Inferior Vena Cava Agenesis Associated with Urogenital Anomalies: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) agenesis, ectopic ureterocele, and ureteral duplication are very rare congenital anomalies. CASE PRESENTATION: A-25-year-old female patient was referred with right flank pain, chills and dysuria. Laboratory tests and CT showed findings consistent with acute pyelonephritis. The medical history revealed only frequent urinary tract infections and Factor V Leiden mutation. The patient was treated with antibiotherapy. CT examination demonstrated IVC Agenesis (IVCA). Urogenital anomalies such as vaginal ectopic ureterocele, ureteral duplication and septate uterine anomaly were also present. CONCLUSION: We report the first occurrence of IVC agenesis associated with multiple urogenital anomalies in the literature.

The role of diffusion-weighted MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI for differentiation between solid renal masses and renal cell carcinoma subtypes.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) for differentiation between benign and malignant solid renal masses, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes, oncocytomas, and lipid-poor angiomyolipomas (LP-AML). METHODS: Minimum or lowest 'apparent diffusion coefficient' (ADC1) and representative ADC values (ADC2) of 112 renal masses (n: 46 benign renal mass, n: 66 malignant renal mass) were measured on DW-MRI images (b 50, 400, 800 s/mm2). Signal intensity (SI) measurements were performed in normal renal parenchyma and most avid enhanced area of the renal masses at precontrast, corticomedullary, and nephrographic phases on CE-MRI. Contrast enhancement rate (CER) and contrast enhancement index (CEI) values of renal masses were compared between benign-malignant renal masses and RCC subtypes, oncocytomas, and LP-AMLs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between ADC1, ADC2 values, and SI of benign and malignant renal masses (p = 0.721, p = 0.255, p = 0.872). Mean ADC1 and ADC2 values of clear cell RCCs were significantly higher than nonclear cell RCCs (p = 0.005 p = 0.002). Mean CER value of clear cell RCCs was significantly higher than nonclear cell RCCs in nephrographic phase (p = 0.003). Mean CEI values of clear cell RCCs were significantly higher than nonclear cell RCCs in the corticomedullary and nephrographic phase (p = 0.027 vs. 0.008). LP-AMLs were differentiated from other renal masses with wash-out phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Combined usage of ADC, SI, CER, and CEI values may be useful for discrimination between RCC subtypes, oncocytomas, and lipid-poor AMLs.

Value of Shear Wave Elastography for differentiating benign and malignant renal lesions.

AIMS: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of shear-wave elastography (SWE) for assessing malignant and benign kidneymasses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with solid renal masses underwent US elastographic evaluation. SWE values of the lesions and adjacent cortical renal parenchyma and SWER were detected prospectively. Malignant tumors were recorded as group 1 and benign tumors were recorded as group 2. RESULTS: The highest elasticity values were 27.27±25.66 kPa for group 1 and 16.13±8.89 kPa for group 2. The mean±SD elasticity values for adjacent renal cortex for groups 1 and 2 were 2.7±2.08 and 2.75±1.35, respectively. For group 1, a negative correlation was observed between the age of the patients and SWER value (p=0.047, rs=­0.401). There was also a negative correlation between the SWER value and the SWE value of adjacent renal cortex (p=0.004, rs=­0.555). CONCLUSION: SWE is a noninvasive method that provides quantitative elasticity informationon tissues. Overlaps among different types of renal lesions may be due to heterogeneity of the lesions. Larger studygroups may clarify the other factors affecting SWE values under both normal and pathological conditions.

Assessment of Liver Fibrosis with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Different b-values in Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and to compare the reliability of different b-values in detecting and identifying significant liver fibrosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: There were 44 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) in the study group and 30 healthy participants in the control group. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) was performed before the liver biopsy in patients with CVH. The values of ADC were measured with 3 different b-values (100, 600, 1,000 s/mm2). In addition, liver fibrosis was classified using the modified Ishak scoring system. Liver fibrosis stages and ADC values were compared using areas under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The study group's mean ADC value was not statistically significantly different from the control group's mean ADC value at b = 100 s/mm2 (3.69 ± 0.5 × 10-3 vs. 3.7 ± 0.3 × 10-3 mm2/s) and b = 600 s/mm2 (2.40 ± 0.3 × 10-3 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 × 10-3 mm2/s). However, the study group's mean ADC value (0.99 ± 0.3 × 10-3 mm2/s) was significantly lower than that of the control group (1.2 ± 0.1 × 10-3 mm2/s) at b = 1,000 s/mm2. With b = 1,000 s/mm2 and the cutoff ADC value of 0.0011 mm2/s for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, the mean area under the ROC curve was 0.702 ± 0.07 (p = 0.0015). For b = 1,000 s/mm2 and the cutoff ADC value of 0.0011 mm2/s to diagnose significant liver fibrosis (Ishak score = 3), the mean area under the ROC curve was 0.759 ± 0.07 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Measurement of ADC values by DWI was effective in detecting liver fibrosis and accurately identifying significant liver fibrosis when a b-value of 1,000 s/mm2 was used.

The utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of endometriomas from hemorrhagic ovarian cysts.

