Multimodality imaging features of desmoid tumors: a head-to-toe spectrum

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are a rare and biologically heterogeneous group of locally aggressive fibroblastic neoplasm: their biological behavior spectrum ranges from indolent to aggressive tumors. DTs are classified as intra-abdominal, extra-abdominal, and within the abdominal wall lesions.It is well known that abdominal and extra-abdominal DTs are associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner syndrome. Possible risk factors are prior trauma/surgery, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives.There was a real revolution in the management of DT: from aggressive first-line approach (surgery and radiation therapy) to a more conservative one (systemic treatment and "wait-and-see policy").In these clinical settings, radiologists play an important role for assessing lesion resectability, evaluating recurrence, monitoring the biological behavior if an expectant management is chosen, and assessing response to systemic treatment as well as to radiation therapy.Awareness of common locations, risk factors, and imaging features is fundamental for a correct diagnosis and an adequate patient management.

Brachial plexus assessment with three-dimensional isotropic resolution fast spin echo MRI: comparison with conventional MRI at 3.0 T

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to determine whether a three-dimensional (3D) isotropic resolution fast spin echo sequence (FSE-cube) has similar image quality and diagnostic performance to a routine MRI protocol for brachial plexus evaluation in volunteers and symptomatic patients at 3.0 T. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were guaranteed.

METHODS

In this prospective study FSE-cube was added to the standard brachial plexus examination protocol in eight patients (mean age, 50.2 years) with brachial plexus pathologies and in six volunteers (mean age, 54 years). Nerve visibility, tissue contrast, edge sharpness, image blurring, motion artefact and acquisition time were calculated for FSE-cube sequences and for the standard protocol on a standardised five-point scale. The visibility of brachial plexus nerve and surrounding tissues at four levels (roots, interscalene area, costoclavicular space and axillary level) was assessed.

RESULTS

Image quality and nerve visibility did not significantly differ between FSE-cube and the standard protocol (p>0.05). Acquisition time was statistically and clinically significantly shorter with FSE-cube (p<0.05). Pathological findings were seen equally well with FSE-cube and the standard protocol.

CONCLUSION

3D FSE-cube provided similar image quality in a shorter acquisition time and enabled excellent visualisation of brachial plexus anatomy and pathology in any orientation, regardless of the original scanning plane.

Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T with immunospecific contrast agent in vitro and in vivo in a xenotransplant model

OBJECT

Demonstrating the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 T of ultrasmall particle iron oxide (USPIO)-antibody bound to tumor cells in vitro and in a murine xenotransplant model.

METHODS

Human D430B cells or Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells were incubated in vitro with different amounts of commercially available USPIO-anti-CD20 antibodies and cell pellets were stratified in a test tube. For in vivo studies, D430B cells and Raji lymphoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice. MRI at 1.5 T was performed with T1-weighted three-dimensional fast field echo sequences (17/4.6/13 degrees ) and T2-weighted three-dimensional fast-field echo sequences (50/12/7 degrees ). For in vivo studies MRI was performed before and 24 h after USPIO-anti-CD20 administration.

RESULTS

USPIO-anti-CD20-treated D430B cells, showed a dose-dependent decrease in signal intensity (SI) on T2*-weighted images and SI enhancement on T1-weighted images in vitro. Raji cells showed lower SI changes, in accordance to the fivefold lower expression of CD20 on Raji with respect to D430B cells. In vivo 24 h after USPIO-anti-CD20 administration, both tumors showed an inhomogeneous decrease of SI on T2*-weighted images and SI enhancement on T1-weighted images.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI at 1.5 T is able to detect USPIO-antibody conjugates targeting a tumor-associated antigen in vitro and in vivo.

