Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography in pancreatic diseases

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the most sensitive imaging method for diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. However, it still has limits in the differentiation between pancreatic cancers and inflammatory tumor-like masses. A novel technology, contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS), has been developed recently. It can visualize both parenchymal perfusion and microvasculature in pancreas without Doppler-related artifacts. Therefore, it is superior to EUS and CT in detecting small pancreatic masses and differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses. CH-EUS could be used for adequate sampling of pancreatic tumors and may predict the pathological features of the pancreatic solid lesions but still cannot replace EUS-FNA now.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of gallbladder diseases: a multi-center experience

Objective

To assess the usefulness of contrast–enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating malignant from benign gallbladder (GB) diseases.

Methods

This study had institutional review board approval. 192 patients with GB diseases from 9 university hospitals were studied. After intravenous bonus injection of a phospholipid-stabilized shell microbubble contrast agent, lesions were scanned with low acoustic power CEUS. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify diagnostic clues from 17 independent variables that enabled differentiation between malignant and benign GB diseases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

Results

Among the 17 independent variables, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the following 4 independent variables were associated with the benign nature of the GB diseases, including the patient age, intralesional blood vessel depicted on CEUS, contrast washout time, and wall intactness depicted on CEUS (all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the patient age, intralesional vessels on CEUS, and the intactness of the GB wall depicted on CEUS yielded an area under the ROC curve (Az) greater than 0.8 in each and Az for the combination of the 4 significant independent variables was 0.915 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.857–0.974]. The corresponding Az, sensitivity, and specificity for the age were 0.805 (95% CI: 0.746–0.863), 92.2%%, and 59.6%; for the intralesional vessels on CEUS were 0.813 (95% CI: 0.751–0.875), 59.8%, and 98.0%; and for the GB wall intactness were 0.857 (95% CI: 0.786–0.928), 78.4%, and 92.9%. The cut-off values for benign GB diseases were patient age <53.5 yrs, dotted intralesional vessels on CEUS and intact GB wall on CEUS.

Conclusion

CEUS is valuable in differentiating malignant from benign GB diseases. Branched or linear intralesional vessels and destruction of GB wall on CEUS are the CEUS features highly suggestive of GB malignancy and the patient age >53.5 yrs is also a clue for GB malignancy.

Polifeprosan 20, 3.85% carmustine slow-release wafer in malignant glioma: evidence for role in era of standard adjuvant temozolomide

The Polifeprosan 20 with carmustine (BCNU, bis-chloroethylnitrosourea, Gliadel^®) polymer implant wafer is a biodegradable compound containing 3.85% carmustine which slowly degrades to release carmustine and protects it from exposure to water with resultant hydrolysis until the time of release. The carmustine implant wafer was demonstrated to improve survival in blinded placebo-controlled trials in selected patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent malignant glioma, with little increased risk of adverse events. Based on these trials and other supporting data, US and European regulatory authorities granted approval for its use in recurrent and newly diagnosed malignant glioma, and it remains the only approved local treatment. The preclinical and clinical data suggest that it is optimally utilized primarily in the proportion of patients who may have total or near total removal of gross tumor. The aim of this work was to review the evidence for the use of carmustine implants in the management of malignant astrocytoma (World Health Organization grades III and IV), including newly diagnosed and recurrent disease, especially in the setting of a standard of care that has changed since the randomized trials were completed. Therapy has evolved such that patients now generally receive temozolomide chemotherapy during and after radiotherapy treatment. For patients undergoing repeat resection for malignant glioma, a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated a median survival for 110 patients who received carmustine polymers of 31 weeks compared with 23 weeks for 122 patients who only received placebo polymers. The benefit achieved statistical significance only on analysis adjusting for prognostic factors rather than for the randomized groups as a whole (hazard ratio = 0.67, P = 0.006). A blinded, placebo-controlled trial has also been performed for carmustine implant placement in newly diagnosed patients prior to standard radiotherapy. Median survival was improved from 11.6 to 13.9 months (P = 0.03), with a 29% reduction in the risk of death. When patients with glioblastoma multiforme alone were analyzed, the median survival improved from 11.4 to 13.5 months, but this improvement was not statistically significant. When a Cox’s proportional hazard model was utilized to account for other potential prognostic factors, there was a significant 31% reduction in the risk of death (P = 0.04) in this subgroup. Data from other small reports support these results and confirm that the incidence of adverse events does not appear to be increased meaningfully. Given the poor prognosis without possibility of cure, these benefits from a treatment with a favorable safety profile were considered meaningful. There is randomized evidence to support the use of carmustine wafers placed during resection of recurrent disease. Therefore, although there is limited specific evidence, this treatment is likely to be efficacious in an environment when nearly all patients receive temozolomide as part of initial management. Given that half of the patients in the randomized trial assessing the value of carmustine implants in recurrent disease had received prior chemotherapy, it is likely that this remains a valuable treatment at the time of repeat resection, even after temozolomide. There are data from multiple reports to support safety. Although there is randomized evidence to support the use of this therapy in newly diagnosed patients who will receive radiotherapy alone, it is now standard to administer both adjuvant temozolomide and radiotherapy. There are survival outcome reports for small cohorts of patients receiving temozolomide with radiotherapy, but this information is not sufficient to support firm recommendations. Based on the rationale and evidence of safety, this approach appears to be a reasonable option as more information is acquired. Available data support the safety of using carmustine wafers in this circumstance, although special attention to surgical guidelines for implanting the wafers is warranted.

