Immunoglobulin G4-related Disease of the Genitourinary System: Spectrum of Imaging Findings and Clinical-Pathologic Features.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibroinflammatory disease characterized by focal or diffuse organ infiltration of IgG4-bearing plasma cells. The diagnosis of IgG4-RD is based on a combination of clinical, serologic, radiologic, and histopathologic findings. IgG4-RD has been reported to affect almost all organ systems. The kidney is the most frequently involved of the genitourinary organs. The most common renal manifestation of IgG4-RD is IgG4-RD tubulointerstitial nephritis, followed by membranous glomerulonephropathy and, less frequently, obstructive nephropathy involving the renal pelvis, ureter, or retroperitoneum. Renal parenchymal lesions may appear as multiple nodular lesions, diffuse patchy infiltrative lesions, or a single nodular lesion. Multiple small nodular cortical lesions are the most common imaging findings of IgG4-RD involving the kidney. Renal pelvic, sinus, or perinephric lesions can also occur. IgG4-RD involvement of other genitourinary organs including the ureter, bladder, urethra, and male and female reproductive organs is rare compared with kidney involvement but may show variable imaging findings such as a localized mass within or surrounding the involved organ or diffuse enlargement of the involved organ. Imaging findings of IgG4-RD involving the genitourinary system are nonspecific but should be differentiated from inflammatory and neoplastic lesions that mimic IgG4-RD. The online slide presentation from the RSNA Annual Meeting is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2020.

Use of a shaving technique for surgical management of partial ureteral obstruction due to endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the surgical management of advanced endometriosis causing extrinsic ureteral compression. DESIGN: Video description of the case, demonstration of the surgical technique, reevaluation at 14-year follow-up, and review of urogenital endometriosis. Patient provided consent for the video recording and publication. This surgical report with no identifying patient data was exempt from Institutional Review Board approval. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): A 42-year-old nulligravida with a known history of endometriosis presented with persistent pelvic pain and no other specific symptoms. She had previously undergone a diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrating advanced endometriosis involving multiple organs, including the urinary tract. She was referred to us for further surgical management. Preoperative intravenous pyelogram showed partial obstruction and constriction of a long portion of the midpelvic and distal left ureter with proximal hydroureter, consistent with extrinsic ureteral compression. INTERVENTION(S): The patient underwent operative video laparoscopy using a multipuncture technique, with enterolysis, extensive left ureterolysis, shaving of periureteral constrictive fibrosis and endometriosis, cystoscopy, and placement of left ureteral stent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): There was extensive endometriosis and fibrotic adhesions involving the left pelvic sidewall. Proximal hydroureter was noted to the pelvic inlet secondary to severe periureteral fibrosis from the pelvic brim to the bladder meatus, with significant narrowing of the pelvic ureter. The endometriosis was resected using hydrodissection and shaving with a carbon dioxide laser. Histopathologic evaluation of the resection specimens confirmed endometriosis. RESULT(S): An intravenous pyelogram performed 4 weeks postoperatively revealed ureteral patency and resolving hydroureter, and her ureteral stent was removed. Annual renal ultrasounds for the subsequent 2 years were normal. Fourteen years later, she remained asymptomatic on no suppressive treatment. A follow-up intravenous pyelogram was performed and showed a normal urinary tract with bilateral ureteral patency and no recurrent strictures or hydroureter. CONCLUSION(S): In selected cases, conservative shaving of periureteral fibrotic endometriosis avoids ureteral resection and has acceptable outcomes.

Role of Interventional Procedures in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Radiological guided intervention techniques are discussed in obstetric and gynecologic patients. Fallopian tube recanalization, postpartum hemorrhage control, techniques of treating uterine leiomyomas, pelvic congestion treatment, and the use of percutaneous and transvaginal ultrasonography-guided aspirations and biopsy are covered. These techniques use basic radiological interventional skills and show how they are adapted for use in the female pelvis.

Ultrasound findings in urogenital schistosomiasis: a pictorial essay.

Urogenital schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by S. haematobium which is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical areas but is increasingly diagnosed in temperate non-endemic countries due to migration and international travels. Early identification and treatment of the disease are fundamental to avoid associated severe sequelae such as bladder carcinoma, hydronephrosis leading to kidney failure and reproductive complications. Radiologic imaging, especially through ultrasound examination, has a fundamental role in the assessment of organ damage and follow-up after treatment. Imaging findings of urinary tract schistosomiasis are observed mainly in the ureters and bladder. The kidneys usually appear normal until a late stage of the disease.

Endoscopy as an Adjunct to Image-Guided Interventions: A New Frontier in Interventional Radiology.

