Imaging of Retrosternal Space Lesions - A Pictorial Review.

The retrosternal region (RSS) can be involved by diverse lesions. The RSS is the region behind the sternum and anterior to the ascending aorta. It normally is less than 3 cm deep. Chest X-ray is usually the first imaging modality to raise a suspicion of RSS pathology; however computed tomography is the mainstay to delineate and characterize lesions in this location. Lesions in this location include thyroid, thymic and lymph node lesions; germ cell tumors and vascular lesions. Lesions arising from the sternum, lungs as well as the pleura can also involve this space. The pictorial review depicts the diverse spectrum of lesions in this location.

"Periportal neoplasms"--a CT perspective: review article.

The periportal space is a potential space surrounding the portal vein and its intrahepatic branches. A variety of neoplasms can involve the periportal region, whether primary or secondary, owing to contiguous spread from surrounding hepatic parenchyma or from adjacent organs. CT plays an important role in not only diagnosing these lesions but also determining the extent of the disease. Most of the malignancies leading to the periportal spread manifest as periportal hypodensity either distinctly or in contiguity with the primary tumour. Even in known malignancies, periportal hypodensity commonly results from non-neoplastic causes like periportal oedema; hence, a knowledge of the imaging findings to ascertain its presence as well as to conclude the definite neoplastic spread is prudent. Periportal spread of neoplasm may suggest locally aggressive or disseminated disease (in extrahepatic malignancies), which may change management accordingly.

An Atypical Case of POEMS Syndrome with an Osteolytic Bone Lesion.

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia associated with Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes. Usually it is associated with sclerotic bone lesions. It usually manifests in 5(th)-6(th) decade of life with a mean survival period of eight years. We report an unusual case of a 28-year-old male diagnosed with POEMS syndrome and had a lytic bone lesion the in sternum.