The cardiovascular risk of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists in men with prostate cancer: an unresolved controversy

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) play an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer, improving significantly overall survival. GnRH agonists belong to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) together with surgical castration and, recently, GnRH antagonists. ADT has several side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis. Recently, changes in body composition, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension have emerged as complications of ADT, perhaps responsible for cardiovascular events, but discussion is still open. Since the majority of men with prostate cancer die of conditions other than their malignancy, recognition of these adverse effects is important. This review serves to focus attention on the pathogenetic mechanisms of ADT-related cardiovascular toxicity with also reference to the possible direct role of GnRH agonist on the cardiac receptors. Furthermore, this paper would generate recommendations for the management of patients treated with GnRH agonists balancing the potential benefits against the possible risks in prostate cancer men.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient value with prognostic parameters

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to correlate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value with the prognostic parameters of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study conducted on 30 consecutive patients (19 men, 11 women; mean age 61 years) with NPC. Patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) singleshot echoplanar imaging at 1.5 Tesla. NPC ADC value was correlated with pathological tumour type, pathological tumour grade, tumour volume and nodal status.

RESULTS

Mean NPC ADC value was 0.99 ± 0.11 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s. ADC values of well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumours differed significantly (p=0.005) from those of poorly differentiated and undifferentiated NPC. There was also a significant difference in ADC value among small, medium and large tumour volume (p=0.03). ADC value was also significantly lower (p=0.003) when metastatic cervical lymph nodes were present. ADC value correlated inversely with tumour volume (r=-0.799, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

ADC value can be considered a noninvasive prognostic parameter that correlates well with prognostic parameters of NPC.

Pancreatic lipoma: An incydentaloma which can resemble cancer - analysis of 13 cases studied with CT and MRI

Background:

The purpose of this article is to present computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of rare pancreatic lipomas.

Material/Methods:

The analysis covered 13 patients (7 men and 6 women, aged 47–88, average: 65.6 years), with 13 pancreatic lipomas, whose cases constituted the basis for 10 contrast-enhanced CT and 5 MRI studies.

Results:

Lipomas measured from 6 mm to 32 mm (average 12.8 mm) and were located in the pancreatic head (n=7), body (n=2), tail (n=3) and uncinate process (n=1). Most lesions (n=11) were homogenous, well-circumscribed.

On contrast-enhanced CT scans, macroscopic fat (<−30 HU) was present in 9 lipomas. In one case (10 mm lesion) the density was −20 HU and the lesion was poorly circumscribed with septations, which altogether made it difficult to precisely characterize its contents.

On MR scans fat was demonstrated in all studied cases (n=5).

Conclusions:

Lipomas are rare, small, homogenous and well-circumscribed pancreatic tumours. The most important feature, decisive for the diagnosis and distinguishing them from pancreatic carcinoma, is detection of fatty tissue on CT and MR scans. In these cases differential diagnosis includes other rare fatty tumours of the pancreas (focal fatty infiltration, teratoma, liposarcoma).

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in hepatosplenic sarcoidosis: Report of 2 cases

Background:

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that predominantly affects lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes; in rare cases (approx. 10%), infiltration of the spleen and liver may be observed. In order to identify hepatosplenic infiltration, MRI/CT of the abdomen and different ultrasound techniques (PD US, US D) are usually performed. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a new technique in this diagnostic algorithm, but the fact that this is a safe, accurate, and widely available method opens a new perspective for the detection of abdominal lesions in sarcoidosis.

Case Reports:

We report 2 cases of hepatosplenic sarcoidosis – a 41-year-old woman with splenic lesions and a 46-year-old man with liver infiltration.

Results:

On the basis of these 2 cases we intended to show the diagnostic potential of contrast enhanced ultrasound for the recognition of focal lesions of the spleen and liver in patients suffering from sarcoidosis.

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: newer radiological tools

With the recent dramatic advances in diagnostic modalities, the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is primarily based on imaging. Ultrasound (US) plays a crucial role in HCC surveillance. Dynamic multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the standard diagnostic methods for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC, which can be made based on hemodynamic features (arterial enhancement and delayed washout). The technical development of MDCT and MRI has made possible the fast scanning with better image quality and resolution, which enables an accurate CT hemodynamic evaluation of hepatocellular tumor, as well as the application of perfusion CT and MRI in clinical practice. Perfusion CT and MRI can measure perfusion parameters of tumor quantitatively and can be used for treatment response assessment to anti-vascular agents. Besides assessing the hemodynamic or perfusion features of HCC, new advances in MRI can provide a cellular information of HCC. Liver-specific hepatobiliary contrast agents, such as gadoxetic acid, give information regarding hepatocellular function or defect of the lesion, which improves lesion detection and characterization. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver provides cellular information of HCC and also has broadened its role in lesion detection, lesion characterization, and treatment response assessment to chemotherapeutic agents. In this article, we provide an overview of the state-of-the art imaging techniques of the liver and their clinical role in management of HCC.

A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with surgical resection (RES) in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 168 patients with small HCC with nodular diameters of less than 4 cm and up to two nodules were randomly divided into RES (n=84) and RFA groups (n=84). Outcomes were carefully monitored and evaluated during the 3-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates for the RES and RFA groups were 96.0%, 87.6%, 74.8% and 93.1%, 83.1%, 67.2%, respectively. The corresponding recurrence-free survival rates for the two groups were 90.6%, 76.7%, 61.1% and 86.2%, 66.6%, 49.6%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in overall survival rate (p=0.342) or recurrence-free survival rate (p=0.122). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors associated with survival were multiple occurrences of tumors at different hepatic locations (relative risk of 2.696; 95% CI: 1.189-6.117; p=0.018) and preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG-15) (relative risk of 3.853; 95% CI: 1.647-9.015; p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas, percutaneous RFA may provide therapeutic effects similar to those of RES. However, percutaneous RFA is more likely to be incomplete for the treatment of small HCCs located at specific sites of the liver, and open or laparoscopic surgery may be the better choice.