Endoscopy is an underutilized technique in the practice of interventional radiology. The objectives of this article are to discuss potential uses of interventional radiology-operated endoscopy and to outline basic endoscopy setup and equipment uses. Endoscopy represents a new frontier to the fluoroscopically-guided procedures in biliary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary disease that interventional radiologists commonly perform. It shows promise to improve interventional radiology procedure success rates and reduce procedure-associated risk for patients. Endoscopy has been traditionally performed by gastroenterologists and urologists and is relatively new in the practice of interventional radiology. The hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity required to perform standard image-guided procedures places interventional radiologists in a unique position to introduce endoscopy into standard practice. A focused and collaborative effort is needed by interventional radiologists to learn the techniques required to successfully integrate endoscopy into practice.

Beyond the Bile Duct: Advanced IR Endoscopic Interventions Involving the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Musculoskeletal Systems.

Endoscopy is a technique used by interventional radiology (IR) in only a few centers throughout the United States. When used by IR, endoscopy is most well-known for its role in the treatment of hepatobiliary disease. However, its use with relation to pathology involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems is gaining momentum among IR. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential benefits of IR endoscopy in nonbiliary intervention. A literature review, not requiring IRB approval, was performed via PubMed and Ovid Medline databases using the search terms "interventional radiology-operated endoscopy," "interventional endoscopy," "interventional radiology," "genitourinary," and "gastrointestinal." Literature describing IR endoscopy involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems were identified and described. Nine peer-reviewed articles were identified. While few studies were identified, a general theme suggesting a synergistic relationship between IR and endoscopy was noted. More studies are needed to better understand the role of endoscopy as a technique in the IR suite.

Imaging features of immune-mediated genitourinary disease.

PURPOSE: Imaging features of immune-mediated genitourinary diseases often overlap, and the same disease may manifest in different ways, so understanding imaging findings in the context of the patient's entire clinical picture is important in providing the correct diagnosis. METHODS: In this article, diseases mediated by the immune system which affect the genitourinary system are reviewed. Examples of immune-mediated genitourinary disease including IgG4-related disease, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorder due to immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications, lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, amyloidosis, and histiocytosis. RESULTS: Clinical and imaging features will be presented which may help narrow the differential diagnosis for each disease. CONCLUSION: Recognition of immune-related genitourinary disease is important for appropriate medical management as they may mimic other diseases both by imaging and clinical presentation.

Imaging features of atypical bleeds in young patients with hemophilia.

Hemarthroses and muscle bleeds are well-known and well-documented complications in pediatric and young adult hemophilia patients. In contrast, deep bleeds in atypical locations can be a diagnostic challenge, since clinicians and radiologists are often unfamiliar with their clinical and radiological features. Some atypical bleeds, however, can be life-threatening or severely disabling, highlighting the need for prompt, accurate diagnosis. Rare bleeds include central nervous system bleeds (including intracranial and spinal hematomas), urogenital bleeds, intra-abdominal bleeds (mesenteric and gastrointestinal wall hematomas) and pseudo tumors in unusual locations like the sinonasal cavities. Because clinical assessment can be difficult, clinicians and radiologists should be aware of the possibility of these rare complications in their hemophilia patients, so that they can avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures and institute prompt, appropriate treatment. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the imaging features of bleeds that occur in rare locations in young (i.e., children and young adults) patients with hemophilia to make the reader more familiar with these conditions.

Dermoscopy of Inflammatory Genital Diseases: Practical Insights.

Diagnosis of genital inflammatory disorders may be difficult for several reasons, such as their similar appearance, possible misdiagnosis with infectious and malignant conditions, and peculiar anatomic conditions that may lead to modification of clinical features. Dermoscopy could be included as a part of the clinical inspection of genital diseases to support diagnosis, as well as to ideally avoid unnecessary invasive investigation. Practical guidance for the use of dermoscopy in the assessment of the main inflammatory genital diseases is provided, namely for lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, and plasma cell mucositis.

Vaginal estrogen and mammogram results: case series and review of literature on treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine mammographic density before and after at least 1 year of vaginal estrogen use in a small cohort of healthy postmenopausal women and women with a personal history of breast cancer. METHODS: We extracted data via chart review of patients from a single practitioner's menopause specialty clinic in Baltimore, MD. Mammographic change was primarily determined via the Bi-RADS scoring system, including the Bi-RADS density score. In addition, we conduct a narrative review of the current literature on the usage of local estrogen therapy, and systemic and local alternatives in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in breast cancer survivors. RESULTS: Twenty healthy postmenopausal women and three breast cancer survivors fit our inclusion criteria. Amongst these two groups, we did not find an increase in mammographic density after at least 1 year and up to 18 years of local vaginal estrogen. Ospemifene use in one patient did not appear to be associated with any change in Bi-RADS score. Our narrative review found little data on the effects of vaginal estrogen therapy or newer alternative systemic therapies such as ospemifene on mammographic density. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose vaginal estrogen use for 1 or more years in a small cohort of women with GSM did not appear to be associated with any changes in breast density or Bi-RADS breast cancer risk scores in the majority of study participants, including three breast cancer survivors. Larger long-term controlled clinical trials should be conducted to examine the effects of low-dose vaginal estrogen on mammographic density in women with and without a personal history of breast cancer. Furthermore, relative efficacy and risk of vaginal estrogen compared with other forms of treatment for GSM should also be studied in long-term trials.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Inflammatory Pseudotumors in the Abdomen and Pelvis: Current Concepts and Pictorial Review.