The aim was to determine the utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in differentiation of endometrioma and hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. A total of 24 female patients who underwent pelvic MRI with an initial diagnosis of ovarian cyst were included in the study. The final diagnosis was endometrioma in 12 patients and hemorrhagic ovarian cyst in 12 patients. We observed significantly lower ADC values in endometriomas compared with hemorrhagic ovarian cysts in all b values. DW MRI with quantitative ADC measurements can be used for differentiation of endometrioma from hemorrhagic ovarian cysts.

Radiologic findings of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.

AIM: To describe the radiological findings of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiologic findings of 30 women with histopathological diagnosis of IGM were retrospectively evaluated. All had breast feeding history. All the patients had ultrasonography (US), with 12 of them having additional Doppler US. Of 30 patients, 11 had mammography (MG) and 5 MRI. RESULTS: US showed multiple irregular hypoechoic masses and collection areas with tubular connections in 25 of 30. The collection area with low-level internal echoes but without tubular connections, suggesting an abscess were seen in 2 of 30 (6.6%); a hypoechoic mass with an indistinct border in 2 of 30 (6.6%); multiple milimetric hypoechoic nodular masses in 1 of 30 (3.3%). On MG, normal findings were noted in 5 (45.4%); focal asymmetric density in 4 (36.4%), parenchymal distortion in 1 (9%) and diffuse asymmetric opacity with trabecular thickening in 1 (9%) of 30 patients. On MRI, segmental T2 hyperintensity with contrast-enhancement on T1 were seen in 4 of 5 (80%). An enhancing T2 hypointense mass with irregular margin was present in 1 of 5 (20%). Time-signal intensity curve of lesions showed slow enhancement in 1 and moderate in 4 of 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In IGM, MG findings were nonspecific. In US, multiple irregular hypoechoic masses and collections with tubular connections with fingerlike aspects, and fistulae formation to the skin in patients with breastfeeding history suggested IGM rather than carcinoma. Due to the limited number of patients, no conclusion was reached regarding MRI of IGM.

An unusual liver mass: primary malignant mesothelioma of the liver : CT and MRI findings and literature review.

Primary malignant mesothelioma of the liver is extremely rare, and radiologic features have been defined in only one case. We present radiologic findings of two cases which are pathologically proven as primary malignant mesothelioma of the liver. Malignant mesothelioma of the liver may be included in a differential diagnosis list if there is a heterogeneous, hemorrhagic and necrotic lesion in the liver, with peripheral serpiginous vascular structures and increasing septal enhancement in post-contrast images.

Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of testicular adrenal rest tissue in a patient with 11 ß hydroxilase deficiency. Case report.

Benign intratesticular lesions are rare; thus, radiological diagnosis is important to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are the nodular testicular lesions deriving from the adrenal remnant tissue reported in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We present ultrasonographic (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of intratesticular adrenal rests in a 16-year-old patient with 11 ß hydroxilase deficiency. Scrotal ultrasonography demonstrated bilateral heterogenous hypoechoic lesions located around mediastinum testis and highly vascularized on powerDoppler US. On MRI the lesions were hyperintense on T1-weighted and hypointense on T2-weighted images and enhanced brightly on post-contrast images.

Gossypiboma/textiloma mimicking as tumour recurrence.

A surgical sponge accidentally left in a surgical wound, called a textiloma or gossypiboma, is underreported in literature due to medicolegal consequences. Abdominal textiloma may be asymptomatic or present serious gastrointestinal complications such as bowel obstruction, perforation or fistula formation because of misdiagnosis. It may mimic abscess formation in early stage or soft-tissue masses in chronic stage. If there is an intraabdominal abscess resistant to catheter drainage in the postoperative period or an intraabdominal soft tissue mass with a history of previous surgery, textiloma should be included in the differential diagnosis. Whirl-like spongiform pattern especially on CT, well-defined border and fibrous capsule especially on MRI can help in the diagnosis of textiloma. We describe a case of intraabdominal textiloma mimicking abscess and soft tissue tumour on CT and MRI examination.

Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma.

Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcomas are rare malignant neoplasms with an aggressive course and a large size. A 56-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of abdominal pain. Multislice computed tomography revealed a large heterogeneous mass with necrotic, calcified and macroscopic fatty areas. The tumor was excised. Histopathological evaluation revealed leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas. If a patient has a large size mass with a cystic-necrotic component, pancreatic leiomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis list after excluding other common differential diagnoses.

Ultrasound and Doppler US in Evaluation of Superficial Soft-tissue Lesions.

Improved developments in digital ultrasound technology and the use of high-frequency broadband transducers make ultrasound (US) imaging the first screening tool in investigating superficial tissue lesions. US is a safe (no ionizing radiation), portable, easily repeatable, and cheap form of imaging compared to other imaging modalities. US is an excellent imaging modality to determine the nature of a mass lesion (cystic or solid) and its anatomic relation to adjoining structures. Masses can be characterized in terms of their size, number, component, and vascularity with US and Doppler US especially with power Doppler US. US, however, is operator dependent and has a number of artifacts that can result in misinterpretation. In this review, we emphasize the role of ultrasound, particularly power Doppler, in superficial soft-tissue lesions.

