Multimodality imaging features of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: outcome of 12 years of experience.

PURPOSE: This study was done to determine mammographic, sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, an entity clinically and radiographically resembling breast carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 women (mean age 37 years, range 21-51 years) with histopathological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis were enrolled in the study. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) was used to categorise the levels of suspicion of malignancy on mammography. Mammography findings were classified also according to density, margin, architectural distortion and number of lesions. Lesions were classified according to number, heterogeneity and echogenic features on sonography. Dynamic MRI findings were categorised as enhancing mass lesion, nonmass lesion or both mass lesions and nonmass lesions together. Subclassification criteria for MRI included lesion shape, margin, border and internal enhancement pattern. RESULTS: The most common mammographic finding was either focal or diffuse asymmetric density (n=15, 44%). The most common sonographic findings were solitary or multiple circumscribed heterogeneous hypoechoic masses (n=19, 52%). Among other sonographic findings were diffuse abscess formation with fistulae and massive parenchymal heterogeneity and hypoechogenicity in 12 (33%) and five (13%) women, respectively. On MRI, enhancing mass lesions were detected in 24 patients, whereas enhancing nonmass lesions were observed in 28. Sixteen patients had both enhancing mass lesions and nonmass lesions together. CONCLUSIONS: Although not characteristic for this entity, asymmetric density on mammography, solitary or multiple clustered heterogeneous hypoechogenicity with a tubular configuration on sonography and round, smooth-contoured masslike lesion with rim enhancement or segmental non-mass-like lesion on MRI are the most common features of the disease.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of solid or predominantly solid gynaecological adnexial masses: is it useful in the differential diagnosis?

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values provide specific information that allows the diagnosis of solid or predominantly solid gynaecological adnexial lesions, especially whether they can discriminate benign and malignant lesions. METHODS: DWI was performed in 37 patients with histologically proven solid or predominantly solid adnexial lesions (22 malignant and 15 benign neoplasms). The lesions in our data set were divided into two groups, all adnexial lesions or lesions of ovarian origin, for evaluation. The areas of the highest signal intensity on DWI (b = 800 s mm(-2)) and the lowest ADC values within the lesions were evaluated. RESULTS: On DWI, high signal intensity was observed more often in malignant than in benign lesions (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the ADC values of the malignant and benign lesions in either the adnexial (0.88±0.16 vs 0.84±0.42; p = 0.96) or the ovarian (0.85±0.14 vs 1.05±0.2; p = 0.133) lesions. When signal intensities on DWI were compared, however, malignant lesions had higher values than the benign lesions in both the adnexial (0.69±0.21 vs 0.29±0.13; p<0.0001) and the ovarian lesions (0.75±0.14 vs 0.37±0.24; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: On DWI, high signal intensity was observed more frequently with the malignant lesions.

Axillary sentinel node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) with potentially sterilized axillary lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008, SLNB with both blue-dye and radioisotope injection was performed in 77 patients with LABC whose cytopathologically confirmed positive axillary node(s) became clinically negative after NAC. Factors associated with SLN identification and false-negative rates, presence of non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) metastasis were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: SLNB was successful in 92% of the patients. Axillary status was predicted with 90% accuracy and a false-negative rate of 13.7%. Patients with residual tumor size >2 cm had a decreased SLN identification rate (p=0.002). Axillary nodal status before NAC (N2 versus N1) was associated with higher false-negative rates (p=0.04). Positive non-SLN(s) were more frequent in patients with multifocal/multicentric tumors (versus unifocal; p=0.003) and positive lymphovascular invasion (versus negative; p=0.0001). SLN(s) positive patients with pathologic tumor size >2 cm (versus 2 cm, and extra-sentinel node extension.

Cranial imaging spectrum in hypertensive disease of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cranial imaging findings in patients with severe preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and the correlation between these findings and neurological symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT or MRI findings of 120 patients diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, eclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome between January 1998 and December 2005 are presented. RESULTS: Pathological imaging findings were observed in 28.1% (n = 32) of the severe preeclampsia group, in 43.3% (n = 30) of the HELLP group, in 51.35% (n = 27) of the eclampsia group and in 61.9% (n = 21) of the eclampsia + HELLP group and in 45% of all patients. Thirty-five patients had specific pathology defined as ischemic lesions, edema, and perivascular microhemorrhage. Infarcts were found in seven, intracranial hemorrhage in seven, hydrocephaly in two, dural sinus thrombosis in two and a pineal cyst in one patient. Specific lesions were generally located in the posterior parietal and occipital lobes. Five patients died due to intracranial hemorrhage and one patient due to septic shock. CONCLUSION: A wide imaging spectrum from the ischemic lesion to severe intracranial hemorrhage can be detected in complicated cases of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. It is essential to perform cranial imaging in patients with symptoms and neurological deficits.

