Correlation of Diffusion weighted MR Imaging and ADC values of hepatic metastasis of Gastrointestinal Stromal and Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: DWI and ADC-mapping was performed to analyze hepatic metastasis of GIST, GEP-NET. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present hepatic metastasis of GIST and GEP-NET with Diffusion weighted MR imaging(DWI) and the Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) values of masses. METHOD: 18 GIST patients and 8 GEP-NET patients were examined retrospectively. 11 males and 6 females were present in GIST group, 7 males to 5 females were involved in GEP-NET group. 18 primary GIST and 10 hepatic metastasis of GIST, 8 original GEP-NET and 19 hepatic metastasis of GEP-NET; total 55 GIST and GEP-NET masses were analysed by ADC mapping. MR images were acquired by 1,5 T MR units (32 mT/min gradient strength- Achieva; Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherlands and 32 channel GE Signa GE-Wisconsin-USA); by using a 4-8 channel standard phased-array torso XL coil, all images were evaluated by an Abdominal MRI experienced radiologist. DWI was performed in the transverse plane by using spin-echo-planar imaging sequence. RESULT: No statistical differences were observed between GIST and GEP-NET patients according to age and gender variations. No significant statistical differences were observed according to the diameters and ADC values of GIST and GEP-NET patients. A significant statistical difference was observed between GIST and GEP-NET groups in terms of size of liver metastasis which was significantly higher in GIST patients. All three groups (GIST_Hep. MET, GEP-NET_Liver_Met and normal) were statistically differed according to ADC values. With the ROC curve analysis: Hepatic metastasis of GIST(n=10) and normal liver (n:47) had cut-off value for ADC: 0.925 under AUC: 0.939 with regard to ADC values and regarded 89.4 % Sensitivity, 100% Specificity, 100% PPV and 66.7% PPV. ROC curve of GEP NET_ Hepatic metastasis (n=19) group and normal liver (n:47) group presented cut-off value for ADC: 0.860 under AUC: 0.967 correlated to ADC values with 93.6 % sensitivity, 89.5% specificity, 95.7% PPV and 85% PPV. CONCLUSION: High cellular tumors resulted from liver metastasis of GIST and GEP-NET's, and a positive correlation was observed between ADC values and cellularity/differentiation ratios of metastatic masses.

Asymtomatic Mass In The Tail Of The Pancreas: Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen (IPAS).

We present a 48-year-old male patient with a mass in the tail of the pancreas on abdominal ultrasonography. The lesion was suspicious for a well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and spleen preserved distal pancreatectomy surgery was performed. It was diagnosed as intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) after pathological examination. Accessory spleen is not an infrequent congenital entity caused by the localization of normal splenic tissue in ectopic regions. As it is known, an accessory spleen is a benign entity and does not require surgical treatment or follow-up when detected. However, it is important to recognize IPAS tissue as it may mimic a pancreatic neoplasia when it is located in the pancreas. In this article, we discuss the differential diagnostic possibilities of the IPAS entity.

Multi-slice CT findings in COVID-19 pneumonia: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

In this cross-sectional study of 278 patients, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 per their clinical features, laboratory, and thorax computed tomography (CT) findings were evaluated in terms of the most common characteristic findings. The lesions were classified according to the disease stage. The most common findings for each phase were investigated. The typical CT results included ground-glass opacity (GGO), unilateral involvement, and single lesions in the early stages, as well as bilateral involvement, and multiple lesions in the progressive and peak phases. Additionally, vascular dilatation was the most common finding after GGO. Basal segment dominance and peripheral-intraparenchymal-basal segment involvement were mostly seen in the peak-phase patients. Thus, we think that this finding is an essential key to determining that the disease is in the advanced stages. The crazy-paving pattern was also a typical finding in the early-stage patients. Cavitary lesions, pulmonary nodules, and mediastinal lymph nodes were not observed in the lungs.

Can pancreatic steatosis affect exocrine functions of pancreas?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic steatosis (PS) is a generally used term to define accumulation of fat in the pancreas. In theory PS may be able to affect the exocrine function of pancreas. In this study we aimed to determine the effect of PS on exocrine pancreas function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with PS determined by 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 48 patients without PS were included in this study. Patients with PS were classified as group 1 and control patients were classified as group 2. Fecal elastase-1 levels were determined. Fecal elastase-1 levels <200 µg/g were defined as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Patients with PS were further grouped according to severity and anatomic distribution of steatosis based on findings of 3 tesla MRI. RESULTS: Fecal elastase-1 levels was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (319.76±45.7 vs 549.31±69.4, respectively, p=0.003). Proportion of patients with EPI was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (35.5% vs 12% p=0.042). There were no significant differences in terms of severity or the anatomic distribution of PS in patients with PS with EPI based on MRI (p=0.052, p=0.198, p=0.405) Conclusion: Current study demonstrates that PS can cause EPI.

