CT of Acute Pyelonephritis in Children: Comparison with Tc-99m DMSA Scintigraphy

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare CT with scintigraphy in the detection of parenchymal lesionsof acute pyelonephritis in children, and to assess the diagnostic value of CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This studyinvolved 32 children with acute pyelonephritis ; their ages ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Renal CT , TC-99mDMSA planar and SPECT images, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the number, size,shape, density, and location of pyelonephritic lesions, as seen on CT and scintigraphic images. RESULTS: In 43involved kidneys, 193 parenchymal lesions of acute pyelonephritis were identified. The results of CT were abnormalin 42 kidneys (98%), and those of scintigraphy, in 39(91%). CT showed single or multiple hypoenhancing parenchymallesions ; these were streaky(n=151), wedge-shaped (n=34), or oval (n=8), and ranged from about 3-30mm in maximumdiameter. Abscess (n=5), renal fascial thickening (n=6) and thickening of the bridging septae (n=7) wereassociated. Scintigraphic findings were diffuse or localized area of varying degrees of diminished corticalactivity, and these were more precisely identified on SPECT than on planar images. For the detection of 55 of 193pyelonephritic lesions, CT was more sensitive than scintigraphy ; 29 of the 55 lesions were less than 5 mm indiameter. CONCLUSION: For the detection of pyelonephritic lesions, particularly smaller ones, and for theevaluation of complications such as abscess formation, CT is more sensitive than Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy. Weconclude that in children with subtle scintigraphic findings who are in serious clinical condition or in whomcomplications are suspected, CT is a useful tool for assessing a therapeautic plan and the prognosis of acutepyelonephritis.

CSF Flow Image Using Phase-Contrast Cine MR Technique: Preliminary Clinical Application

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of 2-D Cine PC (phase contrast) technique in visualizing the pattern and the site of abnormal CSF flow and to assess the effect of a third ventriculostomy in patients with hydrocephalus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of three normal controls and 13 patients with hydrocephalus, as shown on CT or MRI, and two patients who had undergone their third ventriculostomy. The technique was EKG-gated 2-D Cine PC MRI with velocity encoding 5cm/sec, TR 80msec, TE 12.3-15msec, and flip angle 15-60 degrees. Image quality was analyzed for variable sequences, and CSF flow was observed along the CSF flow pathway. We analyzed continuity and intensity of the CSF flow signal, and obstruction site and flow velocity degree were then defined. RESULTS: Systolic high and diastolic low signal intensity along the CSF flow-pathway, with normal asynchronicity and continuation, were clearly seen in normal controls. In three patients, there was obstruction at the ventricular level while others were either normal or showed a normal pattern with a weak signal. 'Normal' was defined as noncommunicating hydrocephalus and the latter as communicating hydrocephalus. In the two patients who had undergone ventriculostomy, a signal was in one case detected at the site of the third operation. CONCLUSION: A 2-D Cine PC CSF flow study enables us to see CSF flow signals noninvasively and to detect the site of obstruction of a CSF flow-pathway. It can therefore be useful for determining the application of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and assessing the effect of a third ventriculostomy.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome with Hepatic Involvement: US, CT and MRI Findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the findings of US, CT and MRI in the hepatic involvement of hypereosinophilic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed imaging findings of hypereosinophilic syndrome with hepatic involvement innine patients. Imaging studies were US(n=9), conventional CT(CCT, n=6), dynamic incremental CT(DICT, n=3), and MRIwith conventional spin-echo sequence(MRI-CSE, n=3). For DICT, we obtained images of the early arterial phase(n=1),portal venous phase(n=3) and the late venous phase(n=3). T1WI were obtained with 600-700 msec/13-17 msec(TR/TE) and T2WI were obtained with 1850-2300 msec/80-90 msec(n=3). Gadolinium enhanced T1WI were also obtained(n=2). RESULTS: US showed multiple hypoechoic or isoechoic nodules(7/9) and appeared normal(2/9). CCT showed multiplehypodense nodules(5/6) and appeared normal(1/6). DICT showed patchy, multiple hypodense nodules and showed hepaticnodules during the portal venous phase only(3/3). MRI-CSE showed one to several focal high-signal nodules on T2WIand subtle low-signal nodules on T1WI(2/3), and showed several subtle high-signal lesions on Gd-enhanced T1WI(1/2)and appeared normal on T1, T2WI(1/3). CONCLUSION: Hepatic involvement of hypereosinophilic syndrome showed varied imaging findings on US, CT and MRI.

