Use of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating between aggressive rectal tumours: two cases with small cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

Poorly differentiated small cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas are among the rarest of primary colorectal malignancies. Although very aggressive and lethal, small cell carcinomas and the amelanotic variety of malignant melanomas have similar radiological features to adenocarcinomas. We present two different cases with these unusual tumours, with special emphasis on their dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging features. The dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed that these tumours have a faster and stronger enhancement pattern than most adenocarcinomas. The technique is thus potentially useful for the preoperative diagnosis of unusual aggressive tumours and for guiding the choice of treatment.

Visceral fat thickness determined using ultrasonography is associated with anthropometric and clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome.

The aim of this study is to find out the relation between the ultrasonographic (USG) measurements of the abdominal fat thickness and cardiovascular risk factors in metabolic syndrome. The thickness of subcutaneous fat (SF), visceral fat (VF) and preperitoneal fat (PF) was measured using USG in 75 subjects (35 women and 40 men) with metabolic syndrome. The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin and lipid parameters of all participants were recorded. Insulin resistance was estimated using HOMA-IR formula. BMI (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.01), SBP (p < 0.001), DBP (p < 0.05), fasting insulin (p < 0.05), total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglyceride (p < 0.001) levels were found in correlation with VF thickness in the female group. There was a positive association between WC and SF thickness (p < 0.05) in the same group. In the male patients, BMI (p < 0.001), WC (p < 0.01), SBP (p < 0.05), DBP (p < 0.05) and triglyceride level (p = 0.01) were significantly correlated with VF thickness. SF thickness was associated with BMI (p < 0.001) and WC (p < 0.01) in this group. There was no relation between PF thickness and clinical variables in both groups (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that VF thickness may have a significant pathophysiological role in the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Imaging of nail-patella syndrome.

Nail-patella syndrome is a rare disorder, which is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. This condition is also known as hereditary osteo-onychodysplasia or Fong's syndrome. Posterior iliac horns are commonly found in this syndrome and are considered pathognomonic. In this report, we describe the appearance, location, and structure of iliac horns with respect to radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Imaging of granulomatous mastitis: assessment of three cases.

Granulomatous mastitis is a benign, inflammatory breast disease of unknown aetiology, which can mimic breast carcinoma in its clinical manifestations. Imaging features of three cases of granulomatous mastitis mimicking breast carcinoma on both clinical and radiographic examination are presented, with special emphasis on the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance mammography in the differential diagnosis.