Fatty infiltration of the liver distal to a metastatic liver tumor

We report a case of focal fatty infiltration of the liver parenchyma adjacent to a metastatic liver tumor from an islet cell tumor. The decreased portal flow by the tumor and insulin produced by the tumor cells might be causes of focal fatty infiltration.

Dynamic MRI using a surface coil in chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma: radiologic and histopathologic correlation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic MRI could differentiate gallbladder carcinoma from chronic cholecystitis.

METHOD

The dynamic MR findings of 50 patients with pathologically proven chronic cholecystitis and 13 with gallbladder carcinomas were correlated with the pathological findings.

RESULTS

In chronic cholecystitis with thickened wall, mucosa and muscle were shown in early images as smoothly delineated enhancement except in one case, and the subserosa with fibrosis was enhanced in late or delayed images. Unenhanced foci in the wall correlated with Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses or mural stones. In carcinomas, all tumors showed irregularly delineated enhancement in early images. In late or delayed images, noncancerous portions were also enhanced. The outer margin of early enhancement correlated with the extension of the tumor.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic MRI is useful for the differentiation of chronic cholecystitis from carcinoma and for the evaluation of its local extension.

Peribiliary cysts in cirrhotic liver: observation on computed tomography

BACKGROUND

To analyze the frequency and number of suspected peribiliary cysts in cirrhotic liver on computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

Three hundred forty-six cases with clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis (LC) and 307 cases with clinically diagnosed non-LC were subjected to the study. The frequency and number of suspected peribiliary cysts on CT were compared between the two groups. The existence of peribiliary cysts was suggested when a cyst was observed around the second- to fourth-order branches of the intrahepatic portal vein.

RESULTS

Peribiliary cysts were suggested on CT in 31 of 346 cirrhotic livers (9.0%) and 10 of 307 noncirrhotic livers (3.3%). This difference in the frequency of peribiliary cysts was statistically significant (chi2, p < 0.01). Multiple peribiliary cysts were seen in 71% of cirrhotic patients with peribiliary cyst. The size of peribiliary cysts was smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter.

CONCLUSION

Peribiliary cyst is radiologically observed more frequently in cirrhotic liver than in noncirrhotic liver and is occasionally multiple.

Peribiliary cysts in liver cirrhosis: US, CT, and MR findings

OBJECTIVE

We report the imaging features of hepatic peribiliary cysts (PC) and the course of their development on CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both CT and US findings were correlated with histopathologic findings in two patients with PC at autopsy. Five patients with cysts around the portal vein on CT but without histologic correlation were also included in this study. In six patients the course of PC development was observed.

RESULTS

In the two autopsy cases cystic dilatation of the peribiliary glands was confirmed. The cases showed continuous small cysts along the portal veins reflecting the periportal collar seen on CT and the abnormal MR signal intensity of the periportal area. Ultrasound (US) showed round or tubular anechoic lesions around the large portal tracts mimicking dilatation of the bile ducts. Clustered cysts and echogenic dots or bands around PC were also seen. In three of six cases the PCs gradually enlarged and increased in number.

CONCLUSION

In patients with liver cirrhosis PCs can be demonstrated by CT, US, and MRI in the vicinity of the hepatic hilum. Peribiliary cysts enlarge gradually and must be differentiated from dilatation of bile ducts or edema of portal tracts.

Regulatory effect of calcium-regulating hormones on the synthesis and/or secretion of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein in chick embryonic calvaria in vitro

Regulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25-(OH)2-D3), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) on BGP synthesis and/or secretion were studied using chick embryonic calvaria in vitro. BGP contents in calvaria and culture medium were determined by radioimmunoassay using antiserum to purified chick BGP. After 72 h culture, 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-10)-10(-7) M) increased the BGP content in culture medium significantly, and the effect was maximum at 10(-8)M, while the BGP content in calvaria was not changed by 1,25-(OH)2-D3. 24,25-(OH)2-D3 increased the BGP content both in medium at 10(-6) M-10(-5) M after 24 h culture and in calvaria at 5 X 10(-7)-10(-5) M after 48 h culture. PTH increased BGP contents both in calvaria after 72 h culture and medium at 1 U/ml after 24 h culture, while it decreased them at 5-10 U/ml after 24 h culture. CT (0.5-10 U/ml) had no effect on BGP contents in calvaria and medium. 1,25-(OH)2-D3-induced increase of BGP in culture medium was observed from 24 to 72 h of culture and then reached a plateau at 120 h of culture. 1,25-(OH)2-D3-induced increase in the BGP level in medium after 72 h culture was 3-4 times the control value. On the other hand, the BGP content in calvaria was not affected by 1,25-(OH)2-D3 until 72 h of culture and then significantly increased at 120 h. The addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-8) M), 24,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-6) M), and 1 U PTH (and 1 U CT added to those hormones) into culture medium of chick embryonic calvaria significantly increased BGP contents in calvaria and medium at 72 h after culture. The effect of three hormones was not synergistic, but had a tendency to be greater than that of a single addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 or PTH. Further addition of 1 U CT into culture medium did not affect the combined effects of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 and PTH except for the calcium content in calvaria. The addition of individual calcium-regulating hormones into culture medium of chick embryonic calvaria did not affect the calcium and phosphorus contents in calvaria, but the calcium content in calvaria was significantly increased by the addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, 24,25-(OH)2-D3 and PTH to the culture medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)