Correction: Splenomegaly in Colon Cancer During Adjuvant Oxaliplatin-based Chemotherapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7230.].

Splenomegaly in Colon Cancer During Adjuvant Oxaliplatin-based Chemotherapy.

Introduction Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment in stage III colon cancer. Oxaliplatin may cause sinusoidal damage and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) in the liver. Clinical reflections of SOS are splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of splenomegaly development in patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and thrombocytopenia incidence rates related to this condition.  Materials and methods Files of 50 patients having received fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) regimen for stage 3 colon cancer between 2015 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Spleen volumes (SV) of the patients were calculated using pre-and post-chemotherapy tomographic examinations. A 50% increase in the SV after chemotherapy (SV ≥1.5 change) was accepted as chemotherapy-associated splenomegaly. The patients were divided into two groups as having or not having splenomegaly after chemotherapy. Complete blood count was evaluated prior to each treatment cycle, and on the third month of treatment, termination was used for thrombocyte values.  Results Splenomegaly was determined in 50% of the patients. Cumulative oxaliplatin dosage was found higher in those who developed splenomegaly (p = 0.003). Chemotherapy dose reduction was higher in patients who did not develop splenomegaly (p = 0.015). Thrombocytopenia was confirmed higher in patients who developed splenomegaly compared to those who did not (p = 0.047). Lower thrombocyte counts were found in the complete blood count of the patients having developed splenomegaly which was performed during and 3 months after chemotherapy when compared to those that did not develop splenomegaly (p-values, respectively, as 0.005, 0.038). Upon multivariate logistic regression analysis, cumulative oxaliplatin dose was the single independent factor related to splenomegaly (OR: 7.55 (1.90-31.61); p = 0.004). Conclusion Thrombocytopenia was confirmed to be higher in colon cancer patients receiving adjuvant mFOLFOX6 and developing splenomegaly during the post-treatment period. Moreover, splenomegaly was shown to be associated with the cumulative oxaliplatin doses received. Thrombocytopenia seen in patients receiving oxaliplatin for colon cancer should be a warning in terms of splenomegaly and SOS development.

Vertebrobasilar system computed tomographic angiography in central vertigo.

The incidence of vertigo in the population is 20% to 30% and one-fourth of the cases are related to central causes. The aim of this study was to evaluate computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings of the vertebrobasilar system in central vertigo without stroke.CTA and magnetic resonance images of patients with vertigo were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred twenty-nine patients suspected of having central vertigo according to history, physical examination, and otological and neurological tests without signs of infarction on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were included in the study. The control group included 120 patients with similar vascular disease risk factors but without vertigo. Vertebral and basilar artery diameters, hypoplasias, exit-site variations of vertebral artery, vertebrobasilar tortuosity, and stenosis of ≥50% detected on CTA were recorded for all patients. Independent-samples t test was used in variables with normal distribution, and Mann-Whitney U test in non-normal distribution. The difference of categorical variable distribution according to groups was analyzed with χ and/or Fisher exact test.Vertebral artery hypoplasia and ≥50% stenosis were seen more often in the vertigo group (P = 0.000, <0.001). Overall 78 (60.5%) vertigo patients had ≥50% stenosis, 54 (69.2%) had stenosis at V1 segment, 9 (11.5%) at V2 segment, 2 (2.5%) at V3 segment, and 13 (16.6%) at V4 segment. Both vertigo and control groups had similar basilar artery hypoplasia and ≥50% stenosis rates (P = 0.800, >0.05).CTA may be helpful to clarify the association between abnormal CTA findings of vertebral arteries and central vertigo.This article reveals the opportunity to diagnose posterior circulation abnormalities causing central vertigo with a feasible method such as CTA.