Ten-year experience using antegrade enemas in children

OBJECTIVE

To describe a single-center, 10-year experience with the use of antegrade enemas.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of 99 patients treated with antegrade enemas at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

RESULTS

Study subjects (median age 8 years) were followed for a mean time of 46 months (range 2-125 months) after cecostomy placement. Seventy-one patients had the cecostomy placed percutaneously and 28 by surgery. Thirty-five patients had functional constipation and 64 patients an organic disease (spinal abnormalities, cerebral palsy, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung's disease). While using antegrade enemas, 71% became symptom-free, in 20 subjects symptoms improved, in 2 subjects symptoms did not change, and in 7 subjects symptoms worsened. Poor outcome was associated with surgical placement of the cecostomy (P < .001), younger age (P = .02), shorter duration of symptoms (P = .01), history of Hirschsprung's disease (P = .05), cerebral palsy (P = .03), previous abdominal surgery (P = .001), and abnormal colonic manometry (P = .004). In 88%, successful irrigation solution included use of a stimulant laxative, and subjects who used a stimulant did significantly better (P < .001) than subjects who started without a stimulant. In 13 patients, the cecostomy was removed 49.7 months after placement without recurrence of symptoms. Major complications occurred in 12 patients and minor complications in 47.

CONCLUSIONS

Antegrade enemas represent a successful and relatively safe therapeutic option in children with severe defecatory disorders. Prognostic factors are identified.

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography in digestive diseases

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography (CE-EUS) was introduced in the early 1990s. The concept of the injection of carbon dioxide microbubbles into the hepatic artery as a contrast material (enhanced ultrasonography) led to "endoscopic ultrasonographic angiography". After the arrival of the first-generation contrast agent, high-frequency (12 MHz) EUS brought about the enhancement of EUS images in the diagnosis of pancreatico-biliary diseases, upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and submucosal tumors. The electronic scanning endosonoscope with both radial and linear probes enabled the use of high-end ultrasound machines and depicted the enhancement of both color/power Doppler flow-based imaging and harmonic-based imaging using second-generation contrast agents. Many reports have described the usefulness of the differential diagnosis of pancreatic diseases and other abdominal lesions. Quantitative evaluation of CE-EUS images was an objective method of diagnosis using the time-intensity curve (TIC), but it was limited to the region of interest. Recently developed Inflow Time Mapping™ can be generated from stored clips and used to display the pattern of signal enhancement with time after injection, offering temporal difference of contrast agents and improved tumor characterization. On the other hand, three-dimensional CE-EUS images added new information to the literature, but lacked positional information. Three-dimensional CE-EUS with accurate positional information is awaited. To date, most reports have been related to pancreatic lesions or lymph nodes. Hemodynamic analysis might be of use for diseases in other organs: upper GI cancer diagnosis, submucosal tumors, and biliary disorders, and it might also provide functional information. Studies of CE-EUS in diseases in many other organs will increase in the near future.

Endosonographic large-bore biopsy of gastric subepithelial tumors: a prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Once gastric subepithelial lesions (SEL) are found, tissue diagnosis is required, considering the possible differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Previous studies have shown insufficient accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) using cytologic analysis.

METHODS

The feasibility and yield of EUS-FNA-based histologic tissue acquisition for gastric SEL, using 19 G large-bore needles, was assessed in a 4-year multicenter, prospective study. All consecutive patients, who were referred for EUS-FNA for all SEL greater than 1 cm, were included.

RESULTS

Of 100 patients with suspected gastric SEL, 71 lesions were found to be eligible. Endoscopic biopsies or resections or surgery were used alternatively for a variety of reasons in 25 patients. EUS-FNA using the 19 G needle was finally performed in 46/71 cases (65%) with one to four needle passes. Sufficient material for a definite or a suspected histological diagnosis was obtained in 52 and 7% of the cases, respectively. In 41%, the samples were not informative. Immunohistochemistry was possible in 91% of cases with sufficient amounts of tissue; 30% were GIST. Self-limited, mild hemorrhage occurred in 22%; one patient developed a fatal abscess.

CONCLUSION

Even when intended, EUS-guided 19 G FNA is only feasible in 46% of gastric SEL. The diagnostic yield of 19 G FNA was only 52%, but with excellent differentiation between GIST and leiomyoma. Infectious complications must be prevented.

Surgical management of coronary artery disease associated with malignancy

Surgical management of patients with combined coronary artery disease and malignancy remains a challenge. In this review the time of surgical intervention, whether to treat the malignancy or the coronary artery disease first, and which bypass technique should be used during myocardial revascularization are reviewed to determine the most optimal strategy to manage patients who require coronary surgical revascularization and present with an underlying malignancy.

Mirizzi syndrome: History, current knowledge and proposal of a simplified classification

Chronic complications of symptomatic gallstone disease, such as Mirizzi syndrome, are rare in Western developed countries with an incidence of less than 1% a year. The importance and implications of this condition are related to their associated and potentially serious surgical complications such as bile duct injury, and to its modern management when encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pathophysiological process leading to the subtypes of Mirizzi syndrome has been explained by means of a pressure ulcer caused by an impacted gallstone at the gallbladder infundibulum, leading to an inflammatory response causing first external obstruction of the bile duct, and eventually eroding into the bile duct and evolving to a cholecystocholedochal or cholecystohepatic fistula. This article reviews the life of Pablo Luis Mirizzi, describes the earlier and later descriptions of Mirizzi syndrome, discusses the pathophysiological process leading to the development of these uncommon fistulas, reviews the current diagnostic modalities and surgical approaches and finally proposes a simplified classification for Mirizzi syndrome intended to standardize the reports on this condition and to eventually develop a consensual surgical approach to this unexpected and seriously dangerous condition.

