[Imaging features of Takayasu's arteritis]. / Imagerie de l'artérite de Takayasu.

Takayasu's arteritis is the most frequent inflammatory arteritis in young patients. It is characterized by the presence of giant cells and typically involves specific vascular sites: aorta and its main branches and pulmonary arteries. Inflammatory arterial involvements leads to stenosis, aneurysm, occlusion and arterial wall thickening. Diagnosis relies mainly on imaging, namely Doppler US, CT, and MRI. The imaging features of this disease are reviewed based on a retrospective review of 36 patients imaged over a 13 year period.

[Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: review of 3 cases]. / Hémangioendothéliome épithélioïde hépatique: à propos de 3 cas.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare neoplasm of vascular origin. EHE is an intermediate-grade malignancy, between benign hemangioma and angiosarcoma, with variable aggressiveness. Involvement often is multinodular simulating metastases from a primatry extra-hepatic malignancy leading to delays in diagnosis. We report the imaging features in three cases of histologically proven hepatic EHE. The imaging features suggestive of EHE will be emphasized, especially for multinodular lesions suggesting liver metastases in patients with no known primary.

[CT evaluation of locoregional spread of carcinoma of the gallbladder]. / Evaluation de l'extension locorégionale des tumeurs de la vésicule biliaire par la tomodensitométrie.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the diagnostic capability of CT to preoperatively detect evidence of locoregional spread of gallbladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two radiologists independently performed retrospective review of CT scans on 20 patients who had undergone surgical resection for carcinoma of the gallbladder. Local spread was categorized by the TNM system and the results were correlated with surgical and pathologic findings. RESULTS: All cases of hepatic spread (14 cases), common bile duct extension (four cases), pancreatic spread (three cases) and duodenal spread (three cases) were correctly diagnosed by helical CT. One of three cases of peritoneal spread and two of three cases of gastric spread were misdiagnosed. CT evaluation of T stage (T1: one case [5%]; T2: four cases [20%]; T3: four cases [20%], and T4: 11 cases [55%]) was accurate in 85%. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of T1-T2 lesions were 80%. The specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) were 93%. For T4 lesions sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 100%. CONCLUSION: Helical CT provided 85% accuracy in the diagnosis of the locoregional extent of gallbladder cancer. It allows an acceptable classification according to the TNM staging system and predicts prognosis.

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma of the abdominal wall.

Ewing sarcoma is most commonly a bone tumour which has usually extended into the soft tissues at the time of diagnosis. Exceptionally, this tumour can have an extraskeletal origin. Clinical or imaging findings are non-specific and diagnosis is based on histology. We report a case of an extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma developed in the soft tissues of the abdominal wall in a 35-year-old woman who presented a painful abdominal wall tumefaction. Ultrasongraphy and computed tomography showed a large, well-defined soft tissue mass developed in the left anterolateral muscle group of the abdominal wall. Surgical biopsy was performed and an extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma was identified histologically.

[Percutaneous retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies]. / Retrait percutané de corps étrangers intravasculaires.

Percutaneous extraction of intravascular foreign bodies is becoming an increasingly common technique. It is an effective and low aggressive way to avoid surgery. We report four new cases of percutaneous retrieval.

[Imaging features of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis]. / Imagerie de la pyélonéphrite xantogranulomateuse.

