Transmission of DICOM 3.0 type MR data to the personal computer in the hospital without PACS

PURPOSE: To transmit DICOM data to a personal computer in the hospital without PACS, and estimate theusefulness of digital image management and its convenience for physicians through transmitted file size,transmission time and quality of transmitted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The raw data of three brain MRI andlumbar spine MRI were transmitted from an MR system to a personal computer via Ethernet TCP/IP connection. Thefile size and transmission time of transmitted images were measured according to the matrix number. Threeboard-certified radiologists compared the image quality of the transmitted and scanned images. RESULTS: Thetransmission of DICOM data to the personal computer was successful and the transmitted images and their headerinformation were displayed by various personal computer-based DICOM viewing programs. The file size andtransmission time of the 256 and 512 matrix images were 136 Kbyte, 2.17 seconds/slice and 520 Kbyte, 4.37seconds/slice, respectively. All radiologists regarded the transmitted brain MRI images as superior. Oneradiologist considered the transmitted lumbar spine MRI images superior, while others decided that the quality oftransmitted and scanned images was the same. CONCLUSION: The transmission of DICOM format image data to apersonal computer through an appropriate DICOM receiving program is useful for managing digital images andconvenient for physicians in the hospital without PACS.

CT Findings of Portal Vein Aneurysm

PURPOSE: To describe the CT findings of portal vein aneurysm in eight patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allpatients included in this study (two men and six women) under went CT examinations between October 1996 and June1998. Of these eight, three were suffering from hepatic disease and portal hypertension. We determined thelocation, shape, size, and characteristics of the lesions, and the presence or ab-sence of portal vein anomaly. RESULTS: S even patients had intrahepatic portal vein aneurysm (at the umbilical por-tion of the left portal veinin five patients, between the transverse and umbilical por-tion of the left portal vein in one, and at thebifurcation of the anterior and posterior branch of the right portal vein in one), while extrahepatic portal veinaneurysm, at the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic vein was found in only one. Lesions werecyst-shaped in seven cases and saccular in one, and showed well - circum scribed, markedly enhanced mass, whichcommunicated with the portal vein and/or gives off major branches. Portal vein anomaly, in which the rightanterior segmental portal vein originated from the umbilical portion of the left portal vein, was seen in threepatients. In all three, intrahepatic portal vein aneurysm was present at the umbilical portion of the left portalvein, and in one, the umbilical portion of the left portal vein was located to the right of the Cantlie line. CONCLUSION: CT examination can help reveal portal vein aneurysm by detectinga well - circumscribed, markedlyenhanced mass which communicates with the portal vein and/or gives off major branches.

The Investigation of Statistical Descriptions in the Original Articles of Journal of the Korean Radiological Society

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify errors in statistical descriptions in articles published in the journal of Korean Radiological Society and to suggest guidelines for the reduction of such errors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to investigate statistical errors, 139 of the 514 original articles published between July 1994 were analysed. To assess the validity of statistical descriptions, five items were evaluated. The five items included descriptions of basic data, statistical tests and their results, tables, articles which had presented two or more statistical methods or results, and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The percentages of correct descriptions of basic data, statistical tests and their results, tables, articles which had presented two or more statistical methods or results, and the Chi-square test were 86.3%, 74.8%, 24.4%, 76.7% and 79.4%, respectively. In 50 of 139 articles (36.0%), statistical descriptions were correct. CONCLUSION: More than half of the articles assessed contained statistical errors; inaccuracies of this kind might raise doubts about the objective validity of an article and the authors should there fore be careful when performing a study which needs statistical descriptions.

Differential Diagnosis of Malignant Ovarian Tumors on CT Findings

PURPOSE: To assess the value of CT for the differential diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed CT scans of 31 patients with surgically confirmed 46 malignant ovarian tumors. (29 epithelial tumors, 9 Krukenberg tumors, 6 germ cell tumors, and 2 sex cord-stromal tumors.) CT scans were evaluated for the mass (bilaterality, size, internal component, and margin), peritoneal spread pattern, ascites, invasion of adjacent organ, and lymphadenopathy. RESULT: Bilateral masses were seen in epithelial or Krukenberg tumor in 61.1%(11/18) and 80%(4/5) respectively. Epithelial tumors showed predominantly cystic mass(37.9%, 11/29), irregular margin(82.8%, 24/29) of mass, and accompanying peritoneal and omental spread (66.7%, 12/18), whileKrukenberg tumor showed predominantly solid mass(55.5%, 5/9), smooth margin of mass(100%, 5/5), and no peritoneal and omental spread. All cases with germ cell tumor or sex cord-stromal tumor showed unilateral mass. Relatively young aged, unilateral solid (66.7%, 4/6) tumors were germ cell tumor. Of these cases, septa within solid portionof mass were prominent in all dysgerminoma. (3/3) CONCLUSION: CT may be a valuable tool for the differential diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors.

High-Resolution CT Findings in Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Preliminary Report

PURPOSE: To evalute high resolution CT(HRCT) findings in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 13 infants(age range, 1-12 months ; 11 premature babies, two full-term babies ; birthweight, 0.97-3.88kg ; mean 2,03kg) with clinico-radiologically suggested BPD, HRCT findings of the lung were reviewed retrospectively. Spiral CT using ultra high bone algorithm, 1mm collimation with 5-8mm interval, and 0.7sec scan time was perfomed without regard to breathing-control of infants. Three radiologists each analysed the HRCT findings twice. RESULTS: HRCT findings of BPD were as follows : parenchymal bands(n=13), interlobular septal thickenings(n=12), multifocal hyperaeration involving lobar or segmental distribution(n=7), and involving lobular distribution or small cyst-like lesion(n=4), centrilobular nodules(n=7), consolidation and/or atelectasis(n=7), and bronchovascular bundle thickening(n=6). CONCLUSION: Parenchymal bands, interlobular septal thickenings, and multifocal hyperaerations were the major findings in cases of bronchopulmonary dysplasia whereas, centrilobular nodules, consolidation and/or atelectasis, and bronchovascular bundle thickenings were the minor findings. These findings may be used as basic data in the evaluation of BPD in future studies.

