Small bowel wall edema induced by regorafenib is associated with regorafenib intolerance and shorter survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Regorafenib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a routinely used targeted agent in the current treatment of patients with refractory metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). The aims of this study were to detect the presence of bowel wall edema during regorafenib treatment via computed tomography (CT) and to assess the relationship between survival and regorafenib-induced bowel wall edema in patients with mCRC receiving regorafenib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the presence of bowel wall edema on CT of 25 mCRC patients who received regorafenib and analyzed its relationship with progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among the 25 patients, 25 had small bowel wall edema (SBWE) and 14 had large bowel wall edema (LBWE) on at least one CT examination. The median SBWE value was 4.85 milimeters (mm). Of the 25 patients, 14 had SBWE ≤4.85 mm and 11 had SBWE >4.85 mm. Regorafenib intolerance was significantly higher at SBWE >4.85 mm patients (p = 0.03). The median PFS was 4.6 months (95% CI: 2.4-6.8) and median OS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 3.1-15.4). Median PFS and OS were shorter in patients with SBWE > 4.85 mm than in those with ≤4.85 mm, but not statistically significant (median PFS: 3.9 vs 4.6 months, p: 0.523; median OS: 5.6 vs 9.3 months, p: 0.977). CONCLUSIONS: Regorafenib caused SBWE in patients with mCRC. Patients who developed more SBWE had a higher regorafenib intolerance and a shorter survival. Further studies are needed to confirm the predictor value of SBWE on the survival outcomes of patients with mCRC receiving regorafenib.

Frequency of potential causes of lower back pain and incidental findings in patients with suspected sacroiliitis: retrospective analysis of 886 patients with negative sacroiliac MRI examination for sacroiliitis.

BACKGROUND: In a majority of patients with suspected sacroiliitis (SI) who underwent sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), imaging studies may be normal, may depict other causes for pain, or may show clinically irrelevant incidental findings. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of possible etiologies other than SI and frequency of incidental findings demonstrated on sacroiliac MRI examinations in a cohort of patients with lower back pain and suspected SI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sacroiliac MRI examinations of 1421 patients with suspected SI were retrospectively reviewed. In patients without SI findings, other potential causes for lower back pain and incidental findings were documented. RESULTS: SI was present in 535 of 1421 patients (37.6%). In 886 of the patients whose MRI studies were negative for SI, other possible causes for lower back pain or incidental findings were seen in 386 (43.5%). The most common musculoskeletal (MSK) finding was lumbosacral transitional vertebra (8.6%) followed by findings suggesting piriformis syndrome (4.2%), spondylosis (3.7%), and sacral insufficiency fractures (1.8%). The most common non-MSK findings were follicular cysts (15.3%) and uterine fibroids (4.9%). CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected SI but negative MRI examinations for SI, some other possible causes for lower back pain and several incidental findings can be seen on imaging. The presence of these findings may explain the patient's symptoms, and awareness of these conditions may be helpful in patient management and individualizing treatment.

Case 269: Sacroiliac Joint Hydatid Disease.

HistoryA 20-year old woman living in Turkey presented with a 3-month history of lower back pain. She had no medical history of note and was taking no medications. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein level, sedimentation rate, and creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were within normal limits. Anteroposterior pelvic radiography and unenhanced pelvic CT were performed to rule out sacroiliitis. The imaging findings were abnormal, and the patient underwent contrast-enhanced sacroiliac MRI. A few days later, she underwent contrast-enhanced (100 mL iohexol, Omnipaque; GE Healthcare, Cork, Ireland) abdominal CT because of right upper quadrant pain.

Case 269.

History A 20-year old woman living in Turkey presented with a 3-month history of lower back pain. She had no medical history of note and was taking no medications. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein level, sedimentation rate, and creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were within normal limits. Anteroposterior pelvic radiography and unenhanced pelvic CT were performed to rule out sacroiliitis. The imaging findings were abnormal, and the patient underwent contrast-enhanced sacroiliac MRI. A few days later, she underwent contrast-enhanced (100 mL iohexol, Omnipaque; GE Healthcare, Cork, Ireland) abdominal CT because of right upper quadrant pain. Figure 1: Anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. Figure 2: Axial unenhanced pelvic CT image. Figure 3a: (a) Coronal T2-weighted fat-saturated fast spin-echo (repetition time msec/echo time msec, 2220/57; section thickness, 4 mm), (b) axial unenhanced T1-weighted fat-saturated, and (c) axial contrast-enhanced (20 mL gadoteric acid, Dotarem; Guerbet, Roissy, France) T1-weighted fat-saturated (400/20; section thickness, 4 mm) sacroiliac images from MRI. Figure 3b: (a) Coronal T2-weighted fat-saturated fast spin-echo (repetition time msec/echo time msec, 2220/57; section thickness, 4 mm), (b) axial unenhanced T1-weighted fat-saturated, and (c) axial contrast-enhanced (20 mL gadoteric acid, Dotarem; Guerbet, Roissy, France) T1-weighted fat-saturated (400/20; section thickness, 4 mm) sacroiliac images from MRI. Figure 3c: (a) Coronal T2-weighted fat-saturated fast spin-echo (repetition time msec/echo time msec, 2220/57; section thickness, 4 mm), (b) axial unenhanced T1-weighted fat-saturated, and (c) axial contrast-enhanced (20 mL gadoteric acid, Dotarem; Guerbet, Roissy, France) T1-weighted fat-saturated (400/20; section thickness, 4 mm) sacroiliac images from MRI. Figure 4: Axial contrast-enhanced CT image of the abdomen.

