Comparison of helical CT and MR imaging in detecting and staging small pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: To compare the value of helical computed tomography (CT) and various pulse sequences of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the detection and staging of small pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Small pancreatic adenocarcinomas (< or = 2 cm in diameter) in eight patients were evaluated with both helical CT and MR imaging. Five MR imaging pulse sequences that included fat-suppressed T1-weighted images and dynamic study using fast multiplanar spoiled gradient-recalled technique were compared for the tumor detectability.

Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy by retrograde transcaval coil embolization of an ileal vein-to-right gonadal vein portosystemic shunt.

A 43-year-old non-cirrhotic woman suffered from encephalopathy caused by an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt between the ileal vein and inferior vena cava via the right gonadal vein. Percutaneous transcatheter embolization with stainless steel coils was performed by the retrograde systemic venous approach. Encephalopathy improved dramatically.

Small hepatocellular carcinoma on magnetic resonance imaging. Relation of signal intensity to angiographic and clinicopathologic findings.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors discuss the clinicopathologic features and angiographic vascularity of various signal intensity patterns on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Methods: Magnetic resonance images of 88 resected HCCs (< or = 3 cm) were obtained using T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images and T1-weighted images after gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA administration. Images were compared with angiographic and histopathologic findings.

MR imaging of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: value of contrast-enhanced dynamic study.

To clarify the role of MR imaging of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), MR images of 11 patients with 13 FNH were retrospectively reviewed. MR imaging with T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences was performed for all lesions. Dynamic studies using the SPGR technique followed by postcontrast delayed T1-weighted images were performed in four patients with five lesions.

MR signal intensity changes in hepatic parenchyma with ductal dilation caused by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

MR images of the liver in 13 patients with surgically proven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were reviewed retrospectively and correlated to the histologic analysis of surgical specimens. We paid special attention to the peripheral liver tissue with ductal dilation but without tumorous involvement. High signal intensity was observed in the hepatic parenchyma with ductal dilation on T1-weighted spin-echo images (8 of 12) and spoiled gradient-recalled echo images (seven of seven), as compared with the contralateral hepatic lobe without duct dilation.

Efficacy of helical CT in T-staging of gastric cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of helical CT in preoperative T-staging in patients with gastric cancer.

Method: A total of 71 patients with an established diagnosis of gastric cancer [75 lesions, 46 early (T1) and 29 advanced (T2 or more) cancers] were evaluated with helical CT. Helical CT was performed with 5-mm slice thickness at 5-mm/s table incrementation.

Wedge-shaped lesion in the liver seen on postoperative CT. Probable thromboembolic phenomenon in the portal venous system.

Purpose: To demonstrate CT findings of a wedge-shaped lesion (WSL) in the liver following abdominopelvic surgery and to determine the etiology and incidence of WSL.

Material And Methods: Retrospective review of teaching files in our institution revealed 18 cases showing postoperative WSL in the liver. We also retrospectively reviewed CT images of the liver in 104 patients with a recent history of abdominopelvic surgery performed during a period of 12 months, as well as in 102 patients with no history of surgery during the same period to be used as control.

Retroperitoneal granular cell tumor. Computed tomography findings with 5-year follow-up.

We describe the computed tomography (CT) appearance of an unusual, large retroperitoneal granular cell tumor and provide a 5-year follow-up. The tumor occurred in association with multiple, smaller, subcutaneous granular cell tumors. The CT findings were nonspecific, but the scans delineated the extent of the lesion and its relationship to adjacent vessels well.

Primary malignant lymphoma in the porta hepatis: a case report.

A case of primary lymphoma in the porta hepatis is presented here. Cholangiography, angiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography suggested the presence of a mass in the porta hepatis, but all these failed to demonstrate the tumor clearly. Magnetic resonance imaging was very useful in defining the characteristics of the tumor and in delineating its extent, though it was not specifically diagnostic.

MR prediction of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures.

We reviewed spinal MR images of 58 patients with 98 compressed vertebrae. Benign (47 vertebrae) or malignant (51 vertebrae) etiology was established by biopsy or radiologic follow-up. Compressed vertebrae were analyzed for presence and characteristics of signal abnormality, altered vertebral contour, Schmorl's nodes, pedicular involvement, and contrast uptake.

CT diagnosis of pleural dissemination without pleural effusion in primary lung cancer.

We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of 25 primary lung cancers with disseminated pleural nodules or minimal malignant pleural effusions that were not recognized preoperatively. Special attention was devoted to abutting interlobar fissures, thick major fissures, and disseminated nodules on the chest wall, the diaphragm, and in the interlobar fissures. Among 10 primary tumors abutting interlobar fissures, nine (90%) had at least one of these findings.

Computed tomographic findings of Bellini duct carcinoma of the kidney.

Objective: To analyze CT findings of Bellini duct carcinoma, a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: The CT findings of five cases of Bellini duct carcinoma were reviewed and the findings were recorded.

Results: In all cases the affected kidneys maintained the normal outer contours.