Analysis of Mammographic Findings of Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: This study is to describe authors'experience on mammographic findings of breast cancer and to know if there is difference between 35 years of age or younger and older groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammograms of 72 patients with breast cancer detected from January, 1991 to December, 1993 were retrospectively analysed. Mammographic findings were classified into mass only, mass with microcalcifications, microcalcifications only and others. Marginal characteristics of mass were classified into spiculated, poorly marginated and well marginated. Shape of microcalcifications were classified into casting, granular and mixed types. These findings were compared between 35 years of age or younger and older groups. RESULTS: Mammogram showed mass only in 33 patients(46%), mass with microcalcifications in 26 patients (36%), microcalcifications only in seven(10%) and other findings in six(8%). Other findings were architectural distortion, asymmetric high density and incidental breart carcinoma from paraffinoma in one patient respectively, and dense breast in three patients. The margins of the breast mass were spiculated in ten(17%) poorly marginated in 30(51%), well-marginated in 19(32%). Shape of microcalcifications were casting type in 13(40%), granular in 14(42%) and mixed in six(18%) cases. 3 patients had dense breast with which mammography did not demonstrate the lesion. 3 patients without mammographically demonstrable lesions due to dense breasts were under 35 years in age. and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups(p-value<0.05). Microcalcifications only was more common findings in 35 years of age or younger. CONCLUSION: The most important mammographic findings of breast cancer were mass and microcalcifications. Architectural distortion and asymmetric high density were additional findings. In 35 years of age or younger, microcalcifications only was an important finding because mass lesions are frequently masked by dense breast. Thus other imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography, were required.

Role of CT in Blunt Hepatic Injury

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of the CT scan in blunt hepatic injury and the significance of CT degree of hepatic injury in the decision making of treatment plan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the CT findings of 22 patients with hepatic injury. We graded hepatic injury on CT scan into five according to the severity. Clinical records, type of management and clinical outcome of the patients were also reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 17 had conservative treatment and five had surgery. The numbers of patients treated conservatively were 0, 4, 11, 2 and 0 in the grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively and the numbers of surgically treated cases were 0, 0, 3, 2 and 0 respectively. There was no significant statistical difference between surgically and conservatively treated groups(p-value > 0.05). All patients with conservatively treated group were hemodynamically stable and had no complication during hospitalization. Hemoperitoneum was observed in 11 of 22 patients. CONCLUSION: In blunt hepatic injury, CT plays an important role in the demonstration of location and extent of the hepatic injury, size of hemoperitoneum and the post operative course. However, we believe that physiologic status of the patients may be more important than the extent of CT based hepatic injury for determining a mode of treatment.

Thoracic chordoma: CT & MR findings

Chordoma arising from the notochordal remnants is a rare primary bone tumor in the cervicosacral region and is even more unusual in the thoracic region. The authors experienced a case of thoracic chordoma and report its CT and MR findings.

Thoracic chordoma: CT & MR findings

Chordoma arising from the notochordal remnants is a rare primary bone tumor in the cervicosacral region and is even more unusual in the thoracic region. The authors experienced a case of thoracic chordoma and report its CT and MR findings.

CT & MR findings of radiation-induced pulmonary injury

We retrospectively analyzed the CT (10 cases) and MR (5 cases) findings in 10 patients with radiation-induced pulmonary injury. On CT studies, 8 cases showed fibrotic change and 6 of them also showed solid consolidation with bronchiectasis. The differential diagnosis of radiation-induced injury from residual or recurrent tumor was possible on CT studies which was impossible on plain chest radiograph (2 cases) or MR study(1 case). On MR studies, 4 cases showed solid consolidation with bronchiectasis and fibrosis. The signal intensity was siointense compared with that of the muscle on T1WI (5 cases), and hyperintense of PDWI and T2WI(3 cases). The lesions enhanced well on Gd-DTPA enhanced study (4 cases). The residual or recurrent tumor showed the same signal intensity and degree of enhancement with radiation-induced injury (2 cases). CT and MR are useful for the evaluation of the anatomic details of the large overlapped area of increased density of the radiation-induced pulmonary injury on plain chest radiograph. But MR study is not superior to CT on the differentiation of the residual or recurrent tumor and radiation-induced injury because the tumor may show the same signal intensity and degree of enhancement with radiation-induced injury.

Intraventricular neurofibroma: a case report

Intracranial nerve sheath tumors unrelated to the cranial nerve roots are extremely rare, and the origin of the tumors are debatable. We report a case of pathologically-proven neurofibroma inside the lateral ventricle. A 49-year-old man presented with headache of 6 months duration, urinary incontinence, visual disturbance and right hemiplegia. Brain CT scan showed a well defined isodense mass with homogenous contrast enhancement and marginal calcification. At surgery the tumor was found to be a 4cm-sized lobulated mass attached only to the choroid plexus. Histologically, the tumor masses consisted of fasciculating bundles of wavy spindle cells, with a considerable collagen laydown.