Amyand's Hernia diagnosed preoperatively via a CT scan: A case report.

Amyand's hernia is a rare type of inguinal hernia characterized by the presence of the vermiform appendix within the hernia sac. It was named after Claudius Amyand who performed the world's first successful appendectomy on an 11-year-old boy with a right inguinal hernia in 1735 and discovered a herniated appendix during surgery. This condition warrants urgent surgical treatment, with the type of surgical intervention depending on the appendix's condition. However, the nonspecific clinical presentation often complicates the preoperative diagnosis, emphasizing the critical role of imaging in surgical planning. Herein, we present the case of a 74-year-old male who presented with fever, inguinal swelling, and discomfort. Clinical suspicion of inguinal and scrotal inflammation prompted us to perform a prompt CT scan. This radiological evaluation led to a preoperative diagnosis of a Type 3 Amyand's hernia. This case highlights the significance of CT scans in the accurate and timely diagnosis of Amyand's hernia. Distinguishing between various types of Amyand's hernia is pivotal as it profoundly influences surgical decision-making and postoperative outcomes. By sharing this case, we contribute to current knowledge about Amyand's hernia, increase clinical awareness of the condition, and emphasize the crucial role of imaging in its management.

Consistency and prognostic value of preoperative staging and postoperative pathological staging using 18F-FDG PET/MRI in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) has been clinically used as a method to diagnose non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate the concordance of staging and prognostic ability of NSCLC patients using thin-slice computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent both diagnostic CT and 18F-FDG PET/MRI before surgery between November 2015 and May 2019. The cTNM staging yielded from PET/MRI was compared with CT and pathological staging, and concordance was investigated, defining pathological findings as reference. To assess the prognostic value of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), we dichotomized the typical prognostic factors and TNM classification staging (Stage I vs. Stage II or higher). Kaplan-Meier curves derived by the log-rank test were generated, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with DFS and OS. RESULTS: A total of 82 subjects were included; PET/MRI staging was more consistent (59 of 82) with pathological staging than with CT staging. There was a total of 21 cases of CT and 11 cases of PET/MRI that were judged as cStage I, but were actually pStage II or pStage III. CT tended to judge pN1 or pN2 as cN0 compared to PET/MRI. There was a significant difference between NSCLC patients with Stage I and Stage II or higher by PET/MRI staging as well as prognosis prediction of DFS by pathological staging (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, PET/MRI, CT, and pathological staging (Stage I or lower vs. Stage II or higher) all showed significant differences as prognostic factors of recurrence or metastases. In multivariate analysis, pathological staging was the only independent factor for recurrence (P = 0.009), and preoperative PET/MRI staging was a predictor of patient survival (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In NSCLC, pathologic staging was better at predicting recurrence, and preoperative PET/MRI staging was better at predicting survival. Preoperative staging by PET/MRI was superior to CT in diagnosing hilar and mediastinal lymph-node metastases, which contributed to the high concordance with pathologic staging.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathology in a Case of Pleomorphic Adenoma of a Minor Salivary Gland in the Nasal Cavity.

BACKGROUND Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland is a common benign tumor of the parotid gland. However, pleomorphic adenoma arising in the minor salivary glands, including the nasopharynx, is uncommon. This report is of a case of nasal pleomorphic adenoma in which the preoperative imaging findings were consistent with the histological features of pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary gland, which differs from that of pleomorphic adenoma of the major salivary gland. CASE REPORT A 56-year-old Japanese man was referred to the department of otolaryngology following nasal endoscopy performed at a referral center that identified a right nasal mass. The findings of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were consistent with a pleomorphic adenoma arising in the nasal septum. Needle biopsy and histology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. The tumor was resected using endoscopic surgery, and the histology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma covered by normal nasal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS This case showed that pleomorphic adenoma arising in the nasal minor salivary gland had typical MRI and histological findings and was a submucosal lesion. Preoperative MRI supported the approach to surgical resection to ensure complete excision.