The role of apparent diffusion coefficient values in differentiation between adrenal masses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in differentiation between solid adrenal masses. The ADC values of 73 adrenal lesions (54 benign, 19 malignant) in 69 patients were measured at b 100, 600 and 1000 gradients on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). No statistically significant difference was found between ADC values of benign and malignant adrenal masses, nonadenomatous benign adrenal masses and malignant adrenal masses, adrenal adenomas and nonadenomatous lesions, adenomas and metastases, adenomas and pheochromocytomas, metastases and pheochromocytomas. ADC values are not helpful in the differentiation between solid adrenal masses.

Doppler US in rheumatic diseases with special emphasis on rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis.

Developments in digital ultrasonography (US) technology and the use of high-frequency broadband transducers have increased the quality of US imaging, particularly of superficial tissues. Thus, US, particularly color US or power Doppler US, in which high-resolution transducers are used, has become an important imaging modality in the assessment of rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions and biopsies can be performed under US guidance during the assessment of lesions. In this era of effective treatments, such as biologics, improvements in synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis as well as changes in enthesitis in spondyloarthropathies, including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, can be monitored effectively using gray-scale and/or power Doppler US. US is also a good imaging modality for crystal arthropathies, including gout and pseudogout, in which synovitis, erosions, tophi, and crystal deposition within or around the joint can be visualized readily. Vascular and tenosynovial structures, as well as the salivary glands, can be assessed with US in vasculitis and connective tissue disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Current research is focused on improving the sensitivity, specificity, validity, and reproducibility of US findings. In this review, we summarized the role of US, particularly power Doppler US, in rheumatic diseases and inflammation in superficial tissues.

Staging of rectal carcinoma: MDCT, MRI or EUS. Single center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To retrospectively compare the efficacy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endosonography (EUS) in the staging of rectal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients (36 male, 14 female) were included in the study. The data from surgical staging were used as reference for comparing the yield of EUS, MRI, and MDCT in preoperative T and N staging of rectal carcinoma. Comparisons were based on the chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean age+SD of the patients were 60±12 years (range; 28-80). The distribution of rectal tumors according to the T and N staging in surgical pathology was as following: T1 (n:2), T2 (n:15), T3 (n:22), T4 (n:11); N0 (n:22), N1-2 (n:28). The accuracy rate of EUS was statistically higher than that of MDCT (92% vs 64%; p<0.01) and that of MRI (92% vs 72%; p<0.01) for T2 tumors. For T3 tumors, EUS had statistically better accuracy of staging compared to MDCT (90% vs 58%; p<0.01) and MRI (90% vs 60%; p<0.01). As for T4 tumors, the accuracy rate of EUS was higher compared to MRI (98% vs 80%; p<0.01). There was no statistical difference in accuracy rates for detection of lymph nodes across the modalities (EUS, 84%; MDCT 76%; MRI 70%; p=not significant). CONCLUSION: EUS appears more accurate in T staging compared to MDCT and MRI in rectal carcinoma. Regarding nodal staging, performance of EUS, MDCT and MRI are similar.

Severe posterior reversible encephalopathy in pheochromocytoma: importance of susceptibility-weighted MRI.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertension in children. Hypertension is one of the common reasons of posterior reversible encephalopathy. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a serious and unexpected complication of hypertensive encephalopathy due to pheochromocytoma, and very rarely seen in the childhood. Intracerebral hemorrhages should be searched if there are hypertensive reversible signal changes on the brain. Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a more sensitive method than conventional MRI when demonstrating cerebral microhemorrhagic foci. This is the first report of SWI findings on intracerebral hemorrhages in basal ganglia, brain stem and periventricular white matter due to hypertensive encephalopathy in a child with pheochromocytoma.

Utility of ADC measurement on diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiation of prostate cancer, normal prostate and prostatitis.

To determine the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in differentiation of prostate cancer from normal prostate parenchyma and prostatitis we obtained ADC values of 50 patients at b 100, 600 and 1,000 s/mm(2) diffusion gradients. The ADC values of prostate cancer group were significantly lower than normal prostate and prostatitis group at b 600 and 1,000 s/mm(2) gradients. The ADC values at high diffusion gradients may be used in differentiation prostate cancer from normal prostate and prostatitis.

Stab injury of the thoracic aorta: computed tomography findings.

Stab injury of the thoracic aorta is a rare condition with high mortality rate. Patients must be evaluated carefully, and the diagnosis usually should be confirmed by radiological modalities. In this case, we report a 37-year-old man presented with a penetrating stab injury to the upper back and the thoracic aorta, and the diagnostic role of computed tomography is discussed.

Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma arising from intra-abdominal undescended testis in an adult.

Teratomas are a type of germ-cell tumour which may contain embryological tissues from more than one germ-cell layer, usually occurring in the gonads. Primary retroperitoneal teratomas account for 1-11% of retroperitoneal neoplasms and are most commonly found in neonates and young adults. In the clinical literature, retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma arising from an intra-abdominal undescended testis in adult males has been very rarely reported. We report a case of surgically proven retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma arising from an intra-abdominal undescended testis in an adult male by multislice helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.