Temporary spontaneous regression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

A 34-yr-old man with a liver mass was referred to the hospital. The mass showed temporary spontaneous regression during the follow-up, however, subsequent regrowth of the tumor prompted surgical resection. The specimen revealed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with two distinct components which had been clearly demonstrated on serial CT.

Inflammatory pseudotumors of the spleen: CT and MRI findings.

Objective: Our goal was to elucidate the CT and MRI findings of inflammatory pseudotumors of the spleen.

Methods: The CT and MRI findings of three patients with inflammatory pseudotumors of the spleen were reviewed and compared with the pathologic findings.

Results: On the early phase of CT, the masses were hypodense to the normal spleen, and on the delayed phase, they demonstrated delayed enhancement.

Small hepatocellular carcinomas undetected on two-phased incremental computed tomography. Angiographic and clinicopathologic findings.

Rationale And Objectives: To elucidate the characteristic clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) undetected on two-phased incremental computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Computed tomographic scans of 115 surgically resected small (< or = 3 cm) HCCs from 83 patients were performed 45 seconds and 6 minutes after the administration of contrast material. These scans were compared with corresponding angiographic and histopathologic findings.

Hepatic arterial infusion of recombinant platelet factor-4 suppresses metastases to the lungs from tumors implanted into the livers of rabbits.

Background: This study evaluated the toxicity (Part I) and antitumor effects (Part II) associated with hepatic arterial infusion of recombinant platelet factor-4 (rPF4), an antiangiogenic protein.

Methods: Healthy rabbits (Part I) and rabbits with tumors implanted in their livers (Part II) received saline or rPF4 via hepatic arterial infusion. Three saline-receiving and four rPF4-receiving animals died 2-3 days postinfusion from gastroduodenal thromboembolism.

Unsuppressed fat in the right anterior diaphragmatic region on fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR images.

The authors retrospectively evaluated magnetic resonance images of the abdomen obtained in 52 consecutive patients. All cases included fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted images acquired with a frequency-selective fat saturation technique. All imaging was performed with a 1.

Pathways of nodal metastasis from pelvic tumors: CT demonstration.

Although the normal pathways of lymphatic drainage from the pelvic organs have been well described in the anatomy literature, the pathways of nodal metastasis from individual pelvic neoplasms are not well illustrated in the imaging literature. The authors retrospectively reviewed computed tomographic scans of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with various pelvic neoplasms, including those of the ovary, testis, prostate, cervix, bladder, anorectum, and other sites, to define the pathways of nodal metastasis. In most patients, pathways of nodal metastasis correlated well with the normal lymphatic pathways described in the anatomy literature, including the superficial inguinal pathway; the anterior, lateral, hypogastric, and presacral routes of the pelvic pathway; and the paraaortic pathway.

[A quality control for the culture system using endotoxin assays in human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer].

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of endotoxin on human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers (IVF-ET) and to evaluate a quality control system for a culture medium using endotoxin assays. Before the final water purification (in an ultra-pure water system with a depyrogen filter) of the medium, the sources of water were pre-purified as follows; (I) distillation-->deionization x 2, (II) distillation-->ultra-pure water system or (III) reverse osmosis system. The limulus amebocyte lysate gelation tests (sensitivities of 0.

Intrahepatic splenosis mimicking a liver tumor.

A rare case of ectopic splenic tissue in the liver is presented which mimicked a liver tumor. It is considered that some splenic tissue was seeded in the liver during the splenectomy that the patient underwent 23 years ago. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiographic features of this lesion were almost indistinguishable from those of other liver tumors.

Multiple intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts: treatment by portal vein embolization.

A rare case of symptomatic, multiple, intrahepatic, portosystemic venous shunts which was treated by portal vein embolization after surgical cannulation is reported. The patient, having suffered from hepatic encephalopathy, improved dramatically after embolization. This method might be the only choice of therapy for intrahepatic portosystemic shunts of this kind.

Computed tomography of ileoileocolic intussusception caused by a lipoma.

A case of ileoileocolic intussusception caused by an ileal lipoma is presented, in which CT revealed the characteristic double layer of mesenteric fat and a lipoma as the leading mass.

Single tuberculous stricture in the jejunum: report of 2 cases.

Intestinal tuberculosis is now considered rare. It usually involves the ileocecal region and often produces multiple ulcers in the small intestine. This is a report of 2 patients who presented with a single tuberculous stricture in the jejunum, an exceedingly rare manifestation of this disease.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa of the duodenum mimicking a duodenal cancer.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa of peculiar shape and located in the duodenum bore a close resemblance to superficial ulcerating cancer. Radiographic survey showed a flexible lesion with a mucosal pattern resembling area gastrica. Endoscopy revealed its color to be indistinguishable from that of the normal duodenal mucosa.

Plasmacytoma of the pancreatic head.

Plasmacytomas of the pancreas are extremely rare. This is a report of a patient with plasmacytoma of the head of the pancreas who also had an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the epipharynx 19 months earlier. Computed tomographic (CT) scans revealed a multilobular homogeneous mass in the pancreas.