Functional evaluation of secondary renal amyloidosis with diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) can be used to diagnose secondary renal amyloidosis looking specifically at the diagnostic efficacy of two apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement methods as they were used with DW-MRI. METHODS: The study included 24 amyloid nephropathy (AN) patients, 20 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and 20 healthy volunteers (HV). ADC values were measured using two different methods: 1) the method of the region of interest indicators (ROIs) and 2) the method of drawing whole renal parenchyma (WP). The correlation between the two methods was evaluated. RESULTS: ROIs could differentiate AN-CKD (p = 0.007). ROIs and WP could differentiate AN-HV (p < 0.05). However, none of the methods could differentiate CKD-HV (p > 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the ROIs method in differentiating AN from CKD patients for 1.8 × 10(-3) cutoff ADC values were 79% and 60% and for AN-HV patients 79% and 70%. ADC values of AN patients with GFR > 60 mL/min were lower than that of HV (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DW-MRI is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool in diagnosing secondary renal amyloidosis and differentiating renal amyloidosis from other CKDs. ROIs had the highest sensitivity and specificity for assessing the involvement of renal amyloidosis. MRI diagnosis of AN may obviate a renal biopsy for diagnosis.

A rare coronary artery anomaly: origin of all three coronary arteries from the right sinus of valsalva.

Left anterior descending (LAD) artery and left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery originating separately from the right sinus of valsalva is exceptionally rare and very few cases have been reported in the literature. Congenital coronary artery anomalies are generally incidental, uncommon, and asymptomatic. Some can cause severe potentially life-threatening symptoms such as myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death. The aberrant vessels that pass between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk pose a risk of sudden cardiac death, particularly if the vessel supplies the left coronary artery network. The electrocardiographically gated multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) allows accurate and non-invasive depiction of coronary artery anomalies including origin, course, and termination. We report here a rare case of all three coronary arteries separately originating from the right coronary sinus, which was detected with MDCT.

Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Life-Threatening Complication of Liver Transplantation.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious complication following liver transplantation. A 50-year-old male patient with ulcerative colitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and end-stage liver disease underwent right lobe transplantation from a living donor. The patient was hospitalized because of impairment in liver function tests and massive pretibial edema three months after surgery. In color Doppler ultrasound and multidetector computed tomography, a pseudoaneurysm with peripheral large thrombus was detected at the anastomosis site extending anterior to the hepatic artery. The patient died as a result of unstable hemodynamic conditions.

Assessment of planimetric mitral valve area using 16-row multidetector computed tomography in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (TTE) is currently the 'gold standard' for the evaluation of rheumatic mitral valve disease. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a promising technique for the evaluation of heart valves. The study aim was to evaluate the planimetry of the mitral valve area (MVA) with 16-row MDCT in comparison with TTE, in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. METHODS: Twenty-six patients (18 females, eight males; mean age 41.7 +/- 8.7 years) with rheumatic mitral valve disease, who had been referred for 16-row MDCT for various indications, such as evaluation of the coronary arteries, assessment of pulmonary vein anatomy before catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, suspicion of aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism, were recruited. All patients were in sinus rhythm. The MDCT acquisition was performed using a 16-row scanner. Echocardiographic planimetry of MVA was performed in the standard parasternal short-axis view within one week. RESULTS: Planimetry of the MVA with MDCT did not differ from that with TTE (1.88 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.83 +/- 0.50 cm2, p = 0.242), and there was an excellent correlation between two techniques (r = 0.923, p < 0.0001). Seven patients had calcific mitral valves (mean calcium score 216.8 +/- 783.8 Agatston units). In these patients, MVA measured by MDCT was 1.73 +/- 0.39 cm2 and by TTE planimetry was 1.72 +/- 0.54 cm2 (p = 0.866; r = 0.963, p = 0.0005). When using the pressure half-time (PHT) method, the MVA was obtained in 24 of the 26 patients. MVA by PHT did not differ from the MVA calculated by TTE planimetry, nor from that obtained with MDCT planimetry (1.79 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.81 +/- 0.51 cm2, p = 0.427 and 1.79 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.86 +/- 0.48 cm2, p = 0.101, respectively). The correlation coefficient for the MDCT-derived MVA and PHT-derived MVA was 0.8969 (p < 0.0001). Although not statistically significant, in nine patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MVA < 1.5 cm2), the MDCT tended to overestimate MVA compared to echo planimetry (1.35 +/- 0.19 cm2 versus 1.28 +/- 0.21 cm2, p = 0.059). CONCLUSION: MDCT enabled accurate planimetry of the MVA in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, in comparison with TTE.

Left internal carotid artery agenesis associated with basilar and left vertebral artery aneurysm.