Pseudotumoral xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare chronic renal infection. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of its non-specific presentation. The purpose of this retrospective review of 8 cases is to assess the value of different imaging techniques in the evaluation of this pathology. Six males and 2 females, aged 29 to 75 years were included. The right kidney was involved in 5 cases and the left kidney was involved in 3 cases. Involvement was upper polar in 2 cases and lower polar in 6 cases. A kidney stone was present in 3 cases. US showed a heterogeneous hypoechoic lesion in 3 cases, a homogeneous hypoechoic lesion in 3 cases, and isoechoic lesion in 1 case and a cystic lesion in 1 case. CT showed a focal solid lesion with peripheral enhancement in 4 cases and a cystic mass with peripheral enhancement in 3 cases. US features are non-specific. CT shows a non-specific renal mass, the presence of obstruction and demonstrates perirenal involvement. Preoperative MRI, not performed in our patient population, demonstrates specific changes in the perirenal fat that suggests the diagnosis. The diagnosis of pseudotumoral xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis can be suspected on a constellation of clinical and laboratory findings combined with non-specific features on CT and US and specific MRI features of perirenal fat changes. Percutaneous biopsy may be needed in selected cases to confirm diagnosis.

[Computerizing the radiological sign]. / L'informatisation du signe radiologique.

The goal of this article is to present to the radiologist the different theories of the sign and their consequences for sign representation in computer systems. All the theories of the sign are presented, but the most relevant are highlighted in order to explain the great modeling systems currently in use (such as DICOM-SR or the UMLS). The constructivist approach of the notion of disease, the semiosis process, which starting from signs produces new signs, and the structuralist analysis of sign through language are emphasized. The purpose of this analysis is to end up with a consensual representation of the sign that can be understood by human beings and processed by machines. Such a representation, also known as an ontology, is based on a semantic organization of language, thus allowing medicine to become a truly scientific discipline. It aims at disambiguating the symbols given to machines, which will help us in our reasoning.

Robinow syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report two patients with Robinow syndrome, review the published literature and stress the importance and limitations of radiographic examination in the diagnosis of this disorder, which shows extreme clinical and radiographic variability. The radiographic differential diagnosis of Robinow syndrome is discussed.

[Vertebral and spinal cord hydatidosis: contribution of imaging]. / Hydatidose vertébromédullaire: intérêt de l'imagerie.

The authors report the case of a vertebromedullary hydatidosis revealed by medullar compression in a 40-year-old male patient. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions of the seventh and eighth dorsal vertebras, cystic lesions in the epidural space and in the perivertebral soft tissues. Surgical excision lead to clinical cure. Vertebromedullary hydatidosis is rare and severe. Modern techniques of imaging are very helpful for the diagnosis and the follow-up of patients after treatment.

[Febrile osseous pain in children with sickle cell disease: MRI findings]. / Douleurs osseuses fébriles chez l'enfant drépanocytaire: apport de l'IRM.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the MRI findings that can suggest a vaso-occlusive crisis in cases of febrile osseous pain in children suffering from sickle cell disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI (T1 and T2 weighted sequences and T1 weighted sequence with fat saturation before and after gadolinium injection) was performed in 10 children with sickle cell disease, presenting with febrile osseous pain. The diagnosis of vaso-occlusive crisis was made after fast improvement due to symptomatic treatment and negative bacteriological result. RESULTS: MRI was abnormal in all cases. A multifocal localisation was found in 2 cases. Bone marrow abnormalities were constant. In 10 cases, high T1 and T2 signal and metaphyso-diaphysial lesions were noted. Heterogeneous medullar enhancement with "ink stain" feature was constant. Early periosteal abnormalities were noted in 8 cases with inflammatory or stratified features. Cortical thinning was found in 1 case. Soft tissue abnormalities were observed in 5 cases with inflammatory features in 4. CONCLUSION: Multifocal synchronous localisation, medullar abnormalities resulting from hemoglobin degradation, heterogeneous enhancement, early periosteal abnormalities and associated soft tissues swelling are MRI findings suggesting acute vaso-occlusive disease.

[Pachydermoperiostosis: a report of two cases]. / Pachydermopériostose: à propos de deux cas.

Pachydermoperiostosis or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is a benign genetically determined disease, manifested by finger clubbing, hypertrophic skin changes and periosteal bone formation. It is rarely reported and was for a long time misdiagnosed and confused with secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. We present the imaging features in two cases and review the literature.

