role of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pulmonary nodules and masses

The aim of our study was to determine whether or not dynamic magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] with kinetic and morphological parameters can reveal significant differences between malignant and benign pulmonary lesions, and thus to evaluate the use of dynamic MRI in the management of pulmonary nodules. Thirty-one patients [4 women and 27 men] underwent 1.5 T MRI, where 10 consecutive dynamic series were performed every 30 s by using 3D fast low-angle shot sequences. The percentage increase in the signal intensity of the lesions was determined for each time point. Time-enhancement curves of the lesions were drawn and classified into four types: A, B, C and D. Early peak [EP] and maximum peak [MP] values of the curves were calculated and compared with the diagnoses of the patients. The usefulness of these parameters was tested statistically. In addition to the comparison of the parameters between the groups, receiver-operating characteristic analysis was used to assess sensitivity, specificity, and both positive and negative predictive values of EP and MP parameters. Of the 31 pulmonary lesions, 16 [52%] were malignant. These showed a stronger enhancement with higher median values of EP and MP [77.08 and 123.15, respectively] than those corresponding to the benign lesions [14.45 and 32.53, respectively]. There were significant differences between the benign and malignant lesions [p < 0.001]. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 75,93,92 and 78% for EP and 93, 86, 88 and 93% for MP, respectively. A combination of kinetic and morphological evaluation in dynamic MRI provided accurate differentiation between benign and malignant pulmonary lesions. It was a useful and noninvasive method of evaluating pulmonary nodules

Multiple renal arteries: variations demonstrated by multidetector computed tomography angiography

To present a case of a rare variation of the renal artery and multiple [7] renal arteries by multidetector computed tomography [MDCT] angiography. A 36-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital as a potential living donor for renal transplantation. An MDCT angiography was performed using a 16-detector row CT scanner to obtain a detailed image of vascular structures and associated pathologies. The MDCT clearly revealed the presence of 3 right and 2 left renal arteries arising from the abdominal aorta. Additionally, the accessory renal artery arose from the inferior mesenteric artery on the left side and from the common iliac artery on the right side. This case highlights the importance of awareness of renal artery variations if surgical procedures are indicated in this region

Prenatal MRI Findings of Polycystic Kidney Disease Associated with Holoprosencephaly

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are genetically heterogeneous anomalies which can make up part of various syndromes or chromosomal anomalies. Due to the rapid lethality prognosis, early and precise prenatal diagnosis would be of great value. This case report describes extensive PKD involvement, already present in utero, in a patient with HPE and subdural effusion visible by MR imaging. The detailed anatomic information obtained by the MR imaging can guide the surgical planning and can aid antenatal counseling.

Absence of a Sphenoid Wing in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Disease: Imaging with Multidetector Computed Tomography

Neurofibromatosis type 1 disease is characterized by pigmented cutaneous lesions and generalized tumors of a neural crest origin and it may affect all the systems of the human body. Sphenoid dysplasia is one of the characteristics of this syndrome and it occurs in 5-10% of the cases; further, abnormalities of the sphenoid wings are often considered pathognomonic. However, complete agenesis of a sphenoid wing is very rare. We report here on an unusual case of neurofibromatosis type 1 disease with the associated absence of a sphenoid wing that was diagnosed by using multidetector computed tomography.