Combined posteroanterior subepicardial fat simulating the echocardiographic diagnosis of pericardial effusion.

The location and relative size of echo-free spaces observed by cardiac ultrasound have been considered reliable signs for distinguishing pericardial fat from fluid; spaces that are exclusively anterior have been considered to represent fat, while spaces that are exclusively or predominantly posterior have been considered to represent fluid. In the present study, the location and relative size of echo-free spaces in eight patients suggested the diagnosis of pericardial effusion; evaluation by computed tomography or thoracotomy, or both, in six and necropsy in two, however, disclosed that these echo-free spaces--posterior as well as anterior--were exclusively due to fat. Age appeared to be as important a predisposing factor as obesity in the accumulation of excess subepicardial fat. No M-mode or two-dimensional features were found to be reliable in differentiating fat from fluid, although excessive amplitude of the posterior pericardial echo on the M-mode study favored the diagnosis of fat. Thus, the finding of echo-free spaces by cardiac ultrasound, even when the posterior space is isolated or larger than an accompanying anterior space, is not necessarily indicative of pericardial fluid. In elderly patients, in particular, posterior echo-free spaces due to fat may invite an incorrect diagnosis of pericardial effusion or pericarditis. In patients in whom echo-free spaces represent an unexpected finding of cardiac ultrasound examination, computed tomography of the chest may be helpful in establishing whether they are due to fat or fluid.

Subepicardial adipose tissue producing echocardiographic appearance of pericardial effusion. Documentation by computed tomography and necropsy.

An isolated anterior echo-free space is generally regarded as a false-positive echocardiographic finding for pericardial effusion. Even when an anterior echo-free space is accompanied by a posterior echo-free space, the echo-free spaces have been occasionally reported to be falsely positive for pericardial effusion, principally in patients with cardiac neoplasms. The basis for these findings had never been adequately explained. In the present study, evaluation by computed tomographic imaging or necropsy examination of 5 patients in whom there was either an anterior or posterior echo-free space or both demonstrated that subepicardial adipose tissue is the echocardiographic imitator of pericardial effusion.

Mediastinal lymph node evaluation by computed tomography in lung cancer. An analysis of 345 patients grouped by TNM staging, tumor size, and tumor location.

To more clearly characterize the role of computed tomography in staging the mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with lung cancer, we analyzed computed tomographic and surgical findings in the chest in 345 consecutive patients with lung cancer who underwent operative staging. Patients were grouped according to the TNM staging system of the American Joint Commission, central or peripheral location of the primary tumor, lobar location of the tumor, and maximum tumor diameter as determined by computed tomography or gross pathology. One third of patients with abnormal findings on the computed tomographic scan did not have mediastinal lymph node metastases. Mediastinal metastases occurred frequently in patients with central cancers (38%). The predictive value of a negative scan in all patients was high (greater than or equal to 90%) except for patients with central T3 lesions (72%), left upper lobe lesions (83%), and central adenocarcinomas (75%). However, only the differences between central T3 and central T2 or T1 lesions, and between central adenocarcinomas and central squamous cell carcinomas, were unlikely to be due to chance alone (p less than 0.05). None of the lobar differences were statistically significant. The frequency of mediastinal metastases in patients with peripheral lesions was 15% (28 of 192 patients); computed tomography correctly identified enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes in all but seven patients. However, there were no true-positive computed tomographic scans in 59 patients with peripheral lesions 2 cm in diameter or smaller; accordingly, we suggest that computed tomography is not indicated for the sole purpose of mediastinal staging in this group. Ninety-four percent of patients in this series undergoing thoracotomy with a curative intent had a curative resection. Only 4% had unresectable lesions; palliative resections were done in 2%.

N2 lung cancer: outcome in patients with false-negative computed tomographic scans of the chest.

Over the past 13 years 681 consecutive patients have undergone computed tomographic staging and surgical staging of the mediastinum. Five hundred one tested negative for mediastinal lymph node enlargement by computed tomographic staging, and 37 of these patients had cancerous mediastinal lymph nodes at thoracotomy (n = 36) or mediastinoscopy (n = 1). The survival in this group of patients was analyzed according to T status, central or peripheral location of tumor, cell type, areas of mediastinum that are involved, and extent of nodal involvement with tumor. Twelve patients had central tumors, and 25 had peripheral tumors. Two of the patients in the central tumor group died postoperatively and only 2 others survived, whereas 12 of the 25 patients in the peripheral tumor group survived. Four of the 37 patients, 2 in each group, did not undergo resection, and all died. All but 2 of the 31 survivors who underwent resection received postoperative adjuvant x-ray therapy (23 patients), chemotherapy (1 patient), or x-ray therapy and chemotherapy (5 patients). The projected 2-year and 5-year survivals (Kaplan-Meier) were 40% and 28% for patients overall, 46% and 31% for those whose tumors were resected, 40% and 20% for those with resected central tumors, and 52% and 45% for those with resected peripheral tumors. None of these differences was significant. Cell type, location or number of locations of involved nodes, and the average percentage or maximum percentage of mediastinal node that was involved with tumor did not influence survival. The high negative predictive index for computed tomographic staging of the mediastinal lymph nodes and the observed 2-year and 5-year survivals in patients with false-negative computed tomographic scans of the chest justifies definitive thoracotomy without mediastinoscopy in most patients with a normal mediastinum on computed tomographic scan.

