Bowel ultrasonography in acute abdomen: beyond acute appendicitis. / Ecografía intestinal y abdomen agudo: más allá de la apendicitis aguda.

Acute abdomen is a common reason for consultation in the emergency department. A broad spectrum of entities, including diverse diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, can cause acute abdomen. Although computed tomography is the technique most widely used to evaluate acute abdomen in the emergency department, abdominal ultrasound is often performed first and allows bowel disease to be suspected. This article describes the ultrasound features of diverse bowel diseases that can cause acute abdomen, such as acute diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, bowel ischemia, intraabdominal fat necrosis, and miscellaneous processes such as endometriosis, foreign bodies, or vasculitis. Radiologists must be familiar with the different features of abnormal bowel that can be detected incidentally in patients without clinical suspicion of bowel disease. This article focuses on ultrasonographic signs of bowel disease; other articles in this series cover the ultrasonographic signs of acute appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diseases.

Valoración del carcinoma urotelial de vías superiores mediante ecografía con contraste / Evaluation of upper tract urothelial carcinomas by contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos y el comportamiento de la ecografía con contraste en el estudio de los tumores uroteliales de vías superiores y evaluar su utilidad en el diagnóstico. Material y métodos: Se revisa la base de datos de nuestro hospital en un periodo de 45 meses para identificar los pacientes con diagnóstico de carcinoma urotelial de vías altas. Se revisan los hallazgos en la ecografía en modo B, ecografía con contraste (localización y valoración cualitativa de la intensidad y del lavado del realce) y se comparan con otras técnicas (tomografía computarizada o resonancia magnética) y con la pieza quirúrgica. Resultados: En el periodo revisado se encontraron 42 pacientes con diagnóstico de carcinoma urotelial de vías superiores confirmados con cirugía. Veintiocho (67%) pacientes tenían ecografía con contraste. La ecografía basal mostró hidronefrosis con o sin dilatación ureteral con ocupación por contenido ecogénico en cáliz renal (6), pelvis (10) o uréter (12). Tras la inyección de contraste se objetivó realce en el 100% de las lesiones, con intensidad similar a la cortical en 23 y menor en 5. Veinticuatro lesiones mostraron lavado precoz, antes que la cortical, entre los 40 y 55 segundos de la inyección. El diagnóstico fue correcto en 27 casos. La localización coincidió con la pieza histológica en 28 casos y 3 pacientes tenían focos de carcinoma distales adicionales. Conclusión: La ecografía con contraste es una técnica útil para el diagnóstico de tumor urotelial de vías altas que aumenta la confianza en el diagnóstico

Aim: To describe the findings and behaviour of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the study of upper tract urothelial tumours and to assess its usefulness for diagnosis. Material and methods: We reviewed our hospital's database over a period of 45 months to identify patients diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinomas. We reviewed the findings on mode B-ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (location and qualitative assessment of intensity and washout of enhancement), and made a comparison with other techniques (computed tomography or magnetic resonance), and with the surgical specimen. Results: We found 42 patients with a diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma confirmed with surgery over the period reviewed. Twenty-eight (67%) patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Baseline ultrasound showed hydronephrosis with or without ureteral dilatation with echogenic content occupying the renal calyx (6), pelvis (10) or ureter (12). After injection of contrast, enhancement was noticed in 100% of the lesions, with similar intensity to the cortex in 23, and less in 5. Twenty-four lesions showed early washout, before the cortex, between 40 and 55seconds after the injection. The diagnosis was correct in 27 cases. Localisation coincided with the histological specimen in 28 cases, and 3 patients had additional distal carcinoma foci. Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a useful technique for diagnosing upper tract urothelial tumours that increases confidence in the diagnosis

Evaluation of upper tract urothelial carcinomas by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. / Valoración del carcinoma urotelial de vías superiores mediante ecografía con contraste.

AIM: To describe the findings and behaviour of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the study of upper tract urothelial tumours and to assess its usefulness for diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed our hospital's database over a period of 45 months to identify patients diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinomas. We reviewed the findings on mode B-ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (location and qualitative assessment of intensity and washout of enhancement), and made a comparison with other techniques (computed tomography or magnetic resonance), and with the surgical specimen. RESULTS: We found 42 patients with a diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma confirmed with surgery over the period reviewed. Twenty-eight (67%) patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Baseline ultrasound showed hydronephrosis with or without ureteral dilatation with echogenic content occupying the renal calyx (6), pelvis (10) or ureter (12). After injection of contrast, enhancement was noticed in 100% of the lesions, with similar intensity to the cortex in 23, and less in 5. Twenty-four lesions showed early washout, before the cortex, between 40 and 55seconds after the injection. The diagnosis was correct in 27 cases. Localisation coincided with the histological specimen in 28 cases, and 3 patients had additional distal carcinoma foci. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a useful technique for diagnosing upper tract urothelial tumours that increases confidence in the diagnosis.

