Radiologic and pathologic features of a primary chloroma of the testis: a case report and brief review of the literature.

AIM: To describe a case of primary granulocytic sarcoma. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 43-year-old man presented with a painless testicular swelling. There was no previous history of malignancy or hematologic disease. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examination showed an intratesticular mass extending to the surrounding scrotal tissues including the epididymis. Inguinal radical orchiectomy was followed by a macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the strong positivity of the neoplastic cells for leucocyte common antigen (LCA), myeloperoxidase, CD-34 and CD-117. All imaging and laboratory tests for metastatic or hematologic disease, including a bone marrow biopsy, were negative, leading to the diagnosis of a primary granulocytic sarcoma of the testis. CONCLUSION: Although chloromas usually manifest in patients with a hematologic malignancy, isolated cases may occur. The low specificity of imaging and, occasionally, microscopic examination is challenging for the right diagnosis. The role of immunohistochemistry in conjunction with the clinical, imaging and laboratory findings is crucial to reach the correct diagnosis.

Anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligaments: MRI evaluation.

Although meniscofemoral ligaments are distinct anatomic units, their anatomy and function are controversial from an anatomic and radiologic point of view. Five hundred knee MR examinations were retrospectively studied in an effort to demonstrate the incidence and variations regarding sex and age distribution, as well as the anatomy of the meniscofemoral ligament at magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were mostly men, three hundred and twelve, in contrast with women who were fewer, one hundred eighty-eight patients. The mean age of the patients who were included in this study was 46 years. More than half of them were between 20 and 40 years old; one hundred thirty-three patients among 20 to 30 years old and one hundred and one patients among 31 and 40 years old, in total two hundred thirty-four patients.

A new variant of Todani type I choledochal cyst. Imaging evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Choledochal cysts are congenital segmental aneurysmal dilatations of any portion of bile ducts, most commonly of the main portion of the common bile duct. The classification system of choledochal cysts is based on the site of the cyst or dilatation and currently includes 5 major types. The purpose of our study is to describe the imaging findings of a new variant of choledochal cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients (4 children and 2 adults, 4 females and 2 males, 3-67 year old) were evaluated by US, CT, CT-cholangiography, MRI, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), because of jaundice, abdominal pain and a palpable mass. RESULTS: A new type of choledochal cyst was demonstrated in all cases. In this new variant apart from the dilatation of the common hepatic and the common bile duct, dilatation of the central portion of the cystic duct was also observed, giving a bicornal configuration to the cyst. CONCLUSION: The imaging findings of a new variant of choledochal cyst with participation of the cystic duct are described. We propose the classification of this type of choledochal cyst as a new subtype of Todani I cyst, namely Todani ID.

Alterations of bone mineral metabolism of children with different cell lineage types of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia under chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Children with haematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may have alteration of bone mineral metabolism therefore increased risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The purpose of this study was to examine the alterations of bone mineral metabolism in two groups of children (n=42) according to immunophenotyping (B-cell type, T-cell type) both quantitative (bone mineral density z-scores) and qualitative (serum osteocalcin - OC and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of human type I collagen - ICTP) during diagnosis (T=0), after the intensified chemotherapy period (T=0.5) and the consolidation period (T=1). RESULTS: According to our results 15 patients had osteopenia and 1 child developed osteoporosis at T=0.5 and 13 patients had osteopenia at T=1. Mean BMD z-score was significantly decreased in both groups during chemotherapy and especially statistically significant decline of T-cell type ALL group compared with B-cell type ALL patients. OC mean level remains in low levels for both groups reaching in plateau during chemotherapy and ICTP level was increased in T-cell type ALL group of patients compared with B-cell type in both periods of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that not only the combination of chemotherapeutic agents but also the cell lineage of ALL are important parameters of altering bone mineral metabolism.

Sonographic evidence for patency of the processus vaginalis in children with acquired undescended testis.

