Portal Annular Pancreas: A Rare and Overlooked Anomaly.

BACKGROUND: Portal annular pancreas is a rare pancreatic developmental anomaly which is often overlooked at imaging, and often diagnosed retrospectively when it is detected incidentally at the time of surgery. Although the anomaly itself is asymptomatic, it becomes important in cases where pancreatic resection/anastomosis is planned, because of varying ductal anatomy, risk of ductal injury and increased risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula formation. CASE REPORT: We present imaging findings in a case of portal annular pancreas in a 45-year-old male patient. CONCLUSIONS: Portal annular pancreas is a rare and often neglected pancreatic anomaly due to a lack of awareness of this entity. With the advent of MDCT and MRI, accurate preoperative diagnosis of this condition is possible.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Depiction of Robert's Uterus: A Rare Müllerian Duct Anomaly Presenting with Cyclical Pain in Young Menstruating Woman.

BACKGROUND: Robert's uterus is a very rare müllerian duct anomaly which is characterised by septate uterus with obstruction of a one-sided cavity and formation of hematometra. Therefore, patients present with cyclical abdominal pain during menstruation along with normal menstrual flow. CASE REPORT: We present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a case of Robert's uterus in a young woman. CONCLUSIONS: Robert's uterus is a very rare anomaly which can be very well characterized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI can also show any associated hematometra and endometriomas complicating this condition and aid in the institution of appropriate management in such cases.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with hypothyroidism presenting at a rural tertiary care centre in north India.

Apart from its association with metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been thought to be linked with other endocrine and metabolic disorders. Recent data suggest that hypothyroidism may be a significant risk factor for development and progression of NAFLD. The present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of NAFLD in patients with hypothyroidism presenting to a rural tertiary care centre in north India. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made on the basis of radiological findings and derangement of liver enzymes. Our findings showed that ultrasonographic evidence of fatty liver as well as increase in the serum transaminase level above normal range were significantly higher in hypothyroidism patients as compared with controls. On multivariate regression analysis of the patients' data, the presence of hypothyroidism was independently associated with risk of NAFLD. We therefore conclude that hypothyroidism is a significant independent risk factor.

Adult medulloblastoma mimicking Lhermitte-Duclos disease: can diffusion weighted imaging help?

Lhermitte-Duclos disease, also known as dysplastic cerebellar gangliocytoma, is a rare cerebellar benign tumor with characteristic appearance of thickened cerebellar folia giving a laminated or striated appearance, quite diagnostic of the condition. We had seen a patient with medulloblastoma with imaging findings suspicious for thickened cerebellar folia reminiscent of Lhermitte-Duclos disease. However, it showed patchy contrast enhancement and restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging, which are not typically associated with Lhermitte-Duclos disease. Presence of restricted diffusion proved to be a useful diagnostic feature for differentiation between the two lesions. This patient highlights the importance of obtaining all the MR imaging sequences in suspected Lhermitte-Duclos disease and histological diagnosis if there is doubt.

Acute post traumatic portal venous thrombosis associated with shattered spleen: A case report.

Post-traumatic portal venous thrombosis is a rare event, and is usually seen in association with penetrating injuries. Portal venous thrombosis following blunt abdominal trauma is extremely rare with only few reports in the literature, some associated with underlying coagulation disorders. We report multidetector computed tomography findings in a case of blunt abdominal trauma with otherwise normal coagulation profile, which showed shattered spleen and MDCT evidence of acute thrombosis in the right branch of the portal vein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented report of acute portal venous thrombosis in association with shattered spleen.

Chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of benign from malignant vertebral collapse in a rural tertiary care hospital in North India.

