (P = 0.711, P = 0.766, and P = 0.575, respectively). The shear wave velocity values in the medial and intercondylar cartilage were significantly higher in the study group (P = 0.002). Shear wave velocity values measured from lateral cartilage were higher in the study group and the difference between the groups had a borderline statistical significance (P = 0.053). CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography seems to be a reliable, non-invasive, and acceptable method for the assessment of pathologic cartilage.

The effect of computed tomography on oxidative stress level and some antioxidant parameters.

BACKGROUND: X-rays are defined as ionizing radiation and hydrolyze the water, causing free radical formation. Oxidative stress is the damage that occurs in cells due to the lack of antioxidants, which detoxifies them, with the increased production of free radicals that occur during normal cellular metabolism. PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of computed tomography (CT), i.e. ionizing radiation, on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a total of 53 patients that were selected among the patients that underwent non-contrast full-body CT. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were investigated in blood samples taken from patients. RESULTS: The post-scan levels of MDA increased significantly while the post-scan levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT decreased significantly compared to their pre-scan levels. CONCLUSION: CT, which is a widely used X-ray imaging technique and has numerous known side effects, was found to increase the levels of MDA, which is an indicator of oxidative stress, and to decrease the levels of some antioxidants including GSH, SOD, and CAT.

The comparison of wall thickness of esophagus and gastroesophageal junction using computed tomography with endoscopy and biopsy results.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish a cut-off value for increases in the esophageal wall thickness measured using computed tomography to differentiate between benign and malignant pathologies. METHODS: A total of 144 patients (61 males, 83 females; mean age 57.2±12.4 years; range, 24 to 86 years) who underwent thoracic and/or abdominal computed tomography in the radiology clinic between January 2015 and June 2018 for any reason and who were found to have a thickening of the esophageal wall or gastroesophageal junction were retrospectively analyzed. Tomography images were examined by two radiologists who reached consensus on the wall morphology and thickness, anatomic localization, and any accompanying findings regardless of the endoscopy results. Benign and malignant patients were identified from the endoscopy and/or biopsy results. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to establish a cut-off value for the lesion wall thickness to differentiate between benign and malignant pathologies and to determine a cut-off value for the lesionlevel thickness-normal segment thickness ratio. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found in the wall thicknesses of patients with esophageal cancer and those with benign lesions. According to a cut-off value for wall thickness of 13.5 mm, sensitivity and specificity were found to be 94.3% and 100%, respectively. The lesion-level thickness-normal segment thickness ratio was found to be statistically significant in malignant-benign differentiation, and a significant correlation was found between the asymmetric thickening and malignancy. CONCLUSION: Increases in the esophageal wall thickness and asymmetry detected on computed tomography can contribute to the early diagnosis of esophageal cancers, particularly in regions endemic to esophageal cancer as in Van province in eastern anatolia region of Turkey. Asymmetric wall thicknesses over 13.5 mm would be highly significant in terms of malignancy in tomographic examinations.

Histopathology and elastography discordance in evaluation of breast lesions with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography.

PURPOSE: It is known that, besides its benefits, ultrasound (US) elastography may show discordance findings, leading to biopsy, so this technique has some limitations. The purpose of the present study was to compare histopathological results and shear wave velocity (SWV) values in patients, to reveal discordance findings, and to investigate its statistical significance in making the decision for biopsy with SWV values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 190 patients presenting with breast lesions were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 39.87 ± 13.56 years. All morphological features of lesions were evaluated by B-mode US. The mean SWV values were measured using the region of interest (ROI) through all lesions with ARFI elastography. An ultrasound-guided Tru-Cut needle biopsy was performed, and histopathologic data were obtained. RESULTS: The SWV values of false positive benign lesions, such as: granulomatous mastitis, sclerosing adenosis, chronic inflammation, fat necrosis, fibrotic breast tissue, and scar tissue, were as high as the SWV values of malignant lesions. Sensitivity was found as 91.6% and specificity as 40.9% for SWV values in ARFI US. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that breast lesions showed false positivity (59.1%) and false negativity (8.3%) in ARFI US. Elastography is useful and sensitive in the evaluation of breast lesions, but some benign lesions may mimic malignant lesions; thus, this information should not be underestimated in biopsy decision-making for elastography users.

The Efficacy of One Molar Contrast Material in the Evaluation of Breast Lesions with MR Imaging.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of 1 molar (containing 1 mol/mL gadobutrol) contrast material in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions with MRI. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty-seven women (age range: 22-77 years, mean: 43.7 years) with 76 breast lesions were included in this study. Dynamic post-contrast images with 0.2 mL/kg gadobutrol (Gadovist) injection were obtained in all patients. Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) of the lesions, as well as their contrast enhancement patterns (ring, heterogeneous, homogenous), and perilesional increased vascularity were studied. RESULTS: Fifty-six benign and 20 malignant lesions were examined histopathologically. In malignant cases, heterogeneous and peripheral enhancements were most commonly determined, whereas homogeneous enhancement was most commonly determined in benign cases. CNR was 450% in malignant lesions, and 60% in benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Type II/III contrast-time curves, ring/heterogeneous enhancement, prominent increase in CNR, and perilesional vascularity increase are important findings determining malignancy, whereas Type I curves, homogenous enhancement, a slight increase in CNR, and absence of perilesional vascularity increase support findings of benign breast lesions. By increasing CNR and providing increased perilesional vascularity, Gadovist can help in the determination of malignant breast lesions.

A case of primary vertebral osteosarcoma metastasizing to pancreas.

CONTEXT: Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents and possesses a high potential for metastasis. The most common sites of osteosarcomatous metastases are the lungs, pleurae, and bone; the pancreas being extremely rare. CASE REPORT: We report the computed tomography findings of a rare case of pancreatic metastasis in a 14-year-old boy with primary vertebral osteosarcoma being followed-up for 6 years. On abdominal CT, a huge mass containing necrotic and calcified areas and causing bone destruction was seen between thoracic vertebra 7 and sacral vertebra 1 involving both the vertebrae and paravertebral soft-tissue. A large metastatic mass with an irregular contour was also visualized in the pancreatic head and peripancreatic region having tomographic findings similar to the vertebral mass. Tru-cut biopsy of the pancreatic mass confirmed the diagnosis of osteosarcoma metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Although extremely rare, osteosarcoma metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions, particularly in patients with a primary tumor.