Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography in Evaluation of Supraspinatus Tendinopathy

Background:

The most common etiology of shoulder pain in adults is rotator cuff tear. Elastography is an imaging method that can report the strain and elastic modulus of the biological tissue. We think acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography can effectively assess rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Purpose:

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of ARFI elastography in evaluating supraspinatus tendinopathy.

Materials and Methods:

We included 44 patients (22 men, 22 women, median age, 47 years; range, 20-69 years) with unilateral supraspinatus tendinopathy diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this prospective study. The normal tendons and tendinopathies, including supraspinatus tendinosis, partial-thickness, and full-thickness supraspinatus tears, were evaluated with ultrasound and ARFI elastography. The ARFI elastography values were compared between healthy and tendinopathy groups, and the gender was compared between elastography values of the normal tendons and tendinopathies using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results:

The values of ARFI elastography correlated with tendinopathy. (P = 0.001). The gender differed between the elastography values of the normal tendons (P = 0.002) and tendinopathies (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

ARFI elastography is a non-invasive and feasible method for quantitatively assessing supraspinatus tendinopathy. It can be an alternative method to MRI in diagnosing supraspinatus tendinopathy.

Idiopathic bilateral massive perirenal subcapsular effusion: The first case in the literature

INTRODUCTION

Bilateral perirenal subcapsular effusion is a rare clinical condition and is associated with several underlying etiologies. We present a 33 years old male patient with idiopathic bilateral massive subcapsular effusion.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 33-year-old male patient presented to our outpatient clinic with bilateral flank pain and fever for 2 weeks. Bilateral perirenal subcapsular effusion was detected in intravenous contrast-enhanced CT and dynamic MRI.

TREATMENT

Bilateral ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage was performed by an expert uroradiologist to reduce the parenchymal pressure, Control CT imaging after 6 weeks demonstrate that bilateral normal kidneys.

DISCUSSION

It has been reported that subcapsular and perirenal effusion is a rare clinical condition that may develop secondary to causes such as Nephrotic syndrome, Eisenmenger Syndrome, Lymphangiomatosis, and Page Kidney Disease. In our case, the clinical symptoms of the patient regressed after the whole effusion fluid was drained. No underlying pathology was found in further examinations. Therefore, we present the first case of Idiopathic Bilateral Massive Perirenal Subcapsular Effusion in the literature.

ASSOCIATION OF PANCREAS VOLUME AND INSULIN RESISTANCE WITH ABDOMINAL FAT DISTRIBUTION IN TYPE-2 DIABETES AS EVALUATED BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the relationship between the regional body fat distribution and insulin resistance and pancreas volume (PV) in type-2 diabetes (DM) patients.

METHODS

Fifty-three consecutive type-2 diabetic and 51 non-diabetic patients matched by age, gender and body mass index (BMI) were enrolled. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), waist circumference, and PV were measured with computed tomography. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Patients with type-2 DM had significantly lower PV than non-diabetic individuals. HOMA-IR ranged from 0.74 to 6.24; and from 0.37 to 3.26, in type-2 DM patients and non-diabetics, respectively. VAT was positively correlated with HOMA-IR in two groups. There were inverse correlations between PV and VAT and VAT/SAT but only in diabetics.

CONCLUSIONS

The VAT/SAT ratio may reflect the possible role of VAT to better understand the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders in patients with type-2 DM.

Relationship between the degree and direction of nasal septum deviation and nasal bone morphology

BACKGROUND

Nasal septal deviation may affect nasal bone growth and facial morphology. Knowledge of nasal morphologic parameters may plays an important role in planning successful rhinoplasty and septoplasty operation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the direction and degree of nasal septal deviation with nasal bone morphology, along with factors such as age and gender.

METHODS

Maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) of 250 patients with nasal septal deviation was analyzed retrospectively in this study. We excluded patients with factors that could affect their nasal bone morphology, and a total of 203 patients (111 males, 92 females; mean age, 36.23 years; age range, 18-79 years) were evaluated. The nasal deviation angle was measured on coronal CT images as the angle between the most deviated point of the septum, and the midline nasal morphology was determined by measuring nasal length, internasal angle and lateral and intermediate nasal thickness on both sides.