Testes do ascend, but for unknown reasons. A testis may ascend through a patent processus vaginalis (PV). However, data for PV patency in acquired undescended testes (aUDT) are inconclusive. In this article, we aim to assess the sonographic PV diameter in boys with aUDT in comparison with normal group boys (obliterated PV) and boys with hydrocele or inguinal hernia (patent PVs). This retrospective study included 43 boys operated unilaterally for aUDT (n = 16), communicating hydrocele (n = 11) and inguinal hernia (n = 16). All selected patients had a preoperative measurement of the ipsilateral PV diameter. In addition, 17 boys with phimosis (normal group boys) were prospectively included, and underwent a sonographic examination of the inguinoscrotal area of a randomly selected side to measure the diameter of the respective PV. In total, 60 sides were examined. An aUDT was defined as a testis that had been identified at least twice previously in scrotal position. The results indicated that in normal group boys, PV could not be detected by sonography. In contrast, PVs ipsilateral to aUDT were visualized as hypoechoic tubules connecting the peritoneal cavity with the scrotum, similar to patent PVs in hydroceles. PV diameter in the aUDT group did not differ from the hydrocele group. However, PVs in aUDT and hydrocele were significantly narrower than in inguinal hernias. This is the first report of a patent PV in aUDT, comparable with hydrocele. Our findings suggest high ligation of the patent PV during orchidopexy.

Posterior mediastinal Castleman's disease presented as hypervascular lipomatous tumor.

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder most often found in the chest. Herein we describe the imaging findings of a histologically proven case of CD involving the posterior mediastinum in a 41-year-old asymptomatic man presented as a well-defined hypervascular lipomatous tumor. To our knowledge less than 10 cases of posterior mediastinal CD have been reported so far and this is the first case of CD mimicking mediastinal lipomatous tumor.

Symptomatic splenoma (hamartoma) of the spleen. A case report.

Hamartomas of the spleen (splenomas) are very rare benign tumors composed of an aberrant mixture of normal splenic elements. Herein we present a unique case of a symptomatic non-palpable splenoma in a 64-year-old female patient presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia and we describe imaging findings in ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a relatively small splenic hamartoma (35 mm at histopathology) associated with thrombocytopenia and anemia that resolved completely several months after splenectomy.

Orbital cavernous hemangiomas: ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

Cavernous hemangioma is the most common intraorbital lesion in adults. The aim of our study was to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) characteristics of cavernous hemangioma and their role in the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors. Eight patients with orbital cavernous hemangiomas, five women and three men with a mean age of 48 years were examined in a period of six years. All patients underwent MRI examination and four patients were also evaluated by US. In all cases MRI depicted a well-defined intraconal tumor. The lesions were homogeneous, isointense to muscle on T1-weighted sequence and hyperintense to muscle on T2-weighted sequence in six patients. In one patient the mass was isointense on T1WI with heterogeneous signal intensity on T2WI and in one patient the lesion had heterogeneous signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted sequences. After intravenous contrast medium administration, the tumors showed initial inhomogeneous enhancement with progressive accumulation of contrast material on delayed images in seven patients and initial homogeneous enhancement in one patient. On ultrasonography, the orbital masses appeared slightly hyperechoic, heterogeneous with small areas of slow blood flow. The analysis of imaging characteristics of a well-defined intraconal lesion in an adult patient with painless progressive proptosis can be highly suggestive of the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.

Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonographic evaluation of retinal detachment in orbital uveal melanomas.

We assess the role of ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of retinal detachment in patients with uveal melanomas, in correlation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Twenty-six patients (13♂ and 13♀) with uveal melanomas underwent MRI and US examination. The signal intensity of the tumors and retinal detachments were depicted using MRI. The position of retinal detachment in correlation with the position of intraocular tumor was also evaluated performing ultrasound examination. MRI and US identified uveal melanoma in all 26 patients. In 11 of the 26 patients (42.3%) uveal melanoma was accompanied by retinal detachment. MRI demonstrated retinal detachment in nine patients. US disclosed retinal detachment in two more cases. US has an important role in the depiction of uveal melanomas and associated retinal detachment. It also appears to be more sensitive than MRI in detecting retinal detachment in patients with orbital uveal melanomas.

