Gallbladder Perforation after Transarterial Chemoembolization in a Patient with a Huge Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a common treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most common complications after TACE are non-specific symptoms called post-embolization syndrome, such as abdominal pain or fever. Rare complications, such as liver failure, liver abscess, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, cholecystitis, can also occur. On the other hand, gallbladder perforation is quite rare. This paper reports a case of gallbladder perforation following TACE. A 76-year-old male with a single 9-cm-sized HCC underwent TACE. Five days after TACE, he developed persistent right upper quadrant pain and ileus. An abdomen CT scan confirmed gallbladder perforation with bile in the right paracolic gutter and pelvic cavity. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was performed with the intravenous administration of antibiotics. After 1 month, the patient underwent right hemihepatectomy and cholecystectomy. Physicians should consider the possibility of gallbladder perforation, which is a rare complication after TACE, when unexplained abdominal pain persists.

Spinal Enumeration by Morphologic Analysis of Spinal Variants: Comparison to Counting in a Cranial-To-Caudal Manner

OBJECTIVE: To compare the spinal enumeration methods that establish the first lumbar vertebra in patients with spinal variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone computed tomography of the spine from March 2012 to July 2016, 100 patients (62 men, 38 women; mean age, 47.9 years; age range, 19–88 years) with spinal variants were included. Two radiologists (readers 1 and 2) established the first lumbar vertebra through morphologic analysis of the thoracolumbar junction, and labeled the vertebra by counting in a cranial-to-caudal manner. Inter-observer agreement was established. Additionally, reader 1 detected the 20th vertebra under the assumption that there are 12 thoracic vertebra, and then classified it as a thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebra, or thoracolumbar transitional vertebra (TLTV), on the basis of morphologic analysis. RESULTS: The first lumbar vertebra, as established by morphologic analysis, was labeled by each reader as the 21st segment in 65.0% of the patients, as the 20th segment in 31.0%, and as the 19th segment in 4.0%. Inter-observer agreement between the two readers in determining the first lumbar vertebra, based on morphologic analysis, was nearly perfect (κ value: 1.00). The 20th vertebra was morphologically classified as a TLTV in 60.0% of the patients, as the first lumbar segment in 31.0%, as the second lumbar segment in 4.0%, and as a thoracic segment in 5.0%. CONCLUSION: The establishment of the first lumbar vertebra using morphologic characteristics of the thoracolumbar junction in patients with spinal variants was consistent with the morphologic traits of vertebral segmentation.

Malignant Nodular Hidradenoma: A Case Report

Malignant nodular hidradenoma is a rare skin appendageal tumor, and its imaging findings have not been previously described. We experienced the case of a large malignant nodular hidradenoma of the left upper arm in a 71-year-old woman. MRI revealed a large, lobular, poorly circumscribed, soft tissue mass at the left upper arm, and the mass showed homogeneous enhancement. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed hypermetabolic activity in the left upper arm mass with a maximal standard uptake value of 19.

Treatment of Malignant Gastroduodenal Obstruction with Using a Newly Designed Complex Expandable Nitinol Stent: Initial Experiences

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of a new type of a complex expandable nitinol stent that was designed to reduce the stent's propensity to migration during the treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of expandable nitinol stent were constructed by weaving a single thread of 0.2 mm nitinol wire in a tubular configuration: an uncovered stent 18mm in diameter and a covered stent 16mm in diameter. Both ends of the covered stent were fabricated by coaxially inserting the covered stent into the tubular uncovered stent and then attaching the two stents together with using nylon monofilament. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the stent was placed in 29 consecutive patients (20 men and 9 women, mean age: 65 years) who were suffering with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (n=20), duodenal obstruction (n=6) or combined obstruction (n=3). Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing the food intake capacity before and after the procedure. The complications were investigated during the follow up period. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in all the patients. After stent placement, the symptoms improved in all but one patient. During the follow up, stent migration occurred in one patient (3%) at 34 days after the procedure. Despite the stent migration, the patient was able to resume a soft diet. Six patients developed recurrent symptoms of obstruction with tumor overgrowth at a mean of 145 days after the procedure; all the patients underwent coaxial placement of an additional stent with good results. One patient showed recurrence of obstruction due to tumor in-growth, and this was treated by placement of a second stent. Two patients with stent placement in the duodenum suffered from jaundice 26 days and 65 days, respectively, after their procedures. CONCLUSION: Placement of the newly designed complex expandable nitinol stent seems to be effective for the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. The new stent also seems to help overcome the disadvantage of the increased migration observed for the covered stent.

Radiologic Findings of Extraosseous Ewing's Sarcoma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiologic findings of the extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with pathologically confirmed extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma were retrospectively reviewed. Patients included two men and four women with an average age of 21.5 years (age range 9-48 years). Plain radiographs (six patients), magnetic resonance (MR) images (five patients), computed tomographic (CT) scans (three patients) and whole body scintigraphy (two patients) were reviewed and analyzed. Images were evaluated with regard to lesion location, size, margin, muscle or bone involvement and intrinsic imaging characteristics on CT and MRI. RESULTS:The tumors were located in the thigh (three patients), back (two patients) and upper arm (one patient). The tumors ranged in size from 2.3 cm to 7.5 cm (mean, 5.2 cm), were mainly well circumscribed and showed no evidence of calcification prior to treatment. Margins were well defined in four out of the six patients. Four patients had subcutaneous lesions and the other two patients had intramuscular lesions. Muscle (two patients) and bone invasion (one patient) were present. The masses were heterogenous low signal intensity on T1 weighted images and heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2 weighted images compared with muscle. Heterogeneous enhancement within the lesion was observed in all patients on CT and MRI. Whole body scintigraphy using Tc-99 m MIBI showed increased uptake in the masses of two patients. CONCLUSION: Extraosseous Ewing's sarcomas were frequently seen as a well-circumscribed ovoid mass with nonspecific findings on CT and MRI. Despite being a relative rare tumor, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of a non-calcified soft-tissue mass, especially in subcutaneous tissue.