Reacciones adversas y contraindicaciones de los contrastes ecográficos / Ultrasound contrast agents: Adverse reactions and contraindications

No disponible

Tumores de la vía biliar / Bile duct tumors

Los tumores de la vía biliar son lesiones benignas o malignas que pueden asociarse a factores de riesgo o a lesiones con potencial de malignización. Constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de entidades con diferente comportamiento biológico y pronóstico dependiendo de su localización y del tipo de crecimiento. En este artículo revisamos el papel del radiólogo para detectar, caracterizar y estadificar estos tumores y, sobre todo, la importancia de clasificarlos para planificar el manejo y el tratamiento (AU)

Bile duct tumors are benign or malignant lesions which may be associated to risk factors or potentially malignant lesions. They constitute an heterogenous entities group with a different biological behavior and prognosis according to location and growth pattern. We revise the role of the radiologist in order to detect, characterize and stage these tumors, specially the importance of their classification when deciding an appropriate management and treatment (AU)

Bile duct tumors.

Bile duct tumors are benign or malignant lesions which may be associated to risk factors or potentially malignant lesions. They constitute an heterogenous entities group with a different biological behavior and prognosis according to location and growth pattern. We revise the role of the radiologist in order to detect, characterize and stage these tumors, specially the importance of their classification when deciding an appropriate management and treatment.

Ruptura espontánea tardía del injerto renal / No disponible

No disponible

Vólvulo cecal: características en imagen / Cecal volvulus: imaging features

Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la sensibilidad de los hallazgos de la radiografía simple y de la tomografía computarizada (TC) en el diagnóstico del vólvulo cecal. Material y métodos. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 11 pacientes con diagnóstico endoscópico o quirúrgico de vólvulo cecal. Dos radiólogos analizaron por consenso los hallazgos en la radiografía simple y en la TC y calcularon la sensibilidad. Se realizó de forma retrospectiva un diagnóstico de certeza, probable o indeterminado de vólvulo cecal sobre la base de la presencia o ausencia de signos previamente descritos. Los signos de sufrimiento parietal en la TC se compararon con los hallazgos anatomopatológicos. Resultados. Los hallazgos más sensibles en la radiografía simple fueron la presencia de un asa desproporcionadamente dilatada y un patrón de oclusión de intestino delgado distal (91%), seguidos de un nivel hidroaéreo único en el ciego y colapso del colon distal (82%). En la TC, el signo del grano de café con un único nivel hidroaéreo y el colapso de colon izquierdo mostraron una sensibilidad del 100%. El signo del remolino se observó en el 86%. De forma retrospectiva se pudo realizar un diagnóstico de certeza en el 36 y el 86% de los casos en la radiografía simple y en la TC, respectivamente. Aunque todos los casos con isquemia tenían signos de deterioro vascular en la TC, no se encontró correlación significativa entre ambos parámetros. Conclusiones. La utilización de los signos descritos de vólvulo cecal permite hacer un diagnóstico de certeza con la radiografía simple en un tercio de los pacientes y en la mayoría de los casos con la TC. La valoración de otros hallazgos adicionales incrementa la posibilidad de realizar un diagnóstico correcto (AU)

Objective. To determine the sensitivity of plain-film radiography and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of cecal volvulus. Material and methods. We reviewed the clinical histories of 11 patients diagnosed with cecal volvulus at endoscopy or surgery. Two radiologists working in consensus analyzed the findings at plain-film radiography and at CT and calculated the sensitivities. The plain-film and CT studies were retrospectively classified as certain, probable, or indeterminate for cecal volvulus on the basis of the presence or absence of previously reported signs. Signs of wall suffering at CT were compared to the histologic findings. Results. The most sensitive findings at plain-film radiography were the presence of a disproportionately dilated bowel loop and a pattern of distal small bowel occlusion (91%), followed by a single air-fluid level in the cecum and collapse of the distal colon (82%). At CT, the “coffee bean” sign with a single air-fluid level and collapse of the left colon had a sensitivity of 100%. The whirl sign was present in 86%. Retrospectively, 36% of the plain-film studies and 86% of the CT studies were classified as certain for cecal volvulus. Although all cases with ischemia had signs of vascular compromise on CT, no significant correlation was observed between these variables. Conclusions. The plain-film signs reported for cecal volvulus enable a certain diagnosis in a third of all cases; the CT signs enable a certain diagnosis in most cases. The evaluation of additional findings increases the chances of reaching the correct diagnosis (AU)