RESULTS

The deviation of nasal septum has been detected as to the right in 107 patients (52.7%) and to the left in 96 patients (47.3%). Lateral and intermediate nasal bone thickness and nasal bone length were significantly greater on the ipsilateral deviation side (Table 3). No significant correlation was found between the variation of the nasal deviation angle and nasal bone morphology (Table 4). There were significant differences between the sexes for all investigated parameters except for the nasal deviation angle (p = 0.660). We found that the only internasal angle increases with aging (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The study shows that the direction of nasal septal deviation may be a factor that affects nasal bone morphology.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting Balloon and Standard Balloon Angioplasty for Infrapopliteal Arterial Diseases in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE

To consider the clinical outcomes and restenosis rates of drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in diabetic patients with infrapopliteal (IP) arterial disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective, single-center study included 51 patients (37 males; mean age: 63.43 ± 9.81 years) with diabetes mellitus having IP arterial disease, from October 2012 to September 2014. Twenty-two patients were treated with PTA, and 29 patients were treated with DEBs. After intervention, the patients were evaluated in the first week and every 3 months, clinically and radiologically. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of diabetic patients with IP arterial disease who were treated with either DEBs or PTA.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of age and gender, risk factors, characteristics of lesions, or the diameters or length of the balloons ( P > .05). Primary patency was higher in the DEB group than in the PTA group (97.8% vs 81.1%, P = .020) in the first 3 months. However, there was no statistically significant difference at 1-year follow-up (68.2% vs 48.5%, P = .131). At the 12-month follow-up, there was no difference in clinical improvement between the groups ( P = .193).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study reveal that DEB is a safe alternative treatment method for IP arterial disease in diabetic patients.

Congenital absence of internal carotid artery with intercavernous anastomosis: Case report and systematic review of the literature

The absence of an internal carotid artery is a rare congenital anomaly. In the absence of the internal carotid artery, collateral circulations develop through the circle of Willis, persistent embryonic arteries or transcranial collaterals of the external carotid artery. Six pathways of collateral circulation have been described. Intercavernous anastomosis is between cavernous segments of the bilateral internal carotid arteries and is rarely seen. Patients with an absence of the internal carotid artery can be completely asymptomatic. However, these patients can present with subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke accompanying cerebral aneurysm or abnormal collateral. We combined our case with 33 previous publications to form a retrospective series including 35 cases of unilateral internal carotid artery agenesis with intercavernous anastomosis.

Bilateral generalised synovial chondromatosis of the knee: Bone scintigraphic demonstration with radiologic correlation

A 67-year-old woman with a history of bilateral progressive knee pain and swelling was referred for (99m)Tc-methyl diphosphonate bone scintigraphy. Flow and blood pool images showed bilateral heterogeneous increased uptake and delayed phase revealed mass-looking lobulated heterogeneous increased activity in both of knees extending distal part of the femoral shaft, but no other pathologic uptake was found in rest of the body. A diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis was made when correlated with X-ray and computed tomography.(CT) images. This is a rare presentation of generalized synovial chondromatosis involving both knees which demonstrated on bone scintigraphy with X-ray and CT correlation.

The Role of Computerized Tomography in the Assessment of Perivesical Invasion in Bladder Cancer

Background

The aim of the present study was to identify the contrast patterns of a tumor, and to evaluate the possibility of assessing the invasion of the perivesical fatty tissue in bladder cancer.

Material/Methods

In this study, 26 patients with bladder cancer were included. Multiphasic CT examination was performed to determine the stage of the disease before radical cystectomy.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in tumor and perivesical fatty tissue densities between pre- and post-contrast phases (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Increases in focal density suspected of being invasion of the perivesical fatty tissue can show perivesical invasion with high specificity.