Measurement of cerebral vascular reserves with I-123 IMP SPECT without an arterial input function using the microsphere model and radiopharmaceutical dose calibration.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral vascular reserve (CVR) is an important indicator for the management of and therapy for cerebral arterial occlusive disease (CAOD). Vasodilatory function is measured using the standard IMP-ARG method. The IMP autoradiography (IMP-ARG) method employed here uses a standardized input function, which was derived from 12 patients between 31 and 71 years of age. Because the population of elderly patients continues to increase in Japan, additional therapies are required to assess CVR in elderly patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease or a history of smoking, in particular. Despite its popularity, alternatives to the IMP-ARG method are necessary. Here, we proposed the microsphere (MS) method without an input function. METHOD: Using this method and the IMP-ARG method, we measured the CVRs of 18 CAOD patients. RESULTS: The CVRs derived with these two methods were significantly and linearly correlated (r = 0.89, p < 0.01). CVRs categorized by severity were also found to correspond between the two methods (κ = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the method proposed here may serve as a supplemental to and be compatible with the IMP-ARG method for the assessment of CVR. Furthermore, the two methods, when used in conjunction, may result in less error than either would alone.

Effects of menstrual cycle on background parenchymal enhancement and detectability of breast cancer on dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI: A multicenter study of an Asian population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the menstrual cycle on BPE and cancer detectability in an Asian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 266 premenopausal patients with regular menstrual cycles from 24 centers were included, and 176 of them were diagnosed by pathology as having breast cancer. Thirty-five patients were examined in the menstrual phase (days 1-4), 105 in the proliferative phase (days 5-14), and 126 in the secretory phase (days 15-30). Measurement of the following signal intensities (SIs) were obtained: breast tissue on the unaffected side on a pre-contrast image (SI1) and an early-phase image (SI2); the SIs of breast tissue on the affected side on a pre-contrast image (SI3) and an early-phase image (SI4); and the SIs of breast cancer on a pre-contrast image (SI5) and an early-phase image (SI6). We calculated the BPE ratio, i.e., (SI2- SI1)/SI1 and the cancer/background enhancement ratio (C/B) ratio, i.e., (SI6- SI5) / (SI4- SI3). The BPE was classified as minimal, mild, moderate, or marked, and the cancer detectability was classified as excellent, good, or poor independently by two radiologists. RESULTS: The average C/B ratio was 20.1, 15.7, and 9.1 at the menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases (p < 0.001). BPE was determined as moderate or marked in 0% and 5.4% at the menstrual phase, 10.3% and 11.0% at the proliferative phase, and 17.5% and 21.7% at the secretory phase by the two observers, respectively (p = 0.01, p = 0.01). The detectability of breast cancer was classified as poor in 0% and 0%, 1.4% and 13.0%, and 8.0% and 22.1% at the menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases by the two observers, respectively (p = 0.07, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The menstrual phase and the proliferative phase seem to be suitable for breast MRI of Asian women.

Evaluation of biliary anatomy in the caudate lobe using drip infusion cholangiography-computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the caudate branches (CBs), which are bile ducts originating from the caudate lobe (CL), using drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography (DIC-CT). METHODS: The confluence patterns of CBs were evaluated in 185 adult patients undergoing DIC-CT. The following bile duct features were evaluated: (a) number of depicted CBs; (b) identification of the caudate portion from which the CBs were derived; (c) identification of the confluence site of a CB; and (d) whether there was a difference in the confluence site of the CBs depending on the position of the right posterior hepatic duct (RPHD) and the portal vein (PV). RESULTS: DIC-CT enabled detection of a total of 640 bile ducts from the CL in 185 patients, and the total number of CBs from the Spiegel lobe (SP), the paracaval portion, and the caudate process (CP) were 347 (54.2%), 112 (17.5%), and 181 (28.2%), respectively. In the SP, over 60% of CBs joined the left hepatic duct system (LHDS). The positional relationship between the RPHD and the PV was divided into a supra-portal course (n = 168) and an infra-portal course (n = 17). The number of CBs joining the LHDS was significantly different between a supra-portal course and an infra-portal course (p = 0.0484). CONCLUSION: CBs were depicted by DIC-CT in 98.9% of the subjects, and a detailed evaluation was possible. The number of CBs joining the LHDS was associated with the position of the RPHD and the PV.

Spontaneously Ruptured Paraovarian Tumor of Borderline Malignancy with Extremely Elevated Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA125) Levels: A Comparison of the Imaging and Pathological Features.

