Unilateral Hydronephrosis and Hydroureter by Foreign Body in Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

Foreign bodies inserted through the urethra are often found in the urinary bladder. We presently report the first case of hydronephrosis and hydroureter due to direct compression in the urinary bladder by silicon, which had been introduced by the patient himself 2 yr prior to presentation with severe right flank pain. Computed tomography indicated a convoluted, high-attenuation mass in the urinary bladder; unilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter were also present due to direct compression by the mass. The foreign body was removed using a cystoscope. This foreign body was proven to be silicon.

Indirect Inguinal Hernia Containing the Uterus, Both Ovaries, and Fallopian Tubes in an Infant: A Case Report

In female infants, an inguinal hernia containing an ovary with or without Fallopian tubes is not uncommon. However, an inguinal hernia containing the entire uterus and both ovaries is extremely rare. Herein, we report on a case of an inguinal hernia containing the uterus, both ovaries, and both Fallopian tubes, diagnosed by ultrasonography. We discuss the case and review the relevant literature.

The Treatment of a Giant Mediastinal Bronchial Artery Aneurysm by Transarterial Coil Embolization: A Case Report

Cases of bronchial artery aneurysms (BAAs) are rare; to the best of our knowledge, only 50 cases have been reported in the literature to date. BAAs require optimal treatment due to the possibility of life-threatening hemorrhaging if the aneurysm was to rupture. BAAs are usually treated by surgical resection of the aneurysmal artery. However, when the patient is unstable due to massive or recurrent hemoptysis, a bronchial artery embolization is a useful alternative treatment method. We report a case of a giant mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm that was treated by coil embolization.

A Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation with Intact Pulmonary Vascularities

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare pulmonary disease. It is thought to represent the abnormal proliferation of immature alveoli and other mesenchymal components secondary to abrupt halting of terminal alveolus formation after 16 weeks of gestation. Radiographic parameters such as size, number, and content are variable. On grayscale ultrasound, anechoic, thin-walled cysts are usually noted in pleural or cardiodiaphragmatic locations. To our knowledge, there has been no report of a CCAM showing normal pulmonary vascularities. We report a case of CCAM with normal pulmonary vascularities found within the hypodense lesions on dynamic chest CT.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Considerations for the Safe Procedures / 신경중재치료의학

Percutaneous vertebroplasty, injection of bone cement into the vertebral body, is a very effective interventional technique to improve the pain intractable to the conservative treatment and to achieve the structural augmentation for the vertebral body fractures. The procedure has been widely performed to manage osteoporotic and other vertebral fractures because the technique is known as simple and low-risk. This review is about the several aspects of the percutaneous vertebroplasty for the sake of safe and effective procedure.

Computed Tomographic Appearance of the Anterior Diaphragm: Evaluation with 64-slice MDCT

PURPOSE: To re-evaluate the appearance of the anterior diaphragm by the use of MDCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 81 consecutive patients that underwent chest CT by using 64 channel MDCT. We classified the anterior diaphragm as three types (types 1-3) based on 5 mm axial scans: a line behind the xiphoid, a discontinuity and opening anteriorly, and the presence of broad and poorly defined bands. We also classified the anterior diaphragm as three types (types A-C) using 2 mm sagittal reformation images, based on the shape of the anterior diaphragmatic fibers traveling from the base of the pericardium to the xiphoid: a downward slope, an upward slope, and a flat shape, and compared the two groups using a correlation determined by statistical analysis. RESULTS: We could classify the appearance of the anterior diaphragm for all cases on the axial scans and sagittal reformation images. The number of types 1, 2, 3 on the axial scans was 30.9%, 38.3%, and 30.9% and the number of types A, B, C on the sagittal reformation images was 33.3%, 22.2%, and 44.4%, respectively. Type A was seen for 92% of type 1 cases, type C was seen for 88% of type 3 cases, and type B was seen for 54.8% of type 2 cases. The types seen between the axial and sagittal reformation images showed a significant agreement (r=0.868, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The shape of the anterior diaphragm correlated with the relationship between the base of the pericardium and the xiphoid.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Presenting with a Posterior Neck Mass: A Case Report

