Pelvic fractures: experience of pelvic ring fractures at a major trauma centre.

In this review, we discuss the imaging classification of pelvic ring fractures in the context of our experience of reporting trauma computed tomography (CT) in a major trauma centre. Pelvic ring fractures are potentially significant injuries with risk of significant haemorrhage and morbidity. This review details the use of classification systems in determining the mechanism and severity of injury, with discussion of the features of the Young and Burgess classification system. We demonstrate the different types of pelvic ring fracture with examples from trauma CT, and with reference to the distribution and frequency of these injuries in trauma patients. This review will allow the reader to assess trauma CT for significant pelvic ring injury and identify features of instability.

Imaging features of spinal trauma: what the radiologist needs to know.

Traumatic spinal fractures typically occur in a young subset of patients following a high-energy motor vehicle accident (MVA) or a fall from height. Upon recognizing the spinal injury, the radiologist should be able to describe the fracture pattern based on conventional nomenclature and to deduce the likely mechanism of injury. This will enable the provision of a more clinically relevant report and will help the radiologist to appreciate the likelihood of associated ligamentous and neurological injury. Vertebral trauma often follows a recognizable pattern based on a specific mechanism of injury. These predictable types of fracture have been referred to as the "fingerprints" of the injury.(1) This review depicts the variety of vertebral column fractures seen in a cohort of 781 patients admitted to our level 1 trauma centre over 1 year.

Interstitial magnetic resonance lymphography: the clinical effectiveness of a new method.

The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of interstitial magnetic resonance lymphography as an examination for the depiction of the lymphatic system in humans by comparison with direct x-ray lymphography. We studied 14 subjects (two volunteers and 12 patients with clinical suspicion of lymphedema of the lower extremities). We first administered subcutaneous gadobutrol between the toes and performed MR lymphography. After seven days, we injected lipiodol into the lymph vessels of 8 patients and performed x-ray direct lymphography to compare findings of two methods. We identified the normal lymphatic system (lymph vessels and inguinal lymph nodes) of volunteers. In seven subjects, we were able to image an abnormal lymphatic system with decreased number of lymph vessels, lymphoceles, and ectatic lymph vessels. In three subjects we identified both an abnormal lymphatic and venous system and in two patients only the venous system. In all cases x-ray direct lymphography confirmed the findings of the MR lymphography. No side effects were observed from either contrast agent. We expect that in the future, interstitial MR lymphography will be improved and evolve into a valuable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of lymphatic diseases particularly those who present with primarily lymphedema in the lower limbs or second, in regions other than extremities.

Interstitial magnetic resonance lymphography: is it a new method for the diagnosis of lymphedema?

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the method of interstitial magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) as an examination for the depiction of the lymphatic system in humans in comparison with the method of direct X-ray lymphography. METHODS: We studied 6 persons, 2 volunteers and 4 patients with clinical suspicion of lymphedema in lower extremities. We administered subcutaneous gadobutrol for the MRL with a volume of 5 mL composed of 4.5 mL of Gadobutrol mixed with 0.5 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride and after 7 days lipiodol in the lymph vessel for the X-ray direct lymphography (in 3 patients) in order to compare the findings of the two METHODS: We then followed up all individuals for 7 days for any possible side effect of the contrast agents. RESULTS: Using MRL, we depicted the lymphatic system (lymph vessels and inguinal lymph nodes) of volunteers in 60 min. Moreover, in patients we depicted several abnormalities of the lymphatic system including decreased number of lymph vessels, lymphocele and ectatic lymph vessels. X-ray direct lymphography confirmed the findings of the MRL in all cases. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: In our pilot study, Gadobutrol seems to be a good contrast agent for the painless depiction of the lymphatic system in humans through interstitial MRL. More extensive studies are needed in order to establish the efficacy and the dosage of Gadobutrol.

Acute iliac artery rupture: endovascular treatment.

