Berna Oguz

Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Distensibility in Children and Adolescents Reference Values and Role of Body Dimensions

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid artery distensibility are reliable screening methods for vascular alterations and the assessment of cardiovascular risk in adult and pediatric cohorts. We sought to establish an international reference data set for the childhood and adolescence period and explore the impact of developmental changes in body dimensions and blood pressure (BP) on carotid wall thickness and elasticity. cIMT, the distensibility coefficient, the incremental modulus of elasticity, and the stiffness index &bgr; were assessed in 1155 children aged 6 to 18 years and sex-specific reference charts normalized to age or height were constructed from 1051 nonobese and nonhypertensive children. The role of body dimensions, BP, and family history, as well as the association between cIMT and distensibility, was investigated. cIMT increased and distensibility decreased with age, height, body mass index, and BP. A significant sex difference was apparent from the age of 15 years. Age- and height-normalized cIMT and distensibility values differed in children who are short or tall for their age. By stepwise multivariate analysis, standardized systolic BP and body mass index were independently positively associated with cIMT SD scores (SDS). Systolic BP SDS independently predicted all distensibility measures. Distensibility coefficient SDS was negatively and &bgr; SDS positively associated with cIMT SDS, whereas incremental modulus of elasticity was independent of cIMT. Morphological and functional aspects of the common carotid artery are particularly influenced by age, body dimensions, and BP. The reference charts established in this study allow to accurately compare vascular phenotypes of children with chronic conditions with those of healthy children.

CT findings of lymphoma with peritoneal, omental and mesenteric involvement: Peritoneal lymphomatosis

PURPOSE We aimed to describe computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with peritoneal, omental and mesenteric lymphoma involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched our archive retrospectively to find out patients with peritoneal, omental and mesenteric lymphoma involvement. We found 16 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma meeting these criteria. CT studies of these patients were reevaluated for the presence of peritoneal involvement, ascites, omental mass, organomegaly, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, bowel wall thickening and other associated findings. RESULTS There were 14 males and 2 females with peritoneal and/or mesenteric and omental lymphoma involvement. Mean age was 39 (range 4-76). Subgroups of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n=11), small cell lymphocytic lymphoma (n=2), small cleaved cell lymphoma (n=1), T-cell lymphoma (n=1) and Burkitts lymphoma (n=1). Peritoneal involvement was seen in 15 patients (93.8%) in the form of linear (n=12) and nodular (n=3) thickening. Ascites was seen in 12 (75%) patients. Omental and mesenteric masses were present in 10 (66.6%) and 10 (66.6%) patients, respectively. Bowel wall thickening, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly were also common and observed in 10, 10 and 11 patients, respectively. Solid organ involvement in the form of liver and splenic lesions was seen in 9 (56%) patients. CONCLUSION Peritoneal involvement can be seen in many subtypes of lymphoma and most frequently in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Peritoneal lymphomatosis can mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis and should be included in the differential diagnosis list in patients with ascites, hepatosplenic lesions and unidentified cause of peritoneal thickening on CT in a male patient.

Current status of contrast-induced nephropathy and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in children.

Serum creatinine level allows crude estimation of renal function; therefore, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is being increasingly used for renal function evaluation [6–9]. In paediatric patients the upper level of creatinine changes from the newborn period to teenagers and GFR can be calculated by the Schwarz equation [10]. Calculation of estimated GFR instead of serum creatinine is critical for deciding contrast agent administration. Estimated GFR can be calculated by knowing the patient’s age, sex and weight. Chronic renal failure is divided into five groups based on the GFR: grade I, 90–120 ml/min; grade 2, 60–89 ml/min; grade 3, 30–59 ml/min; grade 4, 15–29 ml/min; grade 5, 0–14 ml/ min. Patients with grade 4 and 5 usually undergo dialysis.

CT angiography of the renal arteries and veins: normal anatomy and variants.

Conventional angiography has long been regarded as gold standard imaging modality for evaluation of the renal vasculature. Introduction of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography had a groundbreaking impact on evaluation of the renal vessels and is gradually replacing conventional angiography as standard imaging. Herein, we review and illustrate the normal and variant anatomy of renal vessels with special emphasis on imaging protocols and reconstruction techniques in MDCT.

Recesses along the posterior margin of the infrapatellar (Hoffa’s) fat pad: prevalence and morphology on routine MR imaging of the knee

The objective is to evaluate the prevalence and morphology of recesses along the posterior margin of the infrapatellar fat pad on routine MR imaging of the knee. MR images of 213 knees in 204 consecutive individuals were evaluated with regard to the prevalence and morphology of recesses (a “suprahoffatic” recess close to the inferior border of the patella and the previously described “infrahoffatic” recess anterior to the inferior portion of the infrapatellar plica). The recesses were analyzed with regard to synovial effusion and the condition of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Anatomic dissection was made in 29 knees in 16 cadavers to verify the presence of the suprahoffatic recess. The infrahoffatic recess was present in 45% of the knees and mostly linear in shape (44%). The suprahoffatic recess was detected in 71% of the knees (45% in cadavers). Very weak to moderate positive correlation was found between the synovial effusion or the condition of the ACL and the presence and dimensions of the recesses. An awareness of the recesses in the infrapatellar fat pad is important in order to distinguish between pathology and anatomic variants on routine MR imaging of the knee.