Patrón en mosaico de la pared del colon en un caso con vólvulo de ciego: hallazgos en TC / Polygonal mosaic-like pattern of the colonic mucosa in cecal volvulus: CT findings

El patrón en mosaico de la mucosa colónica es un hallazgo radiológico poco frecuente, que se ha descrito previamente en los estudios de enema de bario. Describimos la apariencia de este patrón en la TC en un paciente con vólvulo de ciego (AU)

A polygonal mosaic-like pattern of colonic mucosa is a rare radiological finding that was first described in studies using barium enema. We describe the CT findings of this pattern in a case of cecal volvulus (AU)

[Cecal volvulus: imaging features]. / Vólvulo cecal: características en imagen.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity of plain-film radiography and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of cecal volvulus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical histories of 11 patients diagnosed with cecal volvulus at endoscopy or surgery. Two radiologists working in consensus analyzed the findings at plain-film radiography and at CT and calculated the sensitivities. The plain-film and CT studies were retrospectively classified as certain, probable, or indeterminate for cecal volvulus on the basis of the presence or absence of previously reported signs. Signs of wall suffering at CT were compared to the histologic findings. RESULTS: The most sensitive findings at plain-film radiography were the presence of a disproportionately dilated bowel loop and a pattern of distal small bowel occlusion (91%), followed by a single air-fluid level in the cecum and collapse of the distal colon (82%). At CT, the "coffee bean" sign with a single air-fluid level and collapse of the left colon had a sensitivity of 100%. The whirl sign was present in 86%. Retrospectively, 36% of the plain-film studies and 86% of the CT studies were classified as certain for cecal volvulus. Although all cases with ischemia had signs of vascular compromise on CT, no significant correlation was observed between these variables. CONCLUSIONS: The plain-film signs reported for cecal volvulus enable a certain diagnosis in a third of all cases; the CT signs enable a certain diagnosis in most cases. The evaluation of additional findings increases the chances of reaching the correct diagnosis.

[Polygonal mosaic-like pattern of the colonic mucosa in cecal volvulus: CT findings]. / Patrón en mosaico de la pared del colon en un caso con vólvulo de ciego: hallazgos en TC.

A polygonal mosaic-like pattern of colonic mucosa is a rare radiological finding that was first described in studies using barium enema. We describe the CT findings of this pattern in a case of cecal volvulus.

Utilidad de la ecografía con contraste en la práctica clínica diaria. Estudio multicéntrico español CEUS / Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in daily clinical practice: A multicenter study in Spain

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio multicéntrico ha sido evaluar si la ecografía con contraste permite aumentar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal. Material y métodos: En este estudio prospectivo multicéntrico realizado en 42 hospitales se incluyeron 1.786 pacientes con estudios ecográficos considerados como no concluyentes. El 84,9% fueron ecografías abdominales (incluyendo estudios hepáticos, renales, esplénicos y de otras localizaciones), el 6,2% fueron estudios vasculares periféricos, el 4,3% fueron estudios mamarios y el 4,6% fueron estudios de otras localizaciones. Se evaluó el tipo de ecografía con contraste (Doppler color o método específico de contraste), el tipo de contraste, la dosis y el número de dosis y el tipo de administración (en forma de bolo o infusión). Sobre los hallazgos obtenidos en la ecografía con contraste se valoró si conseguía aumentar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal y si permitía un diagnóstico concluyente. Resultados: El 99,9% de los estudios se realizó con SonoVue, con una dosis de contraste (84,8%) y en forma de bolo (98,5%). En el 91,6% de los casos la ecografía con contraste aumentó el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal, y en el 69,2% permitió un diagnóstico de certeza. El mayor rendimiento diagnóstico se obtuvo en los estudios de troncos supraaórticos con un diagnóstico definitivo en el 95,4% de los casos, seguido por el área abdominal con resultado concluyente en el 72,6% de los casos. Conclusiones: El uso de la ecografía con contraste aumentó significativamente el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía basal, y se obtuvo un resultado concluyente en la mayoría de los casos (AU)

