Unintended Consequences of Systemic and Ablative Oncologic Therapy in the Abdomen and Pelvis.

Human cancers are genetically complex and diverse. Although advances in oncologic therapy aim to define and target unique steps in carcinogenesis, oncologists often rely on less discriminate anticancer therapies that have consequences for normal tissues. Even many of the so-called targeted therapies currently employed can adversely affect normal cells, leading to complications that necessitate dose reductions or cessation of specific therapies. This article explores the unintended consequences of currently employed systemic and ablative anticancer therapies that might manifest at imaging examinations of the abdomen and pelvis, including cytotoxic, molecular targeted, and immunologic agents; ablation; and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Each of these treatments can have both major and minor unintended effects in the targeted organ(s), in local or adjacent structures, or at distant sites. Timely detection and reporting of adverse consequences of anticancer therapies by the astute imager can result in critical treatment modifications and/or lifesaving interventions; therefore, knowledge of these unintended effects is paramount for radiologists interpreting the results of imaging examinations in cancer patients. ©RSNA, 2018.

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular characterization of macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia of the zona reticularis: a new syndrome.

CONTEXT: Macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia classically presents with progressive hypercortisolemia and Cushing syndrome. We describe a 29-yr-old man with massive macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia without hypercortisolemia but rather markedly elevated and nonsuppressible production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS). OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and molecular features of this case and to determine whether the tissue biochemically resembles the zona reticularis or fetal adrenal. SETTING: University clinic, hospital, and laboratories. DESIGN: Static and dynamic blood and urine testing were performed preoperatively. Tissue was studied by light microscopy, immunoblot, RNA microarray, and enzyme assay. PARTICIPANT: A 29-yr-old man with incidentally discovered bilateral adrenal enlargement. INTERVENTION: Bilateral adrenalectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Molecular studies compared with control samples. RESULTS: Hypercortisolism and 21-hydroxylase deficiency were excluded. DHEA, DHEAS, and 17-hydroxypregnenolone were markedly elevated and did not suppress with dexamethasone 2 mg/d for 4 d. Homogenates of the adrenals demonstrated high 17-hydroxylase, good 17,20-lyase, and low or absent 21-hydroxylase and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. Immunoblots confirmed robust expression of cytochrome P450c17 and AKR1C3 but not P450c21. Microarray analysis demonstrated high CYP11A1 and CYP17A1 expression but low or absent HSD3B1, HSD3B2, and CYP21A2 expression. Expression of mRNA for cytochrome b(5) (CYB5A) and AKR1C3, markers of the zona reticularis, were markedly elevated. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of macronodular hyperplasia of the adrenal zona reticularis confirmed with studies of enzyme activity, mRNA expression, and protein identification. We speculate that this condition can be clinically silent in men but might cause severe hyperandrogenemia in women.

Sensitivity of chest fluoroscopy compared with chest CT and chest radiography for diagnosing hydropneumothorax in association with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Hydropneumothorax (HPTX) is recognized as a potential complication of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), particularly with supracostal access. Postoperative chest radiography (CXR) is routinely used to evaluate the chest after PCNL. We prospectively compared the sensitivity of intraoperative chest fluoroscopy with immediate postoperative portable CXR and postoperative day 1 chest computed tomography (CT) for the detection of pleural fluid. METHODS: A total of 89 consecutive patients (mean age 47.9 +/- 13.3 years; 100 renal units) undergoing PCNL were prospectively evaluated with intraoperative fluoroscopy at the conclusion of the procedure and then with anteroposterior CXR in the postanesthesia care unit and postoperative day 1 noncontrast, thin-cut CT of the kidneys and lung bases. CT imaging of the lung bases comprised the reference standard for detecting pleural fluid. RESULTS: A total of 104 percutaneous renal accesses in 100 renal units, 60 above and 44 below the 12th rib, were used. In 16 cases (16%), a second-stage procedure was performed to clear residual stone fragments detected on post-PCNL CT. HPTX was detected in 1, 8, and 38 cases by initial fluoroscopy, immediate postoperative CXR, and CT scan, respectively. Intervention was necessary in 7 patients. In 2 patients with fluoroscopic evidence of pleural fluid (1 at the initial PCNL and 1 during second-look flexible nephroscopy), intraoperative pleural drainage was performed percutaneously. In the other 5 patients, intervention was determined by the size of the HPTX on chest CT scan (n = 1) or the presence of symptoms (n = 4). In no case was intervention performed on the basis of the immediate postoperative CXR findings when intraoperative chest fluoroscopy was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative chest fluoroscopy during PCNL is sufficient to detect clinically significant HPTXs, and, therefore, routine postoperative CXRs are not necessary. However, a high index of suspicion based on clinical symptoms postoperatively should prompt chest imaging.