Diffuse spinal and intercostal nerve involvement in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: MRI findings

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an uncommon demyelinating disorder with a relapsing and remitting or continuously progressive course. Hypertrophic nerve roots, sometimes associated with gadolinium enhancement, has been reported more commonly in lumbar spine and less commonly in the brachial plexus and cervical roots; however, diffuse involvement of intercostal nerves bilaterally has never been reported previously. We present MRI findings which include diffuse enlargement and mild enhancement of roots and extraforaminal segments of nerves in all segments except a short segment between T12–L2 as well as all the intercostal nerves in a case of CIPD with a 10-year history.

Mesenteric Arterial Variations Detected at MDCT Angiography of Abdominal Aorta

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this essay are to outline MDCT angiographic techniques for the evaluation of the mesenteric arterial vasculature and to review anatomic variants depicted on MDCT angiograms. CONCLUSION MDCT angiography has distinct advantages over conventional angiography in imaging of the mesenteric arterial vasculature.

Horseshoe lung associated with left-lung hypoplasia, left pulmonary artery sling and bilateral agenesis of upper lobe bronchi

Horseshoe lung, a rare congenital anomaly, is almost always associated with unilateral (usually right-sided) lung hypoplasia, and, in most cases, in conjunction with the scimitar syndrome. We present an 8-month-old boy with horseshoe lung associated with left-lung hypoplasia, left pulmonary artery sling and bilateral agenesis of the upper lobe bronchi, diagnosed by multidetector CT (MDCT) imaging. The study also revealed an anomalous origin of the left vertebral artery as the last branch of the aortic arch, distal to the left subclavian artery, and an anomalous origin of the left common carotid artery from the brachiocephalic trunk. A hemivertebral anomaly of the seventh cervical vertebra was incidentally detected. MDCT with high-quality multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions is a noninvasive and rapid technique for detecting the complex combination of vascular, tracheobronchial and parenchymal anomalies, and any potential bone anomalies, in one imaging study.

The deep infrapatellar bursa: prevalence and morphology on routine magnetic resonance imaging of the knee.

Objective: To evaluate the presence, location, and dimensions of the deep infrapatellar bursa on routine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the knee. Methods: The study group consisted of 213 knees in 204 consecutive individuals who had undergone routine MR imaging examination of the knee within a 365-day period. Magnetic resonance examinations consisted of T1-, proton-density–, and T2-weighted sagittal; spectral presaturation inversion recovery coronal; and T2*-weighted transverse sequences. Exclusion criteria were previous knee arthroscopy or surgery or the presence of a mass lesion infiltrating the infrapatellar fat pad. The presence, location, and dimensions of the deep infrapatellar bursa were studied. The bursa was also analyzed with regard to knee joint synovial effusion (absent, mild, or marked). Results: The deep infrapatellar bursa was detected in 68% of the knees, most commonly on the lateral paramedian sagittal MR images. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female subjects or between the knee sides with regard to the detection of the deep infrapatellar bursa (P > 0.05). No correlation was found between synovial effusion and the presence of the deep infrapatellar bursa. The mean anteroposterior and craniocaudal dimensions of the deep infrapatellar bursa on sagittal T2-weighted MR images were 2.1–2.7 mm and 7.3–9.1 mm, respectively, on its lateral, central, or medial location within the sagittal MR image stack. Conclusion: An awareness of the dimensions and location of the deep infrapatellar bursa is important in distinguishing it from pathologic lesions (eg, bursitis).

Imaging Findings of Fetal-Neonatal Ovarian Cysts Complicated With Ovarian Torsion and Autoamputation

OBJECTIVE Large nonresolving neonatal ovarian cysts may be a risk factor for complications such as torsion, mass effect, rupture, intracystic hemorrhage, and autoamputation. Torsed cysts and autoamputated cysts can cause a diagnostic dilemma. The objective of our study was to correlate the imaging findings of intrauterine ovarian torsion and autoamputated ovaries with their pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the pre- and postnatal medical records, sonographic findings, operation notes, and pathologic reports of 15 patients with ovarian torsion. All patients had complex cysts noted on postnatal sonographic examination. A complex heterogeneous ovarian cyst was defined by the presence of a fluid-debris level indicating hemorrhage within the cyst, a retracting clot, septations with or without internal echoes, calcification, and a solid component. RESULTS On ultrasound examination, four cysts had solid components, and 11 were heterogeneous and had a fluid-debris level. Calcifications were seen in two patients. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 3.9 months. Exploratory laparotomy was performed on all patients. Torsed ovaries were identified in five patients. Ten patients had ovaries that were floating free in the peritoneal cavity at the time of surgery. Histopathologic evaluation revealed that 11 of the cysts consisted of extensive hemorrhagic, necrotic autolytic tissue with dystrophic calcification. None of the cysts contained any ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION A complex heterogeneous ovarian cyst with a fluid-debris level indicating hemorrhage is a significant sonographic hallmark for the diagnosis of ovarian torsion. A calcified abdominal mass, with or without wandering, can be an autoamputated ovary.