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether the use of ultrasonographic contrast agents improves the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US).Material and methods: We carried out a prospective multicenter study in 42 hospitals. We included 1786 patients with inconclusive US; 84.9% of the inconclusive studies were abdominal US (including studies of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and other sites), 6.2% were studies of the peripheral vessels, 4.3% were breast studies, and 4.6% were other studies. We evaluated the type of contrast-enhanced US (color Doppler or contrast-specific method), type of contrast agent, dose and number of doses, and type of administration (bolus or infusion). We evaluated whether the findings at contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance of unenhanced US and whether they enabled a conclusive diagnosis to be reached. Results: The contrast agent SonoVue was used in 99.9% of the studies; a single dose of contrast agent was used in 84.8%, and the contrast agent was administered in bolus in 98.5%. Contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance in 91.6% of cases and enabled the conclusive diagnosis in 69.2%. The best diagnostic performance was obtained in the supraaortic trunks, where a definitive diagnosis was reached in 95.4% of cases, followed by the abdominal area, with a conclusive diagnosis in 72.6% of cases. Conclusions: The use of contrast-enhanced US significantly improved the diagnostic performance of US and enabled a conclusive diagnosis in most cases (AU)

[Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in daily clinical practice: a multicenter study in Spain]. / Utilidad de la ecografía con contraste en la práctica clínica diaria. Estudio multicéntrico español CEUS.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether the use of ultrasonographic contrast agents improves the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective multicenter study in 42 hospitals. We included 1786 patients with inconclusive US; 84.9% of the inconclusive studies were abdominal US (including studies of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and other sites), 6.2% were studies of the peripheral vessels, 4.3% were breast studies, and 4.6% were other studies. We evaluated the type of contrast-enhanced US (color Doppler or contrast-specific method), type of contrast agent, dose and number of doses, and type of administration (bolus or infusion). We evaluated whether the findings at contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance of unenhanced US and whether they enabled a conclusive diagnosis to be reached. RESULTS: The contrast agent SonoVue was used in 99.9% of the studies; a single dose of contrast agent was used in 84.8%, and the contrast agent was administered in bolus in 98.5%. Contrast-enhanced US improved the diagnostic performance in 91.6% of cases and enabled the conclusive diagnosis in 69.2%. The best diagnostic performance was obtained in the supraaortic trunks, where a definitive diagnosis was reached in 95.4% of cases, followed by the abdominal area, with a conclusive diagnosis in 72.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The use of contrast-enhanced US significantly improved the diagnostic performance of US and enabled a conclusive diagnosis in most cases.

[Ultrasound, CT, and MRI in Crohn's disease]. / Técnicas seccionales de imagen en la enfermedad de Crohn: ecografía, tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética.

Colonoscopy and Barium contrast studies continue to be the techniques of choice for the evaluation of mucosal lesions in Crohn's disease. However, these techniques have limited capacity for demonstrating the transmural and extramural extension of the disease. Although ultrasound, CT, and MRI cannot detect early lesions, these techniques satisfactorily show parietal and extraparietal changes caused by the disease, thus complementing the information provided in conventional studies. These three techniques enable the evaluation of the pathological segments, the presence of stenosis and dilatation, and extramural disease (fibrofatty proliferation, fistulae, phlegmons, and abscesses). This information is essential for classifying each patient into one of the three subtypes of Crohn's disease (inflammatory, stenotic, or fistulating). These techniques also enable the evaluation of signs that indicate inflammatory activity (hyperemia, wall enhancement, and increased mesenteric vascularization), and this information, together with the subtype, will determine the treatment. Ultrasound, CT, and MRI should be included in the complete evaluation of the patient with Crohn's disease, together with clinical examination, laboratory tests, and conventional imaging studies. We review the role of ultrasound, CT, and MRI in the diagnosis and evaluation of Crohn's disease, describing patient preparation and examination protocols, as well as the findings in these three techniques. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each of these techniques and their current clinical roles in this context.