Parry-Romberg syndrome. Physical, clinical, and imaging features.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy also known as Parry-Romberg syndrome is an acquired, slowly progressive disorder, occurring more in women, primarily affecting one side of the face, mainly characterized by unilateral atrophy, and loss of skin and subcutaneous tissues of face, muscles, and bones. Ocular and neurologic involvements are common. The possible etiology is unclear without any known cure. We report a rare case of Parry-Romberg syndrome with classical features. The clinical features, radiological imaging findings, differential diagnosis, and available treatment options are discussed in this report.

Evaluation of Enteroneovesical Fistula by 64-Detector CT Enterography: A Case Report.

Enterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the bladder and the intestine. The accurate localization of leakage is important for accurate treatment planning. Some imaging techniques can not demonstrate the fistula; therefore, choosing the appropriate imaging technique is necessary. CT enterography (CTE) is a new technique for evaluation of the small bowel and the entire abdomen. CTE examination with multi-detector CT (MDCT) enables us to get excellent quality reformatted images with high spatial resolution. We report a patient with neobladder and enteroneovesical fistula. We showed the exact location of the fistula and its' association with the bowels and neobladder by CTE. The aim of this report is to show that CTE can be a new and effective modality in the detection of enteroneovesical fistulas and to discuss the efficacy of CTE in the detection and evaluation of enterovesical fistula referring to the literature. In conclusion, CTE may be a useful, sensitive, effective, and non-invasive technique for the evaluation of enteroneovesical fistula, leakage from the anastomose sides, and other extraintestinal complications such as urinary tract obstruction or abscess formation.

An unusual case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation: radiological and histopathological analyses.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) is a rare benign primary vascular lesion of the spleen. Its etiology is still debated. Radiological characteristics are less known, although there are some reports regarding histopathological features ofSANT. A 21-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain for 4 months. Physical examination, complete blood count, andbiochemical parameters were unremarkable. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was performed. A heterogeneous well-defined hyperdense nodular lesion 3 cm in diameter was detected during the arterial phase. The detected lesion was seen as isodense with the spleen parenchyma during the portal venous and late venous phases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an isointense-hypointense nodular lesion on T1- and T2-weighted images. Intraabdominal LAM or splenomegaly was not detected. Microscopically, it was composed of angiomatoid nodules separated by central stellate fibrous stroma and fibrous septa. The contrast enhancement pattern was described as centrally hypovascular, radially progressive centripetal vascular contrast enhancement, called a spoke-wheel pattern in previously reported cases. We present CT and MRI findings and their correlation with histopathological findings of a case of unusual symptomatic SANT.

Bouveret syndrome: evaluation with multidetector computed tomography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Cholecystenteric fistula is one of the rarest complications of biliary lithiasis, with a frequency of less than 1%. Bouveret syndrome is a gastric outlet obstruction produced by gallstone(s) located in the distal stomach or proximal duodenum. The route of gallstone migration to the bowel is most commonly via a cholecystoduodenal fistula; however, fistulization of the stomach is a rarer variation. Early diagnosis of this situation is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. In this report, we present a patient with cholecystogastric fistula and Bouveret syndrome. To our knowledge, there is no published paper in the literature related to the diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) (64 detectors) and/or contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (CE-MRCP). Our aim was to discuss the efficacy of MDCT and CE-MRCP in the detection and evaluation of cholecystenteric fistulas. We showed the exact localization and relation of biliary stones and the fistula by MDCT and CE-MRCP. We also evaluated the biliary system with CE-MRCP physiologically. In conclusion, when biliary lithiasis and ileus are detected in plain radiography, the first-line diagnostic tool should be MDCT. In complicated cases or when biliary obstruction is suspected, CE-MRCP can give important morphological and physiological information regarding the whole abdomen and biliary system.

A novel biphasic oral contrast solution for enterographic studies.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and patients' tolerance of a new mixed biphasic oral contrast solution with routine biphasic oral contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) enterography (MRE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (group 1) had MRE with the new mixture, whereas 14 patients (group 2) had MRE with biphasic oral contrast agent (lactulose). Magnetic resonance enterography images were evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists. Each intestinal segment was evaluated for luminal distension (LD), distinction from the surrounding tissue (wall conspicuity), and the confidence of radiologist for evaluation of the specified segment (radiological evaluation confidence). Comparisons between the 2 groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Interrater and intrarater agreement values were obtained. In addition, patients' acceptability and tolerance were assessed. RESULTS: The new mixture was more effective than the oral contrast agent used in group 2 for LD, wall conspicuity, and radiological confidence. The values of interrater and intrarater agreement in scoring LD, wall conspicuity, and radiological confidence were generally moderate. CONCLUSION: Our new mixture allowed good-quality enterographic images, and this solution was well tolerated by patients. In addition, this mixture is useful for evaluation of small bowels and colonic segments. We suggest the use of it for enterographic examinations.

