Evaluation of Parotid Glands With Real-time Ultrasound Elastography in Children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the strain index for parotid glands in children by using ultrasound elastography. METHODS: In this prospective study, apparently healthy children were referred from the ear-nose-throat clinic to the radiology clinic for elastographic examinations. Conventional sonographic and elastographic examinations of the parotid glands were performed. A linear 5-12-MHz transducer was used to obtain the images. RESULTS: A total of 54 children were enrolled in this prospective study. The normal mean strain index value ± SD for the parotid glands was 1.24 ± 0.67 (range, 0.29-1.39) regardless of sex. The mean age of girls was 7.42 ± 2.94 years (range, 3-14 years), and the age of boys was 8.50 ± 3.46 years (range, 4-16 years). The strain index values for the parotid glands in boys was 1.25 ± 0.76, and in girls it was 1.22 ± 0.55. There was no statistically significant difference in the strain index values between girls and boys (P= .986). There was no correlation between the strain index and age (r = 0.026) or body mass index (r = 0.066). CONCLUSIONS: This study determined the mean strain index values for apparently healthy children. Such information can serve as a baseline from which pathologic parotid diseases can be diagnosed with ultrasound elastography in combination with other sonographic criteria.

The comparison of resistivity index and strain index values in the ultrasonographic evaluation of chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disorder progressing to end-stage kidney failure. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for medical care. The aim of this prospective study was to define the strain index (SI) and resistivity index (RI) values in the same CKD group for each kidney separately at the same time, and also to compare the efficacy of SI and RI in the differentiation of normal population and CKD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Toshiba Aplio 500 USG device and 3.5-5 MHz convex probe were used for USG, CDUSG, and USG elastography examinations. The patients were referred to radiology clinique from nephrology and endocrinology cliniques after GFR calculation. Patients with renal cyst, tumor, or obstructive renal disease were excluded. Healthy volunteers according to laboratory and clinical examinations were selected from non-kidney disease patients. RESULTS: A total of 121 CKD (68 men, 53 women) and 40 healthy volunteers (19 men, 21 women) were participated. The mean SI and RI values of CKD were significantly higher than the normal healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). The SI and RI values of right and left kidney did not show any difference in CKD patients (p values were 0.381 for SI and 0.821 for RI). The sensitivity and the specificity of the SI were higher than RI. CONCLUSION: The RI and SI values of kidneys in CKD patients were significantly higher than those of apparently normal kidneys. SI was more sensitive than RI in our study. Determining cut-off SI and RI values between normal and damaged renal parenchyma can help in the diagnosis and follow up of CKD patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing RI and SI in CKD patients, and SI is found to be more sensitive than RI for the evaluation of CKD.

A Rare Case of Polyorchidism: Four Testes.

BACKGROUND: Polyorchidism or supernumerary testis means more than two testes. It is very rare and to the best of our knowledge, there have been only about 200 cases reported. CASE REPORT: In this case report we want to present radiological features and assessment of a patient with four testicles. CONCLUSIONS: If the vascularity and echogenicity of the scrotal mass is similar with the normal testis parenchyma, multitestis should be considered. The MRI might not provide us with additional information to USG or CDUSG, thus it is not necessary to perform it if there is no suspicion of malignancy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Perception of the Society in Kars: A Local Study.

BACKGROUND: The start point of this study was the sentence that a patient used: 'my pains had gone with MRI'. It is known that MRI has not a usage area in treatment, yet. Perhaps, the feeling of loss of pain was only a perception. But we want to search the demographic factors that make the perception of loss of pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the consciousness level of the society about MRI. MATERIAL/METHODS: This prospective survey study included 302 (107 men, 195 women; mean age 43.11±15.18 years) patients who were referred to the radiology clinic to undergo MRI. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients were illiterate and graduated from a primary school. Low level of education was more frequent in women than in men. Most of the patients declared that MRI would diagnose their disease. Among all the patients surveyed, 209 of 302 patients indicated no changes in the degree of pain before and after MRI, 30 indicated increased pain, 62 indicated decreased pain, and one patient did not answer the question. Most of the patients who declared decreasing pain had lumbar or cervical MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The function of MRI was known by the patients independently from their educational status. The degree of decrease in pain was higher in the 'treatment' answer. Perhaps the relatively higher percentage was a result of the expectations about treatment and was related with psychological motivation.