A rare case of an appendiceal mass masquerading as a pelvic tumour and causing bilateral hydronephrosis

Diagnosing acute appendicitis in children can be difficult due to atypical presenting symptoms. While there are reported cases of acute appendicitis or appendiceal masses causing unilateral hydronephrosis, bilateral hydronephrosis as a complication of appendiceal mass is very rare. We report a case of a child who presented with cardinal symptomatology associated with the urogenital tract. Ultrasound (US) investigation showed a pelvic mass causing bilateral hydronephrosis. An initial diagnosis of a pelvic teratoma was made based on the US and computed tomography (CT) scan findings. The final diagnosis of an appendiceal mass causing bilateral hydronephrosis was established intraoperatively.

Rectal imaging: part 1, High-resolution MRI of carcinoma of the rectum at 3 T

OBJECTIVE

MRI is currently the imaging modality of choice for the detection, characterization, and staging of rectal cancer. A variety of examinations have been used for preoperative staging of rectal cancer, including digital rectal examination, endorectal (endoscopic) ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Endoscopic ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice for small and small superficial tumors. MRI is superior to CT for assessing invasion to adjacent organs and structures, especially low tumors that carry a high risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

High-resolution MRI is an accurate and sensitive imaging method delineating tumoral margins, mesorectal involvement, nodes, and distant metastasis. In this article, we will review the utility of rectal MRI in local staging, preoperative evaluation, and surgical planning. MRI at 3 T can accurately delineate the mesorectal fascia involvement, which is one of the main decision points in planning treatment.

Comparative histomorphological review of rat and human hepatocellular proliferative lesions

In this comparative review, histomorphological features of common nonneoplastic and neoplastic hepatocyte lesions of rats and humans are examined using H&E-stained slides. The morphological similarities and differences of both neoplastic (hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular adenoma) and presumptive preneoplastic lesions (large and small cell change in humans and foci of cellular alteration in rats) are presented and discussed. There are major similarities in the diagnostic features, growth patterns and behavior of both rat and human hepatocellular proliferative lesions and in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis. Further study of presumptive preneoplastic lesions in humans and rats should help to further define their role in progression to hepatocellular neoplasia in both species.

Noninvasive acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography for assessing the severity of fibrosis in the post-operative patients with biliary atresia

PURPOSE

Liver biopsy (LB) is still considered the "gold standard" for hepatological evaluation, but recently noninvasive methods have attempted to replace this invasive procedure. Recently, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging has been developed as a noninvasive modality to evaluate the stiffness of tissues. ARFI imaging theoretically measures liver stiffness of all the segments independently. The aim of this study was to determine whether ARFI elastography is a reliable method for predicting the severity of fibrosis in the post-operative patients with biliary atresia.

METHODS

ARFI elastography was performed 21 times in eight patients with biliary atresia over the last 2 years. At the same time, we measured serum hyaluronic acid (H value), which is one of the serum elastic makers, to compare ARFI versus values in these patients. We obtained ARFI versus values as the median of S2 to S8 by three consecutive measurements acquired with a Siemens Acuson S2000 (Siemens Medical Systems, Germany).

RESULTS

Histological evaluation of fibrosis is graded from F0 (normal) to F4. The normal H value is under 50 mg/dl. One patient had F0 (H value 29.2 mg/dl), four had F1 (H value 11.5-18.1 mg/dl), one had F3 (H value 61.3 mg/dl), two had F4 (H value 29.2, 112 mg/dl). One patient with F4 whose ARFI versus value (3.56 m/s) was the highest, needed liver transplantation and her liver was cirrhotic.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that ARFI measurement may be a reliable method for predicting the severity of fibrosis after a Kasai operation.

An investigation of amino-acid neurotransmitters as potential predictors of clinical improvement to ketamine in depression

Amino-acid neurotransmitter system dysfunction plays a major role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) to investigate whether prefrontal levels of amino-acid neurotransmitters predict antidepressant response to a single intravenous infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine in MDD patients. Fourteen drug-free patients with MDD were scanned 1-3 d before receiving a single intravenous infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg). We measured gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and Glx/glutamate ratio (a surrogate marker of glutamine) in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VM-PFC) and the dorsomedial/dorsal anterolateral prefrontal cortex (DM/DA-PFC). Correlation analyses were conducted to determine whether pretreatment GABA, glutamate, or Glx/glutamate ratio predicted change in depressive and anxiety symptoms 230 min after ketamine administration. Pretreatment GABA or glutamate did not correlate with improved depressive symptoms in either of the two regions of interest (p>0.1); pretreatment Glx/glutamate ratio in the DM/DA-PFC was negatively correlated with improvement in depressive symptoms [r s(11)=-0.57, p<0.05]. Pretreatment glutamate levels in the VM-PFC were positively correlated with improvement in anxiety symptoms [r s(11)=0.57, p<0.05]. The findings suggest an association between lower Glx/glutamate ratio and greater improvement in response to ketamine treatment. Because glutamine is mainly contained in glia, the decreased Glx/glutamate ratio observed in this study may reflect the reduction in glial cells found in the same regions in post-mortem studies of individuals with MDD, and suggests that the presence of this neuropathological construct may be associated with antidepressant responsiveness to ketamine.

