An unusual case of mammary Paget’s disease in a woman with psoriasis.

Mammary Paget’s disease (MPD) is a malignant breast tumor, which is characterized by intraepidermal infiltration from malignant glandular epithelial cells. Often it may include an underlying ductal carcinoma in situ or an invasive ductal carcinoma. Clinically it appears as an erythematous patch, moist or crusted, with or without desquamation that in some cases becomes ulcerated, causing infiltration and inversion of the nipple. We report the clinical case of a 60-year-old woman, treated in our department for psoriasis, presenting with erythema of nipple and areola with nipple erosion, ulceration and poor secretion. Suspecting Paget’s disease of the nipple, radiological exams (mammography and breast MRI) were performed. A biopsy for histological examination was carried out and confirmed the diagnosis of mammary Paget’s disease. MPD is sometimes difficult to diagnose both clinically and radiologically, therefore it is important to distinguish from other conditions: in literature MPD is reported in differential diagnosis with psoriasis given its similar clinical features, and in some cases MPD has been treated with topical and systemic steroids due to a wrong diagnosis. However, the concomitance, in the same individual, of mammary Paget’s disease and psoriasis has never been described.

18FDG uptake in sinonasal inverted papilloma detected by positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Inverted papilloma (IP) is a benign but locally aggressive sinonasal tumour. Aggressive surgical treatment has thus been traditionally recommended because of the risk of transformation in squamous carcinoma. CT and MRI are used to evaluate bone destruction and soft-tissue extension before surgery but may be ineffective to differentiate an inverted papilloma from squamous cell carcinoma. In recent years, F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET) is widely used as diffuse imaging procedure for diagnosis and followup of malignancy affecting the head and neck district. To evaluate the utility of (18)FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis of patients with suspicious lesions for IP, twelve patients with suspicious sinonasal inverted papilloma were selected for this study. (18)FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed, and standard uptake value (SUV) was calculated for each patient. SUV(max) was considered as the maximum value measured in the visualized lesions. Seven of the twelve cases exhibited uptake of (18)FFDG with an SUV(max) ranging from 1 to 8.1. Histopathologic diagnosis after surgery confirmed the diagnosis of IP in five cases; all these cases had an SUV(max) > 3. The five cases, which exhibited absence of (18)FDG uptake, had a histological diagnosis of absence of IP.

Pathophysiological premises to radiotracers for bone metastases.

Aim of our paper is to review the most important radio-compounds that can be successfully used to detect and/or characterize bone metastases. From a didactic point of view, we made a distinction between two main categories , the first allowing to individuate bone's reaction (osteotropic agents), the second trying to detect metastatic tumor cells (oncotropic agents). A wide description of the most diffuse Tc-99m diphosphonates , including analysis of uptake mechanisms and pharmacokinetics, is followed by a brief report on pathophysiological premises to the clinical use of F-18 fluoride and of specific (radioiodine, radiolabeled somatostatin or cathecolamine analogues) or non specific, as Tc-99m sestamibi, F-18 fluorodeoxhyglucose, F-18 choline, F-18 thymidine) oncotropic agents. At the end, the possibility to use diagnostic radiotracers to act both in recruiting patients with bone metastases undergoing radionuclide therapy and for their dosimetric evaluation is also discussed.

Less frequent requests for In-111 pentreotide and its brothers of endocrinological interest.

The somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), using octreotide radiolabelled with 111In (octreoscan, OCTs), is a consolidated diagnostic procedure in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. A higher accuracy has been demonstrated with single photon emission computed tomography-CT, while a further improvement has been obtained with positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, using somatostatin analogues radiolabeled with 68Ga, significantly increasing the number of detected lesions. Although the well-known presence of an OCTs uptake in many benign diseases, when in an active phase, the application of SRS in these patients did not find any clinical relevance yet. In this paper we discuss two fields of endocrinological interest where SRS could play a clinical role. In patients with Graves exophtalmos, the capability to differentiate between active and non-active disease can be helpful in define prognosis and therapeutic strategies. In patients with endocrine paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS), SRS can help in finding the underlying neoplasm, contributing to its characterization as premise to a therapeutic choice. The possible role of a surgery guided by OCTs is also explained and suggested. The incremental value of PET-CT with Ga-68 peptides is hypothesized to reduce the number of unknown neoplastic lesions frequently present in patients with PNS.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: the first Italian gadolinium-proven case.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a systemic disease, recently described in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), characterized by progressive scleromyxedema-like fibrotic involvement mainly of the skin. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman on chronic hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure, also affected by hypothyroidism, secondary hyperparathyroidism and occluding arteriopathy, for which she underwent a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the lower limbs in February 2007. One month later, she began complaining of progressive, painful distal lower limb stiffness, which subsequently spread to all four limbs and to the whole trunk. A deep-skin biopsy, taken from an affected area, showed gadolinium deposits. The case reported is, to best of our knowledge, the first Italian case of NSF. This diagnosis should be considered with care in CKD patients with a recent exposure to a gadolinium-based contrast agent, complaining of limb stiffness, especially in the presence of risk factors.

Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging for detecting bone metastases: comparison with bone scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) in detecting skeletal metastasis and to compare the results with those of bone scintigraphy (BS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients (21 women, 12 men, median age 58 years, range 27-78) were enrolled. Histological proof of malignancy was obtained in all cases. The primary tumour was unknown in 1 patient. BS and WB-MRI were performed as staging procedures in 15 patients, during the follow-up in 6 and to investigate pain in 9 and neurological symptoms in 3. Bone metastases were recorded for 8 different skeletal segments (ribs, skull, cervicothoracic spine, lumbosacral spine, clavicle-scapula-sternum, pelvis, upper extremities and lower extremities) in all patients, for a total of 264 examined areas. RESULTS: Bone metastases were detected in 18 patients (55%). In 15/33 patients, WB-MRI and BS were concordantly negative. BS revealed focal metastatic uptake in 72%, whereas WB-MRI was positive in 89%. Results differed in seven patients. WB-MRI was positive but BS was negative in five cases. Two patients with negative WB-MRI had focal and intense uptake in the ribs on BS. Out of 264 examined areas, bone metastases were detected in 34 (13%). WB-MRI revealed tumour spread in 26/34 areas (76%) and BS in 21/34 areas only (62%). CONCLUSIONS: WB-MRI is a reliable method for screening patients with suspected skeletal metastases, although BS still remains a useful tool. WB-MRI is also advantageous because it reveals extraskeletal and soft tissue metastases.

Is there a role for positron emission tomography imaging in the early evaluation of prostate cancer relapse?

The patient population with a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) post-therapy with no evidence of disease on standard imaging studies currently represents the second largest group of prostate cancer patients. Little information is still available regarding the specificity and sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers in the assessment of early biochemical recurrence. Ideally, PET imaging would allow one to accurately discriminate between local vs nodal vs distant relapse, thus enabling appropriate selection of patients for salvage local therapy. The vast majority of studies show a relatively poor yield of positive scans with PSA values < 4 ng ml(-1). So far, no tracer has been shown to be able to detect local recurrence within the clinically useful 1 ng ml(-1) PSA threshold, clearly limiting the use of PET imaging in the post-surgical setting. Preliminary evidence, however, suggests that 11C-choline PET may be useful in selecting out patients with early biochemical relapse (PSA < 2 ng ml(-1)) who have pelvic nodal oligometastasis potentially amenable to local treatment. The role of PET imaging in prostate cancer is gradually evolving but still remains within the experimental realm. Well-conducted studies comparing the merits of different tracers are needed.

The evolving role of MRI in oncohaematological disorders.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has opened new possibilities to current diagnostic radiology in the evaluation of bone marrow. Compared with other imaging modalities, MRI is the only technique able to directly visualise bone marrow with its different components of red and yellow marrow. Other advantages of MRI are high-contrast resolution and multiplanar view, as well as extensive coverage of the skeleton with whole-body MRI (WBMRI). However, specificity of signal alterations of bone marrow is low. Therefore, MRI findings need to be integrated with clinical and laboratory findings as well as with haematological and oncological evaluation. MRI provides information that effectively aids diagnosis, staging and follow-up of various bone marrow disorders. There is increasing interest in the capabilities of MRI in the evaluation of bone marrow, in particular of haematological malignancies. According to some authors much work remains to be done to improve sensitivity and specificity of MRI in order to define the real clinical value of this imaging modality in the multidisciplinary management of patients with a haematological malignancy. This article presents recent developments and perspectives in the use of MRI in oncohaematological diseases.

[Villous-lipomatous proliferation of synovial membrane of the knee (lipoma arborescens). Magnetic resonance findings]. / Proliferazione villo-lipomatosa della membrana sinoviale del ginocchio (lipoma arborescente). Aspetti con Risonanza Magnetica.

