Vaccine-induced myositis with intramuscular sterile abscess formation: MRI and ultrasound findings.

Although limb swelling is a well-known complication of vaccination, its rarity and wide band of differential diagnosis of limb swelling make it a diagnostic challenge. In this case report, we describe three cases of vaccine-induced myositis with intramuscular sterile abscess formation in patients with limb swelling and their magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography findings. Both radiologists and clinicians should be familiar with this rare entity, its clinical and imaging spectrum, and follow-up strategies.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of kidneys in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: initial experience.

To evaluate kidney perfusion and diffusion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and define any correlation between laboratory features of renal involvement and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). We studied 35 patients with SLE and 30 healthy volunteers. Ten of the patients were diagnosed as having lupus nephritis. Transverse diffusion-weighted multisection echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging was created with the following diffusion gradient b values: 0, 111, 222, 333, 444, 556, 667, 778, 889, and 1,000 s/mm(2). Statistical analyses to compare ADCs of kidneys between patients in the study and control groups were done with the independent sample t test. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relation between the renal function variables and the ADCs. There was statistically significant difference between the ADC(low) values and the urine protein levels (P < 0.05) in the patients with SLE. Also, there was a significant correlation between the duration of nephritis and urine protein levels in the patients with SLE (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant differences regarding ADCs, serum creatinine levels, and GFRs among patients with SLE and controls. Our patients had mild SLE and this might be the reason that no statistically significant differences were found between ADCs, and laboratory features of renal involvement among patients with SLE and controls. Larger series and more diffusion experience may be valuable for future studies.

Acute sarcoid myositis with unusual radiologic findings.

A 59-year-old man presented with bilateral calf pain and swelling for two weeks. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examination showed multiple bilateral, nodular, and spindle- shaped lesions in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. On physical examination, hyperpigmented, papular lesions were noticed; biopsy of the skin of his right elbow showed granulomatous inflammation. His angiotensin converting enzyme level was markedly elevated. Computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial thickening, miliary nodules, and traction bronchiectases throughout the lung parenchyma. Ophthalmologic examination showed uveitis in his left eye. Based on the lung, eye, and skin findings, a clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. After two months of corticosteroid treatment, his muscle lesions largely resolved.

Extraperitoneal pelvic myolipoma.

Myolipoma is a very rare adipocytic tumor occurring most frequently in adults, and usually is located in the retroperitoneum or abdomen. It has been described in the retroperitoneum, spinal cord, orbita, breast, round ligament, subcutaneous tissue, pericardium, rectus sheath of the abdominal wall, and abdominal cavity with attachment to the abdominal wall. Most of these tumors are discovered incidentally and are large when discovered. Radiological findings are nonspecific due to the nonlipomatous component of the tumor. We present radiological findings of a large extraperitoneal pelvic myolipoma adjacent to the anterior abdominal wall, detected incidentally in an elderly woman with a presenting complaint of intractable hiccups.

Sinonasal schwannoma of the middle turbinate.

Paranasal schwannomas are uncommon lesions, representing less than 4% of all head and neck schwannomas. They give rise to nonspecific symptoms such as nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and anosmia. Imaging features are generally nonspecific. Here, we present the radiologic features of a benign schwannoma of the middle turbinate with dural invasion in a 71-year-old woman.

Multidetector CT findings of spontaneous rupture of hepatic adenoma in a patient with hepatic adenomatosis.

Hepatic adenomatosis (HA) is characterized by more than 10 adenomas in the liver, frequently scattered within both lobes. The potential for spontaneous bleeding, rupture, and malignant transformation is known. In HA, tumors show hypervascularization on arterial angiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with a large intraparenchymal and subcapsular hematoma in the liver, and an underlying large adenoma with atypical radiologic characteristics detected with multidetector CT imaging. On follow-up CT examination, a large adenoma was clearly visualized at the site of the previous hematoma.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the kidneys in patients with familial Mediterranean fever: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the assessment of renal function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers who had no history of renal disease, hypertension or vascular disease and 60 patients with FMF were included in the study. Transverse diffusion-weighted multisection echo-planar MRI was performed with the following diffusion gradient b values: 0, 111, 222, 333, 444, 556, 667, 778, 889 and 1000 s/mm(2). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, urine protein and serum creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration rates of the healthy volunteers, patients with renal involvement, and patients without were compared by using ANOVA test. ADCs of the kidneys were calculated separately for low (ADC(low); b = 0, 111, 222, 333 s/mm(2)), average (ADC(avg); of all b values), and high (ADC(high); b = 778, 889, 1000 s/mm(2)) b values to enable the differentiation of the relative influence of perfusion fraction and true diffusion. ADC(high) reflects almost only diffusion, whereas ADC(low) is composed of both diffusion and perfusion. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between ADC(low) values of the FMF patients with renal involvement and the control group (P < 0.05). Negative correlation was found between the duration of disease and ADC(low) values of the kidneys (r = -0.223, P = 0.087). CONCLUSION: DW-MRI of the kidneys might allow early detection of the renal changes in patients with FMF. This might prevent the progression of disease by giving proper medical treatment. Further studies with larger numbers of FMF patients and more experience on MRI technique are required to help define more conclusively the precise role of DW imaging in detection of renal changes.