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare congenital anomaly. Most of the patients are asymptomatic and it is usually discovered incidentally by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is close association of the cranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage with ICA agenesis. We present a case of a 61-year-old male with left ICA agenesis associated with basilar artery and left vertebral artery aneurysms. The patient complained of headaches and numbness on the right-side of the face. Physical examination showed high blood pressure (210/90 mmHg). Neurological examination revealed nystagmus and decreased sensation on the right-side of the face. Agenesis of left ICA, left carotid canal with basilar and left vertebral artery aneurysms were demonstrated incidentally using CT, MRI, and digital subtraction angiography, as a part of an evaluation for suspected cerebrovascular accident.

Assessment of global left ventricular systolic function with multidetector CT and 2D echocardiography: a comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at multidetector CT.

PURPOSE: To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DE) for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF); and to make comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at MDCT in left ventricular analysis by using a semiautomated segmentation algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 43 patients global left ventricular systolic function was assessed by using both MDCT and 2DE. Functional MDCT data sets were reconstructed in 20 cardiac phases (0-95%) with both 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness.With semi-automatic left ventricle segmentation, end-diastolic volume (EDV), endsystolic volume (ESV) and EF were calculated seperately for both 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions. RESULTS: On MDCT with 1-mm slice thickness, mean EF was 66.8 +/- 5.6 %, mean EDV was 133.7 +/- 38.9 mL, and mean ESV was 45.1 +/- 17.9 mL, these values for 2-mm slice thickness were 66.2 +/- 5.6 %, 133.5 +/- 39.6 mL, and 45.9 +/- 18.3 mL, respectively. On 2DE, mean EF was 66.7 +/- 5.7 %, mean EDV was 98.7 +/- 42.1 mL, and mean ESV was 33.6 +/- 18.7 mL. There was no difference between EF values calculated with 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions and 2DE (P = 0.83 and P = 0.3705, respectively). However, EDV and ESV values calculated by MDCT were significantly higher than those obtained by 2DE (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There was a good correlation between MDCT and 2DE in the evaluation of left ventricular EF. At MDCT left ventricular ESV was statistically smaller, EF was statistically greater by using 1-mm rather than 2-mm slice thickness. However, these differences are not clinically relevant.

Compatibility of different methods for the measurement of visceral fat in different body mass index strata.

PURPOSE: Obesity, particularly visceral obesity, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, cardiovascular risk should be determined by evaluating visceral fat tissue not only in obese individuals but also in non-obese individuals. We aimed to evaluate the comparison of visceral fat tissue measurement methods with computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred four participants, 19 to 58 years of age (21 males, 83 females) were enrolled in this study. Participants underwent anthropometric evaluation, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), ultrasonography (US), and CT examinations on the same day. RESULTS: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 31.2 +/- 8.7 kg/m2 (73 individuals [70.2%] had BMI > or =30, and 31 individuals [29.8%] had BMI < 30). The non-obese group (BMI < 30) that showed the best correlation coefficient values were for visceral fat area (VFA) by BIA in all participants, males and women (r = 0.902, P < 0.001; r = 0.994, P < 0.001; r = 0.645, P = 0.01, respectively); in case of BMI > or =30 the best correlation coefficient values were for VFA by BIA (r = 0.774, P < 0.001) for all participants, and visceral fat thickness by US for males (r = 0.851, P < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.786, P < 0.001) for females. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis, the methods best reflecting VFA by CT were as follows: In subjects with BMI < 25, BIA correlated best with CT measures of VFA; while in subjects with BMI > 30 waist-to-hip ratio showed the best correlation with CT measures of VFA. The method best reflecting VFA by CT was visceral thickness by US in males; and the method best reflecting VFA by CT in females was visceral thickness by US, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric measurements and visceral fat tissue measurement methods such as US and BIA exhibit differences with respect to compliance with CT results in visceral fat tissue measurements by gender and BMI levels.

Vertebral artery insult at the transverse foramina by gun shot wounds: report of two cases.

