Transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Role of contrast and pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

Contrast echocardiography produced by peripheral injection of agitated saline solution is widely used for detecting intracardiac and intrathoracic extracardiac shunts, like pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). Currently, localization of PAVM requires pulmonary angiography even after detection by computed tomography of the chest. Pulsed Doppler along with contrast echocardiography of the pulmonary veins performed during transesophageal echocardiography may aid in the localization of PAVM and in its diagnosis.

New observations of soft tissue sarcomas with contrast medium-enhanced computed tomography.

Computed tomography examinations were performed on 74 patients who presented to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with a known or suspected diagnosis of primary or secondary soft tissue sarcoma. Focal masses were detected on computed tomography study in 59 patients. These masses were classified into three broad categories: centrally necrotic masses with a large predominantly liquefactive center and higher density periphery (29); multilocular, septated masses with distinct linear bands or striations (21); and miscellaneous masses (9). The miscellaneous category included six inhomogeneous and three homogeneous masses. The apparent density differences within these sarcomas were best appreciated on dynamic postcontrast scans. The computed tomography appearance of these sarcomas may be explained by the pathologic findings of cystic degeneration, extensive necrosis, central cavitation, focal hemorrhage, and myxoid changes.

Comparison of clinical and computed tomographic staging of head and neck tumors.

The extent of tumor was staged independently using conventional clinical methods and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) in 100 patients with tumors at the base of the skull, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nose, and paranasal sinuses. Conventional clinical methods used for staging included physical examination, routine biopsy, routine radiography, tomography, and sonography when appropriate. In 10 patients, CT identified tumors that had not been apparent clinically; eight of these were in the nasopharynx and two in the hypopharynx. In another 26 patients, CT showed the tumor to be more locally extensive than had been evident clinically; 12 of these tumors were in the oropharynx. A new technique of CT-guided biopsy of head and neck tumors was used in 20 patients to attain histologic information or to confirm the extent of the tumor. Thus, information obtained by CT scanning or CT-guided biopsy significantly altered treatment planning in 36 of the 100 patients.

External imaging techniques for quantitation of distribution of I-131 F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibody in humans.

We have employed noninvasive, external counting techniques for quantitation of I-131 F(ab')2 fragment of mouse monoclonal antibody localized in metastatic lesions and surrounding liver tissue in humans. This method utilizes counts from diametrically opposed views of tumor deposits and surrounding normal tissue. Corrections were made for patient attenuation, lesion size, and surrounding tissue activity. The validity of this method was evaluated using a fillable, tissue-equivalent organ-scanning phantom with organs and tumors of selected size. Less than 10% error was found in quantitation of various activities of I-131 in a 4-cm-diam lesion. Tumor activity ranged from 0.001% to 0.018% of administered dose per cm3 of tissue compared with 0.000 12% to 0.0023% per cm3 of liver. In addition, the vascular clearance of total I-131 and protein-bound I-131 was found to follow a two-compartment model with mean half lives of 3.8 and 21.4 h for total I-131 and 3.9 and 24.4 h for protein-bound I-131.

CT-guided biopsy for the detection and staging of tumors of the head and neck.

Twenty patients underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided thin-needle biopsy of tumors of the had and neck without complication. This technique was found to have wide application in confirming the presence and extent of primary disease as well as documenting nodal and bony metastases not apparent clinically.

Computed-tomographic-guided biopsy of small apical and peripheral upper-lobe lung masses.

After undergoing unsuccessful bronchoscopic and fluoroscopic biopsy attempts, 15 patients with small, peripheral upper-lobe and apical lung masses underwent computed-tomographic-guided biopsy. Malignant tissue was obtained in all cases. No complications resulted.

Computed tomography guided thin needle biopsy of small lytic bone lesions.

Twelve patients with small lytic bone lesions underwent computed tomography (CT) guided thin (22-gauge) needle biopsy when fluoroscopic guidance was not possible. Adequate tissue for diagnosis was obtained in all twelve patients without complications. CT can be invaluable in directing the needle to a small lesion, detecting extraosseous extention of tumor for biopsy, and avoiding overlying bony structures.

Metastatic colon carcinoma detected with radiolabeled F(ab')2 monoclonal antibody fragments.

Nine patients with colonic carcinoma were studied with I-131-labeled F(ab')2 fragments of an anti-colorectal carcinoma monoclonal antibody. A total of 69% of colon cancer sites were detected without background subtraction; metastases from a concurrent breast carcinoma in one patient were not seen. Lesions ranged from 1.5 to 8 cm. The mean thyroid uptake of I-131 at 24 hours was 0.25%. Half-lives of I-131 in the blood (protein-bound and total) fit a two-compartment model, with half-lives of 3.5 and 27.6 hours for the protein-bound fraction and 3.6 and 23.8 hours for total I-131. Using quantitative methods, a mean value of 0.0047%/cm3 of the administered dose was localized in the tumor at peak concentration, which occurred approximately 48 hours post-administration. This has implications for therapy planning.

Gray-scale sonographic assessment of pancreatitis in children.

A total of 144 gray-scale sonograms were obtained in 110 children to evaluate the pancreas. The entire gland was adequately visualized in just over 86% of cases. The size, contour, echo pattern, and echo intensity were assessed. Either diffuse or focal enlargement of the pancreas was the most consistent finding in the 25 children with pancreatitis. In contrast to previous reports, decreased echo intensity was not a reliable indicator of inflammation. Numerous complications were detected on the 54 sonograms of these 25 patients. These complications included pseudocysts, lesser sac fluid collections, ascites, biliary obstruction, and hemorrhage. It is recommended that ultrasound be the initial imaging procedure in the evaluation of children with suspected pancreatic disease, and that it be used in conjunction with clinical and biochemical data.

