Extraosseous multiple myeloma: imaging spectrum in the abdomen and pelvis.

Multiple myeloma represents a subset of plasma cell dyscrasias characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells typically in the bone marrow, representing approximately 1% of all cancers and 15% of hematologic malignancies. Often multiple myeloma is limited to the skeletal system; however, a small percentage (<5%) of patients will develop extraosseous manifestations. We review the current WHO classification of plasma cell dyscrasias and use multimodality imaging including US, CT, MRI, and PET-CT to illustrate the spectrum of extraosseous multiple myeloma in the abdomen and pelvis. Because extraosseous multiple myeloma is associated with a poorer prognosis and decreased survival, it is important for the radiologist to become familiar with a variety of extraosseous manifestations in the abdomen and pelvis, especially in a patient with a known diagnosis of multiple myeloma and the development of an abdominal or pelvic mass.

Appendiceal endosalpingiosis: clinical presentation and imaging appearance of a rare condition of the appendix.

Endosalpingiosis rarely affects the appendix but can be mistaken for acute appendicitis or appendiceal tumors. The medical literature regarding appendiceal endosalpingiosis is sparse; consisting of only four case reports which are primarily focused on the histopathology but provide little radiologic correlation. Endosalpingiosis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of benign fallopian tubal-like glandular epithelium derived from Mullerian ducts, usually affecting the serosal surfaces of the pelvis and peritoneum. It is histologically differentiated from endometriosis as endosalpingiosis lacks endometrial stroma. Endosalpingiosis tends to affect older women and has been associated with ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential. After a retrospective review of a pathology database, we present pathologically proven cases of appendiceal endosalpingiosis with correlative imaging. We discuss the clinical presentation, illustrate the CT and MRI appearance, histologic characteristics, and review the current medical literature of appendiceal endosalpingiosis.

Intestinal transplants: review of normal imaging appearance and complications.

Intestinal transplant (IT) is one of the least common forms of organ transplant but is increasing both in volume of cases and number of centers performing intestinal transplants, with the busiest centers in North America and Europe. IT can be performed in isolation or as part of a multivisceral transplant (MVT). Intestinal failure either in the form of short gut syndrome or functional bowel problems is the primary indication for IT. The normal post-surgical anatomy can be variable due to both recipient anatomy in regard to amount of residual bowel and status of native vasculature as well as whether the transplant is isolated or part of a multivisceral transplant. Complications of isolated IT and IT as part of an MVT include complications shared with other types of organ transplants such as infection, rejection, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and graft versus host disease. Mechanical bowel complications of the graft include bowel obstruction, stricture, leak, perforation and enterocutaneous fistula. Lastly, vascular complications of both the venous and arterial anastomoses including stricture and pseudoaneurysm occur.

Mucinous appendiceal neoplasms: pathologic classification, clinical implications, imaging spectrum and mimics.

Mucinous appendiceal neoplasms are uncommon, but important to recognize with imaging due to malignant potential. Peritoneal seeding and pseudomyxoma peritonei can occur with both frankly malignant as well as low-grade appendiceal neoplasms. Prospective imaging identification of potential appendiceal neoplasm is paramount to clinical/surgical management. When a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm is suspected, a right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection is the preferred surgical management. Unfortunately, accurate preoperative diagnosis can be challenging due to a wide range of clinical presentations and overlapping imaging appearances of appendiceal neoplasms with benign entities. Using the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) pathologic classification as a framework, we provide a comprehensive multi-modality pictorial essay detailing the broad array of imaging findings of mucinous appendiceal neoplasms and common imaging mimics.

Multidetector CT imaging of bariatric surgical complications: a pictorial review.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing, along with the number of bariatric surgical procedures performed to treat obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and laparoscopic gastric banding (GB) comprise the vast majority of procedures with SG now the dominant procedure in the USA. Although multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is not always the examination of choice for a particular suspected complication, many of these patients present with non-specific abdominal symptoms and undergo MDCT evaluation as an initial diagnostic test. This pictorial essay will review and discuss the normal post-surgical bariatric appearance on MDCT, and the appearance of common and uncommon complications associated with the common bariatric procedures on MDCT with correlative imaging. SG complications include leak/abscess, hemorrhage, splenic injury, and portomesenteric thrombosis. RYGB complications include leak/abscess, gastrogastric fistula, small bowel obstruction, internal hernia, and intussusception. Although GB is waning in popularity, radiologists continue to see the legacy of these patients and complications include gastric prolapse, band erosion, and port/tubing mechanical failures. Awareness of the characteristic findings of bariatric complications on MDCT is critical, allowing for earlier recognition and prompt intervention.

Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: imaging features, current treatment options, and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy (CSEP) is considered to be quite rare, but the frequency is increasing given the increasing number of cesarean sections being performed, along with increased detection due to widespread use of early endovaginal sonography. The normal sonographic and magnetic resonance findings of this phenomenon will be discussed, including the appearance of complications associated with abnormal placentation, such as the placenta accreta spectrum. Cases of CSEP at our institution will be illustrated, along with clinical presentations and treatment outcomes. METHODS: The study included women who were diagnosed with a CSEP in the first trimester, which was confirmed by ultrasound. The clinical presentations, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of these pregnancies were recorded. RESULTS: In our series, treatment ranged from no intervention with fetal demise on short-term follow-up ultrasound to viable near-term deliveries requiring cesarean section, urgent blood products, and emergent surgery. The majority of our cases 75% (15 of 20) underwent successful early first trimester termination by a combination of systemic methotrexate administration, ultrasound-guided injection of embryocidal agents, and/or surgery. CONCLUSION: Early imaging recognition and diagnosis of CSEP is critically important to minimize maternal complications, maintain treatment options, and potentially preserve future fertility.

Simulation center training as a means to improve resident performance in percutaneous noncontinuous CT-guided fluoroscopic procedures with dose reduction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted simulation-based resident training for CT-guided fluoroscopic procedures by measuring procedural and technical skills, radiation dose, and procedure times before and after simulation training. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis included 40 radiology residents and eight staff radiologists. Residents took an online pretest to assess baseline procedural knowledge. Second-through fourth-year residents' baseline technical skills with a procedural phantom were evaluated. First-through third-year residents then underwent formal didactic and simulation-based procedural and technical training with one of two interventional radiologists and followed the training with 1 month of supervised phantom-based practice. Thereafter, residents underwent final written and practical examinations. The practical examination included essential items from a 20-point checklist, including site and side marking, consent, time-out, and sterile technique along with a technical skills portion assessing pedal steps, radiation dose, needle redirects, and procedure time. RESULTS: The results indicated statistically significant improvement in procedural and technical skills after simulation training. For residents, the median number of pedal steps decreased by three (p=0.001), median dose decreased by 15.4 mGy (p<0.001), median procedure time decreased by 4.0 minutes (p<0.001), median number of needle redirects decreased by 1.0 (p=0.005), and median number of 20-point checklist items successfully completed increased by three (p<0.001). The results suggest that procedural skills can be acquired and improved by simulation-based training of residents, regardless of experience. CONCLUSION: CT simulation training decreases procedural time, decreases radiation dose, and improves resident efficiency and confidence, which may transfer to clinical practice with improved patient care and safety.

CSF shunt complications: what the abdominal imager needs to know.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting has been a mainstay in the treatment of hydrocephalus for many decades. With a reported 33,000 shunt placement procedures performed in the US annually, and a lifetime revision rate approaching 50%, abdominal radiologists must be familiar with the typical imaging appearance of an array of shunt complications. Complications related to the peritoneal portion of the shunt have been reported in up to 25% of patients. We present a comprehensive pictorial essay including computed tomography, conventional radiography, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine examples illustrating abdominal complications related to CSF shunting and a review of the current literature. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to provide multimodality imaging examples of CSF shunt complications and familiarize the abdominal imager with the spectrum of findings.

Reformatted images of the thoracic and lumbar spine following CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis in the setting of blunt trauma: are they necessary?

Injuries involving the thoracic and lumbar (TL) spine in the setting of blunt trauma are not uncommon. At our institution, CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CT CAP) with dedicated reformatted images of the thoracolumbar spine (CT TL) is part of the standard work-up of patients following significant blunt trauma. The purpose of this study was to compare the detection rate of TL spine fractures on routine trauma CT CAP with reformatted CT TL spine images and determine whether these reformatted images detect additional fractures and if these altered patient management. The imaging records of 1000 consecutive patients who received blunt trauma protocol CT CAP with CT TL spine reformats were reviewed to determine identification of TL spine fracture in each report. Fracture type and location were documented. Of the 896 patients, 66 (7.4 %) had fractures of the TL spine identified on either CT CAP or CT TL spine. Of these 66 patients, 40 (60.6 %) had fractures identified on both CT CAP and CT TL spine and 24 (36.4 %) had fractures identified on CT TL spine images alone. Fourteen patients required treatment with surgery or bracing, 4 (28.6 %) of which had fractures identified on reformatted TL spine imaging only. In conclusion, a significant number of fractures are detected on TL spine reformats that are not identified on CT CAP alone, altering patient management in a few cases and suggesting that dedicated TL spine reformats should be a standard part of the work-up of blunt trauma patients.

Stump appendicitis: surgical background, CT appearance, and imaging mimics.