Pictorial essay: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is the best-known allergic manifestation of Aspergillus-related hypersensitivity pulmonary disorders. Most patients present with poorly controlled asthma, and the diagnosis can be made on the basis of a combination of clinical, immunological, and radiological findings. The chest radiographic findings are generally nonspecific, although the manifestations of mucoid impaction of the bronchi suggest a diagnosis of ABPA. High-resolution CT scan (HRCT) of the chest has replaced bronchography as the initial investigation of choice in ABPA. HRCT of the chest can be normal in almost one-third of the patients, and at this stage it is referred to as serologic ABPA (ABPA-S). The importance of central bronchiectasis (CB) as a specific finding in ABPA is debatable, as almost 40% of the lobes are involved by peripheral bronchiectasis. High-attenuation mucus (HAM), encountered in 20% of patients with ABPA, is pathognomonic of ABPA. ABPA should be classified based on the presence or absence of HAM as ABPA-S (mild), ABPA-CB (moderate), and ABPA-CB-HAM (severe), as this classification not only reflects immunological severity but also predicts the risk of recurrent relapses.

Osteoporosis in men: insights for the clinician

Osteoporosis has finally been recognized as an important disorder in men. Men have osteoporotic fractures about 10 years later in life than women. Owing to increasing life expectancy, more fractures are predicted. Important risk factors for men include advancing age, smoking or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, glucocorticoid therapy, and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Other groups at risk for osteoporosis include those with alcohol abuse, men on enzyme-inducing antiseizure drugs, and those with malabsorption or history of surgery for peptic ulcer disease. History and physical examination will likely reveal secondary causes of osteoporosis. Some, but not all organizations, recommend screening for osteoporosis in men older than age 70. In the USA, The Department of Veterans Affairs recommends case finding rather than screening. Evaluation starts with bone mineral density testing by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the spine, hip, and in some cases forearm. A few laboratory tests can be helpful, including measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Most studies of osteoporosis therapy in men are small; but alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, and teriparatide are FDA-approved to increase bone density in men with osteoporosis. A new potent antiresorptive agent, denosumab, increased bone density dramatically in men on androgen deprivation therapy and is approved for this indication in Europe. Recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis in men should lead to fewer fractures and probably fewer deaths.

Successful endoscopic decompression for intramural duodenal hematoma with gastric outlet obstruction complicating acute pancreatitis

Non-traumatic intramural duodenal hematoma (IDH) with duodenal obstruction caused by acute pancreatitis is rare. Most patients with non-extensive hematoma show improvement with non-operative treatments. Percutaneous drainage or surgery may be necessary in cases with suspected malignancy, perforation, or intestinal tract obstruction. We present a case of IDH caused by acute pancreatitis that led to obstruction of the duodenum and an experience of successful endoscopic decompression of the hematoma.

Microneurosurgery in combination with endovascular embolisation in the treatment of solid haemangioblastoma in the dorsal medulla oblongata

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the treatment of solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata using microneurosurgery in combination with endovascular embolisation.

METHODS

Clinical data from 11 patients with solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata who were treated with endovascular embolisation followed by microneurosurgery were analysed retrospectively. Clinical results were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale. The patients were preoperatively evaluated by neuroimaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). General anaesthesia was induced, the patients were tracheally intubated, and the abnormal vessels were embolised. Surgery to resect the haemangioblastoma was conducted after the blood-clotting index returned to normal levels (generally one month after the interventional treatment).

RESULTS

Embolisation was accomplished in all 11 patients. DSA analysis revealed that most of the tumour vessels and tumour stains disappeared without any complications. The haemangioblastomas were completely resected. None of the patients received blood transfusion or died during surgery. The neurological deficit was reduced or eliminated in 10 patients, but 1 patient died after experiencing an acute myocardial infarction on the tenth postoperative day. No recurrence occurred during follow-up in patients who underwent total tumour resection. Postoperative grades using the modified Rankin scale were improved in all 10 patients. However, several complications occurred, including communicating hydrocephalus, incision infection, pneumonia and cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the incision. Notably, normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) did not develop during or after endovascular embolisation or surgery.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative endovascular embolisation is a safe and effective adjunct treatment. Employing this treatment, solid haemangioblastomas in the dorsal medulla oblongata can be safely and completely resected.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy in early stage Hodgkin lymphoma patients: is it better than three dimensional conformal radiotherapy?

Background

Cure rate of early Hodgkin Lymphoma are high and avoidance of late toxicities is of paramount importance. This comparative study aims to assess the normal tissue sparing capability of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) versus standard three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in terms of dose-volume parameters and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for different organs at risk in supradiaphragmatic Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients.

Methods

Ten HL patients were actually treated with 3D-CRT and all treatments were then re-planned with IMRT. Dose-volume parameters for thyroid, oesophagus, heart, coronary arteries, lung, spinal cord and breast were evaluated. Dose-volume histograms generated by TPS were analyzed to predict the NTCP for the considered organs at risk, according to different endpoints.

