A Rare Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Spleen: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare, solid, potentially malignant lesions of uncertain etiology. Histologically, IMTs exhibit a combination of lymphocytes and inflammatory cells within a fibroblastic myxoid layer. The diagnosis of IMTs poses a challenge for various medical specialties, including surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists, due to their non-specific clinical presentation. Furthermore, radiologists face difficulties in interpreting computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, which often yield polymorphic and inconclusive findings. Ultimately, histopathologists play a crucial role in reaching a definitive diagnosis based on the tumor's histological characteristics. They are detected in every system of the human body, most commonly in the lungs. Here, we report an uncommon occurrence of IMT in the spleen of a patient with nonspecific abdominal pain. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old Caucasian female presented to Konstantopouleio General Hospital of Nea Ionia, Athens, Greece, with abdominal pain and discomfort. The patient had no significant medical history and normal laboratory tests. An abdominal CT revealed a large mass in the spleen. A splenectomy was performed. Histopathological analysis of the tumor revealed IMTS. CONCLUSION: Splenic IMT is a rare benign tumor with moderate malignant potential. It lacks a distinct clinical presentation and is typically identified either incidentally or during the examination of abdominal pain.

Parastomal Gallbladder Herniation as an Incidental Preoperative Computed Tomography Finding.

A 65-year-old woman with a long surgical history was referred to our hospital's Colorectal Unit for ileostomy management. The patient retained an ileostomy for almost a decade after a series of complicated operations she had undergone, which had several side effects such as electrolyte imbalances, high output, weight loss, and a parastomal hernia. Our hospital's colorectal surgeon proposed to replace the ileostomy with a permanent sigmoidostomy and asked for an imaging evaluation of the parastomal hernia content before the surgery. A computed tomography of the abdomen was performed using our Computed Tomography Department's 64-detector row CT scanner after oral administration of contrast media, without intravenous contrast media injection due to allergy. Concerning the parastomal ileostomal hernia, besides small bowel loops with intraluminal gastrografin, inside the parastomal hernial sac, there also was an almost rounded cystic lesion. Absence of the gallbladder at its typical position and no record of cholecystectomy raised suspicion for gallbladder projection inside the sac. Our suspicion was confirmed during the surgery. Nonexisting acute cholecystitis allowed easy reduction of the gallbladder along with the small bowel loops inside the peritoneal cavity, without proceeding to cholecystectomy at the same time. Finally, ileostomy was annulated and an end colostomy was established. Four days after the surgery, the patient was discharged from the hospital and was happy to live an almost normal life thereafter.

Renal lesions associated with autoimmune pancreatitis: CT findings.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by IgG4-positive plasma cells. Recent evidence suggests that it is a systemic disease affecting various organs. Tubulointerstitial nephritis has been reported in association with AIP. PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and types of renal involvement in patients with AIP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with no history of renal disease and a diagnosis of AIP (on the basis of histopathologic findings or a combination of characteristic imaging features, increased serum IgG4 levels, and response to steroid treatment) were included. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging and follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. CT images were reviewed for the presence of renal lesions. RESULTS: Seven patients had renal involvement (38.8%). None of the lesions was visible on non-contrast-enhanced CT scan. Parenchymal lesions appeared as multiple nodules showing decreased enhancement (four cases). Pyelonephritis, lymphoma, and metastases were considered in the differential diagnosis. An ill-defined low-attenuation mass-like lesion was found in one patient, while diffuse thickening of the renal pelvis wall was evident in the last two cases. Renal lesions regressed in all patients after steroid treatment, the larger one leaving a fibrous cortical scar. CONCLUSION: Different types of renal lesions in patients with AIP are relatively common, appearing as multiple nodules with decreased enhancement. These findings support the proposed concept of an IgG4-related systemic disease. Autoimmune disease should be suspected in cases of renal involvement in association with pancreatic focal or diffuse enlargement.

Massive Scrotal Hematoma due to Ruptured Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm in a Patient with Aortobifemoral Bypass Surgery: CTA Evaluation.

A 74-year-old male patient was presented with scrotal swelling and a pulsatile mass of the left femoro-inguinal region. His medical history included hypertension, coronary artery disease, respiratory failure, and an aortobifemoral bypass surgery performed 7 years ago. Ultrasound evaluation revealed a massive scrotal hematoma. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was conducted, confirming the aortobifemoral graft existence and revealing bilateral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms with the left one being ruptured, resulting in extension of the hematoma to the left femoro-inguinal region and the scrotum. An emergency surgery was performed, where proximal control of the left limb of the synthetic graft as well as distal control of the iliac vessels were accomplished. After the control of the hemorrhage, an iliofemoral bypass with a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 6 mm synthetic graft was placed. Unfortunately, the patient passed away during the first postoperative day due to myocardial infarction.

