Computed Tomography Imaging of the Acute Pelvis in Females

Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management

An unusual diagnostic and treatment challenge is presented by an acute abdomen during pregnancy. Obstetric factors and other causes unrelated to pregnancy also contribute to acute abdominal discomfort in pregnancy. Due to the changing clinical presentations brought on by the anatomical and physiological changes of pregnancy as well as the hesitation to utilize certain radiological studies out of concern about damaging the fetus, the diagnosis of the acute abdomen during pregnancy can be challenging. Delays in identification and treatment may have negative effects on the mother as well as the fetus. This review sheds light on the importance of anatomical and physiological considerations, early diagnoses, and understanding the various modalities and etiologies of acute abdomen in pregnancy (AAP). We then move on to discuss the various diagnostic techniques that can help the physician determine the causes and plan well-informed treatment. We examine and contrast different radiographic tests, including X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. We also talk about the various roles that these investigational methods can play in the evaluation and treatment throughout the duration of the pregnancy. The paper additionally addresses how to handle patients who appear with AAP and the different techniques used to treat them, including pre-operative laparoscopy. Before going over some more broad points that might be useful, we eventually dive into some of the more intriguing etiologies relating to AAP, such as isolated tubal torsion and neoplastic complications.

Pregnancy and appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the clinical use of MRI in diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant women

Background

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical use of MRI for the evaluation of acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

Methods

The searches were conducted by two independent researchers (MK, MS) to find the relevant studies published from 1/1/2009 until end of 30/12/2018. We searched for published literature in the English language in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASETM via Ovid, The Cochrane Library, and Trip database. For literature published in other languages, we searched national databases (Magiran and SID), KoreaMed, and LILACS. The keywords used in the search strategy are Pregnancy [MeSH], Pregnant [MeSH] OR-Magnetic resonance imaging [MeSH] OR-Appendicitis [MeSH] OR-Ultrasound, [MeSH] OR, imaging, MRI [MeSH] OR"،" and Right lower quadrant pain [MeSH]. The risk of bias of every article was evaluated by using QUADAS-2. On the basis of the results from the 2 × 2 tables, pooled measures for sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curves (AUC) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the DerSimonian Lair methodology.

Results

As many as 1164 studies were selected. After analyzing the correspondence of the studies with the required criteria, 19 studies were selected for the final review. For appendicitis in pregnancy, the MRI sensitivity was 91.8% at the 95% confidence interval of (95% CI 87.7-94.9%). At the confidence interval of 95%, the specificity was 97.9% (95% CI 0.97.2-100%). The risk of bias in the studies conducted was measured using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Conclusion

MRI has high sensitivity and specificity (91.8%, 97.9% respectively) for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant patients with clinically suspected appendicitis. It is an excellent imaging technique in many instances, which does not expose a fetus, or the mother, to ionizing radiation, making it an excellent option for pregnant patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

Ovarian necrosis due to S. pyogenes septic thrombophlebitis: A case report

The incidence of systemic infection attributed to group A streptococci (GAS) is increasing, mainly in postpartum women. Such infections require multidisciplinary management and prompt treatment, but an atypical presentation can delay diagnosis. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman admitted to the emergency department for evaluation. She had acute abdominal pain and fever 18 h after insertion of a levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD). She had a normal vaginal delivery 45 days earlier, and no other significant medical background. In a few hours the symptoms worsened, with rapid progression towards multiorgan failure. Differential diagnoses of late ovarian thrombophlebitis and ovarian torsion were considered. Laparoscopic surgery revealed the absence of ovarian torsion. The microbiologic culture of the IUD showed colonization by GAS. The sudden onset of shock-like symptoms in a postpartum woman with rapid progression towards multiorgan failure should prompt consideration of a diagnosis of GAS infection, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated to avoid the possible fatal consequences of this aggressive infection.

Non-visualization of the ovary on CT or ultrasound in the ED setting: utility of immediate follow-up imaging

PURPOSE

In the setting of female patients in the ED receiving both a CT scan and ultrasound of the pelvis, we compared the studies to assess the diagnostic value of non-visualization of the ovary in predicting the absence of ovarian disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the electronic medical record identified adult female non-pregnant patients who received both a CT abdomen and pelvis and a transabdominal and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound within a 48-h period through the emergency department. The imaging studies were blindly reviewed to evaluate the ovaries on each CT and US independently. Ovaries were characterized as normal, non-visualized, or abnormal requiring follow-up. All cases of non-visualized ovaries were compared to the appearance on the corresponding exam for each patient, and assessed for agreement (normal or non-visualized) or disagreement (abnormal). Subsequently, the electronic medical record was used as a reference standard to assess the presence or absence of ovarian pathology over the subsequent ninety days. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing a McNemar test with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 181 patients were included in the study (age range 18-75). Of these, 36 patients had non-visualization of one ovary (21 patients) or both ovaries (15 patients) on either study. On CT, 18 ovaries were non-visualized, with no cases of disagreement on ultrasound or subsequent short-term follow-up (NPV 100%). On ultrasound, 39 ovaries were non-visualized, with three of these adnexae appearing abnormal on CT (NPV 92%): one with an enlarged ovary and two with hydrosalpinx. No ovarian abnormalities were evident on chart follow-up. Significant correlation of agreement between normal and non-visualized pairs on CT and US was observed (p = 0.025, McNemar). There was a combined NPV of 94% regardless of modality for the absence of ovarian pathology in the case of non-visualization. The most common abnormal imaging findings associated with non-visualized ovaries were uterine fibroids and hemoperitoneum.

CONCLUSION

The absence of detection of the ovary on pelvic US or CT is highly predictive of the lack of ovarian abnormality on short-term follow-up, and does not typically require additional imaging to exclude ovarian disease.

The imaging findings of typical and atypical genital and gynecologic infections

Genital and gynecologic infections are common medical problems, affecting millions of women worldwide. The spectrum of these infections extends from the labia, including processes such as necrotizing fasciitis and anogenital warts, to the upper reproductive tracts in conditions including endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Although often a clinical diagnosis, the radiologist plays an important role in determining the etiology of acute abdominal and pelvic pain as well as facilitating the diagnosis for cases which are not clinically straightforward. Imaging also plays an important role in assessing the complications and sequelae of these conditions, including infertility, chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, and pelvic adhesions. Familiarity with the appearances of these infections, their complications, and their potential mimics on sonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and hysterosalpingography is important for timely diagnosis and optimal clinical outcomes.

Adult pancreatic hemangioma in pregnancy--concerns and considerations of a rare case

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic tumors in pregnancy are rare but clinically challenging. Careful diagnostic workup, including appropriate imaging examinations, should be performed to evaluate surgery indications and timing . In the present case a diagnosis of an adult pancreatic hemangioma was made. We were not able to identify a similar case in the very sparse literature on this rare disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 30-year-old woman at 12 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with a large pancreatic tumor having a cystic pattern based on imaging. Although the preoperative diagnosis was uncertain, patient preference and clinical symptoms and signs suggested surgery. Open distal pancreatic resection including splenectomy was performed, and complete resection of the large cystic tumor was successfully achieved, with no postoperative complications. Although a solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) was suspected, specimen morphology, including immunohistochemistry, supported the diagnosis of an adult benign pancreatic hemangioma.

CONCLUSION

Although mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) and adenocarcinoma are the most common pancreatic tumors during pregnancy, various other malignant and benign lesions can be encountered. This report adds to the very small number of pancreatic hemangiomas reported in the literature and involves the first patient diagnosed with this rare condition during pregnancy. Careful clinical considerations regarding diagnostic workup and treatments are required to ensure that mother and child receive the best possible care.