PURPOSE: We reviewed the imaging patterns of the villous-lipomatous proliferation of the knee synovial membrane (lipoma arborescens), with special reference to the role of MRI in the diagnosis of this rare condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1994 to 1996, we examined four patients, none of them with a history of knee trauma. The clinical picture was characterized by moderate and painful suprapatellar swelling in three cases and by moderate suprapatellar swelling alone in one case. All patients were examined with conventional radiography and MRI; two were submitted to US and two to CT. The diagnosis of lipoma arborescens was suggested on the basis of imaging patterns and then confirmed by histologic findings. RESULTS: Conventional radiography showed a roughly oblong slim opacity in the suprapatellar recess in all cases; the joint space was always preserved. US showed a villous lesion surrounded by fluid, but provided no specific data on its nature. CT and MRI not only provided better location and morphologic detailing and showed the relationships with articular structures better, but also permitted the direct identification of the fat nodules within the abnormal synovial reaction. CONCLUSION: We stress the role of MRI in suggesting the correct diagnosis of lipoma arborescens, as it was subsequently confirmed in our series by histologic findings. In fact, fat-suppression sequences, after T1-weighted SE, can typify fat tissue.

Magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of the common bile duct.

BACKGROUND: The ideal method for evaluation of the common bile duct (CBD) before or during cholecystectomy remains controversial. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) is a new, promising technique. A prospective evaluation is reported. METHOD: Sixty-one patients (45 women) were studied by MRC. There were 29 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease and without clinical, biochemical or ultrasonographic evidence of CBD stones (group 1); 28 of them also underwent intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). In addition, there were 21 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, with mild biochemical and ultrasonographic signs of CBD involvement (group 2), of whom 19 underwent IOC, and 11 patients with symptomatic CBD stones (group 3), nine of whom had preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) following MRC. RESULTS: MRC showed that no patient in group 1 and three patients in group 2 had CBD stones. Three patients (one in group 1, two in group 2) did not undergo IOC because of technical or clinical problems. In group 3, ERCP confirmed the results of MRC in nine patients. Two patients underwent open surgery because of ultrasonographic, MRC and radiographic signs of pancreatic malignancy. CONCLUSION: MRC could replace IOC and ERCP for identification of asymptomatic CBD stones. In symptomatic patients MRC combined with other non-invasive imaging techniques can direct the surgeon to appropriate management.

["Occult" posttraumatic lesions of the knee: can magnetic resonance substitute for diagnostic arthroscopy?]. / Lesioni "occulte" post-traumatiche del ginocchio: può la Risonanza Magnetica sostituire l'artroscopia diagnostica?

PURPOSE: We investigated the actual role of MRI versus arthroscopy in the detection and characterization of occult bone and/or cartilage injuries in patients with previous musculoskeletal trauma of the knee, pain and severe functional impairment. Occult post-traumatic osteochondral injuries of the knee are trauma-related bone and/or cartilage damage missed at plain radiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively selected 70 patients (men:women = 7:3; age range: 35 +/- 7 years) with a history of acute musculoskeletal trauma, negative conventional radiographs, pain and limited joint movements. All patients were submitted to conventional radiography, arthroscopy and MRI, the latter with 0.5 T units and T1-weighted SE. T2-weighted GE and FIR sequences with fat suppression. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We identified three types of occult post-traumatic injuries by morpho-topographic and signal intensity patterns: bone bruises (no. 25), subchondral (no. 33) and osteochondral (no. 35) injuries. Arthroscopy depicted 45 osteochondral and 19 chondral injuries. A bone bruise was defined as a typical subcortical area of signal loss, with various shapes, on T1-weighted images and of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted and FIR images. The cortical bone and articular cartilage were normal in all cases, while osteochondral injuries exhibited associated bone and cartilage damage with the same abnormal MR signal intensity. Sprain was the mechanism of injury in 52 cases, bruise in 12 and stress in 6. In 52 sprains (30 in valgus), the injury site was the lateral compartment in 92.3% of cases (100% in valgus), associated with meniscal damage in 73% of cases (90% in valgus) and with ligament injury in 90.4% (100% in valgus). In 12 bruises, the injury site was the lateral compartment in 58.3% of cases, the knee cap in 25% and the medial compartment in 16.7%; meniscal damage was associated in 25% of cases and ligament damage in 8.3%. In 6 stress injuries, the injury site was localized in the medial tibial condyle in 80% of cases, while meniscal and ligament tears were absent. CONCLUSIONS: After comparing MR with arthroscopic findings and reviewing the available literature, we conclude that arthroscopy permits the direct visualization of even fine articular surface changes but does not depict the subchondral bone, the most frequent site of injury detected with MRI. MRI was a very useful tool in the detection and characterization of the different types of occult bone and/or cartilage injuries and showed a statistically significant correlation between site and distribution of bone and cartilage injuries and between internal damage and trauma mechanisms. Therefore, we believe that MRI can help avoid diagnostic arthroscopy in the patients with a history of post-traumatic pain, acute articular blocks and negative radiographic findings.

[Transient osteoporosis of the hip in magnetic resonance imaging]. / Aspetti dell'osteoporosi transitoria dell'anca con Risonanza Magnetica.

