Per-rectal contrast material for abdominal CT: usefulness of administration with an automatic injector.

Adequate distention of the gastrointestinal tract is essential for the best quality image in abdominal computed tomography. We introduce a new technique for per-rectal administration of contrast material with the use of an automatic injector. With this technique, more contrast material can be inserted and thus adequately distend the colon, including the proximal colon.

The "High-Riding" superior pericardial recess: CT findings.

OBJECTIVE. We recently observed patients in whom the superior pericardial recess extended cephalad ("high-riding") into the right paratracheal region. In these patients, differentiation from mediastinal lymphadenopathy or mass was difficult. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and CT features of the high-riding superior pericardial recess. CONCLUSION. Narrow-collimation CT with multiplanar reformations was useful for confidently diagnosing a high-riding superior pericardial recess and for distinguishing it from pathologic lesions.

Esophageal tubular duplication complicated with intraluminal hematoma: a case report.

Esophageal tubular duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. We experienced a patient with esophageal tubular duplication who presented with a swallowing difficulty which was aggravated after a gastrofiberscopic examination. Preoperative diagnosis was intramural hematoma of the esophagus due to trauma caused by endoscopy. Surgical specimen revealed that hematoma was located within a duplicated lumen of the esophagus. The radiologic and endoscopic findings are discussed in correlation with its pathology.

Brenner tumor of the ovary: CT and MR findings.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the CT and MR characteristics of Brenner tumors, rare epithelial neoplasms of the ovary. METHOD: CT and MR scans of eight pathologically proven Brenner tumors of the ovary (seven benign, one malignant, and one associated with mucinous cystadenoma) were retrospectively reviewed. The masses were analyzed for location, size, external configuration, internal architecture, enhancement pattern, presence of calcification, and metastatic spread. RESULTS: The patients' median age was 63 years (range 39-79 years), and the mean size of the tumors was 11.4 cm (7.5-17 cm). All tumors were unilateral and had a well-defined margin. The mass was mostly solid in three, mostly cystic in one, and "mixed" solid and cystic in four cases. The tumors with cystic components (n = 5) were mostly multilocular in appearance (n = 4). All the solid components showed mild homogeneous enhancement on postcontrast CT and MRI. Extensive amorphous calcification within the solid component on CT was seen in five of six cases (83%). No characteristic findings discriminating malignancy from benign Brenner tumor could be found. CONCLUSION: Extensive amorphous calcification in a solid mass or solid component in a multilocular cystic mass is a characteristic finding of Brenner tumor of the ovary on CT and MRI.

Radiologic findings of renal hemangioma: report of three cases.

Renal hemangioma is an uncommon benign tumor which usually causes painless or painful gross hematuria. Its preoperative diagnosis is extremely difficult or even impossible. We experienced three cases of renal hemangioma, located mainly at the pelvocalyceal junction or in the inner medulla. US demonstrated variable echogenecity, and CT revealed a lack of significant enhancement. Where there is gross hematuria in a young adult, especially when the renal mass located in the pelvocalyceal junction or inner medulla shows little enhancement on CT, renal hemangioma should form part of the differential diagnosis.

Mucormycosis of the central airways: CT findings in three patients.

Computed tomographic (CT) findings are described in three diabetic patients with central airways mucormycosis. The CT findings of the tracheobronchial mucormycosis include enhancing areas of mural thickening (n = 3), luminal narrowing (n = 3), intramural air (n = 3), low-attenuation nonenhancing bronchial wall thickening (n = 2), and bronchonodal fistula formation (n = 1). These CT features in a diabetic patient should raise a high index of suspicion for tracheobronchial mucormycosis, particularly when typical radiographic features of pulmonary tuberculosis are absent.

Postadministration of oral contrast material for abdominal CT in patients with gastrectomy: modified drip ingestion method.

We introduce the modified drip ingestion method (MDIM) of administering oral contrast material for abdominal computed tomography (CT) in patients after gastrectomy. MDIM consists of the drip ingestion method, which we have recently reported, with additional ingestion of effervescent agent. MDIM in abdominal CT is a useful technique to improve the degree of distention of the gastrointestinal lumen including anastomotic sites in patients after gastrectomy.

A case of aneurysm of the vein of Galen.

Aneurysm of the vein of Galen is a very rare disease. The authors present a case of secondary aneurysm of the vein of Galen which was confirmed by characteristic clinical symptoms, brain CT and angiographic findings. The patient was a 14-year-old right handed girl with intermittent headache, nausea, vomiting, dysphasia and gait disturbance. Neurologic examination revealed dysarthria, nasal voice, blurring of both margins of optic discs, truncal ataxia and dysdiadochokinesia. Sensory function was normal but right hemiparesis was seen. Roentgenogram of the skull revealed diffuse thinning of the calvarium, widening of sella turcica and erosion of clinoid processes. Computed tomogram of the brain showed dilatation of all ventricles and round hyperdense mass behind the third ventricle in the midline. The lesion was enhanced markedly and homogeneously. Left and right internal carotid angiograms showed arteriovenousmal-formation with drainage to the aneurysm of the vein of Galen.