Stump appendicitis, also known as remnant appendicitis, is an uncommon entity with little radiologic literature. It is the result of unintentional incomplete appendectomy with subsequent inflammatory changes in the appendiceal remnant. A retrospective review of the radiology and pathology archives at our institution over an 8-year period yielded six surgically/pathologically confirmed cases. Imaging findings at presentation were evaluated, including appendiceal stump length, appendiceal stump diameter, presence or absence of surrounding stranding in the periappendiceal fat, and presence or absence of complication (perforation or abscess). The CT findings of the six cases had an average surgical specimen appendiceal stump length of 3.5 cm (range 2.0-5 cm) and an average appendiceal diameter of 12.3 mm (range 10-16 mm). All six cases demonstrated the presence of periappendiceal inflammatory fat stranding on the CT scan. Range of imaging presentation is reviewed with pictorial examples as well as examples of potential false-positive cases (mimics) including Crohn's disease, residual surgical drain tract, and epiploic appendagitis. Familiarity with stump appendicitis as well as its imaging mimics may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and prevent unnecessary complications.

Transarterial embolization of symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of small size trisacryl gelatin microsphere embolization as a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of experience with transarterial bland embolization of FNH during the period 2006-2011 in 12 patients (10 women and 2 men; age range, 18-61 y) with a total of 17 lesions presenting with symptoms of pain. FNH was pathologically proven in 11 lesions from 10 patients; the remaining lesions exhibited the classic imaging appearance for FNH. All patients underwent superselective embolization with 100-300 µm trisacryl gelatin microspheres. Lesion size and contrast enhancement before and after treatment were compared to determine success of the procedure. Clinical response was determined by review of the electronic medical record. RESULTS: After embolization, seven patients showed complete resolution and five patients showed partial resolution of symptoms. Compared with imaging performed before the procedure, mean decrease in lesion size after embolization was 61% (range, 26%-90%) on cross-sectional imaging obtained 4-10 weeks after embolization and 87% (range, 54%-98%) on subsequent imaging. Diminished contrast enhancement was universally noted, with 5 of 17 lesions showing complete lack of residual enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial bland embolization of FNH with trisacryl gelatin microspheres in symptomatic patients is a suitable treatment alternative to surgical resection.

Asymptomatic bowel perforation by abandoned ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

We report a case of an abandoned abdominal ventriculoperitoneal shunt that migrated into the gastric antrum, colonic hepatic flexure, and liver parenchyma, which was discovered incidentally on an abdominal CT obtained for renal stones. In regards to the migrated abandoned VP shunt, the patient was asymptomatic. Upon review of prior CT scans, these findings had progressed over approximately 7 years. We describe the case and discuss the clinical and radiologic findings, complications resulting from ventriculoperitoneal shunts, and possible approaches to their management.

Cesarean scar pregnancy: sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings, complications, and treatment.

A cesarean scar (ectopic) pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy implants on a cesarean scar. This condition is an uncommon but potentially devastating occurrence. The incidence is increasing as cesarean deliveries become more common. Early recognition of the salient sonographic findings is critical because a delay can lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable troubleshooting tool when sonography is equivocal or inconclusive before therapy or intervention. Early diagnosis by sonography directs therapy and improves outcomes by allowing preservation of the uterus and future fertility. We review the imaging features, differential diagnosis, complications, and treatment of cesarean scar pregnancies in the first trimester.

An overview of the method, application, and various findings of computed tomographic colonography in patients after incomplete colonoscopy.

Colon cancer is the third most common malignancy in the USA with 154,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths in 2007. The current screening method is optical colonoscopy; however, the compliance rate of the screening population is very low. Computed tomographic (CT) colonography has been used as an alternative to optical colonoscopy as a screening method. The purpose of this article is to explain how CT colonography has been used as a supplemental screening tool in a subset of patients in whom optical colonoscopy was either incomplete or not possible. We examined a group of 222 patients at our institution in which a complete colonoscopy could not be performed for a variety of reasons. Routine CT colonography imaging of the insufflated colon was performed in both the supine and the prone positions with oral contrast. 3D reconstructed images were then obtained using Viatronix software and were interpreted along with the axial images. Each patient was classified into groups based on the quality/adequacy of the examination, presence, number, and size of polyps. The patients were also evaluated for any diverticula, benign lesions such as lipoma, stricture, or mass. In addition to its use as a primary screening tool, CT colonography can be used as an adjunct to optical colonoscopy as in our institution. A cooperative use of both screening modalities can result in a higher number of completed examinations when combining the results of both tests. On review of our 222 cases, there were 37 patients in whom the CT colonography was deemed incomplete for several reasons, including inadequate insufflation, persistent stricture, or incomplete preparation. Of these cases, when reviewing the previous incomplete colonoscopy report, 18 patients (49%) had a complete screening study when combining the results of both tests. In these cases, areas that could not be evaluated by CT colonography were properly screened with colonoscopy. A large number of patients in our study group were able to receive an essentially complete screening evaluation when both tests were combined. In the case of our study, the combination of both tests brought the rate of complete studies to 91%.

Metastatic breast carcinoma to renal angiomyolipomas in tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease manifesting as hamartomatous involvement of several organs, including brain, kidneys, skin, heart, lungs, and retina. We report the first case of a patient with TSC, with large bilateral renal angiomyolipomas (AML), who developed multiple soft tissue masses within her primarily fatty AMLs, resulting from metastatic breast cancer.