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a rare disorder that is characterized by recurrent chronic skin infections and the formation of sinus tracts and considerable scaring. A 37-year-old man presented with a hard posterior neck mass. Multiple pus-producing sinuses were detected in the skin covering the mass. MRI demonstrated an ill-defined, soft tissue mass with multiple variable sized cystic lesions. The soft tissue mass measured 12x10x4 cm in the subcutaneous fat layer, it contained multifocal cystic lesions that revealed higher signal intensity on both the T1- and T2-weighted images, as compared with the adjacent neck muscles. The mass was not enhanced on the post-contrast T1 weighted images. Some of the cystic lesions extended to the skin. The mass was removed surgically and confirmed to be hidradenitis suppurativa.

Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules: Sonographic Analysis and a New Scoring System

PURPOSE: To analyze the synthetically created sonographic features of thyroid nodules, we present here a new scoring system for the sonographic features that are suggestive of malignant thyroid nodules. We also evaluated the accuracy and clinical significance of this system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we included 725 thyroid nodules of 405 patients that were pathologically proven by USG-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or surgery. Two radiologists analyzed the sonographic features according to the internal content, margin, echogenecity, shape and calcification. We scored from 0 point to 2 point for each feature, and then we calculated the total scores and classified them as three groups according to the total score such as low risk (0-3), intermediate risk (4-6) or high risk (7-10). We demonstrated the difference of the frequency and the positive predictive value among the three groups by using the Chi-square test (p<0.005). RESULTS: For 725 nodules, 654 (90.2%) were benign and 71 (9.8%) were malignant. For 589 nodules classified as low risk, 10 (1.7%) were malignant. For 102 nodules classified as intermediate risk, 32 (31.4%) were malignant. For 34 nodules classified as high risk, 29 (85.8%) were malignant. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency and positive predictive value of malignancy among the three groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency and positive predictive value of malignancy among the three groups for the new scoring system presented in this study to analyze the synthetically sonographic features of thyroid nodules. So, we think that sonography can be helpful for making the differentiation between benign and malignant nodules. When we find thyroid nodules on sonography, we can reduce the unnecessary FNAB and we can diagnose malignant nodules at an earlier stage.

A Case of Primary Pancreatic T-cell Lymphoma

Primary pancreatic lymphoma is a rare extranodal manifestation of any histopathologic subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that predominantly involves the pancreas, and it comprises less than 0.5% of all pancreatic malignancies. Histopathologically, most primary pancreatic lymphomas are the B-cell phenotypes, and T-cell lymphomas are extremely rare. We describe here the ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) findings of a pathologically confirmed pancreatic T-cell lymphoma in a 37-year-old female patient. Ultrasonography showed diffuse pancreatic enlargement and a slightly bulging mass in the head and tail of pancreas that had markedly heterogeneous echogeneity. The lesion abutted onto the adjacent vessels, but there was no evidence of luminal narrowing or obstruction. The CT scan showed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and the bulging contoured mass at the pancreatic head and tail with inhomogeneous enhancement, including multiple hypodense areas. It also showed the patent peripancreatic vessels and multiple LN enlargements around the pancreas.

A Case of Primary Pancreatic T-cell Lymphoma

Primary pancreatic lymphoma is a rare extranodal manifestation of any histopathologic subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that predominantly involves the pancreas, and it comprises less than 0.5% of all pancreatic malignancies. Histopathologically, most primary pancreatic lymphomas are the B-cell phenotypes, and T-cell lymphomas are extremely rare. We describe here the ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) findings of a pathologically confirmed pancreatic T-cell lymphoma in a 37-year-old female patient. Ultrasonography showed diffuse pancreatic enlargement and a slightly bulging mass in the head and tail of pancreas that had markedly heterogeneous echogeneity. The lesion abutted onto the adjacent vessels, but there was no evidence of luminal narrowing or obstruction. The CT scan showed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and the bulging contoured mass at the pancreatic head and tail with inhomogeneous enhancement, including multiple hypodense areas. It also showed the patent peripancreatic vessels and multiple LN enlargements around the pancreas.