Técnicas seccionales de imagen en la enfermedad de Crohn: ecografía, tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética / Ultrasound, CT, and MRI in Crohn's disease

La colonoscopia y los estudios baritados siguen siendo las técnicas de elección para la valoración de las lesiones mucosas de la enfermedad de Crohn. Sin embargo, estas técnicas tienen una capacidad limitada para demostrar la extensión transmural y extramural de la enfermedad. Las técnicas de imagen seccionales, ecografía, tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética, aunque no detectan lesiones precoces, evalúan de forma satisfactoria los cambios parietales y extraparietales de la enfermedad, complementando por tanto la información dada por los estudios convencionales. Las técnicas seccionales permiten valorar la longitud y localización anatómica de los segmentos patológicos, la presencia de estenosis y dilataciones y la enfermedad extramural (proliferación fibrograsa, fístulas, flemones y abscesos), ayudando a clasificar a cada paciente en uno de los tres subtipos evolutivos de la enfermedad de Crohn (inflamatorio, estenótico o fistulizante). Se pueden evaluar también los signos que indican actividad inflamatoria (hiperemia o realce de la pared y aumento de vascularización mesentérica), que junto al subtipo evolutivo, determinarán el tratamiento. Las técnicas seccionales deberían ser incluidas en la evaluación completa del paciente con enfermedad de Crohn, junto con la evaluación clínica, las pruebas de laboratorio y los estudios de imagen convencionales. En este trabajo revisaremos el papel de las técnicas de imagen seccionales en el diagnóstico y evaluación de la enfermedad de Crohn, incluyendo una descripción de la preparación del paciente y los protocolos de exploración, así como los hallazgos de cada una de las tres técnicas mencionadas. Se discutirán las ventajas y limitaciones de cada una de estas técnicas, y su papel clínico actual

Colonoscopy and Barium contrast studies continue to be the techniques of choice for the evaluation of mucosal lesions in Crohn's disease. However, these techniques have limited capacity for demonstrating the transmural and extramural extension of the disease. Although ultrasound, CT, and MRI cannot detect early lesions, these techniques satisfactorily show parietal and extraparietal changes caused by the disease, thus complementing the information provided in conventional studies. These three techniques enable the evaluation of the pathological segments, the presence of stenosis and dilatation, and extramural disease (fibrofatty proliferation, fistulae, phlegmons, and abscesses). This information is essential for classifying each patient into one of the three subtypes of Crohn's disease (inflammatory, stenotic, or fistulating). These techniques also enable the evaluation of signs that indicate inflammatory activity (hyperemia, wall enhancement, and increased mesenteric vascularization), and this information, together with the subtype, will determine the treatment. Ultrasound, CT, and MRI should be included in the complete evaluation of the patient with Crohn's disease, together with clinical examination, laboratory tests, and conventional imaging studies. We review the role of ultrasound, CT, and MRI in the diagnosis and evaluation of Crohn's disease, describing patient preparation and examination protocols, as well as the findings in these three techniques. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each of these techniques and their current clinical roles in this context

[Gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux. Evaluation by real time ultrasonography of the pyloric antrum]. / Vaciamiento gástrico en el niño afecto de reflujo gastroesofágico. Valoración mediante ecografía en tiempo real de la región antro-pilórica.

OBJECTIVE: We have studied gastric emptying using real time ultrasound in 25 healthy children and 25 children with RGE. Our aim was to establish the time and mode of gastric emptying and the volume and the degree of antral dilation in both groups at baseline and after a test meal. We also evaluated the same parameters in the RGE cases after supplying a prokinetic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Bolondi technique was used to measure the basal antrum volume and emptying ratio, as well as the mode and final gastric emptying time at different time-points after a solid-liquid test meal. RESULTS: Patients with RGE have a clearly longer gastric emptying time with respect to the healthy subjects in both children less than one year of age (238 +/- 48.4 vs 176.3 +/- 36.7 minute; p = 0.03) and those 1-14 years old (206.3 +/- 48.2 vs 163.3 +/- 48.1 minutes, p = 0.03). An anomalous gastric emptying, similar to a broken line, can be observed in children suffering from RGE. In contrast, a progressive reduction of antrum dilation ration was seen in healthy children and not in patients with RGE. After cisapride, gastric volume goes down at all test times in RGE children. Therefore, a decrease in final gastric emptying time cannot be observed. CONCLUSIONS: Children suffering from RGE show an alteration in gastric emptying with a clearly greater time and an anomalous mode of emptying. The antrum remained dilated for longer periods after ingestion of test food.