Iliac vein thrombosis complicating SAPHO syndrome: MRI and histologic features of soft tissue lesions.

Subclavian and superior vena cava obstruction complicating SAPHO (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, Osteitis) syndrome has been described. We report the first case to our knowledge of iliac vein thrombosis complicating lumbar vertebral osteitis due to SAPHO syndrome. Lumbar MRI demonstrated a large tissue mass anterior to the involved vertebras and surrounding the right iliac vein. Histology of the mass showed aseptic inflammation.

Focal fibrosis of the breast: imaging characteristics and histopathologic correlation.

PURPOSE: To characterize mammographic and ultrasonographic (US) features of focal fibrosis of the breast (FFB), to compare the radiologic and histopathologic findings, to investigate the incidence of FFB, and to determine if histopathologic diagnosis of FFB is an acceptable diagnosis for specific mammographic and US findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of findings from 1,268 surgical excisional and 796 percutaneous breast biopsies (290 US-guided, 370 stereotactically guided, and 136 vacuum-assisted stereotactically-guided) revealed 44 (2.1%) diagnoses of FFB. Mammographic and US features were correlated with histopathologic types. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (84%) of the 44 lesions diagnosed as FFB were visualized on mammograms and appeared as six (14%) circumscribed masses, two (5%) lobulated masses, one (2%) microlobulated mass, 11 (25%) obscured masses, two (5%) architectural distortions, and 15 (34%) asymmetric densities. Seven palpable lesions were not visualized on mammograms. Thirty-three of the 44 lesions were evaluated at US; 25 (76%) of 33 were visible. Twenty (80%) of 25 were well-defined hypoechoic masses; three (12%), ill-defined masses; and two (8%), marked shadowing without visible mass. At histopathologic examination, 17 (39%) of the 44 lesions were characterized as mass-like fibrosis; 14 (32%), as nodular fibrosis; 12 (27%), as haphazard fibrosis; and one (2%), as septal fibrosis. Histopathologic type and specific imaging findings did not correlate statistically. CONCLUSION: FFB is a histopathologic entity that has a wide spectrum of imaging findings. It is an acceptable histopathologic result of percutaneous breast biopsy, provided that careful radiologic-histopathologic clinical correlation is performed.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: MR imaging findings with pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate MR imaging findings of primary sclerosing cholangitis, to compare them with histopathologic findings, and to determine if these findings help differentiate primary sclerosing cholangitis from other disorders that result in end-stage liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 40 patients (27 men, 13 women; age range, 13-72 years; mean, 47 years) with primary sclerosing cholangitis over a 9-year period. In 16 patients who underwent orthotopic hepatic transplantation and in seven patients who underwent needle biopsy, correlation was made between MR imaging and pathologic findings. RESULTS: Focal signal changes in the liver parenchyma were seen on T2-weighted images as peripheral wedge-shaped zones of increased signal intensity in 29 patients (72%), as a reticular pattern in 15 patients (38%), and as periportal edema in 16 patients (40%). Lobar atrophy involved the right lobe in three patients (8%) and the left lobe in 11 patients (28%); hypertrophy of the caudate lobe was seen in nine patients (23%). Features of portal hypertension were seen in 14 patients (35%). Histologic assessment showed zones of segmental atrophy and scarring on the periphery of the liver. CONCLUSION: Peripheral wedge-shaped areas of high T2 signal intensity and dilatation of bile ducts are characteristic MR features of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Pathologic correlation suggests that these features may be related to underlying perfusion changes and bile duct inflammation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Acute swelling of the limbs: magnetic resonance pictorial review of fascial and muscle signal changes.

OBJECTIVE: This pictorial review analyzes the magnetic resonance (MR) fascial/muscular changes in 69 patients referred as emergencies with acute swelling of the limbs (ASL) from various causes. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A prospective MR imaging (MRI) study of 69 patients referred as emergencies for ASL was performed. Our population consisted of 45 patients with skin and soft-tissue infections (cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis, and pyomyositis), six patients with soft-tissue inflammatory diseases (dermatomyositis, graft-versus-host disease), 11 patients with acute deep venous thrombosis, three patients with rhabdomyolysis, one patient with acute denervation and three other patients with rare diseases. Hematomas, tumorous or infectious bone involvement and soft-tissue tumors were excluded. All studies included spin echo T1-weighted images and spin echo T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced spin echo T1-weighted images were obtained when an abscess was suspected on T2-weighted images. Selective fat-saturated T1- and T2-weighted sequences were also used. MRI analysis was performed to obtain a compartmentalized anatomical approach according to the location of signal abnormalities in subcutaneous fat, superficial and deep fascia and muscle. RESULTS: In all patients with ASL, MRI demonstrated soft-tissue abnormalities involving subcutaneous fat, superficial fascia, deep fascia, or muscle. Although MR findings were non-specific, MRI appears sensitive for detecting subtle fascial and muscle signal changes. CONCLUSIONS: In skin and soft-tissue infections, MRI can be helpful for therapeutic management by determining the depth of soft-tissue involvement, particularly within fasciae and muscles, which is partly related to the severity of cellulitis with severe systemic manifestations. MRI can also aid the surgeon in diagnosing abscesses. In inflammatory diseases, MRI can determine the best site for biopsy and also monitor therapeutic response.

Switchable multicoil array for MR micro-imaging of breast lesions.

High-resolution breast imaging may improve differentiation between benign and malignant lesions and may be important for refining treatment strategy. This article presents a new, flexible design of a breast-imaging coil capable of providing breast images of a high level of spatial resolution. Referred to as a switchable coil array, the design uses small-diameter surface coils that provide high sensitivity of detection, which, combined with a relatively small field of view, affords a high degree of spatial resolution (up to 200 microm). Remote selection of the coil pair closest to the position of the lesion in the breast permits coverage of the whole breast without changing the position of the coils or the patient. High-resolution MR images of phantom and volunteer patients with benign and malignant breast lesions are presented.