Imaging of intramuscular haemangiomas of the extremities.

Intramuscular haemangiomas are benign soft tissue tumours that are more frequently seen in children and young adults. As they may be difficult to diagnose clinically, imaging has an important role in the detection, diagnosis and preoperative planning of these lesions. Haemangiomas of the extremities may be classified into capillary, cavernous, venous and mixed types, with or without an arteriovenous shunt, depending on the predominant vascular channels. Nonvascular components such as fat, smooth muscle, fibrous tissue and thrombus may also be present. This pictorial essay highlights the imaging features of intramuscular haemangiomas, with an emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging.

Factors affecting the adequacy of lymph node yield in prophylactic unilateral central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Determinants for adequate lymph node yield (LNY) in prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain unclear. We aimed to determine factors affecting LNY in pCND. METHODS: Of 230 patients, 109 (47.4%) had total thyroidectomy and unilateral pCND. A specimen of ≥ 6 central lymph nodes (CLNs) was considered adequate. Factors such as patient clinicopathologic features, specimen dimensions, and pathologists' experience were compared between those with LNY < 6 (n = 52) and LNY ≥ 6 (n = 57). A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent factors for LNY ≥ 6. RESULTS: Age, sex, presentation, body mass index, tumor characteristics, TNM stages, MACIS score, and pathologist's experience were not significant determinants for LNY ≥ 6. In the univariate analysis, the length (P = 0.021), width (P = 0.047), thickness (P = 0.024), and pN1a (P = 0.042) were significant determinants but in the multivariate analysis, the length (OR = 1.486 (95% CI: 1.053-2.097), P = 0.024) was the only independent factor for LNY ≥ 6. Postoperative vocal cord palsy, hypoparathyroidism, stimulated thyroglobulin and recurrences were similar between LNY <6 and ≥ 6. CONCLUSIONS: Length (or the longest measured dimension) of the fresh CLN specimen was the only factor assuring LNY ≥ 6. Surgical complications and short-term outcomes appeared similar between LNY <6 or ≥ 6.