BACKGROUND Paraovarian cysts are common and are generally benign; however, they are frequently misdiagnosed as being of ovarian origin. Conversely, paraovarian tumors of borderline malignancy are extremely rare. Especially, no cases of spontaneous rupture have been reported, and all previous reports had normal serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125 level. As for imaging findings, the presence of papillary projections in the lumen of paraovarian tumors does not always indicate malignancy or benignancy, which makes the preoperative distinction difficult. CASE REPORT We report a case involving a 22-year-old Asian woman with a spontaneously ruptured paraovarian tumor of borderline malignancy. The serum CA125 concentration was extremely elevated, at 28,831 U/mL. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a collapsed unilocular cystic lesion with multiple papillary projections. On MRI, the papillary projections showed two different patterns, which corresponded to the pathological findings. CONCLUSIONS Ruptured paraovarian tumors of borderline malignancy may show extremely high serum CA125 values. Furthermore, specific MRI findings may be useful in evaluating the malignancy of paraovarian tumors.

Acute appendicitis following endoscopic mucosal resection of cecal adenoma.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) allows the removal of flat or sessile lesions, laterally spreading tumors, and carcinoma of the colon or the rectum limited to the mucosa or the superficial submucosa. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency requiring emergency surgery, and it is also a rare complication of diagnostic colonoscopy and therapeutic endoscopy, including EMR. In the case presented here, a 53-year-old female underwent colonoscopy due to a positive fecal occult blood test and was diagnosed with cecal adenoma. She was referred to our hospital and admitted for treatment. The patient had no other symptoms. EMR was performed, and 7 h after the surgery, the patient experienced right -lower abdominal pain. Laboratory tests performed the following day revealed a WBC count of 16000/mm(3), a neutrophil count of 14144/mm(3), and a C-reactive protein level of 2.20 mg/dL, indicating an inflammatory response. Computed tomography also revealed appendiceal wall thickening and swelling, so acute appendicitis following EMR was diagnosed. Antibiotics were initiated leading to total resolution of the symptoms, and the patient was discharged on the sixth post-operative day. Pathological analysis revealed a high-grade cecal tubular adenoma. Such acute appendicitis following EMR is extremely rare, and EMR of the cecum may be a rare cause of acute appendicitis.

Radial MRI during free breathing in contrast-enhanced hepatobiliary phase imaging.

BACKGROUND: Use of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) for diagnosis of hepatic tumors has been previously reported. Fat-saturated 3D T1-weighted gradient echo sequence (TIGRE) imaging using a breath-hold technique is usually used for dynamic studies and hepatobiliary phase Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In cases where the patient has difficulty holding their breath, this scanning method can be difficult. PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of a fat-saturated T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequence using a radial read-out (radial acquisition regime-SE, RADAR-SE) during free breathing for hepatobiliary phase Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Images were acquired at 1.5 T. First, a phantom with diluted Gd-EOB-DTPA was scanned using the TIGRE sequence and the RADAR-SE sequence. Contrast ratios of the sequences were compared. Next, the hepatobiliary phase was imaged in 62 patients using the TIGRE sequence with breath-hold and the RADAR-SE during free breathing. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were compared. RESULTS: In the phantom study, RADAR-SE had a higher contrast ratio than TIGRE. In the clinical study, artifacts were more conspicuous in RADAR-SE compared to TIGRE images in the qualitative evaluation. However, RADAR-SE images were equal to or better than TIGRE images in patients who had difficulty holding their breath. The signal intensity ratio of the liver was statistically higher using RADAR-SE than TIGRE. CONCLUSION: RADAR-SE can be useful for hepatobiliary phase Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in patients who have difficulty holding their breath.

Wandering spleen with gastric volvulus and intestinal non-rotation in an adult male patient.

We report an extremely rare case of wandering spleen (WS) complicated with gastric volvulus and intestinal non-rotation in a male adult. A 22-year-old man who had been previously treated for Wilson disease was admitted with severe abdominal pain. Radiological findings showed WS in the midline of the pelvic area. The stomach was mesenteroaxially twisted and intestinal non-rotation was observed. Radiology results did not show any evidence of splenic or gastrointestinal (GI) infarction. Elective emergency laparoscopy confirmed WS and intestinal non-rotation; however, gastric volvulus was not observed. It was suspected that the stomach had untwisted when gastric and laparoscopic tubes were inserted. Surgery is strongly recommended for WS because of the high risk of serious complications; however, some asymptomatic adult patients are still treated conservatively, such as the patient in this study. The present case is reported with reference to the literature.