The group of inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) encompasses a variety of rare neoplastic and nonneoplastic entities described to occur in almost every location in the body and whose clinical features and aggressive imaging findings (varying from infiltrative to mass-forming lesions), frequently mimic those of malignant tumors. The radiologic features of IPTs are variable and nonspecific, the imaging findings depending on the body location and involved organ. Abdominopelvic IPTs are rare and the purposes of this review, therefore, are to familiarize the radiologist with the wide spectrum of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of IPTs in various locations throughout the abdomen and pelvis, discussing the imaging features that allow consideration of IPTs in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue masses within the pertinent clinical setting. Radiologists should be aware of this group of entities, as a preoperative histopathologic diagnosis upon radiological suspicion may help to differentiate IPTs from malignancy and to allow the most appropriate clinical work-up for these patients.

Diffusion-Weighted Genitourinary Imaging.

This review article aims to provide an overview on of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DW-MR imaging) in the urogenital tract. Compared with conventional cross-sectional imaging methods, the additional value of DW-MR imaging in the detection and further characterization of benign and malignant lesions of the kidneys, bladder, prostate, and pelvic lymph nodes is discussed as well as the role of DW-MR imaging in the evaluation of treatment response.

Complicated Genitourinary Tract Infections and Mimics.

This article provides pictorial review of complicated upper and lower genitourinary infections and their mimics. Imaging features of upper urinary tract infections including uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN), emphysematous pyelonephritis, perirenal abscess, and pyonephrosis are first reviewed and then followed by pictorial review of their mimics including contrast-associated nephrotoxicity, renal infarcts, malakoplakia, renal cell cancer, leukemia or lymphoma and Castleman's disease. Next, imaging features of lower urinary tract infections including cystitis, emphysematous cystitis, enterovesical, colovesical and vesicovaginal fistulas, Fournier gangrene, prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis are reviewed and then followed by pictorial review of their mimics including gas in the bladder and perineum related to instrumentation, radiation cystitis, bladder cancer, testicular torsion, testicular trauma, and testicular cancer and lymphoma. Recognizing imaging characteristics of complicated genitourinary infections and their mimics would allow clinicians to provide appropriate timely management.

Association between ICS POP-Q coordinates and translabial ultrasound findings: implications for definition of 'normal pelvic organ support'.

OBJECTIVES: Female pelvic organ prolapse is quantified on clinical examination using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system of the International Continence Society (ICS POP-Q). Pelvic organ descent on ultrasound is strongly associated with symptoms of prolapse, but associations between clinical and ultrasound findings remain unclear. This study was designed to compare clinical examination and imaging findings, especially regarding cut-offs for the distinction between normal pelvic organ support and prolapse. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using 839 archived datasets of women referred to a tertiary urogynecological center for symptoms of lower urinary tract and pelvic floor dysfunction between June 2011 and May 2013. The main outcome measures were the maximum downward displacement of the anterior vaginal wall (point Ba), the cervix (point C) and the posterior vaginal wall (point Bp), the length of the genital hiatus (Gh) and the length of the perineal body (Pb), as defined by the ICS POP-Q; explanatory parameters were measures of pelvic organ descent on translabial ultrasound, ascertained by offline volume data analysis at a later date, by an operator blinded to all other data. RESULTS: Full datasets were available for 825 women. On clinical examination, 646 (78.3%) were found to have prolapse of at least POP-Q Stage 2. All coordinates on clinical examination were strongly associated with the ultrasound measurements of pelvic organ descent (P < 0.001). These relationships were almost linear, especially for the anterior compartment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a near linear relationship between sonographic and clinical measures of prolapse. Previously proposed cut-offs to define 'significant prolapse' on ultrasound and POP-Q (Ba ≥ -0.5 and cystocele ≥ 10 mm below the symphysis pubis, C ≥ -5 and uterine position of 15 mm above the symphysis pubis, Bp ≥ -0.5 and rectocele ≥ 15 mm below the symphysis pubis) are plausible and mutually consistent. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Echoscopy]. / Echoskopie.