Computed tomography-guided minithoracotomy for the resection of small peripheral pulmonary nodules.

Small peripheral pulmonary nodules ranging in size from 1 mm to 20 mm were excised in 58 patients. Computed tomography was used to mark the skin overlying the nodules to minimize the surgical exposure needed for operative identification. The nodules were 1 cm or less in maximum diameter in 76% of the patients. Twenty-six patients had single nodules and 32 patients had multiple nodules. The preoperative diagnosis was inaccurate in 67% of the patients. In 61% of the patients in whom malignancy was suspected, no tumor was demonstrated. Conversely, of the 20 patients in whom a malignant nodule was excised, the preoperative diagnosis was correct in only 50%. Thirty-one patients required no further treatment apart from their biopsy and 27 required additional intervention. Small peripheral pulmonary nodules require biopsy for diagnosis. When percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy is unsuccessful, or technically difficult, a computed tomography-guided thoracotomy is an effective and minimally invasive surgical alternative.

Long-term results after Russe bone-grafting: the effect of malunion of the scaphoid.

Twenty-five patients had Russe anterior corticocancellous bone-grafting between 1973 and 1984 for twenty-six symptomatic established non-unions of the scaphoid. The mean duration of follow-up was eleven years (range, seven to eighteen years). Twenty-one (81 per cent) of the twenty-six scaphoid bones united. We developed two rating scales to evaluate the results of the operation. One scale, based on objective findings, included the radiographic appearance of the wrist, the range of motion, and strength; the other scale, based on subjective findings, comprised function, pain, perception of a decrease in performance because of limitation of motion or strength, and satisfaction. These scales were used to compare the objective and subjective results in patients who had a malunion of the scaphoid in which the lateral intrascaphoid angle was more than 45 degrees convex dorsally between the proximal and distal poles (a so-called flexion or humpback deformity, which results in extension of the proximal fragment of the scaphoid at the radiocarpal joint) with the results in patients who had no such deformity. The lateral intrascaphoid angle was more than 45 degrees in thirteen (50 per cent) of the twenty-six wrists. Although the difference in the objective results between the wrists that had a malunion and those that did not have a malunion was highly significant (p = 0.001), there was no significant difference in the subjective results between the two groups, including satisfaction of the patient (p = 0.39). Twenty-three patients (92 per cent) returned to full-time employment and twenty-two (88 per cent), to sports activities. Twenty-three patients (92 per cent) reported that they had pronounced relief of pain and that the procedure had improved their quality of life. The presence of this deformity of the scaphoid after bone-grafting for a symptomatic non-union was not predictive of a poor long-term subjective outcome.

CT detection of necrotising enterocolitis.

Necrotising enterocolitis may occur as a complication of granulocytopenia of any aetiology. The clinical presentation may be non-specific and the diagnosis therefore depends heavily on radiographic findings, particularly changes seen by CT. In immune-compromised patients being investigated for possible abdominal sources of fever, CT may be particularly helpful in elucidating bowel sources of infection. Two cases of necrotising enterocolitis demonstrated by CT are presented. The two cases were in immune-compromised patients with malignant disorders who presented with fever. The CT findings of this disorder are presented.

Computerized tomographic evaluation of tumors of the nasopharynx and maxillary sinus: potential impact on results of treatment.

A review of 23 consecutive patients with tumors of the nasopharynx and maxillary sinus seen over a two-year period was carried out. The purpose was to assess the value of computerized tomography (CT) in the definition of tumor extension to contiguous structures and its effect on treatment selection and management.CT was found to be very useful in detailing bone and soft-tissue invasion. In 11 of 15 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer and in the eight patients with maxillary sinus tumors, the selection of treatment and the techniques of irradiation were influenced by the CT findings.There is a high degree of accuracy in the evaluation to the nasopharynx and maxillary sinus by CT. This improvement in pretreatment assessment of the tumors enables adequate treatment to be offered. Since most of the failures of treatment are a result of local recurrence, improvement in local control is likely to result in improved survival.

