The Specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging Indicators in Predicting Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Sinonasal Region.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the valuable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of sinonasal metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (cc-RCC), especially focusing on its dynamic-enhanced characteristics. METHODS: The conventional and dynamic-enhanced MRI findings of 8 patients with histopathologically confirmed sinonasal metastatic cc-RCC were reviewed by 2 radiologists. The control group of 8 patients with capillary hemangioma underwent the same MRI protocol. RESULTS: Metastatic cc-RCCs arose from the nasoethmoid region, maxillary sinus, posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinus, and nasal cavity in 2 patients in each. These lesions were well circumscribed and the mean maximum dimension was 42 mm. The signal intensity of these lesions was isointense to brain stem on both MR T1- and T2-weighted images. All metastatic tumors showed vivid enhancement on enhanced T1-weighted image. Multiple flow voids within these metastatic lesions were identified in 6 patients. Peripheral cyst was detected around the metastatic tumor in 4 patients. Metastatic cc-RCCs exhibited a characteristic type 4 time intensity curve (TIC) similar to that of the internal carotid artery, whereas capillary hemangiomas showed a type 3 TIC on dynamic-enhanced MRI. CONCLUSIONS: A hypervascular mass with the characteristic type 4 TIC in the sinonasal region is highly suggestive of a metastatic cc-RCC.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Schwannoma of the Sinonasal Tract.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of schwannoma of the sinonasal tract. METHODS: Eighteen patients with histopathologically confirmed sinonasal schwannoma underwent conventional MRI, and 12 had dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI studies synchronously. The morphology feature, signal intensity, enhancement degree, and time intensity curve (TIC) pattern of schwannomas were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: This entity appeared as a well-circumscribed, oval or fusiform soft tissue mass with a mean greatest diameter of 38 mm. Schwannomas exhibited isointense on T1-weighted image in 12 patients and hypointense in 6. On T2-weighted image, the lesions were heterogeneously isointense in 14 patients and hyperintense in 4. The lesions had heterogeneously moderate and marked contrast enhancement in 2 and 16, respectively. The mottled-, island-, and multicyst-like appearance were identified in 3, 4, and 11, respectively. Compared with inverted papilloma and lobular capillary hemangioma, the type I TIC is characteristic of schwannoma. CONCLUSIONS: A well-circumscribed mass displaying T2 intermediate signal intensity, marked enhancement, and type I TIC, with cystic changes, strongly suggests the diagnosis of sinonasal schwannoma.

Prognostic significance of locally invaded sites and tissue types in patients with nasal extranodal natural-killer/T-cell lymphoma: a single-center retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, is an aggressive entity within the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid tumors. The International Prognostic Index is reported to be prognostically meaningful for ENKTL, but lacks discriminatory power for stage I/II ENKTL with extensive local invasion. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effects of local invasion by site and tissue type in patients with ENKTL. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 86 patients who were diagnosed with ENKTL by the Department of Pathology of Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2002 to April 2016, and ascertained tumor infiltration of adjacent structures (AS), bone, and soft tissue for each patient, using physical findings and imaging scans. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to assess the association of each involved tissue or site with patients' overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 86 patients, 71 (82.6%) experienced invasion of AS, 22 (25.6%) of soft tissue, and 26 (30.2%) had bone involvement. Overall, patients with AS involvement did not show significantly shorter survival than those without AS involvement (Log rank χ = 1.177, P = 0.278); however, patients who had involved eyeballs or brains showed significantly lower 2-year OS rates than those without eyeball involvement (Log rank χ = 4.105, P = 0.043) or brain involvement (Log rank χ = 7.126, P = 0.008). Patients with involved local soft tissue or bones, respectively, showed lower 2-year OS rates than those without involved local soft tissue (Log rank χ = 10.390, P = 0.001) or bones (Log rank χ = 8.993, P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that involvement of the cheek or facial muscles (hazard ratio, HR = 5.471, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.466-20.416, P = 0.011) and the maxilla bone (HR = 6.120, 95% CI: 1.517-24.694, P = 0.011) were significantly independent predictors of lower 2-year OS rates. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging can accurately detect ENKTL invasion of AS, soft tissue, and bone. Involvement of local soft tissue or bone was significantly associated with lower 2-year OS rates. Involvements of the cheek or facial muscle, as well as maxilla bone, are independent predictors of lower 2-year OS rates in ENKTL patients.