Anatomic Landmarks of Fluoroscopy Guided Puncture of the Pulseless Femoral Artery

PURPOSE: We wanted to improve puncturing the pulseless femoral artery by evaluating the anatomic landmarks that suggest the course of the femoral artery on fluoroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 37 hemipelvis spot images that were centered on the arterial sheath after puncture of the femoral artery. The inguinal angles were measured between the inguinal line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine and the symphysis pubis, and the line of the arterial sheath. Inguinal ligament ratios were measured as the distance from the symphysis pubis to the arterial sheath to the length of the inguinal ligament on the inguinal line. The femoral head ratios were measured as the distance from the medial margin of the femur head to the arterial sheath to the transverse length of the femur head. RESULTS: The mean inguinal angle was 66.5degree (+/-7.8degree) and the mean inguinal ligament ratio was 0.42 (+/-0.03). The mean femoral head ratio was 0.08 (+/-0.18). In comparing the men and women, there was no significant difference in the inguinal angle and the femoral head ratio, but the inguinal distance ratio was larger in women (men: 0.41+/-0.033, women: 0.44+/-0.031, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The femoral artery generally courses just lateral to the medial margin of the femur head (femoral head ratio: 0.08) and the medial 40% of the inguinal ligament (inguinal ligament ratio: 0.42). So, consideration of these relations may be helpful for puncturing the pulseless femoral artery.

Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Multiple Thyroid Nodules

PURPOSE: To standardize the number of nodules which necessitates ultrasound-guided, fine-needle, aspiration biopsy in patients who have multiple thyroid nodules with the same sonographic characteristics as each other. MATERIALS and METHODS: From February, 2002 to March, 2004, among patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound-guided, fine-needle, aspiration biopsy, 545 nodules of 203 patients were found in sonography with more than two thyroid nodules. Each thyroid gland nodule was classified on a score from 0 to 2 points on the basis of the following 5 characteristics: internal content, margin, echogenicity, shape and calcification in sonography. When the score of all characteristics was the same, by deciding on nodules with the same sonographic char-acteristics and with the score of at least one characteristic being different, we divided the nodules with different sonographic characteristics in a patient. By methods such as given in the preceding descriptions, patients with multiple thyroid nodules were separated into two groups: one in which all nodules had the same sonographic characteristics and another in which nodules have at least one different sonographic characteristic. Then, each pathologic result was searched for the same case and different case in each patient group. RESULTS: Among the 203 patients who were diagnosed with multiple thyroid nodules in ultrasonography, 79 patients (38.9%) had nodules with the same ultrasonographic characteristics and 124 patients (61.1%) had nodules with at least one different ultrasonographic characteristic. All 79 patients' nodules with the same ultrasono-graphic characteristics in each patient showed the same pathologic result in all cases (100.0%) and there was no case showing a different pathologic result. Otherwise, among the 124 patients' nodules with different ultrasono-graphic characteristics, each patient showed the same pathologic result in 111 (89.5%) and different pathologic result in 13 (10.5%). CONCLUSION: In patients who have multiple thyroid nodules, if a patient's nodules have the same sonographic characteristics, we can perform ultrasound-guided, fine-needle, aspiration biopsy about only one nodule and if a patient's nodules have different sonographic characteristics from each other, we must perform the biopsy for all nodules.

