Imaging pearls and differential diagnosis of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: Emphasis on computed tomography.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a severe peritoneal fibrotic reaction most frequently identified as a complication of peritoneal dialysis. EPS is a complex condition whose management requires multidisciplinary input from radiologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, surgeons, and dietitians. EPS carries significant morbidity and mortality, primarily due to bowel obstruction that results in intestinal failure, malnutrition, and sepsis. The nondialysis causes of EPS include tuberculous peritonitis, prior abdominal surgery, beta-blocker medication use, and endometriosis. The clinical symptoms of EPS are nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, all of which appear to be associated with bowel obstruction. The diagnosis of EPS needs three pillars to be met: clinical features, radiological evaluation, and histopathological analysis. The disease is frequently progressive and can be fatal. Computed tomography is the gold standard imaging modality for the detection of peritoneal abnormalities and encapsulation of bowel loops by thick adhesions or fibrosis (cocooning). Computed tomography also aids in making a differential diagnosis. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of EPS is often delayed because clinical findings are not specific and may resemble other peritoneal diseases. Radiologists should be familiar with the clinical impacts and related imaging features of EPS and realize when to seek them to facilitate timely and proper treatment.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Focus on the Anoperineal Location.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving apocrine-bearing sites. It is characterized by recurrent painful nodules and abscesses that potentially rupture, resulting in sinus tract formation, fistulas, and scarring. HS tends to be found in the intertriginous areas (i.e., the axillary, inguinal, and perianal areas of the body). HS may be uncommon for radiologists because its diagnosis is usually based on clinical assessment. However, diagnosis based solely on clinical manifestations can underestimate the severity of HS. Ultrasonography and MRI play a critical adjunct role in determining the severity and extent of the disease and greatly aid its management. Given that MRI is an effective imaging tool, its role in the analysis of severe and anogenital HS lesions merits considerable attention. Unfortunately, anoperineal HS imposes diagnostic dilemmas. It has multiple symptoms and presentations and often mimics other diseases in the intertriginous areas. Therefore, a thorough understanding of HS is essential to avoid delayed diagnoses. This review highlights the typical MRI imaging features and staging of HS, emphasizing on the anoperineal location. The review also differentiates the disease from mimics to facilitate the prompt delivery of appropriate treatment and improve patients' quality of life.

Comprehensive review of acute small bowel ischemia: CT imaging findings, pearls, and pitfalls.

Acute small bowel ischemia is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate due to its lack of specific symptoms and laboratory profile, which render difficulty in establishing early diagnosis. The etiology of acute small bowel ischemia includes occlusive forms (arterial embolism, arterial thrombosis, and venous thrombosis) and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, of which arterial causes are far more common than venous causes. CT, the mainstay of accurate diagnoses, allows the identification of the features of vascular abnormalities and intestinal ischemic injuries, and helps clinicians to restore intestinal blood flow. Without treatment, the prognosis for acute small bowel ischemia is poor. A high index of suspicion and familiarity with the CT spectral findings of bowel ischemia are required to ensure rapid recognition of this condition.

Drug-induced bowel complications and toxicities: imaging findings and pearls.

The use of diverse types of drugs can result in a variety of acute and chronic complications that affect almost any organ. The bowel is one of the organs impacted by the side effects of medications. Imaging frequently plays a crucial role in the detection and characterization of complications occurring in the bowel. They include pseudomembranous colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis; angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy; cocaine toxicity; clozapine-induced hypomobility; and bowel toxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents. It is imperative that radiologists are fully aware of these complications and toxicities as well as the relevant findings. In this way, proper treatment can be implemented immediately. The treatment will involve discontinuation of a drug or a change in regimen.

Imaging of complications following treatment with assisted reproductive technology: keep on your radar at each step.

