Mature cystic teratoma of the fallopian tube diagnosed preoperatively with computed tomography and ultrasound: A case report.

Mature cystic teratoma of the fallopian tube is extremely rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported in the English literature. Clinical symptoms are nonspecific, and the diagnosis is most often made after surgical resection. A preoperative diagnosis has the potential to aid with surgical planning and patient counseling. We present a case of a large completely intratubal mature cystic teratoma in a 40-year-old woman who presented to her primary care provider with the gradual onset of right lower quadrant/pelvic pain. The patient's symptoms prompted evaluation with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound. Imaging showed a dilated right fallopian tube containing fluid, macroscopic fat, and calcifications, facilitating the preoperative diagnosis of mature cystic teratoma of the fallopian tube. Because of her symptoms, she elected to undergo salpingectomy and the diagnosis was pathologically confirmed. The patient's symptoms resolved following surgery.

Functional evaluation of cystic duct patency with Gd-EOB-DTPA MR imaging: an alternative to hepatobiliary scintigraphy for diagnosis of acute cholecystitis?

PURPOSE: To determine if MR cholangiography with Gd-EOB-DTPA can be used to assess cystic duct patency and to establish normal time range for reflux of contrast material into the cystic duct/gallbladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study is HIPAA-compliant and IRB-approved with waiver for informed consent granted. From September 2008 to June 2009, 300 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging for various clinical indications, not specifically limited to evaluation for acute cholecystitis, were identified. 112 patients were excluded: prior cholecystectomy (n = 93), severe technical limitations (n = 9), or absence of appropriate clinical follow-up (n = 10). 188 total patients (82 male, 106 female, mean age 51.0 years) were included in the final dataset. Time between contrast administration and contrast reflux into the cystic duct/gallbladder on delayed phase imaging was measured. RESULTS: Reflux of contrast into the gallbladder was identified in 130/188 patients (69.1%) on delayed phase imaging. Average time to gallbladder reflux was 15:24 ± 5:51 minutes (range: 6:01-41:05 min). 58/188 patients (30.9%) demonstrated no reflux of contrast into the gallbladder at time of final delayed phase images. Of 58 patients who demonstrated no reflux into cystic duct/gallbladder, 15 patients demonstrated no extrahepatic biliary excretion, limiting evaluation of cystic duct patency. A total of 173 patients demonstrated biliary excretion of contrast with 76% overall sensitivity of detection of cystic duct patency. CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography with hepatobiliary MR contrast agents such as Gd-EOB-DTPA can demonstrate cystic duct patency with high sensitivity. MR protocols can be designed within a clinically feasible timeframe to optimize diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Dynamic MR imaging of the biliary system using hepatocyte-specific contrast agents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to illustrate how the properties of hepatocyte-specific MR contrast agents can be used in the dynamic evaluation of the biliary system. CONCLUSION: Because of their dual route of excretion through the kidneys and the liver, gadolinium-based, hepatocyte-specific MR contrast agents can be used to evaluate the biliary tract as an off-label use. Images are obtained during the hepatocyte phase, which usually occurs within 20-40 minutes after injection depending on the specific contrast agent selected. Potential uses include showing variant biliary anatomy and choledocholithiasis. Evaluation for acute cholecystitis is possible by assessing for reflux of contrast material across the cystic duct. Additionally, these agents have value in both presurgical and postsurgical imaging for showing anatomy and complications. Finally, these agents are useful in the evaluation of choledochal cysts.

Respiratory-triggered three-dimensional T2-weighted MR cholangiography after injection of gadoxetate disodium: is it still reliable?

PURPOSE: To test the null hypothesis that there is no quantitative or qualitative difference between respiratory-triggered three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography performed before or after administration of gadoxetate disodium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective HIPAA-compliant dual-center study, institutional review board approval was obtained, and a waiver of informed consent was granted. Between July and December 2008, 60 patients (age range, 18-82 years) who were referred for liver MR imaging with gadoxetate disodium underwent respiratory-triggered 3D MR cholangiography before and immediately after completion of portal venous phase contrast material-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging. Quantitative signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements were obtained in the extrahepatic biliary tract in both MR cholangiographic data sets in each patient. Qualitative assessment was performed by four readers with a four-point scale to assess the depiction of extra- and intrahepatic ducts up to the third order. Statistical analysis consisted of a one-sided Wilcoxon signed rank test, with a P value of less than .05 indicating a significant difference. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in mean SNR in the MR cholangiographic data set after injection of gadoxetate disodium. SNR was 96 + or - 50 [standard deviation] and 78 + or - 47 before and after contrast media administration, respectively (P < .0001). For all readers, qualitative differences were most obvious in the depiction of the common bile duct and second- and third-order biliary branches, with the precontrast MR cholangiographic data sets being preferred (P < .0001). Precontrast data sets were also significantly preferred in the assessment of the right and left hepatic ducts by all readers. CONCLUSION: Gadoxetate disodium adversely affects respiratory-triggered 3D MR cholangiography, both qualitatively and quantitatively. We recommend that such a sequence be performed before injection of gadoxetate disodium.