Diagnostic value of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) combined with CT angiography for intra-abdominal undescended testis secondary seminomas.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnostic value of multislice spiral tomography (CT) combined with CT angiography (CTA) technology in intra-abdominal undescended testis secondary seminoma cases. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the CT and CTA imaging features of CT and CTA findings of nine patients with an intra-abdominal undescended testis secondary seminoma. RESULTS: The tumors in all nine patients were mainly solid, and the average CT value was 38.4 ± 3.4 HU. Low-density areas of various sizes were visible in the tumors, and calcifications were detected in two patients. The tumors in eight patients had a complete capsule, which pressed on the surrounding structures. In one patient, the tumor had an incomplete capsule, which invaded the surrounding structures. Some of the solid tumors showed progressive and slight enhancement on the CT-enhanced scans. The values in the arterial phase, venous phase, and delayed phase were 46.3 ± 5.1 (40-55 HU), 57.3 ± 7.3HU (48-68 HU), and 65.1 ± 7.2HU (56-77 HU), respectively, with an average increase rate of 27.0 ± 7.2 HU. No enhancement was found in low-density areas on the CTA scans, and the supply arteries of the tumors in the nine patients all originated from the abdominal aortic wall 2-3 cm below the renal ostia. These arteries became thickened and tortuous when near the tumors, and there were no branching vessels. In eight patients, the supply arteries of the tumors originated from the posterior tumor and ended inside the tumor, and they originated from anterior of the tumor in one patient. Testicular venous drainage was detected in three patients, and lymph node metastasis in the abdominal aorta detected in two cases. CONCLUSION: An intra-abdominal undescended testis secondary seminoma exhibits a characteristic appearance on CT. CTA shows a three-dimensional testicular vascular pedicle sign of a seminoma. A combination of CT and CTA can improve the diagnostic accuracy of an intra-abdominal undescended testis secondary seminoma.

[Identification of fresh and old vertebral compression fractures by MRI].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and explore the value of MRI in distinguishing fresh from old vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: The features of MRI in 43 cases with compression fractures of thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies were analyzed. MRI sequences included T1WI, T2WI and STIR. RESULTS: Fifty-five vertebral bodies in total were found compression fractures in 43 cases. Forty-six vertebral bodies, which showed low signals or low signals mixing a few high signals on T1WI, high signals on T2WI and significantly high signals on STIR, were identified as fresh compression fractures. Nine vertebral bodies were identified as old compression fractures, because they showed the same signals as normal vertebral bodies on T1WI, T2WI and STIR. CONCLUSION: MRI could accurately distinguish fresh and old vertebral compression fractures, so it is valuable for the distinguishment in forensic identification.