A case of progressive pseudorheumatoid arthropathy of 'childhood' with the diagnosis delayed to the fifth decade.

Progressive pseudorheumatoid arthropathy of childhood (PPAC) is a rare single gene disorder which is frequently misdiagnosed as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is characterised with arthralgia, joint contractures, bony swelling of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints and platyspondyly. Clinical and laboratory signs of joint inflammation such as synovitis, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and an elevated C-reactive protein level are usually absent. Although the disease begins early in life (usually between 3 and 8 years of age), the diagnosis may be delayed. In the present case report, we describe a male patient diagnosed with PPAC at the age of 46 years, although he had been exhibiting the typical radiological and clinical features of the disease since the age of 7 years.

Successful medical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a patient with Behcet's disease: imaging findings.

Arterial manifestations of Behcet's disease consist of aneurysm formation, stenosis and occlusion. Aneurysms in Behcet's disease most commonly involve the pulmonary arteries and have been shown to resolve with medical treatment. However, this regression pattern with medical therapy has not been reported for aortic aneurysms to date. We present a 43-year-old man with bilateral abdominal aortic aneurysms resulting from Behcet's disease resolving with medical therapy.

Long-term results of surgery for liver hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND: Elective surgery for liver hemangiomas is still controversial. HYPOTHESIS: Long-term results show that elective surgery for liver hemangiomas is safe and effective. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. PATIENTS: Forty-two patients underwent surgery for liver hemangiomas between January 1988 and December 1998; 41 were symptomatic. The primary indications for surgery were abdominal pain in 33 patients, diagnostic uncertainty in 6, and enlargement in 3. The median largest dimension of the major lesion was 10 cm (range, 7-45 cm). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Patients' assessment of the effects of surgery on preoperative symptoms, (2) determination of whether any other pathological conditions were missed in the preoperative evaluation, (3) operative mortality and morbidity, and (4) recurrences. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Enucleation was the most frequent operation (33 patients). Hospital mortality and morbidity were 2.4% (bleeding from the biopsy site on a lesion evaluated as inoperable at laparotomy; 1 patient) and 12% (5 patients), respectively. Thirty-three patients could be followed up for a median of 53 months (range, 6-135 months). Of the 32 preoperatively symptomatic patients, surgery was successful in symptom control in 28 (88%) (complete resolution or significant amelioration). No other cause of pain could be identified during follow-up in the other patients. Control ultrasonography revealed no recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Elective surgery is indicated in a small subset of patients with hemangiomas because of abdominal pain, enlargement, and diagnostic uncertainty. The results of surgery in symptom control are gratifying in approximately 90% of patients. Recurrences are rare. Enucleation can be performed rapidly and safely in most patients and should be preferred to resection.

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: MRI findings.

The purpose of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) on T(1)-weighted, T(2)-weighted and postgadolinium images. A total of 13 lesions were demonstrated in 13 patients. All patients underwent MR examination at 1 T imager. MR examinations included precontrast T(1)-weighted breathing averaged spin echo (SE), breath-hold spoiled gradient echo, T(2)-weighted TSE sequences with and without fat suppression, and T(1)-weighted breath-hold spoiled gradient echo (SGE) sequence following i.v. after gadolinium administration. All lesions were confirmed with histopathology. HAE hepatic lesions revealed geographic patterns of variable signal intensities on noncontrast T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images. Slightly hyperintense, iso- and hypointense signal on T(1)-weighted images corresponded to calcified regions, which appeared hypo-isointense signal on T(2)-weighted images. Necrotic areas were hypointense signal on T(1)-weighted and hyperintense signal on T(2)-weighted images. On postgadolinium images, lesions did not reveal enhancement. Dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts distal to HAE abscesses were observed in five patients and portal vein invasion or compression was observed in four patients, lobar atrophy of the liver was coexistent finding in cases with portal vein compression. The MRI appearance of HAE abscesses included large irregularly marginated masses with heterogenous signal on T(1)- and T(2)-weighted images and lack of enhancement with gadolinium.

Imaging of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is often difficult. Although positive chest radiographic findings or a positive tuberculin skin test supports the diagnosis, negative results do not exclude extrapulmonary tuberculosis. However, recognition and understanding of the radiologic findings of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can help in diagnosis. The spine is the most common site of skeletal involvement. The femur, tibia, and small bones of the hands and feet are most commonly involved by tuberculous osteomyelitis. Tuberculosis of the joints is characteristically monoarticular; the knee and hip are most frequently affected. Central nervous system tuberculosis takes various forms, including meningitis, tuberculoma, abscess, cerebritis, and miliary tuberculosis. Ileocecal involvement is seen in 80%-90% of patients with abdominal tuberculosis. The most common manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis is lymphadenopathy. Genitourinary tuberculosis is the most common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Lymphatic tuberculosis is more common among children, with cervical or supraclavicular nodes most frequently involved. Tuberculosis of the breast is extremely rare and occurs most often in young, multiparous, lactating women. The radiologic features of extrapulmonary tuberculosis mimic those of many diseases. A high level of suspicion is required, especially in high-risk populations. A positive culture or histologic analysis of biopsy specimens is still required in many patients for definitive diagnosis.

