Isolated extramedullary relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the breast of an adolescent girl: radiologic findings and discussion.

We report a case of isolated extramedullary leukemia relapse in the breast of an adolescent girl. A 13-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission, post-chemotherapy and unrelated cord blood transplant, presented with a breast lump. US and mammography demonstrated a large hypervascular heterogeneous mass. Examination of tissue provided by US-guided core biopsy confirmed focal leukemic relapse. US is a commonly used diagnostic tool in children and adolescents with a breast mass, for both characterization and guided biopsy.

Adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy and splenomegaly in patients with stages II-III colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on hepatic function and portal hypertension in patients with stages II-III colon cancer has not been previously described. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the effects of adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy on the splenic index (SI) as a surrogate marker for portal hypertension. METHODS: Stage II-III colorectal cancer patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX or fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 2002 and 2006 were identified. Computerizedt omography (CT) scans obtained prior to and at completion of chemotherapy, and every 6 months thereafter were reviewed. Splenic size was evaluated using the SI (SI = length x width x height of the spleen). RESULTS: 40 patients were identified in the FOLFOX group and 23 in the 5-FU/LV group. After 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, the mean increase in SI was 45.7 and 16.3% in the FOLFOX and 5-FU/LV groups, respectively (p = 0.0069). SI increased by >100% in 6 patients (15%) in the FOLFOX group versus none in the 5-FU/LV group (p = 0.16). The mean SI at completion of adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly higher in the FOLFOX group than in the 5-FU/LV group (p = 0.007). The mean SI decreased steadily over a period of 2 years after discontinuation of FOLFOX, suggesting potential reversibility of oxaliplatin-induced hepatic injury in this setting. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant FOLFOX significantly increases the SI in patients with resected colorectal cancer in comparison to adjuvant 5-FU/LV. The increase in SI may be a marker of oxaliplatin-induced hepatic injury and should be investigated further in prospective longitudinal studies of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

Comparison of supine and prone scanning separately and in combination at CT colonography.

PURPOSE: To compare colonic distention, adequacy of colonic preparation, and colorectal polyp detection as assessed with supine and prone scanning separately and in combination at computed tomographic (CT) colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT colonography and colonoscopy were performed in 182 patients. Distention and preparation of eight colonic segments were rated separately on a scale of 1-4 (1, segment completely distended or no residual material; 4, segment collapsed or large amounts of residual material). The distention, preparation, and polyp detection data were compared with regard to each position alone and then in combination. CT findings were correlated with colonoscopic findings. RESULTS: The percentage of colonic segments with grade 1 distention and preparation was 93.7% (1,364 of 1,456) and 66.6% (969 of 1,456), respectively, with combined scanning; 86.4% (1,258 of 1,456) and 52.1% (759 of 1,456), respectively, with supine scanning alone; and 85.6% (1,246 of 1,456) and 57.1% (831 of 1,456), respectively, with prone scanning alone. The sensitivity for detection of colorectal polyps 10 mm or larger, 5.0-9.9 mm, and smaller than 5 mm and polyps of all sizes was 92.7%, 79.8%, 60.3%, and 69.9%, respectively, with combined scanning. Sensitivity was 58.5%, 47.2%, 36.3%, and 42.1%, respectively, with supine scanning and 51.2%, 41.6%, 30.2%, and 36.3%, respectively, with prone scanning. The improved sensitivities for use of combined versus individual scanning positions were highly significant (P <.001) for polyps in all size categories. CONCLUSION: Colonic distention and preparation at CT colonography were significantly improved by using supine and prone scanning in combination, and results correlated directly with improved sensitivity of polyp detection.