Ventricular apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in patients with neoplastic leptomeningeal disease.

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis that intraventricular ADC values can be used to determine the presence of neoplastic leptomeningeal disease (LMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ADC values were measured at multiple sites in the ventricular system in 32 patients with cytologically-proven LMD and 40 control subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the mean difference of ADCs between the LMD and control groups after adjusting for ventricle size and tumor type. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed and optimal ADC value cut-off point for predicting the presence of LMD. ADC was compared to T1 enhancement and FLAIR signal hyperintensity for determining the presence of LMD. RESULTS: After adjusting for ventricular volume and tumor type, the mid body of lateral ventricles showed no significant difference in ventricular volume and a significant difference in ADC values between the control and LMD groups (p > 0.05). In the mid-body of the right lateral ventricle the AUC was 0.69 (95% CI 0.57-0.81) with an optimal ADC cut off point of 3.22 × 10- 9 m2/s (sensitivity, specificity; 0.72, 0.68). In the mid-body of left lateral ventricle the AUC was 0.7 (95% CI 0.58-0.82) with an optimal cut-off point of 3.23 × 10- 9 m2/s (0.81, 0.62). Using an average value of HU measurements in the lateral ventricles the AUC was 0.73 (95% CI 0.61-0.84) with an optimal cut off point was 3.11 × 10- 9 m2/s (0.78, 0.65). Compared to the T1 post-contrast series, ADC was predictive of the presence of LMD in the mid-body of the left lateral ventricle (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Complex interactions affect ADC measurements in patients with LMD. ADC values in the lateral ventricles may provide non-invasive clues to the presence of LMD.

Thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the submandibular gland: Sonographic findings.

Metastases to the submandibular gland are extremely rare; a literature search retuned only three previously reported cases from a thyroid gland primary site. Herein, we report two cases of metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the submandibular gland in a 64-year-old woman with PTC and a 70-year-old-woman with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The metastases were identified on CT and PET/CT in one case and on CT in the other case, but both were diagnosed with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Our cases highlight that while rare, both PTC and MTC can metastasize to the submandibular gland.

Superiority of Multidetector Computed Tomography With 3-Dimensional Volume Rendering Over Plain Radiography in the Assessment of Spinal Surgical Instrumentation Complications in Patients With Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images with volume-rendered translucent display (VRTLD) series to plain radiographs for evaluating spinal surgical instrumentation after resection and reconstruction for spinal malignancies. METHODS: In 44 patients with tumor resection and spinal reconstruction, 17 with complications, 3 neuroradiologists evaluated plain radiographs, MDCT images alone, VRTLD images alone, and MDCT images with VRTLD images for identifying complications in 3 categories: subsidence/migration, construct fracture, and screw loosening. Each category was scored as 1 (complications), 2 (no complications), or 3 (not sure), and the minimum score was used for analyses. Clinical/surgical outcomes were the reference standard. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (95% confidence interval), respectively, were as follows: MDCT/VRTLD, 100%, 100%, 100% (91.96%-100.00%); MDCT alone, 88.24%, 100%, 95.45% (84.53%-99.44%); VRTLD alone, 82.35%, 96.3%, 90.91% (78.33%-97.47%); plain radiographs, 52.94%, 100%, 81.82% (67.29%-91.81%). CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector computed tomography with VRTLD series seems best for evaluation of spinal instrumentation after tumor resection and reconstruction.