[Eagle syndrome: case report]. / Le syndrome de Eagle: à propos d'un cas.

Eagle's syndrome, also known as elongated styloid process, is an entity that may be the source of craniofacial and cervical pain. It is frequently reported but is probably more common than generally considered. The symptoms related to Eagle's syndrome can be confused with those attributed to a wide variety of Oropharyngeal and Maxillofacial diseases. The paucity of information in the radiologic literature prompted this report.

[Osteoid osteoma of the tarsal navicular bone: an uncommon localization]. / Ostéome ostéoïde de l'os naviculaire tarsien: une localisation rare.

We report a case of subchondral osteoid osteoma of the tarsal navicular bone. Osteoid osteomas are often located in the foot, mainly in the talus. This is the first report in the literature of a tarsal navicular bone localization. Diagnosis was difficult and established late due to misleading clinical presentation simulating mediotarsal arthritis.

Intrahepatic Osler's disease: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease is a hereditary vascular disease with multiple manifestations. The liver is involved rarely. Vascular abnormalities include telangiectasis and arteriovenous fistulas, sometimes associated with fibrosis and cirrhosis. Hepatic arteriovenous shunting may include secondary portal hypertension, reduced liver function and high cardiac output. Two cases of Osler-Weber-Rendu disease with extensive hepatic arteriovenous fistulation were described in detail and we report on their clinical features. In the first patient, treatment was symptomatic since liver transplantation is not indicated because the patient was asymptomatic. Embolization treatment of hepatic arteries was indicated in the second patient because he had biliary disease and recurrent cholangitis secondary to vasculo-biliary shunts. Therapy with arterial embolization, banding, or ligature of hepatic arteries is still limited and provides unsatisfactory long-term results. Liver transplantation offers now another therapeutic option for patients with intrahepatic high shunting and secondary pulmonary hypertension.

[A patient with a diaphragmatic mass]. / A propos d'une masse diaphragmatique.

Cystic teratoma of the diaphragm is a rare, generally asymptomatic, disease. We report a case which was disclosed by the development of fever and pain in the left hypochondria. Imaging ruled out surgical emergency and led to the diagnosis, describing the relations of the tumor.

[Spontaneous rupture of the upper urinary tract in a pregnant woman. Value of ultrasonography and computed tomography in the diagnosis and treatment]. / Rupture spontanée de la voie excrétrice urinaire supérieure chez une femme enceinte. Apport de l'échographie et de la tomodensitométrie dans le diagnostic et le traitement.

We report the eighteenth case of spontaneous rupture of the upper urinary tract in a pregnant woman (age = 24 years, term = 28 weeks). Sonography showed an anechogenic collection in the left perirenal area. Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of rupture. No cause could be determined due to the lack of an urography in post-partum. The first treatment was a double echo-guided percutaneous drainage. The pregnancy was completed to term with normal vaginal delivery of a live infant. Sonography showed complete cure.

[A rare complication of renal lithiasis: peritonitis and splenic abscess caused by rupture of pyonephrosis]. / Une complication rare des lithiases rénales: péritonite et abcès splénique par rupture d'une pyonéphrose.

Peritonitis can result from many causes. We report a case caused by a renal abscess which contaminated the abdominal cavity. A 30-year-old patient was referred with suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy with signs of peritoneal flooding. The culdocentesis was positive and returned frank pus. Endoscopic exploration with an open laparoscope revealed that the infection did not originate from a gynecological infection but did not identify the exact origin. Laparotomy was performed and revealed a splenic abscess and a subphrenic peritoneal breach releasing a purulent liquid. Splenectomy and abdominal lavage with draining was performed. A post-operative pyelourogram showed a silent kidney with multiple coralliform lithiases. Interventional sonography allowed drainage of a retroperitoneal collection. The post-operative period was uneventful. Left nephrectomy was later performed. Only rare cases of ruptured pyonephrosis leading to peritonitis have been reported, usually with poor prognosis.