Sonographic Elastography of the Thyroid Gland.

Thyroid gland disorders include benign and malignant thyroid nodules and diffuse thyroid disorders. The incidence of malignant thyroid nodules is low and the prognosis is good. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer and diffuse parenchymal disorders is generally based on clinical manifestations and histopathological evaluation. Ultrasonography has its place in the diagnostics and follow-up of thyroid disorders. Ultrasonographic elastography is a new, developing method that shows increase in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to review the data on thyroid ultrasound elastography.

The Avaibility of Strain Elastography in a Hydatid Cyst - Interobserver Study.

BACKGROUND: To differentiate the hydatid cyst (HC) types by ultrasound elastography using two different sizes (4 mm and 8 mm) of the region of interest (ROI) and asking two different radiologists (interobserver) for their opinion. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients with HC were evaluated by USG elastography. The statistical anayses were performed using Strain index (SI) which is the unit of strain elastography. RESULTS: A total of 26 out of 33 patients were female, and 7 were male. The mean age was 38.85±17.62 (range from 10 to 72 years). Type I: 6, Type 2: 6, Type III: 6, Type IV: 11, Type V: 4. There was no significant difference in HC SI (regardless of types) between O1 and O2, and 4-mm and 8-mm ROI (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between SI of HC types of interobservers (O1-O2) and ROI sizes (4-8 mm) (p>0.05 for all parameters). The highest correlation between HC types and ROI sizes was in ROI size of 4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between SI and types was reliable in standard-applied 4-mm ROI. There was no statistically significant difference between interobservers in SI values. Thus, elastography tecnhnique is objective for HC but not appropriate to differentiate the types.

The Efficacy of One Molar Contrast Material in the Evaluation of Breast Lesions with MR Imaging.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of 1 molar (containing 1 mol/mL gadobutrol) contrast material in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions with MRI. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty-seven women (age range: 22-77 years, mean: 43.7 years) with 76 breast lesions were included in this study. Dynamic post-contrast images with 0.2 mL/kg gadobutrol (Gadovist) injection were obtained in all patients. Contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) of the lesions, as well as their contrast enhancement patterns (ring, heterogeneous, homogenous), and perilesional increased vascularity were studied. RESULTS: Fifty-six benign and 20 malignant lesions were examined histopathologically. In malignant cases, heterogeneous and peripheral enhancements were most commonly determined, whereas homogeneous enhancement was most commonly determined in benign cases. CNR was 450% in malignant lesions, and 60% in benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Type II/III contrast-time curves, ring/heterogeneous enhancement, prominent increase in CNR, and perilesional vascularity increase are important findings determining malignancy, whereas Type I curves, homogenous enhancement, a slight increase in CNR, and absence of perilesional vascularity increase support findings of benign breast lesions. By increasing CNR and providing increased perilesional vascularity, Gadovist can help in the determination of malignant breast lesions.