Congenital absence of internal carotid artery with intercavernous anastomosis: Case report and systematic review of the literature

The absence of an internal carotid artery is a rare congenital anomaly. In the absence of the internal carotid artery, collateral circulations develop through the circle of Willis, persistent embryonic arteries or transcranial collaterals of the external carotid artery. Six pathways of collateral circulation have been described. Intercavernous anastomosis is between cavernous segments of the bilateral internal carotid arteries and is rarely seen. Patients with an absence of the internal carotid artery can be completely asymptomatic. However, these patients can present with subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke accompanying cerebral aneurysm or abnormal collateral. We combined our case with 33 previous publications to form a retrospective series including 35 cases of unilateral internal carotid artery agenesis with intercavernous anastomosis.

Diagnostic value of diffusion weighted MRI and ADC in differential diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the liver

AIMS

To investigate the use of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the diagnosis of hemangioma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 72 patients with liver masses larger than 1 cm (72 focal lesions). DWI examination with a b value of 600 s/mm2 was carried out for all patients. After DWI examination, an ADC map was created and ADC values were measured for 72 liver masses and normal liver tissue (control group). The average ADC values of normal liver tissue and focal liver lesions, the "cut-off" ADC values, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the ADC map in diagnosing hemangioma, benign and malignant lesions were researched.

RESULTS

Of the 72 liver masses, 51 were benign and 21 were malignant. Benign lesions comprised 38 hemangiomas and 13 simple cysts. Malignant lesions comprised 9 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 12 metastases. The highest ADC values were measured for cysts (3.782±0.53×10(-3) mm(2)/s) and hemangiomas (2.705±0.63×10(-3) mm(2)/s). The average ADC value of hemangiomas was significantly higher than malignant lesions and the normal control group (p<0.001). The average ADC value of cysts were significantly higher when compared to hemangiomas and normal control group (p<0.001). To distinguish hemangiomas from malignant liver lesions, the "cut-off" ADC value of 1.800×10(-3) mm(2)/s had a sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 90.9%. To distinguish hemangioma from normal liver parenchyma the "cut-off" value of 1.858×10(-3) mm(2)/s had a sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 95.7%. To distinguish benign liver lesions from malignant liver lesions the "cut-off" value of 1.800×10(-3) mm(2)/s had a sensitivity of 96.1% and a specificity of 90.0%.

CONCLUSION

DWI and quantitative measurement of ADC values can be used in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions and also in the diagnosis and differentiation of hemangiomas. When dynamic examination cannot distinguish cases with vascular metastasis and lesions from hemangioma, DWI and ADC values can be useful in the primary diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The technique does not require contrast material, so it can safely be used in patients with renal failure.

The Adrenal Gland Volume Measurements in Manifestation of the Metabolic Status in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Objectives. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences in adrenal gland volume between nondiabetic controls and Type-2 diabetic patients and to examine the influence of glycemic control in diabetes mellitus on adrenal gland volume. Methods. From March 2 to November 25, 2015, 62 consecutive patients with Type-2 DM along with 62 nondiabetics matched by age, gender, and BMI were enrolled in this prospective study. Our diabetes patients were categorized into two groups, well-controlled and poorly controlled diabetes groups. Adrenal volumetric measurements were performed by two radiologists, prospectively and independently, with semiautomatic software. Interobserver reliability was studied using the interobserver correlation coefficient (ICC). Results. The total adrenal volume (TAV) was significantly higher in Type-2 diabetic patients when compared with nondiabetic patients (p < 0.05). When we investigated diabetic patients according to glycemic controls, the TAVs in controlled diabetic patients were significantly higher than in those of the poorly controlled or uncontrolled diabetic patients (p < 0.05). Nondiabetic control patients have significantly smaller TAVs when compared to controlled and poorly or noncontrolled diabetic patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our study suggests that adrenal gland volume measurement may be used as an indirect marker of glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

Evaluation of right atrium-to-right ventricle diameter ratio on computed tomography pulmonary angiography: Prediction of adverse outcome and 30-day mortality

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the association between right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) diameters on computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography in response to acute pulmonary embolism (APE), in addition to 30-day mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with APE.

