ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of our study was to correlate spread of the lung cancer into the adrenal glands with the progression of the primary disease. METHODS: We diagnosed and confirmed adrenal metastases in 50 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We correlated the site of the primary lung carcinoma with the site of the adrenal metastasis, and the adrenal metastasis pattern, ipsi-, contra-, and bilateral adrenal metastases, with the operability and number of other sites of metastatic disease. RESULTS: Adrenal metastases were ipsilateral in 20 patients, contralateral in 15 patients and bilateral in 15 patients. An inverse incidence of contra- and bilateral metastasis was observed in 37% of operated patients, and in 71% of patients with inoperable carcinoma. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that an isolated ipsilateral adrenal metastasis in a patient with resectable primary NSCLC could be considered (and treated) as a localized disease rather than a symptom of systemic spread.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/secondary , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/mortality , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/mortality , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Incidence , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Statistics as Topic , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
An old female patient presented after a car accident with clinical and sonographic evidence of two lesions, located along the seat-belt line. Despite the recent history of trauma and the localization in the traumatized area, the discrepancy between the sonographic size of the smaller lesion and the findings on palpation, together with the lack of typical mammographic findings for fat necrosis rose the suspicion of malignancy. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed to confirm the nature of the smaller lesion.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/complications , Breast/injuries , Fat Necrosis/complications , Ultrasonography, Mammary , Accidents, Traffic , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Fat Necrosis/diagnostic imaging , Fat Necrosis/etiology , Female , Humans , MammographyABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of expiratory lateral decubitus views in the radiological diagnosis of small pleural effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred for abdominal sonography for various reasons were examined for ultrasonographic features of pleural effusion. From November 1994 until May 1996, 36 patients were found to have pleural effusion not exceeding 15 mm in depth and were included in the study. Erect posteroanterior, lateral, and lateral decubitus (in inspiration and expiration) ragiographs were performed in all patients. RESULTS: The mean thickness of fluid was 4.3 mm on inspiratory lateral decubitus radiographs and 7.9 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus views (P < 0.005). In 31 of 36 patients (86%) there was a difference in the thickness of the fluid layer as measured in expiratory vs. inspiratory lateral decubitus radiographs. In 16% of patients, the fluid was not visible on inspiratory lateral decubitus projections. CONCLUSIONS: Expiratory lateral decubitus views may be useful for demonstrating small pleural effusions.