Radiologic Diagnostic Criteria of Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction: Analysis of Five Cases Confirmed by Biliary Manometry

PURPOSE: Biliary dyskinesia was considered as a wastebasket of quasi-biliary disease which could not be clearly explained under the basis of morphologic pathology. This entity was a source of confusion because of misconception and poor understanding. Recent introduction of biliary manometric technique enlightened some of these disorders. We evaluated the cholangiographic morphology of these disorders to clarify and to characterize the some characteristic findings, subsequently in order to help the diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cases were confirmed by this technique as sphincter of Oddi dysfunction for last 13 months. All patients were female and age range was 53 to 75 years old. All patients were suffered from intermittent and recurrent biliary type pain. RESULTS: ERCP showed five common findings. The common bile duct was dilated over 12ram in all patients. Different from recurrent pyogenic cholangiohepatitis, intrahepatic ducts were proportionally dilated as extrahepatic ducts, in four patients and they branched normally and ductal wall was smooth. Transient or persistent meniscus sign was observed in four patients. All patients showed delayed emptying of contrast media from the common bile duct into the duodenum. Following IV injection of cholecystokinin, persistent meniscus disappeared and contrast media inflowed into the duodenum. CONCLUSION: Identification of all or some characteristic cholangiographic findings may eliminate a cumbersome and painful biliary manometric test for the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

The Effect of Measurement Location of the Blood Flow Parameters on Their Values During Penile Duplex Sonography / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Although several reference values of the cavernosal arterial flow velocity were reported for defining the normal vascular condition including good arterial inflow and corporal venoocclusive function, still we have some confusions and limitations to interpret the results because of lack of standardization of some various factors relating to performing duplex scanning. Here in, we evaluated the effect of cavernosal arterial location that is measured by Doppler spectrum on the values of blood flow velocity. 36 patients with suspecting vasculogenic impotence entered the study. Color duplex sonography was performed in all patients. We obtained velocity measurements at 3 to 8 min intervals in both cavernosal arteries for at least 20 min after injection of PGE1 10ug. The cavernosal artery peak systolic flow velocity (PSV) and end diastolic flow velocity (EDV) were measured at two portions. the base over the ascending portion of cavernosal artery( 'Proximal') and midshaft( 'Distal') of the penis in each session. We classified the patients based on the results of Proximal values of duplex parameters into normal(maximal PSV>30 cm/sec and minimal EDV30cm/sec and minimal EDV>5cm/sec; VI group n= 16). When we compared PSV values between two portions of measurement in each group all the Distal PSV values were significantly lower than Proximal(p0.05). If we considered only Distal values for patient grouping 63% of VI group and 50% of NL group had maximal PSV values less than 25cm/sec that would be reclassified into arterial insufficiency. On the other hand, resistance index(RI) values remained unchanged regardless of measurement location in all groups. With the above results we can conclude that there is an obvious difference of blood flow velocities between two portions of measurement(Proximal vs Distal) and Proximal value is more reliable than Distal when we diagnose with previously reported normal reference value (PSV>30-35cm/sec).

CT evaluation of colon carcinoma: Emphasis on distant lymph node invasion and liver metastases

Even though the value of computed tomography (CT) used to detect the colon carcinoma with minimal invasion is limited, its usefulnes sin the evaluation of the extent of disease such as hepatic metastasis or distant lymph node invasion has been emphasized. To examine the role of CT in the evaluation of colon carcinoma, CT scans obtained during the past 2 years in 56 patients with surgically proven colon carcinoma were reviewed and the findings correlated with pathologic results. The sensitivity and accuracy of CT for pericolic fat infiltration were 86, 58 and 80% respectively. Those of regional node were 60, 83 and 75% and distant node 67, 100 and 95%. Liver metastases showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 83, 98, 96% and peritoneal metastases 67, 94 and 89% respectively. CT detected local invasion with fair degree of accuracy but the true value of CT lie in the detection of distant invasions such as liver and distant lymph node metastases thereby leading to preclusion of unnecessary procedures and implementation of appropriate precedures.