Focal fatty sparing of the pancreatic head in cystic fibrosis: CT findings.

The most common imaging appearance of the pancreas in cystic fibrosis is diffuse, complete fatty replacement. We present a case of complete fatty replacement of the pancreatic body and tail with total sparing of the pancreatic head. To our knowledge, this pattern of fatty sparing and its associated computed tomographic appearance have not been previously reported in cystic fibrosis.

Clustered pulmonary nodules: highly suggestive of benign disease.

Thirty-one adult patients with a cluster of small, noncalcified, pulmonary nodules identified on chest computed tomography (CT) examinations were studied retrospectively. Pathology revealed an infectious/inflammatory etiology in all cases in which a surgical resection of the involved lung was performed. None of the patients in our study group showed evidence of malignancy in the region of a cluster of pulmonary nodules over the follow-up period. The authors conclude that an isolated cluster of small pulmonary nodules is strongly suggestive of benign disease. Although exceptions may rarely occur, most cases represent incidental infectious or inflammatory disease.

Pancreatic metastasis from clear cell renal carcinoma: diagnosis with chemical shift MRI.

Some clear cell renal cell carcinomas contain intracellular lipid, which can be detected with chemical shift MRI. We present an example of surgically proven metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma to the pancreas, which was diagnosed using chemical shift MRI.

Tumorous gastric varices: radiographic findings in 10 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the appearance of tumorous gastric varices on double-contrast barium studies and whether these varices have characteristic radiographic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of radiology files revealed 86 patients with gastric varices diagnosed during double-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract examinations. Of these 86 patients, 12 (14%) had a conglomerate mass of varices, or tumorous varices. Five of the 12 patients had proved gastric varices and five were presumed to have varices on the basis of additional diagnostic test results, clinical follow-up findings, or both. Radiographs from these 10 patients were reviewed retrospectively to determine the size, location, and morphologic features of these lesions. RESULTS: Tumorous varices had a mean size of 6.8 cm (range, 3-11 cm). They involved the posteromedial border of the gastric fundus in eight patients, the central cardiac region in one, and the anterolateral-inferior fundal border in one. Viewed in profile, the varices appeared as smooth submucosal masses with undulating contours and discrete borders. Viewed en face, the varices manifested as a conglomerate of thickened, tortuous folds that faded peripherally into the adjacent mucosa. CONCLUSION: Tumorous gastric varices manifest as remarkably similar findings on double-contrast barium studies, usually appearing en face as a conglomerate of thickened, lobulated folds and in profile as smooth, undulating, submucosal masses on the posteromedial border of the gastric fundus. It is important to be aware of the characteristic features of tumorous gastric varices on double-contrast studies so that they are not mistaken for neoplastic lesions in the stomach.