Results

Regarding dose-volume parameters no statistically significant differences were recorded for heart and origin of coronary arteries. We recorded statistically significant lower V30 with IMRT for oesophagus (6.42 vs 0.33, p = 0.02) and lungs (4.7 vs 0.1 p = 0.014 for the left lung and 2.59 vs 0.1 p = 0.017 for the right lung) and lower V20 for spinal cord (17.8 vs 7.2 p = 0.02). Moreover the maximum dose to the spinal cord was lower with IMRT (30.2 vs 19.9, p <0.001). Higher V10 with IMRT for thyroid (64.8 vs 95, p = 0.0019) and V5 for lungs (30.3 vs 44.8, p = 0.03, for right lung and 28.9 vs 48.1, p = 0.001 for left lung) were found, respectively. Higher V5 and V10 for breasts were found with IMRT (V5: 4.14 vs 20.6, p = 0.018 for left breast and 3.3 vs 17, p = 0.059 for right breast; V10: 2.5 vs 13.6 p = 0.035 for left breast and 1.7 vs 11, p = 0.07 for the right breast.) As for the NTCP, our data point out that IMRT is not always likely to significantly increase the NTCP to OARs.

Conclusions

In HL male patients IMRT seems feasible and accurate while for women HL patients IMRT should be used with caution.

Induction of pulmonary hemorrhage in rats during diagnostic ultrasound

The induction of pulmonary hemorrhage by pulsed ultrasound was discovered over 20 years ago. This phenomenon may pose a risk of patient lung injury, particularly for point of care pulmonary ultrasound. A diagnostic ultrasound machine (HDI 5000; Philips Healthcare, Andover MA USA) with 7.6 MHz (CL15-7) linear array was used to image the right lung of anesthetized rats in a warmed water bath. The image showed rapid initiation and progression of comet tail artifacts across the lung image for an on-screen mechanical index (MI) of 0.9, which corresponded to a pulmonary hemorrhage in the lung. Groups of rats were scanned at a range of MI settings and a threshold was located at an MI of about 0.44. This finding indicated a greater sensitivity to pulmonary ultrasound than was expected, based on previous results. Further research is needed to understand this phenomenon and to develop safety guidelines for sonographers.

Comparative study concerning the value of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI) in comparison with transient elastography (TE) for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

Our aim was to compare liver stiffness (LS) measurements by means of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and transient elastography (TE) in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, according to the severity of fibrosis. We also compared the correlation strength of ARFI and TE measurements with liver fibrosis. We included 53 patients with hepatitis B and 107 with hepatitis C in which liver biopsy, ARFI and TE measurements were performed in the same session. The mean LS values measured with ARFI were similar in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C and depended on the stage of fibrosis. The correlation strength of LS measurements by ARFI and by TE with fibrosis was similar in chronic hepatitis B and C patients. In conclusion, for the same stage of fibrosis, the mean LS values by ARFI were similar in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. ARFI had similar predictive value with TE in both chronic viral hepatitis.

CT features of lymphobronchial tuberculosis in children, including complications and associated abnormalities

BACKGROUND

Lymphobronchial tuberculosis (TB) is tuberculous lymphadenopathy involving the airways, which is particularly common in children.

OBJECTIVE

To describe CT findings of lymphobronchial TB in children, the parenchymal complications and associated abnormalities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT scans of children with lymphobronchial TB were reviewed retrospectively. Lymphadenopathy, bronchial narrowing, parenchymal complications and associations were documented.

RESULTS

Infants comprised 51% of patients. The commonest site of lymphadenopathy was the subcarinal mediastinum (97% of patients). Bronchial compression was seen in all children (259 bronchi, of these 28% the bronchus intermedius) with severe or complete stenosis in 23% of affected bronchi. Parenchymal complications were present in 94% of patients, including consolidation (88%), breakdown (42%), air trapping (38%), expansile pneumonia (28%), collapse (17%) and bronchiectasis (9%), all predominantly on the right side (63%). Associated abnormalities included ovoid lesions, miliary nodules, pleural disease and intracavitary bodies.

CONCLUSION

Airway compression was more severe in infants and most commonly involved the bronchus intermedius. Numerous parenchymal complications were documented, all showing right-side predominance.

Impact of the arterial input function on microvascularization parameter measurements using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

AIM: To evaluate the sources of variation influencing the microvascularization parameters measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US).

METHODS: Firstly, we evaluated, in vitro, the impact of the manual repositioning of the ultrasound probe and the variations in flow rates. Experiments were conducted using a custom-made phantom setup simulating a tumor and its associated arterial input. Secondly, we evaluated, in vivo, the impact of multiple contrast agent injections and of examination day, as well as the influence of the size of region of interest (ROI) associated with the arterial input function (AIF). Experiments were conducted on xenografted B16F10 female nude mice. For all of the experiments, an ultrasound scanner along with a linear transducer was used to perform pulse inversion imaging based on linear raw data throughout the experiments. Semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses were performed using two signal-processing methods.

RESULTS: In vitro, no microvascularization parameters, whether semi-quantitative or quantitative, were significantly correlated (P values from 0.059 to 0.860) with the repositioning of the probe. In addition, all semi-quantitative microvascularization parameters were correlated with the flow variation while only one quantitative parameter, the tumor blood flow, exhibited P value lower than 0.05 (P = 0.004). In vivo, multiple contrast agent injections had no significant impact (P values from 0.060 to 0.885) on microvascularization parameters. In addition, it was demonstrated that semi-quantitative microvascularization parameters were correlated with the tumor growth while among the quantitative parameters, only the tissue blood flow exhibited P value lower than 0.05 (P = 0.015). Based on these results, it was demonstrated that the ROI size of the AIF had significant influence on microvascularization parameters: in the context of larger arterial ROI (from 1.17 ± 0.6 mm³ to 3.65 ± 0.3 mm³), tumor blood flow and tumor blood volume were correlated with the tumor growth, exhibiting P values lower than 0.001.

CONCLUSION: AIF selection is an essential aspect of the deconvolution process to validate the quantitative DCE-US method.