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome: the role of MRI and review of the literature.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with congenital growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has revealed several morphological abnormalities of the hypothalamo-pituitary region which include hypoplasia of the anterior pituitary lobe, the absence or marked thinning of the pituitary stalk and ectopia of the posterior pituitary lobe (EPP). This triad of abnormalities is called pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS). Our study reports the imaging findings of 23 patients with idiopathic GHD and short stature who were examined by MRI. The majority of the patients had abnormal MR studies with findings indicating the presence of the pituitary stalk syndrome. The high correlation between the clinical profile and the MR findings in cases of pituitary dysfunction (most often GHD), defines the significant role of MRI as additional tool for the diagnosis of pituitary hormone deficiency.

Tuberculous orchitis US and MRI findings. Correlation with histopathological findings.

Tuberculosis of the testis is a rare disease. Although Ultrasound (US) findings of tuberculous epididymo-orchitis have been well described, there are only few reported cases describing the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) findings of this disease. Herein, we describe the US and MR findings in a patient with tuberculous orchitis of the left testis and correlate them with the histopathological findings. In our case, the MR findings differ from previous studies because granulomatous areas in the testis had intermediate to high signal intensity on T2WI, while in all studies granulomatous areas in tuberculous epididymo-orchitis demonstrated invariably low signal intensity.

Endotracheal and tracheostomy tube-related complications: imaging with three-dimensional spiral computed tomography.

AIM: To present our experience from the use of three-dimensional (3D) spiral computed tomography (CT) reconstructions for the detection of endotracheal and tracheostomy tube-related complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CT-scans of thirteen patients who were subjected to spiral computed tomography for the evaluation of possible tracheal complications due to the use of endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes were retrospectively studied. In each case, a spiral scan of the airways from the larynx to the main bronchi was performed. Axial images were reconstructed with the use of the following three-dimensional visualization methods: volume rendering (VR), tissue transition projection (TTP), shaded surface display (SSD) and virtual endoscopy (VE). Detected complications were subdivided into acute and late, according to the time of appearance (during presence of tracheal tube or after its removal, respectively). RESULTS: Six patients showed acute complications (wrong placement of the tube with compression of tracheal wall in three cases, perforation of tracheal wall in two cases, tracheal stenosis in one case). Seven patients showed late complications (tracheal stenosis in all cases). Three-dimensional reformatted images contributed significantly to the detection of both acute complications (position of tube in relation to tracheal wall), and late complications (number, position, length and degree of stenoses), providing a non-invasive evaluation of the outer tracheal wall and tracheal lumen. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional spiral CT reconstructions are a valuable adjunct of transverse images for the evaluation of trachea in cases of suspected tracheal tube-related complications.

Evaluation of popliteal arteries with CT angiography in popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Popliteal artery entrapment is an uncommon clinical entity that occurs due to compression of the popliteal artery by adjacent muscle and tendinous structures. Early diagnosis should be established through a combined approach of careful physical examination and history-taking, duplex ultrasonography, and CT angiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied retrospectively 16 patients of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, 9 men and 7 women. All patients were scanned with a scanner Picker PQ 5000 after bolus injection of nonionic contrast medium and they all underwent a two-part examination first, with the knee in a neutral position, and, second, with the knee hyperextended. RESULTS: At the second phase of the examination 3 patients showed normal findings, 10 patients have shown mild stenosis of the popliteal artery or more severe stenosis due to compression, 2 patients have exhibited bilateral stenosis and 1 patient has also showed popliteal venous compression. CONCLUSION: CT angiography images and three-dimensional images are useful not only for depiction of the arterial changes but also identification of the abnormal anatomic structures responsible for the entrapment.

Sonographic evaluation of epignathus.

Epignathus is extremely rare form of teratoid tumor arising from the palate or pharynx in the region of basisphenoid (Rathke's pouch), filling the buccal cavity and protruding from the mouth. This tumor usually causes death in neonatal life because of its location and because surgical removal is often impossible. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis is important for genetic counseling, obstetric management and in some cases neonatal surgery. We present a case of epignathus originating from the hard palate in a female child delivered at gestational week 33 by caesarian section due to increasing hydramniosis.

Removal of a large stone growing around and encasing a plastic biliary stent: respect the ductal axis.