Hounsfield unit density in the characterisation of bile duct lesions.

PURPOSE: To study the density of lesions in the lumens of extrahepatic bile ducts through computed tomography examinations, and to compare their characterisations with the results of pathology and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: The density of lesions along extrahepatic bile ducts were measured and compared with pathology and/or ERCP. The lesions were evaluated in two main groups: benign or malignant. The bile duct wall enhancement, intrahepatic bile ducts, and gallbladder were also evaluated. RESULTS: The study was conducted with computed tomography scans of 197 cases (93 females, 104 males) who had optimal imaging. The results regarding density of extrahepatic intraductal lesions that were studied at BT were compared with pathology and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography results. Of 197 lesions, 125 (63.5%) were reported as benign and 72 (36.5%) were reported as malignant. The results for benign lesions showed an average density of 66.67 ± 17.30 Hounsfield units (HU), and for malignant lesions the average density was 82.38 ± 13.67 HU. CONCLUSION: Lesion density level (HU) gives valuable information for the differentiation between benign and malign lesions in intraluminal extrahepatic bile ducts.

18 F-FDG PET/CT Findings of a Patient With Stercoral Colitis.

ABSTRACT: Stercoral colitis is a colonic inflammation caused by fecal impaction. It is now more commonly discussed in the literature due to its clinical significance, which has gained recognition in recent years. Delayed diagnosis may result in complications such as sepsis and perforation, which have a high mortality rate. Reporting incidentally detected stercoral colitis on FDG PET/CT can help prevent mortality and morbidity by enabling early diagnosis and treatment. In this case, we report on a patient with gastric cancer who was identified with stercoral colitis using FDG PET/CT data.

Differentiation of Borderline Epithelial Ovarian Tumors from Benign and Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumors by MRI Scoring

INTRODUCTION: The distinction between benign and borderline epithelial ovarian tumors is important because treatment and follow-up strategies differ OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors using MRI features and contributed to the preoperative evaluation. METHODS: MRIs of 81 patients (20 bilateral), including 31 benign, 27 borderline, and 23 malignant, who had pelvic imaging between 2013-2020, were evaluated retrospectively. The evaluation was made blindly to the pathology result by two radiologists with MRI scoring and features that we determined. MRI evaluation was performed with T1 TSE, T2 TSE, fat-suppressed T2 TSE, and before and after contrast T1 fat-suppressed and non-fat-suppressed TSE images. The numbers and findings obtained in scoring were evaluated by Chi-Square, ordinal logistic regression, and 2 and 3 category ROC analysis. RESULTS: The total score varied between 7 and 24. Among the three groups, a significant difference was found in terms of T1, T2 signal intensity (p <0.01), size (p = 0.055), solid area (p <0.001), septa number (p <0.05), ovarian parenchyma (p = 0.001), ascites (p <0.001), peritoneal involvement (p <0.001), laterality (p <0.001), contrast enhancement pattern (p <0.001). On the other hand, no significant difference was found in terms of wall thickness, lymph node involvement and endometrial thickness (p> 0.05). Cut-off values were found as 11.5 and 18.5 in the 3-category ROC analysis performed for the score (VUS: 0.8109). Patients with a score below 11.5 were classified as benign, those between 11.5-18.5 as borderline, and those over 18.5 as malignant. CONCLUSION: The differentiation of borderline tumors from benign and malignant tumors by MRI scoring will contribute to the preoperative diagnosis.

Percutaneous Aspiration Injection and Re-aspiration as A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Spinal Cystic Echinococcosis: A Case Report.