Characterization of adrenal adenomas and metastases: correlation between unenhanced computed tomography and chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the correlation of absolute attenuation values of unenhanced computed tomography (CT) with signal intensity (SI) quantitative analysis on chemical shift (CS) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in differentiating adrenal adenomas from metastases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-one adrenal masses (27 adenomas, 14 metastases) were studied with CS MR imaging and unenhanced CT. MR included T1-weighted breathhold gradient-echo in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) sequences. The SI index (SI-i) [(SIIP-SIOP/SIIP)] x 100% and chemical-shift ratio (CS-r) relative to the spleen [(SIlesion/ SIspleen)OP/(SIlesion/SIspleen)IP] were calculated for each lesion. CT absolute attenuation values were also determined.

RESULTS

The mean attenuation value of metastases was significantly greater than that of adenomas (< 0.0001). On MR, the mean SI-i of adenomas was significantly greater than that of metastases (P < 0.0001) and no overlaps were evident. The CS-r of malignant and benign lesions overlapped considerably, and five adenomas (all with indeterminate Hounsfield Unit values at CT) were misclassified as potentially malignant. CT attenuation values were significantly correlated with both MR quantitative analyses.

CONCLUSION

Since CS MR imaging and CT both depict the presence of lipids within adrenal lesions, absolute attenuation values are highly correlated with MR quantitative analysis. SI-i is the most reliable tool for differentiating adrenal adenomas from metastases, showing better accuracy than lesion-to-spleen CS-r, in particular for adenomas with indeterminate absolute attenuation values.

Inadequacy of the new Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: report of four cases

Unidimensional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) has been recently proposed in the attempt to simplify the standardized bidimensional World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The complete accord between these two measurement systems was established in a large comparative study [J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 92(3) (2000) 205] that demonstrated the validity and the good performance of RECIST criteria. We report four cases of inadequacy of RECIST criteria in the evaluation of response to chemotherapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. These four patients were enrolled in two consecutive multicenter phase II clinical trials investigating the activity of a novel chemotherapy regimen in advanced pleural mesothelioma. They were judged as having an objective response to chemotherapy according to WHO criteria. Reassessed according to both methods, we found that results obtained with RECIST criteria do not correspond to WHO underestimating response to chemotherapy. Our data raise doubts about the applicability of unidimensional RECIST response criteria to mesothelioma and, possibly, to any tumor involving the chest wall.

Calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff as a cause of drooping shoulder

We describe a case of inferior glenohumeral subluxation or drooping shoulder secondary to acute calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff. The various etiologies of drooping shoulder and the specific causes determining glenohumeral widening in our report are discussed. The importance in recognizing this uncommon complication of a common abnormal finding and correction by aspiration is stressed.

[Combined multimodal treatment for liver and lung metastasis from colorectal cancer: a new therapeutic option?]

The authors analyse which therapeutic strategy to adopt on the basis of prognostic factors and staging of hepatic and pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. They underline the effectiveness of combined multimodal therapy in the treatment of very advanced metastatic stages. 218 patients with metastases from colorectal cancer (12 pulmonary and 206 hepatic metastases) were treated from January 1980 to October 2000. Among these patients, 159 underwent surgery (4 pulmonary and 155 hepatic resections), 16 were reoperated on for metastatic relapse, 14 with multiple metastases underwent locoregional therapy and 29, deemed unresectable initially, were treated with neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy. In the operated patient group the 5-year actuarial survival rate was 22% with an operative mortality of 3.8% and a morbidity of 17.5%. The 16 patients reoperated on for metastatic relapse had a 5-year actuarial survival of 21% with an operative mortality of 6.2% and a morbidity of 15.8%. The 14 patients treated with locoregional therapy had a median survival of 6 months whereas the 29 patients treated in two different periods with combined multimodal treatment had a response rate of 59.2%. Five patients had a complete response and 4 are currently disease-free. Surgical resection is at present the best known treatment for metastatic disease. In very advanced, as yet undisseminated stages, in which there is no surgical indication for metastases a neoadjuvant treatment is proposed if the primary tumour has already been completely resected. The aim of this therapeutic strategy, called combined multimodal therapy, is to obtain the disease regression with the aid of systemic chemo- and radiotherapy and to offer a chance of re-staging the disease.