Contrast-material-enhanced MR urography in evaluation of postoperative lower urinary tract fistulae and leakages.

Urinary fistulas and leakages of lower urinary tract are serious complications of various surgical procedures. Radiologists need to have enough information about these situations to perform precise diagnosis and treatment. Various techniques [such as intravenous pyelography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), CT urography, cystoscopy, cystography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging] are used for the diagnosis of these conditions. Application of all these techniques reduces the comfort and cooperation of the patients and increases the cost. Here we present four postoperative patients with lower urinary tract fistula or leakage. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report regarding the use of contrast-material-enhanced MR urography (CE-MRU) in the demonstration of postoperative lower urinary tract fistulae and leakages. In conclusion, CE-MRU could show the existence and location of the urinary fistulae and leakages clearly without the need for another investigation technique, as described in our patients. Also, CE-MRU is a safe and relatively inexpensive technique that avoids exposure to radiation as well as nephrotoxic and more allergic contrast-material administration.

Aortic strain, distensibility and elastic modulus are associated with the presence and quantity of coronary calcium.

BACKGROUND: An association between aortic stiffness and atherosclerosis has been previously demonstrated by pulse wave velocity. Whether echocardiographically assessed aortic stiffness also correlates with the extent of atherosclerosis has not yet been established. AIM: To evaluate the association between echocardiographically measured aortic stiffness and atherosclerosis. METHODS: A total of 162 patients (mean age 54±9 years, age range 36-83 years, 102 male and 60 female) at high risk of atherosclerosis underwent transthoracic echocardiography and sphygmomanometer-based brachial blood pressure measurement for aortic stiffness parameters (strain, distensibility and elastic modulus), and multidetector computed tomography for the presence and quantity of coronary artery calcium (CAC). RESULTS: It was found that aortic strain and distensibility were significantly lower in patients with CAC than in patients without CAC (7.6±2.7% vs 9.3±3.4%, p<0.001 and 3.0±1.1 mm Hg(-1).10(-3) vs 3.9±1.7 mm Hg(-1).10(-3), p<0.001, respectively). However, elastic modulus E(p) was significantly higher in patients with CAC than in patients without CAC (7.9±3.8 N/m2 vs 6.0±2.5 N/m2, p=0.001). In addition, aortic strain and distensibility, and elastic modulus, were found to be significant predictors of the presence and quantity of CAC in multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographically measured aortic stiffness is positively, significantly and independently associated with atherosclerosis.

Magnesium supplementation helps to improve carotid intima media thickness in patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The atherosclerotic process progresses more dynamically in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in the general population. In HD patients, lower magnesium levels were reported to be associated with increased atherosclerosis of the common carotid artery. We tested the hypotheses that magnesium supplementation helps to improve carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 patients on HD were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (Mg group), in which patients were given magnesium citrate orally at a dosage of 610 mg every other day for 2 months and group B (control group), in which patients received only calcium acetate therapy as a phosphate binder. At baseline and 2 months later, all patients underwent a carotid artery ultrasound scan to measure carotid IMT. RESULTS: At the end of 2 months, mean serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium x phosphorus product were not changed in both groups. As expected, mean serum Mg level significantly increased in the Mg group at the end of 2 months. In addition, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level significantly decreased in the Mg group at the end of 2 months (P = 0.003). Baseline carotid IMT was similar between the groups. Bilateral carotid IMT was significantly improved in patients treated with magnesium citrate compared to initial values (P = 0.001 for left, P = 0.002 for right). CONCLUSION: Based on the present data, magnesium may play an important protective role in the progression of atherosclerosis in patients on dialysis. Further studies are needed to assess more accurately the role of magnesium in atherosclerotic regression in dialysis patients.

Probrain natriuretic peptide for assessment of efficacy in heart failure treatment.

N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is elevated in patients with heart failure. Numerous clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of spironolactone in heart failure; however, no studies have directly examined the effects of spironolactone treatment on NT-proBNP level. This study investigated whether NT-proBNP levels decrease with daily spironolactone treatment. The study consisted of 117 adult patients with heart failure. All participants were divided into 3 groups, class I, class II, and class III, according to the New York Heart Association classification system. Patients were randomly assigned to receive spironolactone or were treated with another drug, other than spironolactone, as placebo. NT-proBNP plasma samples were taken at baseline and after 6 mo of treatment. A total of 62 patients were treated with daily spironolactone; 55 patients were followed with available treatment without spironolactone. The baseline demographic and laboratory parameters were similar for patients in all groups. At the end of 6 mo, spironolactone-treated patients had significantly lower NT-proBNP levels and significantly better ejection fractions than did patients in all New York Heart Association classes who were not treated with spironolactone. Results suggest that spironolactone decreases plasma NT-proBNP concentrations, and that the measurement of plasma NT-proBNP levels may be helpful in assessing therapeutic efficacy in patients who are treated for heart failure.