Multimodality imaging of diseases of the vagina.

Pathologies of the vagina are important causes of symptoms related to the genital tract in women. They can be missed on transabdominal ultrasonography (USG), which is the baseline modality used for evaluation of gynaecological complaints. Transperineal USG and MRI are the imaging modalities of choice for evaluation of the vagina. Diseases of the vagina can be grouped depending upon the age group in which they occur. In children and young adults, congenital anomalies like longitudinal or transverse vaginal septum, imperforate hymen, vaginal aplasia or atresia, and rectovaginal fistula can be seen. Malignant tumours can rarely occur in children, rhabdomyosarcoma being the most common one. Common diseases affecting adults include benign lesions like epidermoid, Gartner duct, and Bartholin cysts, and urogenital fistulas involving the vagina. Endometriosis and other benign tumours of vagina including leiomyoma, fibroepithelial polyp, and angiomyxoma are occasionally seen. Malignant tumours can be primary, the most common one being squamous cell carcinoma, or secondary, due to direct extension from cancers involving the adjacent organs. Characteristic morphological changes occur in the vagina after radiotherapy, which can be identified on imaging. Knowledge about the imaging appearances of these diseases is crucial in guiding appropriate management.

Novel Coaxial Technique of Percutaneous Nephrostomy in Young Children: A Feasibility Study.

Aims: The conventional Seldinger and trocar techniques of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) have inherent limitations in infants and younger children. We studied the role of a novel coaxial technique of PCN in children under the age of 5 years in comparison to the conventional techniques. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center feasibility trial based on 24 consecutive patients (n = 24 kidneys) under the age of 5 years, conducted over 12 months, substratified into Group I (n = 10): PCN with conventional Seldinger (n = 2) and trocar (n = 8) techniques and Group II (n = 14): PCN with proposed coaxial technique. In the proposed technique, catheter was inserted through the bore of a 14-G needle. The observation parameters included successful placement of PCN into the renal pelvis with free drainage of urine, number of needle punctures, duration of procedure, need for fluoroscopy, and procedural complications. Results: Proposed technique was successful in all cases with single-needle puncture, while conventional techniques were successful in 8/10 (80%) cases with multiple needle punctures required in 3/10 (33.3%) cases (P = 0.163 and 0.059, respectively). Proposed technique was associated with lower median procedure time (6 min vs. 10.5 min; P < 0.001) and lower incidence of fluoroscopy use (0/14, 0% vs. 5/10, 50%; P = 0.006) than the conventional techniques. No complications were seen with either technique. Conclusion: The proposed coaxial technique is a feasible alternative to the conventional techniques of PCN in young children. It reduces the procedure time and the need for fluoroscopy in these patients.

Role of shear wave elastography as an adjunct to axillary ultrasonography in predicting nodal metastasis in breast cancer patients with suspicious nodes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of shear wave elastography (SWE) of suspicious axillary lymph nodes and its combination with B-mode USG in predicting nodal metastasis in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Prospective observational study was performed from June 2018 to August 2020 on breast cancer patients with suspicious axillary nodes on USG. B-mode features (cortical thickness, effacement of fatty hilum, non-hilar blood flow and round shape) and SWE parameters (Emax, Emin, Emean and ESD) of the node with the thickest cortex were evaluated. Diagnostic performances of USG, SWE and their combination were estimated using pathological status of the node on biopsy as the gold standard. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients evaluated, optimal elasticity maps were obtained in 49 nodes of 49 patients (mean age, 46.3 ± 12.1 years; 48/49 (98%) females). On biopsy, 38 nodes (77.6%) had metastasis, while 11 (22.4%) had reactive hyperplasia. Emax, Emin, Emean and ESD of both cortex and hilum were significantly higher in metastatic than reactive nodes. Emax (cortex) ≥14.9 kPa had the best diagnostic performance (sensitivity, 73.7%; specificity, 81.8%). Cortical thickness ≥6.7 mm had the best diagnostic performance among B-mode features (sensitivity, 89.5%; specificity, 72.7%). Combining cortical thickness with effacement of fatty hilum and/or non-hilar blood flow yielded sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 90.9%. Addition of Emax (cortex) to cortical thickness and combination of ≥2 B-mode features increased their specificities to 90.9 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic axillary nodes are stiffer than reactive nodes on SWE in breast cancer patients. Emax (cortex) has the best diagnostic performance in differentiating between reactive hyperplasia and nodal metastasis. Combination of Emax (cortex) and cortical thickness increases the specificity for diagnosing metastasis, especially in nodes showing only cortical thickening. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Combination of SWE and B-mode USG is highly specific for differentiating metastasis from reactive hyperplasia in suspicious nodes of breast carcinoma patients, especially in nodes with only cortical thickening.