The authors present 7 patients who suffered iliac artery rupture over a 2 year period. In 5 patients, the rupture was iatrogenic: 4 cases were secondary to balloon angioplasty for iliac artery stenosis and 1 occurred during coronary angioplasty. In the last 2 patients, the rupture was secondary to iliac artery mycotic aneurysm. Direct placement of a stent-graft was performed in all cases, which was dilated until extravasation was controlled. Placement of the stent-graft was successful in all the cases, without any complications. The techniques used, results, and mid-term follow-up are presented. In conclusion, endovascular placement of a stent-graft is a quick, minimally invasive, efficient, and safe method for emergency treatment of acute iliac artery rupture, with satisfactory short- and mid-term results.

Intratesticular arteriovenous malformation. Clinical course, ultrasound and MRI findings of an extremely rare lesion on a 7 year follow-up basis.

We present the clinical course, sonographic and MRI findings of an intratesticular arteriovenous malformation (AVM) found in a patient during routine check-up for infertility evaluation. Seven years ago, patient's refusal for surgical removal of the lesion led to follow-up ultrasound examinations and finally to an MRI examination. Arteriovenous malformations of male genitalia have been reported in the literature (penis, scrotum, spermatic cord and epididimys). However, this is the second case of an intratesticular AVM and the first one with a long clinical follow-up.

Interstitial magnetic resonance lymphography with gadobutrol in rabbits and an initial experience in humans.

The purpose of this study was first to evaluate gadobutrol as a contrast agent for interstitial Magnetic Resonance Lymphography (MRL) in rabbits, and second, to extend the study to humans, if the initial results were satisfactory. In our experiment, gadobutrol was injected into twelve white New Zealand rabbits. In nine animals, 0.5 ml of gadobutrol was subcutaneously administered through each foot pad of the hindlegs while in the remaining three animals the agent was given in each foot of the forelegs. In four of the nine rabbits, slight local massage was applied at the site of administration. Subsequently, we proceeded to administer 5 ml (4.5 ml gadobutrol mixed with 0.5 ml hydrochloride lidocaine) into the limbs of two healthy humans. We achieved imaging of four lymph node groups (popliteal, inguinal, iliac and paraortic) in the hind-legs of the nine-rabbit group, whereas, in the forelegs of the remaining three rabbits, three lymph node groups (axillary, parasternal, mediastinal) were depicted. The flow of the contrast agent was significantly faster in the rabbits that received local massage (P<0.02). In humans, normal lymph vessels, as well as inguinal lymph nodes, were depicted in the legs. No side-effects were observed either in the rabbits or humans.

Image findings of a tailgut cyst. Case report and short review of the literature.

We present a case of retrorectal hamartoma (tailgut cyst). Imaging findings on ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, pathologic findings, as well as the diagnostic pitfalls during the patient's management are documented. As it is a rare lesion with a non specific clinical presentation, it is usually misdiagnosed. Our aim is to present image characteristics of these lesions in all modalities and include retrorectal hamartomas in our differential diagnosis in patients with lesions with similar image findings.

Ovarian masses in young adolescents: imaging findings with surgical confirmation.

Functional cysts and benign neoplasms are the most common ovarian masses among young adolescents. Ovarian cancer on the other hand, although rare in this age group, is the most common genital tract malignancy. The purpose of this study was to define imaging characteristics of ovarian masses in adolescents between 12 and 21 years old and correlate imaging and surgical findings. Thirty-seven female adolescent patients aged between 12 and 21 years were operated on because of a diagnosed ovarian mass between 1997 and 2002. All patients underwent pelvic ultrasound, five had an abdominal CT scan, two had abdominal MRI, one abdominal X-ray and one intravenous pyelography. Ultrasound was used to define the size of the lesion and to characterize its gross morphologic condition as solid, simple cyst or complex cyst. The records were reviewed for age at presentation, presenting symptoms, diagnostic studies, surgical procedure and pathology findings, which were available for all patients. In our study 32 patients (86.5%) were symptomatic and five asymptomatic (13.5%). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (59.5%). Thirty-four patients (91.1%) had benign lesions, two had malignant tumors (5.4%) and one patient had a borderline lesion (2.7%). The most common ovarian masses detected were germ cell tumors (27.5%) and functional cysts (25%). Twenty patients (54%) underwent operative laparoscopy and 17 patients (46%) exploratory laparotomy. Simple resection of the ovarian mass was achieved in the majority of cases (84%). Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in only one case (2.7%).