Evaluation of a new mammographic film: methods and considerations.

In this study the performance of a new mammographic film, the XMA (Retina), was evaluated in comparison with HT (Agfa). The comparison was made in terms of sensitometric characteristics and in terms of image quality and speed when combined with four different cassettes-HDS (Agfa), Min-R 2000 and Min-R 2190 (Kodak), and AD-MA (Fuji)-using the Leeds TOR(MAX) Mammographic Quality Control phantom. The entrance surface air kerma was calculated from exposure factors and the relative speed of each screen-film combination was determined. These tests revealed that XMA requires about 40% less dose than HT when combined with the same intensifying screen, at a penalty of less than 8% in image quality. When combined with AD-MA the XMA presents the greatest speed, whereas the Min-R 2190 is the best compromise between image quality and breast dose. The above values are indicative of the dilemma that medical physicists and radiologists face when it comes to the selection of a screen-film combination for mammography. Both image quality and breast dose should be considered, but strict instructions on what weight should be assigned to each parameter have not been established yet. Health Phys. 94(4):338-344; 2008.

Secondary extramedullary plasmacytoma of sigmoid colon in a patient with multiple myeloma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary plasmacytoma is an uncommon tumor that most often involves the nasopharynx or upper respiratory tract. Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a type of plasma cell neoplasm that can present as a primary tumor or secondary to another plasma cell neoplasm, such as multiple myeloma. Secondary extramedullary plasmacytoma is usually noted in the advanced stages of the disease. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract occurs in approximately 10% of cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old Caucasian woman with known diverticular disease of the colon and multiple myeloma diagnosed 3 years previously, with monoclonal bands of immunoglobulin A, lambda light chains, and multiple osteolytic lesions, presented to our hospital with abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and pneumoperitoneum. She underwent left colectomy for diverticulitis with perforation, and an extramedullary secondary colonic plasmacytoma was found in histopathological examination of the sigmoid colon. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmacytoma is known to occur in extraosseous sites. The stomach and small intestine are the most commonly involved sites in the gastrointestinal tract. Secondary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the colon is rare. Colonic plasmacytoma may have varying clinical presentations, such as inflammatory bowel disease and multiple colonic strictures. Although these cases are rare, treating physicians as well as radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons should be aware of this entity.

Radiopaque preventive landmarks' placement during stentless bioprosthesis implantation.

BACKGROUND: In patients with aortic stenosis, bioprosthetic valves are increasingly used. Although their benefits, they are also presenting limitations, as their time-related degeneration. Reoperation which was, until a few years ago, the only treatment for this condition, carries a significant surgical risk, especially in patients with multiple comorbidities, so the benefit of less invasive technique enabling the implantation of aortic valve prosthesis [transcatheter aortic valve-in-surgical aortic valve (TAV-in-SAV)] by a percutaneous access is remarkably important. Eligible patients are judged by a heart team, and imaging plays a key role in this selection, focusing on correct identification of bioprosthetic aortic valves type and size, evaluation of patients at increased anatomical risk for coronary artery occlusion. Radiolucency of stentless bioprosthetic valves, represent a significant challenge. METHODS: Surgical aortic valve replacements (SAVRs) with a bioprosthesis were performed using a stentless valve with no radiopaque components (Solo Smart, Sorin). The chosen method, in order to evaluate the results of the operation, was computed tomography (CT) scanning (64-slice MDCT, Brilliance, Philips). The study consisted of a thin sliced contrast electrocardiograph (ECG) gated chest CT (1 systolic cardiac phase), trying to simulate the required assessment of aortic root and the radiopaque placed markers. RESULTS: As surgical implant technique varies and may impact the relationship of the prosthetic annulus to the coronary ostia, marking the aortic annulus during the operation in order to have some useful radiopaque landmarks, is a great assistance promoting better orientation and correct identification of the position of the bioprosthetic valve. Although the implantation of metallic vascular clips at the level of aortic annulus (in any commissure or in the middle of any cups) was considered, the decision was to position three metallic clips bellow the aortic annulus in the three stiches ligated during the solo valve implantation. CONCLUSIONS: We are suggesting the preventive implantation of radiopaque landmarks, during SAVRs using tissue valves which are lacking fixed anatomic markers, as a guide for a presumptive TAV-in-SAV procedure, keeping in mind that appropriate guidance is crucial and can prevent valve misplacement, coronary obstruction and other potentially lethal complications.

Splenic abscess in a patient with fecal peritonitis.

Splenic abscess is a rare entity normally associated with underlying diseases. We report a case of splenic abscess with large gas formation in a non-diabetic and non-immunosuppressed patient after surgery for colon perforation. The most frequent cause of splenic abscess is septic embolism arising from bacterial endocarditis. Splenic abscess has a high rate of mortality when it is diagnosed late. Computed tomography resolved any diagnostic doubt, and subsequent surgery confirmed the diagnosis.

