Correlation between Pancreatic Fat Deposition and Metabolic Syndrome: Relationships with Location in the Pancreas and Sex.

Objective To investigate the correlation between pancreatic fat deposition and metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters, focusing on the locations of fat deposition in the pancreas and sex differences. Methods Degrees of fat deposition in the head, body, and tail of the pancreas were evaluated using computed tomography (CT). We examined the relationships between pancreatic fat deposition and the age, body mass index (BMI), visceral and subcutaneous fat, serum lipid profiles, hepatic steatosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN). Results In this retrospective study, greater fat deposition was associated with a higher BMI, visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation, and hepatic steatosis, with the pancreatic head showing the strongest correlation. Correlations of pancreatic fat deposition with the BMI and visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation were stronger in females than in males, while correlations with hepatic steatosis were stronger in males than in females. In addition, a multivariate analysis did not suggest a direct causal relationship between pancreatic fat deposition and DM and HTN, but there was a significant correlation between pancreatic fat deposition in the pancreatic head and visceral fat area. Conclusion Pancreatic fat deposition, as evaluated by CT, especially in the part of the pancreatic head adjacent to the ampulla of Vater, is a sensitive indicator of MetS. The correlations between pancreatic fat deposition and MetS parameters tended to be stronger in females than in males. These results may help further elucidate the pathophysiology of MetS and provide opportunities for its diagnosis.

Visual assessment of pancreatic fat deposition: useful grading system and the relation to BMI and diabetes.

PURPOSE: To establish a simple and clinically useful method for the visual assessment of pancreatic fat deposition using computed tomography (CT) images, and to evaluate the relationship of the pancreatic fat deposition with body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a four-scale grading system as the visual assessment criteria for pancreatic fat deposition using CT images. Pancreatic fat deposition was assessed for 200 patients and the results were compared with the CT attenuation-based assessment. In addition, the relationships of pancreatic fat deposition with BMI and type 2 DM were investigated. RESULTS: The visual and CT attenuation-based assessments were considered consistent. The results of the visual assessment suggested that mild and moderate pancreatic fat deposition correlated with BMI and presence of type 2 DM while severe fat deposition did not correlate with them. No correlation between pancreatic fat deposition and HbA1c level was found. CONCLUSION: The visual assessment criteria we used were consistent with CT attenuation-based assessment and may be useful for clinical application of pancreatic fat deposition. According to the visually assessment, mild or moderate pancreatic fat deposition correlated with BMI and the presence of type 2 DM, but severe fat deposition did not correlate with them.

Prospective Comparison of Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI with Dynamic CT for Detecting Recurrence of HCC after Radiofrequency Ablation.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the efficacy of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with that of dynamic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for detection of recurrent hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained for this multicenter study. Ninety-seven HCC patients treated with curative RFA underwent both Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and dynamic MDCT every 3-4 months. HCC diagnosis was made based on the typical enhancement pattern of HCC on MRI and/or CT by on-site consensus reading. Two blinded observers independently assessed image datasets to compare diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 48 of 97 patients. Among these, 22 were diagnosed by both Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and MDCT; the remainder were diagnosed by only one of these 2 modalities. Recurrence was diagnosed in more patients by Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI than by MDCT (44 vs. 26 patients, p < 0.001). Patient-based analysis revealed that the accuracy, sensitivity, and AUROC of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were significantly higher than those of MDCT for both observers (p < 0.005). The AUROC of Gd-EOB-DTPA- enhanced MRI and MDCT was 0.95 and 0.76 for observer 1 and 0.90 and 0.74 for observer 2, respectively. The κ values for MRI and MDCT were 0.83 and 0.70, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with dynamic MDCT, Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI had higher diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity for detection of recurrent hypervascular HCC and may be a better tool for following patients after RFA.

CT and MRI findings for Brunner's gland hamartoma: report of three cases.

Brunner's gland hamartoma (BGH) is an uncommon, benign, tumor-like lesion of the duodenum. Endoscopic diagnosis of larger BGH is sometimes difficult. We describe computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for three patients with BGH. In all three cases, CT and MRI revealed internal cystic changes within the mass and a stalk originating in the duodenal bulb. These findings may be useful for diagnosis of BGH.

Angiosarcoma of the breast - specific findings of MRI.

We present a case of low-grade angiosarcoma of the breast. A 26-year old woman presented with a lump in the left breast. An elastic hard and ill-defined tumor, 80 x 50 mm in size, was palpated in the upper region of her left breast. Mammography showed a dense lesion with poorly defined border. Ultrasonography showed a hyper-and hypo-echoic lesion with an unclear border, but no definite tumor. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed no evidence of malignancy. Therefore, she was followed with a diagnosis of mastopathy. Six months later, the lump got enlarged. A contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast was performed. It showed a 100 x 60 mm enhancing vascular mass. Most parts of the tumor enhanced remarkably at the early phase, and prolonged enhancement was recognized at the late phase. Core needle biopsy was performed, and a possible angiosarcoma was diagnosed. It is not easy to diagnose the mammary angiosarcoma. MRI may contribute to the accurate diagnosis and play an important role regarding this entity.

Chronic hepatic disease: usefulness of serial CT examinations.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to confirm whether the progression of chronic liver disease could be determined by serial CT examinations. METHOD: We calculated the liver (right and left lobes) and spleen volumes of 34 patients with chronic liver disease, who were examined serially for >2 years using a helical CT scanner. Progression of collateral formations was also checked during follow-up. These CT findings were compared with the liver function tests by Child-Pugh score. RESULTS: The Child-Pugh score got worse in eight patients ("score-worse group") and did not change in the other patients ("score-static group"). The liver volume ratio between the first and last CT examinations was significantly smaller in the score-worse group than in the score-static group (p = 0.015). The right lobe volume ratio was also significantly smaller in the score-worse group (p = 0.009); however, the left lobe volume ratio and spleen volume ratio were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.656 and p = 0.365). In four patients of the score-static group, collateral formations progressed. CONCLUSION: Serial CT examinations are useful to evaluate patients with chronic liver disease. The left lobe does not become hypertrophied but tends to be preserved, in contrast to the right lobe, with the progression of the disease.

[Radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary malignancies].

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with a maximum output of < or = 70 W was used under CT guidance to treat 14 tumors (median diameter 1.5 cm, range 0.8 to 2.4 cm) in 6 patients. Primary lung cancer was treated in 2 patients, and metastatic lung tumors were treated in 4 patients. Good response was confirmed in 6 tumors on CT images, in one tumor on PET images, and in 2 tumors by histologic examination. In the other 5 tumors, curative effect was not determined because consolidation shadows surrounded the tumors. Complications were mild (pneumothoraces, 5; sputum cruentum, 4; subcutaneous emphysema, 3) except for one case of pleurisy. RFA of pulmonary malignancies appears to be a safe, effective treatment if a low output of less than 70 W is applied.