Cystic echinococcosis is a parasitic disease with significant importance for public health in endemic regions. Spinal cystic echinococcosis, however, is a rare form that may lead to severe complications due to its localization. In this manuscript, we presented a 16-year-old male patient who admitted with abdominal and back edema for 2 months, evaluated with preliminary diagnoses of Pott's abscess and malignant mass, subsequently diagnosed with spinal cystic echinococcosis. It was concluded that cystic echinococcosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of large cystic masses and percutaneous aspiration, injection, reaspiration method might be a safe and effective treatment option particularly for cases of complicated spinal cystic echinococcosis.

Sunitinib-induced small bowel wall edema as a prognostic marker in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of small bowel wall edema (SBWE) on computed tomography (CT) images in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with sunitinib and to investigate the relationship between the presence of SBWE and survival. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the presence of SBWE on CT images of 27 mRCC patients who received at least one cycle of sunitinib. Then, we analyzed the relationship between the presence of SBWE and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: All 27 patients had SBWE on at least one CT scan. The median value of SBWE thickness was 2.5 mm. SBWE thickness was ≤2.5 mm in 13 patients (group A) and >2.5 mm in 14 patients (group B). The median OS was significantly higher in group B (55 vs. 18 months, respectively, P = 0.02). Although it was not statistically significant (13 vs. 8 months, respectively, P = 0.69), the median PFS was longer in group B than in group A. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that sunitinib treatment caused SBWE in all patients with mRCC who received the drug. Also, this study demonstrated an association between higher SBWE thickness and better survival outcomes.

The effect of electrical stimulation in combination with Bobath techniques in the prevention of shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficiency of electrical stimulation in combination with Bobath techniques in the prevention of inferior and anterior shoulder subluxation in acute stroke patients. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Intensive care unit and inpatient clinics of neurology in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Forty-eight patients with acute stroke, divided equally into control and study groups. INTERVENTION: Subjects in both groups were treated in accordance with the Bobath concept during the early hospitalization period. In addition to Bobath techniques, electrical stimulation was also applied to the supraspinatus muscle, mid and posterior portions of the deltoid muscle of patients in the study group. MAIN MEASURES: Two radiological methods were used to measure the horizontal, vertical and total asymmetry and vertical distance values of the shoulder joint. Motor functions of the arm were evaluated with the Motor Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The hospitalization period was 12.62 ± 2.24 days for the control group and 11.66 ± 1.88 days for the study group. Shoulder subluxation occurred in 9 (37.5%) subjects in the control group, whereas it was not observed in the study group. All shoulder joint displacement values were higher in the control group than in the study group (horizontal asymmetry P = 0.0001, vertical asymmetry P = 0.0001, total asymmetry P = 0.0001, vertical range P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Application of electrical stimulation combined with the Bobath approach proved to be efficient in preventing inferior and anterior shoulder subluxation in the acute stages of stroke.

Primary spinal hydatid cyst in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Spinal hydatid cyst is a serious and unusual infectious disease. There is little information on infections caused by cestodes in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although infrequent, infections by cestodes constitute a cause of disease in HIV-infected patients, especially in endemic areas. This report presents, for the first time in the literature, primary spinal cyst hydatid in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Women with patellofemoral pain syndrome have quadriceps femoris volume and strength deficiency.

PURPOSE: the aim of this study was to assess muscle torque, total volume, and cross-sectional area, and lower limb function of the quadriceps muscle in women with unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). METHODS: twenty-four women with unilateral patellofemoral pain participated in the study, with each subject acting as their own internal control by using the unaffected limb. quadriceps muscle torque was measured with the Isomed 2000. The total volume and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps muscle were measured by using magnetic resonance imaging. Lower limb function was assessed by hop and step-down tests. RESULTS: there was a significant difference in the total volume (P < 0.05) and in the cross-sectional area (P < 0.05) of the quadriceps muscle between affected and unaffected sides. There was a significant difference in the peak torque of the quadriceps muscle at 60°/s between affected and unaffected sides (P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between quadriceps largest CSA and volume on the affected side (P < 0.05) and on the unaffected side (P < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between the smallest CSA and the peak torque at 180°/s (P < 0.05) and at 60°/s (P < 0.05) on the affected side. CONCLUSIONS: decreased torque, total volume, and CSA of the quadriceps muscle are presented in unilateral with PFPS although cause or effect cannot be established. Large prospective longitudinal studies are needed to detect the changes in the muscle structure and to establish whether these features are a cause of PFPS.

Vaginal metastasis in solid tumours: our four cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal metastasis should be kept in mind when evaluating the staging tests of all cancers, especially endometrial cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: We present four patients with vaginal recurrence who recently applied to our clinic. Three cases were of endometrial cancer and one case of rectal cancer. All patients presented with vaginal bleeding. CONCLUSION: Standard treatment for vaginal metastasis has not yet been established. Therapeutic options for vaginal metastasis-separately or in combination-are surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Calcific constrictive pericarditis in a patient presenting with right heart failure.

