Spinal ganglion cyst presenting with radiculopathy: diagnostic challenges and differential.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglion cysts are benign soft tissue lesions, usually arising from periarticular connective tissue. These are very rarely reported in the spine, but when seen can cause radiculopathy or myelopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old female patient presented with worsening radiculopathy and right foot drop and imaging noted a right L5-S1 foraminal mass. The lesion was gross totally resected. Histological analysis revealed myxoid degeneration and inflammation, without a synovial lining, consistent with ganglion cyst. DISCUSSION: While uncommon, intra-foraminal ganglion cysts can be distinguished from synovial cysts through imaging and histology and are typically amenable to surgical resection. Greater knowledge and insight about differentiating ganglion versus synovial cyst may prevent resection of facet joints and prevent a fusion procedure.

Sensitization, pathologic, and imaging findings comparing symptomatic and quiescent failed renal allografts.

Late allograft failure (LAF) is a common cause of end stage renal disease. These patients face interrelated challenges regarding immunosuppression management, risk of graft intolerance syndrome (GIS), and sensitization. This retrospective study analyzes sensitization, pathology, imaging, and transfusion requirements in 33 LAFs presenting either with GIS (22) or grafts remaining quiescent (11). All patients underwent immunosuppression weaning to discontinuation at LAF. Profound increases in sensitization were noted for all groups and occurred in the GIS group prior to transplant nephrectomy (TxN). Patients with GIS experienced a major upswing in sensitization at, or before the time of their symptomatic presentation. For both GIS and quiescent grafts, sensitization appeared to be closely linked to immunosuppression withdrawal. Most transfusion naïve patients became highly sensitized. Fourteen patients in the GIS group underwent TxN which revealed grade II acute cellular rejection or worse, with grade 3 chronic active T-cell-mediated rejection. Blinded comparisons of computed tomography scan of GIS group revealed swollen allografts with fluid collections compared with the quiescent allografts (QAs), which were shrunken and atrophic. The renal volume on imaging and weight of explants nearly matched. Future studies should focus on interventions to avoid sensitization and GIS.

Adnexal torsion: new clinical and imaging observations by sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical, imaging, and pathologic findings associated with adnexal torsion. METHODS: A review of surgically proven cases of torsion between 1990 and 2006 included clinical, surgical, and pathologic data and preoperative sonographic, computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Imaging reports were assessed to determine whether a correct preoperative diagnosis was made. Factors related to failure to make a correct diagnosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cases of torsion were evaluated (patient ages, 12-85 years; 14 postmenopausal). There was a slight right-sided predominance (55%); in most cases (72%), both the ovary and fallopian tube were involved. Common symptoms/signs were pain (91%), leukocytosis (64%), nausea/vomiting (62%), and a palpable mass (41%). Twenty-eight patients (48%) had previous abdominal surgery; in 12 (46%) of these 28, pelvic adhesions were noted. At pathologic examination, underlying adnexal masses were found in 30 cases (52%); they were benign in 26 (87%) of 30 cases. Common imaging findings were an adnexal mass (65% on sonography, 87% on CT, and 75% on MRI), a displaced adnexal mass/enlarged ovary (53% on sonography, 87% on CT, and 75% on MRI), and ascites (53% on sonography, 73% on CT, and 50% on MRI). A correct preoperative diagnosis was made by initial sonography in 15 (71%) of 21 cases versus initial CT in 5 (38%) of 13. A correct imaging diagnosis was made more frequently in premenopausal than in menopausal patients (P = .02) and in patients without an underlying adnexal mass compared with those with a mass (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although CT shows features suggestive of torsion, in our study, the diagnostic value of initial CT was less than that of initial sonography. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made less often with an underlying adnexal mass and in postmenopausal women. Previous surgery and adhesions may be predisposing factors for adnexal torsion.

Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: US findings.

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) in the detection of lateral epicondylitis and identify the US findings that are most strongly associated with symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internal review board approval was obtained for retrospective review of the patient images, and the need for informed consent was waived. Internal review board approval was also obtained for scanning the 10 volunteers, all of whom gave informed consent. The study was compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. US of the common extensor tendon was performed in 20 elbows in 10 asymptomatic volunteers (six men, four women; age range, 22-38 years; mean age, 29.6 years) and 37 elbows in 22 patients with symptoms of lateral epicondylitis (10 men, 12 women; age range, 30-59 years; mean age, 46 years). Fifty-seven representative images, one from each elbow, were randomly assorted and interpreted by three independent readers who rated each common extensor tendon as normal or abnormal. Abnormal images were further classified as demonstrating one or more of eight US findings. Readers interpreted each image at two separate sessions to determine intrareader variability. The authors calculated the sensitivity and specificity of US in the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis and the odds ratio for each US finding. Odds ratios were considered statistically significant at P < .05 when 95% confidence intervals did not include one. RESULTS: Sensitivities of US in the detection of symptomatic lateral epicondylitis ranged from 72% to 88% and specificities from 36% to 48.5%. Odds ratios for the following findings were statistically significant (P < .05) for both reading sessions: calcification of common extensor tendon, tendon thickening, adjacent bone irregularity, focal hypoechoic regions, and diffuse heterogeneity. Odds ratios for lateral epicondyle enthesophytes were statistically significant (P < .05) for the first reading session only. Odds ratios for linear intrasubstance tears and peritendinous fluid were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: US of the common extensor tendon had high sensitivity but low specificity in the detection of symptomatic lateral epicondylitis. The relationship between symptoms and intratendinous calcification, tendon thickening, adjacent bone irregularity, focal hypoechoic regions, and diffuse heterogeneity was statistically significant.

Ultrasound-guided biopsies: tricks, needle tips, and other fine points.

Ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy of thyroid nodules, abdominal masses, liver masses, random core liver biopsies, as well as aspiration of abdominal or pleural fluid is now routine practice. The ability of US to guide biopsy of abnormalities seen on cross-sectional imaging studies is well recognized as an efficient and effective means of achieving a tissue diagnosis. Its use requires basic knowledge of US image analysis, but clinically useful intuitive and nonintuitive methods can enhance its strengths. The purpose of this review is to provide a practical guide to some of these tricks that may be useful in everyday clinical practice.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic cryoablation of small renal tumors: intermediate results.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with laparoscopic renal cryoablation with up to 3 years of follow-up. Laparoscopic renal cryoablation remains a viable option for the treatment of small peripheral renal masses in patients with significant comorbidities. Although partial nephrectomy has been shown to be a safe and reliable method of renal parenchymal preservation, laparoscopic cryoablation still requires longer term data to prove its efficacy. METHODS: Twenty patients with small renal masses (1.4 to 4.5 cm) underwent laparoscopic renal cryosurgery at our institution. A retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to expose the kidney. Intraoperative ultrasound guidance was used to localize the lesions and monitor iceball formation. A double-freeze technique was used. Needle biopsies of solid masses were performed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Renal biopsies revealed renal cell carcinoma in 11 of the 20 patients. Of these 11 patients, none had evidence of recurrent disease at last follow-up, and follow-up scans showed no enhancement of any lesions. Of the 8 patients with follow-up of 2 years or greater, 4 had complete resolution of the renal lesions. The remainder had lesions that were reduced and stable in size. Complications included surgical re-exploration to evaluate pancreatic injury in 1 patient and failure to ablate a lesion in another. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic renal cryoablation appears to be an effective tool for ablation of small renal lesions. A moderate length of follow-up continues to demonstrate efficacy because no patients had growth of treated pathologic lesions or developed metastasis to date. Continued maturation of data is necessary to determine the long-term efficacy.