The vertebral artery (VA) is well protected through its course at the cervical transverse foramina and penetrating injuries of VA are mostly caused by gun shot wounds. The mechanism of injury in these wounds is described as the kinetic energy transferred by the bullet, which always depends on its mass and speed. Thus, the size of the pellet is the most important factor for the tissue damage, shock waves and direct injury. Civilian gun shot wounds are generally caused by low velocity firearms, In this report, we described two cases with cervical gunshot wound characterized with transverse foramina damage and VA insult. The first patient was assaulted by bullet that resulted in vertebral artery occlusion, whereas a smaller pellet was found in the second one and arterial flow was not influenced on the site of the damaged transverse foramina. Successful management of these injuries should include careful analysis of the bullet characteristics that is directly related to the intensity of damage.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas.

Developmental anomalies of the pancreas have been reported but dorsal pancreatic agenesis is an extremely rare entity. We report an asymptomatic 62-year-old woman with complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a normal pancreatic head, but pancreatic body and tail were not visualized. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were similar to CT. At magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), the major pancreatic duct was short and the dorsal pancreatic duct was not visualized. The final diagnosis was dorsal pancreatic agenesis.

Tortuous internal carotid artery narrowing pyriform sinus: two cases.

An elongation of the internal carotid artery should be classified as a tortuosity or a kink. Tortuosity of the carotid artery is rarely seen in otolaryngologic practice. In videolaryngoscopic examination, bilateral pyriform sinus narrowing was found in one patient and unilateral pyriform sinus narrowing in the other patient. Computed tomographic scans showed tortuous internal carotid artery in both patients. Awareness of the possible internal carotid artery tortuosity is very important to prevent serious complications during laryngeal and pharyngeal surgical procedures.

Microdebrider for reduction of inferior turbinate: evaluation of effectiveness by computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The microdebrider has been widely used in rhinologic surgery in the last few years, and there are reports on its use for inferior turbinate reduction. Computed tomography (CT) is commonly employed to show the reduction in the inferior turbinate after surgery; however, measurements on the scans are rarely made. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: A tertiary research and training hospital. METHODS: We investigated the effectiveness of microdebrider reduction in inferior turbinate hypertrophy in 12 turbinates of 9 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean bone thicknesses were measured in CT in the anterior and middle portions of the inferior turbinates as an objective parameter. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale scores for symptoms and endoscopic grading of the inferior turbinates were also used. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, visual analogue scale scores for nasal obstruction decreased significantly. Endoscopic grading revealed that the inferior turbinates were significantly smaller in the postoperative period. Postoperative mean bone thicknesses measured in CT in the anterior and the middle portions of the inferior turbinates were significantly smaller than the preoperative ones; however, there was no significant difference between the measurements of the medial and lateral soft tissue thicknesses. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest microdebrider turbinate surgery as a reliable alternative method for inferior turbinate reduction, especially in case of hypertrophy of the turbinate bone. Measurement of the inferior turbinate size in paranasal CT is a useful objective method for evaluation of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy and the assessment of the surgical outcomes.

Laryngeal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: report of two cases.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem autoimmune disorder. Joint and skin involvements are the most frequent presenting features. Laryngeal involvement, however, is extremely rare. Symptoms of laryngeal involvement may range from mild hoarseness to life-threatening respiratory distress. In this article, 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and laryngeal involvement are presented. The first patient had hoarseness and noisy respiration, and the second had cough and respiratory distress. Otorhinolaryngological examination revealed laryngeal inflammation in both. Our cases responded well to systemic corticosteroids. Patients with symptoms such as hoarseness, foreign body sensation in throat, and respiratory distress should be evaluated by an otorhinolaryngologist to rule out involvement of the laryngeal structures.

Isolated pericardial hydatid cyst in an asymptomatic patient: a remark on its radiologic diagnosis.

Cardiac hydatid cyst disease is uncommon, representing approximately 0.2% to 2% of all cyst-related cases. Cardiac hydatid cysts are found mostly within the myocardium. Most cardiac hydatid cysts are located in the interventricular septum or in the left ventricular wall. Only few cases of pericardial location have been reported; isolated pericardial hydatid cysts are especially extremely rare. Patients with a cardiac hydatid cyst are usually asymptomatic. We present the case of an asymptomatic patient with isolated pericardial hydatid cyst disease and discuss the role of chest X-rays in the incidental diagnosis of this condition.