Imaging Features of Breast Cancer Subtypes on Mammography and Ultrasonography: an Analysis of 479 Patients.

To compare features of clinically defined subtypes of breast cancer on mammography (MG) and ultrasonography (USG). After obtaining approval from the institute ethics committee, a retrospective observational study was performed on biopsy-proven breast cancer patients who underwent baseline MG from 2016 to 2020. MG and USG features were evaluated and the patients were classified based on immunohistochemistry profile into luminal like (LL)-oestrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) + , Her2neu-; basal like (BL)-ER/PR-, Her2neu-; Her2 like (HL)-Her2neu + . A total of 479 patients (mean age, 51.4 ± 11.7 years; all females) were included: LL-198 (41.3%), BL-121 (25.2%) and HL-160 (33.3%). On MG, round shape (21/115, 18.3%, p < 0.001); circumscribed (16/115, 13.9%, p < 0.001) and microlobulated margins (28/115, 24.4%) were associated with BL tumours. Associated suspicious calcifications (96/160, 60%, p < 0.001) and skin thickening or retraction (75/149, 50.3%, p < 0.001) were more common in HL. On USG, round shape (12/95, 12.8%, p = 0.005); circumscribed (8/94, 8.5%) and microlobulated margins (44/94, 46.8%) and posterior acoustic enhancement (7/95, 7.5%, p = 0.012) were associated with BL. The logistic regression analysis revealed that spiculated margins on MG favoured LL (OR: 8.5, p = 0.001); round shape (OR: 6.8), circumscribed (OR: 10.8) or microlobulated margins (OR: 3.5) (p < 0.001 for each) favoured BL; whereas associated features of calcifications (OR: 3.3) (p = 0.019) and skin retraction or thickening (OR: 1.8) (p < 0.001) favoured HL. On USG, circumscribed (OR: 5.9, p = 0.005) or microlobulated margins (OR: 3, p < 0.001) and posterior acoustic enhancement (OR: 9.5, p = 0.006) favoured BL. Clinically defined subtypes of breast cancer show significant differences in the imaging appearances on mammography and USG. BL tumours may not show the typical imaging features of malignancy, necessitating clinicopathological correlation for accurate diagnosis.

Axillary ultrasonography combined with pre-operative wire localisation of clipped node in nodal restaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in node positive breast cancer patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of axillary ultrasonography (axUS) and ultrasound-guided pre-operative wire localisation of pre-treatment positive clipped node (CN) for prediction of nodal response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in node positive breast carcinoma patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective study was conducted between June 2018 and August 2020 after Ethics Committee approval. Breast carcinoma patients (cT1-cT4b) with palpable axillary nodes (cN1-cN3) and suitable for NACT were recruited after written informed consent. Single, most suspicious node was biopsied and clipped. Nodal response to NACT was assessed on axUS. Wire localisation of CN was performed prior to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Diagnostic performances of axUS and CN excision were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients evaluated, 32 patients (mean age, 43.5 ± 11.8 years; females, 31/32 [97%]; pre-menopausal, 18/32 [56.3%]) with metastatic nodes who received NACT were included. Nodal pathological complete response rate was 34.4% (11/32) overall and 70% (7/10) in patients with ≤2 suspicious nodes on pre-NACT axUS. False-negative rates (FNRs) of axUS and CN excision were 4.8% and 28.6% respectively. Combination of post-NACT axUS and CN excision had an FNR of 4.8% overall and 0% in patients with ≤2 suspicious nodes on pre-NACT axUS. CONCLUSION: Combination of AxUS and ultrasound-guided wire localisation of pre-treatment positive CN has high diagnostic accuracy for nodal restaging after NACT in node positive breast cancer patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Addition of axUS assessment to wire localisation of CN reduces its FNR for detecting residual metastasis after NACT.