Factors associated with delayed gastric emptying in patients with stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is an important factor in determining the clinical outcome in patients with stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction but the factors associated with DGE remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinicopathologic data could be used to identify the factors for DGE in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, observational clinical study was performed in a referral hospital in Japan. A total of 54 patients with stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction were enrolled. A gastric emptying scintigraphy test was performed 1 week after stent placement. The relationship between DGE and clinicopathologic factors was investigated, and also the relationship between DGE and stent patency time, eating period (when the patient was able to maintain oral intake), and survival time. RESULTS: A total of 38.9 % (21 /54) of patients had DGE. The following were identified as independent predictive factors of DGE: opioid use (odds ratio, 5.32; 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI], 1.07 - 26.41; p = 0.04), chemotherapy before stent placement (odds ratio, 8.03; 95 %CI, 1.85 - 34.95; p = 0.006), and smaller stent diameter (odds ratio, 13.59; 95 %CI, 1.72 - 107.41; p = 0.01). No relationship was found between DGE and the level of oral intake, stent patency time, eating period, and survival time. CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with DGE after stent placement include those associated with the patient's tumor as well as factors relating to their treatment, including stenting. The clinical and functional results after stent placement appear to be unrelated to the gastric emptying findings.

Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma: a case report and literature review.

Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma is a rare disease. A 51-year-old man visited our hospital with the chief complaint of palpitations and shortness of breath while exercising. Copious bloody pericardial effusion and a multicystic intrapericardial tumor were detected. A primary cardiac malignant tumor was suspected, an open-chest tumor resection was performed with the objectives of diagnosis and treatment. Histologically, the tumor cells were uniformly spindle-shaped with an ovoid or oval nucleus, they had proliferated in fascicular fashion. In addition myxoid degeneration, a hemangiopericytomatous vascular pattern and pseudorosette formation were seen in some areas of the tumor. Based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detection of SS18-SSX1 fusion transcripts, a monophasic fibrous type synovial sarcoma was diagnosed. Postoperative radiation therapy was administered and there had been no recurrence 9 months after the surgery.

Are there any differences in acute adverse reactions among five low-osmolar non-ionic iodinated contrast media?

OBJECTIVES: The differences regarding adverse reactions in different low-osmolar non-ionic contrast media had not been investigated previously. Thus, the aims of this study were to identify differences in the incidence of adverse reactions in five different low-osmolar non-ionic contrast media. METHODS: We prospectively recorded all adverse events associated with five different low-osmolar non-ionic contrast media used in 8,931 consecutive patients for CT. Patients were randomly assigned to five groups: iomeprol 300 mgI/ml, iopamidol 300 mgI/ml, iohexol 300 mgI/ml, iopromide 300 mgI/ml and ioversol 320 mgI/ml. RESULTS: Adverse events were observed in 241 patients (2.7%). The incidence of acute adverse reactions was significantly higher in the following groups: (1) iomeprol (3.9%) and iopromide (3.5%) groups, (2) patients aged 59 years or less (4.5%) compared with those aged 60 years or over (1.9%), (3) the first period (3.5%) compared with the late period (2.3%), (4) those with a past history of adverse reactions to contrast media (11.2%), and (5) patients receiving contrast media for the first time (3.3%) compared with those had received it previously (2.0%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute adverse reactions may be reduced in younger patients by using iopamidol, iohexol and ioversol.

T1-weighted MR imaging of the female pelvis using RADAR-FSE sequence.

Radial scanning is attracting increasing attention as a method of suppressing motion artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging. We compared the effectiveness of radial acquisition regime-fast spin echo (RADAR-FSE), a method of radial scanning, with conventional FSE in the T(1)-weighted imaging setting by scanning Gd-DTPA phantoms and 9 female patients (pelvic imaging). RADAR-FSE suppressed motion artifacts better than FSE but caused streak artifacts and diminished sharpness. Clinicians should be aware of these limitations.

Revisit image control for pediatric chest radiography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the fraction defectiveness and efficacy of the patient immobilization device (PID) for pediatric chest radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 840 plain chest radiographs in six hospitals, including four children's hospitals and two general hospitals. The mean age of the patients was 1.9 years (range 0-5 years). Two board-qualified pediatric radiologists rated (into three grades, by consensus) the degree of inspiration, rotation, lordosis, scoliosis, and cutoff or coning as well as the quality of the chest radiographs. RESULTS: The incidence of "poor" and "very poor" quality examinations was 2/140 and 3/140 in each of two children's hospitals using PID. The corresponding figures were 9/139 and 17/140 in the two children's hospitals that did not use PID. The general hospital using PID had 14/140 "poor" and "very poor" examinations. The general hospital that did not use PID had 28/140 "poor" and "very poor" examinations. Thus, statistically better quality chest radiography was obtained with the use of PID (P < 0.001). Likewise, rotation, lordosis, and scoliosis were less frequently diagnosed as present when PID was used (P < 0.001, 0.001, 0.05). Cutoff or coning had no relation to the use of PID (P = 0.13). No significant difference was found between the degree of inspiration and the use of PID (P = 0.56). CONCLUSION: Fraction defectiveness in the general hospital that did not use PID was as much as 14 times higher than that of the children's hospitals that used PID. The patient immobilization device is recommended for hospitals with technologists not specifically trained for pediatric examination.