METHODS

This retrospective study was accepted by the institutional ethics committee. From January 2013 to March 2014, 79 hospitalized adult patients with symptomatic APE were included. Inclusion criteria were a CT pulmonary angiography positive for pulmonary embolism, availability of patient records, and a follow-up of at least 30 days. A review of patient records and images was performed. The maximum diameters of the heart chambers were measured on a reconstructed four-chamber heart view, and the vascular obstruction index was calculated on CT pulmonary angiography.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant relationships in both the RA/RV diameter ratio and the RV/left ventricle (LV) diameter ratio between patients with and without adverse outcomes (p<0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in the RA/RV diameter ratio, but not in the RV/LV diameter ratio, between those with and without 30-day mortality (p=0.002 and 0.148, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of the RA/RV diameter ratio may be an alternative and useful method for predicting 30-day mortality and adverse outcome in patients with APE.

Ewing's sarcoma: dural metastases after intracranial hemorrhage

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a primary malignant tumor of the mesenchymal tissue of bone in children and young adults. Central nervous system metastases of ES are rarely seen. In this paper, we report a case of ES that progressed with dural metastases after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Role of preoperative sonography in predicting conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the first step treatment in cholelithiasis. The purpose of this study was to establish a radiologic view on prediction of conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery.

METHODS

This study included 176 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative ultrasonographic findings were assessed and we gave points to each finding according to results from correlation analysis. After the scoring we investigated the relationship between ultrasonographic findings and conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery.

RESULTS

Scoring significantly predicted failure in laparoscopic approach (AUC=0.758, P=0.003,). Optimal cut off score was found to be 1.95 with 67% sensitivity and 78% specificity. Score>1.95 was a risk factor for failure in laparoscopic approach [odds ratio=7.1(95% CI,2-24.9, P=0.002)]. There were 8 subjects out of 36(22%) with high score underwent open surgery while 4 out of 128 (3%) subjects with low score needed open surgery (p=0.002). Negative predictive value of 128/132=97%. Mean score of whole study population was 1.28 (range 0-8.8) and mean score of subjects underwent open surgery was 3.6 while it was 1.1 in successful laparoscopic approach group (p<0.001). Mean Age and BMI were similar between groups (p>0.05). Sex of subjects did not affect the success of surgery (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The contribution of preoperative ultrasonography is emphasized in many studies. Our study suggests quantitative results on conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery. We believe that radiologists have to indicate the risk of conversion in their ultrasonography reports.

The Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of hemodynamic changes in hepatic vascular structures in patients with hepatosteatosis

Background

The hemodynamic changes in hepatic vascular structures of hepatosteatosis patients were examined using Doppler ultrasonography.

Material/Methods

Ninety hepatosteatosis patients, classified as mild, moderate or severe, and 30 healthy volunteers were included in this 120-person study. The height, weight, liver size, blood lipids and blood liver function tests of the subjects were measured. Those values were compared in the patient and control groups. In the patient and control groups, color duplex Doppler ultrasonography was used to examine portal vein peak velocity, portal vein flow volume, hepatic artery resistive index (RI), hepatic artery pulsatility index (PI) and hepatic artery flow volume.

Results

Similarly to the degree of hepatosteatosis, increases in body mass index, liver size, liver enzyme levels and blood lipid levels were statistically significant (p<0.05). While the difference in portal vein peak velocity in the hepatosteatosis and control groups was not statistically significant, there was an increasing reduction in the degree of steatosis (p>0.05). As the degree of hepatosteatosis increased, there was a reduction in hepatic artery flow volume, portal vein flow volume and total flow volume that was not statistically significant. In the mild hepatosteatosis group, hepatic artery RI and PI values were statistically significantly lower than in the other groups (p<0.05). In the severe hepatosteatosis group, although the hepatic artery RI and PI values were not statistically significant, there was a minimal increase compared to the other groups.

Conclusions

It is believed that those results were caused by a reduction in liver compliance and hepatic vascular compliance, in addition to resistance increase in vascular structures.