Clinical Manifestations of Acute Renal Failure with Loin Pain Developed after the Anaerobic Exercise / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis is a well known cause of the exercise induced acute renal failure (ARF), but the patch renal vasoconstriction with severe loin pain which developed after the anaerobic exercise is not. Although there are a few cases about ARF resulted from the patchy renal vasoconstriction in Korea, there are only a few reports about comparisons of their clinical manifestations. METHODS: Eight patients of ARF with severe loin pain after the exercise, were admitted to Chungbuk national university hospital from April 1994 to March 2004. For all patients, we obtained basic clinical findings and laboratory studies, and performed an enhanced computed tomography (CT) initially and delayed CT without contrast media at least 6 hours after. RESULTS: All the patients were previously healthy young men. The main symptom was loin pain in five patients and all patients experienced the anaerobic exercise before. Six patients took analgesics and fever was observed in seven patients. There was no marked elevation of creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). The initial mean creatinine (Cr) was 3.50+/-1.49 mg/dL and the maximum Cr was 8.8 mg/dL. All the patients fully recovered their renal function. We observed the typical patchy wedge-shaped contrast enhancement CT findings in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis between rhabdomyolysis and the patchy renal vasoconstriction in newly developed ARF after exercise is important. Our eight patients showed typical clinical manifestations. In cases which implicate the pathy renal vasoconstriction by their typical clinical findings, the enhanced CT and the delayed postcontrast CT are helpful for diagnosis.

Analysis of the Factor which Affect to Acquisiton Rate of Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acquisition rate of adequate specimens in the ultrasoundguided percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy (US-PCNB) of thyroid nodules and to find the factors influencing the acquisition rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in 132 patients who had a total of 215 nodules. Aspiration biopsy was performed with 21-gauge fine needles for 111 nodules (62 patients) and with 20-gauge cutting needles for 104 nodules (70 patients). We calculated the overall acquisition rate of adequate specimens of US-PCNB and compared the acquisition rates according to the kind of needle, and the size, nature and palpability of the nodules. RESULTS: The total acquisition rate of adequate specimens was 87.4%. There was no difference in the acquisition rate between the 20-gauge cutting needle and the 21-gauge needle. The acquisition rate of the solid nodules (90.2%) was higher than that of the cystic nodules (78.8%). However, the size and palpability of the nodules did not significantly affect the acquisition rate of the specimens. CONCLUSION: The acquisition rate of adequate specimens in the US-PCNB of thyroid nodules was high. The acquisition rate of the solid nodules was higher than that of the cystic nodules. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the acquisition rate according to the kind of needle, or the size and palpability of the nodules.

Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspirations of Thyroid Nodules: Assessment of Nondiagnostic Samples

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of malignancy among the nondiagnostic specimens by ultrasound-guided, fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) and to analyze the factors which cause the nondiagnostic specimens of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 425 patients (58 male, 367 female) who underwent US-FNA of the thyroid nodule between February, 2002 and October, 2003. The study included 784 nodules from 425 patients. US-FNA was performed 1 to 3 times by two radiologists using a 10MHz linear probe and a 21-gauge fine needle. The percentage of total nondiagnostic specimens was obtained and the percentage of nondiagnostic specimens according to the thyroid nodule's size and nature was analyzed. Thyroid nodules were classified according to their sizes and natures. The nodules were divided by size as either 1cm or more, or less than 1cm in diameter. Each nodule was classified as cystic (pure cystic), mixed (solid portion of nodule2/3). The percentage of malignancy among nondiagnostic specimens was determined and compared to the malignancy rate among diagnostic specimens. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical significance. RESULTS: Among the 784 nodules, 95 (12.1%) were nondiagnostic. The percentage of nondiagnostic specimens increased as the cystic content increased (p<0.0001). The malignancy rate of the diagnostic specimens was higher than that of the nondiagnostic specimens, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: The cystic content of each nodule was the only significant predictor of nondiagnostic specimens. There was no significant difference in malignancy rate between nondiagnostic and diagnostic specimens. It is suggested that when evaluating an initially nondiagnostic US-FNA, repetitive US-FNA or follow-up USG should be performed.

Bone & Soft Tissue Injuries Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Thoracolumbar Fractures