A rare case of a splenic hamartoma in a patient with a huge palpable abdominal mass: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Splenic hamartoma is a primary benign tumor of the spleen, which is often found incidentally. Splenic hamartomas are very rare, with approximately 150 cases documented in the literature to date. They represent benign vascular proliferation. Histological findings consist of disorganized stroma and vascular channels of varying width, with or without lymphoid follicles. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 39-year-old Greek woman, with no significant medical history, who was diagnosed incidentally with an enormous splenic hamartoma on computed tomography, finally confirmed by surgery and histopathology. Hamartomas are benign lesions, and it is important to differentiate them from malignancy. CONCLUSION: Hamartoma represents a rare vascular entity characterized by a cluster of differentiation 8-positive immunophenotype. It is usually asymptomatic but large hamartomas may present with symptoms such as hemopoetic disorders, which resolve after splenectomy. It is important for radiologists to be able to differentiate splenic hamartoma from malignant entities.

Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation for palliation of a painful supraclavicular soft-tissue metastasis invading the brachial plexus.

The present study describes a case of a painful supraclavicular soft-tissue metastasis of a skin melanoma invading the brachial plexus in a 38-year-old male. The patient was treated twice with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under computed tomography (CT) guidance, which caused tumoral necrosis. The patient was originally referred with a 7-cm metastasis in the right supraclavicular fossa, which caused intractable pain and a degree of numbness. These symptoms were unresponsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the pain was not controlled using narcotic analgesics. The lesion was treated with CT-guided RFA causing necrosis, relieving the pain and sparing the patient from using analgesics. The pain recurred 19 months thereafter and a CT scan revealed an 8-cm mass in the right supraclavicular space. The patient underwent repeat CT-guided RFA, which reduced the pain to a level that was controlled with minor oral analgesics. In conclusion, in this case of a painful supraclavicular soft-tissue metastasis invading the brachial plexus, which was intractable to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, RFA was feasible and offered substantial palliation of the symptoms, freedom from the use of narcotic analgesics and improvements to the quality of life.

Post-traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst with hemopneumothorax following blunt chest trauma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst is an uncommon cavitary lesion of the lung and develops after blunt chest trauma and even more rarely following penetrating injuries. It is generally seen in young adults presenting with cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. Post-traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of cavitary pulmonary lesions. We describe the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian Greek woman who sustained traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst with hemopneumothorax due to a blunt chest trauma after a traffic accident. CASE PRESENTATION: After a traffic accident, a 60-year-old Caucasian Greek woman sustained a hemopneumothorax due to a blunt chest trauma. There was evidence of an extensive contusion in the posterior and lateral segments of the right lower lobe, a finding that was attributed to an early sign of a cavitation, and the presence of a thin-walled air cavity was detected on the anterior segment of the right lower lobe in the control computed tomography taken 24 hours after admission. Our patient was treated by catheter aspiration, and the findings of computed tomography evaluation about one month later showed complete resolution of one of the two air-filled cavitary lesions. The second pseudocyst also disappeared completely, as shown by the control computed tomography scan performed six months later. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma, and computed tomography is a more valuable imaging technique than chest radiograph for early diagnosis.

The interventional radiological procedures of the infections of pancreas.

Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe form of acute pancreatitis and is related with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The close cooperation and communication, working as a team, among interventional radiologists surgeons and gastroenterologists improves the successful treatment considerably. Therapeutic modalities such as percutaneous CT-guided catheter drainage can be helpful to save lives, changing dramatically the clinical aspect of the patient. The objective of this paper is to review the indications and techniques of image-guided percutaneous treatment of pancreatic infected pseudocysts and to report our clinical experience and observations made during primary CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of infected abscesses.

Focal lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis: radiological-pathological correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate cross-sectional imaging findings with histological results in patients with histopathologically proven lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LSP) after surgery. METHODS: Four cases of resectable pancreatic lesions that were proven to represent LSP are presented in our study. All patients were thought to harbor malignancy. A detailed research in patients' records was retrospectively done concerning clinical presentation and imaging studies. RESULTS: Characteristic imaging findings consistent with fibrotic changes were evident in only one case on magnetic resonance imaging. A discrete mass was evident on imaging in 2 patients that correlated well with pathology results. In the other patients, the extent of inflammatory changes on microscopic examination correlated well with the degree of pancreatic head enlargement on imaging studies. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis is a particular form of benign inflammatory pancreatic disease that is extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Familiarization with the variable imaging findings is essential and may result in the reduction of the number of patients with LSP who undergo surgical resection.