Clinically significant adrenal hemorrhage secondary to metastases. Computed tomography observations.

Clinically significant adrenal hemorrhage due to adrenal metastases has rarely been reported. We describe three cases of this unusual entity, two from lung carcinoma and one from sarcoma. Adrenal hemorrhage was bilateral in two patients, and was the presenting manifestation of malignancy in two. A computed tomography diagnosis of hemorrhage within bilateral adrenal metastases was made when adrenal masses rapidly enlarged in one case, and when previously resolving hematomas showed enlargement in a second case. The third case was believed to represent a pheochromocytoma preoperatively. We conclude that significant adrenal hemorrhage can result from adrenal metastases and can be the presenting manifestation of metastatic tumor. In the patient without discernible risk factors for adrenal hemorrhage, underlying malignancy should be considered as a possible cause, even if the hemorrhage is bilateral.

Parathyroid adenoma associated with neurofibromatosis: correlative scintigraphic and magnetic resonance imaging.

Correlative imaging by dual-isotope thallium/technetium subtraction scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a pathologically proven parathyroid adenoma in a 62-year-old man with known neurofibromatosis, who presented with hypercalcemia and an elevated parathormone level. The association between neurofibromatosis and primary hyperparathyroidism is discussed.

Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy using a modified coaxial technique.

A modified coaxial technique for the biopsy of small or deeply situated lesions using computed tomographic (CT) guidance is described. A 22-gauge needle was passed coaxially through an outer 18-gauge introducing needle and aspiration biopsy was performed. This modified coaxial technique allows for multiple biopsies to be obtained safely, expeditiously, and repeatedly.

Computed tomography in evaluation of blunt renal trauma. Potential for misdiagnosis of renal infarction.

A case of global renal infarction resulting from blunt renal trauma is presented. The cortical 'rim sign' on computed tomographic (CT) scanning is suggestive of major renal arterial occlusion. Clinicians who use CT scanning as the initial imaging modality for the evaluation of blunt kidney trauma should be aware of this sign and its implications for management.

Hemochromatosis simulating hepatoma by computed tomography.

Computed tomography of the liver in hemochromatosis characteristically demonstrates diffusely increased attenuation. We report a patient with this disorder who presented with such a finding over the right lobe of the liver and a benign, large lower density area occupying the other lobe, closely simulating malignancy. Biopsies of the liver showed prominent fibrosis of the left lobe as compared with the right lobe, which probably accounts for the attenuation difference.

Computed tomography differentiation of pyelonephritis and renal infarction.

Acute renal infarction and acute pyelonephritis can have identical clinical presentations. Most of the computed tomography findings seen in acute renal infarction are similar to those in acute pyelonephritis, except for the characteristic cortical rim sign seen in acute infarction. This finding differentiates these two disorders. This sign may be subtle and not appreciated unless searched for diligently with appropriate computed tomography imaging at varying window settings with particular attention to the subcapsular region.

CT scanning in septic sacroiliac arthritis or periarticular osteomyelitis.

Two cases are presented which demonstrate the utility of CT scanning in the evaluation of patients with septic sacroiliitis. The importance of making an early diagnosis in such patients is noted and the roles of various other modalities are related to that of CT scanning.

Computed tomographic demonstration of gas collections simulating infection.

Two cases of computed tomographic demonstration of gas collections simulating gas forming organism infection are presented in patients shown subsequently not to be infected--the air resulting from tissue necrosis. These observations are helpful in guiding conservative management of certain patients in the appropriate clinical setting.

Computed tomographic detection of sinusitis responsible for intracranial and extracranial infections.

Computed tomography (CT) is now used extensively for the evaluation of orbital, facial, and intracranial infections. Nine patients are presented to illustrate the importance of detecting underlying and unsuspected sinusitis. Prompt treatment of the sinusitis is essential to minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with complications such as brain abscess, meningitis, orbital cellulitis, and osteomyelitis. A review of the literature documents the persistence of these complications despite the widespread use of antibiotic therapy. Recognition of the underlying sinusitis is now possible with CT if the region of the sinuses is included and bone-window settings are used during the examination of patients with orbital and intracranial infection.

Use of computed tomography in the preoperative evaluation of patients with head and neck tumors.

Computed tomography (CT) is a sensitive, noninvasive radiographic technique which can produce detailed cross-sectional images of any anatomic region. The amount and accuracy of the information it provides far exceeds that produced by conventional radiographic techniques. The chemosurgeon can find CT scanning invaluable in his preoperative evaluation of patients with large, invasive head and neck tumors of cutaneous origin.