Plastic biliary stents are commonly used during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP). The main indication for biliary stenting is benign or malignant obstruction. Plastic stents, among others, can be used as an escape route in patients with large common bile duct stones, or in cases of acute cholangitis with or without sphincterotomy to provide drainage until definitive treatment. Stent occlusion is the main disadvantage, limiting their patency to around 3 months, after which replacement is recommended. We present a case of a large, close to 2cm, stone developing around and encasing the proximal end of a plastic biliary stent. The stent/stone complex was successfully removed en bloc. The stent was placed in the common bile duct without sphincterotomy, and remained in situ for 2 years. The presented case highlights the importance of definitive treatment for common bile duct stones, the need to respect the ductal axis especially when dealing with large stones and the significance of biliary sphincterotomy during endoscopic interventions in the bile duct.

Imaging findings of cavernous sinus hemangiomas. A report of two cases.

Extra-axial cavernous sinus hemangiomas are rare and account for less than 1% of parasellar tumors. These lesions have characteristic radiological features but the differential diagnosis from parasellar meningiomas and schwannomas can be difficult. Preoperative diagnosis is important due to the risk of severe intraoperative bleeding and the complex neurovascular structures of the cavernous sinus. We describe two cases of cavernous sinus hemangiomas and review the imaging findings of these lesions.

Craniosynostosis : correlation with cranial vault shape and osseous defects.

This study assessed the value of three-dimensional CT (3D CT) in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis, and correlated the cranial deformity with the presence of osseous defects in cranial vault's bones. One hundred and two children (55♀ and 47♂) with a clinical suspicion of craniosynostosis, underwent spiral computed tomography with 3D reconstruction using the shaded surface display (SSD) and volume rendering (VR) algorithms. We evaluated the presence of osseous defects in cranial bones in correlation with the type of craniosynostosis and the shape of the cranial vault. 3D CT allowed the evaluation of craniosynostosis in all patients. All patients had combined forms of craniosynostosis. Osseous defects in the bones of cranial vault were found in 56 patients of whom nine had scaphocephaly, eight plagiocephaly and one trigonocephaly. CT of the skull with three-dimensional reconstruction can safely and reliably identify craniosynostoses in children and could be used for the identification of osseous defects in the cranial vault.

Enhancement of virchow-robin spaces. An MRI evaluation.

Virchow-Robin spaces are enclosed spaces filled with interstitial fluid and covered with pia that accompany arteries, arterioles, veins and venules as they perforate the brain. They are round, linear or punctuate areas depending on the image that parallel cerebrospinal fluid attenuation or signal intensity. They are classically described as isointense to cerebrospinal fluid on images obtained with all pulse sequences. They appear hypointense relative to brain on T1-weighted MR scans and present a high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR scans. They also show complete signal suppression on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) scans and no enhancement after intravenous contrast administration. However, many pathologic states result in abnormal dilation with an increased number of Virchow-Robin spaces visible on MRI imaging and many pathological conditions cause the spaces to enhance. The purpose of this study is to present the major causes of Virchow-Robin enhancement.

CT guided percutaneous adrenal biopsy for lesions with equivocal findings in chemical shift MR imaging.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of CT guided adrenal biopsy in patients with equivocal MR chemical shift imaging findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty seven patients, 32 with history of malignancy and 25 without history of malignancy, 30 men and 27 women (33-82 years, mean age:58.8 years), with equivocal findings in chemical shift MR imaging, were subjected to CT guided percutaneous adrenal biopsy. RESULTS: From the 57 lesions that were sent for histopathological evaluation, 31 proved to be metastases (54.4%), 20 adenomas (35.1%), 3 cortical carcinomas (5.3%), 1 benign pheochromocytoma (1.8%) and 2 samples were non diagnostic(3.5%). In oncology patients metastases were found in 28/32 of the patients (87.5%) and adenomas in 3/32 (9.4%), while in patients without history of malignancy, metastases were found in 3/25 of the patients (12%) and adenomas in 17/25 (68%). CONCLUSION: CT guided percutaneous adrenal biopsy is a safe and accurate method for a definite diagnosis of adrenal lesions. Since most adrenal lesions are benign, dedicated adrenal imaging is necessary for choosing which of them have to be further evaluated by biopsy. Chemical shift adrenal imaging alone seems to be a reliable method and can be used alternatively to CT enhancement washout technique for selecting which lesions are suspicious of malignancy and have to be investigated with biopsy, especially in cases where iodine contrast media is contraindicated.