Computed tomography versus Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis: a prospective, comparative study with statistical evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and C-reactive protein as a clinical index and computed tomography-based severity index (CTSI) in predicting the course of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: One hundred forty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were enrolled in the study during a 2-year period. All data concerning etiology, Atlanta classification, CT findings, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, C-reactive protein levels, stay in the intensive care unit, length of hospital stay, treatment, complications, and deaths were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Pearson, and Spearman statistical tests. The CT was performed on a spiral unit after intravenous administration of contrast material. Images were graded according to the Balthazar-CTSI scoring system. RESULTS: A very good correlation was noticed between Balthazar-CTSI scores and local complications, whereas no statistically significant correlation was found between CT scores and stay in the intensive care unit. Among survivors and nonsurvivors, there were no statistically significant differences as far as CT scores were concerned. CONCLUSIONS: Although the extent of necrosis as defined on contrast-enhanced CT examinations is considered as a risk factor for a negative prognosis, our findings suggest that the initially documented disease severity according only to imaging parameters is not highly important for the final patient outcome.

Patient doses from noncardiac diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures.

PURPOSE: To determine the patient doses during noncardiac diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures carried out in a dedicated angiographic unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 1,214 interventional procedures, the technique type, dose-area product (DAP), cumulative dose (CD), and fluoroscopy time were recorded. These procedures were classified into 23 categories (10 diagnostic and 13 therapeutic) that included nine to 259 patients each. For each category, descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine the characteristics of DAP, CD, and fluoroscopy time distributions. The statistical significance of the differences observed between categories in terms of DAP was assessed. RESULTS: For the 23 categories studied, the median DAP values ranged from 0.2 to 176.8 Gycm(2). In comparison with the literature, the mean and median DAP values in this study were within reported ranges for eight categories, greater for three, and less for six, whereas for the remaining six categories no relevant data were found in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this survey indicate that the techniques used by the interventionalists, the operation skills of radiation technologists, and the performance of the x-ray unit present no obvious deficiencies in terms of patient radiation protection. However, for those procedures in which lower DAP values were found in the literature, it should be further investigated whether patient doses could be reduced without degradation of the diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.

Dose reduction in CT while maintaining diagnostic confidence: diagnostic reference levels at routine head, chest, and abdominal CT--IAEA-coordinated research project.

PURPOSE: To measure radiation doses for computed tomography (CT) of the head, chest, and abdomen and compare them with the diagnostic reference levels, as part of the International Atomic Energy Agency Research coordination project. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local ethics committees of all participating institutions approved the study protocol. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. All scanners were helical single-section or multi-detector row CT systems. Six hundred thirty-three patients undergoing head (n = 97), chest (n = 243), or abdominal (n = 293) CT were included. Collected data included patient height, weight, sex, and age; tube voltage and tube current-time product settings; pitch; section thickness; number of sections; weighted or volumetric CT dose index; and dose-length product (DLP). The effective dose was also estimated and served as collective dose estimation data. RESULTS: Mean volumetric CT dose index and DLP values were below the European diagnostic reference levels: 39 mGy and 544 mGy . cm, respectively, at head CT; 9.3 mGy and 348 mGy . cm, respectively, at chest CT; and 10.4 mGy and 549 mGy . cm, respectively, at abdominal CT. Estimated effective doses were 1.2, 5.9, and 8.2 mSv, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison of CT results with diagnostic reference levels revealed the need for revisions, partly because the newer scanners have improved technology that facilitates lower patient doses.

Radiation doses to patients and cardiologists from permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation procedures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the patient and cardiologist doses during the implantation of permanent cardiac pacemakers under fluoroscopic control. METHODS: For 55 procedures concerning three different types of pacemakers (DDD, VDD, and VVI), the dose-area product (DAP) meter readings and fluoroscopy times were recorded. From these data, the dose to the operating cardiologist was estimated. RESULTS: The median values of DAP and fluoroscopy time for all the procedures monitored were 11.4 Gycm(2) and 6.6 minute, respectively. For the 22 DDD, 21 VDD, and 12 VVI pacemakers implanted, the respective DAP median values were 14.7, 9.9, and 7.3 Gycm(2) and the respective median fluoroscopy times were 8.4, 5, and 2.9 minutes. The median doses to the hands, chest, eyes, and legs of the cardiologist conducting the manipulations were estimated to 0.21, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.11 mGy, respectively, per procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the existing literature, the median DAP value of this study is almost identical to the 11.2 Gycm(2) reported from a sample of 627 patients in 17 different x-ray rooms, whereas the fluoroscopy times are within the range of values reported by other authors. Concerning the cardiologist exposure, the estimated values indicate that the implantation of pacemakers is a procedure that does not involve a severe risk, especially if it is taken into account that lead aprons and collars are routinely used.