A 45-year-old man presented with gradual dyspnea, abdominal distension, and pedal edema of six-month history. A lateral chest x-ray demonstrated severe, dense calcification of the pericardium. Two-dimensional and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography demonstrated signs of constrictive pericarditis. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse, incomplete calcification of the pericardium and a dilated superior vena cava. The patient refused pericardiectomy, so medical treatment was instituted.

Tendon abnormalities mimicking metastatic disease in patients with prostate cancer.

We present plain x-ray examination, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of 2 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who complained of hip pain. Bone scintigraphy was suggestive for metastases. Further radiologic investigation revealed benign etiologies for the hip pain; calcific tendinitis of the vastus lateralis and tendonosis of the gluteus medius tendon were visualized.

Evaluation of radiotherapy response of cervical carcinoma with gray scale and color Doppler ultrasonography: resistive index correlation with magnetic resonance findings.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of the resistive index measured with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography (TVCDUS) for assessing the radiotherapy response of cervical carcinoma and to compare it with magnetic resonance findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 patients with advanced stage cervical carcinoma (>IIA) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TVCDUS exams 6 months prior to and 6 months after radiotherapy. Pre- and post-treatment resistive indices obtained from the central and peripheral zones of the tumor were compared. These values were also compared with MRI findings and resistive indices obtained from the control group. RESULTS: Tumoral masses could be visualized in all patients with B-mode TVCDUS prior to the treatment. Resistive indices before and after treatment were 0.20-0.82 (mean: 0.52+/-0.15), and 0.70-0.99 (mean: 0.81+/-0.14), respectively. Eleven out of 13 patients responded to the treatment completely and no mass was detected in MRI and TVCDUS. Investigations were performed in areas with flow within the tumor-free cervix. A residual mass was noted in 2 patients with MRI and TVCDUS. There was a statistically significant difference between complete response to the treatment and increased resistive indices (P=0.001). In 2 patients with residual masses, no increase in resistive indices was detected. The mean resistive index of the control group was 0.65+/-13 and the difference was statistically significant compared to the resistive indices of the patients prior to the treatment. CONCLUSION: Since there was a significant correlation between the MRI findings and resistive indices, the spectral parameters obtained with TVCDUS were a good alternative to such an expensive modality as MRI in the evaluation of the response of cervical cancer to the treatment.

Fasciola hepatica infection: clinical and computerized tomographic findings of ten patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fasciola hepatica is the cause of liver infection, fascioliasis. Although rare, it is still a problem even in developed countries. In this study, the clinical and computerized tomographic findings of 10 patients diagnosed with fascioliasis are summarized. METHODS: The medical records of the patients with fascioliasis were retrospectively examined. Clinical, laboratory findings and computerized tomographic results were recorded. RESULTS: Abdominal pain, fever, eosinophilia and abnormal liver function tests were the most commonly encountered symptoms and signs. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus -positive with active tuberculosis. Serologic test for fasciola hepatica was positive in all patients. Nodular masses without prominent enhancement, and branching low-attenuated tubular lesions were the most commonly seen tomographic findings and were supportive for the diagnosis. All except the HIV-positive patient received bithionol therapy; six patients responded well, two lost contact with the clinic and one patient who was unresponsive to bithionol therapy received triclabendazole. During follow-up of the six patients who responded, all the clinical and radiological findings regressed. CONCLUSION: In any patient with peripheral eosinophilia, abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes, especially when CT reveals tubular and nodular hypodense lesions particularly in subcapsular area, F. hepatica infection should be considered. Either triclabendazole or bithionol can be used effectively for the treatment.

Tuberculous bursitis of the greater trochanter mimicking ankylosing spondylitis.

Tuberculous trochanteric bursitis (TTB) is a rare condition that accounts for 1% of musculoskeletal tuberculosis cases. Extrapulmonary TB is usually diagnosed late because of reduced diagnostic suspicion, particularly in the absence of signs of systemic infection. Herein, we report a case of right hip pain that was misdiagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis. The patient had a history of inflammatory back pain with morning stiffness. However, HLA-B27 was negative. Sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant multiloculated collection (27×16×10 cm). Percutaneous drainage was performed and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was observed in fluid culture. The patient was treated by drainage along with antituberculosis therapy. After 1 year of antituberculosis therapy, control MRI revealed total resolution of the large fluid collection. It is important to emphasize that fever or general symptoms are absent in patients with TTB, as observed in the present case. In endemic countries, TTB should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with chronic hip pain without fever, weight loss, and constitutional symptoms.