Role of ultrasonography in the staging of gastrointestinal neoplasms

This article reviews the capabilities and limits of ultrasonography (US) in the staging of gastrointestinal neoplasms. US is a well-established tool in the investigation of abdominal diseases. Its role is very important in the first approach to liver, gallbladder, biliary, and pancreatic diseases, but its abilities for accurate staging may be limited by various factors, which will be discussed. In the evaluation of the stomach and intestine, US is rarely utilized, but it can occasionally demonstrate an unsuspected gastrointestinal mass that usually must be evaluated further with specific techniques (endoscopy and barium studies) to confirm the diagnosis and to perform an accurate staging (with endosonography and computed tomography).

Case report: isolated neurofibrosarcoma of the liver: US, CT and MR findings

Neurofibrosarcomas are rare neoplasms usually associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. In this paper we describe ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) appearances of an unusual isolated neurofibrosarcoma of the liver.

Normal prostate gland: examination with color Doppler US

PURPOSE

To evaluate the vascular anatomy of the prostate gland with transrectal color Doppler ultrasound (US).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five normal prostate glands were studied. Imaging findings were interpreted on the basis of findings from previous anatomic studies.

RESULTS

Distribution of flow signals within the gland was differentiated into two parenchymal groups of arteries, urethral and capsular. The urethral group entered the prostate at the bladder neck and sent forth branches to supply the periurethral zone and the inner portion of the gland. The capsular group coursed along the anterolateral surface of the prostate and sent forth perforating branches to the outer portion of the gland. Intraprostatic venous signals were seen mainly within the periurethral zone.

CONCLUSION

Transrectal color Doppler US can depict the vascular anatomy of the prostate gland. Knowledge of the normal vascular appearance of the gland should aid in the differentiation of normal from abnormal findings.

Staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with ultrasound

The preoperative assessment of the extent of biliary and vascular involvement by hilar cholangiocarcinoma is clinically important because resectability may be limited by tumor extension along the bile ducts into the hepatic parenchyma or to the adjacent hilar vessels. Thirty-five patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were studied with ultrasound, and the results were compared with operative findings and other diagnostic modalities. The level of intrahepatic biliary obstruction was determined in 100% of patients with ductal ectasia, and a tumor mass was shown in 37.1%. Imaging and Doppler ultrasound proved accurate in detecting the neoplastic involvement of the portal vein. Both correctly diagnosed portal occlusion and wall infiltration in 4 of 4 and 15 of 18 (83%) patients, respectively, without any false-positives. On the contrary, imaging ultrasound had poor sensitivity in detecting infiltration of the hepatic artery (43%) and metastases in regional lymph nodes (37%), liver (66%), and peritoneum (33%). In conclusion, ultrasound may be valuable in the preoperative staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, specially in predicting ductal and portal involvement.

[Evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee with Doppler color]

Color-Doppler US was used to study the vascularization of the synovial membrane and of the periarticular tissues of the knee in 14 normal subjects and 15 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The normal subjects exhibited few spot signals within the connectival spaces surrounding the knee and adjacent to the femoral condyles and to the tibial plates. The signals were mostly arterial and impedance was high because of the absence of inversion of diastole. A hypervascular pattern was detected in 13/15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of hyperemia associated with inflammation and synovial neoangiogenesis. In these patients, the signals came mostly from the synovial pannus and the soft tissues surrounding the joint. Spectral analysis detected both venous and arterial waveforms with lower resistance than normal (resistive index ranging 0.65 to 0.76). After local treatment, both venous and low-impedance arterial signals were no longer detectable in 4/9 patients with clinical remission. In conclusion, color-Doppler US can support gray-scale US in the assessment of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Vascular findings seem to correlate well with local symptoms. Color-Doppler US could make a useful tool for monitoring the clinical activity of the disease in selected joints.

