Retroperitoneal Malignant Mesenchymoma: A Case of Mesenchymal Mixed Tumor with Osteosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Liposarcoma and Fibrosarcoma

Malignant mesenchymoma is an interesting but very rare tumor in which malignant differentiation has occurred twice or more. We report a case of retroperitoneal malignant mesenchymoma consisting of osteosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Abdominal CT showed a large retroperitoneal mass with two separate and distinct parts, namely an area of prominent calcification and one of clearly enhancing solid components. The mass contained histologically distinct tumorous components with no histologic admixure at the interfaces. The densely calcified nodule corresponded to osteosarcoma, and the noncalcified clearly enhancing nodules to leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and fibrosarcoma.

Acute Spontaneous Subdural Hemorrhage by Cerebral Aneurysmal Rupture: Report of Two Cases

Two cases of acute spontaneous subdural hemorrhage caused by cerebral aneurysmal rupture are presented. The patients’ chief complaints were sudden bursting headache and comatose mentality. There was no history of trauma or proclivity for spontaneous bleeding, and CT scans of the brain indicated subdural hemorrhage without remarkable subarachnoid hemorrhage. In case 1, an aneurysm at the distal segment of the right anterior cerebral artery was identified by CT angiography; the subdural hemorrhage was evacuated and the aneurysm surgically clipped. In case 2, an aneurysm at the junction of the anterior communicating artery and the right anterior cerebral artery was revealed by CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography, and Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed.

Cavernous Hemangioma of the Cavernous Sinus: A Case Report

Intracranial extra-axial cavernous hemangioma of the cavernous sinus is a very rare vascular malformation. It usually appears as a round non-encapsulated mass with well-defined borders, mimicking meningioma. We describe a case of cavernous hemangioma of the cavernous sinus, including the radiologic imaging findings, and also review the literature.

Determination of the Activity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: the Utility of High-Resolution Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT), as used to determine the activity of tuberculosis, and to analyze the HRCT findings in active and in inactive tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the HRCT findings of 100 patients (54 men, 46 women; average age, 54 years) who according to the results of chest radiography had pulmonary tuberculosis of undetermined activity. We assessed HRCT findings such as the presence of a entrilobular, macro-, or micronodule; consolidation, ground-glass opacity, cavity, interlobular septal thickening, irregular linear opacities, bronchial wall thickening, bronchovascular bundle distortion, bronchiectasis, atelectasis, and pericicatrical emphysema. We compared the ratio of the area of nodule and consolidation to that of whole lung, and compared the findings between active and inactive tuberculosis. RESULTS: Eleven of 100 patients were excluded because the final diagnosis was other than tuberculosis. In 59 patients, the presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis was proven by positive sputum smear and/or culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. On the basis of the negative results of these tests, pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be inactive in 30 patients; serial chest radiographs indicated that their condition remained stable over a 6-month period. For HRCT, sensitivity was 96.6%, specificity 56.7%, positive predictive value 81.4%, negative predictive value 89.5%, and accuracy 83.1%. For active tuberculosis, the presence of centrilobular nodules, tree-in-bud, macronodules, cavity within the nodule, and consolidations was statistically significant, while for inactive tuberculosis, that of irregular linear opacities, micronodules, bronchiectasis, and cicatrization atelectasis was similarly significant. The CT score for the area of nodules and consolidations was higher in active than in inactive tuberculosis, but only the nodule score showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: HRCT can be a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis

Pubic Insufficiency Fracture: MRI Findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic MRI findings of pubic insufficiency fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In nine cases of pubic insufficiency fracture, the findings of plain radiography (n=9), MRI (n=9), and bone scintigraphy (n=8) were reviewed. We retrospectively analyzed, with regard to fracture site, the destructive pattern revealed by plain radiography, and uptake by other pelvic bones, as demonstrated by RI bone scanning. The MR findings evaluated were the fracture gap and its signal intensity, the site and signal intensity of the soft tissue mass, and other pelvic bone fractures. RESULTS: Plain radiography revealed osteolysis and sclerosis of pubic bone in eight of nine cases (89%), and parasymphyseal fractures in seven (78%). RI indicated uptake by the sacrum in six cases (66%), and by the ilium in three (33%). MR findings of fracture gap (seven cases, 78%) were hypo to isointensity on T1WI, hyper-intensity on T2WI and the absence of contrast enhancement. Soft tissue masses were found in seven cases (78%); in four of these the location was parasymphyseal, and in three, surrounding muscle was involved. Hypo to isointensity was revealed by T1WI, hyperintensity by T2WI, and there was peripheral enhancement. Other associated pelvic bone fractures involved the sacrum in seven cases and the ilium in four. CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR findings of pubic insufficiency fracture were parasymphyseal location, fracture gap, peripherally enhanced soft tissue mass formation, and fractures of other pelvic bones, namely the sacrum and ilium.