Communication of findings of radiologic examinations: medicolegal considerations

Radiologists receive little formal training regarding the structure of the radiology report and its importance as a medicolegal document; failure to communicate, in fact, represents one of the main problems facing the modern radiologists' activity. Duty to the patient does not end anymore with the written report; the paradox is that we are so advanced in imaging technology, but not in communicating imaging findings. Communication must be timely, appropriate, and fully documented. There is an increasing trend to communicate results directly to the patients; radiologists have the greatest problem when communicating unexpected findings. To improve patient care and reduce the risk of being sued, radiologists should follow shared report guidelines and be more familiar with their professional responsibilities.

Radiation dose reduction with Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction technique for abdominal computed tomography

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction (SAFIRE) and filtered back-projection (FBP) techniques on abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed with 50% and 75% radiation dose reductions.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients (mean age, 64 ± 14 years; male-female ratio, 10:14) gave informed consent for an institutional review board-approved prospective study involving acquisition of additional research images through the abdomen on 128-slice multi-detector-row CT (SOMATOM Definition Flash) at quality reference mAs of 100 (50% lower dose) and 50 (75% lower dose) over a scan length of 10 cm using combined modulation (CARE Dose 4D). Standard-of-care abdominal CT was performed at 200 quality reference mAs, with remaining parameters held constant. The 50- and 100-mAs data sets were reconstructed with FBP and at 4 SAFIRE settings (S1, S2, S3, S4). Higher number of SAFIRE settings denotes increased strength of the algorithm resulting in lower image noise. Two abdominal radiologists independently compared the FBP and SAFIRE images for lesion number, location, size and conspicuity, and visibility of small structures, image noise, and diagnostic confidence. Objective noise and Hounsfield units (HU) were measured in the liver and the descending aorta.

RESULTS

All 43 lesions were detected on both FBP and SAFIRE images. Minor blocky, pixelated appearance of 50% and 75% reduced dose images was noted at S3 and S4 SAFIRE but not at S1 and S2 settings. Subjective noise was suboptimal in both 50% and 75% lower-dose FBP images but was deemed acceptable on all SAFIRE settings. Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction images were deemed acceptable in all patients at 50% lower dose and in 22 of 24 patients at 75% lower dose. As compared with 75% reduced dose FBP, objective noise was lower by 22.8% (22.9/29.7), 35% (19.3/29.7), 44.3% (16.7/29.3), and 54.8% (13.4/29.7) on S1 to S4 settings, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction-enabled reconstruction provides abdominal CT images without loss in diagnostic value at 50% reduced dose and in some patients also at 75% reduced dose.

Vascularisation pattern of chronic pancreatitis compared with pancreatic carcinoma: results from contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound

Discriminating between focal chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer is always a challenge in clinical medicine. Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound using Doppler techniques can uniquely reveal different vascularisation patterns in pancreatic tissue alterated by chronic inflammatory processes and even allows a discrimination from pancreatic cancer. This paper will describe the basics of contrast-enhanced high mechanical index endoscopic ultrasound (CEHMI EUS) and contrast enhanced low mechanical index endoscopic ultrasound (CELMI EUS) and explain the pathophysiological differences of the vascularisation of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. Furthermore it will discuss how to use these techniques in daily clinical practice.

Clinical and MRI investigation of temporomandibular joint in major depressed patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical and MRI findings of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with major depressive disorders (MDDs) of the non-psychotic type.

METHODS

40 patients (80 TMJs) who were diagnosed as having MDDs were selected for this study. The clinical examination of the TMJs was conducted according to the research diagnostic criteria and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The MRIs were obtained bilaterally in each patient with axial, parasagittal and paracoronal sections within a real-time dynamic sequence. Two trained oral radiologists assessed all images. For statistical analyses, Fisher's exact test and χ(2) test were applied (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Migraine was reported in 52.5% of subjects. Considering disc position, statistically significant differences between opening patterns with and without alteration (p = 0.00) and between present and absent joint noises (p = 0.00) were found. Regarding muscular pain, patients with and without abnormalities in disc function and patients with and without abnormalities in disc position were not statistically significant (p = 0.42 and p = 0.40, respectively). Significant differences between mandibular pathway with and without abnormalities (p = 0.00) and between present and absent joint noises (p = 0.00) were observed.

CONCLUSION

Based on the preliminary results observed by clinical and MRI examination of the TMJ, no direct relationship could be determined between MDDs and TMDs.

Combined surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation as treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma

PURPOSE

Ocular melanoma is a rare disease with a strong predilection for the liver. Systemic and locoregional treatments for metastatic ocular melanoma have had disappointing results, with an average survival of 5-7 months. Resection and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver lesions were attempted to improve the patient outcomes.

METHODS

Eight patients with liver metastasis from ocular melanoma underwent surgery and/or RFA at the University of Southern California, University Hospital from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2009. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

All patients had undergone eye enucleation as the primary treatment. Four patients had all metastatic liver lesions addressed: one patient underwent left lateral segmentectomy and three patients had combinations of left lateral segmentectomies, wedge resections and RFA of two to four lesions. Two patients underwent surgical biopsies for diagnosis, one patient was unresectable and one patient underwent RFA of a dominant lesion. The median survival was 36 months. The median survival of patients who underwent surgery alone or in conjunction with RFA to address all liver lesions was 46 months.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few reports of RFA for metastatic ocular melanoma. RFA of liver lesions in addition to resection can perhaps lead to improved survival and may play a critical role in the future management of this disease.

