Incidental pulmonary emboli are associated with a very high probability of progressive malignant disease on staging CT scans.

PURPOSE: The link between malignancy and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is well established; the risk has been shown to be higher in certain tumour types and in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. 'Active' cancer is often quoted as being a particular risk factor for VTE, but the definition varies widely and the supporting evidence is weak. This study was conceived to establish whether incidental pulmonary emboli are associated with an increased likelihood of progressive disease on a staging computed tomography (CT) scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All CT scans containing incidental PEs over the course of a year in a large specialist cancer hospital were examined (n = 306). An age-matched control group was assembled. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship of several independent variables, including progressive disease, with the dependent variable of the presence or absence of incidental pulmonary emboli. RESULTS: Progressive disease was present in 144 of 306 (47.1%) of the patients in the PE group but only 63 of 306 (20.6%) of the control group patients. Progressive disease on the staging CT scan was found to have an odds ratio for incidental PE of 3.46, with a 95% CI of 2.38-5.01. Receiving platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in an odds ratio of 3.89 (2.41-6.28) for PE. Receiving non-platinum-based systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) resulted in an odds ratio for PE of 1.71 (1.16-2.50). CONCLUSION: The detection of an incidental PE on a staging CT scan is associated with a very high risk of progressive malignant disease.

The clinical use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the kidney.

Traditional B-Mode and Doppler sonography have been the stalwart of renal tract imaging for many years, and indeed, are in daily use in most centres as the modality of choice for the initial assessment of renal pathology. However, traditional ultrasound scanning can be limited in its ability to accurately characterise renal pathology, and can be inaccurate at determining benign from malignant lesions. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound conveys many benefits, being safe (especially in patients with renal dysfunction), does not require the use of ionising radiation, is quick and relatively cheap and can help to establish whether a focal renal lesion is sinister. Furthermore, it is our experience that contrast-enhanced ultrasound is not a difficult technique to master for the experienced ultrasound practitioner. In this article, we discuss the technique, interpretation and value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in renal imaging, and describe how we use it in our practice.