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of the first choice for evaluation of vertebral compression/collapse. Many MRI qualitative features help to differentiate benign from malignant collapse. We conducted this study to look for a quantitative difference in chemical shift values in benign and malignant collapse using dual-echo gradient echo in-phase/out-phase imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI examinations of a total of 38 patients were retrospectively included in the study who had vertebral compression/collapse with marrow edema in which final diagnosis was available at the time of imaging/follow-up. Signal intensity value in the region of abnormal marrow signal and adjacent normal vertebra was measured on in phase/out phase images. Signal intensity ratio (SIR) was measured by dividing signal intensity value on opposite phase images to that on in phase images. SIR was compared in normal vertebrae and benign and malignant vertebral collapse. RESULTS: There were 21 males and 17 females with mean age of 52.4 years (range 28-76 years). Out of total 38 patients, 18 were of benign vertebral collapse and 20 of malignant vertebral collapse. SIR in normal vertebrae was 0.30 ± 0.14, 0.67 ± 0.18 in benign vertebral collapse, and 1.20 ± 0.27 in malignant vertebral collapse with significant difference in SIR of normal vertebrae versus benign collapse (P < 0.01) and in benign collapse versus malignant collapse (P < 0.01). Assuming a cutoff of <0.95 for benign collapse and ≥0.95 for malignant collapse, chemical shift imaging had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 94.4%. CONCLUSION: Chemical shift imaging is a rapid and useful sequence in differentiating benign from malignant vertebral collapse with good specificity and sensitivity.

Spectrum of MDCT Findings in Bowel Obstruction in a Tertiary Care Rural Hospital in Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) provides clinically and surgically important information in bowel obstruction. It can depict the severity, level and cause of obstruction. AIM: To depict the spectrum of MDCT findings in cases of small and large bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast enhanced MDCT examination of 50 patients were retrospectively included in the study who had evidence of clinical as well as MDCT evidence of bowel obstruction and in whom surgical/clinical follow-up for final diagnosis was available. CT scan was done in all the patients with Ingenuity CT (128 slice MDCT, Philips Medical Systems). The axial sections were reconstructed in coronal and sagital planes to determine site and cause of bowel obstruction. RESULTS: There were 34 males and 16 females patients in this study with mean age of 28.4 years. The level of obstruction was in small bowel in 39 patients (76.67%) and large bowel in 11 patients (23.33%). Adhesive bands were the cause of Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) in 17 patients (43.5% of SBO patients). The most common CT signs in adhesive band SBO were beak sign (seen in 70.6% patients) and fat notch sign (52.9% patients). Five cases of SBO were secondary to benign stricture. Matted adhesions were the cause of obstruction in 3 patients. All these patients showed transition zone in pelvis with positive small bowel faeces sign. Two patients with SBO due to adhesive band had evidence of closed loop obstruction with evidence of gangrenous gut on surgery. Large Bowel Obstruction (LBO) was seen in 11 patients. Most common cause of LBO was primary colonic malignancy, accounting for 7 patients (63.6%). In one patient, the cause was direct invasion of hepatic flexure by carcinoma of gall bladder. Other causes of LBO were pelvic adhesions, faecal impaction and ischaemic stricture. CONCLUSION: SBO is more common than LBO with adhesive bands being the most common cause of SBO. MDCT is very useful for depicting site and cause of obstruction and any associated complications.

Ultrasonographic Examination of Peripheral Nerves in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetes has been a major problem in India. Its slow growth is associated with many complications, most common being peripheral neuropathy. An easy and cheap investigation to diagnose the neuropathy may help in early diagnosis and decrease the economic burden on the society. The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography (USG) in the evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).METHODSFifty adult diabetic patients with clinically diagnosed DPN and 50 diabetics without DPN were included in the study. USG of the medial, ulnar, and common peroneal nerves was done. The mean cross-sectional area (CSA) of the involved nerves was measured in the two groups at identical positions. The CSA was compared between the two groups, and Student t-test was applied to assess statistical significance.RESULTSThe mean thickness of median nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at 5 cms proximal to wrist (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 11.12 ± 1.56, p<0.0001); was significantly less at mid-forearm (6.84 ± 0.77 vs 10.36 ± 1.72, p<0.0001); and was significantly less at elbow (7.36 ± 0.75 vs 10.2 ± 1.64, p<0.0001). The mean thickness of ulnar nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at wrist joint (6.98 ± 0.89 vs 8.44 ± 1.34, p<0.0001); and was significantly less behind medial epicondyle (7.44 ± 0.93 vs 9.36 ± 0.98, p<0.0001). The mean thickness of common peroneal nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at neck of fibula (7.26 ± 1.34 vs 9.3 ± 1.67, P<0.0001); and the mean thickness of posterior tibial nerve was also significantly less at 5 cms above medial malleolus (7.06 ± 1.25 vs 9.16 ± 1.61, P<0.0001). There was a significant increase in the CSA of the median, ulnar, posterior tibial and common peroneal, in DPN patients as compared to diabetics without DPN (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONSUSG demonstrates a morphological change in patients with DPN in the form of an increase in CSAs, which was statistically significant. USG can objectively complement other diagnostic investigations such as nerve conduction studies. High resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves has the potential to become the investigation of first choice for the evaluation of DPN.

Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with Subcortical Cysts.

Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy is a rare entity which was first described by Van Der Knaap et al in 1995.[1] It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slow progression of mental deterioration. Megalencephaly sets in early in the disease usually in first year and can be more than 4 standard deviation above the mean. Seizures are present in almost all the patients. [2] We present typical MRI findings in a case of megalencephalic leukodystrophy with sub-cortical cysts.Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with sub-cortical cysts is a rare entity that presents with macrocephaly and seizures. Mental deterioration is often mild with slow progression. Macrocephaly may be present at birth or develops in first year. Typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings help to clinch the diagnosis.

MDCT Findings in Focal Fat Infarction of Appendage of Falciform Ligament- An Unusual Cause of Epigastric Pain.

The pathophysiology and clinical course of focal fat infarction of appendage of falciform ligament is similar to other acute fat infarction abdominal conditions like omental infarction and epiploic appendagitis in that it presents with acute abdominal pain and responds well to conservative treatment. Importance of radiological diagnosis is to avoid unnecessary surgery.[1] Torsion and focal fat infarction of appendage of falciform ligament is an extremely rare condition which presents with acute abdomen. It can mimic other serious abdominal conditions which require urgent surgical intervention. It is important to be aware of its computed tomography (CT) findings so as to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. We present CT findings in case of focal fat infarction of appendage of falciform ligament in a young male who presented with acute epigastric pain.

Ring like Enhancement in Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumour (DNET)

DNET is a low grade cortical neoplasm which closely resembles cortical dysplasia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is usually non-enhancing but can show some enhancement on about one third of case. Rarely enhancement can be ring like and when the mass is large in size, it can cause considerable diagnostic problem from higher grade gliomas. However, age of the patient and associated features like calcification, lack of mass effect and long duration of symptoms should assist in reaching the correct diagnosis. Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNET) is low grade cortical glioma which is most commonly seen in temporal lobe. It is usually a non-enhancing tumour but sometimes it can show enhancement and occasionally it can be ring like, which can cause diagnostic confusion with higher grade gliomas. We report a case of DNET which showed ring like enhancement of post contrast images.

Traumatic Mesenteric Tear with Right Adrenal Haematoma and Partial Thrombosis of Inferior Vena Cava- A Rare Association

Post-traumatic isolated mesenteric tear with associated small bowel gangrene is a rare event after blunt abdominal trauma and has been reported previously in literature. [1] Post-traumatic thrombosis of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a very rare event with only isolated case reported in literature. [2] We report a rare case of mesenteric tear with segmental small bowel infarction. There was also right adrenal gland haematoma with associated thrombosis of right adrenal vein, which was extending into inferior vena cava causing its partial thrombosis. Post blunt trauma focal mesenteric tear and segmental small bowel gangrene is a rare event. Posttraumatic right adrenal haematoma is well described in literature while traumatic inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is exceedingly rare. We report a rare case showing association of focal mesenteric tear with segmental small bowel gangrene and associated right adrenal haematoma with adrenal vein haematoma extending into IVC causing its partial thrombosis. To the best of our knowledge, such unusual association has not been reported previously in literature.

Presacral Ancient Schwannoma in a Middle-Aged Man- A Rare Entity,

Schwannomas are benign tumours arising from neoplastic transformation of Schwann cells around the nerve fibres. Tumours situated deeply like in retroperitoneum or pelvis are usually asymptomatic and may not be detected. Such long standing tumours may undergo extensive degenerative changes giving rise to ancient schwannomas.[1] Ancient schwannoma is an uncommon variant of schwannomas characterized by extensive degenerative changes and hypocellular areas. Presacral ancient schwannomas are rare and most of the reported cases are in females. We describe computed tomography (CT) findings in a case of presacral ancient schwannoma in a 49 year old male patient.