The accuracy of gray-scale renal ultrasonography in differentiating cystic neoplasms from benign cysts.

To evaluate the ability of gray-scale renal ultrasonography to distinguish cystic neoplasms from benign cysts, 182 cysts or cyst-like masses were reviewed retrospectively by three radiologists with varying degrees of experience in nephrosonography. All cases were proved by needle puncture or surgery. An unequivocal diagnosis of "cyst" based solely on ultrasonography was 98% accurate, with 2% being due to hematomas, localized hydronephrosis, or septa within the cyst. No cystic neoplasms were mistaken for benign cysts. These results indicate that experienced observers using proper technique will rarely be in error in distinguishing non-neoplastic cystic masses from cystic neoplasms by articulated-arm gray-scale ultrasonography, and that routine needle puncture may be unnecessary in such cases.

Wilms' tumor: diagnostic therapeutic implications.

Twenty-four cases of Wilms' tumor were analyzed. The gray-scale echographic characteristics of the tumors were categorized. Correlation with pathologic characteristics, clinical presentation, prognosis, and therapy response was assessed. Two echographic patterns emerged: (a) hypoechoic solid--3; and (b) hyperechoic solid--21. Necrotic degeneration as well as decrease in tumor size were echographic features correlated with positive response to therapy. The results of this analysis showed no initial correlation between the echographic patterns and the clinical presentation or prognosis. On the other hand, the echographic features of Wilms' tumor seem distinctive enough to help in etiologic differentiation and therapy management.

Prospective analysis of the value of scrotal ultrasound.

Ultrasound was evaluated in 69 patients for its usefulness in distinguishing scrotal abnormalities requiring surgery from those that may have clinical follow-up only. Distinction was possible in the majority of cases. On imaging, tumor showed decreased echogenicity within the testicle, which was usually enlarged. Epididymal enlargement, marked increase in peritesticular fluid, and skin thickening suggest a non tumorous condition. The ultrasound characteristics of various scrotal abnormalities are described.

CT differentiation of solitary from diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.

The therapy and prognosis of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma vary greatly with the solitary versus the diffuse form of the disease. Solitary disease demonstrates a high resectability rate with good long term prognosis. This contrasts with the rapidly fatal course associated with the diffuse form. To date, categorization of patients into either the solitary or the diffuse form has been based solely on conventional radiography. Multiple authors have reported cases of disease not demonstrated radiographically but discovered at surgery or autopsy. With the superiority of chest computed tomography (CT) for demonstrating parenchymal abnormalities, we propose that preoperative CT may be crucial in the workup of patients with presumed solitary bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma. Early identification of diffuse disease or confirmation of the presence of solitary disease by CT may allow the institution of proper therapy and better evaluation of patient prognosis.

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome with hydrops of the gallbladder diagnosed by ultrasound.

One of the complications of the mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is acute hydrops of the gallbladder. Although surgery may be required occasionally, spontaneous resolution of gallbladder hydrops in patients is common. Ultrasound is the optimal method for evaluating these patients.

CT staging of bladder carcinoma.

CT staging was performed in 49 consecutive patients with known carcinoma of the bladder. The overall accuracy of CT staging in 25 patients with surgically confirmed disease stage was 64%. Most diagnostic errors in this series were related to the determination of perivesical fat involvement by tumor. The overall accuracy of CT in predicting lymph node metastasis was 92%. The sensitivity was 60% and the specificity ws 100%. Because of the current management of bladder carcinoma, the major role of CT is in the evaluation of lymph nodes for metastatic disease. Since CT cannot detect metastasis to nonenlarged lymph nodes, it has only a limited role in the staging of bladder carcinoma at this time.

Detecting lymphatic metastases from prostatic carcinoma: superiority of CT.

CT scanning was performed on 29 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma (stage A or B). Bipedal lymphangiography was performed in 12 cases. Histologic confirmation was obtained in 15 cases (pelvic lymphadenectomy in 12 and positive percutaneous needle biopsy in three). In these 15 proven cases, the overall accuracy of CT was 93% with one false positive and no false negatives. Lymphangiography was far less accurate (55%) with two false positives and three false negatives in 11 proven cases. The greater accuracy of CT resulted primarily from its ability to detect abnormal nodes in the pelvis, particularly hypogastric nodes, which are rarely opacified by lymphangiography. Preliminary experience suggests that CT is superior to lymphangiography in detecting early lymphatic spread from prostatic carcinoma in the pelvis. In the future, CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy should be useful for documenting metastases in these patients.

Management of solid tumors in children: contribution of computed tomography.

To evaluate the impact of computed tomography (CT) on therapeutic management decisions in solid tumors of the chest and abdomen, 92 examinations on 54 children with 13 histologic tumor types were analyzed. The CT impact on the management decisions was analyzed in relation to other diagnostic procedures of the same body part including sonography, chest films with tomography, abdominal/pelvic films, and excretory urography. Overall, CT provided the essential information of 47% of management decision. By confirming non-CT examination results it helped direct therapeutic decisions in 28%. No additional information was derived from CT in 20%. Technically poor studies in 5% resulted in CT errors. According to the procedural method, CT provided additional information in 42% when compared with sonography, in 38% when compared with chest films and tomography, in 41% when compared with abdominal/pelvic films, and in 27% when compared with intravenous urography. The investigation showed that CT provided information directly affecting the therapeutic management decision in a significant number of patients.