Since the advent of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the utilization of ART procedures has become increasingly popular among women seeking to establish pregnancy. Radiologists are therefore likely to encounter the various complications of ART therapy. The most common is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; others are multiple, ectopic, and heterotopic pregnancies. Ultrasonography is considered the initial modality to investigate ART complications, However, nonspecific symptoms might need the use of an additional imaging modality, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, as a problem-solving tool. This article briefly discusses the steps involved in assisted reproduction. Its aim is to help radiologists become familiarized with the multimodality imaging features of the spectrum of ART-related complications. Their key imaging features and differential considerations are emphasized. This will facilitate the provision of precise and timely diagnoses, and aid the avoidance of fatal consequences.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Step-by-Step Approach.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is an abnormal placental adherence or invasion of the myometrium or extrauterine structures. As PAS is primarily staged and managed surgically, imaging can only guide and facilitate diagnosis. But, imaging can aid in preparations for surgical complexity in some cases of PAS. Ultrasound remains the imaging modality of choice; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for evaluation of areas difficult to visualize on ultrasound, and the assessment of the extent of placenta accreta. Numerous MRI features of PAS have been described, including dark intraplacental bands, placental bulge, and placental heterogeneity. Failure to diagnose PAS carries a risk of massive hemorrhage and surgical complications. This article describes a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to diagnostic imaging and its potential pitfalls.

Diagnostic clues, pitfalls, and imaging characteristics of '-celes' that arise in abdominal and pelvic structures.

'-Celes' is an ancient Greek language suffix that means 'tumor,' 'hernia,' 'swelling,' or 'cavity.' There are many '-celes' in the abdomen and pelvis that may be encountered during routine imaging interpretation, including santorinicele, choledochocele, ureterocele, lymphocele, mucocele, rectocele, cystocele, peritoneocele, varicocele, spermatocele, hydrocele, hematocele, pyocele and syringocele. Most '-celes' are detected incidentally at imaging for other clinical indications, but some deserve more attention due to a range of clinical symptoms or functional disorder that can adversely affect patient quality of life. The objective of this article was to address all of the '-celes' that a general radiologist and abdominal radiologist should know and be able to recognize. Imaging characteristics, diagnostic clues, and pitfalls have been provided to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

CT and MR features that can help to differentiate between focal chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis of a focal pancreatic mass in routine clinical practice can be a challenge because patients with chronic pancreatitis may present with symptoms and imaging findings that can be difficult to distinguish from pancreatic cancer. Markers, such as cancer antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen, are helpful if abnormal, but normal values do not rule out pancreatic cancer. One of the strongest complicating factors is that chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Transition of chronic pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, but it normally has a poor prognosis because diagnosis is often delayed. From a radiologic diagnosis perspective, the classic so-called double-duct sign is helpful. This sign is considered a hallmark sign of pancreatic cancer on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, but it can also be identified in patients with chronic pancreatitis or with other conditions. A number of additional imaging findings or signs are, therefore, necessary. The aim of this article was to describe the strong CT and MR imaging features or integrated imaging features that can help to differentiate between pancreatic cancer and focal chronic pancreatitis.

Imaging features of unusual lesions and complications associated with ovarian mature cystic teratoma.

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is a common neoplasm of the ovary that typically contains mature tissues of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal origin. This tumor tends to affect younger women, its presentation ranges from pure cystic mass to complex solid cystic mass, and the detection of intratumoral fat component is the key diagnostic imaging feature. MCT can be associated with various complications and it demonstrates a wide spectrum of imaging findings. Associated complications include rupture, torsion, malignant transformation, and gliomatosis peritonei. MCT may also have unusual imaging features that can lead to misdiagnosis. These features may expand the differential diagnosis to include immature teratoma, monodermal teratoma, mature cystic teratoma with minimal or no fat, and collision tumor. The aim of this article was to highlight and describe the imaging features of unusual ovarian MCT lesions, and the complications associated with ovarian MCT.

Pitfalls in MRI of rectal cancer: What radiologists need to know and avoid.