Case report: US detection of tendinous metastasis from malignant melanoma

The introduction of high frequency transducers has considerably improved the application of US in the study of musculo-tendinous diseases. We report a rare case of tendinous metastasis from malignant melanoma. The tumour (high karyokinetic index, Clark level IV) arose 4 years earlier in the dorsal region. The patient was admitted for pain in the left knee. A nodular hypoechoic lesion, 0.8 cm in diameter, poorly marginated, located in the subcutaneous tissue and involving the patellar tendon was identified with ultrasound. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Value of computerized tomography and ultrasonography in the preoperative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava

During a 15-year period, 34 patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava were submitted to radical ablative surgery at our institution. 8 patients had caval tumor thrombus (TT) extension at the level of the renal veins, 17 had infrahepatic, 8 retrohepatic and 1 atrial TT extension. Cavography, computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) were performed preoperatively on 34, 24 and 16 of these 34 patients, respectively. The sensitivity of the techniques used in diagnosing caval involvement was 100, 97 and 87.5% for US, cavography and CT, respectively. The upper limits of TT were clearly detected by US, CT and cavography in 100, 95 and 76% of diagnosed cases, respectively. From this study it appears that US and CT have a sensitivity comparable to cavography in the detection of caval TT. However, US and CT allow a more precise delineation of the upper limits of TT if compared to cavography. This implies that the role of cavography in diagnosing caval TT and its upper limits must be reappraised in light of the progress of noninvasive outpatient procedures.

Spontaneous rupture of renal angiomyolipoma with perinephric haemorrhage: sonographic findings

The sonographic findings observed in four patients with spontaneous rupture of a renal angiomyolipoma and perinephric haemorrhage are presented. In all cases, a hyperechoic renal mass surrounded by a large hypoechoic haematoma was identified. Furthermore, the actual site of rupture of the tumour could be seen in one case as a wedge-shaped hypoechoic structure extending from the periphery to the centre of the mass. CT has been suggested as the method of choice in the assessment of both the presence and extent of haemorrhagic complications of angiomyolipomas. However, since such lesions can be demonstrated and identified by ultrasound, which is often used as the first imaging procedure in abdominal complaints, the technique may also prove of value in planning further diagnostic tests and in choosing the appropriate therapeutic approach to these patients.

Ultrasonographic appearances of gastric cancer

In 32 patients with known gastric cancer involving different segments of the stomach, an attempt was made to image the tumour by ultrasonography. Identification of the lesion was possible in 31/32 cases. The tumour always appeared as a focal or diffuse thickening of the gastric wall, with irregular outer margins and luminal echoes; in many cases, a "target" pattern was seen. Although ultrasonography cannot be considered a sensitive test in the diagnosis of gastric cancer, knowledge of the possible appearances of tumours in all different portions of the stomach is important, since this method is often used as the first imaging procedure in a large variety of abdominal complaints, and clinically unsuspected gastric carcinomas may be imaged first by it.

Sonographic staging of gastric cancer

The sonographic images obtained in 32 patients with known gastric cancer, who were referred to sonography for evaluation of liver metastases and in whom a specific attempt was made in order to visualize the tumor, were reviewed and evaluated for the extent of exogastric neoplasm. Surgical correlation was available in 21 cases. Sonography allowed identification in five of seven patients who had distant metastases, 12 of 15 who had lymphadenopathy, and nine of 12 patients who had direct spread to structures surrounding the tumor; ascites was always correctly identified. In only one case, a false-positive diagnosis of lymph nodes metastases was made. These results indicate that sonography has good specificity in the staging of gastric cancer and that, when patients are referred for evaluation of liver metastases, it is worthwhile to gather useful additional information about tumor extent by performing a complete sonographic examination of the abdomen and pelvis and by making an attempt to visualize the primary neoplasm and its relations to surrounding organs.

Ultrasonic findings of subcutaneous emphysema: a case report

We have recently examined a patient in whom sonographic visualization of the most lateral part of the right lobe of the liver was impossible due to the presence of subcutaneous emphysema of the right flank. To our knowledge, this is the first ultrasonic report of this condition.