[Iatrogenic gas embolism during upper gastroscopy in a patient with a multiperforated biliary drain placed by radiological way]

The authors report the first case of gas embolism arising during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to a patient carrier of a biliary drain placed by radiological way. The hypothesis of a biliary-vascular fistula with abnormal connection between the biliary tree and the hepatic vascular system and finally an arteriovenous intrapulmonary shunt was retained to explain the physiopathology. The immediate stop of the endoscopic procedure and the implementation of symptomatic treatment allowed a favorable neurological outcome without sequelas. The realization of an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to a patient carrier of a biliary drain has to lead the anaesthesiologists and the gastroenterologists to take care given the incurred risk of gas embolism.

Intra- and interobserver agreement among bronchial endosonographers for the description of intrathoracic lymph nodes

Several sonographic features observed by endobronchial ultrasonography have been suggested to be useful to predict malignancy in mediastinal lymph nodes. To evaluate agreement to describe sonographic features, 28 video images were evaluated twice by eight expert bronchoscopists. The observers reviewed each case for the presence of coagulation necrosis sign (CNS), central hilar structure (CHS), heterogeneity, distinct margin, round shape, size >1 cm and malignancy. Intraobserver agreement was almost perfect for size (κ = 0.826), substantial for CNS (κ = 0.721) and shape (κ = 0.615), and moderate for CHS (κ = 0.565), heterogeneity (κ = 0.441) and margin (κ = 0.407). Interobserver agreement was substantial for size (κ = 0.641), moderate for shape (κ = 0.445), and fair for CNS (κ = 0.340) and margin (κ = 0.274). In conclusion, inter- and intraobserver agreement of the endosonographic features for mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes is good for shape or size but not good enough for the other ultrasonographic features.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in submucosal lesion

A submucosal lesion, more appropriately a subepithelial lesion, is hard to diagnose. Endoscopic ultrasonography is good to differentiate the nature of submucosal lesion. For definite diagnosis, tissue acquisition from submucosal lesion is necessary, and many methods have been introduced for this purpose mainly by endoscopic ultrasonography, such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), EUS-guided Trucut Biopsy (TCB), and EUS-guided fine needle biopsy (FNB). For EUS-FNA, adequate processing of specimen is important, and for proper diagnosis of EUS-FNA specimen, both cytologic and histologic examinations, including immunohistochemical stains, are important. All gastrointestinal stromal tumors have some degree of malignant potential, so there have been a lot of efforts and methods to increase diagnostic yields of submucosal lesion. We herein review the current hot topics on EUS-FNA for submucosal tumor, such as needles, on-site cytopathologists, immunohistochemical stains, EUS-TCB, EUS-FNB, Ki-67 labelling index, DOG1, and combining EUS-FNA and EUS-TCB.

Assessing Cerebrovascular Reactivity in Carotid Steno-Occlusive Disease Using MRI BOLD and ASL Techniques

Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), a predictive factor of imminent stroke, has been shown to be associated with carotid steno-occlusive disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) and arterial spin labeling (ASL), have emerged as promising noninvasive tools to evaluate altered CVR with whole-brain coverage, when combined with a vasoactive stimulus, such as respiratory task or injection of acetazolamide. Under normal cerebrovascular conditions, CVR has been shown to be globally and homogenously distributed between hemispheres, but with differences among cerebral regions. Such differences can be explained by anatomical specificities and different biochemical mechanisms responsible for vascular regulation. In patients with carotid steno-occlusive disease, studies have shown that MRI techniques can detect impaired CVR in brain tissue supplied by the affected artery. Moreover, resulting CVR estimations have been well correlated to those obtained with more established techniques, indicating that BOLD and ASL are robust and reliable methods to assess CVR in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, the present paper aims to review recent studies which use BOLD and ASL to evaluate CVR, in healthy individuals and in patients with carotid steno-occlusive disease, providing a source of information regarding the obtained results and the methodological difficulties.

Pancreatic cystic lesions: How endoscopic ultrasound morphology and endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration help unlock the diagnostic puzzle

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are being diagnosed with increasing frequency, covering a vast spectrum from benign to malignant and invasive lesions. Numerous investigations can be done to discriminate between benign and non-evolutive lesions from those that require surgery. At the moment, there is no single test that will allow a correct diagnosis in all cases. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) morphology, cyst fluid analysis and cytohistology with EUS-guided fine needle aspiration can aid in this difficult diagnosis.

Mirizzi's syndrome masquerading as cholangiocarcinoma: a case report

Introduction

Mirizzi’s syndrome is a rarely observed disorder that presents with obstructive jaundice. The condition is caused by a stone impacted in the gall bladder neck or cystic duct that impinges on the common hepatic duct, with or without a cholecystocholedochal fistula. The condition is often confused with other serious conditions such as hilar cholangiocarcinoma, which present with similar clinical and imaging findings, and a pre-operative diagnosis may be a serious challenge.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 44-year-old Asian man with Mirizzi’s syndrome who was initially diagnosed as having cholangiocarcinoma based on his clinical presentation, raised cancer antigen 19–9 levels and radiological findings. Our patient was diagnosed as having Mirizzi’s syndrome intra-operatively and subsequently a cholecystectomy was performed with restoration of biliary drainage. Careful clinical assessment during surgery with the help of intra-operative frozen section helped in establishing the definitive diagnosis and altered the surgical procedure for our patient.

Conclusions

Pre-operative diagnosis of Mirizzi’s syndrome could be challenging as the clinical, biochemical and radiological presentation is similar to other conditions causing obstructive jaundice such as choledocholithiasis, bile duct stricture or cholangiocarcinoma. A high index of suspicion and careful surgical assessment may help in establishing a diagnosis and alter the clinical course for our patient.