Radiologic Findings of lymphoproliferative Disorders of the Lung

Lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung consist of a spectrum of several entities from malignant lymphoma to variable non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorders. While an entity may be histologically benign and can be cured without treatment or by surgical removal, malignancy may evolve, and aggressive treatment may thus be required. Radiographic and pathologic findings of an entity may overlap, but differential diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung is nonetheless important. In this paper we illustrate a variety of lymphoproliferative diseases of the lung that have been pathologically proven during the last ten years, and discuss their radiographic and pathologic characteristics.

Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction: CT Patterns of Ductal Dilatation and Changes of Extrahepatic Ductal Wall

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of ancillary CT findings other than the obstructive lesion per se for the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS:CT findings of 49 patients with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction(22 benign and 27 malignant lesions) were assessed with emphasis on the patterns of ductal dilatation, contrast enhancement, and diffuse thickening of the extrahepatic ductal wall. Degree of central and peripheral intrahepratic ductal dilatation was graded by comparing with the adjacent portal radicles and hepatic parenchymal thickeness. RESULTS: Diffuse circumferential thickening and contrast enhancement of the extrahepatic ductal wall were more frequent in benign cases, but only thickening was statistically significant(p < 0.01). Peripheral intrahepatic ducts were more severely dilated by malignant causes(p < 0.01). With the same degrees of extrahepatic and central ductal dilatations, peripheral intrahepatic ducts were more severely dilated in malignant than in benign cases. CONCLUSION: These results may help to interpret the CT findings of extrahepatic biliary obstruction, particularly when the cause of biliary obstruction is uncertain.

CT Findings of Parotid Gland Tumors: Benign versus Malignant Tumors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of parotid gland tumors to help in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CT findings of 22 patients with surgically proven parotid gland tumors were reviewed. Analysis was focused on the density and margin characteristics of the tumors, and the relationahip between the tumor and surrounding structures. RESULTS: Those tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (n=8), Warthin's tumor (n=5), basal cell adenoma (n=l), lipoma (n=l), dermold cyst (n=l), adenold cystic carcinoma (n=2), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n=l), epidermold carcinoma (n=l), and carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (n=l). Most of benign and malignant tumors were heterogeneous in denstiy on contrast enhanced CT scans. In 5 of 6 malignant cases, the tumors had irregular or ill-defined margin and a tendancy to involve or cross the superficial layer of deep cervical fascia with obliteration of subcutaneous fat. Two malignant tumors invaded surrounding structures. CONCLUSION: Although the heterogeneous density of tumor is not a specific finding for malignancy at CT, following findings, such as, irregular or blurred margin of the lesion, the involvement of fascial plane, and the infiltration of surrounding structures may suggest the possibility of malignant parotid tumor.

Prenatal imaging of thanatophoric dysplasia: a case report

Thanatophoric dysplasia is the most common lethal congenital chondrodysplasia with characteristic features of narrow thorax, short rib, severe platyspondyly, short bowed limbs and skull deformity, etc. It is not a hereditary disorder and there is usually no family history of dysplasia. We experienced a case of thanatophoric dysplasia at 38 weeks of gestation with antenatal sonographic and abdominal radiographic findings of small thorax, short bowed extremities with surrounding thickened soft tissues and marked platyspondyly. Soon atter delivery, the baby died and post-mortem radiographs showed the characteristic findings of thanatophoric dysplasia.

Clival chordoma: CT and MR fidings

A retrospective analysis of CT and MR findings was performed in five patients with histologically proved chordoma including one with chondroid chordoma. All tumors were mostly isodense to gray matter on unenhanced CT, and the single intensities were iso or low and high on T1 and T2-wgighted MR iages, respectively. The tumors had an increase in their density on enhanced CT and MR in four patients, but a chondroid chordoma was poorly enhanced after injection of contrast medicum on CT. Four tumors contained calcifications in CT images and two lesions showed hemorrhage in MR images. Cavernous sinus was involved in all patients, and brain stem and basilar artery were compressed by the tumors in three cases. Pituitary gland was only displaced upward in three patients. Clivus was destroyed in all cases, and sella turcica and sphenoid bone were involved in three patients. CT is better than MR in demonstrating calcifications and bone destruction. In defining the extension of tumor, MR appears to be superior to CT in evaluation of the relationship between the tumor and the surrounding structures.