Cardiopulmonary and Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Eosinophil- associated Diseases and Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndromes: Multimodality Imaging Approach.

Eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs) are a diverse group of disorders characterized by an increase in circulating or tissue eosinophils. Cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal system involvement can be due to primary EAD with no known cause or can be secondary to known systemic disease. The cardiopulmonary spectrum of EADs comprises simple pulmonary eosinophilia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, Churg-Strauss syndrome, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchocentric granulomatosis, parasitic infections, and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders include eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and eosinophilic colitis. Diagnosis is often challenging and requires a combination of clinical and imaging features along with laboratory findings. The absolute eosinophil count in peripheral blood and the percentage of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are crucial in evaluation of various eosinophilic lung diseases. Although chest radiography is the initial imaging modality used in suspected cases of pulmonary EAD, multidetector computed tomography may demonstrate more characteristic pulmonary patterns, nodules, and subtle parenchymal abnormalities. Barium esophagography is used to assess mucosal abnormalities and the length and diameter of esophageal strictures. Magnetic resonance imaging is superior in providing valuable information in select patients, especially in evaluation of cardiac and gastrointestinal system involvement. Many patients require a multimodality imaging approach to enable diagnosis, guide treatment, and assess treatment response. Knowledge of the clinical features and imaging findings of the spectrum of EADs involving the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract permits optimal patient care.

Imaging of Rare Primary Malignant Hepatic Tumors in Adults With Histopathological Correlation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma are the most common primary liver malignancies in adults (comprising >85%); however, liver is also host to some unusual primary malignant tumors. Some of these tumors show distinct demographic, clinicopathologic, and imaging features. Imaging features of these uncommon primary malignant liver tumors are presented with an attempt to correlate them with histopathology.

Wunderlich syndrome: cross-sectional imaging review.

Wunderlich syndrome (WS) is a rare condition characterized by acute onset of spontaneous, nontraumatic renal hemorrhage into the subcapsular and perirenal spaces. Wunderlich syndrome is classically characterized by the Lenk's triad: acute flank pain, flank mass, and hypovolemic shock. However, the clinical manifestations can be varied and nonspecific. A wide spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic renal pathologies may result in WS. Renal neoplasms are the most common cause for WS, with angiomyolipoma being the most common benign neoplasm, whereas renal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm. Other causative conditions of WS include vascular causes (vasculitis [polyarteritis nodosa being the most common cause], renal artery aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, and venous thrombosis), cystic renal diseases, renal infections, calculus disease, nephritis, and coagulation disorders. Cross-sectional imaging findings help in the detection of the subcapsular and/or perinephric hemorrhage and may identify underlying etiology. Renal angiography not only helps in diagnosis of the underlying cause in select cases but also allows control of active bleeding, which can avoid unnecessary emergent radical surgery.

Tumors and pseudotumors of the secondary müllerian system: review with emphasis on cross-sectional imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic structures lined by müllerian epithelium are frequently seen outside the uterus and fallopian tubes and are termed "müllerian rests" or "secondary müllerian system." Varied entities ranging from benign endosalpingosis to highly malignant ovarian tumors are thought to be derived from the secondary müllerian system. Cross-sectional imaging findings of diseases and disorders of the secondary müllerian system are presented here. CONCLUSION: Familiarity with a wide spectrum of diseases and disorders of the secondary müllerian system allows accurate diagnosis and management.

Nonalcoholic, nonbiliary pancreatitis: cross-sectional imaging spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to describe the epidemiologic, etiopathogenetic, clinical, and imaging characteristics of various nonalcoholic, nonbiliary pancreatitis syndromes. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of nonalcoholic, nonbiliary pancreatitis includes autoimmune pancreatitis, groove pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, tropical pancreatitis, tuberculous pancreatitis, and metabolic pancreatitis. Advances in genetics and molecular pathology have shed new light on the etiopathogenesis and course of these syndromes. Accurate diagnosis aided by imaging findings allows optimal management.

Multimodality imaging of adult gastric emergencies: A pictorial review.

Acute gastric emergencies require urgent surgical or nonsurgical intervention because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis since the clinical symptoms are often nonspecific and radiologist may be the first one to suggest a diagnosis as the imaging findings are often characteristic. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of multimodality imaging (plain radiograph, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography) of various life threatening gastric emergencies.

Imaging Manifestations of Thoracic Tuberculosis.

Despite significant improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis achieved during the last 3 decades, tuberculosis still remains one of the deadliest communicable diseases worldwide. Tuberculosis is still present in all regions of the world, with a more significant impact in developing countries. This article reviews the most common imaging manifestations of primary and postprimary tuberculosis, their complications, and the critical role of imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of affected patients.

Abdominal manifestations of histiocytic disorders in adults: imaging perspective.

Histiocytic disorders (HDs) are a diverse group of diseases characterized by pathologic infiltration of normal tissues by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. The spectrum of these diseases ranges from treatable infectious diseases to rapidly progressive, life-threatening conditions. Although they are rare and difficult diagnoses, HDs can be diagnosed with the help of clinical and laboratory analyses, imaging features and tissue biopsy. The clinicopathology and imaging spectrum of select entities belonging to this disorder are presented in this review.

Spectrum of multidetector computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging findings in intrahepatic vascular shunts: classification, characterization, and management.

With the increasing use of multidetector computed tomography and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of liver pathologies, a variety of vascular shunts are detected in the liver. These shunts can be related to tumors or they can be nonneoplastic. Identification of these shunts can help in diagnosing an underlying condition. We classify and describe a wide spectrum of intrahepatic vascular shunts with their key imaging features. After reviewing this article, the reader should have improved ability to detect and characterize intrahepatic vascular shunts, which will help in diagnosing an underlying condition and facilitate optimal patient care.

Anomalous pulmonary venous connections.

Developmental lung anomalies are classified into 3 main categories: bronchopulmonary (lung bud) anomalies, vascular anomalies, and combined lung and vascular anomalies. These anomalies are uncommon, and patients are at times asymptomatic; hence, identifying a developmental lung anomaly in the adult can be a challenge. Pulmonary vascular anomalies include interruption or absence of the main pulmonary artery, anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the right pulmonary artery, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (partial or complete), and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Systemic vascular anomalies comprise persistent left superior vena cava, anomalies of azygos and hemiazygos systems, and anomalies of the thoracic aorta and its major branches. In this article, we present embryology, classification, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and imaging features of anomalous pulmonary venous connections, with special emphasis on multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. These state-of-art imaging techniques have facilitated accurate and prompt diagnosis of these anomalies.

Emphysematous cholecystitis: Imaging findings in nine patients.

OBJECTIVE: Emphysematous cholecystitis is a severe form of acute cholecystitis and can be rapidly fatal. We present the imaging features of nine patients with proven emphysematous cholecystitis.