PURPOSE: To assess diagnostic efficacy of the MRI in thoracolumbar fractures, especially in changes of bone and soft tissue which cannot be documented by other diagnostic tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 85 patients managed for thoracolumbar fractures between January 1997 and June 2003, MRI was performed in 30 patients to get more informations. Plain X-ray, CT and MRI of these cases were reviewed retrospectively by two orthopaedic spine surgeons and one radiologist to investigate the informations which only MRI could afford. RESULTS: 14 (46.7%) among 30 patients had occult fractures of vertebrae other than main fracture which had not been diagnosed as fractured. Besides 6 patients who showed distraction of posterior structure on plain X-ray, injury of posterior ligament complex was confirmed by MRI in 12(40%) patients. Additionally, MRI visualized other soft tissue injuries such as intramuscular and subcutaneous hematoma, changes of the spinal cord and intervertebral disc. In 16 among 30 patients, informations achieved from MRI were the most important factors in deciding treatment modality. CONCLUSION: MRI seems to be efficient in visualizing not only soft tissue injury such as ligament but also occult fractures of additional vertebra in thoracolumbar fractures, therefore MRI seems to be an important diagnostic tool in decision of treatment modalities, especially in cases of uncertain stability.

Myeloid Sarcoma of Both Kidneys, the Brain, and Multiple Bones in a Nonleukemic Child

A myeloid sarcoma (MS) is an extramedullary tumor consisting of primitive granulocytic precursor cells. Although most such tumors have been reported in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, MS is rarely recognized as an isolated tumor without any evidence of leukemia. However, in such cases, the initial diagnosis of MS can be difficult, so initial misdiagnosis rates of up to 75% have been reported. This report describes an unusual case of MS in a 3-year 5-month-old girl presenting as bilateral renal enlargements, and brain masses, with multiple bone involvements, but no hematological abnormalities.

Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Gallbladder: A Case Report

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the gallbladder is extremely rare. A review of the literature in English revealed only one case, involving a patient with initial extramedullary plasmacytoma of the maxillary sinus. In this report, we describe the case of a 63-year-old man with surgically confirmed extramedullary plasmacytoma confined to the gallbladder. At ultrasonography and computed tomography, diffuse and uniform thickening of the gallbladder wall without evidence of surrounding tissue infiltration was depicted.

Changes of Intrathoracic Extrapulmonary Organs after Radiation Therapy for Lung and Esophageal Cancer: CT Findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings and incidence of complications occurring in intrathoracic extrapul-monary organs due to radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 82 patients who underwent chest CT before and after radiation therapy, 23, in whom the procedure provided no evidence of pericardial invasion or pleural effusion before radiation therapy, nor of significant improvement in the tumor after this therapy, were evaulated. Changes in the pericardium, pleura and mediastinal fat were retrospectively assessed. In comparing the CT findings obtained before radiation therapy with those obtained afterwards, changes in the pericardium and pleura were classified as effusion where low density fluid was present and as thickening where there was no fluid. If an increased abundance of soft tissue strands was seen within mediastinal fat, changes in this fat were deemed to have occurred. RESULTS: Among the 23 patients evaluated, changes in the pericardium [thickening (n=3 ; 13.0%) ; effusion (n=8 ; 34.8%)] were found in 11 patients (47.8%), and changes in the pleura [thickening (n=3 ; 13.1%); effusion (n=9 ; 39.1%)] in 12 (52.2%). In no patient with pericardial or pleural effusion was thickening or contrast enhancement of the pericardium or pleura evident. In seven cases(30.4%), soft tissue strands within mediastinal fat had become more abundant. CONCLUSION: The CT findings which demonstrated complications resulting from radiation therapy were pericardial or pleural thickening or effusion and an increased abundance of soft tissue strands within mediastinal fat. In contrast to previous reports, pericardial and pleural change after radiation therapy was a common finding in our study, occurring in 69.6% of cases.

Aspergilloma within Pulmonary Sequestration: A Case Report

Routine chest radiography in a 21-year-old man revealed the presence of an asymptomatic mass at the right lower lung field. Chest radiographs showed multiple cysts with air-fluid level and air-meniscus within the consolidation at the right lower lung field. Chest CT scans demonstrated a non-enhancing solid mass, with air-meniscus, within a thin walled cavity, and multiple cysts with fluid or air-fluid level at the posterior portion of the right lower lobe. An abnormal artery was seen at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra. Thoracic aortography revealed a feeding artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta and supplying the parenchymal lesion. We report the typical radiologic findings of intralobar pulmonary sequestration with aspergilloma, a condition confirmed by surgery and the pathologic findings.