The Role of Dual-Energy CT in the Study of Urinary Tract Tumors: Review of Recent Literature.

Urothelial cancers are often detected incidentally because of an exponential growth in medical cross-sectional imaging. Nowadays there is the need for improved lesion characterization to distinguish clinically significant tumors from benign conditions. The gold standard for diagnosis of bladder cancer is cystoscopy, while for upper tract urothelial cancer computed tomographic urography and flexible ureteroscopy are more appropriate modalities. Computed tomography (CT) is the cornerstone in the assessment of locoregional and distant disease, using a protocol with precontrastographic and postcontrastographic phases. In particular, renal pelvis, ureter and bladder lesions can be assessed during the urography phase in the acquisition protocol of the urothelial tumors. Multiphasic CT is associated with overexposure to ionising radiation and repeated infusion of iodinated contrast media, which can be problematic especially in certain types of patients (allergic, nephropathic, pregnant women and in paediatric age). Dual-energy CT can overcome these difficulties with a number of methods, for example, by reconstructing virtual noncontrast images from a single-phase examination with contrast medium. In this review of the recent literature, we would like to highlight the role of Dual-energy CT in the diagnosis of urothelial cancer, its potential in this setting and possible advantages related to it.

Dual-Energy CT applications in urinary tract cancers: an update.

Urothelial tumours are the fourth most common cancer in the world and account for the majority of tumours involving the bladder. The symptom that often leads to diagnosis is the presence of haematuria. Diagnosis is made by cystoscopy, which is currently the gold standard in bladder cancer. Computed tomography (CT) performed with pre- and post-contrastographic phases is essential in order to assess the loco-regional and distant extension of disease. The diagnosis and staging of upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) are best done with computed tomography urography and flexible ureteroscopy (URS). In the acquisition protocol of this type of tumour, a urographic phase is mandatory, which allows for an accurate diagnostic assessment of the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder, especially in papillary forms. The use of multiple acquisition phases, especially in this type of patient who will have to perform follow-up CTs, leads to the problem of overexposure to ionising radiation, as well as the frequent administration of iodinated contrast medium. For this reason, in recent year, the focus has been put on advanced technologies such as dual-energy CT (DECT), that is a method that can offer some advantages for both radiologist and patient, in the diagnosis of cancer and, in particular, urinary tract disease.

Ultrasound diagnosis of acute appendicitis complicating De Garengeot's hernia.

De Garengeot's hernia is a rare condition defined by the herniation of the vermiform appendix within a femoral hernia sac. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman admitted to our emergency department complaining of pain in the right groin. This symptomatology, present for 2 days, increased in the following 12 h. Ultrasonography (US) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) were performed, which showed the herniation of the vermiform appendix in the femoral hernia sac. Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) and CECT were the fundamental imaging investigations for this diagnosis. The management of De Garengeot's hernia is surgical through herniorrhaphy, which makes it possible to repair the femoral hernia and perform an appendicectomy in case of appendicitis.

Correction to: Rare case of an upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) in renal pelvis and ureter associated to renal vein thrombosis: diagnostic imaging with CECT, MRI and CEUS.

Unfortunately, the first name and family names of all the authors have incorrectly been swapped and published in original article.