Spectrum of abdominal pathologies detected with CT in long term dialysis patients.

As a consequence of the expanded use of long term hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatments and extended life spans, complications of end-stage renal disease and dialysis treatments are being encountered with increasing frequency in these patients. Computed tomography can accurately depict many of the potential complications of end-stage renal disease on dialysis. This article presents the abdominal CT findings of 429 end-stage renal disease patients who are on either hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment.

MRI of central nervous system abnormalities in childhood leukemia.

PURPOSE: To document the imaging abnormalities seen in the central nervous system (CNS) in childhood leukemia or as complications of its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 15 children with neurologic complications of leukemia or its treatment were reviewed retrospectively. The first group consisted of patients with CNS abnormalities detected prior to or during treatment, or within three months after completion of treatment. Patients with CNS complications detected by MRI three months following completion of treatment were included in the second group. RESULTS: Among the 15 children, six had two or more different CNS abnormalities. The imaging abnormalities seen in 12 patients prior to or during treatment, or within three months after completion of treatment included orbital, temporal, cerebellopontine angle, and spinal chloroma; bilateral subdural hematoma in the subacute stage; multifocal intraparenchymal hemorrhage; bilateral retinal hemorrhage and detachment; hematoma in the pons and mesencephalon; PRES (posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome); bilateral leukemic infiltration of the 3(rd), left 7(th), and 8(th) cranial nerves; and meningeal leukemia. Three months after completion of treatment, three patients had CNS complications including radiation necrosis and secondary brain tumor, osteomyelitis of the L3 vertebra, and meningeal leukemia. CONCLUSION: The wide spectrum of CNS abnormalities that occur during and after treatment for leukemia is related to leukemia and to the treatment method. Because many neurologic complications of leukemia are treatable, early diagnosis is essential.

MDCT of biliary cysts in children with biliary atresia: clinical associations and pathologic correlations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of biliary cyst formation with cholangitis, portoenterostomy, biochemical abnormalities, using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and pathologic findings of end-stage liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 42 MCDT studies, clinical history and laboratory findings of 36 children with biliary atresia. RESULTS: Biliary cysts were detected in 58% of the patients on MDCT images. The cysts were not associated with cholangitis, portoenterostomy surgery, or biochemical abnormality. Hepatic artery anomaly was also common in our series (25%) and more common in patients with biliary cysts which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Eighteen livers were available for pathologic examination. The only statistically significant finding between the patients with and without biliary cysts were biliary epithelial damage and inflammatory reaction around the cysts which were common in the patients with biliary cysts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The damage to the bile duct epithelium and inflammatory reaction around the biliary epithelium support the theory of obstruction and bile leaks in the etiogenesis of biliary cysts. This is the first report of the association between hepatic artery variations and the biliary cysts; this may be important in pretransplant evaluation.

MRI findings in renal transplant recipients with hip and knee pain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and demonstrate the MRI findings of renal transplant recipients with hip and knee pain and to investigate the most common etiology of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 hip MRIs of 57 patients with hip pain and 30 knee MRIs of 24 patients with knee pain with no history of trauma were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists. RESULTS: In the evaluation of hip MRIs, 24 patients had avascular necrosis and effusion, 2 patients had bone marrow edema consistent with early stage of avascular necrosis. 18 patients had only intraarticular effusion, 6 patients had tendinitis, 6 patients had bursitis and 1 patient had soft tissue abscess. Five patients had muscle edema and five patients had muscle atrophy as additional findings to the primary pathologies. Among patients with knee pain, nine patients had degenerative joint disease. Seven patients had chondromalacia, five had bone marrow edema, six had meniscal tear, six had ligament rupture and two had bone infarct. Three of the patients had muscle edema accompanying to other pathologies. CONCLUSION: The most common etiology of hip pain in renal transplant recipients is avascular necrosis as expected, intraarticular effusion is found to be the second reason for pain. However, knee pain is explained by ligament pathology, meniscal tear, chondromalacia or degenerative joint disease rather than osteonecrosis.

Complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: evaluation with CT.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-related complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT examinations of 42 patients (23 females and 19 males; median age, 46.5 years; age range, 22-70 years) with end-stage renal disease receiving CAPD were investigated retrospectively. CT examinations were performed with a suspicion of CAPD-related complications who were admitted to dialysis unit with various complaints. Images were obtained from the level of the dome of the diaphragm to the pelvis with an 8-mm slice thickness before and after intravenous contrast injection. Oral contrast material was performed in 17 of these patients. CT peritoneography was performed in one patient. RESULTS: Complications of CAPD detected on CT studies included peritoneal thickening (n = 19; 45.7%), peritoneal calcifications (n = 2; 4.7%), peritoneal enhancement (n = 2; 4.7%); intraperitoneal loculation of fluids (n = 16; 38.1%), dilatation of bowels secondary to adhesions (n = 3; 7.1%); leakage of dialysis fluid adjacent to the entry site of the CAPD catheter (n = 6; 14.3%)(leaked dialysis fluid was loculated near the catheter in 4 of these patients); abscesses (n = 3; 7.1%); hernias (n = 5; 11.9%); hematomas (n = 5; 11.9%); tuberculous lymphadenitis (n = 2; 4.7%); bowel perforation (n = 2; 4.7%); ischemic bowel disease (n = 1; 2.4%); acute pancreatitis (n = 2; 4.7%); and catheter malposition (n = 1; 2.4%). CONCLUSION: CT of abdomen is useful in detection of CAPD-related complications. Peritoneal thickening and intraperitoneal loculation of fluids due to peritonitis were the most common complications of CAPD detected on abdominal CT.

Multidetector CT findings of splenic artery aneurysm in children with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is a well-known complication of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension in adults. The incidence of SAA in children undergoing selective hepatic angiography prior to liver transplantation is reported as 4%, but there are few systematic studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the SAAs detected by multidetector CT angiography (MDCTA) among children with chronic liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 children (71 girls, 53 boys; mean age 118 months; age range 5 days to 204 months) with chronic liver disease underwent MDCTA to display the vascular anatomy and any vascular complications during the pretransplantation period. Of these children, 23 also underwent coeliac angiography. The digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MDCTA findings were compared. RESULTS: SAAs were detected in 13 children (10.4%); none was detectable by US. All patients had more than one aneurysm; ten patients had more than three. In all except one patient, the SAAs were located only in the intraparenchymal branches of the splenic artery; in one patient they were located in the intraparenchymal segment and in the distal third of the splenic artery. The mean size of the aneurysms was 6.5 mm (range 2.5-18 mm). All patients with aneurysms had splenomegaly and vascular collaterals. Nine of the children with SAAs had portal vein pathologies (two occlusions, two stenoses, five dilatations). A statistically significant difference existed with regard to the size of spleen (P < 0.05) and patient age (P < 0.05) between children with SAAs and children without SAAs. There was an increased risk of SAAs in patients with portal vein pathologies. In 19 patients without SAAs on MDCTA, no SAAs were seen on DSA. CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that the incidence of SAA in children with chronic liver disease will increase with improved survival of children with long-standing portal hypertension and chronic liver disease. MDCTA with multiplanar reconstruction is a noninvasive and effective means of imaging paediatric patients with SAAs, especially during the peritransplantation period, which is considered to be a time of significant risk for SAA rupture in this patient population.

Juvenile dermatomyositis presenting with anasarca.

Generalized edema can occur during the course of juvenile dermatomyositis. In this article, a 4-year-old boy with generalized nonpitting edema and proximal weakness is reported. Characteristic cutaneous lesions, laboratory tests, results of electromyography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings resulted in a diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis. He was treated with corticosteroids and methotrexate. It is concluded that the generalized edema may appear as the presenting cutaneous manifestation of juvenile dermatomyositis.

Unusual association of tethered cord, filum terminale lipoma, and myxopapillary ependymoma.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: We report a 67-year old man with a known filum terminale lipoma causing a tethered cord extending to the subcutaneous fat tissue and a newly diagnosed concomitant ependymoma, revealed on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The coexistence of filum terminale lipoma and ependymoma is very rare. The underlying reason of this coexistence is still unknown. The patients with known filar lipoma causing a tethered cord can be underdiagnosed clinically even though new symptoms develop. METHODS: Case study with lumbar MRI. RESULTS: The patient was operated, and both of the ependymoma and filum terminale lipoma were removed. The pathologic examination was consistent with the MRI findings. Three months after surgery, the patient improved significantly. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of filum terminale lipoma and ependymoma is rare. Patients with relevant symptoms may be referred for an MRI study; however, especially patients with known filar lipomas causing tethered cord may be missed. Therefore, including these patients, a contrast-enhanced lumbar MRI must be performed to exclude any coexistence of filum terminale lipoma and ependymoma in the early course of the disease which can also help the surgeon in guiding the appropriate treatment.