Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography: the ABC of MRCP.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a technique that has evolved over the past two decades. It continues to have a fundamental role in the non-invasive investigation of many pancreatico-biliary disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarise the key concepts behind MRCP, the different techniques that are currently employed (including functional and secretin-stimulated MRCP), the pitfalls the reader should be aware of, and the main clinical indications for its use.

Small bowel MR enterography: problem solving in Crohn's disease.

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is fast becoming the first-line radiological investigation to evaluate the small bowel in patients with Crohn's disease. It can demonstrate both mural and extramural complications. The lack of ionizing radiation, together with high-contrast resolution, multiplanar capability and cine-imaging make it an attractive imaging modality in such patients who need prolonged follow-up. A key question in the management of such patients is the assessment of disease activity. Clinical indices, endoscopic and histological findings have traditionally been used as surrogate markers but all have limitations. MRE can help address this question. The purpose of this pictorial review is to (1) detail the MRE protocol used at our institution; (2) describe the rationale for the MR sequences used and their limitations; (3) compare MRE with other small bowel imaging techniques; (4) discuss how MRE can help distinguish between inflammatory, stricturing and penetrating disease, and thus facilitate management of this difficult condition. Main Messages • MR enterography (MRE) is the preferred imaging investigation to assess Crohn's disease. T2-weighted, post-contrast and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be used. • MRE offers no radiation exposure, high-contrast resolution, multiplanar ability and cine imaging. • MRE can help define disease activity, a key question in the management of Crohn's disease. • MRE can help distinguish between inflammatory, stricturing and penetrating disease. • MRE can demonstrate both mural and extramural complications.

Common primary tumours of the abdomen and pelvis and their patterns of tumour spread as seen on multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has become the main investigation of choice for staging of many cancers. AIM: The purpose of this pictorial review is to discuss the imaging appearances on CT of some of the more common cancers arising within the abdomen and pelvis and to describe their typical sites of local, nodal and haematogenous tumour spread. METHODS: Cancers arising from the stomach, pancreas, colon, kidney, ovary and prostate will be reviewed. RESULTS: Awareness of the characteristic sites of tumour spread is important to allow accurate identification of all sites of disease. CONCLUSION: This will clearly have an impact on both patient management and prognosis.

Adnexal masses: characterization and imaging strategies.

The differential diagnosis for adnexal masses is wide, encompassing a range of benign, borderline, and malignant entities. Stratification of risk is made on age, menopausal status, imaging features, and tumor markers. This review outlines the different imaging modalities available to characterize adnexal masses, describes the typical ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging features of the most commonly encountered adnexal lesions, and provides a suggested imaging algorithm in the management of such patients.

Congenital and acquired conditions of the vulva and vagina on magnetic resonance imaging: a pictorial review.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an established imaging modality for characterizing pelvic pathology, chiefly because of superb contrast resolution and lack of ionizing radiation. In recent years, MRI has been used to stage vulval and vaginal malignancies and assist detection of recurrence. It has also proved useful in the characterization of Müllerian duct anomalies. We review the typical imaging characteristics on MRI of congenital and acquired conditions involving the vulva and vagina.

Computed tomography in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Recent developments in chemotherapy have resulted in several new drug treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These therapies have shown improved progression-free survival and are applicable to many more patients than the conventional cytokine-based treatments for metastatic RCC. Consequently imaging is playing a greater part in the management of such patients. Computed tomography (CT) remains the primary imaging modality with other imaging modalities playing a supplementary role. CT is used in the diagnosis and staging of metastatic RCC. It is used in the follow-up of patients after nephrectomy, in assessing the extent of metastatic disease, and in evaluating response to treatment. This review looks at the role of CT in patients with metastatic RCC and describes the appearances of metastatic RCC before and following systemic therapy.