This study was aimed at assessing the MR patterns of transient osteoporosis of the hip and, consequently, the role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of this condition. Even though this condition was originally observed in pregnant women, young or middle-aged men are most frequently affected. There is a spontaneous onset of pain, usually progressing over several weeks. The patients have no risk factors for osteonecrosis; they may have a history of minor trauma and there is a possible relationship to the third trimester of pregnancy. Laboratory values are negative. Pain may be severe enough to cause the patient to limp and to impair joint function. The possible causes of transient osteoporosis have been debated by many authors and include trauma, synovitis, neurovascular dysfunction and transient or reversible ischemia. Transient osteoporosis is a self-limiting disease which does not require surgical treatment. The differential diagnosis of transient osteoporosis of the hip is very important because this condition may simulate cancer, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis or avascular necrosis. We report the initial and follow-up features of transient osteoporosis of the hip on the MR images of 6 patients (M/F = 5/1; age: 37-49 years, mean: 41.8 years). The right side was involved in 3 patients, the left side in 2 patients. The patient with bilateral transient osteoporosis was a woman in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. In all patients, MRI was performed with an 0.5 T MR unit. The MR changes in our 6 patients were rather uniform and included heterogeneous decrease in the signal intensity of the affected bone marrow on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted and STIR images, with no evidence of focal lesions. This pattern is known as the "bone marrow edema" (BME) pattern. All the patients received conservative treatment. The clinical symptoms and the MR abnormalities regressed completely within 6-10 months, with no late sequelae. To conclude, this follow-up MR study demonstrates the transient, reversible character of transient osteoporosis of the hip. Until the natural history of the BME pattern is better understood, we suggest a conservative management of this condition, especially in the patients with no risk factors for osteonecrosis. Radiographic and MR follow-up is recommended.

[Magnetic resonance aspects of the bone marrow in aplastic anemia at the onset and in the follow-up after transplant]. / Aspetti con risonanza magnetica del midollo osseo nell'anemia aplastica all'esordio e nel follow-up dopo trapianto.

Aplastic anemia is a rare hematologic disorder characterized by hypocellular fatty marrow. Aplastic anemia is diagnosed on the basis of laboratory tests and bone marrow biopsy findings. Biopsy is of fundamental importance for bone marrow assessment, though not representative of the rest of the marrow. Thanks to its exclusive capabilities in the direct visualization of bone marrow, MRI is a noninvasive and relatively rapid method for bone marrow study. The authors report their experience in 3 aplastic anemia patients examined also with MRI at presentation and after marrow transplantation. The dorsolumbar spine was studied with sagittal SE T1-weighted and STIR sequences, while pelvic bones were investigated only with SE T1-weighted sequences in all patients. Two of them were also examined with sagittal scans of the dorsolumbar spine using the chemical shift fat suppression technique. In all three patients, SE T1-weighted images at presentation showed fatty bone marrow infiltration, also confirmed on fat suppression images, and, after transplantation, progressive bone marrow repopulation, with the typical "band" pattern in vertebral marrow. Although MR specificity remains low in the demonstration of bone marrow disorders, the authors believe it to be a useful tool, after accurate clinical and laboratory exams, not only in the diagnosis but also and especially in the follow-up of these disorders.

[Functional magnetic resonance of Peyronie's disease in the chronic stable phase]. / Risonanza magnetica funzionale nella malattia di la Peyronie nella fase cronica stabilizzata.

La Peyronie's disease (induratio penis plastica) is a degenerative process involving the penis, whose cause is still not fully explained. Adequate treatment requires the correct staging of La Peyronie's disease. Diagnostic imaging plays a major role after case history and clinics. Several imaging methods are used, including self-photography, plain radiography, CT, pharmaco-cavernosography, plain and duplex Doppler US. Enhanced MRI can be useful to correctly localize the plaques and to detect early changes in La Peyronie's disease, since the fibrous plaques with persistent inflammatory infiltration can be distinguished from the plaques in which inflammation has ceased. The diagnostic approach to La Peyronie's disease has been substantially modified by adding an examination during the erection induced by the intracavernosal injection of papaverine to the examination in the flaccid state. The authors report on the capabilities of unenhanced MRI after the intracavernosal injection of papaverine in steady chronic La Peyronie's disease. MRI was performed with an 0.5 T superconductive unit. Six patients (age range: 46-60 years, mean 52 years) who had been ill for about five years were studied. SE T1-weighted images and FS T2-weighted images were performed in both the flaccid and the erect states. Our results prove MR capabilities in both states in steady chronic La Peyronie's disease, which suggests MRI as the technique of choice for planning surgical treatment.