Diagnosis and management of hemorrhagic complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: a primer for residents.

Hemorrhagic complications are uncommon after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The presenting features include bleeding through or around the drainage catheter, hematemesis or melena. Diagnosis requires cholangiography, CT angiography or conventional angiography. Minor venous hemorrhage is managed by catheter repositioning, clamping or upgrading to a larger bore catheter. Major vascular injuries require percutaneous or endovascular procedures like embolization or stenting. A complete knowledge of these complications will direct the interventional radiologist to take adequate precautions to reduce their incidence and necessary steps in their management. This review presents and discusses various hemorrhagic complications occurring after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage along with their treatment options and suggests a detailed algorithm.

Radiological evaluation of metastatic lymph nodes in carcinoma cervix with emphasis on their infiltrative pattern.

Background & objectives: Imaging has been added to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 staging system of cervical carcinoma. This study was performed to assess the impact of imaging in staging and to ascertain the prevalence and pattern of nodal metastasis on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in patients with cervical carcinoma who were treated based on FIGO 2009 staging system. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate all patients with biopsy-proven cervical carcinoma who underwent CECT of abdomen at a tertiary cancer centre in north India from April 2017 to April 2019 and for whom either baseline or follow up scans were available. In patients with enlarged or necrotic lymph nodes, the location, size and pattern of infiltration of adjacent organs were recorded. Results: A total of 602 patients of cervical carcinoma had undergone CT during the study period, of whom 138 (22.9%) underwent CT at baseline and 464 (77.1%) patients during follow up. The FIGO (2009) stage distribution at the time of presentation was stage IB: 109 (18.1%); stage IIA: 14 (2.3%), stage IIB: 118 (19.6%), stage IIIA: 12 (2%), stage IIIB: 277 (46%), stage IVA: 20 (3.3%) and stage IVB: 52 (8.6%). Ninety of the 138 (65.22%) patients underwent a stage shift according to the FIGO 2018 because of the presence of enlarged lymph nodes at baseline scan. Sixteen (2.7%) patients had infiltrative nodal masses most commonly involving the blood vessels (n=14) followed by ureter (n=8), bones (n=5), muscle and bowel (n=3, each). The majority (14/16) of these patients presented with vague abdominal pain, discomfort and vomiting, while two had bone pain. Interpretation & conclusions: CECT at baseline helps in accurately assessing the stage in cervical carcinoma. It helps in the identification of lymph node metastasis in cervical carcinoma, which is crucial for guiding accurate management.

Identifying corpus luteum rupture as the culprit for haemoperitoneum.

Corpus luteum rupture presenting as acute abdomen is an underdiagnosed condition. Though a self-limiting entity, its differentiation from other causes is essential to prevent unnecessary surgical procedures. The radiologist should be aware of the possibility of a ruptured haemorrhagic ovarian cyst in a female of reproductive age group presenting with pelvic pain and a large amount of haemorrhagic ascites. Imaging characteristically reveals a thick-walled cystic structure in the adnexa with internal echoes, focal discontinuity or irregularity of its wall with haemoperitoneum. While sonography is usually indicative of corpus luteum rupture, cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) can be used to confirm the diagnosis.