Magnetic resonance imaging depiction of acquired Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome with crossed cerebro-cerebellar diaschisis: Report of two cases.

Acquired Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome, also known as hemispheric atrophy, is characterized by loss of volume of one cerebral hemisphere from an insult in early life. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis refers to dysfunction/atrophy of cerebellar hemisphere which is secondary to contralateral supratentorial insult. We describe magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of acquired Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome with crossed cerebro-cerebellar diaschisis.

Additional merit of coronal STIR imaging for MR imaging of lumbar spine.

INTRODUCTION: Back pain is a common clinical problem and is the frequent complaint for referral of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Coronal short tau inversion recovery sequence (STIR) can provide diagnostically significant information in small percentage of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI examinations of a total of 350 patients were retrospectively included in the study. MR sequences were evaluated in two settings. One radiologist evaluated sagittal and axial images only, while another radiologist evaluated all sequences, including coronal STIR sequence. After recording the diagnoses, we compared the MRI findings in two subsets of patients to evaluate additional merit of coronal STIR imaging. RESULTS: With addition of coronal STIR imaging, significant findings were observed in 24 subjects (6.8%). Twenty-one of these subjects were considered to be normal on other sequences and in three subjects diagnosis was changed with the addition of coronal STIR. Additional diagnoses on STIR included sacroiliitis, sacroiliac joint degenerative disease, sacral stress/insufficiency fracture/Looser's zones, muscular sprain and atypical appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Coronal STIR imaging can provide additional diagnoses in a small percentage of patients presenting for lumbar spine MRI for back pain. Therefore, it should be included in the routine protocol for MR imaging of lumbar spine.

Role of MRI Evaluation in Knee Injuries

Knee is a major weight bearing and largest joint that provides mobility and stability during physical activities as well as balance while standing. Due to its wide range of functions it is exposed to forces beyond its physiological range, and thus bone and soft tissue of knee are at risk of injuries. We wanted to study MRI appearances of cruciate ligaments and meniscal tears in cases of knee injuries and correlate the MRI findings of knee injury with clinical observations/other radiological investigations/ arthroscopic findings. We also wanted to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of MRI in detecting knee injuries taking arthroscopy as gold standard (wherever performed).METHODSThis prospective diagnostic descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, MMDU, Mullana, among 100 patients presenting with knee injuries referred to Department of Radiodiagnosis for MR imaging. MR scans were carried out on 1.5 tesla MR machine Achieva (by Phillips Medical System) and studies were performed with the sense extremity coil. Arthroscopic knee surgery was performed in 39 patients. MR findings were correlated with clinical and arthroscopic findings wherever possible.RESULTSMR diagnosis of 100 cases was as follows: in ACL tear 50%; PCL tear 19%; MCL tear 17%; LCL tear 16%; MM tear 49%; LM tear 31%; Sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV and accuracy of MRI in detecting the knee injuries taking arthroscopy as gold standard are as follows ACL- 100%, 90.9%, 100%, 96.5% and 97.4 %; lateral meniscus-100%, 94.5%, 100%, 50% and 94.8%; medial meniscus 90.4%, 66.7%, 85.7%, 76% and 79.5% respectively. Correlation between MRI and arthroscopic findings regarding presence and absence of posterior cruciate ligament tear was highest with sensitivity -100%, specificity- 94.5%, NPV- 100% and accuracy-94.8%, There were 6 false positives for meniscus tear on MR examinations accounting for low positive predictive value (72%) of MR examination. Posterior horn tears of menisci are likely to be missed on arthroscopy. Out of 6 false positive cases of meniscus tear, 4 were located predominately in the posterior horn and 2 in the anterior horn. Thus, acceptance of MRI findings as false positive is controversial.CONCLUSIONSMRI is a useful non-invasive modality having high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and negative predictive value making it a very reliable screening test for diagnosis of internal derangements of knee joint. Thus, MRI saves many knees from unnecessary arthroscopies.