Utility of computed tomography in assessment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to biomass smoke exposure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of main pulmonary artery diameter quantification by thoracic computerized tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension seconder to biomass smoke exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and four women subjects with biomass smoke exposure and 20 healthy women subjects were enrolled in the prospective study. The correlation between echocardiographic estimation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure and the main pulmonary artery diameter of the cases were studied. RESULTS: The main pulmonary artery diameter was 26.9 ± 5.1 in the control subjects and 37.1 ± 6.4 in subjects with biomass smoke exposure. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 22.7 ± 12.4 in the control subjects and 57.3 ± 22 in subjects with biomass smoke exposure. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Systolic pulmonary artery pressure was significantly correlated with the main pulmonary artery diameter (r=0.614, p<0.01). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that a value of 29 mm of the main pulmonary artery diameter differentiated between pulmonary hypertension and non-pulmonary hypertension patients. The sensitivity of the measurement to diagnose pulmonary hypertension was 91% and specificity was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that main pulmonary artery diameter measurements by SCT may suggest presence of pulmonary hypertension in biomass smoke exposed women.

A case report of a patient with cleft palate carrying the risk of tetraplegia.

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) is an inherited disorder of bone growth that results in short-trunk dwarfism, skeletal abnormalities, disorders in vision and hearing, atlanto-axial instability, and cleft palate. This important anomaly of the cervical vertebrae carries the risk of tetraplegia during cleft palate operations. In this case report, we discuss a case of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, the perioperative and postoperative measures, and the risk of tetraplegia.

A case of enchondromatosis concomitant with cerebral hamartomas: radiologic findings.

Enchondromatosis is a congenital nonhereditary condition characterized by multiple symmetrically distributed intraosseous cartillaginous masses in the metaphyses and diaphyses of bones. We report a case of bilateral multiple enchondromas and cerebral hamartomas in an 11-year-old boy in whom x-rays displayed distortion and expansion of bilateral long tubuler bones, hands and feet, scapulas, pelvis, and occipital regions of the calvarium. In addition to osseous abnormalities, bilateral cerebral hamartomas were observed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature with enchondromatosis and cerebral hamartomas.

Metastasis of testicular yolk sac tumor to cauda equina.

Primary germ cell tumors may spread to the lung, liver, brain, and bone hematogenously. However, spinal metastasis is extremely rare. A case with yolk sac tumor (YST) and cauda equina metastasis was presented in a 2-year-old boy. Two months prior to admisssion, he underwent left radical orchiectomy for testicular YST. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal and cauda equina involvement. This is the first report of metastasis of testicular YST to cauda equina in a child.

Goldston syndrome in a fetus: case report and literature review.

We present a case of the Goldston syndrome which is the association of polycystic kidneys with Dandy-Walker malformation. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound in twenty second week of gestation. Obstetric ultrasound and fetal MRI studies showed hydrocephalus, agenesis of the cerebellar hemispheres, vermian hypoplasia, cystic dilatation of the 4(th) ventricle, enlargement of the posterior fossa, abdominal distension, and oligohydramnios.. The kidneys were symmetrically enlarged and multicystic. To our knowledge this is the third reported case of Goldston syndrome which was diagnosed during intrauterine life.

A case of primary vertebral osteosarcoma metastasizing to pancreas.

CONTEXT: Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents and possesses a high potential for metastasis. The most common sites of osteosarcomatous metastases are the lungs, pleurae, and bone; the pancreas being extremely rare. CASE REPORT: We report the computed tomography findings of a rare case of pancreatic metastasis in a 14-year-old boy with primary vertebral osteosarcoma being followed-up for 6 years. On abdominal CT, a huge mass containing necrotic and calcified areas and causing bone destruction was seen between thoracic vertebra 7 and sacral vertebra 1 involving both the vertebrae and paravertebral soft-tissue. A large metastatic mass with an irregular contour was also visualized in the pancreatic head and peripancreatic region having tomographic findings similar to the vertebral mass. Tru-cut biopsy of the pancreatic mass confirmed the diagnosis of osteosarcoma metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Although extremely rare, osteosarcoma metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions, particularly in patients with a primary tumor.