Evaluation of the changes in signals from the spleen using ferucarbotran.

PURPOSE: Because superparamagnetic iron oxide is actively taken into the reticuloendothelial system, the signal intensity observed on T2-weighted images is reduced not only in the liver but also in the spleen. There is no difference in the reduction in signal intensity in the liver after contrast between the ferumoxides and ferucarbotran, but the reduction in signal intensity in the spleen is considerable. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of T2*-weighted imaging to compensate for the reduction in signal intensity in the spleen by administering ferucarbotran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the images obtained from 35 patients who underwent MRI with ferucarbotran. T2-weighted images and T2*-weighted images were obtained before and after administration of ferucarbotran, and the changes in signal intensity in the liver and spleen were then analyzed. RESULTS: A reduction in signal intensity was observed in the liver by both T2- and T2*-weighted imaging. In the spleen, the signal intensity was reduced on T2-weighted images but was not reduced on T2*-weighted images. CONCLUSION: The reduction in signal intensity due to administration of ferucarbotran is low in the spleen. Thus, it was considered necessary to approach the problem of diagnosing ectopic splenic tissue using ferucarbotran with caution.

Detection of myocardial bridge and evaluation of its anatomical properties by coronary multislice spiral computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is a common anatomical condition, under which a part of the coronary artery running in the epicardial adipose tissue, is covered with myocardial tissue. It regulates atherosclerosis development and sometimes evokes coronary heart disease through haemodynamic alterations. We attempted to efficiently detect MB and evaluate the anatomical properties of MB by coronary multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). METHODS: Sixteen-row MSCT was conducted on 148 patients with coronary heart disease. MSCT images were reconstructed and reformed with transverse scans, curved planar reformat and three-dimensional volume-rendered images. The MB, over 1.0 mm in thickness, was identified by the presence of the "step-down and step-up" appearance. After "trial and error" essays, we could consistently examine the frequency of MB and evaluate the anatomical properties of MB, especially its thickness, together with coronary wall lesions. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (15.8%) had MB over 1.0 mm in thickness: 21 MBs (87.5%) were located in the left anterior descending artery with a mean thickness and length of 1.8+/-0.7 and 20.0+/-8.6 mm. Moreover, although the tunneled segment beneath MB was always free of coronary wall lesions, 79.2% (19/24) of the segments proximal to MB demonstrated coronary wall lesions. Of special significance were three symptomatic MB patients without any atherosclerotic lesion throughout all the coronary arteries. CONCLUSION: Coronary MSCT is a new imaging technique that provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool for MB and yields much better results of MB detection than previous imaging methods.

Evaluation of the acute adverse reaction of contrast medium with high and moderate iodine concentration in patients undergoing computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare acute adverse reactions between contrast medium containing moderate and high concentrations of iodine in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 945 patients undergoing enhanced CT were randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of contrast medium. We then prospectively investigated the incidence of adverse reactions. Iopamidol was used as the contrast medium, with a high concentration of 370 mg I/ml and a moderate concentration of 300 mg I/ml. The frequency of adverse reactions, such as pain at the injection site and heat sensation, were determined. RESULTS: Acute adverse reactions were observed in 2.4% (11/458) of the moderate-concentration group compared to 3.11% (15/482) of the high-concentration group; there was no significant difference in incidence between the two groups. Most adverse reactions were mild, and there was no significant difference in severity. One patient in the high-concentration group was seen to have a moderate adverse reaction. No correlation existed between the incidence of adverse reactions and patient characteristics such as sex, age, weight, flow amount, and flow rate. The incidence of pain was not significantly different between the two groups. In contrast, the incidence of heat sensation was significantly higher in the high-concentration group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and severity of acute adverse reactions were not significantly different between the two groups, and there were no severe adverse reactions in either group.