MR imaging and CT features of oncocytic papilloma of the sinonasal tract with comparison to inverted papilloma.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate and compare the imaging feature of sinonasal oncocytic papilloma (OP) with inverted papilloma (IP). METHODS:: The CT and MR imaging manifestations of 17 pathology proven sinonasal OPs were reviewed and compared with 17 IPs randomly selected as a control group over the same period. RESULTS:: Seventeen sinonasal OPs had unilateral occurrence and 16 of them (94.1%) had a lobulated configuration.The distribution of original sites differed significantly between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05).OPs (47.1%) particularly involved the maxillary sinus,while IPs (64.7%) usually arose from the lateral nasal wall.OPs exhibited isointense in 5 cases and grape- or patchy-like hyperintense in 12 on T1 weighted image, and isointense in 13 and hyperintense in 4 on T2 weighted image, with moderate enhancement. 10 OPs appeared as a Type II time intensity curve (TIC).There was significant difference of pre-contrast T1 signal intensity between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05).The prevalence of the imaging findings of "focal osteitis" (11.8% vs 94.1%) and "cystic change" (94.1% vs 17.6%) differed significantly between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05), but not for "cerebriform"sign (82.4% vs 94.1%) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:: Three imaging features including high signal on T1 weighted image, cystic change and only a rare association of focal osteitis may help the diagnosis of OP distinguished from IP. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: The typical imaging characteristics should prompt an accurate diagnosis of sinonasal OPs in routine clinical practice. Combination of CT and MR imaging characteristics can be more helpful in discriminating OPs from IPs.

Preoperative assessment of stapes implantations of the vibrant SoundBridge for congenital aural atresia patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to retrospectively analyze the imaging characteristics of patients with congenital aural atresia who underwent Vibrant Soundbridge implantation, and to investigate the importance of preoperative evaluation of vibroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 16 patients with bilateral congenital aural atresia aged 6-25 years (mean age, 14.7 years). All patients underwent Vibrant Soundbridge implantations. RESULTS: Among the 16 patients, 15 successfully underwent stapes implantation. The average height of the stapes of these 15 patients was 2.93 mm, which was significantly different from that of the control group with normal hearing (p ≤ .001). The average distance between the tympanic segment of the facial nerve and the stapes was 1.41 mm in patients in whom the oval window was occluded by the displaced facial nerve. In the non-occluded group, the average distance was 2.00 mm. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = .08). CONCLUSION: The distance between the facial nerve and stapes, as well as the height of the stapes, could be important predictors of successful stapes implantation of Vibrant Soundbridge.

An imaging study of the facial nerve canal in congenital aural atresia.

We conducted a prospective study to investigate the abnormalities of the facial nerve canal in patients with congenital aural atresia by computed tomography (CT). Our study population was made up of 99 patients--68 males and 31 females, aged 6 to 22 years (mean: 13.5)--who had unilateral congenital aural atresia without any inner ear malformations. We compared our findings in these patients with those in 50 controls-33 males and 17 females, aged 5 to 22 years (mean: 15.0)-who had normal ears. We classified the congenital aural atresia patients into three groups (A, B, and C) according to their Jahrsdoerfer grading scale score (≥8; 6 or 7; and ≤5, respectively). The course of the facial nerve canal in both the controls and the study patients was determined by temporal bone CT with multiplanar reconstruction. The distances from different parts of the facial nerve canal to surrounding structures were also measured. The course of the facial nerve canal in the normal ears did not vary much, and there were no statistically significant differences according to head side and sex. In groups B and C, the tympanic segment, mastoid segment, and angle of the second genu of the facial nerve canal were all significantly smaller than those of the controls (p < 0.01 in all cases). Statistically, the tympanic segment of the facial nerve canal in patients with congenital aural atresia was downwardly displaced. The mastoid segment of the facial nerve canal in these patients was more anterior than that of the controls. We conclude that congenital aural atresia is often accompanied by abnormalities of the facial nerve canal, especially in the tympanic segment, the mastoid segment, and the second genu. We found that the lower the Jahrsdoerfer score was, the shorter the tympanic segment was and the more forward the mastoid segment was.