Flow volumes of internal jugular veins are significantly reduced in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the flow volumes of the internal jugular veins (IJVs) in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) using Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) and to compare the findings with the control group. Forty patients diagnosed with CVST between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. The patients diagnosed with a thrombosis via MRV and MRI underwent a bilateral examination of the IJVs by DUS. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n=29) unilateral total thrombosis; Group II (n= 6) bilateral diffuse thrombosis; and Group III (n=5) unilateral partial thrombosis. The IJV flow volumes of each group were compared to that of the control group (n=20). In Group I, the average flow volume was 53 ml/min on the side of the thrombosis. In Group II, the mean volume of the right and left IJV was 265 ml/min, and in Group III, the mean volume on the side of the partial thrombosis was 160 ml/min. The flow volume on the thrombosed side in Group I and Group III and the mean of the total bilateral flow volume in Group II were significantly lower than that of the control group. IJV flow volumes in the CVST group were significantly lower compared to the control group. Reduced flow volumes of the IJV may be diagnostic for CVST or an additional parameter to be considered with the use of MRI.

Cortical dysplasias, and corpus callosum and posterior fossa abnormalities: correlation of clinical findings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics.

This study examined clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in 114 patients with cortical dysplasia and corpus callosum and posterior fossa abnormalities to determine the clinical findings with the extent of the lesions on MRI. The age of patients was between 1 day and 15 years. Group 1 included 74 patients with corpus callosum abnormalities and/or cortical dysplasias and group 2 included 40 patients with posterior fossa abnormalities, which were isolated and/or associated with cortical dysplasia and/or corpus callosum abnormalities. Although associated congenital abnormality apart from central nervous system abnormalities, syndrome, or systemic disorder were more common in group 2 than group 1 patients (P < .05), we did not find a difference between the groups for psychomotor retardation and epilepsy (P > .05).

Value of DW-MRI ADC quantification of colonic wall lesions in differentiation of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to assess the efficiency of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and the quantification of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in differentiating colorectal carcinoma from colonic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cases with isolated colonic wall lesions and uncertain clinical and radiologic diagnostic criteria. METHODS: The study comprised 58 patients with segmental or focal isolated colonic wall thickening. All lacked satisfactory clinical-radiological findings for etiology determination. The mean ADC values of the thickened colonic walls were retrospectively compared with final histopathologic diagnoses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the ADC cutoff value for differentiation. RESULTS: Mean ADC value in the colorectal carcinoma group was significantly lower than that in the IBD group: n = 27, 1.02 ± 0.26 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; and n = 31, 1.53 ± 0.19 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively (P < 0.001). Cutoff ADC value for differentiating colorectal carcinoma from IBD was calculated as 1.39 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, with 83.9 % sensitivity and 85.2 % specificity. CONCLUSION: ADC measurement of the involved colonic wall segments with DW-MRI has the potential to differentiate isolated colonic IBD from colorectal carcinoma in cases in which clinical-radiologic findings are insufficient for a definitive diagnosis.

The efficiency of apparent diffusion coefficient quantification in diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and in differentiation of cholecystitis from extrinsic benign gallbladder wall thickening.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to assess the efficiency of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement in diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and in differentiation of cholecystitis from extrinsic benign gallbladder wall thickening. METHODS: Forty patients who were diagnosed to have acute cholecystitis by ultrasonographic examination were included in this study. The control group consisted of 18 patients without symptoms of gallstones and cholecystitis whose gallbladder walls were thickened due to cirrhotic ascites. Both groups were examined using diffusion weighted imaging, and the mean ADC values were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The diagnoses of the 40 patients were proven by histopathological examination. The mean ADC values of patients diagnosed with cholecystitis (1.68 ± 0.36 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) were significantly lower than the mean ADC values of the control group (2.35 ± 0.24 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis based on ADC revealed a cut-off value of 2.04 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the diagnosis of cholecystitis, with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 89.7%. CONCLUSION: ADC value quantification may be an efficient method for making a diagnosis of cholecystitis and in differential diagnosis of cholecystitis from the extrinsic benign gallbladder wall thickening that can be seen during the course of cirrhotic ascites.