Preoperative staging of rectal cancer using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important component of clinical management. Although MRI is the modality of choice for rectal cancer diagnosis and staging, there are certain inherent potential pitfalls that radiologists need to recognize in order to avoid imaging misinterpretation, including choice of MRI protocol; choice of MRI technique; potential mimickers of rectal cancer; mucinous rectal tumor; differentiation between extramural tumor invasion and desmoplastic reaction; differentiation between low rectal cancer and anal cancer; problems relating to nodal involvement, peritoneal reflection, and mesorectal fascia invasion; and, challenges associated with restaging, post-treatment changes, and complications. The aim of this article was to heighten radiologist awareness of these potential pitfalls in order to improve diagnosis, decision-making, and patient outcomes.

Imaging features of vascular compression in abdomen: Fantasy, phenomenon, or true syndrome.

Vascular structures in the abdomen can compress or be compressed by adjacent structures. Classic imaging findings of vascular compressions, including median arcuate ligament syndrome, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, nutcracker syndrome, portal biliopathy, May-Thurner syndrome, and ureteropelvic junction obstruction will be discussed here. It is important to correlate imaging findings and clinical data to identify asymptomatic vascular compression which requires no treatment, intermittent vascular compression with nonspecific or vague clinical manifestation, and the subset of patients with true syndromes who will benefit from treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging in tubal and non-tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the first trimester. Ectopic pregnancy is usually diagnosed by clinical, laboratory, and sonographic findings, with implantation most commonly located in the ampullary part of the fallopian tube. However, pregnancies that develop at unusual implantation sites, such as angular, interstitial, cornual, cervical, ovarian, cesarean scar, and abdominal cavity pregnancies, may rarely occur. Although ultrasound is considered the primary pregnancy-related imaging modality, it may not be able to illustrate the implantation site in certain types of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained popularity as an imaging tool for evaluating pregnant patients, and it is used as a problem-solving tool in special circumstances, including ectopic pregnancy. MRI can confirm abnormal implantation site, and distinguish rupture from nonrupture cases before management. Other benefits include absence of ionizing radiation, superb soft tissue contrast, and sensitivity sufficient for identifying hemorrhage and its stages. This article summarizes imaging findings in tubal and non-tubal ectopic pregnancy with an emphasis on the roles and protocols of MRI, key MRI features, and differential diagnosis.

Imaging spectrum of nonneoplastic duodenal diseases.

The duodenum is a short segment of the bowel that is frequently overlooked on radiologic examination. This unique portion occupies both intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal locations, with proximity to many visceral organs, including pancreas, stomach, aorta, and liver. This close proximity creates a differentiation challenge for the radiologist. Duodenal pathologies are categorized into neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions. Majority of radiologists are familiar with duodenal neoplasm. However, duodenal involvement by a multitude of nonneoplastic conditions can be encountered. The majority of related radiology studies have concentrated on neoplasms of the duodenum-either primary or secondary. However, a broad range of nonneoplastic conditions merit discussion. In this review, multimodality imaging features of nonneoplastic duodenal diseases are discussed and emphasized. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the frequent imaging features of nonneoplastic diseases of the duodenum, with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis so that the patient who will benefit from treatment can be identified.

Many faces of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a true diverticulum containing all layers of the intestinal wall and identified as a saccular, blind-ending structure located on the antimesenteric border of the distal ileum. Most patients remain asymptomatic during their lifetime. Symptomatic cases are nonspecific and can present as small-bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, and rarely, a neoplasm. Therefore, the radiological diagnosis is of paramount important for proper patient management.

Imaging of congenital pancreatic lesions: emphasis on key imaging features.

Congenital pancreatic lesions are relatively uncommon, but they are frequently encountered during radiologic examination as an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients. However, some of these entities may produce symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and gastric outlet obstruction. This article reviews normal pancreatic anatomy, imaging findings of congenital pancreatic lesions, including congenital pancreatic anomalies, congenital pancreatic ductal variants, pancreatic contour variants, congenital pancreatic cysts, and mimics of pancreatic lesions with emphasis on key imaging features.