Case report. Aberrant right hepatic artery: a normal variant demonstrated by computed tomography.

A replaced right hepatic artery, originating from the superior mesenteric artery, was identified on precontrast abdominal computed tomography and confirmed by a postcontrast dynamic study. This normal anatomic variant can be correctly interpreted by the radiologist, and its correct identification is of potential importance in surgical planning.

Dynamic computed tomography time--density study of normal human tissue after intravenous contrast administration.

Dynamic sequential 3-second CT scans of human abdominal organs were obtained after an intravenous bolus injection of diatrizoate. Time--density curves obtained from the renal cortex and medulla were compared with similar curves obtained from the aorta, inferior vena cava, muscle, and normal liver. CT scans revealed the changes in density produced by the contrast agent reflecting the differential phases of blood flow in the aorta and inferior vena cava. Changes in density in the liver, muscle, and the cortex and medulla of the kidney undoubtedly were related to vascular and extravascular contrast agent. Renal cortical density increased rapidly after bolus administration and peaked approximately 6 seconds after the peak in aortic contrast and slowly declined over the observation period. Renal medullary density increased slowly and at first remained significantly below the cortex but was slightly above cortical values after 30 seconds. These studies indicate that dynamic CT scanning is an effective way of monitoring the contrast media pharmacokinetics within tissue and that human renal function can be monitored and evaluated by using this technique.

Leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the liver: CT appearance.

Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon malignancy that metastasizes to the liver and lungs. Each of the three cases of leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the liver examined by computed tomography demonstrated similar morphologic and dynamic characteristics. Common features included hepatomegaly and large, circumscribed "cannonball" lesions that distorted normal hempatic architecture. These larger metastases were sharply defined with central necrosis and were accentuated by contrast enhancement of normal surrounding liver. Smaller perfused metastases often became isodense following contrast medium administration. This combination of features and effects should alert one to the possible diagnosis of metastatic leiomyosarcoma and cautions against underestimating the extent of disease by having precontrast control scans for comparison.

Dynamic computed tomography body scanning.

The performance of 16 consecutive, 3 sec computed tomographic (CT) scans, after the intravenous administration of a bolus of diatrizoate, was found to be useful in evaluating vascular anatomy and organ perfusion in this study. It also appeared to be useful in lesion detection and in accurately defining the extent of disease.

Acute leukemia in adults: comparison of survival between a treated and an untreated group.

Survival and response to chemotherapy were evaluated in 84 adults with granulocytic leukemia (AGL) and 22 with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Twenty-two of the 84 patients with AGL reveived no chemotherapy (untreated group). The median survival for patients with AGL who achieved complete remission (CR) was 17.1 months, compared to 6.5 months for those who achieved partial remission (PR (p less than 0.05), 2.8 months for those who failed chemotherapy (p less than 0.01), and 2.1 months for the untreated group (p less than 0.01). The median survival for patients with ALL who achieved a CR was 18.2 months, compared to 7.3 months for those who achieved a PR and 7.0 months for those who failed chemotherapy. Of patients with AGL who reveived an adequate trial of chemotherapy, 43% achieved a CR and 16% a PR; 75% of patients with ALL achieved a CR and 13% a PR. Improved survival depends on the induction of a complete or partial remission with the use of aggressive chemotherapy.