Usefulness of Spiral CT for T Staging of Gastric Carcinoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of spiral CT in predicting the depth of tumor invasion in patients with gastric cancer by comparing with histopathological finding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied spiral CT scans of forty-eight patients, in whom gastric cancer was proven by gastrofibroscopic biopsy and surgery. After distending the stomach with 400ml tap water or effervescent granules, 100ml of contrast media was given intravenously at a rate of 3ml/sec. CT scanning was started at 45 sec after administration of the contrast material. Gastric tumors were subdivided into five types according to enhancing pattern from the inner layer of gastric wall to the outer layer. These pattern were correlated with histopathologic results. RESULT: The tumor masses were detected on CT scan in 10(77%) of 13 patients with early gastric cancer, while, the tumor masses were seen on CT scan in all patients with advanced gastric cancer. Of 9 patients with type 1 or type 2 enhancing pattern, early gastric cancer(T1) were proven in 7 patients(78%), serosal invasion (T3) in 2 patients(22%). In contrast, among 29 patients with type 4 and type 5, 22 patients(76%) were proven as serosal invasion(T3). Of 7 patients with type 3, 3 patients(43%) were proven as serosal invasion(T3), three(43%) as subserosal invasion(T2), one as early gastric cancer(T1). CONCLUSION: Analysis of morphological enhancing pattern on spiral CT is useful in predicting the depth of tumor invasion in patients with gastric cancer.

Cholangiopancreatographic Findings of Choledochal Cyst: Emphasis on the Pancreatobiliary Union

PURPOSE: Choledochal cyst is a rare malformation of the pancreatobiliary ductal system, manifested by dilatation of biliary tree with or without anomalous insertion of the common bile duct into pancreatic duct. The purpose of this study is to review the incidence of anomalous pancreatobiliary union(PBU) and the shape of common bile duct based on the angle of pancreatic duct and common bile duct union. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed cholangiopancreatographic findings of 21 patients with choledochal cyst, emphasizing PBU. The PBU was classified into acute-angled PBU, right-angled PBU, normal PBU, and unknown PBU on the basis of common bile duct insertion to pancreatic duct. The shape of common bile duct dilatation was evaluated with regard to angle of PBU. RESULTS: Fourteen of 21 patients had anomalous PBU with slender or ectatic form of common channels. Three patients had normal opening of common bile duct and pancreatic duct, and in remaining 4 patients the PBU was not visualized. Among 14 patients with PBU, 5 patients had right-angled PBU and 9 patients had acute-angled PBU. Cystic form of common bile duct dilatation was seen in 13 patients and cylindrical form was in 8 patients. Cystic dilatation of common bile duct was seen in 4 patients out of 5 right-angled PBU. CONCLUSION: Patients with choledochal cyst had high incidence of anomalous PBU with common channel (67%). The shape of common bile duct dilatation was cystic in 62% of patients, and the right-angled PBU was prone to be cystic dilatation (80%).

Radiologic Analysis of Congenital Limb Anomalies

PURPOSE: Congenital limb anomalies are manifested in various degree of severity and complexity bearing confusion for description and nomenclature of each anomaly. We retrospectively analyzed the roentgenograms of congenital limb anomalies for the purpose of further understanding of radiologic manifestations based on the embryonal defect and also to find the incidence of each anomaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of the patients was 89 with 137 anomalies. Recently the uniform system of classification for congenital anomalies of the upper limb was adopted by International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH), which were categorized as 7 classifications. We used the IFSSH classification with some modification as 5 classifications;failure of formation of parts, failure of differentiation of parts, duplications, overgrowth, and undergrowth. RESULTS: The patients with upper limb anomalies were 65 out of 89(73%), lower limb were 21(24%), and both upper and lower limb anomalies were 3(4%). Failure of formation was seen in 18%, failure of differentiation 39%, duplications 39%, overgrowth 8%, and undergrowth in 12%. Thirty-five patients had more than one anomaly, and 14 patients had intergroup anomalies. CONCLUSION: The upper limb anomalies were more common than lower limb. Among the anomalies, failure of differentiation and duplications were the most common types of congenital limb anomalies. Patients with failure of formation, failure of differentiation, and undergrowth had intergroup association of anomalies, but duplication and overgrowth tended to be isolated anomalies.

CT and MR Findings of Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous(PH PV)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristic CT and MR findings in persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous(PHPV) and to compare the detectability of those findings in each modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated CT and MR findings in 32 patients with PHPV. Twenty-five patients had CT, 13 patients had MR, and 6 patients had both CT and MR. RESULTS: Major findings of PHPV in 32 patients on both imaging modalities were lens deformity(78%), shallow anterior chamber(72%), heterogeneous vitreous opacity(72%), enhancing hyaloid artery or remnant of fibrotic hand(69%), and microophthalmos(67%). Minor findings were retinal detachment(22%), and vitreous hemorrhage(6%). In MRI, lens deformity(92%) and shallow anterior chamber(85%) were detected most commonly whereas in CT, opaque vitreous(80%) was the most common finding. Findings of enhancing hyaloid vessel or remnant of fibrotic band, considered characteristic of PHPV, were more commonly detectable in MR (85%) than CT(52%). CONCLUSION: Characteristic MR and CT findings of PHPV were lena deformity, shallow anterior chanber, heterogeneons vitreons opacity, enhanciny hgalind artery or remnant fibrotic band, and microphthalmos. MR seemed to be more useful than CT in detecting Globe pathology.