MRI of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis.

Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis is rare. We report a case with multiple intracranial masses which show cauliflower-like contrast enhancement pattern on MRI. The lesions originated from hepatic involvement with invasion of the inferior vena cava.

Imaging features of thalassemia.

Thalassemia is a kind of chronic, inherited, microcytic anemia characterized by defective hemoglobin synthesis and ineffective erythropoiesis. In all thalassemias clinical features that result from anemia, transfusional, and absorptive iron overload are similar but vary in severity. The radiographic features of beta-thalassemia are due in large part to marrow hyperplasia. Markedly expanded marrow space lead to various skeletal manifestations including spine, skull, facial bones, and ribs. Extramedullary hematopoiesis (ExmH), hemosiderosis, and cholelithiasis are among the non-skeletal manifestations of thalassemia. The skeletal X-ray findings show characteristics of chronic overactivity of the marrow. In this article both skeletal and non-skeletal manifestations of thalassemia are discussed with an overview of X-ray findings, including MRI and CT findings.

Clinical assessment, MRI, and EMG in congenital brachial plexus palsy.

Thirteen infants with congenital brachial plexus palsy (eight with upper, five with upper and lower) were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (the first performed between 7 and 41 days of age and the second at 3 months of age), electromyography (the first performed between 27 and 50 days and the second at 3 months), and the muscle scoring system of the Hospital for Sick Children (at 3, 6, and 9 months of age). The findings were evaluated with respect to the clinical status of the patients at 12 months of age. Magnetic resonance imaging, which could be performed readily even in the neonatal period, revealed pseudomeningoceles in two of the five patients with a poor prognosis (in all planes even in the early days after birth) and in two of the eight patients with a good prognosis (more easily visible at 3 months of age). Electromyography implied root avulsion in three of five patients with a poor prognosis. Electromyography can be of great value for patients with a poor prognosis and root avulsion but may underestimate the severity. The muscle scoring system (Hospital for Sick Children) was determined to be the most predictive method for prognosis.

CT findings of pulmonary artery aneurysms during treatment for Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of pulmonary artery aneurysms in patients being treated for Behçet's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with Behçet's disease who had a total of 46 aneurysms were included in the study. All patients underwent helical CT before and after treatment. Both initial and follow-up CT scans were evaluated for location, number, and size of aneurysms and for thrombosis and pulmonary parenchyma changes. RESULTS: Thirty-five (76%) of the 46 aneurysms completely disappeared during the 3-42 months of treatment (mean, 21 months), and the remaining 11 aneurysms (24%) became smaller. Both disappearance and regression of aneurysms were preceded by thrombus formation. In 15 initially thrombosed aneurysms (33%), the thrombus increased in size during treatment. After treatment, the thrombus regressed and the pulmonary artery aneurysms disappeared. Thirty-one initially nonthrombosed aneurysms (67%) first became thrombosed during treatment; later, the thrombus regressed and the aneurysm decreased in size. Perianeurysmal consolidation and air-space nodules detected in seven patients disappeared in the early stages of treatment. Mosaic attenuation areas were seen in eight patients and disappeared in seven (88%) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery aneurysms in Behçet's disease may become smaller or disappear with medical treatment. Mural thrombotic changes may be observed during the regression of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Helical CT is helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of aneurysms and thrombosis in Behçet's disease.

Palliation of malignant esophageal strictures with self-expanding nitinol stents: drawbacks and complications.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of self-expanding nitinol stents in the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty self-expanding nitinol stents were placed in 59 patients (43 men, 16 women; mean age, 55 years; age range, 23-75 years) with inoperable malignant stenosis due to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (n = 36), adenocarcinoma (n = 19), invasion of the esophagus due to carcinoma of the lung (n = 2), and recurrent anastomotic carcinoma (n = 2). Dysphagia was graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Follow-up esophagograms were obtained to evaluate stent patency. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in all patients. The severity of dysphagia decreased at least one grade in all but one patient. Tumor ingrowth and overgrowth were seen in 21 (36%) patients 2 days to 7 months after stent placement and caused recurrent dysphagia. These 21 patients underwent balloon dilation and additional stent placement. A mediastinal fistula was seen in three patients (5%), ulceration in four (7%), stent torsion in three (5%), and incomplete expansion of the stent in two (2%). Repeat intervention was necessary in 51% of the patients. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial range of drawbacks and complications associated with the use of self-expanding nitinol stents for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures. A covering would be necessary to prevent tumor ingrowth.