CT Findings of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor versus Lymphoma of the Small Intestine

PURPOSE: To compare CT features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) with those of lymphomas in the small intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings of 11 pathologically confirmed GIST patients and 10 lymphoma patients were retrospectively reviewed. CT findings were analyzed with regard to location, size, margin, growth patterns, internal character, enhancement, invasion, vascular encasement, lymphadenopathy, intestinal obstruction and ascites. RESULTS:An extraluminal mass was present in 82% (9/11) of the GIST patients versus 30% (3/10) of the lymphoma patients. Circumferential wall thickening was observed in 80% (8/10) of the lymphoma patients (p.05). CONCLUSION: Features revealed by CT scans are highly useful in differentiating GIST from lymphoma of the small intestine. Extraluminal growth and internal necrosis or gas are more common in patients with GIST compared with lymphoma. CT features of circumferential wall thickening and associated lymphadenopathy are more common in patients with lymphoma.

A New Liquid Embolic Agent(Embol) for Transcatheter Renal Artery Embolization: An Experimental Study in Rabbit

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new liquid embolic agent in renal arterial embolization in the rabbit, and its clinical applicability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new embolic agent, Embol, was obtained by partial hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate and dissolved in a mixture of 45% ethanol and 55% non-ionic contrast medium. Its radioopacity was therefore good. An average of 0.8 cc(0.5-0.9 cc) of Embol was used to embolize the renal artery of one kidney in 15 rabbits. The immediate effect of this was examined angiographically 5 minutes after the procedure. To permit histologic examination, five rabbits in each group were sacrificed 3 days (I), 2 weeks (II), and 4 weeks (III) after embolization: prior to embolization and prior to sacrifice, one rabbit in each group underwent renal scanning, and prior to sacrifice all underwent follow-up angiography. In three rabbits, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium(Na), and potassium(K) levels were measured before and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after embolization. RESULTS: Embol was easy to use and its radiopacity was good. Five minutes after embolization, angiography showed that total occlusion of the main renal or interlobar artery had been achieved in all rabbits. Serum BUN, creatinine, Na and K levels were within normal limits. Follow-up angiogram obtained in each group showed persistent occlusion of the renal artery in all but one rabbit in group I and one in group III. Renal scans revealed no evidence of radionuclide uptake in embolized kidneys, which were slightly enlarged in group I but became gradually smaller in groups II and III. In all animals, histologic examination showed diffuse coagulation necrosis of the embolized kidneys and in group III the cortex of these was extensively calcified. In group I the renal artery showed an apparently fresh occluding thrombosis, and in groups II and III a completely organized thrombosis was present. In group III this was calcified. CONCLUSION: Because of its good radioopacity, Embol is easy to controa, and is effective for renal artery embolization. As a permanent embolic agent, it appears suitable for clinical applications.

Intraosseous Neurilemmoma of the Sternum: A Case Report

Intraosseous neurilemmoma is a rare benign neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of all primary bone tumors. The most frequent site of involvement is the mandible. We report a case of intraosseous neurilemmoma of the sternum which was discovered incidentally.

Rapidly Growing Mature Teratoma in the Anterior Mediastinum: Case Report

Mature teratoma is a benign tumor composed of a number of different types of well-differentiated tissues. Mature teratomas of the mediastinum usually grow slowly and are commonly asymptomatic. We report a case of mediastinal mature teratoma with rapid growth resulting in rupture

Transarticular Invasion of the Sacroiliac Joints by Malignant Pelvic Bone Tumors

PURPOSE: To describe modes of transarticular invasion, with reference to the size and location of a tumor, the anatomic characteristics of invaded cartilage, and the existence of ankylosis in SI joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven histologically confirmed malignant pelvic bone tumors involving transarticular invasion of sacroiliac joints, were retrospectively analysed. Transarticular invasion of a joint was defined as involvement of its opposing bones. The anatomic site and size of the tumors were analysed, and invaded sacroiliac joint was divided into upper, middle and lower parts on the basis of the anatomic characteristics of the intervening cartilage: synovial hyaline or fibrous ligamentous. The existence of ankylosis was determined, and transarticular invasion directly across a joint was classified as direct invasion. Extension of tumors around a joint from its periphery to the opposing bone were considered as indirect invasion. RESULTS: All tumors were located near the sacroiliac joint, eight at the ilium and three at the sacrum. Six invasions were indirect and five were direct. Average tumor area was larger in indirect cases than in direct: 191.8 cm2 vs. 69.6 cm2. In all indirect invasions, a huge soft tissue mass abutted onto the peripheral portion of the sacroiliac joint. In five of six cases of indirect transarticular invasion, the upper part of the joint posteriorly located fibrous ligamentous cartilage. In the other, the lower part was invaded, and this involved a detour around the joint space, avoiding the invasion of intervening cartilage. Ankylosis occurred in one of the indirect cases. Among the five cases of direct invasion, there was invasion of the posteriorly located ligamentous fibrous cartilage in three without ankylosis. In the other two cases, involving ankylosis, the synovial hyaline cartilage was invaded directly at the lower part of the joint. CONCLUSION: Transarticular invasions of sacroiliac joint via fibrous cartilage are most common. Ankylosis of the sacroiliac joint facilitates hyaline cartilage invasion. We consider that in transarticular invasion of malignant pelvic bone tumors, indirect invasion is more common than direct.