The clinical use of pocket size ultrasound devices is still at an early stage. Its performance has been studied and proven in cardiology, gynecology, and gastroenterology. It is expected that the image quality will improve and that more techniques for miniaturized devices will be available in the near future. The perspective will be that more and more clinicians will have "echoscopes" as a bedside tool, replacing or complementary to a "stethoscope". The term "echoscopy" was defined by the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). Echoscopy is one form of point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Teaching material has been prepared by EFSUMB on how to use it (www.efsumb.org).

Abdominal sarcoidosis: cross-sectional imaging findings.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The lungs and the lymphoid system are the most commonly involved organs. Extrapulmonary involvement is reported in 30% of patients, and the abdomen is the most common extrapulmonary site with a frequency of 50%-70%. Although intra-abdominal sarcoidosis is usually asymptomatic, its presence may affect the prognosis and treatment options. The lesions are less characteristic and may mimick neoplastic or infectious diseases such as lymphoma, diffuse metastasis, and granulomatous inflammation. The liver and spleen are the most common abdominal sites of involvement. Sarcoidosis of the gastrointestinal system, pancreas, and kidneys are extremely rare. Adenopathy which is most commonly found in the porta hepatis, exudative ascites, and multiple granulomatous nodules studding the peritoneum are the reported manifestations of abdominal sarcoidosis. Since abdominal sarcoidosis is less common and long-standing, unrecognized disease can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Imaging contributes to diagnosis and management of intra-abdominal sarcoidosis. In this report we reviewed the cross-sectional imaging findings of hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary sarcoidosis.

Preoperative CT voiding cystourethrography using 16-multidetector CT in female urethral diverticulum.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of preoperative CT voiding cystourethrography (CT-VCUG) using 16-multidetector computed tomography for female urethral diverticula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative CT-VCUG was performed in 15 consecutive patients who underwent urethral diverticulectomy from May 2004 to December 2012. The result of preoperative cystourethroscopy and surgical findings were recorded by a single surgeon and CT-VCUG findings including the location of osita were retrospectively reviewed by another urologist who was blinded to the surgical finding. The location of the ostium detected on CT-VCUG was compared descriptively with the intraoperative surgical and preoperative cystourethroscopic findings. RESULTS: A total of 14 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative CT-VCUG and urethral diverticulectomy were included in the analysis. Ostia were detected on CT-VCUG in all cases, whereas ostia were identified in 10 patients (71.4%) by cystourethroscopy. Ostia were located between the 4 and 8 o'clock direction. Mean distance from the bladder neck to the ostium was 24.2 mm. Circumferential and horseshoe shaped diverticula were observed in 6 and 4 patients, respectively. The surgical findings correlated well with the CT findings. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CT-VCUG can be useful in identifying the ostia of urethral diverticula in patients scheduled for urethral diverticulectomy and can provide structural information, useful to establish surgical strategy.

Transvaginal sonographic features of perineal masses in the female lower urogenital tract: a retrospective study of 71 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the transvaginal ultrasonographic features of perineal masses in the lower urogenital tract in a cohort of 71 women. METHODS: Seventy-one women with perineal masses were referred consecutively for transvaginal ultrasonography. Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound was used to scan the pelvic floor, including the urethra, vagina and rectum, and identify any possible areas of interest. A static three-dimensional (3D) sonographic reconstruction of the pelvic anatomy was created to further delineate the relation of the lesions with their neighboring structures. Ultrasound results were compared retrospectively with surgical pathology outcome when possible. RESULTS: Seventy-nine cystic, cystic-solid or solid masses were detected on transvaginal 2D ultrasonography in the 71 women: in 44 patients, 47 anechoic cystic masses were identified and diagnosed as vaginal wall cysts; in 19 patients, 23 hyperechoic cystic masses were diagnosed as vaginal epidermoid cysts; in each of two patients, a hypoechoic cystic-solid mass showing blood-flow signals on color Doppler imaging was diagnosed as urogenital angiomyofibroblastoma; in each of three patients, a hypoechoic cyst was diagnosed as urethral diverticulum; and in three patients with a known history of gynecological malignancy, solid heterogeneous masses with blood flow signals on color Doppler imaging were diagnosed as metastatic cancer. In all patients, 3D ultrasonography delineated the anatomical relationship of these masses to the vagina, urethra and rectum. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal 2D and 3D ultrasonography is an accurate, non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic modality for the delineation of congenital, septic and neoplastic lower urogenital tract perineal masses in women.

Imaging of abdominal complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are common and frequently involve the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal organs. Imaging is often used to help to confirm or exclude a suspected complication and to facilitate management. In this article, we review the imaging findings of abdominal complications related to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.